Laboratories
Consortium of Musculoskeletal Researchers
A multidisciplinary consortium of faculty reside within a large contiguous research facility with extensive shared core resources. In this collaborative environment, faculty, staff, and trainees engage in research programs that are focused on improving the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal diseases.
Adam Abraham, Ph.D.
Dr. Abraham's research is focused on how musculoskeletal joint structure and function are regulated by inflammatory signaling. I leverage patient-derived tissues, surgical and genetic animal models of human disease, molecular biology, and multi-scale mechanics for applications in exercise adaptation, tendinopathy, osteoarthritis, and intervertebral disc disease.
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 2013 109 Zina Pitcher PlaceAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2200Phone: 734-936-7417Fax: 734-647-0003
email: adaabrah@med.umich.edu
Andrea Alford, Ph.D.
Dr. Alford's research program focuses on the ECM protein, thrombospondin-2, which promotes commitment of progenitor cells to the osteoblast lineage, facilitates assembly of bone ECM and contributes to skeletal development and regeneration.
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 2009 109 Zina Pitcher PlaceAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2200Phone: 734-615-6104Fax: 734-647-0003
email: aialford@med.umich.edu
Kurt Hankenson, D.V.M., Ph.D.
The guiding mission of Dr. Hankenson’s research is to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating osteoblastogenesis and bone regeneration.
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 2019 109 Zina Pitcher PlaceAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2200Phone: 734-936-1713Fax: 734-647-0003
email: kdhank@med.umich.edu
Karl Jepsen, Ph.D., Associate Chair of Research
Dr. Jepsen's laboratory is focused on identifying new ways to diagnose and treat individuals that are at risk of a future fragility fracture.
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 2001 109 Zina Pitcher PlaceAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2200Phone: 734-763-2648Fax: 734-647-0003
email: kjepsen@med.umich.edu
Megan Killian, Ph.D.
Dr. Killians's research focus is on identifying key regulators of musculoskeletal growth that can be leveraged to improve musculoskeletal growth and healing. We study the cell and tissue-scale mechanisms underlying pediatric and young adult orthopedic disorders using micro-computed tomography, histology, molecular and cell biology, transgenic mouse models, and mechanical testing.
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 2021 109 Zina Pitcher PlaceAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2200Phone: 734-936-2566Fax: 734-647-0003
email: mlkillia@med.umich.edu
Kenneth Kozloff, Ph.D.
Dr. Kozloff's research interests revolve around musculoskeletal health, bone injury, and repair. The laboratory uses translatable models ranging from exercise and adaptation to rare disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta with a goal to better understand genetic, hormonal, mechanical, and pharmacologic regulators of bone mass and fragility.
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 2016 109 Zina Pitcher PlaceAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2200Phone: 734-936-2158Fax: 734-647-0003
email: kenkoz@umich.edu
Tristan Maerz, Ph.D.
Dr. Maerz’s laboratory is interested in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. By utilizing a variety of translational models and implementing expertise from biomechanics, quantitative imaging, molecular biology, and molecular genetics, Dr. Maerz aims to identify novel avenues for therapeutic intervention after joint injury.
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 2017 109 Zina Pitcher PlaceAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2200Phone: 734-936-2566Fax: 734-647-0003
email: tmaerz@med.umich.edu
Ron Zernicke, Ph.D., D.Sc.
Dr Zernicke's research is on the Functional adaptation of bone to physiological stimuli (exercise, disuse, diet, and disease); joint injury and post-traumatic osteoarthritis; biomechanical mechanisms underlying control of normal and pathological movements.
Michigan Performance Research Laboratory
Domino's Farms, Lobby A, 22624 Frank Lloyd Wright DriveAnn Arbor, MI 48106Phone: 734-232-9586Fax: 734-930-7416
email: zernicke@umich.edu
Steven Goldstein, Ph.D.
Dr. Goldstein's (who founded the ORL in the 1980's and is now Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan) research has focused on the study of mechanical and biologic regulators of bone formation, regeneration, and adaptation. This work has ranged from studies on embryological bone formation to investigating the consequences of aging on bone integrity and responsiveness. Along with colleagues from multiple disciplines, this research has developed methods of delivering genes to wound sites, promoting "in situ tissue engineering" to treat bone defects, skin ulcers, and ischemic heart disease. Other studies have lead to the development of numerous devices to treat orthopaedic conditions, including surgical instruments and artificial joint components.
More information on Dr. Goldstein's research can be found here
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 2013 109 Zina Pitcher PlaceAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2200Phone: 734-936-7417Fax: 734-647-0003
email: stevegld@med.umich.edu