CTSI Update
The 2020 BU CTSI Impact: Noteworthy Achievements, Accomplishments, & Success Stories

"Our success has been a team effort between our partner, Boston Medical Center, our affiliates and the many strategic alliances showcased in this report. We have collaborated on common goals and activities to collectively advance translational science that efficiently delivers effective interventions and treatments to more people."

David Center, MD - Megan Bair-Merritt, MD, MSCE - Richard Saitz, MD MPH, FACP, DFSAM
COVID-19 Biorepository

The COVID-19 Biorepository is an institutional resource available to Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University (BU) researchers interested in biologic samples collected from BMC patients. The goal of the Biorepository is to support innovative and impactful science on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

The Biorepository contains: 1) discarded clinical samples from BMC patients (both patients with and without COVID-19), and 2) samples collected from a prospective cohort study of hospitalized BMC COVID-19 patients, with sample collection from ambulatory COVID-19 patient and COVID-19 survivor arms set to begin imminently.  Read More.
Reminder
Center for Implementation and Improvement Sciences (CIIS) Fellowship

In order to build institutional capacity in Implementation and Improvement in the absence of formal “Implementation Science” training programs, CIIS now offers an Implementation Science Fellowship (CIIS Fellowship). During the fellowship, CIIS Fellows will:
  • Learn theory, qualitative, and quantitative research skills through seminars, formal coursework, and hands-on immersion in IS research projects.
  • Lead 1-2 implementation/improvement science projects in their content area of interest.
  • Lead or participate in other CIIS projects that target specific learning points and methodological skills.
  • Following fellowship, return to their respective Departments with new skills and become local leaders in Implementation and Improvement Sciences
  • Devote 50-80% FTE during the 2 year fellowship towards training and applied research in implementation and improvement science
The BU CTSI Voucher Program - Accepting Application on a Rolling Basis
The BU CTSI Voucher Program is designed to support the short-term needs of research investigators that are not otherwise covered by grants. Vouchers are intended to enable preliminary work, to generate data for new or ongoing projects and/or to secure fee-based core services for expert consultation services (such as biostatistics & data management) with the ultimate goal of furthering clinical and translational research. 
CTSI Makes Pandemic Vouchers Available - Application Due Date:
December 31, 2020
The Pandemic Vouchers are designed to support the short-term needs of research investigators whose time to conduct research has been negatively impacted by pandemic-related childcare/ eldercare/family care and other home-related responsibilities. Assistance is intended to allow investigators to complete a study, submit publications, generate preliminary data necessary for publishing findings, or write research grants.
New Funding Opportunities

Notice of Special Interest: Advances in Research for the Treatment, Services, and Recovery of Alcohol Use Disorde

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Synthetic Biology for Biomedical Applications

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)

Notice of Special Interest: Kidney Precision Medicine – Technology Development and Translation

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)


Small Business Transition Grant For Early Career Scientists (R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
News & Events



Lung Transplantation for Patients
with Severe COVID-19

In many patients SARS-CoV-2 infection can progress to severe respiratory failure and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) requiring mechanical ventilation. The reported mortality of patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation is between 20-40%, despite optimized supportive care. Read More.


COVID-19 SeroHub

It is an online dashboard intended to help researchers and policymakers monitor studies of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence in the United States. These types of studies use blood tests to identify the proportion of people in the population who possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Read More.
Caught on Camera: Neutralizing
Antibodies Interacting with SARS-CoV-2

The Food and Drug Administration is now reviewing the clinical trial data of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to ensure their safety and efficacy. If all goes well, emergency use authorization could come very soon, allowing immunizations to begin. Read More.

HHS Launches Centralized Website
for COVID-19 Clinical Trials

Find information about clinical trials you can participate in as well as ways to donate blood and plasma that will lead to prevention and treatment breakthroughs to benefit everyone. Read More.
A Large, Simple Trial Leading to
Complex Questions

Should Remdesivir be reserved for the treatment of patients with selected risk factors? What is a more effective timing for the use of Remdesivir, and should it be used in combination with other agents?... Read More.

COVID-19 Vaccines Based on Novel Platforms Show Early Promise in Mice

In mouse studies, two injections of the vaccine, together with an adjuvant called QS21, elicited positive antibody response against the SARS-CoV-2 S protein in all animals except those that got the lowest of four doses. Read More.


Tobacco Control Policies to Promote
Health Equity - December 9, 2020;
2 - 3:30 p.m. EST
An overview of the Tobacco Control Policies to Promote Health Equity funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) and Notice of Participation by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. The webinar will conclude with a question and answer session. Register Here.
Real World Applications for Translational Research Webinar - December 10, 2020;
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST

This webinar will review major challenges & potential solutions and opportunities for inclusion across the lifespan and equip you with concrete tools to enhance inclusion and incorporation of life course methodology. Register Here.
Accelerating Breakthroughs in the
Life Sciences - December 10, 2020;
12:15 - 1:30 p.m. EST

This seminar is designed to help you learn about MSLC's initiatives and share insights & lessons from MLSC Next Generation Awardees on their journey as entrepreneurs. Register Here.

CTSA Visiting Professorship Virtual
Lecture - December 16, 2020; 12 -1 p.m. EST

This lecture will be hosted by CTSA K12 awardees who will be presenting on behalf of their CTSA Visiting Professorship.

Accelerating Discoveries Towards Better Health 
bu.edu/ctsi | ncats.nih.gov