June 23, 2019

The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Hokkaido Branch“Biomechanics Research Meeting”
35th Seminar
Chairman: Toshiro Ohashi
The Biomechanics Research Meeting will sponsor presentations by Prof. Ganbat Danaa fromMongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mongolia and Prof. Peter Lee from
University of Melbourne, Australia. Faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduates areencouraged to participate in the seminar.
Date&Time: July 2, 2019, 16:00 - 17:30
Place: Room A6-63, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University
16:00 - 16:45
Title: Study of keratin from Mongolian camel hair and goat cashmere for biocompatible
materials
Speaker: Prof. Ganbat Danaa
Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mongolia
Abstract:
Keratin, a fibrous structural protein, that is available from a constituent of Mongolian animals, is apotential candidate for the fabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering. While several sources ofkeratin can be considered, the bioactivity of the keratins obtained can be different. In this study wediscuss the processing, and characterization of keratin from camel hair and goat cashmere. The camel
hair and cashmere were dissolved in an ionic liquid, and the characteristics of the soluble andunsoluble keratin were evaluated. The structure and properties of the raw material, soluble andunsoluble keratin were studied. Compared to the starting material, the soluble keratin showedchemical changes, decrease of cysteine, and minor structural changes. Preliminary in vitro biologicalproperties performed by a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and scratch test showed goodbioactivity in keratin from both sources. In particular, cell migration was observed to be faster whencells were cultured in the presence of soluble keratin extracted from camel hair and cashmere [1].
Acknowledgement
This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 778078.
Reference[1] Y.J. Yang, D. Ganbat, P. Aramwit, A. Bucciarelli, J. Chen, C. Migliaresi, A. Motta. Processing
keratin from camel hair and cashmere with ionic liquids. eXPRESS Polymer Letters. Vol.13, No2(2019) 97-108.

16:45 - 17:30
Title: Engineering limbs: Helping amputees walk in Vietnam
Speaker: Prof. Peter LeeThe University of Melbourne, Australia
Abstract:
Over 25 million people in the world need prosthetic orthotic devices, many of whom come fromdeveloping countries where access to specialised personnel and services is a major challenge. Demandfor artificial limbs is even more urgent in countries where land mines from wars are still prevalent.
Professor Peter Lee from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne,
will discuss his biomechanical engineering research in developing low –cost artificial limbs, using thePressure Cast (PCAST) technique, a portable and easy to use prosthetic socket fitting system that
requires less technical skill and labour to administer. He will also discuss his experience working withpatients and clinics in Vietnam to implement PCAST.

Contact:
Toshiro Ohashi, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University
Tel&Fax: 011-706-6424, Email: ohashi@eng.hokudai.ac.jp