Applied research at the MRL

is focused on helping patients

with dysplastic hips. By analyzing

subject-specific models of dysplastic

and normal hips, we can compare

the cartilage stresses in these

hips during activities of

normal daily living.

Angiogenesis is the formation

and growth of new blood

vessel sprouts from

existing vessels. We

are investigating how

the conditions around

blood vessels affect

angiogenesis.

A bright and quiet

student lab at the

MRL promotes

focused and

collaborative research.

One of the research focuses

of the lab is the

mechanics of structural

soft tissues of the

musculoskeletal and

cardiovascular systems.

Projects in this area

span from the

molecular to the cellular

and tissue level.

Most extra-articular ligaments

heal by a process that most

closely resembles scar formation.

Unlike normal ligaments,

healed ligaments consist

of a hypertrophic structure

whose mass has been

replaced primarily by

type III collagen.

Data obtained from

experiments utilizing

molecular biology

techniques are integrated

into several of the mechanical

models and projects

at the MRL.

Our research in computational

biomechanics focuses on the use

of the finite element method

to examine the mechanics

of soft and hard tissues.

We have developed

techniques to build

subject-specific finite

element models of soft and

hard tissues directly from

medical image data

such as CT, MRI, OCT

or microscopy images.

A combination of experimental

assays and computational

models is utilized towards

better understanding of the

role of mechanical boundaries

and matrix structure

during angiogenesis.

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New Publication on Targeting Collagen Molecular Damage

Our new study reveals that collagen triple helix unfolding occurs during tensile loading of collagenous tissues and thus is [...]

Zitnay Receives Award

MRL lab member and PhD student Jared Zitnay was awarded 2nd place in the PhD Student Competition at [...]

Welcome to the Musculoskeletal Research Laboratories!

Our laboratory focuses on developing and applying experimental and computational methods, primarily in the area of biomechanics, to address research questions in musculoskeletal science and cardiovascular mechanics. Our research is multidisciplinary, and students in the MRL learn both experimental and computational techniques to address questions in their desired area of research. Professor Jeffrey A. Weiss is the Director of the laboratories, and Dr. Benjamin J. Ellis is the Associate Director.