Penn researchers awarded $3.2 million for Musculoskeletal Disord...( provide funds for three cores for muscu...),Health

1. The Microarray Core, which will build on the School of Medicine's Core and allow investigation of musculoskeletal disorders on the genetic level through RNA transcript profiling. This will assist in identifying early markers for injury and treatments.
2. The Structure-Function Biomechanics Core, which will develop and utilize a wide range of functional, mechanical, and structural assays of musculoskeletal tissue injury and repair.
3. The Small Animal Imaging Core, which will develop and use extensive imaging techniques to detect, evaluate, and treat problems of musculoskeletal injury and repair. The cutting-edge technologies of these research cores will provide investigators with the tools they need to fundamentally advance their research.

"The purpose of the Center is to support and foster collaborations between programs already in place, as well as help jump start interactions," continued Soslowsky. " We will be able to support whatever the investigator is already interested in, allowing people to work in their strengths and improve their own programs through new and enhanced opportunities. Also, pilot grant funding will seed new investigations and also provide funding for established investigators who have an interest in moving to musculoskeletal research."

In addition to the significant participation of faculty within the School of Medicine, investigators from the Schools of Veterinary Medicine, Dental Medicine, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Arts and Sciences will participate as well.

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Contact: Rick Cushman
rick.cushman@uphs.upenn.edu
215-349-5659
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
30-Mar-2006