The Laboratory of Integrative and Medical Biophysics (LIMB) performs cross-disciplinary research leading to deeper understanding of cell and tissue processes in both normal and disease states. It also develops new methodologies for biomedical research and diagnosis. The laboratory's work brings together biomedical research and experimental and theoretical techniques commonly associated with research in the physical and engineering sciences. The laboratory staff's specialized interests and expertise include optical imaging of biological tissues, magnetic resonance imaging, mathematical modeling, methods of quantitative cell biology, techniques for assessing ultra-small biological samples, and polymer physics and physical chemistry. The laboratory's unique capabilities extend to advanced physical methods (e.g., photon and neutron scattering and magnetic resonance and optical imaging) and formulation of mathematical and computational models. The laboratory's investigators study biological function at various levels of complexity, from the molecular to the tissue level. Much of the LIMB's work is strongly collaborative, and a number of research projects are carried out with colleagues in other NIH branches and laboratories as well as with investigators at other institutions.

The LIMB is organized into four groups that reflect its many interests. The Section on Tissue Biophysics and Biomimetics (STBB) works to gain a better understanding of tissue-level processes, such as nerve excitability and load bearing in cartilage, by developing biomimetic tissue analogs and new physical theories and computational models to aid in the design and interpretation of biological experiments. This group also is continuing its development of Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DT-MRI) to probe tissue structure in normal or diseased organs, with particular emphasis on neurological tissues. The Section on Medical Biophysics (SMB) develops new optically based biophysical methodologies for research and clinical applications. It continues to focus on advancing Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) and related technologies as tools for isolating targeted cells for use in pathological investigation and in studies of developing organisms. In addition, the SMB is developing analytic and statistical techniques for quantitative analysis of gene expression. The Section on Cell Biophysics (SCB) aims to understand the physical basis for various cell activities that involve structural changes in biological supramolecular complexes. Currently, the group's principal focus is on elucidating processes underlying the formation of vesicles involved in intracellular trafficking and on understanding the formation and transformation of supramolecular tubulin structures involved in various critical cell activities. The general long-term goal is to build and use an arsenal of tools, both theoretical and experimental, to study kinetic aspects of cell processes and to increase knowledge of ways those activities can be mediated by external interventions. The Unit on Biomedical Stochastic Physics (UBSP) works on light-tissue interactions related to noninvasive optical imaging of biological targets. The long-term objective is to develop novel approaches to tomographic imaging and quantitative optical spectroscopy of deeply buried tissue structures, including tumors. To achieve its goal, the UBSP is carrying out a multifaceted experimental and computational research program that incorporates mathematical and physical theories and technologies, experimental models, and collaborative clinical investigations.

Despite the seeming diversity in the laboratory's activities, there is considerable overlap in the expertise of its staff. For example, members of three groups have published in the area of tissue optics; members of three groups have worked in the area of cell biomechanics; investigators in each group carry out experimental research in cell and tissue biophysics and perform mathematical and computer modeling; and several members of the LIMB have high-level expertise in polymer science and advanced spectroscopic technologies. Hence, the laboratory fosters an environment that nurtures and supports a physical approach to biological problems while the work is subjected to the critical assessment necessary for successful scientific accomplishment.