Core Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine

SUMMARY The UCSF Core Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine (CCMBM) is an interdisciplinary consortium of basic and clinical scientists dedicated to understanding the biology and pathophysiology of musculoskeletal disease. The goal is to stimulate and support cross-cutting collaborations and promote efficient access to research resources amongst existing, premier research programs at UCSF in order to accelerate translational research in musculoskeletal science. A fundamental challenge for bench-to- bedside translational research is the need to validate in humans the findings from small animal models. The hallmark of CCMBM success has been in helping investigators overcome this obstacle by connecting researchers who study disease biology with experts who develop advanced human imaging tools and methods, scientists who analyze vast archives of clinical and genomic data, and practitioners who actively treat patients. The CCMBM has three cores: 1) Skeletal Biology and Biomechanics Core; 2) Imaging Core; and 3) Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Study Design Core. These cores provide research support and technical training, as well as a venue for new collaborations and an entry point for new members. The Center also fosters scientific exchange through an Enrichment Program; the curriculum includes seminars featuring local and visiting scientists, an annual full-day retreat, and a symposium with a rotating topic relevant to our theme of Translational Discovery in Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine. A vital component of the Center is its Pilot/Feasibility grant program, which nearly triples the CCMBM investment of seed funding for junior investigators in musculoskeletal research. A Tools and Technology grant program provides funds to Center members to use and customize specialized research services and analytical approaches, available in the UCSF CTSI and other outstanding Centers, for musculoskeletal research. Finally, with a new University of California systemwide UC STRETCH initiative, the CCMBM is poised to extend access to these resources and cultivate a diverse workforce of musculoskeletal scientists. The funding base for the CCMBM is robust, support from UCSF is strong, and opportunities for interactions within and outside the Center are numerous. The object of the Center is to make optimum use of all available resources to catalyze translational discovery in musculoskeletal health and disease.