Purdue Center for Musculoskeletal Engineering (PCME)

Purdue Center for Musculoskeletal Engineering Engineering the Future of Musculoskeletal Health

The Purdue Center for Musculoskeletal Engineering (PCME) is a multidisciplinary research center dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders through innovative engineering, science, and clinical collaboration. PCME brings together faculty across engineering, medicine, science, and data-driven disciplines to address fundamental and unmet challenges spanning bone, cartilage, muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint health—across the lifespan and across scales, from molecules to whole-body mechanics.

Our Mission

PCME’s mission is to accelerate discovery and translation in musculoskeletal health by:

Advancing fundamental and applied research in musculoskeletal biology, biomechanics, imaging, and computational modeling
Integrating engineering innovation with clinical insight to address unmet needs in musculoskeletal care
Fostering collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and career stages
Training the next generation of leaders in musculoskeletal engineering and translational research

PCME serves as a collaborative hub—connecting faculty, trainees, and partners; catalyzing interdisciplinary teams; and supporting research development and training to advance the future of musculoskeletal health.

A Strong Partnership with the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health

PCME works in close partnership with the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health (ICMH) at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Together, PCME and ICMH form a tightly connected research ecosystem that bridges engineering-driven discovery and clinically grounded translation.

This partnership enables:

Bidirectional collaboration between engineers, basic scientists, and clinicians
Shared research priorities aligned with patient needs
Coordinated training, pilot funding, and team-science initiatives
A unified statewide approach to musculoskeletal research and innovation

Through PCME–ICMH collaborations, ideas move more seamlessly from the lab bench to the bedside—and back again.

A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Community

PCME members span multiple colleges, departments, and campuses, reflecting the inherently interdisciplinary nature of musculoskeletal research. Our community includes expertise in:

Biomedical and mechanical engineering
Computer science, data science, and AI/ML
Imaging, biomaterials, and tissue engineering
Bone and cartilage biology
Clinical orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine

PCME serves as a hub for connecting people, resources, and ideas—lowering barriers to collaboration and enabling teams to tackle complex problems that no single discipline can solve alone.

Academic Success Building in Indianapolis

What We Do

PCME supports its members and partners through:

Research development and team formation
Pilot funding and strategic initiatives
Seminars, workshops, and working meetings
Training and mentorship for students and early-career investigators
Regional and national partnerships in musculoskeletal research

PCME serves as a hub for connecting people, resources, and ideas—lowering barriers to collaboration and enabling teams to tackle complex problems that no single discipline can solve alone.

Join Us

Whether you are a faculty member, trainee, clinician, industry partner, or potential collaborator, PCME welcomes engagement from anyone committed to advancing musculoskeletal health through research and innovation. Connect today (pcme@purdue.edu).