Cincinnati Rheumatic Diseases Resource Center

Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr, Cincinnati OH

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Updated Overall abstract: The central goal of the Cincinnati Rheumatic Disease Resource Center (CRDRC) is to promote studies that advance the understanding of pediatric rheumatic diseases and lead to new therapies for these diseases. The Cincinnati Rheumatic Disease Resource Center has two specific aims. Aim 1: Provide resources that will enhance the scope and breadth of the research community to advance the central focus of understanding inflammation and biological mechanisms contributing to the development of rheumatic disease in children and adults. Aim 2: Foster collaborations and interdisciplinary approaches to promote laboratory discoveries and generate translational research opportunities that lead to important patient-oriented outcomes. The Cincinnati Rheumatic Disease Resource Center includes an Administrative Core and four Resource Cores: Pediatric Rheumatology Tissue Repository (PRTR) Leader, Grant Schulert, MD, PhD Integrative Cell Phenotyping Core (ICPC). Leader, Sherry Thornton, PhD Functional Genomics Core (FGC). Leader, Leah Kottyan, PhD Bioinformatic and Modeling Core (BAM). Leader, Matthew Weirauch, PhD Collectively, these resources form a powerful infrastructure that fosters development of precision and predictive medical approaches based on genomics and disease mechanisms. The CRDRC will support disease-based research across the continuum of discovery, where laboratory findings generate translational studies that lead to clinical trials. In addition to advancing knowledge of pediatric rheumatic disease, the goals of the CRDRC include recruitment of established investigators to bring new expertise to the field, cultivation of collaborations within the local and national research community, and encouragement of young investigators committed to pursuing research careers focused on pediatric rheumatic disease. These goals of the CRDRC are particularly well supported by a Pilot Study Program that includes funding of work within the P30 cores and extends to institutional cores to broaden impact and support new areas of investigation. The CRDRC also will strengthen the research community through an enrichment program of local seminars, workshops, and symposia. A highly accomplished and collaborative community of researchers is already in place with expectations of major growth through new recruitment. An innovative Visiting Scholars program will aid in the dissemination of innovative approaches and the enrichment of faculty and trainees outside of Cincinnati. Together, these attributes create fertile ground for accomplishing the goals of the CRDRC, and ultimately to accelerate research to benefit pediatric rheumatic disease patients in their care. Updated Administrative core abstract: The Administrative Core will serve as the executive, coordinating and oversight component of the Cincinnati Rheumatic Diseases Resource Center (CRDRC). The Admin Core will provide executive, administrative (including fiscal), and personnel services to the CRDRC, as well as scientific oversight of the resource cores. This includes coordination of resources within the Research Cores to enhance ongoing studies and promote new projects. The Administrative Core will monitor progress and evaluate all aspects of the CRDRC’s operations, including appropriate expenditures by the Resource Cores and Enrichment Program. The Administrative Core will prepare required progress reports and regulatory documentation. Leah Kottyan, Ph.D., is the proposed Director of the CRDRC, and Alexi Grom, M.D. is proposed as Associate Director. Dr. Grom will function as Medical Director of the CRDRC by providing the liaison to the rheumatology clinic and the fellowship training program. The CRDCC’s chief executive and administrative body will be a four-member Executive Committee, which consists of the Director, Associate Director, and leaders of each Research Core. An Advisory Committee will provide advice to the Director and Executive Committee and will include local and external leaders with expertise to provide meaningful guidance to CRDRC leadership and Research Core directors. Members will include individuals experienced in core and center administration who are independent of the CRDRC, but who are part of, and familiar with, the academic setting within which the CRDRC resides or offer experiences of other comparable academic centers. Members will include individuals who complement the expertise of and utilize the Research Cores, and local leaders of programs that synergistically interact with the CRDRC. An Enrichment Program will be offered that includes research seminars, education relevant to technologies of the resource cores, and strategic planning of research goals. A novel and innovative P&F Program is proposed and will be managed by the Administrative Core to extend impact of Center resources to a larger number of investigators. This program will focus on advancing utilization of CRDRC cores or institutional cores to provide access to key technologies that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive. Projects will be solicited from the research community and the larger academic health center. A P&F Study Committee will assist in the selection of new P&F Studies and monitor progress of ongoing P&F Studies. This program will provide a valuable mechanism for advancing new investigators and new projects in the field of pediatric rheumatology. A Visiting Scholars program will fund travel grants to bring trainees and faculty to Cincinnati to learn from our Resource Cores. These grants are intended to provide opportunity and training for future research trainees, physicians, and faculty in the Research Community. In summary, the Administrative Core will enable the success and create fertile ground for accomplishing the overall goals of the CRDRC.