Urology Centers Program Interactions Core (U24)

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY Critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of benign genitourinary (GU) diseases exist, such as their etiology and development, pathophysiology, and mechanisms of progression. The phenotypic expressions of many GU diseases remain undefined, which stymies both basic and clinical research. Clinical challenges include lack of accurate and objective diagnostic tests for many of these conditions, dearth of effective multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to management, impact of current treatments and therapies on comorbid disease processes and quality of life, and lack of reimbursement for strategies to prevent onset and progression. Moreover, the true public health burden of GU diseases overall is unknown, and the impact of disparities in health outcomes is under-appreciated and under-studied. The proposed Interactions Core for the Community of NIDDK-funded benign GU Centers and Programs known as CAIRIBU (Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology) will foster and support integrated basic and translational science that answers critical questions in benign GU disease and builds the breadth, depth, and visibility of the urology research community. Building on our prior successes, we will provide leadership, coordination, infrastructure, and logistic support for the CAIRIBU research community by identifying and facilitating opportunities for cross-CAIRIBU collaboration, promoting research findings and resources to the broader GU research community, and raising the visibility and support for GU research. We will: 1) provide centralized organization and coordination to leaders, investigators, and trainees in the CAIRIBU Community to enhance and promote highly meritorious convergent research; 2) develop and nurture research collaborations by identifying and fostering opportunities for knowledge exchange, resource-sharing, transdisciplinary interaction, and networking across CAIRIBU and the entire GU research community; 3) increase the research capacity of GU investigators, particularly of trainees and early-stage investigators; and 4) amplify GUD research by building a multi-faceted communications, networking, and outreach strategy across the broader urology research community, among patients, and within the public. Our Interactions Core (IC) is led by an established benign GU disease investigator who has functioned in the capacity of CAIRIBU IC Director since July 2018, during a 2- year pilot phase, and then since 2020 after obtaining a competitive award. Due to its multiple resources and strengths in urology research, the University of Wisconsin is an ideal environment for supporting the IC. The Department of Urology is ideal for the home of the IC due to its strong commitment to GU research as evidenced by its ranking within the top five for research funding to urology departments. We will use innovative and engaging approaches to leverage investigators’ common passion for addressing critical gaps in knowledge in benign GU disease and building the numbers and diversity of the urology research workforce.