We have established the University of Massachusetts Center for Clinical and Translational Science(UMCCTS) which includes the five UMass campuses. Operationally, the Center is located at the University'sWorcester campus and managed by the School of Medicine. The Center serves as the 'academic home' forclinical and translational scientists across all UMass campuses. The CTSA program will build clinical andtranslational research upon a foundation of world class basic science as evidenced by the award of theNobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Craig Mello in 2006 and the Albert Lasker Award to Victor Ambrosin 2008. The UMCCTS aims are to: 1) Accelerate early phase translational (Tl) studies by recruitingoutstanding T1 research leaders; establishing innovative research core facilities; and developing newtherapies, devices, and interventions based upon UMass discoveries; 2) Integrate unique networks of clinicalresearch and healthcare delivery in Central New England and Massachusetts at-large to build and expandT2 (clinical effectiveness research) and T3 (implementation and dissemination research) capacity byrecruiting outstanding T2 and T3 research leaders, and by developing innovative T2/T3 core facilities; andenhancing patient and community outreach and participation in clinical/population-based research; 3) TheUMCCTS will work collaboratively with all campuses and schools ofthe UMass system in developingprograms, curricula, and faculty support systems that promote careers in clinical and translational research.Governor Deval Patrick and the Massachusetts Legislature recently enacted legislation committing $1 billionin state investment to be directed to the Life Sciences in the Commonwealth. With $90 million in seedfunding, the University has established the UMass Advanced Therapeutics Cluster (UMATC) which includesthe RNA Therapeutics Institute, the Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and the GeneTherapy Center. The UMATC joins the Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories, Meyers Primary Care Institute,and Commonwealth Medicine, four innovative components that are rarely found in academic centers, tospeed bench to bedside to community discoveries in clinical and translational research.
The University of Massachusetts Center for Clinical and Translational Science (UMCCTS) will transform theconduct of clinical and translational research by providing an 'academic home' for all university clinicalinvestigators. The UMCCTS will provide robust pilot grant programs, comprehensive education and careerdevelopment programs, and innovative core facilities to support and nurture clinical investigators.
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