UAB Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center

描述(由申请人提供)：UAB MCRC是一项多学科计划，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(实验治疗和生物标记物；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)的能力基础上。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(Ci、Lefkowitz、Liu)以及卫生服务研究(Kilgore)的专家组成。所有这些都有在肌肉骨骼疾病方面进行合作临床研究的可靠记录。这项建议包括3个创新项目：1.类风湿性关节炎细胞类型特异性基因表达的遗传决定因素(Brown/Bridges)；2.利用新的健康技术和决策支持(Curtis)促进治疗-靶向策略；3.青少年和成人脊柱关节炎(ELSON)对肠道微生物区系的适应性免疫反应。项目1和3侧重于缺乏临床研究的人群：(患有类风湿性关节炎和青少年脊椎炎的非裔美国人)。所有项目都利用和扩大了大量现有资源，包括正在进行的队列。管理核心协调MCRC的活动，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MCRC主任和副主任最大限度地发挥MCRC项目的优势，并找出和纠正弱点：1.执行委员会；2.内部咨询委员会；3.外部咨询委员会；4.数据安全监测委员会。科学发展计划促进了新技术的引进和发展，培养了关节炎和肌肉骨骼疾病研究方面的年轻和新教师，确保了MCRC持续的活力和活力。

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.