2025

  • Nagawa J, Sack KL, Kraus S, Sirry MS, Davies NH, Ntusi NAB, Sliwa K, Franz T. Combining machine learning and finite element modelling towards a predictive tool for peripartum cardiomyopathy outcomes without and with left ventricular assist device therapy. ACC.25 - American College of Cardiology 74th Annual Scientific Session & Expo, Mar 29-31, 2025, Chicago, USA, in review.

2024

  • Nagawa J, Sack KL, Sirry M, Kraus S, Ntusi NBA, Davies NH, Franz T. In silico study of the outcome of partial LVAD support in peripartum cardiomyopathy. 29th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Jun 30 – Jul 3, 2024, Edinburgh, Scotland.

  • Nagawa J, Sack KL, Sirry M, Kraus S, Ntusi NBA, Davies NH, Franz T. Patient-specific finite element study of the cardiac biomechanics in peripartum cardiomyopathy. 6th African Conference on Computational Mechanics, Feb 26-28, 2024, Cape Town, South Africa.

2023

  • Shabangu MM, Blumenthal MJ, Sass D, Lang D, Schäfer G, Franz T. Investigating cellular mechanics in endothelial cells infected with recombinant Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. MBI Conference 2023: Mechanobiology in Health and Disease, Sep 26-29, 2023, Singapore.

2022

  • Nagawa J, Sack KL, Sirry M, Kraus S, Davies NH, Ntusi NBA, Franz T. Patient-specific Finite Element Study Exploring Cardiac Biomechanics and Partial Mechanical Left-Ventricular Assistance in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. 9th World Congress of Biomechanics, Jul 10-14, 2022, Taipei, Taiwan.

  • Motchon YD, Sack KL, Sirry MS, Pauwels E, Van Loo D, De Muynck A, Van Hoorebeke L, Davies NH, Franz T. Cellular Deformation and Associated Signalling in Intramyocardial Cell-biomaterial Injectates for Myocardial Infarction Therapies. 9th World Congress of Biomechanics, Jul 10-14, 2022, Taipei, Taiwan.

2021

  • Nchejane NJ, Sack KL, Sirry MS, Davies NH, Franz T. Regional Tissue Deformations at Cellular Length Scale During Scar Development in the Presence of Biomaterial Injectates Following Myocardial Infarction. 12th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics (SACAM2021), Nov 30 – Dec 2, 2021, Cape Town, South Africa.

  • Higgins G, Higgins F, Peres J, Abdalrahman T, Zaman MH, Prince S, Franz T. Melanoma Tumor Formation in 3D Collagen in Vitro Matrices is Regulated by Intracellular Mechanics and TBX3 Content. SB3C2021 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering and Biotransport Conference, June 14-18, 2021, Virtual.

2019

  • Kohn J, Abdalrahman T, Sack KL, Reinhart-King CA, Franz T. Modeling Focal Adhesion Strains on a Heterogeneous Substrate. BMES 2019 Annual Meeting, Oct 16-19, 2019, Philadelphia, USA.

  • Ahmed R, Abdalrahman T, Vemolen F, Davies N, Franz T. Mathematical Modelling of Cell Migration in a Multi-signalling Substrate. ESB 2019 - 25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Jul 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria.

  • Higgins G, Abdalrahman T, Zaman MH, Peres J, Prince S, Franz T. Investigating the Structural and Mechanical Properties Underlying Melanoma Transition. ESB 2019 - 25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Jul 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria.

  • Msosa C, Abdalrahman T, Franz T. Local Membrane Stresses and Strains in an Erythrocyte during Invasion by a Malaria Merozoite. ESB 2019 - 25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Jul 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria.

  • Abdalrahman T, Lacroix D, Franz T. Micromechanical Representation of Cytoplasm Enhances FE Prediction of Cellular Deformation during Nanoindentation. ESB 2019 - 25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Jul 7-10, 2019, Vienna, Austria.

2018

  • YD Motchon, KL Sack, MS Sirry, E Pauwels, D Van Loo, A De Muynck, L Van Hoorebeke, NH Davies, T Franz. Prediction of deformations in a micro-structurally dispersed therapeutic biomaterial injectate in the infarcted rat heart. WCB 2018 - 8th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 8-12, 2018, Dublin, Ireland, in review.

  • Sack KL, Aliotta E, Ennis DB, Choy JS, Kassab GS, Guccione JM, Franz T. Subject-specific biventricular finite element models of healthy and failing swine hearts from high-resolution DT-MRI. WCB 2018 - 8th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 8-12, 2018, Dublin, Ireland, in review.

  • Higgins G, Abdalrahman T, Ferruzzi J, Kim J, Peres J, Prince S, Zaman MH, Franz T. Relationship between mechanical properties and migratory capabilities of cancer cells in 3D environment. WCB 2018 - 8th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 8-12, 2018, Dublin, Ireland, in review.

  • Abdalrahman T, Lacroix D, Franz T. Computational micromechanical method to study the effect of cell morphology and stress fibre content on intracellular strain. WCB 2018 - 8th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 8-12, 2018, Dublin, Ireland, in review.

  • Sack KL, Aliotta E, Ennis DB, Choy JS, Kassab GS, Franz T, Guccione JM. Realistic simulation of Algisyl-LVR™ treatment of a clinically-relevant large animal model of chronic ischemic heart failure. WCB 2018 - 8th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 8-12, 2018, Dublin, Ireland, in review.

  • Kohn J, Abdalrahman T, Sack KL, Reinhart-King CA, Franz T. Endothelial cell basal stresses are more heterogeneous in aged than in young arteries. WCB 2018 - 8th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 8-12, 2018, Dublin, Ireland, in review.

  • Msosa C, Abdalrahman T, Franz T. Mechanics of erythrocyte membrane wrapping during active invasion of a plasmodium falciparum merozoite. SABEC 2018 - 3rd SA Biomedical Engineering Conference, Apr 4-6, 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa, in review.

  • Kruse E, Abdalrahman T, Selhorst P, Franz T. Modelling of the mechanics of early stage engulfment of HIV into host cells. SABEC 2018 - 3rd SA Biomedical Engineering Conference, Apr 4-6, 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa, in review.

2017

  • Mandel N, Abdalrahman T, Sack K, Bezuidenhout D, Limbert G, Moscato F, Davies NH, Franz T. Modelling the deformation of cells in a hydrogel and fibrous scaffold environment. MultiBioMe 2017 – ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Multiscale Problems in Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Sep 11-13, 2017, Vienna, Austria.

  • Downs J, Jermy S, du Toit J, Kahn D, Franz T. Flow velocity measurement in haemodialysis access using 4D MRI. WCS2017 - 47th World Congress of Surgery, Aug 13-17, 2017, Basel, Switzerland.

  • Kruse E, Abdalrahman T, Selhorst P, Franz T. Mathematical modelling of virion-cell interactions. ESB2017 - 23rd Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Jul 2-5, 2017, Seville, Spain.

  • Ahmed RKI, Abdalrahman T, Vermolen FJ, Davies NH, Franz T. Mathematical modelling of cell migration over a 2D planar substrate. ESB2017 - 23rd Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Jul 2-5, 2017, Seville, Spain.

  • Abdalrahman T, Lacroix D, Franz T. Predicting the effect of cell morphology on intracellular strain and stress. EMBEC’17 - European Medical and Biological Engineering Conference, Jun 11-15, 2017, Tampere, Finland.

  • Kohn JC, Abdalrahman T, Reinhart-King CA, Franz T. Endothelial cell focal adhesion stress distribution on a heterogeneous stiffness matrix. CMBE2017 - 5th International Conference on Computational and Mathematical Biomedical Engineering, Apr 10-12, 2017, Pittsburgh, USA (invited talk).

