The Loyola Urinary Education and REsearch Collaborative (LEUREC) is an established multidisciplinary research team consisting of clinicians, molecular biologists, and computational scientists that work closely in the area of urinary health, with special expertise in the female urinary microbiome (FUM) and its interactions with female urothelial function. The major scientific focus of this P20 application is the relationship of the FUM to the adjacent vaginal and perineal microbiomes, associations of these pelvic floor microbiomes with urinary symptoms and clinical outcomes, and initiation of a urologic microbiome database designed to benefit the entire urologic research community. The educational focus is to cross-train undergraduates, medical and graduate students, clinicians, basic scientists, bioinformaticians and biostatisticians in the emerging field of urinary microbiomics. By beginning exploration into the origins of the FUM, and by identifying associations between the different pelvic floor microbiomes and urinary symptoms and clinical outcomes, we expect the proposed study will impact broad areas of urinary research, especially urinary incontinence, but also urinary tract infection and urinary pain disorders. The intent is to advance prevention, clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Public Health Relevance

Our educational focus is to cross-train undergraduates, medical and graduate students, clinicians, basic scientists, bioinformaticians and biostatisticians in the emerging field of urinary microbiomics. Our major scientific focus is the relationship of th newly discovered female urinary microbiome to adjacent pelvic floor microbiomes, associations of these microbiomes with urinary symptoms and clinical outcomes, and initiation of a urologic microbiome database designed to benefit the entire urologic research community. We expect the proposed study will impact broad areas of urinary research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20DK108268-02
Application #
9146339
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1)
Program Officer
Hoshizaki, Deborah K
Project Start
2015-09-15
Project End
2017-07-31
Budget Start
2016-08-01
Budget End
2017-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Loyola University Chicago
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
791277940
City
Maywood
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60153
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