Overview of Research in the Department of Medicine

Basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiologic investigations are vital activities within the Department of Medicine and the School of Medicine.  During the past year, grant support for the Department of Medicine exceeded $32 million.  This research effort is facilitated by a number of institutional resources.  Many of these are indicated below.  These include a series of core laboratories that provide a wide range of technical and analytical skills as well as access to sophisticated instrumentation applicable to the research activities of many different investigators.  The services provided by these laboratories are available to all investigators within the School of Medicine and more broadly to members of the University.

In addition we have indicated a series of other resources that include the Human Investigation Committee, which plays a vital role in the review and oversight for all studies involving human subjects, the University's Animal Care and Use Committee which serves to review and approve protocols involving vertebrate animals and the Institutional Biosafety Committee which approves protocols involving infectious agents and laboratory safety procedures.

Department of  Medicine Research Overview
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
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Up Arrow  Pratt Fund Supported Research Facilities

The University and School of Medicine maintains a series of multi-user research Core facilities.  These Core laboratories provide resources in the form of equipment, analytic and synthetic methods, and personnel expertise that is marshaled with a goal of facilitating access by faculty to these resources to promote their individual research programs. All services are performed for a fee, with rates determined according to usage, institutional support, and the University of Virginia cost accounting guidelines.  Use of the facility is broadly based within the Medical School and the University. The School of Medicine supports these facilities by annual allotments from the Pratt endowment. 

  ADVANCED MICROSCOPY FACILITY

Ian G. Macara, Facility Research Director and Chair
Department of Microbiology
Old Med School 4806
(434) 924-2524

The AMF is a state-of-the art service and user facility in the heart of the University's biomedical research community providing electron and light microscopy imaging technologies for basic scientists, physicians, and students.  Supported by the School of Medicine and by a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant to the University, the AMF was originally established as the Central Electron Microscope Facility in 1979.  The facility provides access to electron and light microscopes, training in microscope use and sample preparation, a full range of TEM and SEM preparatory services, and consultation regarding microscopy applications in biomedical investigations. On average, 72 investigators, representing 44 different departments/divisions, use the facility services each year.

  BIOMOLECULAR RESEARCH FACILITY

Jay W. Fox, Ph.D., Director
1070 Jordan Hall
Phone: (434) 924-0050
E mail: Linda K. Beggerly

The Biomolecular Research Facility provides a range of services for analyzing and synthesizing DNA, peptides and proteins using instruments and expertise not available to individual laboratories. The facility has current instrumentation for the services it provides.  The Facility is located on the first floor of Jordan Hall (old section), opposite Primary Care.  The Facility operates on a fee for service basis, detailed in the section on rates. Cancer Center members may receive a discount. Rates for outside clients are higher. Program areas include: DNA chemistry (DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, gene chip/micro arrays, real time PCR), Biomolecular interactions and Solution Dynamics (molecular interactions by Biacore, circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering), Protein Sciences (protein sequencing, mass analysis of peptides, digestion of proteins, separation of proteins and peptides, amino acid analysis, 2D gel electrophoresis) and  Peptide Synthesis. 

  MOLECULAR IMAGING CORE (MIC)

Stuart S. Berr, Ph.D., Director
MR4 Building, Room 1192
Phone: (434) 924-5096
FAX: (434) 924-9435

This facility provides for imaging small animals, in particular mice and rats, using small aperture magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy.  The core also offers a dual modality animal scanning capability that permits simultaneous acquisition of digital x-ray transmission and gamma emission images with small animal X-ray, single-photon gamma, and coincidence positron imager. Additional support includes an animal prep room, a darkroom, a wet lab (with a ventilation hood), a conference room, and a fully equipped machine shop.

