Two big research grants landed on Pittsburgh’s doorstep this month. The University of Pittsburgh received $4.5 million to create the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (PTEI) received $1.5 million to promote tissue regeneration and burn-injury technology.
The RERC will employ 25 people, including four new hires, and will make its headquarters at the Institute for Rehabilitation and Research on the South Side. A new space is being sought and the Bakery Square complex in East Liberty is under consideration, says Megan Grote, spokesperson for UPMC. The U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research awarded the grant.
The RERC will research, develop, and evaluate innovative technologies and approaches to improve the treatment, rehabilitation, employment and reintegration into society of people with spinal cord injuries. One critical focus of research will be to create mathematical models of inflammation and healing, which can vary among individuals.
“The new RERC aims to develop and study next generation treatments and devices for improved health and quality of life for people with SCI five to ten years from now, ” says David Brienza, director of the center and professor in the department of rehabilitation science and technology at the University of Pittsburgh. “This will strengthen Pitt's position as a leader in SCI treatment and research.”
PTEI received its grant through the U.S. Dept. of Defense. Pittsburgh is consider one of the top areas for research in this field. Researchers hope to develop technology to restore hands, fingers, faces, ears, noses and breasts with the hope of regenerating arms, legs and internal organs, says Alan J. Russell, executive director.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: David Brienza, RERC, Megan Grote, UPMC, Alan J. Russell, PTEI