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By receiving the Clinical and Translational Science Award, the University of Minnesota is now required by NCATS and NIH to ensure an acknowledgment of the CTSA in any publications that result from UMN CTSI assistance with a project.

How to acknowledge CTSA support
All publications resulting from the use of CTSI resources are required to credit CTSA by using the text below.

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health Award Number UL1TR000114. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

When to acknowledge CTSA support
Please note that assistance is not limited to monetary support (e.g., pilot grant funds), but also includes use of CTSI space, consultation with CTSI faculty or staff, and use of any CTSI Internal Service Organization services (Project Management, Clinical Research Coordinators, Nursing and Nutritional Services, Biostatistical support, and Regulatory assistance such as IND/IDE support, clinical trial monitoring, or ClinicalTrials.gov support).

Congratulations to the recipients of CTSI's Fall 2012 Translational Grant Awards! This round of awards, designed to facilitate the highest quality translational research, was dedicated to junior investigators at the University of Minnesota.

Funded investigators will partner with a Project Development Team from the CTSI Office of Discovery and Translation (ODAT) that will provide project mapping and translational research expertise to facilitate the achievement of specific metrics and endpoints.

Peter Dosa, PhD, College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development
Development of novel therapeutics for glaucoma

Michael Linden, MD, PhD, Medical School, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Identifying immunophenotypic markers suitable for clinical laboratory testing for early identification of bortezomib resistance in human multiple myeloma

Ann Parr, MD, PhD, Medical School, Neurosurgery Department
Autologous OPCs for transplantation into human spinal cord injury

Valerie Pierre, PhD, College of Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry
Siderophore aptasensors for immediate point-of-care diagnosis of urinary tract infection

Visit the CTSI website to learn about current and future funding opportunities.

The CTSI Office of Discovery and Translation (ODAT) announces a new pilot funding opportunity for junior investigators conducting early stage translational research, which is defined as research focused on transitioning a basic science discovery to the clinical setting. Awardees will partner with a Project Development Team (PDT) that will provide project mapping and translational research expertise to facilitate the achievement of specific metrics and endpoints.

Applications are due September 17.

View the Request for Applications (RFA) to learn more.

Questions? Contact Sandra Wells, PhD, Assistant Director, CTSI Office of Discovery and Translation at (612) 625-3073 or smwells@umn.edu.

Meet Sandra Wells, ODAT Project Manager. Sandra joined CTSI in January 2012.

Need help? Contact Sandra directly at (612) 625-3073 or smwells@umn.edu.

Why do you work in clinical and translational research?

The translation of basic research findings into clinical studies is one of the greatest challenges of developing new therapeutics, diagnostics and treatment strategies for patients. Having worked in both academia and the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, I've developed an appreciation for the value of team science, and believe that academia can play a critical role in the early translational process. I'm excited for the opportunity to work in the CTSI, and look forward to contributing to the development of programs and partnerships to more effectively bridge the gap between basic and clinical research at UMN.

What does your typical work day at CTSI look like?

Since the Office of Discovery and Translation was only recently established, much of my time is spent working with Dr. Tucker LeBien to set up the operational components of the office. In addition, I regularly meet with faculty to discuss research ideas and interact with other offices and programs throughout the campus to explore new ways of identifying and supporting early stage translational research programs. We recently completed the review cycle for our newly initiated ODAT pilot grant program, so I have been busy reading proposals and overseeing the review process.

What do you like to do when you're not at CTSI?

I spend as much of my free time as possible with my husband and twin nine year old daughters. I am also active in a nonprofit organization that provides national leadership in the development of programs, policies, and services on behalf of drug-endangered children and their families. I have been involved in this organization for many years and currently serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

What is your favorite or current read?

Although my usual reading consists of scientific journal articles, at the request of one of my daughters, I recently read the book "Slob" by Ellen Potter. This poignant story illustrates many of the intense challenges faced by children growing up today. I highly recommend this book to middle grade children and their parents.

Favorite quote?

"You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."― James Allen, from "As a Man Thinketh"

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is pleased to announce two pilot
funding opportunities designed to support the broad spectrum of translational
science research at the University of Minnesota and in our communities.

The Community Collaborative Grants Program supports research that solves problems in translating clinical and health-related scientific knowledge into meaningful changes in practice, with the goals of improved health outcomes and/or reduced costs. This funding is intended to stimulate outstanding new pilot research that 1) involves strong community-university collaborations and 2) addresses important issues identified by community and 3) holds the promise of developing into long-term research and evaluation projects that will attract larger grants from NIH or other federal, state, or private funding agencies.

Key Dates

• Optional Letter of Interest due February 22, 2012
• Full applications due April 16, 2012
• Awards announced in June 2012

Visit the Office of Community Engagement for Health page for more information and to download the Requests for Applications (RFA).

The Translational Research Grants Program supports and facilitates the highest quality translational research, with a goal of making definitive progress toward positively impacting human health in Minnesota and the nation. Applications must be focused on T1 human research, or human-relevant translational or clinical research with the potential to impact human health and/or disease. T1 research tests findings derived from basic research for clinical effects and/or applicability, and yields knowledge about human disease origin and progression and the potential for prevention and/or treatment.

Key Dates

• Applications due March 15, 2012.
• Awards announced in May 2012.

Visit the CTSI Funding Opportunities page for more information and to download the RFA.

CTSI's pilot funding and career development programs support the continuum of research--from investigation through discovery and into real-life community practice--linking the most basic research to practical improvements in human health.

Join our email list to receive news and notices of funding opportunities.