  FLOW CYTOMETRY CORE FACILITY

Joanne Lannigan
Jordan Hall, Room 7065
Phone: (434) 243-2695
FAX: (434) 982-1071

  The Flow Cytometry Core Facility, a  Cancer Center subsidized Core, is housed in the   Department of Microbiology  (Jordan Hall, Room 7065) and provides all investigators at the University of Virginia access to high quality, cost effective flow cytometry services. By providing these services, as well as the scientific expertise necessary to effectively use this technology, the facility serves to enhance the scope and quality of scientific research performed at the University. With state of the art instrumentation, such as the FACSVantage SE TurboSort™, the facility offers high speed cell sorting and complex analytical services. In addition, the facility has a dual laser FACSCalibur™ benchtop analyzer that can provide up to four color routine analyses. Researchers have the option, once trained, of performing their own analysis or utilizing the expertise of the facility's staff to run their samples for them. Specialized training classes are offered for those researchers who wish to better understand the principles and techniques employed in this technology and prefer to directly acquire and/or analyze their own samples.   

 DIABETES CENTER MOUSE GENETICS CORE

Marcia McDuffie, M.D., Director
Phone: (434) 924-1707

This newly initiated core will consist of a mouse breeding facility and a genotyping facility.  The breeding facility will provide the following:  an efficient and controlled unit for propagation and selection of mutant genes or specified genetic traits in mice; tissue sampling and phenotypic assessment of each animal based on protocols established for each project; and tracking of each animal individually using a database designed to store phenotypic, genotypic and breeding data in a searchable format.  The genotyping facility will provide DNA isolation and PCR-based mutation or linkage analysis using protocols designed in consultation with each investigator.  The Director, technicians, and consultants assembled for this core are seasoned investigators who bring specific technical expertise as well as experience in the development of new techniques. 

 TISSUE PROCUREMENT FACILITY

Craig L. Slingluff, Jr., M.D. - Director
University Hospital East, Room 2411
Phone: (434) 982-0488, PIC #1931/1743
FAX: (434) 982-0918

The Tissue Procurement facility functions as a clearing house for tumor tissue needs and maintains a computer database of clinical and research information about individual tissues.  This is particularly important in supporting translational research and in bringing clinicians and basic scientists together.  The Tissue Procurement Facility is protocol driven, such that tissues are collected on the basis of approved protocols.  A supervisory board manages the operation of the Tissue Procurement Facility and approved the protocols for the collection of tissues. For information regarding The Tissue Procurement Facility, please contact Mark Ruffa, or Michael Hanshew.

  TISSUE CULTURE FACILITY

Jay W. Fox, Ph.D., Director
Phone: (434) 924-2501
FAX: (434) 982-2514

This core serves as a central source for tissue culture media, reagents, sterile hood space, cell banking, cell culture consultation, and specialized tissue culture cell services.  The facility continues to develop protocols for tissue culture and protein expression with the goal of providing new service technologies to the research community.

  LYMPHOCTYE CULTURE CENTER

John C. Herr, Ph.D., Director
William Sutherland, Ph.D., Assoc. Director
1065 Jordan Hall
Lab: (434) 924-1913
Office: (434) 924-5379                            

The Lymphocyte Culture Center (LCC) is a hybridoma facility providing expertise in all aspects of lymphocyte-myeloma hybrid construction and monoclonal antibody production. Services are customized to the specific requirements of individual investigators to optimize the recovery of appropriate antigen specific monoclonal antibodies. The LCC also provides expertise in the use of these reagents in basic research programs.  Specifically, the LCC provides approved animal experimentation protocols for all aspects of monoclonal antibody production, including immunizations, sera collections, intrasplenic injection and ascites production. Center staff immunizes mice and rats, collect sera, perform all cell culture aspects of hybridoma production and selection, and develop ELISA assays for sera titration and specific monoclonal antibody detection. The center also provides cryopreservation, storage and recovery of cryopreserved cells. Adjunct services include monoclonal antibody isotyping and sub-isotyping, bulk monoclonal antibody production as either ascites or as culture supernatants in either fetal bovine serum containing medium or in a defined medium (protein free), monoclonal and polyclonal antibody purification by affinity chromatography on engineered recombinant Protein G columns, monoclonal antibody biotinylation, and antibody inventory, storage and world-wide shipping.

