University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus DRC

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

CENTER OVERVIEW PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU-AMC) is world renowned for basic, translational, and clinical diabetes research and treatment of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (T1D and T2D), and their related complications. During its first funding cycle, the CU-AMC DRC has already strengthened and enhanced diabetes research in Colorado by providing: 1) state-of-the-art research technologies and specialized resources to maximize effective and innovative research; 2) access to patient samples and data; 3) enrichment programs, education and seminar series to the diabetes community; and 4) by attracting new scientists into the diabetes field through the Pilot and Feasibility program and active recruitment activities. These objectives have been realized by providing new and improved infrastructure and access to specialized reagents and resources that are critical for diabetes-related research, and an environment that promotes scientific interactions, research discoveries, and progress towards diabetes treatment and cures. The CU-AMC DRC is primarily located on the Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC) in Aurora, Colorado where the majority of CU-AMC DRC clinical and research departments are located. Now that the DRC is established, we have also welcomed members from the University of Colorado Denver and Boulder campuses, Colorado State University and the School of Mines to diversify our research base. Our broad diabetes research base currently includes 103 basic, translational, and clinical scientific investigators across three AMC schools (Medicine, Nursing and Pharmaceutical Sciences) and includes 27 departments/divisions. The membership currently brings diabetes/diabetes-related direct cost grant support totaling > $65 million in individual grants and >$10 million in center and training grants. Drs. Lori Sussel, PhD. and Jane Reusch, MD bring together complementary areas of scientific backgrounds and expertise to oversee the organization and scientific focus of the CU-AMC DRC. Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have successfully established four Biomedical Research Cores to provide cutting-edge technologies in Clinical Resources, Tissue Procurement and Processing, Diabetes Modeling and Cell and Tissue Analysis. The CU-AMC DRC Pilot and Feasibility Program has also successfully recruited promising young faculty into diabetes-related research and encouraged established investigators from other fields to enter the diabetes field. The Dean of the CU-AMC DRC School of Medicine has assisted with recruitment packages for bringing new diabetes expertise to campus, supported the purchase of equipment for our DRC core facilities and pledged to supplement the P&F budget by $150,000 annually. Finally, the CU-AMC DRC Enrichment Program has promoted the interaction between diabetes researchers at CU-AMC by providing seminar forums for exchange of research findings, providing opportunities to form collaborative relationships, and encouraging cross-pollination between the diverse diabetes communities.