# SC COBRE for TranslationalResearch Improving MusculoskeletalHealth (SC-TRIMH)

> **NIH NIH P20** · CLEMSON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $249,632

## Abstract

SUMMARY
The overall goal of the South Carolina COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health
(SC-TRIMH) is to advance our understanding of musculoskeletal diseases and their management by enhancing
and expanding the biomedical research capacity at Clemson University. Phase I SC-TRIMH successfully
established and implemented the new scientific paradigm of Virtual Human Trials (VTH) for translational
research. Virtual Human Trials consists of powerful computational modeling combined with quantitative
functional validation and in vivo assessment to expedite the development of new therapeutics, interventions, and
devices for musculoskeletal health. The overarching SC-TRIMH Phase II approach is to continue promoting
outstanding multidisciplinary and collaborative research to improve patient care using this new paradigm. SC-
TRIMH is a multidisciplinary and interactive center promoting translational research for musculoskeletal health
which supports junior investigators and enhances their research competitiveness. The specific aims are to: 1)
expand the critical mass of funded investigators conducting musculoskeletal research by implementing the
concept of VHT for the development of new devices, interventions, and therapeutics for musculoskeletal
disorders; 2) strengthen innovative scientific cores that support and advance musculoskeletal research to provide
SC-TRIMH researchers with the best support to move their research forward to patient care; and 3) advance the
ongoing development of an independent, sustainable, multidisciplinary thematic program by promoting the
planning of program project and center grants at the institution level by building teams of PIs in niche areas,
establishing a platform for technology transfer and commercialization through collaborations with Clemson
University Research Foundation and the South Carolina Research Authority for academic startups, and develop
a strategy for administrative infrastructure and financial recovery for SC-TRIMH resources. The Center is led by
a leadership team with multidisciplinary expertise coalescing resources and disciplines from Clemson University
School of Health Research (CUSHR) and its clinical partner, PRISMA Health System (PHS). The scientific cores
include: 1) Multi-scale Computational Modeling Core providing cluster computing, bioengineering, bioinformatics,
and systems biology expertise to model patient/specimen specific musculoskeletal system at body, tissue, and
cellular levels for the development of novel technology; 2) Advanced Fabrication and Testing Core to generate,
refine, and optimize the function and performance of technology using the advanced micro and macro fabrication
technologies; and, 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 support Phase II
Research Project Leaders (RPLs) to advance musculoskeletal health an...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11034801
- **Project number:** 3P20GM121342-07S1
- **Recipient organization:** CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hai Yao
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $249,632
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-15 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11034801

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11034801, SC COBRE for TranslationalResearch Improving MusculoskeletalHealth (SC-TRIMH) (3P20GM121342-07S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11034801. Licensed CC0.

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