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Biotensegrity or Fascintegrity?

Bruno Bordoni1, Matthew A Varacallo2, Bruno Morabito3

  • 1Cardiology, Foundation Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, ITA.

Cureus
|August 13, 2019
PubMed
Summary

This study evaluates the biotensegrity model, which suggests biological systems maintain stability through tension and compression. The authors find that this model lacks empirical evidence in living systems with fluid dynamics like blood and lymph. They review cellular transduction as a potential alternative framework and propose a new term, fascintegrity, to better describe how mechanical information is transmitted in living systems. The study highlights the need for new models that incorporate recent scientific findings and fluid dynamics.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics of soft tissues
  • Cellular mechanotransduction research
  • Anatomical modeling in physiology

Background:

The biotensegrity model proposes that biological systems maintain structural stability through a balance of tension and compression. Prior research has shown this model applies to architectural principles in non-living systems. However, no prior work had resolved how this applies to living tissues with fluid dynamics. The presence of liquids like blood and lymph challenges the model's assumptions. Tension from nerves and vessels is also not fully accounted for. The displacement of viscera and their resistance remains unaddressed. This gap motivated a critical review of the model's limitations. The article highlights the lack of empirical validation in living systems. The absence of mathematical studies in vitro or in vivo remains a key issue.

Purpose Of The Study:

This paper aims to evaluate the biotensegrity model's validity in biological systems. The specific problem is the lack of empirical evidence considering fluid dynamics. The motivation stems from the model's theoretical nature without experimental support. The study reviews cellular transduction as a potential alternative framework. It seeks to identify where biotensegrity falls short in explaining biological mechanics. The focus is on integrating new scientific findings into anatomical models. The authors propose a revised conceptual framework for living systems. The goal is to better reflect how mechanical information is transmitted.

Keywords:
fasciamyofascialosteopathicphysiotherapyshear stressskeletal musclebiotensegrity limitationscellular mechanotransductionfascintegrity modelbiological dynamics

Frequently Asked Questions

The biotensegrity model lacks empirical validation in living systems with fluid dynamics.

Cellular transduction refers to how mechanical information is transmitted through cells, possibly via liquid and viscous media.

The term fascintegrity is proposed to better reflect the dynamics of living systems with fluid and viscous components.

The tension produced by nerves and blood vessels is not fully accounted for in the biotensegrity model.

Fluid dynamics like blood and lymph are not considered in the biotensegrity model, which is a key limitation.

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Main Methods:

The study uses a literature review approach to analyze the biotensegrity model's limitations. It examines how mechanical information is transduced in cells. The authors compare solid structures like the cytoskeleton with liquid and viscous media. They assess whether tension and compression principles apply to living tissues. The study evaluates the role of nerves and blood vessels in mechanical signaling. It reviews the displacement of viscera and their resistance to movement. The authors consider the impact of fluids like blood and lymph on structural stability. The focus is on identifying gaps in the biotensegrity model's application.

Main Results:

The biotensegrity model lacks empirical validation in living systems. No mathematical studies in vitro or in vivo support its claims. Fluid dynamics are not accounted for in the model's framework. Tension from nerves and vessels is not fully integrated into the model. Displacement of viscera and their resistance remains unaddressed. The study highlights the absence of empirical evidence for the model's assumptions. Cellular transduction is proposed as a more comprehensive mechanism. The authors suggest a new term, fascintegrity, to better describe biological dynamics.

Conclusions:

The biotensegrity model has not been validated in biological systems with fluid dynamics. The authors propose fascintegrity as a more accurate framework. The model's limitations include ignoring tension from nerves and vessels. Displacement of viscera and resistance are not fully considered. The study suggests that mechanical information may be transmitted through liquid and viscous media. The term fascintegrity reflects the dynamic nature of biological systems. The authors emphasize the need for new models that incorporate recent findings. The conclusion is based on the lack of empirical evidence for the biotensegrity model.

The authors conclude that a new term, fascintegrity, better reflects biological dynamics than biotensegrity.