The Adult Translational Research Unit (ATRU) is designed to provide an optimal clinical research environment for both research participants and translational investigators. The ATRU provides the infrastructural support for the conduct of clinical and translational research projects by providing access to space, services, supplies, and the expertise of research support personnel.
The ATRU provides a safe, controlled environment for investigators to conduct state-of-the-art patient-oriented studies. The unit is designed to support a wide range of clinical research, from pilot studies to multi-center clinical trials.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ph.: 414-805-7300
Fax: 414-955-0159
Email: A-TRUScheduling@mcw.edu
LOCATION
Froedtert Hospital, East Pavilion, Lower Level, L700A
HOURS OF OPERATION
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 includes7 exam rooms, 3 suites, 2 lab processing areas, an iDXA 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. David Friedland. The ATRU leadership includes a Medical Director, a Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) Research Operations Manager, and 3 Program Managers who coordinate the Clinical, Laboratory, and Bionutrition (BION) 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 BION 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.
ATRU clinical support includes an extensive variety of services including phlebotomy, point of care testing, IV placement, infusions, vaccinations, study drug monitoring, and assistance with bedside procedures. We also act as a resource for principle investigators (PI) and support staff in the creation and coordination of new clinical trials/studies utilizing clinical research services. We pride ourselves on providing quality patient care, safe/responsive services, and exceptional customer service.
On-Site & Off-Site Visits
Available within the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) Campus
MCW’s Campus Partners Include: Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Wisconsin, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Curative Care Network, Daniel M. Soref Imaging Research Facility, and the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division.
Usual & Customary Supplies Included
The Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Core Lab Services works in conjunction with the Adult Translational Research Unit (ATRU) to provide support from protocol planning, set-up, and initiation through assistance with hands on sample processing and specimen oversight.
ATRU Laboratory Services offers basic and complex processing of research biospecimens utilizing dedicated lab staff and specialized laboratory equipment. Monitored and secure storage cold storage and coordination with both on and off campus labs allows for streamlined and quality handling of your study specimens from pre-analytical to post analytical phase.
The Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Bionutrition and Body Composition Lab is based out of the Adult Translational Research Unit (ATRU) and provides services to researchers from all CTSI affiliated institutions and community organizations.
The bionutrition 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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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CTSI CTRC | Dr. David Friedland, MD, PhD | Director, CTRC | 414.955.0839 | dfriedland@mcw.edu |
CTSI ATRU | Renee Dex, RN, BSN | Research Nurse Manager | 414.805.7404 | rdex@mcw.edu |
CTSI ATRU | Rae Ann Petersen, BS | Core Lab Manager | 414.805.7301 | rpetersen@mcw.edu |
CTSI ATRU | Kelli Dunham MS, RD, CD, CPT | Bionutrition Program Manager | 414.805.7306 | kdunham@mcw.edu |
CTSI CTO | Alex Bruss, BS, CCRC | Program Manager II | 414.805.7128 | abruss@mcw.edu |
CTSI CTO | Charlotte Klis | Program Manager II | 414.805.7183 | cklis@mcw.edu |
CTSI CTRC | Brandon Berens, BS, CCRC | Research Operations Manager | 414.805.7181 | bberens@mcw.edu |
CTSI | Leslie Bojar | Financial Analyst | 414.955.4750 | lbojar@mcw.edu |
CTSI | Neil Forbord | Financial Analyst | 414.955.8004 | nforbord@mcw.edu |
CTSI Investigators can also access the following cores located within the A-TRU.
NIH Funding Acknowledgment: Important Reminder – Please acknowledge the NIH when publishing papers, patents, projects, and presentations resulting from the use of CTSI resources by including the NIH Funding Acknowledgement.