2012 Strategic Research Initiative

Biomedical Research Core Facilities

• Established the Epigenomics Core, providing resources and services to prepare samples for analysis in epigenetic regulation in both genome-wide and locus-specific manners.
• Developed the Michigan Research Cores website.
• Across the 12 cores, we introduced new technologies, increased scientific capability and capacity, and reduced turnaround times. Collectively, the BRCF represent:
  • $19M invested in new technology
  • 4,650+ grants served in FY18
  • 2,537 PIs served in FY18

Central Biorepository

• Established an enterprise-wide, College of American Pathologists-accredited biorepository of biospecimens linked to highly annotated clinical and laboratory data.
• Developed standard informed consent for biobanking, and foundational standard language for sharing with industry.
• Enabling Precision Health and Michigan Genomics Initiative, as well as 20+ other programs.
• Established archive biorepository for long-term storage of critical biospecimens.
• Currently offering access to nearly 500,000 specimens from 100,000 individuals.

Data Office for Clinical and Translational Research & Research Data Warehouse

• In partnership, these two units were established to accelerate research by enabling secure access to patient data through investigator-friendly, self-serve tools and custom data extracts.
• Developed DataDirect, a web-based self-serve tool that enables access to clinical data including diagnoses, encounters, procedures, medications, and labs on over four million unique patients from across Michigan Medicine.
• Currently 2,000+ active users of DataDirect, and almost 1,000 data extracts are delivered to U-M researchers annually.
• The Data Office and Research Data Warehouse also currently enable the Precision Health Initiative, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the Pediatric Trial Network, and the Clinical Trials Recruitment Roadmap.

Fast Forward Medical Innovation

• Established to support a campus-wide biomedical entrepreneurial ecosystem through funding channels, industry engagement, and commercialization education.
• To date, $10M in funding from the State of Michigan, 30+ startup companies, and over $50M in follow-on funding.
• $100M+ in industry sponsored awards annually, plus averaging 100+ license agreements with industry each year.
• 275 projects teams participated in commercialization education.
• In partnership with the COE Center for Entrepreneurship, launched the Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund, which channels investments into U-M biomedical startups.

Mentored Research Academy: R01 Boot Camp

• Established multifaceted program designed to help faculty members receive their first R01 grants from the NIH.
• Senior faculty with strong track records of NIH funding guide groups of mentees through the proposal development process.
• Team structure encourages peer support and feedback.  
• 175+ participants, and over 50 new R01s (or equivalent) to date.

Clinical Trials Support Office

• Established central hub for seven trans-departmental Clinical Trial Support Units (CTSU) providing enterprise-wide leadership, standards, policies, and common infrastructure for all clinical trials at the U-M. The Clinical Trials Support Units include:
  • Accute, Critical Care, Surgery, and Transplant CTSU
  • Ambulatory and Chronic Disease CTSU
  • Behavior, Function, and Pain CTSU
  • Children's CTSU
  • Heart, Vessel, Blood CTSU
  • Neurosciences and Sensory CTSU
  • Oncology CTSU
• Launched OnCore clinical trials management system.
• Redesigned IRBMED to expedite regulatory review.
• 1,800+ active clinical trials FY19.

Host Microbiome Initiative

• Launched collaborative initiative built upon long-standing strengths in microbiology, microbial pathogenesis, immunology, and clinical medicine.
• $11M initial funding, with $64M achieved in follow-on external funding.
• 139 investigators across campus.
• Microbial Systems Molecular Biology Laboratory launched to serve the entire U-M biomedical research community.

Protein Folding Disease Initiative

• Four research “hubs” under the umbrella of one initiative focusing on disorders of abnormal protein accumulations and perturbations in protein quality control.
• $30M in external funding.
• 60+ investigators.
• Hosts annual symposium.
• First center of its kind in the country.