Cedars-Sinai Digestive Diseases Research Center

About This Grant

OVERALL: PROJECT SUMMARY The Cedars-Sinai Digestive Diseases Research Center (CSDDRC) is designed to leverage the substantial and multidisciplinary research base and exceptional research facilities at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC) to attract colleagues and junior scientists and to provide solutions to as-yet unsolved problems in digestive diseases research. The CSDDRC has 58 members and a total peer-reviewed direct cost of $26.1 million in the research base, of which $9.7 million (37.3%) is from the NIDDK. The central theme of the CSDDRC is mechanisms and measurements of the fibroinflammatory response in gastrointestinal tissues, which reflects Center members’ research in three subthemes: 1) Gut Microbiome, 2) Gastrointestinal and Liver Metabolism, and 3) Gastrointestinal and Liver Injury, each will be headed by a subtheme leader charged with defining the aspirational goals. The CSDDRC structure (three Biomedical Research Cores, a Pilot and Feasibility (P&F) Program, and an Enrichment Program) will provide an unparalleled platform for advancing the science and addressing unmet needs in digestive diseases research to improve patient outcomes. The CSDDRC Cores are: The Administrative Core (Core A) will provide administrative leadership for optimal management and operation of the Cores, P&F projects, and the Enrichment Program, by employing effective performance improvement activities via close communication with Center membership and the Internal and External Advisory Boards of the CSDDRC. The Advanced In Vitro Model Systems Core (Core B) will harness institutional expertise in induced pluripotent stem cell technology to create novel model systems for mechanistic studies and therapy development. The Gnotobiotics and Gut Microbiome Core (Core C) will bring an expanded gnotobiotic facility and advanced microbiome measurement and analysis tools to the institution. The Human Imaging and Biorepository Core (Core D) will enable collection of deeply annotated human biospecimens and quantitative feature analysis of radiologic imaging, as parameters for biologically-driven investigation of disease subtypes, and translation and validation of preclinical findings. Our P&F Program and Enrichment Program will host lectures, meetings, and symposia to facilitate new collaborative research efforts of Center investigators as they address the themes of the CSDDRC, enhance the career development of early-stage investigators and those new to digestive diseases research, and translate novel discoveries in the lab to the clinic. The large patient population at CSMC allows unique opportunities to examine how our discoveries impact clinical care. Leaders of the CSDDRC will use the tools, mechanisms, and resources of the Center to meet its aspirational goals of accelerating translational research and improving the care of patients with digestive disease and liver disorders. We envision that the CSDDRC will provide a sustainable and growing organization for advancing both careers and the science in the digestive diseases field.