University of Virginia Digestive Health Research Center
University of Virginia
Director: Fabio Cominelli, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-Directors: Steven M. Cohn, M.D., Ph.D., Peter B. Ernst, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Center Focus
The theme of the University of Virginia Digestive Health Research Center (UVa DHRC) is the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal inflammation and cancer. The UVa DHRC is a multidisciplinary program, including members in 12 different academic departments with 46 investigators (34 full members and 12 associate members). The major objective of the UVa DHRC is to promote digestive health related research in an integrated, collaborative, and multi-disciplinary fashion. In order to accomplish this goal, the proposed UVa DHRC serves to: 1) enhance the basic research capabilities of Center members, 2) develop and implement programs to support the independent development of young investigators in digestive health related research, 3) attract established investigators with varied expertise who are not currently involved in digestive health research to apply their expertise to this important area of investigation, and 4) facilitate the translation of basic research discoveries to the clinical arena. The Center has strong institutional support to increase the impact of digestive health research at the University of Virginia through the development of the UVa DHRC which is organized around 3 broad thematic areas of research: 1) mucosal immunology/intestinal inflammation, 2) gastrointestinal host-microbial interactions, and 3) epithelial cell biology/tumorigenesis. We are proposing 3 scientific cores to support his Research Base: 1) a Morphology/Imaging Core, 2) a Molecular Biology/Gene Expression Core, and 3) an Immunology/Cell Isolation Core. The core laboratories interface with a well-organized Administrative Core, which also supports Pilot/Feasibility and Named New Investigator Programs to support innovative research projects by investigators who are new to the area of digestive health. The Administrative Core also includes an Enrichment Program and a Translational Research Component, and overseas the financial management and operation of the UVa DHRC. The overall objective of the UVA DHRC is to increase the availability of core resources for Center members, with the goal of fostering research, collaborations, and new directions in digestive and liver disease research.
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Core Facilities
- Morphology/Imaging Core
- Molecular Biology/Gene Expression Core
- Immunology/Cell Isolation Core
Page last updated: November 25, 2008