2016

  • Kruse E, Maity S, Abdalrahman T, Sellhorst P, Roos W, Franz T. Experimental and numerical virus mechanobiology in the context of HIV. 2nd Symposium on Nanomedicine and HIV/Aids in South Africa, Dec 2, 2016, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Bogaers AEL, Kok S, Reddy BD, Franz T. Interface information transfer between non-matching, non-conforming interfaces using radial basis function interpolation. SACAM 2016 - 10th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, Oct 3-5, 2016, Potchefstroom, South Africa

  • Sack KL, Allioti E, Ennis D, Khassab G, Choy S, Franz T. Quantifying the effect of in-vivo alginate injections on myocardial tissue structure. CMBBE 2016 - 14th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Sep 20–22, 2016, Tel Aviv, Israel (invited talk)

  • Sirry MS, Davies NH, Franz T. Investigation of the micromechanics of a myocardial infarct with therapeutic hydrogel injectate during diastole. WCCM 2016 - 12th World Congress on Computational Mechanics, July 24-29, 2016, Seoul, Korea

  • Sack KL, Lee LC, Guccione JM, Franz T. Population-based myofibre assignment: the importance of longitudinal variation in subject-specific cardiac models. ESB 2016 - 22nd Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 10-13, 2016, Lyon, France

  • Abdalrahman T, Davies NH, Franz T. Micromechanical modeling of cytoplasm affects cell deformation in 2D cell-substrate interactions. ESB 2016 - 22nd Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 10-13, 2016, Lyon, France

  • Ngoepe MN, Davies NH, Franz T. Retention of hydrogel in myocardial tissue following injection. 2nd SU Biomedical Engineering Conference, Mar 22-24, 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2015

  • Abdalrahman T, Dubuis L, Davies NH, Green J, Franz T. Computational Simulation of Mechanical Interactions Between a Cell and Its Environment Considering Focal Adhesions and Substrate Stiffness. Biophysics in the Understanding, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Nov 16-20, 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

  • Franz T, Sirry MS, Wise P, Bezuidenhout D, Davies NH. Engineering of Biomaterial Injectate Therapies for Myocardial Infarction. 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Aug 25-29, 2015, Milan, Italy (invited talk)

  • Franz T, Bezuidenhout D, Limbert G, Davies NH. Multiscale Computational Simulations: The Role of Biomechanics in Cardiovascular Diseases and Therapies. 25th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, July 12-16, 2015, Glasgow, Scotland (invited talk)

  • Sirry MS, Dubuis L, Davies NH, Liao J, Franz T. Identification of orthotropic material parameters for healing myocardial infarcts in the rat. 25th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, July 12-16, 2015, Glasgow, Scotland [Download poster]

  • Franz T, Sirry MS, Wise P, Dubuis L, Davies NH. Treating Acute Myocardial Infarction with Biomaterial Injectates. 15th International Symposium on Computer Simulation in Biomechanics, Jul 9-11, 2015, Edinburgh, UK

  • Downs J, Jermy S, Kahn D, Meintjes EM, Franz T. Flow Velocity Measurement in Haemodialysis Access Using 4D MRI: A Pilot Study of Feasibility. Annual Meeting of the Society of Academic & Research Surgery, Jan 7-8, 2015, Durham, UK

2014

  • Franz T. Tailoring Biomaterial Injections for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction. CMBBE 2014 - 12th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Oct 13-15, 2014, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Invited keynote lecture)

  • Bezuidenhout D, Pennel T, Franz T, Davies N, Zilla P. Importance of porosity in synthetic vascular grafts. 248th ACS National Meeting, Aug 10-14, 2014, San Francisco, USA

  • Franz T, Wise P, Kortsmit J, Dubuis L, Davies NH. Tailoring Intra-myocardial Hydrogel Injections for the Treatment of Acute Cardiac Infarcts. 7th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 6-11, 2014, Boston, USA (invited talk)

  • Dubuis L, Davies NH, Green J, Franz T. Modelling of Focal Adhesions Considerably Affects the Predicted Intracellular Strain Field. 7th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 6-11, 2014, Boston, USA [Download poster]

  • Sirry MS, Butler JR, Patnaik SS, Brazile B, Bertucci R, Claude A, McLaughlin R, Davies NH, Liao J, Franz T. Post-infarct Mechanical Behavior of Rat Myocardial Tissue under Biaxial Tension, Compression and Shear Loads. 7th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 6-11, 2014, Boston, USA [Download poster]

