# Pathophysiology Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2023 · $582,837

## Abstract

The goal of the PathPhys-Core is to provide state-of-the-art, customized quantitative serum, tissue, and
imaging methods to characterize tissue anatomy, damage, and injury in the context of an integrated,
biopsychosocial model of cLBP. Additionally, the PathPhys-Core will promote the development and validation
of new tools to help identify the molecular, cellular, biochemical, and structural underpinnings of cLBP. The
PathPhys Core will consist of three Sub-Cores for Imaging, Tissue Histology, and Serum Analysis. These Sub-
Cores will: 1) provide consultation regarding human and sample analyses; 2) standardize protocols; 3) assist
with data interpretation; and 4) drive the development of new tools for analyzing pathophysiology and injury.
In the context of the overall mission of BACPAC and to support the goals of REACH, the PathPhys-Core
proposes the following Specific Aims centered around two themes: innovation and service; education and
dissemination.
Innovation and Service: Goal is to provide the unique tools for UCSF REACH to characterize tissue anatomy,
damage, and injury in the context of cLBP using novel physiology assessment tools.
 Aim 1: To provide, maintain, and support state-of-the-art quantitative serum, tissue, and imaging methods
 for pre-clinical and human musculoskeletal tissues. Examples include: MRI pulse sequences for the
 assessment of endplate structure and permeability (UTE), bone marrow fat content and texture, muscle
 volume and muscle fat (IDEAL), and disc structure and composition (T2, T1rho).
 Aim 2: To develop and support novel quantitative serum, tissue, and imaging methods and grading tools.
 The core will leverage an existing Quantitative Image Processing Center (QUIPC) to provide training,
 templates as well as software for visualization, post-processing, and quantitative analysis. Examples
 include: Develop novel image analysis techniques such as texture-based BMF or T1rho distribution, voxel-
 based morphometry and relaxometry, muscle volume and endplate segmentation algorithms etc.
 Aim 3: To provide interpretation of imaging data and assess links to the extracted biochemical, histological,
 and biomechanical measures, and the relevant clinical endpoints.
Education and Dissemination: Goal is to disseminate information from the PathPhys Core to the BACPAC
consortium, increase research collaborations between sites, and provide educational sessions.
 Aim 4: To provide web portal access to examples of previous studies that have used serum/tissue/imaging
 endpoints and detailed descriptions of clinical and research services, and to handle new service requests
 efficiently through the web portal. Online requests from new users for research collaboration and service
 will be reviewed by the staff and consultation with appropriate individuals will be set up. Post-processing
 and imaging informatics will be provided to assist researchers in study design and application. A goal will
 be to make suggestions as to how best...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10765799
- **Project number:** 4U19AR076737-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Roland Krug
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $582,837
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2019-09-25 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10765799

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10765799, Pathophysiology Core (4U19AR076737-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10765799. Licensed CC0.

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