PROJECT SUMMARY The Delaware Center for Musculoskeletal Research (DCMR) was funded by a NIH COBRE (P20 GM139760, 2/1/2021-1/31/2026). In this equipment supplement, we would like to request funds ($250,000) to purchase a Bruker Dimension Icon Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) system, which is capable for microscale mechanical testing of musculoskeletal tissues and cells (e.g. extracellular matrix and cells found in cartilage, ligament, tendon, meniscus, and muscles of rodents and biopsies). The Bruker Dimension Icon AFM will be housed in the COBRE DCMR Multiscale Assessments Research Core and managed by the Core staff scientist. One of the goals of the Research Core is to provide, develop, and support multiscale mechanical measurement capability, expertise, and training to our users. There is no AFM in the COBRE DCMR Research Core and the existing AFMs at the University of Delaware are not suitable for musculoskeletal research. There are 25 investigators whose research will benefit from access to the proposed AFM system. The addition of this key equipment will fill a critical need in the Research Core and align with the overall goal of the DCMR COBRE in promoting transformative preclinical and translational musculoskeletal research at University of Delaware.