  • Sack K, Skatulla S, Franz T, Sansour C. Myocardial Tissue Mechanics with Fibres Modelled as One-Dimensional Cosserat Continua. 7th World Congress on Biomechanics, Jul 6-11, 2014, Boston, USA [Download poster]

2013

  • Limbert G, Krynauw H, Omar R, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Franz T. A Constitutive Model for the Anisotropic Behaviour of Electro-Spun Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds. 5th Asia Pacific Congress on Computational Mechanics & 4th International Symposium on Computational Mechanics, Dec 11-14, 2013, Singapore

  • Davies NH, Bracher M, Bezuidenhout D, Franz T, Zilla P. Cell Type Specific Invasion of Hydrogels Polymerised with Different Matrix Metalloproteinase Cleavage Sites. TERMIS-AM Conference: Celebrating 25 years of Transformative Science & Engineering, Nov 10-13, 2013, Atlanta, USA

  • Franz T. Multiscale Computational Modelling in Biomechanics of Cardiovascular Diseases and Therapies. eResearch Africa 2013 - ICT Enabling Research, Oct 6-10, 2013, Cape Town, South Africa (Invited keynote lecture)

  • Krynauw H, Buescher J, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Franz T. Changes in Mechanical Strength of Electrospun Polymeric Scaffold Due to Tissue Ingrowth in a Sub-cutaneous Rat Model. 24th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Aug 4-9, 2013, Natal, Brazil

  • Dubuis L, Davies NH, Green J, Franz T. Feasibility of a Hybrid Tensegrity-Continuum Modelling Approach for Single Cell Computational Mechanics. AfriCOMP13, 3rd African Conference on Computational Mechanics – An International Conference, Jul 30 – Aug 2, 2013, Livingston, Zambia

  • Limbert G, Krynauw H, Omar R, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Franz T. A Constitutive Model for the Anisotropic Behaviour of Electro-Spun Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds. AfriCOMP13, 3rd African Conference on Computational Mechanics – An International Conference, Jul 30 – Aug 2, 2013, Livingston, Zambia

  • Krynauw H, Buescher J, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Franz T. Constitutive Modelling of Mechanical Changes in an Electrospun Polymeric Scaffold due to Sub-cutaneous Tissue Ingrowth in the Rat. AfriCOMP13, 3rd African Conference on Computational Mechanics – An International Conference, Jul 30 – Aug 2, 2013, Livingston, Zambia

  • Skatulla S, Legner D, Rama RR, Mbewu J, Sansour C, Reddy BD, Davies NH, Franz T. Studying the Impact of the Injection Therapy for Myocardial Infarction on the Heart’s Performance. 3rd South-East European Conference on the Computational Mechanics (SEECCM III), Jun 12-14, 2013, Kos, Greece

  • Franz T. Biomechanics of Acellular Injection Therapies for Myocardial Infarction. CMBBE 2013 - 11th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Apr 3-7, 2013, Salt Lake City, USA (Invited keynote lecture)

  • Skatulla S, Legner D, Rama RR, Mbewu J, Sansour C, Davies NH, Franz T. Computational Study of the Injection Therapy for Myocardial Infarction During the Necrotic Stage. 10th IASTED International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Feb 13-15, 2013, Innsbruck, Austria

2012

  • Franz T. HPC for Simulation and Modelling of Cardiac Infarction for the Development of Novel and Effective Treatment. CHPC National Meeting 2012: HPC and Data Applications for Increased Impact on Research, Dec 5-7, 2012, Durban, South Africa (Invited keynote lecture)

  • Legner D, Skatulla S, Mbewu J, Reddy BD, Davies NH, Franz T. Studying the influence of hydrogel injections into the infarcted left ventricle using the element-free Galerkin method. ECCOMAS 2012 - 6th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, Sep 10-14, 2012, Vienna, Austria

  • Davies NH, Kadner K, Dobner S, Franz T, Sirry MS, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P. The Beneficial Effects of Delayed Delivery on the Efficiency of Hydrogel Therapy Post Myocardial Infarction. 3rd TERMIS World Congress 2012 – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Sep 5-8, 2012, Vienna, Austria

