Pelvic Floor Disorders Network Cycle IV – Administrative Supplement – UT Southwestern PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Our primary goal remains to actively engage in the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN) through efficient patient recruitment, participation, and retention of a racially and ethnically diverse patient population in all studies examining pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) in women. Our second goal is to bring innovative research proposals to this Network with emphasis on translational aims that explore the pathophysiology and prevention of PFDs in well-defined clinical study populations. To accomplish these aims, we describe the qualifications and experience of the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) faculty and research teams at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Hospital, the facilities and patient population available to carry out clinical protocols, and our state-of-the-art scientific approaches to the study of PFDs. The clinical research team described in this application actively participated in Cycles II and IV of the PFDN and achieved robust recruitment and retention for each PFDN clinical trial. Our clinical and research clinics serve both medically indigent patients (Parkland Hospital) and private, insured patients (university practice). These clinics provide a diverse patient population which allowed us to be the leading recruiter of Latina women in the PFDN (Cycle II). We have been active in all other aspects of the PFDN including concept proposal, committee participation, and manuscript preparation. Unique to our research site/ team is the Biorepository for the PFDN, which has remained housed at UT Southwestern in Cycles II-IV and has become integral to other translational research endeavors. Further, the scientific resources and infrastructure within our Ob/Gyn department are centrally focused on the role of genomics, epigenetics and gene regulation in various aspects of women’s health. The FPMRS physicians at UT Southwestern remain dedicated to rigorous controlled trials intended to objectively evaluate principles of non-surgical and surgical care consistent with the mission of the PFDN. With a growing, diverse clinical patient population, a committed and seasoned research team with a pedigree of successful internal and external collaborations, and the resources and expertise to champion additional translational PFD research, UT Southwestern is ready and energized to continue all PFDN activities through the “bridge year” following Cycle IV.