With the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap as a catalyst, the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute launched in 2007. Philip Greenland, MD, senior associate dean for clinical and translational research and Harry W. Dingman Professor of Preventive Medicine, directs the Institute, and William L. Lowe, MD, professor of medicine, serves as deputy director. NUCATS represents a significant collaborative effort involving faculty from six Northwestern schools, as well as four clinical affiliates.
Translational research is recognized as a high priority at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2006, NIH launched a Clinical and Translational Sciences Award (CTSA) program to drive the transformation of academic medical centers. Drs. Greenland and Lowe spearheaded preparation and submission of a 5-year Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) proposal, which was awarded in May of 2008. The $30 million award, grant UL1RR025741 from the National Center for Research Resources at NIH, funds a large amount of NUCATS activities. Significant institutional funds were committed and deployed to launch NUCATS and will continue to supplement CTSA funding. The NUCATS Institute is now positioned to become the home base for clinical and translational science at Northwestern University and its clinical affiliates. NUCATS will provide the infrastructure, services, and resources for maximizing and leveraging interdisciplinary "bench to bedside" research. Significant dedicated real space is associated with NUCATS on Northwestern’s Chicago campus. In the spring of 2008, 10,000 square feet of space for NUCATS was developed on the 11th floor of the Rubloff building at 750 N Lake Shore Dr. This houses the administrative core and several of the NUCATS research and educational programs. In addition, plans are underway for the Center for Clinical Research to occupy a new state-of-the-art 10,000 square feet clinical research facility in the Olson Pavilion of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which will nearly double the currently available space. | |