  RIA CORE LABORATORY

George Vandenhoff, Ph.D., Director
Phone: (434) 924-5646
FAX: (434) 982-3796

The RIA Core Lab offers 12 radioimmunoassays, HPLC and ELISA instrumentation and the synthesis of radioligands (alpha- and gamma- [32P] ATP and 1251-labeled cyclic nucleotides and other ligands) to all investigators. The purpose of the core is to provide these assays, instruments, and ligands with high quality control at a lower cost than can be achieved in individual laboratories. RIA core users are encouraged to contact core personnel for specifics on each assay and on how to prepare samples for optimal detection.

 TRANSGENIC MOUSE CORE FACILITY

Sonia H. Pearson-White, Ph.D.
7034 Jordan Hall
Phone: (434) 982-0756
FAX: (434) 982-1071

The transgenic mouse has assumed increasing importance as an experimental system in recent years. Studies of normal gene function, altered gene expression, cis elements responsible for tissue-specific patterns of gene expression, engineering of mice with specific mutant genes, and the production of animal models for human diseases are but some of the types of studies made possible by transgenic mouse technology. The Transgenic Mouse Core Facility of the University of Virginia (TMCF) provides centralized, expert service to efficiently produce transgenic and knockout mice for basic research for investigators at UVA.  The Transgenic Mouse Core Facility (TMCF) is a multi-user core facility open to all researchers at the University of Virginia.  The TMCF is designed and equipped to make transgenic mice with DNA constructs supplied by investigators, and to inject gene-targeted embryonic stem cells (ES cells) into mouse blastocysts to make germ line chimeric mice.  Upon weaning, the pups are transferred to the care of the investigator for identification of the transgenic or targeted mice, further breeding, and use in experiments.

THE GENERAL CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER

Eugene J. Barrett, M.D., Ph.D. - Director
University Hospital 8 West
Phone: (434) 924-2394
FAX: (434) 924-9960
E mail - GCRC@Virginia.EDU

The University of Virginia General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) opened in April 1968. This is an NIH-supported multi-disciplinary research facility located on the 8th Floor of the University Hospital of the University of Virginia Health System. The GCRC provides investigators with the specialized resources necessary to conduct advanced clinical research. The facility includes ten inpatient beds, skilled research nurses, a core assay laboratory, a metabolic kitchen, outpatient facilities, computing and statistical consultants and facilities, and sleep and exercise physiology laboratories.

    CLINICAL TRIALS OFFICE

Melissa Lotts
1 Morton Drive, Suite 200
Phone: (434) 924-8530
uvaclintrials@virginia.edu

Created in October of 1997 by the Dean of the School of Medicine, the Clinical Trials Office exists to facilitate and encourage the conduct of clinical trials by medical professionals like you, who may require additional study resources and support. From grant proposal assistance, budget preparation, and study coordination to data management, marketing, and quality control, we offer all the services required to ensure that your clinical trial goes smoothly and effectively. Plus, when you enlist our services, you will have access to the expertise of UVa's Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Outcomes and Evaluation, and Clinical Informatics of the Health Evaluation Sciences Department.

 The Human Subject Research Institrutional Review Board

Susie Hoffman, Director
HSR-IRB
800483 UVA Health System
Tel: (434) 924-2620
Fax: (434) 924-2932
srh@virginia.edu

The HSR-IRB  is one of two Institutional Review Boards responsible for the protection of human subjects in research at the University of Virginia. The HIC is the Institutional Review Board (IRB) responsible for reviewing all human subject research at the UVA Health System and all human subject research throughout the University involving medically invasive procedures.  The IRB for the Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) is responsible for reviewing all non-medical behavioral types of human subject research. If you are unsure which IRB (HIC or SBS) should review your protocol or grant, please contact them directly to discuss your project prior to starting the application process.

  INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE

Sarah Hudson
IACUC Administrator
Cobb Hall S-051
Phone: (434) 924-0405
Fax: (434) 982-4092

The University requires that, before any investigator purchases/obtains and begins research involving vertebrate species of animal, an animal research protocol be submitted for review and approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

The IACUC office:

  • assists investigators in completing the appropriate animal research proposal forms
  • sends out annual review of animal research protocol notices
  • assures participation in the occupational health and safety program for personnel interacting with laboratory animals
  • schedules the meetings and compiles the minutes of the IACUC meetings
  • schedules the semi-annual inspection of animal facilities and the animal care and use program.

   INSTITUTIONAL BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE

Marie-Louise Hammarskold, Ph.D., Chair
Phone: (434) 982-1597
Fax: (434) 982-1590

All Principal Investigators must register with the University of Virginia Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) by declaring the hazard potential of the agents manipulated in their respective laboratories. In addition, those who conduct research with agents designated Biosafety Level 2, or above, must formally document the fact that their protocols and facilities do not jeopardize the health and well-being of themselves, their employees, or the general public. Biosafety Level 2 agents and activities include -but are not limited to- (1) recombinant DNA activities designated by the National Institutes of Health Recombinant DNA Guidelines, (2) infectious organisms listed as Level 2, or above, in the CDC/NIH Manual of Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, or (3) the use of any specimens of human origin. It is the Principal Investigator's responsibility to accurately determine and declare his or her appropriate activity level prior to registering. Each spring all Principal Investigators will be asked to visit the Biosafety web page where the IBC Declaration Document is found (see Declare Your Biosafety Level). Completion of this online form is quick and easy. Those who indicate regulated status according to the above-mentioned criteria are directed to the UVA/IBC Registration Document which they complete and submit to:  

Gloria Bowers
Myles H. Thaler Center for AIDS and Human Retrovirus Research
University of Virginia
Box 800734
Charlottesville, Virginia 22908

  OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH

Erik L. Hewlett, M.D.
McKim Hall - 3052
Phone:  (434) 982-4334

The Office for Research functions to support and promote basic and clinical investigation in the School of Medicine and to facilitate research cooperation and interaction within the school and with other schools of the University.

 OFFICE OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATION

Norma Miller, Director
McKim Hall Room 3115
Phone: (434) 924-8426
Fax: (434) 924-8725

The Grants Office is here to aid faculty and administrators in the preparation of grant proposals, clinical trial agreements, and material transfer agreements.  The STAFF of the Grants Office review each proposal or agreement carefully to ensure that administrative, state, federal, and legal regulations are met.

   OTHER PRATT SUPPORTED INITIATIVES

The Pratt Fund (1.3 million dollars) is intended to provide support for scientific research.  These funds cannot be used as a substitute for State appropriations.  In addition, the funds cannot be used for construction, renovation, or regular faculty salaries.  Preference in allocating funds will be given to those uses which involve multiple investigators and several Departments and Divisions.  Support from the Pratt funds is particularly appropriate to interdepartmental/interdisciplinary pilot research efforts that have a good prospect of developing competitive research proposals.

    DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE RESEARCH DAY

Each year the Department of Medicine sponsors a Research Day.  This event, held in the spring, provides an opportunity for fellows and residents to present and discuss their research with all members of the Department of Medicine (faculty, trainees, and students) and others at the University.  All Divisions are encouraged to participate.  Oral presentations as well as a “plenary poster session” are included in this Research Day.  All faculty, fellows, residents, and interns are invited to take part in both the scientific program and reception that follows the day of presentations.  Recognition is given to the most meritorious presentations by the house staff, fellows, and students. Research Day is an excellent opportunity for the house staff to become familiar with the research being conducted within the Department and for the faculty and staff to review the research projects conducted by the house staff and fellows. It also provides an enjoyable social interchange among all members of the Department.