Adult Translational Research Unit

Overview

Scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin and at any of the CTSI partner institutions who have an IRB approved protocol can utilize the Adult Translational Research Unit (ATRU) facilities. We provide support services for a diverse array of research studies, which involve pulmonary, cardiovascular, chronic kidney, neurological, metabolic, sickle cell, genetics, and rare diseases, to name a few. The unit is conveniently located at Froedtert Hospital in the Pavilion Building and includes 5 exam rooms, 3 suites, 2 lab processing areas, a DXA scanner, a full metabolic kitchen, a conference room and additional consenting areas.

The ATRU is part of the newly established Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) led by Dr. Friedland. The ATRU leadership includes a Medical Director, a Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) Administrator, and Managers who coordinate the clinical, laboratory, and bio nutrition service lines. The ATRU supports. the planning, feasibility assessment, implementation and compliance of protocols in collaboration with investigators, study coordinators, and multidisciplinary study teams.

The ATRU lab core provides full-service options for biospecimen processing, coordination of lab determinations with external labs, short and long-term sample storage, specimen transport, and IATA certified shipping. ATRU sample processing areas offer bench space and access to multiple precision instruments including a biosafety cabinet, swing bucket centrifuges, mobile fixed angle centrifuges, scales, and pipettes for use in sample preparatory procedures. Experience based training and lab consultation are also offered as a resource to investigators and study teams.

The ATRU bio nutrition core offers dietary assessments for cohort interventions and population studies of all ages for a variety of nutrients, including NDSR variables. Body composition equipment for total and regional lean and adipose measures are available, bioelectrical impedance analysis, dual x-ray absorptiometry, and basic anthropometric equipment. Energy expenditure measures and protocols are available as well as metabolic kitchen services for controlled feeding studies.

Clinical Services

Lab Services

Bionutrition Services

Community TRU

The Community TRU helps accommodate research studies for larger, more long-term projects, incorporating flexibility as these locations change. Sites will be linked to the hospital-based TRUs for testing and procedures not available remotely or through the Mobile TRU.

The C-TRU establishes small, temporary research facilities throughout the Greater Milwaukee area. Facilities include underrepresented & minority community centers and agencies, as well as the Center for AIDS Intervention Research (CAIR) and similar cooperative centers.

Mobile TRU

The Mobile TRU uses a dedicated van to transport research staff, small equipment and supplies to community locations. The van is equipped to process and transport specimen samples from the community to specialized units within the hospital-based TRUs.

The M-TRU also serves as a mobile research facility to support larger studies at community sites. This TRU serves as its own clinical unit in more remote areas, a function we anticipate becoming its primary role.

Fees & Pricing Structure

Terms & Attestations

TERMS

• The A-TRU requires a signed Letter of Agreement (LOA) and a copy of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval letter before the study starts.
• Scheduling of Services: Ability to schedule services may be limited by already scheduled services, availability of qualified staff and study room(s).
• Regular hours appointment requests made <48 hours in advance cannot be guaranteed
• After-hours and weekend requests must be made >72 hours in advance
• Requests for off-site services must be made >96 hours in advance
• Cancellation of Requested Services: Please provide notice of at least 24 hours for cancellation of requested services. Cancellations <24 hours and no-shows will be charged the non-refundable visit fee.
• The A-TRU fees are subject to change. Every effort will be made to minimize the amount and frequency of such changes. Notification of impending price changes, except Pass-Through fees, will be relayed via email at least 90 days prior to implementation. It is the responsibility of the study staff and the Principal Investigator to take note of these changes.
• Pass through fees from external contractors (ex. external laboratory fees) are subject to change should the external contractor fees change.
• The A-TRU will bill monthly for all services rendered.
• As a practice, the A-TRU will keep and maintain copies of all study related documents which will be turned over to the Principal Investigator at the time of study closure.
• The PI or the Co-investigator Physician of the study will be available in-house or by telephone during the infusion and observation period.
• If any changes or amendments are made to the protocol, it is the study team’s responsibility to provide updated IRB approval forms and review any procedural changes with the A-TRU staff prior to the next participant’s scheduled visit.
• Should additional services be requested, a new proposal may be created to outline the scope of the request and associated cost-sharing fees.  This LOA will be amended as necessary.
• The PI must notify the A-TRU staff when A-TRU services are no longer required (including study completion, closure, or protocol modifications).
• Study withdrawal: Investigators will be billed for all A-TRU services rendered up to the point of withdrawal

ATTESTATIONS

On behalf of the department/division/institute or other professional jurisdiction that you represent, you attest that the Principal Investigator is in good standing, approved to devote the proposed time and effort to this project, the Department/Division/Institute endorses the Principal Investigator’s commitment, the project has scientific merit, uses procedures consistent with sound research design, and is likely to yield the expected knowledge.

You agree to cite the CTSA NIH Grant 2UL1TR001436 on all publications arising from any research project receiving support from the CTSI. Publications arising from any research project receiving support from the CTSI must acknowledge such support by stating the following:

“Support received by Grant UL1TR001436 from the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences”

Please note, we have centralized the requests for services for the service cores listed below. You no longer need to submit a separate request forms for each core, if you are using more than one.

• Adult TRU
• Pediatric TRU
• VA TRU
• Community TRU
• Mobile TRU
• TRU Core Lab
• CTSI Clinical Trials Office
• Biostatistics
• Bionutrition Services

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