Achievements
Clinical & Translational Research Home for Atlanta and Scientific Advances
Since 2007, this partnership has developed an Atlanta “home” for clinical and translational research and has directly supported or contributed to 673 investigators; over 520 clinical interaction site projects and 93 pilot projects in 96 research areas; 119 federal (PHS) grants; 134 current or graduated MSCR, KL or TL scholars and over 75 other active trainees. The direct support has also contributed to 661 scientific publications a tripling of inter-institutional collaborations, and important scientific breakthroughs in clinical and translational science. Approximately 25% of Emory Woodruff Health Sciences faculty, 40% of Morehouse School of Medicine faculty and a increasing number of biomedical Georgia Tech faculty have been directly supported.
ACTSI’s direct support of breakthroughs in cutting-edge clinical and translational research:- in transplantation - first human hand transplant in the Southeast and development of belatacept for prevention of rejection
- in neurosciences - the development of primate animal models for Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease, progesterone for neural injury, defining the biological basis of fear and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and first-in-human spinal stem cell infusions for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- in infectious diseases - the rapid clinical evaluation of the H1N1 influenza vaccine and steps toward a universal influenza vaccine
- in endocrinology - defining immune approaches to therapy of type 1 diabetes
- in genetics - work toward therapies for fragile X syndrome
- in new models to address community engagement and health disparities
Pilot Awards
The Pilot & Collaborative Translational & Clinical Studies (PiCo-TraCs) grant program has funded 99 grants thus far using $4 million in funding and 24 independent review cycles. Over 50% of PiCo-TraCS awards go to junior PI investigators, awards are distributed across all three ACTSI partner institutions, and span the spectrum of translational research topics.
Clinical Interaction Sites
Clinical Interaction Network (CIN) protocols have almost tripled since 2007. The CIN continues to establish sites throughout Atlanta, currently totaling 24 – the newest sites include the Emory Eye Center, Emory Autism Center, Cystic Fibrosis Children’s Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emergency Department and the Grady Memorial Hospital Emergency Department
Education & Training
ACTSI’s Research Education, Training, & Career Development (RETCD) program received a four-year $700,000 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Med into Grad grant to support the development of an Advanced Certificate Program in Translational Research for PhD graduate students in the biomedical sciences and engineering programs. The program is 16 credits and includes trainees from Emory, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Georgia Tech. Former and current KL2 scholars have created a joint MSM/Emory MSCR monthly Journal Club and teach a one-week Short Course in Clinical and Translational Research. Nearly 75% of the RETCD KL2 scholars have obtained NIH funding as a PI.
Biostatistics, Epidemiology, & Research Design (BERD) and RETCD offer a short course in Biostatistics which provides an opportunity for clinical investigators, epidemiologists, applied statisticians, and research assistants to update their knowledge of biomedical research statistical methods.
Technologies
The Translational Technologies & Resources (TTR) program facilitated development of new cutting-edge cores and discovery initiatives, for example, the GRA-Genomics Core, Center for System Imaging (CSI), Center for Health Discovery and Well Being, Emory Personalized Immunotherapy Center (EPIC) and the Emory Heath Innovation Program (HIP). TTR also sponsors educational programming which promotes clinical and translational research and Technology Development Seed Funding.
The Biomedical Informatics Program (BIP) supported the development and dissemination of new clinical and translational tools and technologies like the ACTSI website, eBIRT (one stop virtual shop for research resources), LIMS, CR-Assist; and the interactive “studio” for protocol development. Studio Consultations were developed in conjunction with BERD and CIN to ensure ACTSI investigators receive focused biostatistics and biomedical informatics support, technical input, and professional advice as they begin a proposal. TTR and BIP launched the electronic Biomedical Interactive Resource Tool (eBIRT) to connect researchers to available technologies resources throughout Georgia.
Pediatrics
Development of a new citywide infrastructure for expanded pediatric-focused clinical and translational research based on the strategic three academic institutional partnership. ACTSI efforts led to the creation of a new and innovative pediatric clinical and translational research home and a full engagement with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In its first full year of operation, the Clinical & Translational Research Program for Pediatrics (CTRPP) supported 173 research visits, 37 visits to additional ancillary research space at the Pediatric Clinical Interaction Site within Egleston Children’s Hospital, and 654 visits within the Emory Children’s Center.
Community Engagement
The Community Engagement & Research Program (CERP) recently funded four community mini-grants. Grantees developed health education projects in targeted communities and worked with ACTSI faculty mentors. The partnership was instrumental in developing initial relationships between researchers and small community organizations. Enhancement of the links to the Prevention Research Center network of the CDC leveraging assets to develop a cutting edge community engagement program. The highly successful and jointly (MSM/Emory) taught Community Engagement and Health Disparities in Clinical and Translational Research course is in its second year. Enrollment has nearly doubled and more community involvement has been added to the curriculum. CERP has also hosted four research-community workshops on the topics obesity, asthma, oral health, and chronic kidney disease.
Regulatory Knowledge & Ethics
Enhancement of clinical research efficiencies by Atlanta-wide institutional agreements (e.g. IRB reciprocity and IP/technology transfer protocols) and leadership of a comprehensive clinical trials improvement task force. Regulatory & Ethics Support & Knowledge (RESK) Online Ethics Center now includes over 40 ethical dilemmas in scientific research and expert opinions. The program also convened IRB officials from seven Atlanta research institutions in a first-of-its-kind meeting. IRB reciprocity and collaboration is improving throughout Atlanta – formal IRB reciprocity agreements now exist between all ACTSI partners.
Partnerships
Creation of activities, such as the Academic-Industry annual forum and device-focused pilot projects, that build strong partnerships with the private non-profit Georgia Bio (encompassing the Georgia biotechnology community), the Coulter Foundation, and the state-sponsored Georgia Research Alliance to create synergies that foster and accelerate new and emerging technologies and discoveries.
Expansion of existing synergistic partnership with Yerkes National Primate Research Center on informatics, animal models, and educational opportunities.
Development of a growing partnership with the Winship Cancer Center, a newly designated NCI Cancer Center, and collaborative efforts with Winship in genomics, a phase I clinical trials unit, joint pilot grants, and synergy with the Georgia Cancer Coalition and the Atlanta headquartered American Cancer Society.
Development of healthcare partnerships with the largest healthcare networks in Georgia including - Emory Healthcare, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Morehouse Medical Associates, Grady Health System, Kaiser Permanente of Georgia, Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Atlanta.