Researchers and medical experts gathered in Indianapolis last week to mark the beginning of a new effort to help people live more active lives. While the Purdue Center for Musculoskeletal Engineering (PCME) began its work last fall, its recent inaugural summit signaled the "true launch" of a partnership designed to turn engineering breakthroughs into better care for patients.

The summit, held March 11 at the Indiana Historical Society, brought together nearly 70 researchers, clinicians and academic leaders dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders through a combination of engineering innovation and clinical collaboration.

Solving health problems requires experts from many different areas. The summit featured "rapid-fire" presentations from faculty across five different Purdue schools: Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Clinical Science and Health and Kinesiology. Faculty from the Indiana University School of Medicine and experts from the National Institutes of Health gave presentations as well. 

By bringing these groups together, the PCME acts as a bridge, connecting Purdue’s resources with the daily needs of doctors and patients in Indianapolis.

“The center was created to connect our strengths in engineering with medical partners so we can move discoveries out of the lab and into the doctor's office more quickly,” said Joseph Wallace, Inaugural Director of PCME, Associate Vice President for Research Development for Indianapolis and professor of Biomedical Engineering. “We want to find out what patients really need and then use our engineering skills to create solutions.”

One of the most important goals of the PCME is to support the clinical work already happening in Indianapolis. The center works closely with the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health at IU School of Medicine. Together, they form a statewide team where researchers can collaborate.

Beyond new research, the PCME is focused on the next generation of innovators. In Indianapolis, Purdue students are getting hands-on experience in an environment where engineering meets medicine every day.

“We are creating a place where faculty can find partners and take on bigger challenges,” Wallace said. “At the same time, we’re giving our students the chance to work in a real-world medical environment. This is exactly the kind of experience they need to become the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

As Purdue continues to grow in Indianapolis, the PCME will serve as a hub for innovation that helps people across Indiana stay healthy and mobile throughout their lives.

This center aligns with Purdue’s presidential One Health initiative, which involves research at the intersection of human, animal and plant health and well-being.

Maggie O’Connor

Marketing and Communications Specialist, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering