The Center for Clinical Investigation at BWH

In partnership with the Harvard Catalyst-Clinical and Translational Science Center

Please be sure to check back regularly as we will continue to update the pages.

1. Harvard Catalyst Pilot Funding: Now Available at http://catalyst.harvard.edu

The Harvard Catalyst is a pan-University collaborative effort committed to harnessing the human, technological, and fiscal resources of Harvard and its academic healthcare centers (AHCs) to reduce the burden of human illness. We believe that the key elements for success already exist at Harvard. What is missing is a systematic way for investigators from disparate disciplines and institutions to find each other and form teams, to gain open access to tools and technologies, and to obtain seed funding to embark upon new areas of investigation. Uniting to achieve this goal are Harvard’s 10 schools and its 18 independent AHCs. This is an unprecedented moment in the history of these institutions.ct

Visit the Harvard Catalyst website (http://catalyst.harvard.edu) to learn about cutting-edge applications and resources that might be useful to you, including the first round of PILOT FUNDING. Future releases will improve the present site as well as broaden and deepen the resources available to all Harvard investigators.

2. Harvard Red Book Fall Cycle Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 14

Amount: Varies per program. Updated information on the fall cycle of awards offered through the HMS Faculty Fellowship Program (Red Book) will be available online beginning September 8. Numerous funding opportunities are available to junior faculty and postocs throughout the HMS community. Awards include: Burroughs Wellcome Career Award at the Scientific Interface, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Clinical Investigator Award, Ellison New Scholars Program in Aging, Packard Fellowships in Science and Engineering, W.T. Grant Foundation Faculty Scholars Program, Dana Foundation Program in Brain and Immuno-imaging, Mary Kay Ash Cancer Research Award, and more… Please direct all inquiries to Erin Cromack, Office of the HMS Dean for Academic and Clinical Affairs, 617-432-7463, Erin_Cromack@hms.harvard.edu or Michael Bautista, 617-432-6928, Michael_Bautista@hms.harvard.edu .

3. Harvard Catalyst Biostatistical Consultation Program

The Harvard Catalyst Biostatistical Science Program (BSP), funded by the National Institutes of Health, assists Harvard investigators undertaking clinical translational research. Drawing on a team of highly skilled biostatisticians from the Harvard academic and hospital community, the program offers free statistical consultations to researchers as they launch new clinical translation projects. BSP also promotes the development and mentoring of Harvard biostatisticians, as well as biostatistical training for clinical investigators.

For a list of statisticians and to download the consultation request form, visit http://catalyst.harvard.edu/services/biostatisticsconsultation.html .

4. Harvard Catalyst Genetics Consultation Program

The Consultation Service part of the Harvard Catalyst Translational Genetics Service is designed to assist clinical and translational investigators in the planning, design and interpretation of genetic, genomic and proteomic research. The Consultation Unit includes faculty from across the Harvard medical institutions with expertise in genetic, genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic research.

For more information, or to request a consultation, please contact:

Jordan Smoller, MD, ScD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
Jordan_smoller@hms.harvard.edu 
617 724-0835

Center for Human Genetic Research
Massachusetts General Hospital
Richard B. Simches Research Center
185 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114

Please be sure to check back regularly as we will continue to update this Web page.

The CCI was established in 2000 to provide a full range of services and resources within a multi-disciplinary infrastructure, in order to maximize the ability of BWH to conduct clinical research. Over the past 8 years it has worked in concert with the GCRC to accomplish this task. Effective September 1, 2008, the CCI will assume all responsibilities currently residing in the GCRC and the expanded program established by the Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center.  It will be through the CCI that the BWH program will interface with Harvard’s Catalyst.

The CCI will be comprised of the following services and facilities:

1.  Participant and Clinical Interaction Resources (PCIR)

Inpatient Units:  A 6-room Standard Bed Unit and a 5-room Intensive Physiologic Monitoring Unit provide space for a broad range of inpatient studies, available to BWH clinical researchers.  CCI-funded nurses, technicians, and co-op students staff these units.  CCI also supports clinical research activity in the NICU.

Outpatient Units:  A 5-room outpatient center located at 221 Longwood Avenue and a 4-room outpatient center on the 4th floor of the Peter Bent Brigham Building in the main hospital.  These two facilities are available to assist investigators with outpatient clinical trials.

Research Coordinator Network (RCNet):  The Study Coordinator Pool offers investigators experienced study coordinators to aid with clinical research studies.  The Research Development Program (RDP) provides direct support for investigators and study staff in preparing and finalizing clinical research study documents for submission to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and other regulatory groups.

Metabolic Phenotyping Core:  Provides support for weighed research diets on the inpatient and outpatient units.

2. Transformative Technologies and Resources Program (TTRP)

Imaging Core:  Currently under development, this core will provide imaging services to the clinical research community.

Ultrasound Core:  Located within the Standard Bed Unit, provides ultrasound support for inpatient and outpatient studies.

Genetics Consultation Service:   A collaborative program with HPCGG to foster the incorporation of genetics and genomics into clinical practice.

Processing, Analytical, and Translational Core (PATC):   Sample processing is supported with space, effort and supplies for clinical investigators at each research site within CCI (Standard Bed Unit, IPM Unit, 221 Longwood, and Clinical Trials Center).  Additionally, a menu of research assays are made available to investigators in the CCI-funded CLIA-certified laboratory.

3. Community Research Core

Currently under development, this core will support investigators with community-based research projects.

4. Biostatistics Core

The Biostatistics core provides statistical reviews for studies applying for use of the program, grant development, and data analysis.

5. Bio-Informatics Service

Informatics support is available to clinical investigators and CCI Staff.

6. Education

Local training and educational programs, to promote high quality clinical research, are available for study coordinators, physician investigators, and other clinical research staff members.