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Residency
Research Facilities
The Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory offers a unique environment where clinicians can interact with biomechanical engineers to address interesting research problems related to musculoskeletal disorders. The laboratory is directed by Avinash G. Patwardhan, PhD, and employs two full-time engineers (Robert Havey, BS and Mark Sartori, BS) with training and experience in the biomechanics area. In addition, faculty and students from the engineering schools in the Chicago area actively participate in collaborative research projects in the Biomechanics Laboratory.

The Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory occupies an area of over 1,000 square feet, and includes the following equipment:

  • seven deep freezers with a total storage capacity of over 150 cubic feet for specimen storage
  • Instron Model 1122 material testing machine (500 Kg capacity) with attachments for stress and strain measurements
  • MTS mini-bionix biaxial testing machine, a low-speed bone saw (Isomet Model 11-1180, Buehler)
  • test fixtures for conducting experimental studies on spinal segments
  • two optoelectronic systems (Optotrak and Watsmart) with infrared cameras and infrared light emitting diodes to measure 3D motion
  • AMTI six-component load cells
  • strain gauges, precision LVDT's, and Kaman eddy current transducers for micromotion measurements
  • Polycut E Microtome (Reichert-Jung) for histological specimen preparation
  • JVC b/w high resolution video camera (model TK-N10) with a Unitron zoom lens (1:6.5 with 2x magnifier ring), an optical microscope (Nikon Optiphot), and an image processing system and software (VIDEO IMAGE 1000) for quantitative morphometric analysis
  • IBM PCs, and 16-channel analog-to-digital converters (Data Translation and Keithley) and statistical software for data acquisition, storage and analysis.

Other support areas include a machine shop and an electronics laboratory. These support facilities are staffed and have the necessary equipment to fabricate components needed to carry out laboratory research. In addition, the Animal Research Facilities at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and Stritch School of Medicine can be utilized for conducting IACUC approved experimental protocols.

The Musculoskeletal Biology Research Laboratory occupies a space of approximately 900 sq. ft. in the Maguire Building, a facility of the Medical Center separate from the main offices of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. The lab is fully equipped for cell and molecular studies. The lab is adjacent to a common core facility area, which is shared with adjacent research labs.

The laboratory is equipped with the following research items:

  • Nikon Microphot-FX microscope with phase contrast/fluorescense/Nomarski optics and camera
  • Leitz inverted phase contrast microscope
  • Olympus dissecting microscope with camera
  • reciprocal shaker bath
  • reciprocal shaker
  • Fisher 21K/BR refrigerated centrifuge
  • Pharmacia GeneQuant
  • Perkin-Elmer DNA thermal cycler
  • Biorad PowerPac 3000 power supply
  • two Marathon 13K/M centrifuges
  • Sartorius electronic balance
  • Acumet pH meter
  • TexStir hot plate
  • Boekel oven
  • Baxter vacuum oven
  • AO rotary microtome
  • Reichert-Jung Polycut E microtome
  • LKB spectrophotometer
  • Nikon Ultraphot inverted microscope
  • VWR 2710 hybridization oven
  • Sorvall RC 5B Plus ultracentrifuge
  • Baker laminar flow hood
  • Locator 8 liquid nitrogen dewar
  • two Forma CO2 incubators
  • refrigerator
  • freezer

A walk-in cold room, ultra-pure water station, ice-maker, -80 C freezer, steam sterilizer, and liquid scintillation counter are in the adjacent common resource room. A darkroom is available in an adjacent lab.

For additional information, please contact:
Rina Goslawski
Residency Coordinator
(708) 216-6906 - Office
(708) 216-3280 - Receptionist
(708) 216-5858 - Fax
cgoslawski@lumc.edu
Educational Organization