# Transnational Research Imaging Core (TRI)

> **NIH NIH P30** · CLEMSON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $332,553

## Abstract

Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering are innovative therapeutic approaches that hold great promise in
addressing unmet clinical needs. Application of these novel products and technologies in human medicine is
limited by the complexities of pre-clinical safety and efficacy testing. By comparison to states with major NIH
funding, a significant obstacle for academic scientists, engineers and industry experts involved with translational
regenerative medicine efforts in the State of South Carolina is the lack of resources to sustain and evolve existing
core facilities by keeping up with the rapid pace of new and costly technological innovations, compliance issues
and regulatory protocols needed to advance new discoveries. This hinders the generation of preliminary data for
competitive NIH proposals and limits our ability to pursue applied regenerative medicine efforts to benefit the
population of South Carolina.
To advance the goals of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine that were established in Phases I and II
by our COBRE Center (SC BioCRAFT) we propose to upgrade and further develop our original Cell, Tissue and
Molecular Analysis core into a more translationally oriented core entitled Translational Research Imaging (TRI)
core. This Phase III core has been envisioned as the combination of a bio-analytical thrust for advanced
microscopy and imaging and a pre-clinical validation thrust for small and large animal testing.
The overall mission of the TRI core is to support academic scientists, engineers and biomedical industry experts
in their pursuit of pre-clinical validation of novel biomaterials and technologies and enhance their potential for
competitive extramural funding. To achieve this mission, we propose two specific aims: 1) to provide cutting-
edge capabilities for stem cell biology, explant analysis, in vivo cell tracking, advanced histology, light and
electron imaging and 3D image reconstruction capabilities and 2) to provide state-of-the-art facilities and
expertise for pre-clinical validation of regenerative medicine approaches by offering small and large animal
surgery and long-term testing and imaging capabilities including digital radiography, clinical CT and MRI.
Outstanding facilities and labs directed by experienced NIH-funded scientists will provide a collaborative
mentoring environment to all pilot projects PIs and to scientists and engineers interested in developing
regenerative medicine projects. Management of core activities and sustainability beyond the Phase III period will
be facilitated by our campus-wide core management software, by establishment of user fees and by using a
voucher program. The proposed TRI core, together with the complementary Biomaterials Engineering and
Testing core, both very strongly supported by Clemson University, will greatly enhance research capabilities and
advance the potential for creation of a regenerative medicine powerhouse within the state of South Carolina.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10457963
- **Project number:** 5P30GM131959-04
- **Recipient organization:** CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Dan TEODOR Simionescu
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $332,553
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10457963

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10457963, Transnational Research Imaging Core (TRI) (5P30GM131959-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10457963. Licensed CC0.

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