The Clinical Research Cores serve as the cornerstone for human subject research conducted by the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health. The Clinical Research Cores receives funding through an NIH NIAMS P30 grant. This team is working to better define musculoskeletal diseases that have common pathogenesis and clinical presentations.
Clinical Research Cores

Integrated Investigator Team
With an exemplary team of investigators, the core has integrated a network of electronic health records and molecular profiles to identify genetic factors, clinical and biochemical phenotypes, and to standardize physical function measurements and imaging modalities to define the diseases’ functional and morphologic phenotypes. Improving the definition and diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions could lead to personalized medicine advances, enabling health care providers to prescribe tailored treatment for each patient.
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Administrative Core
The Administrative Core facilitates cross-disciplinary clinical research by overseeing communications, pilot funding, and training programs for the Clinical Research Cores.
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FIT Core
The Function, Imaging, and Tissue Resource Core offers standardized imaging outcomes for bone and muscle health assessments and a standardized data entry platform for physical function outcomes. The core also provides training in the performance and interpretation of these outcomes. Specimens and tissues related to musculoskeletal health are available through the Indiana Biobank.
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MIM Core
The Musculoskeletal Informatics Methodology Core contains the Computable Phenotype Research Core and the Clinical Trial Design and Omics Service Cores. This group connects investigators and facilitates multi-disciplinary research that leverages the use of novel technologies and resources to improve musculoskeletal health.