Carilion Biomedical Institute

What the Institute Does: Mission and Focus

The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is driven by a mission to generate transformative scientific advances that enhance human health and address the fundamental processes of disease. Its core activities revolve around conducting cutting-edge biomedical sciences and basic, translational, and clinical research. The institute's primary focus is on understanding and combating some of the leading causes of death and suffering in the United States.

Key Research Areas

Scientists at the institute concentrate their efforts on several critical health challenges, including:

• Brain Disorders: Research in this area aims to unravel the complexities of neurological conditions, seeking new treatments and interventions for diseases such as epilepsy and various neurological impairments. Discoveries include exploring ways to reduce seizures in children and identifying new peptide drugs for deadly brain cancers.
• Heart Disease (Cardiovascular Science): The institute investigates the mechanisms behind cardiovascular diseases, working towards improved diagnostic tools, preventative measures, and therapies. Recent findings include identifying why certain heart rhythm drugs increase risks when sodium levels are low and exploring how changes in the aging heart might reduce irregular heartbeats.
• Cancer: Researchers are dedicated to understanding cancer biology, developing novel therapeutic strategies, and improving patient outcomes. Notable discoveries include uncovering immune cells that help prostate cancer resist treatment and promote metastasis, and a new study focused on enhancing treatment for pediatric brain cancer.
• Metabolism and Obesity: This area explores metabolic processes and their link to obesity and related disorders, aiming to find new ways to prevent and treat these widespread health issues.
• Infectious Diseases and Immunity: The institute conducts research into infectious agents and the body's immune response, with the goal of developing more effective treatments and vaccines. An innovative development is a new immune system model, the "lymph node on a chip," designed to advance precision medicine research.
• Biomaterials and Body-Device Interfaces: This interdisciplinary field focuses on the development and application of materials and devices that interact with biological systems, including electronic devices and applications that transmit health data.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC boasts state-of-the-art research facilities designed to support a wide array of scientific investigations. Since its inception, the institute has doubled its enterprise and lab facilities in Roanoke, Virginia. Furthermore, it has expanded its footprint by investing in new laboratories on the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus in Washington, D.C., enhancing its capacity for pediatric research.

The institute provides access to numerous advanced core services and facilities, which are essential for its diverse research portfolio:

• Imaging Cores: This includes Computed Tomography (Small Bore with Micro-PET Insert, Large Bore), Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Large Bore, with PET Insert - Small Bore), and In-Vivo Imaging System (IVIS).
• Specialized Labs and Equipment: Such facilities include an Animal Biosafety Level 3 Facility for handling infectious agents, a Metabolic Kitchen for controlled dietary studies, a Metabolomics Core for analyzing metabolic products, and advanced tools like a Bioprinter, 3D Printing capabilities, Focused Ultrasound technology, and an A1R Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope.
• Analytical and Processing Units: These include Molecular Analysis, Tissue Processing, Seahorse Real-Time Cell Metabolic Analysis, and a Behavioral Testing Facility for animal studies.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The institute actively engages in collaborations to accelerate discovery and translation. Its collaborative initiatives include working with startups to commercialize research findings, establishing specialty centers to focus on specific research areas, and leveraging its research facilities for shared resources. The Fralin Commercialization Fellows Program is an example of its commitment to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical application. The strong partnership with Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech ensures a synergistic environment where scientific expertise is combined with clinical insights and educational excellence.

Training and Education

A crucial aspect of the institute's mission is to train the next generation of leading biomedical scientists. It offers a variety of educational and training programs for students at different academic levels:

• VTC School of Medicine Student Research Opportunities: Integrating research deeply into medical education.
• iTHRIV CTSA Scholar Career Development Program: Supporting the development of translational research skills.
• Postdoctoral Opportunities: Providing advanced research training for recent Ph.D. graduates.
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities: Engaging undergraduate students in hands-on research experiences.
• Graduate Research Opportunities: Offering master's and doctoral programs in biomedical sciences, often through collaborations with Virginia Tech's graduate schools.

These programs ensure a continuous pipeline of skilled researchers and contribute to the institute's role as a hub for scientific education.

Products and Services (Research Outcomes and Impact)

While not offering traditional "products" in a commercial sense, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC's "products" are its scientific discoveries, new technologies, and trained personnel, all of which contribute to improving human health. Its "services" encompass the provision of cutting-edge research facilities, collaborative platforms, and high-quality scientific education. The ultimate outcome of their work is the generation of new knowledge and potential solutions that can be translated into:

• Improved Treatments and Therapies: Research aims to lead to more effective interventions for various diseases, from cancer to neurological disorders.
• Enhanced Diagnostic Tools: Discoveries can contribute to the development of better methods for early disease detection.
• Disease Prevention Strategies: Understanding disease mechanisms can inform strategies to prevent their onset or progression.
• Advancement of Biomedical Knowledge: Fundamental research expands our understanding of biological processes, forming the basis for future medical breakthroughs.
• Skilled Workforce Development: Training programs produce highly qualified scientists and healthcare professionals who contribute to the biomedical field.

The institute's work directly impacts patient care by accelerating the translation of laboratory findings into clinical practice, embodying its commitment to "advance health for everyone."