Developmental Funds

University Of Chicago, Chicago IL

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The purpose of the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) developmental funds is to provide services to further the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) strategic goals, as well as interdisciplinary and inter-programmatic collaborations. Over the past five years, CCSG developmental funds have been used to support Pilot Projects, recruit new investigators, and develop new technologies both within existing Shared Resources and in creating a Developing Core. From 2018–2022, the CCSG investment of $1,716,629 has yielded a remarkable follow-on awarding of $33,969,766 resulting in return on investment (ROI) of 18.8 per dollar spent in peer-reviewed support, and 24 Pilot Project-generated publications, 10 (42%) of which are in high-impact journals (IF ≥10). CCSG-support for 4 new investigators has enhanced the Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics (CET) and Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Programs. Recruitments include: (1) Mark Applebaum MD (CET), a pediatric physician scientist who focuses on neuroblastoma (NB) biology; (2) Akash Patnaik, MD, PhD (CET), a translational physician scientist working at the interface of laboratory-based investigations and early-phase clinical trials in prostate cancer; (3) Alex Pearson, MD, PhD (CET), a clinician/researcher focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning; and (4) Briseis Aschebrook-Kilfoy, PhD, MPH (CPC), an epidemiologist who develops and uses cohorts to investigate environmental contributors to cancer risk. New services supported within existing Cores included: further development of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in Transgenic Mouse Facility (TMF); enhancement of the radiochemistry program of the Imaging Chemistry Service Line within the Integrated Small Animal Imaging Research Resource (iSAIRR) Core; and building a user base for Helios mass cytometer (CyTOF) technology within Cytometry and Antibody Technology (CAT) Facility. In addition, CCSG Developmental Funds supported growth of a developing Core, the Organoid and Primary Cell Culture Research Core (OPCR) to contribute to interdisciplinary research. Over the next grant period, we are requesting $200K/year for: (1) recruitment of 1 new investigator/year ($60K/year); and (2) Program development and Program Pilot Projects ($140K/year). Intended investments will align with key areas of our Strategic Plan, including: (1) Expanding capacity for health communication research and implementation science; (2) Building expertise in drug development such as medicinal chemistry; (3) Enhancing tumor immunology, specifically immuno-engineering including development of synthetic biology and next generation cellular therapy capabilities; (4) Promoting adaptive oncology with clinical trialists focusing on innovative adaptive oncology trials; (5) Developing innovative cancer imaging approaches; (6) Enhancing cancer metabolism and immunometabolism research; (7) Building research in cancer epigenomics and epitranscriptomics.