Red Blood Cell Modelling

This project models RBCs deformation and their flow through capillary. It also deals with modelling blood components separation using microfluidics separation.

A new biomechanical model for understanding aging of stored Red Blood Cells (ARC Linkage Project)

Red blood cells (RBCs) progressively lose their biomechanical integrity during storage, a phenomenon often referred to as “storage lesion.” One of the most critical manifestations of this degradation is the reduction in cell deformability, which directly impacts microcirculatory flow and oxygen delivery efficiency. Understanding and predicting these aging-related changes are essential for optimizing storage protocols and improving transfusion outcomes.

This study presents a novel computational modelling framework designed to capture the time-dependent biomechanical behaviour of stored RBCs. The model integrates the mechanical properties of the RBC membrane, the rheological characteristics of intracellular haemoglobin, and the influence of the surrounding storage medium. A key innovation of the framework is the incorporation of time-evolving parameters that simulate aging effects over the storage period.

The proposed approach enables mechanistic insights into the progression of RBC deformability loss and offers a predictive platform for evaluating storage conditions and intervention strategies. By providing a robust and physiologically informed tool, this work aims to inform best practices in the blood banking industry and support the development of targeted protocols to mitigate storage-induced deterioration of red cell function.

Deformation of RBC in capillary network

Red blood cells (RBCs) exhibit exceptional mechanical deformability, a property essential for their passage through narrow capillaries and efficient oxygen delivery. Alterations in their deformability are associated with various pathological conditions, including anemia, malaria, and sickle cell disease. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms of RBC deformation is crucial for both diagnostics and therapeutic development. This project aims to investigate the deformation mechanics of RBCs as they traverse capillary networks by developing a novel meshfree particle-based computational model. Unlike conventional mesh-based methods, the meshfree approach offers superior flexibility for simulating large deformations, complex interactions, and topological changes in cellular structures. The proposed model will incorporate key biophysical factors influencing RBC mechanics, including cell aging, microenvironmental conditions, and pathogen-induced structural changes. By capturing these multifactorial influences, the model will enable accurate predictions of RBC behaviour under both physiological and pathological conditions. The outcomes of this research will contribute significantly to the mechanistic understanding of RBC deformation. Furthermore, the insights gained will have broader implications for the prevention and management of RBC-related diseases, the improvement of blood storage strategies, and the design of diagnostic tools for early detection of abnormal cell mechanics.

Blood components separation using microfluidics devices

Since the discovery of inertial focusing in 1961, numerous theoretical models have been proposed to explain the lateral migration of particles in inertial microflows; however, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. In recent years, computational approaches have emerged as powerful tools for uncovering the physics governing inertial particle dynamics. This review synthesizes recent advances in numerical modelling of inertial particle motion, with a focus on particle behaviour in straight and curved microchannels. Key parameters such as particle size, channel geometry, and Reynolds number are discussed in relation to their impact on focusing behaviour.

We categorize existing computational models based on their methodological foundation—namely, semi-analytical formulations, Navier–Stokes-based solvers, and lattice Boltzmann methods. The review provides a comparative framework for selecting appropriate numerical techniques to model inertial migration of both rigid and deformable particles, spherical or non-spherical, in Newtonian or non-Newtonian carrier fluids. For each modelling approach, we present governing equations, highlight computational strategies, and offer a tutorial-style appendix to support implementation. The review concludes by identifying key challenges and future directions in the numerical modelling of inertial microfluidics.

Selected Publications

Journal Papers

  1. N. M. Geekiyanage, E. Sauret, S. C. Saha, R. Flower, Y. T. Gu, “Modelling of red blood cell morphological and deformability changes during In-Vitro storage”, Applied Sciences, 10 (2020) pp. 3209. [IF: 2.217] Q1
  2. N. M. Geekiyanage, E. Sauret, S. C. Saha, R. Flower, Y. T. Gu, “Deformation behaviour of stomatocyte, discocyte and echinocyte red blood cell morphologies during optical tweezers stretching”, Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, Online. [IF: 2.829] Q1
  3. S. R. Bazaz, A. Mashhadian, A. Ehsani, S. C. Saha, T. Krueger, M. E. Warkiani, “Computational Inertial Microuidics: A Review”, Lab on a Chip, Online [IF: 6.914] Q1.
  4.  S. M. Vanaki, D. Holmes, S. C. Saha, J. Chen, R. J. Brown, P. G. Jayathilake, “Muco-ciliary clearance: A review of modelling techniques”, Journal of Biomechanics, 99 (2020) pp. 109578 [IF: 2.576]. Q1.
  5. C. Kumar, M. Hejazian, C. From, S. C. Saha, E. Sauret, Y. T. Gu, N-T Nguyen, “Modelling of mass transfer enhancement in a magnetouidic micromixer”, Physics of Fluids, 31 (2019) pp. 063603-1 – 9 [IF: 2.627]. Q1
  6. N. M. Geekiyanage, M. A. Balanant, E. Sauret, S. C. Saha, R. Flower, C. T. Lim, Y. T. Gu, “A coarse-grained red blood cell membrane model to study stomatocyte-discocyte-echinocyte morphologies”, PLoS ONE, 14 (2019) pp. e0215447. [IF: 2.776] Q1
  7.  H-N. Polwaththe Gallage, E. Sauret, N-T. Nguyen, S. C. Saha, Y. T. Gu, “A novel numerical model to predict the morphological behaviour of magnetic liquid marbles using Coarse Grained Molecular Dynamics concepts”. Physics of Fluids, 30 (2018) pp. 017105-1-13. [IF:2.627] Q1.
  8. S. Barns, M{A Balanant, E. Sauret, R. Flower, S.C. Saha, Y.T. Gu,”Investigation of red blood cell mechanical properties using AFM indentation and coarse-grained particle method”, BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 16 (2017) Article number 140 (21 pages), [IF: 2.013] Q2
  9.  P. G. H. Nayanajith, S. C. Saha, E. Sauret, R. Flower, Y. T. Gu, “A coupled SPH-DEM approach to model the interactions between multiple red blood cells on motion and deformation in capillary”, International Journal of Mechanics & Materials in Design, 12, (2016), pp. 477 – 494. [IF: 3.143] Q1.
  10. P.G.H. Nayanajith, S. C. Saha, E. Sauret, R. Flower, W. Senadeera, Y.T. Gu, “SPH DEM approach to numerically simulate the deformation of three dimensional RBCs in non uniform capillaries”, BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 15, (2016), pp. 349 – 370. [IF: 2.013] Q2.
  11. S. Barns, E. Sauret, S. C. Saha, R. Flower, Y. T. Gu, “Two-layer Red Blood Cell membrane model using the discrete element method”, Applied Mechanics and Materials, 846, (2016), pp. 270 – 275, Q4.
  12.  P. G. H. Nayanajith, S. C. Saha, E. Sauret, R. Flower, Y. T. Gu, “Numerical investigation of motion and deformation of a single red blood cell in a stenosed capillary”, International Journal of Computational Methods, 12, (2015), pp. 1540003, [IF: 1.221] Q1.
  13.  P. G. H. Nayanajith, S. C. Saha, Y. T. Gu, “Formation of the three-dimensional geometry of the red blood cell’s membrane”, ANZIAM Journal, 55 (2014) pp. C80 – C95, [IF: 0.333] Q4.
  14. P. G. H. Nayanajith, S. C. Saha, Y. T. Gu, “Deformation of a single red blood cell in a microvessel”, ANZIAM Journal, 55 (2014) pp. C64 – C79, [IF: 0.333] Q4.