Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) awards 26 investigators with grants as part of the 12th annual Clinical and Translational Research Funding Program (CTRFP). The CTRFP is an internal grant funding program of the ICTS. Grant awardees are required to submit projects for funding that promote the translation of scientific discoveries into improvement in human health. For 2019, awards were considered across three categories: pilot grants, community-engaged research projects and innovative analytical methodology.
Annually, the CTRFP receives over 100 applications and awards approximately $1M for investigator-initiated projects. This year, the CTRFP funded the most grants in its 12-year history, awarding over $1.1 million across 26 separate projects. These grants are supported with funding from the ICTS and partner institutions including: The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Saint Louis University, and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Funding is made available to the awardees effective March 1, 2019.
PI: Peg Allen, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Washington University, Brown School: Prevention Research Center
In public health and clinical practice, evidence has increased in recent decades identifying policies that facilitate health-promoting environments and behaviors and improve health of populations, but less is known about best ways to implement, evaluate and sustain such policies. The purpose of this project is to find, catalogue, and publicize measures of what influences policy implementation in health.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Elizabeth Baker, PhD, Professor, Saint Louis University, College for Public Health and Social Justice; Behavioral Science & Health Education
Social support is a critical determinant of health outcomes for individuals living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Using principles of community engagement we will work with patients and others to develop an intervention to enhance SLE patients’ capacity to manage ambiguity and access support.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Dennis Barbour, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Washington University, School of Engineering and Applied Science: Biomedical Engineering
Clinical diagnostic tests always take the same form, regardless how much is already known about the patient or how many previous tests they have had. This wastes time and other resources. We will validate a new machine learning tool designed to perform incremental testing of hearing ability instead of absolute testing. Regular repeat testing for at-risk populations will require dramatically less time with this more sensitive diagnostic tool.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Hong Chen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Washington University, School of Engineering and Applied Science: Biomedical Engineering; Washington University, School of Medicine: Radiation Oncology
We developed a novel technique – focused ultrasound-enabled brain tumor liquid biopsies – for noninvasive, localized, and safe brain tumor biopsies. This study will assess the potential of this technique for clinical translation using a porcine model of the brain tumor. Data that will be obtained from this study will be used to support the investigational device exemption application to the FDA to start a clinical trial.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Christine Chu, MD, Assistant Professor, Washington University, School Of Medicine: Obstetrics and Gynecology
This purpose of this project is to examine the impact of methenamine hippurate, a useful but often overlooked medication for prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs), on bladder factors that can impact recurrent UTIs (rUTIs).
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Kevin Everett, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Missouri – Columbia, Medicine; Family & Community Medicine
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States and a leading cause of healthcare utilization. Most healthcare systems provide inadequate treatment. This project examines the adoption potential of having a healthcare system’s tobacco treatment program pay patients to quit smoking and determine how this approach could be implemented in a variety of hospital and clinic settings of a healthcare system.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
PI: Daved Fremont, PhD, Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Pathology and Immunology
Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) infections can persist for months to years, with clearance of the disease often preceded by inflammation at the site of infection. We hypothesize that keratinocytes, the cell-type infected by MCV, are involved in driving the pro-inflammatory state by overcoming MCV immune-evasion. We will test this hypothesis by isolating lesion keratinocytes and performing RNAseq, comparing inflamed and non-inflamed MCV lesions.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Marcie Hayes, PT, DPT, MSCI, Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Physical Therapy
An estimated 75% of women experience lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as urgency and frequency. Physical therapy to improve movement system impairments, i.e. muscle weakness and decreased excursion, shows promise in patients with LUTS and may reduce the need for medication and invasive procedures. Ultimately, this line of investigation will lead to novel treatment strategies to improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with LUTS.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Ali Javaheri, MD, PhD, Instructor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Department of Medicine; Cardiovascular Division
After cardiac transplantation, ischemia-reperfusion injury contributes to acute graft dysfunction and chronic cardiac allograft vasculopathy, a major cause of mortality. The proposal focuses on understanding the link between high-density lipoprotein function and composition and post-transplant coronary artery disease and survival in humans and mice, with the ultimate goal of developing therapeutics in transplantation.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Tanner Johanns, MD, PhD, Instructor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Department of Medicine; Medical Oncology
This proposal aims to use a readily-available, non-invasive imaging modality to distinguish various histologic tumor regions in patients with brain cancer. The results have broad implications in guiding treatment decisions, from surgical planning to post-treatment surveillance. Specifically, we aim to determine if this novel imaging tool can distinguish post-radiation pseudoprogression from true tumor progression, a major unmet clinical need.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Julie Kapp, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Missouri – Columbia, Public Affairs; Health & Management & Informatics
The United States has some of the highest obesity and diabetes rates in the world. Risk factors for obesity can appear as early as a child’s first 1,000 days. During our ongoing collaboration with our community partner Parents as Teachers (PAT), we identified the need for interventions to address this risk. Working with PAT, we will develop an intervention to improve obesity-related risk factors in a child’s first 1,000 days.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
PI: Alfred Kim, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Washington University, School Of Medicine: Department of Medicine; Rheumatology Division
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammatory damage to multiple organs. Both B cells and complement system activation contribute to SLE flares, the relationship between the two is unclear. Using mass cytometry, we seek to characterize which complement activation markers are found on B cells from SLE patients and how this drives the generation of dysfunctional B cells.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Chang Liu, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Pathology and Immunology
