Pittsburgh, September 29, 2006 -- In keeping with its long-standing reputation of excellence in research, clinical care and education, the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery has established the Spine Biomechanics Research Laboratory -- a dedicated spine research laboratory designed to continue the advancement of research in spinal biomechanics, spinal cord injury and spine radiosurgery.

The lab—established with the support of Zimmer Spine—is under the direction of Boyle C. Cheng, PhD, and founder William C. Welch, MD, director of the UPMC Spine Services Division and chief of neurosurgery at UPMC Presbyterian.

The ability to deliver high quality neurosurgical spine care comprises excellence in clinical care and innovation in basic science research. Science demands high quality, progressive, unique research with translational applications. Society requires ethical, timely treatment of patients. Successful growth in the neurosciences will require that the needs of clinical and scientific applications be met through the development and utilization of translational programmatic research. The study of spinal biomechanics is a prime example of a translational research program.

The lab is located within the department's Walter L. Copeland Laboratory in Scaife Hall.