Alastair Campbell Ritchie
Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering
Contact
Biography
Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering
I have developed a number of experimental bioreactors to test the response of mammalian cells to environmental factors, particularly to applied mechanical forces. These bioreactors incorporate high precision actuators to allow maximum control over the magnitude and frequency of stimulation.
These bioreactors have been used to demonstrate the effect of mechanical force on smooth muscle cells of oesophageal origin, as well as on epithelial cells from the oesophagus. My research has demonstrated the link between over-stimulation and a stress avoidance response, and the induction of differentiation in cells by mechanical stimulation.
Physiological and Biomechanical Modelling
I am also active in research into the effects of technique on athletic performance, particularly in the sport of rowing, and am active in a collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force researching into the causes and prevention of G-induced loss of consciousness.
Expertise Summary
Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering
I have developed a number of experimental bioreactors to test the response of mammalian cells to environmental factors, particularly to applied mechanical forces. These bioreactors incorporate high precision actuators to allow maximum control over the magnitude and frequency of stimulation.
These bioreactors have been used to demonstrate the effect of mechanical force on smooth muscle cells of oesophageal origin, as well as on epithelial cells from the oesophagus. My research has demonstrated the link between over-stimulation and a stress avoidance response, and the induction of differentiation in cells by mechanical stimulation. The bioreactors developed can use tubular or flat sheet geometry, discussions are under way with the department of orthopaedic surgery to modify the design to allow compressive rather than tensile stimulation.
I have interests in the development of larger scale bioreactors for the production of sustainable energy and fuels for transportation.
Physiological and Biomechanical Modelling
I am also active in research into the effects of technique on athletic performance, particularly in the sport of rowing, and am active in a collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force researching into the causes and prevention of G-induced loss of consciousness.
Service as a Technical Expert
I have served on the International Standards Organisation's Technical Committee on Implants for Surgery and on National Level Technical Committees in Singapore addressing international standardisation.
Teaching Summary
Biomaterials and biomaterial processing
Medical device regulation and standardisation
Research Summary
My current research focuses on the effect of mechanical environment on cells and cell-biomaterial constructs. We have recently developed a new bioreactor which is able to exert compressive… read more
Recent Publications
A.C. RITCHIE, 2012. Extracorporeal Artificial Organs. In: B.D. RATNER, A.S. HOFFMAN, F.J. SCHOEN and J.E. LEMONS, eds., Biomaterials Science: An Introiduction to Materials in Medicine 3. Academic Press. (In Press.)
A.C. RITCHIE and J. DOMINY, 2012. Rowing Equipment. In: F.K. FUSS, ed., Routledge Handbook of Sports Technology Routledge. (In Press.)
A.C. RITCHIE, M.D. MOLES, J.A. POUGET, P.K. KINNELL and C.A. SCOTCHFORD, 2011. Effect of compressive plane strain on osteoblast-like cells in vitro International Journal of Artificial Organs. 34(8), 690
A.C. RITCHIE and M.F. SELAMAT, 2010. Comparison of blade designs in paddle sports Sports Technology. 3(2), 141-149
Current Research
My current research focuses on the effect of mechanical environment on cells and cell-biomaterial constructs. We have recently developed a new bioreactor which is able to exert compressive stimulation on cells grown on softer substrates, in addition to existing research on bioreactors providing tensile and torsional stimulation.
In addition to the bioreactors themselves, we have also developed flexible substrates, allowing the effect of mechanical strain, and substrate flexibility/anisotropy to be studied.
Future Research
I am looking to take this research further, with a new bioreactor to allow electrical stimulation as well as mechanical stimulation