# Multiscale Predictive Modeling of Blood Cell Damage with Experimental Verification

> **NIH NIH R01** · LEHIGH UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $398,558

## Abstract

Multiscale Predictive Modeling of Blood Cell Damage with Experimental Verification
This proposal aims to develop a multiscale model to characterize blood cell damage under
complex flow conditions. Blood damage is an important concern for various blood wetting medical
devices. In literature, blood damage criterion is typically obtained through empirical fitting of
experimental hemolysis data in a specific device, yet little is known about cellular scale process of
blood cell damage which hinders the accurate evaluation of blood damage in a general medical
device. The goal of this proposal is to study blood cell damage at molecular and cellular level
using combined computational modeling and experimental approaches. Specifically, we will
develop a multiscale model that links molecular scale pores formation to cell membrane damage
and hemoglobin release. The multiscale computational modeling will be applied for the first time
to study of cellular flow over various channel geometries and clinically relevant devices with
consideration of both hydrodynamics and membrane damage dynamics. Specifically, we plan to:
1. Develop a multiscale red blood cell membrane damage model. A localized coarse-grained
 molecular dynamics model at the high stress region will be concurrently linked with a network
 based cellular membrane model.
2. Couple the cell membrane damage model with local fluid flow through Immersed Boundary
 method to study cell deformation, pore formation and membrane rupture. Such computational
 model will be applied to predict blood cell damages in a channels with different geometries
 and flow conditions. A generalized cellular level blood cell damage model will be developed.
3. Verify the developed multiscale blood cell damage model using AFM measurements,
 microfluidic tests, and Couette-type blood-shearing devices. A few designed tests will be
 performed to evaluate cell damage based on hemoglobin analysis of individual cells under
 controlled stress history and compared to the simulation results. Finally, the developed blood
 damage model will be applied to study hemolysis in a ventricular assist device.
The proposed multi-scale model can directly correlate the microscale state of the cell membrane
to local stresses as well as predict cell damage in device with complex geometry and flow
condition. Such model could serve as a predictive tool for hematologic biomedical device design
and optimization.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10072068
- **Project number:** 5R01HL131750-05
- **Recipient organization:** LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Yaling Liu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $398,558
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-01-09 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10072068

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10072068, Multiscale Predictive Modeling of Blood Cell Damage with Experimental Verification (5R01HL131750-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10072068. Licensed CC0.

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