UAB Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center

描述（由申请人提供）：UAB MCRC是一个多学科项目，旨在促进与关节炎和肌肉骨骼疾病患者的病因、诊断、治疗和改善护理相关的研究。MCRC建立在UAB综合关节炎、肌肉骨骼和自身免疫中心（CAMAC）及其专题工作组（实验治疗和生物标志物、神经行为医学、流行病学、预防和结果、遗传学和功能基因组学、免疫学、自身免疫和炎症、骨、软骨和结缔组织）的能力之上。一个杰出的MCRC方法论核心由生物统计学（Redden, Howard, McGwin, Aslibekyan），数据管理（Westfall），统计遗传学和生物信息学（Cui, Lefkowitz, Liu）和卫生服务研究（Kilgore）专家组成。所有人都在肌肉骨骼疾病的合作临床研究中有良好的记录。本方案包括3个创新项目：类风湿关节炎细胞类型特异性基因表达的遗传决定因素2. 利用具有决策支持的新型卫生技术促进治疗目标战略（Curtis）3. 青少年和成人脊椎关节炎对肠道微生物群的适应性免疫反应（Elson）。项目1和项目3关注的是缺乏临床研究的人群（患有类风湿性关节炎和青少年脊椎关节炎的非裔美国人）。所有项目都利用和扩展大量现有资源，包括正在进行的队列。行政核心协调MCRC活动，制定战略议程，促进互动和合作，促进科学发展，并对MCRC项目进行评估。设立了四个咨询小组，以协助母婴中心主任和副主任最大限度地发挥母婴中心项目的优势，并查明和纠正缺点：执行委员会;2. 内部咨询委员会；3. 外部咨询委员会；4. 数据安全监察委员会。科学发展计划促进了新技术的引进和发展，并培养了关节炎和肌肉骨骼疾病研究领域的年轻和新的教师，确保了MCRC的持续能量和活力。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The UAB MCRC is a multidisciplinary program uniquely positioned to promote research related to the causes, diagnoses, treatments and improved care of patients with arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. The MCRC builds on the capabilities of the UAB Comprehensive Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Autoimmunity Center (CAMAC) and its thematic workgroups (Experimental Therapeutics & Biomarkers; Neurobehavioral Medicine; Epidemiology, Prevention, & Outcomes; Genetics and Functional Genomics; Immunology, Autoimmunity & Inflammation; Bone, Cartilage and Connective Tissue). An outstanding MCRC Methodology Core is comprised of experts in biostatistics (Redden, Howard, McGwin, Aslibekyan), data management (Westfall), statistical genetics and bioinformatics (Cui, Lefkowitz, Liu) and health services research (Kilgore). All have a proven record of collaborative clinical investigation in musculoskeletal diseases. This proposal includes 3 innovative projects: 1. Genetic Determinants of Cell Type-Specific Gene Expression in RA (Brown/Bridges); 2. Facilitating Treat-to-Target Strategies Using Novel Health Technology with Decision Support (Curtis); 3. Adaptive Immune Responses to Gut Microbiota in Juvenile & Adult Spondyloarthritis (Elson). Projects 1 and 3 focus on populations for which there is a paucity of clinical research: (African-Americans with RA and juvenile spondyloarthritis). All projects leverage and expand upon substantial existing resources, including ongoing cohorts. The Administrative Core coordinates MCRC activities, sets the strategic agenda, facilitates interactions and collaborations, promotes scientific development, and performs evaluation of MCRC programs. Four advisory groups have been established to assist the MCRC Director and Associate Director in maximizing the strengths of the MCRC's projects, as well as in identifying and correcting weaknesses: 1. Executive Committee; 2. Internal Advisory Committee; 3. External Advisory Committee; 4. Data Safety Monitoring Committee. The Scientific Development Program, which promotes the introduction and development of new techniques and nurtures young and new faculty in arthritis and musculoskeletal disease research, ensures the continued energy and vitality of this MCRC.