  • Vazquez M, Lafortune P, Legner D, Skatulla SR, Mbewu JP, Reddy BD, Davies NH, Franz T, Aris R, Houzeaux G. HPC in Cardiac Computational Modelling. WCCM 2012 - 10th World Congress on Computational Mechanics, July 8-13, 2012, Sao Paolo, Brazil (Invited keynote lecture)

  • Legner D, Skatulla S, Mbewu J, Reddy BD, Davies NH, Franz T. Studying the influence of hydrogel injections into the infarcted left ventricle using the element-free Galerkin method. WCCM 2012 - 10th World Congress on Computational Mechanics, July 8-13, 2012, Sao Paolo, Brazil

  • Bogaers A, Odendaal A, Kok S, Ubbink O, Franz T, Reddy BD, Du Toit CG. Towards the Development of a Fully Coupled Arterial-venous 1D Finite Volume Model. WCCM 2012 - 10th World Congress on Computational Mechanics, July 8-13, 2012, Sao Paolo, Brazil

  • Miller R, Kortsmit J, Davies NH, Zilla P, Franz T. Computational Models of Human Left Ventricle to Investigate the Biomechanics of Myocardial Infarction and Biomaterial Injection Therapy. WCCM 2012 - 10th World Congress on Computational Mechanics, July 8-13, 2012, Sao Paolo, Brazil

  • Bogaers A, Kok S, Franz T, Reddy BD. Inverse Parameter Identification for a Branching 1D Arterial Network. EngOpt 2012 - 3rd International Conference on Engineering Optimization, July 1-5, 2012, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Kortsmit J, Davies NH, Miller R, Zilla P, Franz T. A Computational Study of the Effects of a Layered Hydrogel Injectate on Cardiac Function and Myocardial Mechanics in an Infarcted Heart. ESB2012 – 18th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 1-4, 2012, Lisbon, Portugal

  • Franz T, Reddy BD, Skatulla SR, Davies NH. Computational Cardiac Biomechanics towards Improved Understanding and Treatment of Myocardial Infarction. 10th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Apr 11-14, 2012, Berlin, Germany (Invited plenary lecture)

  • Masithulela F, Davies NH, Sharp S-K, Saleh MG, Spottiswoode BS, Meintjes EM, Zilla P, Franz T. Rat Heart Ventricle 3D Geometrical Reconstruction - Towards Understanding of Cardiac Mechanics in Myocardial Infarction. ICMIB 2012 - International Conference on Medical Information and Bioengineering, Mar 24-25, 2012, Shenzhen, China

2011

  • Franz T, Reddy BD, Skatulla SR, Davies NH. Computational Electro-mechanics of the Heart: A Contribution to Novel Therapies for Myocardial Infarction. CHPC National Meeting 2011: Better HPC and Data-curation Adoption, Better Research and Industrial Development, Dec 7-9, 2011, Pretoria, South Africa (Invited plenary lecture)

  • Kortsmit J, Davies NH, Miller R, Macadangdang JR, Zilla P, Franz T. The Effect of Hydrogel Injection on Cardiac Function and Myocardial Mechanics in an Infarcted Left Ventricle – A Computational Study. CHPC National Meeting 2011: Better HPC and Data-curation Adoption, Better Research and Industrial Development, Dec 7-9, 2011, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Miller R, Kortsmit J, Davies NH, Zilla P, Franz T. Effects of Biomaterial Injected into the Infarct Region of a Human Left Ventricle on End-diastolic Myocardial Mechanics. CHPC National Meeting 2011: Better HPC and Data-curation Adoption, Better Research and Industrial Development, Dec 7-9, 2011, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Sirry MS, Davies NH, Kadner K, Saleh MG, Spottiswoode BS, Meintjes EM, Masithulela F, Zilla P, Reddy BD, Franz T. Combined 3D Geometrical Reconstruction of a Rat Heart and Myocardial Biomaterial Injectate from Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histology. CHPC National Meeting 2011: Better HPC and Data-curation Adoption, Better Research and Industrial Development, Dec 7-9, 2011, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Masithulela F, Davies NH, Sharp S-K, Saleh MG, Spottiswoode BS, Meintjes EM, Zilla P, Franz T. Rat Heart Left and Right Ventricle 3D Geometrical Reconstruction and Validation using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging. CHPC National Meeting 2011: Better HPC and Data-curation Adoption, Better Research and Industrial Development, Dec 7-9, 2011, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Legner D, Mbewu J, Skatulla SR, Reddy BD, Franz T. On Computational Modelling of the Infarcted Left Ventricle of the Heart. CHPC National Meeting 2011: Better HPC and Data-curation Adoption, Better Research and Industrial Development, Dec 7-9, 2011, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Mbewu J, Skatulla SR, Reddy BD, Legner D, Franz T. Computational Modelling of the Electrophysiology of the Heart. CHPC National Meeting 2011: Better HPC and Data-curation Adoption, Better Research and Industrial Development, Dec 7-9, 2011, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Davies NH, Kadner K, Dobner S, Franz T, Sirry MS, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P. Myocardial Infarction: Injection of a Biomaterial After One Week is Superior to Immediate Treatment. SA Heart 2011 – 12th Annual Congress of the South African Heart Association, Oct 23-26, 2011, East London, South Africa