Antibody-mediated rejection is a leading risk factor for graft loss after life-saving transplantations. Antibodies to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) are the main culprit, yet no current therapy offers both efficacy and specificity. We propose a novel strategy to remove donor-specific B cells with HLA-Fc fusion proteins selectively. The pilot experiments aim to demonstrate the specificity and efficacy of candidate proteins in vitro and in vivo.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Jianguo Liu, PhD, Professor, Saint Louis University, Medicine
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading global health problem and the persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is mediated by suppression of host immunity. The mechanisms of immune suppression by Mtb, however, are still poorly understood. Our preliminary data indicate that a new RNA-binding protein, monocyte chemotactic protein-induce protein 1 (MCPIP1) is such a protein that it is induced by M. tuberculosis for immune evasion.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Esther Jiaxin Lu, PhD, Assistant Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Surgery
A stepped wedge design (SWD) is a type of crossover design in which the clusters cross over from control to intervention at a certain time point. We develop two generalized estimating equation models for continuous outcomes with the assumption of the nested exchangeable correlation structure, one for closed cohort and the other for repeated cross-section SWDs. The study aims to provide a guideline for sample size calculation and analysis method.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Andrew Nguyen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Saint Louis University, Medicine
Progranulin nonsense mutations result in decreased progranulin levels and cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a devastating disease with no cure currently available. We have identified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that increase progranulin levels in cells containing the R493X patient mutation. We propose to test these ASOs in the progranulin R493X mouse model to determine if they can prevent FTD-associated behavior changes and pathologies.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Jaume Padilla, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri – Columbia, Nutrition and Exercise Physiology
Using a genetically-modified mouse model and isolated arteries from humans, this project examines the role of TRAF3IP2 in mediating vascular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
PI: Charlotte Phillips, PhD, Professor, University of Missouri – Columbia, Medicine
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or “brittle bone disease”, is a heritable disorder characterized by muscle weakness and skeletal fragility. There is no cure. Treatment is limited to surgical intervention and bone anti-resorptive drugs, with limited success. This pilot study will test the efficacy of two novel therapeutic agents (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) to improve muscle and bone mass and strength in two distinct mouse models of OI.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
PI: Rachel Presti, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Department of Medicine; Infectious Diseases
Urinary tract infection (UTI) affects over 50% of women during their lifetimes, with a third experiencing recurrent UTI (rUTI). We propose to enroll women with and without rUTI and collect information and stool, urine and vaginal samples at baseline, at the time of rUTI and weekly for one month after rUTI. We will define changes in the microbiome that occur at these sites in order to better predict rUTI to develop better treatment strategies.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Babak Razani, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Department of Medicine; Cardiovascular Division
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Recently high protein diets have become common place to manage weight loss. Long term impact of such diets remains unclear and may actually increase risk of heart disease. We propose to discern the mechanism of how dietary protein impacts human immune cells and cardiovascular risk. This work has the potential to uncover several new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Buck Rogers, PhD, Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Radiation Oncology
New therapies for breast cancer are needed. Recently, radioactive therapies have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. In this proposal, we will develop a radioactive agent that targets a cell surface marker on breast cancer and can be used for both non-invasive imaging and therapy. This will be the initial step toward the use of this agent for clinical breast cancer imaging and treatment.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Hua Shen, PhD, Instructor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Orthopaedic Surgery
Tendon injury is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions and yet with today’s advanced surgical and rehabilitation techniques, operative repair of transected tendon does not consistently restore function. In light of the recent discovery of extracellular vesicles and their role in regulating inflammation, the proposed project aims to develop a stem cell-derived cell-free therapy with stem cell vesicles to improve tendon repair.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Christopher Smyser, MD, Associate Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine; Department of Neurology
This study will establish diffuse optical tomography, a portable, light-based neuroimaging technique, as a valuable tool for evaluating functional brain networks at the bedside in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in infants with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury receiving whole body cooling. We will use this technology to study the effects of brain injury and develop imaging measures that can be used to guide treatment practices for affected infants.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Kristine Wylie, PhD, Assistant Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases
We study the microbes and their association with preterm birth (PTB). In this study we will create a single test that can simultaneously detect and quantify many microbes in clinical samples. The test will be faster and less expensive than the assays we currently use. We will use this test in our research studies of vaginal microbes and PTB, and it may serve as the foundation for future clinical assays aimed at defining risk for PTB.
This project is funded by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
PI: Todd Wylie, Assistant Professor, Washington University, School of Medicine: Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, and the McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University School of Medicine
We will focus on a major bottleneck in viral sequence interpretation that typically obligated extensive manual intervention, time, and computational resources. We propose to incorporate data from public resources into a custom database that will define key clinical viral phenotypes (e.g. subtype, drug resistance). We will develop complementary software tools to interpret viral signals from metagenomic sequence data.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.
PI: Illhoi Yoo, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Missouri – Columbia, Medicine
We address pain problems through patient participation in pain management using mobile technologies. Our mobile pain management app can enable patients to efficiently and effectively participate in their pain management. This study is to develop a “medical grade” mobile pain monitoring system (mPMS) for acute and chronic pain management, and to perform pilot trials on pain monitoring for patients with acute pain or chronic pain using the mPMS.
This project is funded by WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences and the University of Missouri-Columbia.