Microcomputed Tomography: Researchers
in the Department of Orthopedics have access to a new, state-of-the-art high resolution CT scanner (Scanco μCT50, installed March of 2018), equipped with a 12-stage robotic carousel. Image data and computational results are stored via NFS archival
on institutional servers, guaranteeing no loss of data and rapid retrieval. Images are acquired and analyzed on an HP Integrity server (rx2800 i4) with 13.84 (8 x 1.73) GHz CPU, 64 GB RAM and 20 TB of local RAID storage. Researchers have installed
customized routines for high-throughput batch scanning and automated selection of regions of interest.
Mechanical Testing Instruments: The Department of Orthopedics has installed new TA Instruments ELF 3200 series instrumentation, comprising 4 axial motors and 1 torsional motor under control of two independent computer control systems. The electromagnetic actuators and contemporary software controls provide resolution in force (0.01 N) and displacement (1 μm) beyond that typically utilized in mechanical testing of rodent bones.
The Biomechanics Lab is a state-of-the-art lab that encompasses biomechanical testing, device fabrication and evaluation, surgical simulation, and computer modeling. The lab performs research in all areas of orthopedic biomechanics.
Investigators also have access
to new equipment for processing and embedding tissue samples, with the ability to section tissue that is frozen, paraffin embedded or plastic embedded. Key resources include:
There are also resources and support for imaging of tissues or cell preparations using digital bright field or fluorescence, and quantitative and histomorphometric image analysis. Current major equipment includes:
With the recent purchase of a Seahorse
XFe96 Analyzer (Agilent), our research team is now able to measure oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate of live cells, allowing the study of key cellular functions such as mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis.