Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory

Background

The Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory (MRL) is dedicated to the scientific investigation of health and disease in the musculoskeletal system. It dovetails with the Department’s other research laboratories to investigate normal and abnormal changes within the musculoskeletal system in preclinical animal models.

Main Objectives

The main objectives of the MRL are to:

1. Investigate bone, muscle, tendon and ligament, and the interactions and interrelationships between these tissues in preclinical animal models
2. Foster collaboration between investigators within the Department, School and University
3. Facilitate interdisciplinary research
4. Encourage student participation in research

Specific Areas of Inquiry

Research within the MRL focuses on the following areas:

1. Musculoskeletal injuries and conditions (including osteoporosis, bone fractures, stress fractures, ligament injuries and tendon overuse disorders)
2. Animal and human models of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions
3. Prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions
4. Skeletal mechanotransduction and the response of bone to mechanical loading

Investigators

Laboratory Director:

Dr. Stuart Warden - PhD, PT, FACSMAssistant Professor & Director of Researchstwarden@iupui.edu317-278-1875 Biography

Department Investigators:

Terry LoghmaniClinical Associate Professormloghman@iupui.edu317-278-3463 Biography

Dr. Robyn Fuchs - PhDAssistant Professorrfuchs@iupui.edu317-274-3145 Biography

Collaborators:

Michael M. Bliziotes, MD
David B. Burr, PhD
Kay M. Crossley, PhD, PT
Alexander G. Robling, PhD
Masahiko Sato, PhD
Charles H. Turner, PhD

Major Equipment

Mechanical loading system

Model: BOSE ElectroForce 3200 Test Instrument*
Uses: For mechanically loading (exercising) the skeleton of rodents to induce bone adaptation

Small animal digital x-ray machine

Model: Micro Phonics piXarray 100 x-ray*
Uses: High-resolution digital x-ray for imaging the skeleton of rodents

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

Model: PIXImus2 mouse densitometer*
Uses: Accurate and precise in vivo and ex vivo measurements of areal bone mineral density and content in small animals

Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT)

Model: Stratec XCT Research SA+*
Uses: In vivo and ex vivo assessment of volumetric bone mineral density and content

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT)

Model: SkyScan 1172 high-resolution micro-CT*
Uses: Extremely high-resolution scans of small ex vivo bones or bone segments

Soft tissue mechanical testing system

Model: BOSE EnduraForce TestBench
Uses: Testing the viscoelastic properties and strength of soft tissues (including ligament and tendon)

Soft tissue grips

Model: BOSE Thermal-Electric Cooled Tissue Grips
Uses: For gripping soft tissues (including ligament and tendon) to test their viscoelastic properties and strength

Hard tissue mechanical testing system

Model: Alliance MTS Workstation*
Uses: Destructive axial mechanical testing of hard tissues (including bone) requiring high loads (up to 5000 N)

Axial/torsion mechanical testing system

Model: MTS Bionix II Test System* [PDF]
Uses: Destructive axial and torsional mechanical testing of tissues (including bone) requiring extremely high loads (up to 25000 N)

Small animal anesthetic system

Model: Landmark Non-Rebreathing Veterinary System
Uses: Short-term inhalation anesthesia for small animals

Animal warming pump

Model: Gaymar T/Pump
Uses: Circulating warm water pump for the maintenance of body temperature

Hard warming pad

Model: Hallowell Hard warming pad
Uses: Hard plastic pad for maintaining body temperature

* Indicates equipment available through collaboration with Charles H. Turner, PhD
(Director of Orthopaedic Research, Indiana University School of Medicine)