E-CORE

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In July 2006 the Colleges of Engineering and Medicine (formerly known as Medical College of Ohio), the University of Toledo, formally established an Engineering Center for Orthopaedic Research Excellence (ECORE). Dr. Vijay K. Goel, PhD was appointed as one of the founding co-directors. The Center includes an interdisciplinary team of investigators from diverse fields such as medicine (e.g., orthopedics, anatomy, radiology), engineering (e.g. bioengineering, mechanical, chemical), bone diseases (e.g. endocrinology, bone biology, bone marrow stem cells) and allied health care professionals such as kinesiology and physical therapy. The Center provides an opportunity for the group to work together to understand the complex nature of the human skeletal system, like the hip, knee and spine.                        

                        ECORE's operations are located on the University of Toledo main campus in engineering campus (Palmer Hall, North Engineering Building and Nitschke Hall). The center also has a facility located inside University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC). The space integrates the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities required for successful completion of the diverse research and technology development activities taking place at ECORE.
 


Mission

Through research we increase our understanding of the causes of various joint abnormalities and the associated pain and reduction in quality of life. This can in turn lead us to new and effective conservative and surgical procedures to restore the normal life style. It is with such aspects in mind that the University established the Engineering Center for Orthopaedic Research Excellence (ECORE) in July 2006. We are grateful to the Administration for their foresight. ECORE has enabled us to attract scientists from within the campus and outside to pursue state-of-the-art research. 

The Center has well equipped labs for research at the cellular level, bench and cadaver tests, analytical modeling, and clinical and patient follow up following surgery or rehabilitation. At present the research efforts encompass basic, preventive, interventional and translational, and deal in the area of lower extremity, spine and upper extremities, muscles and various physical therapy regimens. The Center staff is looking at ways to regenerate bone tissue. The research efforts, besides peer reviewed publications, conference presentation and world-wide recognition of the work thus far accomplished, have led to several devices (translational research).

Primary Goals

  • Create new knowledge in basic and applied areas of orthopaedic research and become a nationally and internationally recognized center of excellence • Educate the students, post-docs, residents, fellows, and the UT community in the area of the orthopaedic research and enable them to fulfill their intellectual and career objectives • Improve the human condition by developing and applying new knowledge which will ultimately help patients suffering from various orthopaedic disorders

ECORE thus fulfills the University’s broad mission by serving as a model for partnerships across the main and health science campuses of UT. ECORE also provides contemporary education and research in orthopaedics and other related fields in medicine and engineering (e.g., biomechanics/ergonomics). The state-of-the-art clinical and engineering facilities enables faculty, staff, post-docs, residents, fellows and students (graduate and undergraduate) to work individually and collectively at the forefront of the field thus attracting national and international reputation for excellence. More specifically, the objectives to fulfill the mission/goals are as follows:

Objectives

  • Undertake state-of- the-art research in the areas that are funded by external agencies Develop collaborative research/educational projects with faculty and staff from other units on our campus (e.g., neurosurgery, biology, physics, human health sciences, etc.) Initiate collaborative research efforts with units off campus within Ohio, the United States, and other countries Create incentives for the faculty and staff, especially the junior faculty from other units (on and off campus) to foster interdisciplinary research in accordance with E-CORE’s goals Train engineers, ergonomists, medical students, post-docs, residents and fellows Provide a state-of -the-art research facility for the education of students Provide a state-of-the-art research facility for industry for the development and evaluation of products Serve as a laboratory for the evaluation of ergonomics-tasks on the UT campus

Last Updated: 12/7/22