The MRL is comprised of faculty members with diverse interests in musculoskeletal biology and orthopaedic bioengineering. A support staff of more than 15 includes research technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate and medical students actively involved in both faculty and resident sponsored projects. Major equipment includes cell and tissue culture facilities, a microscopic imaging facility, equipment for histomorphometric analysis of hard and soft tissue, Interlaken servohydraulic and Instron materials testing machines and a fully supported computer network for word processing, data analysis, and graphic presentation. The MRL also has a surgical suite suitable for small animal surgery, cadaveric specimen preparation, and demonstration of surgical techniques. Research within the MRL is unique in that an integrative multidisciplinary approach is utilized to address issues of musculoskeletal biology and pathology.
Musculoskeletal biology is studied at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and whole animal level.
This unique perspective offers the resident a diverse learning experience in virtually any area of contemporary research. Clinical research projects include investigation into thromboembolic disease, heterotopic ossification and clinical outcome studies of implants and specific operative procedures. The MRL resources are available to all faculty and residents within the department. For a more intensive research experience, a six-year residency option is available to highly qualified candidates in which one year is dedicated solely to laboratory research. Additionally, MRL faculty are available to all residents for assistance in preparing grant applications for extramural funding.