Overview
The Cincinnati Rheumatic Diseases Core Center (P30 AR47363) has been funded since 2001. The Division of Rheumatology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is focused on studying rheumatic diseases of childhood. In keeping with this tradition, the goals of the center are to promote and foster cutting-edge research that will further the understanding of the pathophysiologies of the rheumatic diseases and lead to novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of these diseases and change the outcome for children suffering from them.
Pediatric rheumatic diseases, although genetically distinct from adult diseases, likely have common pathophysiological pathways. In addition, common themes have been defined between rheumatic disease and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Therefore a multidisciplinary approach which integrates basic and clinical research remains our strategy.
The Core Center is structured to foster existing interactions and to encourage new ones between adult and pediatric rheumatology divisions and the broader immunology and bioinformatics communities with the ultimate goal of building the local research program and impacting the outcome for children with rheumatic illness. Immunology is a discipline whose insights and methods (and problems left outstanding) are central to the biomedical research enterprise. Normal functioning of the immune system is critical for normal development and homeostasis and avoidance of autoimmunity. Conversely, dysregulated immune responses are of central importance to the pathogenesis and expression of a wide spectrum of diseases including pediatric rheumatic diseases.
In order to address the issues of importance to pediatric rheumatology, studies supported by this center fall into one or more of five categories:
- Studies in pediatric rheumatic diseases.
- Studies in rheumatic diseases in general (includes adult).
- Studies involving animal models of rheumatic disease.
- Immunobiological studies judged to be of broad relevance to the pathophysiology of pediatric rheumatic disease.
- Studies developing tools for translating research findings to rheumatological clinical practice.
Members of the center may receive discounts and priorities for many core resources and services. However, outside researchers are welcome and encouraged to use the services of the cores, as well. The cores include:
Pilot and Feasibility Program
Applications are solicited every 2-3 years for P30 supported pilot and feasibility studies. Up to $50,000 per year of funding is available for up to three years. Learn more about this program.
Program Leadership
The CRDCC is directed by Susan Thompson of the Division of Rheumatology. Drs. Edward Giannini and Robert Colbert serve as Co-directors.
Membership
Full membership is open to investigators with external (NIH) grant support and/or regular publications in peer reviewed journals. Associate membership is open to junior faculty who do not yet have independent funding. For information about joining the CRDCC, contact the director of the center, Dr. Susan Thompson.
You can also view the Center's current membership.
Contact us
For additional information, please contact Dr. Susan Thompson, Division of Rheumatology, at 513-636-3899.
