# PLUS Loyola Clinical Center

> **NIH NIH U01** · LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO · 2023 · $99,991

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
PLUS was designed to exert a sustained, powerful influence on bladder health research. The Loyola Clinical
Center (LCC) was a robust contributor to PLUS research activities in the first funding cycle, due to our significant
expertise in Community Engagement, including partnerships with cohorts that are poorly represeted in health
research. In this renewal application, the LCC brings additional, rare expertise in evaluation of the urinary
microbiome (urobiome), which is related to the bioregulatory function of the healthy bladder. Based on the
foundational research accomplished in the first funding period, our investigators are eager to utilize our resources
and our growing expertise to advance the PLUS mission, and continue our collaborative work. Our trans-
disciplinary team of researchers will work collaboratively toward the our over-arching goal of advancing bladder
health. In this renewal application, through three specific aims, we plan to conduct high-impact research that
challenge existing paradigms and improve research approaches in bladder health, with a focus on
musculoskeletal interventions and urobiome research. These aims include (SA1) To determine the relationship
of musculoskeletal and bladder health across the life stages, (SA2) Through strategic collection, analysis and
evidence-based storage of urine biospecimens, assess validity of self-collection and shipping from potential
participants, assess the baseline and longitudinal urobiome characteristics, with focus on characteristics that are
associated with bladder health and LUTS development over time and establish a high-quality urobiome
biorepository for subsequent analysis, once novel promoters and risk factors for bladder health have been
identified and (SA3) enhance PLUS Consortium community engaged research by integrating community
stakeholders as co-investigators and designing processes that facilitate this integration. In addition, the LLC will
contribute to the final design, conduct and analysis of a large, US population-based observational cohort of
women across the life-span, using the Bladder Health Instrument which PLUS developed and validated. Within
this study, the LCC proposes investigation of the bioregulatory functions of the healthy bladder through collection
and anaysis of urine speciments, focusing on urinary microbiome (urobiome) health. The LCC has been active
in the dissemination of PLUS work to the community, other researchers, and – when appropriate - clinicians, and
patients. In addition to generating novel data and research tools, we anticipate establishing a repository of
biological samples for future studies. As an integral component of the PLUS Research Consortium, we expect
rapid improvements in scientific knowledge and LUTS prevention strategies as the aims of our Center are
achieved. These improvements will benefit and support the broader research community with particular impact
on the broader urology community and women’s healt...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10888916
- **Project number:** 3U01DK106898-09S1
- **Recipient organization:** LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** LINDA BRUBAKER
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $99,991
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2015-08-20 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10888916

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10888916, PLUS Loyola Clinical Center (3U01DK106898-09S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10888916. Licensed CC0.

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