# SC COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health (SC-TRIMH)

> **NIH NIH P20** · CLEMSON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $248,242

## Abstract

SUMMARY
The overall goal of the South Carolina COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health
(SC-TRIMH) is to enhance and expand the Biomedical Research capacity at Clemson University to promote
outstanding multidisciplinary, collaborative, and translational research in bone and joint diseases. A new
scientific concept for translational research, i.e. Virtual Human Trials, is to be implemented through powerful
computational modeling combined with quantitative functional validation and assessment to expedite the
process from concept development to deliverable new therapeutics, interventions, and devices for
musculoskeletal health. A multidisciplinary and interactive center to promote translational research for
musculoskeletal health is to be developed by supporting junior investigators and enhancing their research
competitiveness. The specific aims are to: 1) train and mentor an initial cadre of five targeted junior
investigators to develop independent NIH funded research careers in musculoskeletal health research; 2)
develop and enhance key areas of research infrastructure through the development of novel cores and
enhancement of existing ones, which serve as platforms to increase the potential of the targeted faculty to
compete successfully for NIH funding and forge collaborative ties with investigators statewide with relevant
research interests; 3) promote the long-term viability of SC-TRIMH through technology transfer as well as
rigorous evaluation and improvement strategies. The Center is led by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in
physics, material science, computing, bioengineering, public health, biology, and medicine, thereby coalescing
resources and disciplines from Clemson University School of Health Research (CUSHR) and allied with
Greenville Health System (GHS). Scientific cores include: 1) Multi-scale Computational Modeling Core to
utilize cluster computing, bioinformatics, and systems biology to model patient/specimen specific
musculoskeletal system at body, tissue, and cellular levels for the development of novel skeletal devices,
interventions, and therapeutics for precision medicine; 2) Advanced Fabrication and Testing Core to generate,
refine, and optimize the function and performance of devices, interventions, and therapeutics using the
advanced micro and macro fabrication technologies; 3) Preclinical Assessment Core to provide animal testing
and human cadaver analysis to assess the in vivo function of novel devices, interventions, and therapeutics.
These cores will enable the initial 5 junior investigator projects to implement the new concept of Virtual Human
Trials to advance musculoskeletal health and facilitate their competitiveness for national research awards.
Extensive institutional support – including flexible funds, new faculty recruitment and major equipment
purchase – will underwrite the Center's long-term success and viability. This initiative capitalizes on the
existing infrastructure at C...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400367
- **Project number:** 3P20GM121342-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hai Yao
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $248,242
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-15 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400367

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400367, SC COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health (SC-TRIMH) (3P20GM121342-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400367. Licensed CC0.

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