Urologic Diseases Research Updates
Fall 2007

Research News

NIDDK Director Shares Vision for Urologic Diseases Research

Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), shares his vision and the Institute’s goals for urologic diseases research.

As the newly-appointed Director of the NIDDK, I want to underscore the Institute’s commitment to vigorous, multipronged research efforts to combat the diseases within our research mission. I am pleased to share with the urologic research community my vision for the Institute over the next few years.

Noncancerous or “benign” urologic diseases place a major burden on public health. According to the most recent edition of Urologic Diseases in America, bladder, prostate, and other urinary tract diseases cost Americans nearly $11 billion a year in direct medical expenditures. Diabetes and obesity—diseases within the NIDDK’s core mission—may increase the likelihood of developing and the speed of progression of benign urinary-associated conditions. Many of these diseases are symptom-based and can be difficult to diagnose, treat effectively, or cure.

The NIDDK’s urologic research portfolio includes basic, clinical, and epidemiological research on the genitourinary tract. We have gained important insights from studies on non-cancerous urologic disorders and diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, and erectile and sexual dysfunction. The Institute also funds research into urinary tract infections, urinary tract stone disease, interstitial cystitis, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, and congenital anomalies of the genitourinary tract.

We will continue to pursue the most compelling research to address these and other debilitating and costly chronic diseases. Moreover, we will remain firmly committed to basic, translational, and clinical research; research training and career development; and the dissemination of health information to improve the lives of patients, their families, and those at risk for these diseases.

The following overarching principles will guide my leadership as the new Director of the NIDDK:

Maintain a Vigorous Investigator-initiated Research Portfolio. The NIDDK will maintain funding of investigator-initiated grants at the highest possible level. We will maximize our investments by supporting cross-cutting science that is broadly applicable to many disease-specific research issues. Examples of this research include identification of biomarkers that can aid in the diagnosis of disease and in the assessment of new treatments in clinical trials.

Support Pivotal Clinical Studies and Trials. Clinical studies will continue to be an integral component of research on the broad spectrum of diseases for which the NIDDK has research responsibility. The NIDDK supports a number of clinical trials related to benign urologic diseases, including a clinical network studying treatment approaches to urinary incontinence in women.

Other clinical networks are performing studies on chronic pelvic pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis and new approaches for treating patients with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

Preserve a Stable Pool of Talented New Investigators. We will work to ensure that new investigators realize their potential for contributing to biomedical research and that today’s generation of young scientists will view research as a viable career. Our efforts will include fostering mentorship of new investigators and promoting special consideration for funding talented new investigators.

A vigorous research career development award program aids scientists in the early stages of their careers. These opportunities will be complemented by the NIDDK’s participation in NIH-wide efforts that support new investigators.

Foster Exceptional Research Training and Mentoring Opportunities. Maintaining an NIDDK-focused pipeline of outstanding investigators is critically important to our research progress. To this end, we offer programs for individuals who are at different stages in their careers—ranging from those who have already attained advanced degrees to those who are very early in their educational development.

Ensure Knowledge Dissemination Through Outreach and Communications. We are continuing efforts to ensure that the science-based knowledge gained from NIDDK-funded research is imparted to health care providers and the public for the direct benefit of patients and their families.

The Institute maintains a number of information clearinghouses related to its research mission. For example, the goal of the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse is to increase knowledge and understanding about these diseases among patients and their families, health care professionals, and the general public.

As we plan for the future, we will continue to seek and value external advice from investigators, professional scientific organizations, patient advocates, and the public.

Active collaboration with other components of the NIH and other federal agencies will also remain a cornerstone of NIDDK planning efforts.

Ever-increasing knowledge and the advent of new technologies bring new scientific opportunities for alleviating and conquering the many chronic diseases within the NIDDK’s mission. Our continuing goal will be to seize and maximize these opportunities to reduce the burden of disease and improve the public health.

NIH Publication No. 08–5743
November 2007

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