# Collaborative Research: Investigating the Role of Aging and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Collagen Network Impairments on Fracture Behavior Across Physiological and Fall Strain Rates

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA) · $270,189

## Abstract

This award supports a research program to study the biomechanical origins of bone fragility in aging and type-2 diabetic populations. The most basic building blocks of bone are collagen and mineral. Aging and diabetes change the microstructure of bone through increasing the number of interconnections (crosslinks) of bone’s collagen network. This increase in crosslinks is hypothesized to reduce bone’s resistance to fracture. The mechanisms that are responsible for the observed increase in bone fragility will be investigated during the project. The findings are likely to have significant implications for public health, particularly as diabetes prevalence rises. The project supports NSF's mission by promoting scientific progress, advancing national health, and potentially leading to targeted therapeutic treatments that could improve quality of life for all Americans.

This work will reveal the role of advanced glycation end product cross-links on fracture behavior at quasi-static and dynamic loading rates representative of physiological and fall-event strain rates. Fracture experiments will be supported by elasto-plastic fracture theory, anisotropic stiffness tensors derived from non-destructive acoustic elastography, and high resolution in-situ imaging to provide new insights of active crack growth mechanisms. Because this study uses human tibia and fibula specimens obtained from healthy and diabetic individuals, we will for the first time be able to assess fracture behavior

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2448276
- **Awardee organization:** Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QDE5UHE5XD16
- **PI:** Caitlyn J Collins
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** BIOMECHANICS, WOMEN, MINORITY, DISABLED, NEC, UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION, GRADUATE INVOLVEMENT
- **Estimated total:** $270,189
- **Funds obligated:** $270,189
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 07/15/2025 → 06/30/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2448276

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2448276, Collaborative Research: Investigating the Role of Aging and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Collagen Network Impairments on Fracture Behavior Across Physiological and Fall Strain Rates. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2448276. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*