Medical Rehabilitation Research Infrastructure Program in Muscle

1R24HD050837-01

This application proposes the creation of "The Medical Rehabilitation Research Infrastructure Program in Muscle" at the University of California, San Diego. The proposal consists of six core units that span four Departmental boundaries and two schools within the University.

The six cores are:

• Muscle Molecular Biology
• Muscle Histology
• Muscle Biomechanics
• Muscle Imaging
• Clinical Muscle Studies and
• Program Administration.

The program is structured to foster cooperation and synergy across cores. This organization will facilitate interaction among program faculty and minimize the overhead needed to accomplish Rehabilitation Research. In addition to research cores, the program will advertise state-of-the art workshops regarding muscle structure, function, and imaging appropriate for the Rehabilitation professional. We anticipate tremendous interest by the Rehabilitation community since functional restoration by Rehabilitation is based on a healthy muscular system - muscle comprising so much of normal body mass. Sabbatical opportunities are proposed for visiting Rehabilitation professionals that will match interests with one or more of the core labs in order to leverage the technologies available at the UCSD campus on behalf of the Rehabilitation professional.

Finally, a program of pilot grants for both intramural and extramural applications is proposed to encourage young faculty in the formative stage of their careers to take advantage of the state-of-the-art research facilities and beautiful living conditions in La Jolla. As a new program, the Medical Rehabilitation Research Infrastructure Program in Muscle at UCSD will leverage the tremendous scientific expertise available at UCSD for the benefit of the Rehabilitation professional in the short term and for the benefit of their patients in the long-term.

Please contact us at:

Richard L. Lieber, Ph.D.
Professor of Orthopaedics and Bioengineering
University of California and V.A. Medical Centers
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA  92093
Phone:  (858) 552-8585 x7016
Fax:  (858)  552-4381
email:  rlieber@ucsd.edu

Laboratory Web page: http://muscle.ucsd.edu