Institute for Clinical and Translational Science

The main goals of the Development of Novel Clinical and Translational Methodologies Key Function are to translate basic findings into clinical research and practice, and strategically enhance the development of translational technologies in basic science through the following means:

• Infrastructure: Provide a supportive infrastructure of scientific resources and educational opportunities focused around a core group of investigators working in nanoscience, nanotechnology, and gene therapy (living nanoparticles).
• Nanorelationship Collaboration Training Program (Nanorelationship Collaboration, NC): Administer a program that strategically places junior investigators with advanced training in nanoscience and nanotechnology with more senior clinical scientists. This program is matched with an innovative set of assessment metrics to evaluate previous and current academic collaborations, and determines the key set of facts distinguishing good collaborations from great collaborations.
• Novel Diagnostic, Drug, and Device Applications of Nanotechnology: Assist with the development of innovative diagnostic, drug, device, and gene delivery technologies and preclinical applications and carry them through to issues of scale0up assessment, analysis, preparation, and submission of investigational new drug (IND) applications prior to initiating Phase I trials in humans.
• Integration with Industry: Expand our contacts and relationships with industrial partners, focusing mainly on nanotechnology, small biotechnology, and therapeutic device companies with a similar portfolio of research and development services.
• Personnel: Provide enhances personnel support for NanoHealth, i.e., health related nanoscience and nanotechnology programs, across campus.
• Engagement: Provide regulatory, policy, and community engagement in areas of translational science application and nanoscience (NanoHealth).

Currently our focus remains honed on the field of nanotechnology, but our plan is to use this focus as a model for other areas of study as well. Vicki H. Grassian, Associate Director, Translation from Bench to Clinical Research, and Clark Stanford, Key Function Director, Development of Novel Clinical and Translational Methodologies, work with other key function personnel to engage and enhance the research infrastructure. Their efforts include increasing access to equipment and adding instruments to existing facilities across the entire UI campus.




Facilitating our efforts, the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at UI (NNI@UI) provides a venue where researchers from various disciplines can collaborate and share ideas on nanoscience and nanotechnology. We employ new and emerging technologies to push the frontiers of scientific discovery. In January, 2008, the Central Microscopy Research Facility (CMRF) at UI was awarded a $1 million grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust Foundation. NNI@UI core faculty members contributed to the project, which allowed the University of Iowa to purchase a field emission transmission electron microscope (FETEM). The FETEM will enable researchers to study the properties of materials, such as semiconductors and metals, at the atomic level. This microscope is being built on the UI campus and is expected to be completed in 2009. It will be part of a central core service managed by highly trained personnel who will educate researchers in its use and benefits.




Another important characteristic of this key function is our emphasis on supporting the trail-blazing efforts of the scientists and engineers associated with the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science as they develop new technologies in the course of their work. We work with them to stimulate these advances and encourage inventors to patent and commercialize them when applicable. We also encourage researchers to patent their breakthrough discoveries so these innovative ideas can reach patients more quickly through partnerships with the private sector.




Visit our resource page