UCSF CCMBM Spring Update

UCSF CCMBM Spring Update: April 2020

CCMBM
Spring Update

The Core Center for Musculoskeletal Biology & Medicine (CCMBM) defines itself by emphasizing musculoskeletal-specific events, grants, and services that are critical to its members but not available elsewhere in the university system.

UCSF CCMBM earns another 5 years of P30 funding

We are pleased to announce that we received a new P30 grant from NIH/NIAMS to support continuation of the Core Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine (CCMBM). Thank you to all the members who supported this successful grant submission by completing their annual survey. We received an overwhelming response, with a 91% survey completion rate. This significantly contributed to the proposal earning a perfect score for its administrative core, and a high impact score for the overall application (14).

The new P30 grant will enable the CCMBM to continue supporting the growing musculoskeletal research community across UCSF. Our goals for this next funding cycle are to build on past successes and to stimulate and support cross-campus collaborations and research efficiency that accelerate MSK science.

Please continue to help us improve our service by completing the CCMBM annual member survey as we are currently working on our first year’s progress report and final report close-out of the last 5 years. Please contact Daniel Davis if you need a new link to continue your survey. Or become a member to be part of the CCMBM community.

CCMBM provides members support during COVID-19 pandemic despite needing to postpone some events

Remote events and services

During the COVID-related disruptions we are continuing to support our CCMBM community to the greatest extent possible. As such, we have planned Zoom service events for the coming weeks that include statistical consulting and aims page review.

For investigators who are applying for a summer or early fall grant, CCMBM is offering statistical analysis help from a biostatistical expert. The learning session is open to all CCMBM members with three spots available for presenters who want to review their specific aims, data collection and mock presentation, and statistical approach. All others can listen in to learn through these three case studies.

Please sign up to receive statistical analysis coaching or to simply join the learning session via this link http://bit.ly/CCMBMstats.

2020 Orthopaedic Surgery/CCMBM Scientific Retreat Postponed

Due to COVID-19, this year’s spring Orthopaedic Surgery/CCMBM Spring Scientific Retreat was canceled, and we are working to reschedule this event for the summer/fall timeframe. We will follow the policy and guidance of UCSF leadership on non-essential events and gatherings for large groups to determine when we will be able to reschedule.

Bradford Lectureship Rescheduled

Dr. David S. Bradford is an internationally known orthopedic surgeon who treats patients with complex spinal disorders, including scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative spine diseases. In addition to caring for patients, his research interests include biomaterials, tissue engineering, and tissue regeneration.

In April 2019, the Bradford Lectureship was established to honor those who have contributed significantly to MSK research. CCMBM’s inaugural distinguished lecturer was Corey Neu, PhD, Professor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado, who was featured at the UCSF CCMBM and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Scientific Retreat - Unleashing your Inner Athlete: Accelerating MSK Healing through Discovery.

This year’s Bradford Lectureship features Lynda Bonewald, PhD. Dr. Bonewald is the Founding Director of the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, ICMH, a center with over 100 members from 36 departments and four campuses. She has a primary faculty appointment in the Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology and a secondary one in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She is best known for her work in the study of osteocytes and is responsible for tools used by researchers globally to determine osteocyte biology and function. Although her lecture has been canceled due to COVID-19, we are working on rescheduling her visit when we resume normal activities per the policy and guidance of UCSF on non-essential events and gatherings for large groups.

Distinguished faculty added to the CCMBM External Advisory Board

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Samuel R. Ward, PT, PhD as new member to the CCMBM External Advisory Board.

Dr. Ward is a Professor in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Radiology, and Bioengineering at UC San Diego. He is also the Vice-Chair of Research in Orthopaedic Surgery, Co-Director of the Translational Science Partnerships Program, and Director of the Muscle Physiology Laboratory.

Read more about Dr. Ward here.

Congratulations to the following CCMBM members on their awards

TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY

Tamara Alliston, PhD, Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Dennis Black, PhD, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Development of M2H^bone - a web-based tool for identification of mouse genes relevant to human bone fragility

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TRAVEL AWARD PROGRAM

To support trainees seeking to launch their own scientific careers, the CCMBM launched the Junior Investigator Travel Award last year. Two awards covering up to $400 in airfare were given to CCMBM junior investigators. These awards allowed junior investigators to develop expertise, network, and acquire skills in a field at a scientific conference the applicants may have otherwise been unable to attend. Congratulations to Francesco Caliva, PhD, and Jenifer Liao, PhD for receiving Junior Investigator Travel Awards!

If you have an idea relating to an initiative the CCMBM could implement to enhance your career opportunities, please reach out to the CCMBM and/or join the Junior Investigator Committee, where your input is valued.

Become a Member of the CCMBM

Become a member today to be eligible for exclusive funding opportunities, access to symposium presentations, among other benefits such as use of CCMBM Research Cores, visiting faculty seminar series, hands-on workshops, networking events, and more. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by the CCMBM Internal Advisory Committee. Contact Daniel Davis if you have questions about becoming a member.

If you have received a CCMBM grant, formed a collaboration at one of our events, or used one of our cores, please acknowledge the CCMBM in related publications and presentations. We suggest stating:

Research reported in this publication was supported by the UCSF Core Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine (CCMBM) of the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) under the award number P30AR075055.