  • Franz T, de Vaal MH, Neville J, Scherman J, Litow M, Zilla P. Correlation of In-line and Transverse Force of the Pectoralis Major to Determine Mechanical Loadings on Sub-muscular Pectoral Pacemaker Implants. ISB 2011 - XXIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, July 3-7, 2011, Brussels, Belgium

  • Kortsmit J, Davies NH, Miller R, Macadangdang JR, Zilla P, Franz T. The Effect of Hydrogel Injection on Cardiac Function in a Post Infarction Heart Model. ISB 2011 - XXIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, July 3-7, 2011, Brussels, Belgium

  • Weed B, Borazjani A, Patnaik S, Prabhu R, Franz T, Horstemeyer M, Williams L, Liao J. Stress state dependence of human placenta mechanical behavior. 2011 ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, June 22-25, 2011, Farmington, PA, USA

  • Krynauw H, Bruchmüller L, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Franz T. Constitutive Modelling of Degradation Induced Mechanical Changes in Polyester-urethane Scaffold for Soft Tissue Regeneration. ICTE 2011 – 2nd International Conference on Tissue Engineering, June 2-4, 2011, Lisbon, Portugal

  • Miller R, Davies NH, Franz T. A Computational Study of Post-Infarct Mechanical Effects of Injected Biomaterial into Ischemic Myocardium. Whitaker Fellow/Scholar Conference, Mar 28-31, 2011, Budapest, Hungary

  • Moodley L, Zilla P, Franz T. Suppressing Unfavourable Biological Responses of Aorto-coronary Vein Grafts through the Placement of an External Nitinol Mesh. 7th International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mar 24-27, 2011, Antalya, Turkey

  • Yeoman MS, Reddy BD, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Franz T. Constitutive Modelling of Knitted Textiles With Warp-Weft Coupled Non-Linear Mechanics For Vascular Prostheses. AfriCOMP11, 2nd African Conference on Computational Mechanics, Jan 5-8, 2011, Cape Town, South Africa

  • Kortsmit J, Driessen NJB, Rutten MCM, Baaijens FPT. An Inverse Experimental-Numerical Approach to Assess Mechanical Properties of Tissue Engineered Heart Valves. AfriCOMP11, 2nd African Conference on Computational Mechanics, Jan 5-8, 2011, Cape Town, South Africa

  • Macadangdang JR, Miller R, Kortsmit J, Zilla P, Franz T. Computational Study of Functional Impact of Hydrogel Injection into Post-infarction Scar Tissue. AfriCOMP11, 2nd African Conference on Computational Mechanics, Jan 5-8, 2011, Cape Town, South Africa

2010

  • Franz T. Mechanics, Biology and Polymer Science towards a Therapy for Cardiac Infarction based on Myocardial Biomaterial Injectates. NanoII and NanoCARD Workshop, Dec 13–17, 2010, Rottach-Egern, Germany (Invited keynote lecture)

