Special Issue on NAMs in Biomechanical Engineering

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
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Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
NAMs (New Approach Methodologies, Novel Alternative Methods, Non-Animal Models) are research approaches to more accurately model human biology and complement traditional research models.  The development and use of NAMs is often intended to reduce, refine, and/or replace (“the 3 R’s”) vertebrate animal models in research, while improving fidelity of the results.  NAMs may be in vitro, in silico, or in chemico.  Some examples relevant to biomechanical engineering include organoids and Virtual Human Models.

This special issue will showcase papers describing NAMs and work explicitly directed toward NAM development with relevance to biomechanical engineering and animal models typically used in biomechanical engineering studies.


Topic Areas

THE SCOPE OF THIS ISSUE INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:
  • Papers that describe in vitro, in silico, or in chemico NAMs
  • Work explicitly directed to such NAMs development
  • Combinatorial NAMs (combinations of in vitro, in silico, or in chemico)
  • Global harmonization of issues related to NAMs
  • Validation, regulatory, and/or research security issues unique to NAMs
  • Methods to ensure diversity and representation in NAMs work and NAMs outcomes
  • Emerging best practices in education and workforce development related to NAMs

Special Issue Publication Dates


Paper submission deadline: June 1, 2025
Initial review completed: September 15, 2025
Publication date: December 2025

Submission Instructions

All papers submitted in response to this special issue should include a short paragraph with a sub-heading of “Relevance to the 3 R’s in biomechanical engineering.”  The text should briefly but explicitly address how the results will reduce, refine, or replace vertebrate animal models in biomechanical engineering research.  This section may be combined with another section, such as “Conclusions and relevance to the 3 R’s.”  Papers may be submitted as Research Papers, Technical Briefs, or Expert Views as appropriate.

Papers should be submitted electronically to the journal through the ASME Journal Tool. If you already have an account, log in as an author and select Submit Paper. If you do not have an account, you can create one here

Once at the Paper Submittal page, select the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, and then under the Special Issue field, select Special Issue on NAMs in Biomechanical Engineering.

Papers received after the deadline or papers not selected for the Special Issue may be accepted for publication in a regular issue.

Guest Editors

Laurel Kuxhaus, National Institutes of Health, USA, (laurel.bioengineer@gmail.com)

Nathan Sniadecki, University of Washington, USA, (nsniadec@uw.edu)

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