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Three of five endowed chairs to involve MUSC The review board that oversees the state’s endowed chairs research program voted June 18 to fund five new Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE) chair programs of which three chairs will involve MUSC either through collaboration with another university or on its own.   The state award for each of these chairs was $5 million.   The newly approved CoEEs with an MUSC link are endowed chairs for: Tobacco-Related Malignancy Research (MUSC) Research will identify biomarkers, such as lipids in the bloodstream, for tobacco-related malignancies. Researchers will use epidemiologic techniques to validate these biomarkers, and clinical trials will be performed to evaluate the medical applications of the biomarkers.   The CoEE will support two MUSC endowed chairs: one with proven experience in biomarker discovery and a strong interest in using new technologies to find further markers, and another who will work to validate these markers and organize clinical trials with the state’s physicians to test the utility of the markers.   The CoEE will build on the growing strength of the Hollings Cancer Center, which has set aside laboratory space for the CoEE and will provide funding for programmatic support.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 22.6 percent of South Carolina adults smoke. The national average is 20.9 percent.   According to the external panel, the CoEE in Tobacco Related Malignancy Research will focus on “an extremely important area which is likely to have significant impacts both clinically and economically.” Health Facilities Design and Testing (Clemson/MUSC) A collaboration between Clemson University and MUSC, this endowment will focus on research that addresses how health care environments affect areas such as clinical outcomes, operational efficiencies, and patient and staff satisfaction.   The CoEE will feature two endowed chairs: a Clemson-based chair in health care architecture, and an MUSC-based chair in human factors research in clinical practice.   Health Sciences South Carolina will provide $5 million in matching funds to this CoEE. Berchtold Corp., a global company based in South Carolina, also has pledged to support the initiative.   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, health care construction in the United States was valued at $46 billion as of April. This amount was 14.5 percent higher compared to 2006 health care construction costs.   The external review panel noted: “This is an exceptional opportunity for South Carolina to become a national leader in the design of improved health care environments.” Stroke (MUSC/USC) The CoEE in Stroke will aim to strengthen clinical and basic stroke research in South Carolina. Several planned areas of research are novel for the field of stroke medicine, including post-stroke dementia and juvenile stroke.   The CoEE will support three endowed chairs in translational stroke research (MUSC appointment), translational neurology (University of South Carolina appointment) and clinical neurology (MUSC appointment).   MUSC's and USC’s partners in the CoEE include Greenville Health System and the Greenwood Genetics Center. Greenville Health System has begun constructing the Research and Education Innovation Institute, a $20-million facility that will house academic programs in patient safety and clinical effectiveness, pharmacy, medicine and dental medicine. Greenwood Genetics Center will participate in research programs associated with the genetics of stroke.   South Carolina has the second-highest stroke mortality rate in the nation, according to CDC.   The external review panel commented that the united strengths of the partners involved in the CoEE in Stroke will “make South Carolina more competitive for multi-million dollar federal grants and contracts.” About the S.C. CoEE Program The CoEE program provides incentives for the state’s three research universities to create Centers of Economic Excellence, along with associated endowed professorships, in high-technology areas likely to enhance the state’s economy.   In 2002, the South Carolina General Assembly appropriated $200 million from the South Carolina Education Lottery Account to fund the program through 2010. Each CoEE is awarded between $2 million to $5 million in state funds, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-state funds.   To receive funding for a CoEE, the research universities submit proposals that undergo a three-tier review process. Each proposal is first subjected to a technical review by field experts. After studying the technical review scores, the CoEE Review Board decides which proposals qualify for evaluation by an onsite review panel. This external review panel includes senior research officials from Association of American University institutions. The review panel visits each university, hears presentations on each proposal, and interviews investigators and other university personnel. The panel submits a report with recommendations for funding to the CoEE Review Board, which votes on which new CoEE to fund.     Friday, July 6, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.