  • Franz T. Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering in Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. NanoII and NanoCARD Workshop, Dec 13–17, 2010, Rottach-Egern, Germany (Invited keynote lecture)

  • Franz T. Computational Mechanics in Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. CHPC National Meeting 2010: Advancing Research and Development through the National Cyber-infrastructure Initiatives, Dec 7-9, 2010, Cape Town, South Africa (Invited plenary lecture)

  • Weed B, Borazjani A, Patnaik S, Prabhu R, Horstemeyer M, Franz T, Williams L, Liao J. Stress State Dependence of Human Placenta. BMES 2010 Annual Meeting: Engineering New Frontiers in Medicine and Biology, Oct 6–9, 2010, Austin, TX, USA

  • Zilla P, Moodley L, Black M, Scherman J, Franz T. The Site-dependence of Vein Graft Remodeling: A Non-human Primate Study. ISACB 2010, 12th Biennial Year Meeting, Regeneration, Remodeling, and Repair: Mechanisms, Models, and Therapies for Heart and Vascular Disease, Sep 22-25, 2010, Boston, MA, USA

  • Zilla P, Moodley L, Wolf M, Bezuidenhout D, Sirry M, Rafiee N, Lichtenberg W, Black M, Franz T. Knitted Nitinol: A New Generation of Constrictive External Vein Graft Meshes. ISACB 2010, 12th Biennial Year Meeting, Regeneration, Remodeling, and Repair: Mechanisms, Models, and Therapies for Heart and Vascular Disease, Sep 22-25, 2010, Boston, MA, USA

  • Human P, Franz T, Dobner S, Reddy BD, Black M, Ilsley H, Wolf M, Moodley L, Zilla P. Hypothetical Size Optimization of a Constricting External Vascular Mesh for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery. ISACB 2010, 12th Biennial Year Meeting, Regeneration, Remodeling, and Repair: Mechanisms, Models, and Therapies for Heart and Vascular Disease, Sep 22-25, 2010, Boston, MA, USA

  • Franz T, Yeoman MS, Reddy BD, Bowles HC, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P. Optimisation of a Fabric Reinforced Porous Graft System using Finite Element Methods and Genetic Algorithms. 6th World Congress on Biomechanics, Aug 1-6, 2010, Singapore

  • Ngoepe MN, Reddy BD, Kahn D, Meyer C, Franz T. Development of a numerical tool for the mechanical assessment of anastomotic configurations of upper arm straight PTFE grafts for haemodialysis access. 38th Annual Meeting of the Surgical Research Society of Southern Africa, July 15-16, 2010, East London, South Africa

  • Vlassenbroeck J, Van Loo D, Bezuidenhout D, Boone M, Cnudde V, De Witte Y, Zilla P, Van Hoorebeke L, Franz T. Non-destructive Investigation of the Morphology of Tissue Regenerative Scaffolds With High Resolution X-Ray Tomography. i-SUP2010 - Innovation for Sustainable Production. Apr 18-21, 2010, Bruges, Belgium

  • Sirry M, Zilla P, Franz T. Finite Element Analysis of Scaffolds for Vascular Tissue Regeneration. CMBBE 2010 - 9th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Feb 24-27, 2010, Valencia, Spain

  • Reddy J, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Franz T. Development of a Physiological Flow Loop Simulator for Graft Compliance Testing. SACAM 2010 – 7th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, Jan 10-13, 2010, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Sirry M, Zilla P, Franz T. Finite Element Modelling of Tissue-Regenerating Vascular Grafts. SACAM 2010 – 7th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, Jan 10-13, 2010, Pretoria, South Africa

2009

  • Sirry M, Zilla P, Franz T. Computational Mechanics of a Composite Tissue-Regenerating Vascular Prosthesis. MRC Research Day, Sep 14-15, 2009, Parow, South Africa (high commendation) [Download poster]

  • de Vaal H, Scherman J, Zilla P, Neville J, Litow M, Franz T. The Measurement of In Vivo Loadings on Implantable Pacemaker Devices: A Feasibility Study. 1st SUN/UCT Biomedical Engineering Seminar, Aug 4, 2009, Stellenbosch, South Africa [Download poster]

