Many of today's biomedical problems are best addressed, and sometimes can only be addressed, using the multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of academic disciplinary. In our study of biological systems, we emphasize the correlations among physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, biology, and medicine, using a multi-modality spatially-resolved approach, including:

microscopic MRI (µMRI) - It is totally non-invasive and non-destructive, and shares the same physics principles and engineering architectures with the clinical whole-body MRI in hospitals.

polarized light microscopy (PLM) - It is a gold standard in histology, with optical resolution to visualize the morphology of the fibril structures in cartilage.

Fourier-transform infrared imaging (FTIRI) - It is a chemical imaging technique, which is capable to detect the earliest degradation before any morphological or clinical lesion.

microscopic computer tomography (µCT) - It shares the same physics principles and engineering architectures with the clinical whole-body CT in hospitals, which permits the imaging of both cartilage and bone.

mechanical imaging system - It is a home built imaging system for bio-mechanical properties, which is capable of imaging the depth-dependent compressive modulus in connective tissues.

These state-of-the-art research instruments are sitting next to each other in the lab (the first floor of Hannah Hall). We know the precise protocols in each technique. We choose the best combination among these technical capabilities to research a particular problem. We aim to provide answers that are meaningful and without ambiguity.