Translational Cores

Metabolic, Neuromuscular, and Skeletal provides assessments specific to skeletal muscle contraction, architecture, volume and oxidative capacity. Bone density is measured along with dietary intake, total body.

Movement Performance and Locomotor Recovery provides assessments of gait and stepping and guides development of optimal individualized programs of therapy and interventions for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

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Cardiovascular and Pulmonary provides state-of-the-art assessments specific to the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. Studies to map the neural circuits that control blood pressure and lung function enable interventions such as spinal cord Epidural Stimulation (scES).

Urogenital and Bowel provides assessments of bladder, bowel, and sexual function in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

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The Neurophysiology Core provides physiological motor and sensory assessments and performs magnetic resonance imaging that allow appropriate adjustments to therapeutic interventions.

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The Engineering Core designs and constructs therapeutic delivery systems, software, and imaging systems. The Core also manages aspects of information technology including developing algorithms to mine KSCIRC data – providing real-time analysis.

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The Core of Research Medical is to supports all surgical procedures and post-operative care; to provide medical oversight during epidural stimulation and activity-based interventions; supports research medical procedures; management and processing of blood, urine, and tissue samples for human and porcine; IRB and FDA regulatory.

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Our Biostatistics and Outcomes Division of the Biostatistics, Outcome, Database, and Communications Core, is dedicated to the comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions that individuals with spinal cord injury undergo. The results of such analyses are then used to inform the design of continued or subsequent therapeutic interventions. Using a collaborative approach within the Translational Research division of the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (KSCIRC) at the University of Louisville, the Biostatistics and Outcomes Core conducts research and support activities regarding the individual and collective outcomes related to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) across the continuum of care and across the lifespan. This core analyzes how the health of individuals with SCI is affected in the real world based on their own reported experiences and detailed analyses of data coming from the KSCIRC Scientific Cores as well as all relevant external data. The Database and Communications Division of this Core supports the other cores with various aspects of data management including process analysis, data systems design and implementation, data integration and review, general reporting and analysis. Communications provides visualization of complex ideas, release of information through our web/print/digital channels, and the compiling and management of digital media.

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The Finance and Administration Core is responsible for the fiscal and administrative oversight of the entire translational research program. This Core serves as liaison to internal University departments, granting agencies, and research partners to ensure overall coordination and facilitation of grant activities, budgeting, and contract negotiation and implementation.  Key Core activities include: internal and external communications, grant submission and maintenance, purchasing, account reconciliation, long-range financial planning, and financial reporting.

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The Movement Performance and Locomotor Recovery Clinic is an outpatient clinic department in which participants receive physical and occupational therapy. It is a collaboration between UofL Health and the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center. Outpatient clinic services are an integral part of the translational research model. Building upon the strong foundation of scientific innovations from our Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center research labs, our therapy team is able to translate research findings directly into new cutting-edge clinical therapies.

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