The central theme of the Indiana University School of Medicine Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology (IU-CCEH) is the regulation of nonmalignant human and murine hematopoiesis at the level of hematopoietic stem (HSC) and progenitor (HPC) cells, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and the microenvironment. This was the focus of the IU-CCEH during the last funding period. The center continues to pursue this hefty goal, as there is still much more that needs to be rigorously defined in these areas.
The goals of the investigations of members of this center are to leverage different components of the hematopoietic system to improve and advance clinical utility and efficacy of HSC/HPC-based therapies. Treatment of inherited disorders of bone marrow derived cells can be achieved by both cellular and genetic approaches that are applicable to many diseases and disorders. However, successful application of these modalities requires a deeper understanding of the cellular, molecular, biochemical HSC and HPC regulation and hematopoietic parameters impacting their efficient use in transplantation such as homing, cell cycle regulation, self-renewal, epigenetics, and the status of the hematopoietic niche.
The IU-CCEH brings together the active participation of 28 members who are well funded by the NIH, DoD, or the VA. These investigators are highly interactive with diverse and complementary expertise in hematopoiesis and HSC biology and other disciplines that impact directly or indirectly on multiple components of the hematopoietic system.
The IU-CCEH includes three biomedical research cores focused on bringing state-of-the-art technologies that advance the work of the members of this center, other similar CCEH centers across the country, and qualified investigators nationwide who do not belong to any NIDDK-funded CCEH.
In addition, the IU-CCEH includes an enrichment program tasked with establishing training programs for young and future scientists interested in nonmalignant hematology research.
The specific aims of the IU-CCEH are to:
- establish, operate, and administer three vital biomedical cores providing essential services to investigators at IU School of Medicine and others outside the school who are involved in the highest quality nonmalignant basic and clinical research in HSC/HPC biology.
- establish, operate and administer an Enrichment Program to support, promote and enhance the research of young investigators in the area of nonmalignant HSC regulation and clinical utility of HSC.
- actively participate in the implementation of a Partner Pilot and Feasibility funding mechanism organized by all NIDDK-sponsored CCEH centers across the United States.
- coordinate fiscal management of the center's cores.
- work closely and cooperate with other CCEH centers nationwide to adopt and implement policies, funding mechanisms, and opportunities via our proposed cores targeting young as well as established investigators to promote and sponsor diverse areas of nonmalignant hematology research at the highest levels.