Our approach consists of experiments to measure cell and tissue function/structure under carefully controlled loading conditions (deformations or forces), complemented by computational and translational models that extend these experimental findings to a broad range of real-world environments. Work in the laboratory has yielded fundamental information about the mechanical properties of the brain and skull, in vivo deformations of the brain and lung, and the cellular response to deformations which accompany lung inflation.  Current work extends these studies to develop intervention and treatment strategies to reduce injury morbidity and improve outcomes.