  • Reddy J, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Franz T. Development of an In Vitro Compliance Tester for Vascular Grafts. 1st SUN/UCT Biomedical Engineering Seminar, Aug 4, 2009, Stellenbosch, South Africa [Download poster]

  • de Vaal H, Scherman J, Zilla P, Neville J, Litow M, Franz T. The Measurement of In Vivo Loadings on Implantable Pacemaker Devices: A Feasibility Study. 22nd Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, July 5-9, 2009, Cape Town, South Africa

2008

  • Franz T, van der Merwe H, Zilla P, Bezuidenhout D, Reddy BD. Tubular Nitinol Knit Meshes for External Reinforcement of Saphenous Vein Grafts: A Numerical Design Study. ASME ICEME Frontiers in Cardiovascular Engineering Symposium, Oct 31 – Nov 6, 2008, Boston, MA, USA

  • Moodley L, Zilla P, Franz T. Suppressing unfavourable biological response of vein grafts through external Nitinol mesh. SA Heart Congress, Nov 2-5, 2008, Wild Coast, South Africa

  • Franz T, van der Merwe H, Sirry M, Zilla P, Bezuidenhout D, Reddy BD. Numerical Analysis of Knitted Nitinol Meshes as External Saphenous Vein Support. MRC Research Day, Oct 16-17, 2008, Parow, South Africa [Download poster]

  • Franz T, van der Merwe H, Zilla P, Bezuidenhout D, Reddy BD. Computational Study of Knitted Nitinol Meshes for the Prospective Use as External Vein Reinforcement. ISACB 11th Biennial Meeting: Translation of Applied Biology to the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease, Sep 17-20, 2008, Bordeaux, France

  • Zilla P, Moodley L, Human H, Black M, Scherman J, Wolf MF, Franz T. Suppressing Vein Graft Intimal Hyperplasia Through External Nitinol Meshes: Size-Match Matters. 18th World Congress World Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons, Apr 30 – May 3, 2008, Kos Island, Greece

  • Franz T, van der Merwe H, Zilla P, Bezuidenhout D, Reddy BD. Finite Element Analysis of Knitted Nitinol Meshes for the Prospective Use as External Vein Reinforcement. 8th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering (CMBBE 2008), Feb 27 - Mar 1, 2008, Porto, Portugal

2007 and earlier

  • Franz T. Computational Studies towards Tailored Mechanics of Cardiovascular Prostheses Using Soft Tissue and Nitinol. Mechanics of Medical Devices, Institute of Physics, May 23, 2007, London, UK (Invited keynote lecture)

  • Reddy BD, Franz T. Cardiovascular Mechanics. Seminar on Biomedical Applications of Computer Simulation. Nov 24, 2006, Cape Town, South Africa

  • Franz T, Koch T, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P, Reddy BD. Numerical Analysis of the Aortic Valve Incorporating Different Leaflet Tissue Constitutive Models. ISACB 10th Biennial Meeting, Mar 8-11, 2006, La Jolla, California, USA

  • Human P, Franz T, Legodi T, Zilla P. Human Saphenous Vein Diameter Variability and Side Branching: Consequences for Focal Intimal Hyperplasia. ISACB 10th Biennial Meeting, Mar 8-11, 2006, La Jolla, California, USA

  • Franz T, Bezuidenhout D, Zilla P. Well-Defined Open-Porosity Polymeric Structures for Cardiovascular Applications. USA-Africa Workshop on Mechanics and Materials Behaviour. Jan 24-28, 2005, Cape Town, South Africa

  • Koch TM, Reddy BD, Franz T. Stress Analysis of the Aortic Heart Valve: Comparison of Linear and Non-linear Constitutive Models for Aortic Valve Leaflets. 14th European Society of Biomechanics Conference, July 4-7, 2004, 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

  • Koch TM, Franz T, Reddy BD. Finite Element Modelling of the Aortic Heart Valve. SANUM2003 - 27th Annual Conference, South African Society for Numerical and Applied Mathematics, Mar 31 -Apr 2, 2003, Stellenbosch, South Africa