# Resource-based Center for the study of the joint microenvironment in rheumatology (Overall Application)

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2020 · $778,323

## Abstract

OVERALL ABSTRACT
We will establish a Rheumatic Diseases Research Resource Center at the University of California, San Diego
(UCSD). The theme of our Microenvironment in Arthritis Resource MARC (MARC) is to facilitate translational
research focused on the joint microenvironment in arthritis. Limited knowledge of in situ joint biology and
pathogenic mechanisms in rheumatic diseases has prevented development of novel biomarkers and therapies
that target cellular interactions within joint structures. The MARC will address this gap by stimulating interest in
the joint microenvironment among a large interdisciplinary group of well-funded scientists from multiple
institutions in San Diego. The goal of the MARC is to provide the San Diego scientific community with a
comprehensive local framework to plan, perform and analyze a large variety of joint microenvironment studies
using invasive and non-invasive technology and foster novel, collaborative, and interdisciplinary arthritis-
relevant research. The first two Aims of the Center are to facilitate studies on tissue microenvironment by
providing access to (Aim 1) cutting-edge joint imaging technology and approaches to isolate single cells and
tissue from joints and to (Aim 2) a dedicated computational service focusing on integration of diverse multi-
dimensional datasets. Aim 3 is to lower the barrier for new investigators to enter the field and to foster
collaboration between rheumatic disease-focused scientists across San Diego. This will be accomplished via
an Enrichment Program, which includes vouchers for core services, pilot and feasibility grant funding, and
creation of a new arthritis seminar series and a regional arthritis-focused symposium to stimulate collaboration.
The San Diego science community has a deeply rooted combination of creativity, dynamism, collaborative
attitude and focus on translation. Thus, our Center will be uniquely positioned to facilitate the novel science
that will be transformative for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10007597
- **Project number:** 5P30AR073761-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Nunzio Bottini
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $778,323
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10007597

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10007597, Resource-based Center for the study of the joint microenvironment in rheumatology (Overall Application) (5P30AR073761-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10007597. Licensed CC0.

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