About Us
The mission of the Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute (BU CTSI) is to leverage existing strengths to create an environment that will link new ideas, faculty, trainees and university programs to speed innovations in medical science.
Public sector research institutions contributed between 10 to 20% of all drugs involved in new-drug applications approved during the period from 1990 through 2007. This includes 153 new FDA-approved drugs, vaccines, or new indications for existing drugs, four of which can be credited to current or former Boston University researchers.
To continue that success, the Institute integrates, connects, and expands our research and university programs, thereby providing an academic and intellectual home for clinical and translational investigators.
BU CTSI Divisions
The BU CTSI is organized around five Divisions:
1) Translational Science Incubator
2) Informatics
3) Clinical Research Enhancements
4) Community Engagement
5) Research Education and Training
These five divisions are specifically designed to support the bi-directional development and translation of ideas that begin in the laboratory or bedside and move seamlessly back and forth. The tools, services and resources to improve health, health care and delivery include:
- High throughput and state-of-the-art translational technologies
- Funding for translational pilot research projects
- Consultations for biostatistics, bioinformatics and data management
- Regulatory and recruitment guidance, and clinical research units
- Training and salary support for future translational scientists
- Connections with community health centers
- Support from commercialization professionals
To translate discoveries into therapies and cures more quickly and effectively, from lab bench to patient bedside and back, the institute provides tools, services and resources for our investigators.
These tools, training, and resources support the research continuum, and include:
Translational science incubator and commercialization
- Apply annually for pilot research projects funds
- Request support for state-of-the-art core facility use
- Work with university staff to translate discoveries to products
Medical informatics
- Use the clinical data warehouse for generating clinical questions
- Utilize an informatics system for integrating biology and the bedside
- Analyze genetic/proteomic data using high throughput technologies
- Learn to apply computational tools to advance your research
Clinical research enhancement
- Access biostatisticians for design and analysis consultation
- Get help navigating the regulatory environment in clinical research
- Connect with community members interested in research
- Conduct clinical research projects in dedicated facilities
Community partnerships
- Carry out research that provides insight into community health problems
Connect with the community health centers in Boston HealthNet
Career development
- Apply for support for post doctoral trainees in translational research
- Attend our courses and seminars appropriate to the next generation of scientists
