Mounting complexities associated with the studies of disease processes require a network of investigators with a variety of knowledge and expertise. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Cancer Institute co-sponsor a network of urology research centers that will improve efficiency and increase collaborative efforts among groups of investigators at institutions with established comprehensive urology research bases. The goals of the George M. O'Brien Urology Research Centers have been expanded and are as follows:
- Attract new scientific expertise into the study of urological diseases and disorders
- Encourage multidisciplinary research focused on the causes of these clinical diseases
- Encourage translational research in urologic diseases
- Explore new basic science areas that may have clinical research application
- Generate developmental research (DR)/pilot and feasibility (P&F) studies of two years duration, which will lead to new and innovative approaches to the study of clinical urological disease
Research Focus
Basic, translational, and clinical scientists form multidisciplinary collaborations share knowledge in areas of urology, gynecology, neurology, and geriatrics. Investigators in the network can have training and expertise in a wide variety of disciplines such as cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, genomics and proteomics, developmental biology, tissue engineering, epidemiology, immunology, and pathology and physical sciences such as engineering or physics. In addition, the expertise of these investigators includes a focus on the following core research topics:
Centers concentrate on clinical themes and topics focused on diseases or disorders of interest to the KUH mission statement. Clinical topics include:
- Factors that influence the development and progression of benign growth of the prostate
- Responses of bladder urothelium to infections
- Effects of diabetes on the lower urinary tract
- Factors that influence the development of urolithiasis
- Genetics of urological diseases
The two major emphasis of the Centers' projects will be understanding clinical urological disorders within the NIDDK mission interest, and the basic and translational sciences to lead to clinical use.
The O'Brien Urology Research Centers also address the scientific information base and provide focal points for sustaining and maintaining state-of-the-art research that will contribute to improved detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of urological diseases and disorders. These centers will conduct a wide spectrum of research activities that will contribute significantly to the following:
- Development of specialized research resources
- Development of improved research model systems
- Expansion of the research base through collaborative research
Interrelated, basic research subprojects, each with high scientific merit and clear research objectives have been the hallmarks of the O'Brien Urology Research Centers program. In the aggregate, the subprojects continue to be directed to the development of fundamental knowledge leading to the understanding of urological disease and disorder processes and the design of curative or preventive strategies. However, a continued dimension to the centers program is the research development/pilot and feasibility (P&F) project(s). These projects are integral components of the centers concept. There is also a multidisciplinary aspect of collaboration for all projects. Clinical emphasis is maintained in each Center by strong clinical focus and concentration on a single urologic disorder or disease process.
The George M. O'Brien investigators will meet annually at the NIH to review progress and enhance collaboration.
Project Officer: Debuene Chang, M.D., 301-594-7717
