http://www.cancer.gov/

http://www.cancer.gov/

http://cancercenter.nemc.org

Tufts University - Index

Tufts University - Medical/Sackler Case Statement Tufts University - Index

dEvEloping distinctivE capaBilitiEs in rEsEarch
8
In biomedical and translational research at Tufts, we believe that we will have the
greatest impact on human healing by focusing on our areas of strength and building on
the opportunities they offer us. We have distinctive capabilities in four research areas
and will strive to reach top-10 status in at least three of these areas over the next decade.
areas of disease-specific
research strength are:
Infectious disease: Tufts researchers
will work to improve global health
by preventing waterborne infectious
diseases and by gaining a better
understanding of the genetic basis for
variation in response to pathogens.
Neuroscience sensory and disease
biology: Tufts researchers will work to
prevent diseases that affect vision, smell,
hearing, and touch, and to repair damage
to the senses caused by these illnesses.
Cancer: In striving to develop cures
for cancer, Tufts will bridge basic,
clinical, and translational approaches,
building on strength in breast cancer
and leukemia/lymphoma research,
and endeavor to gain National Cancer
Institute (NCI) designation for the
Cancer Center at Tufts Medical Center.
Heart disease: Tufts will increase
synergies from outstanding clinical and
scientific research strength to focus on
finding new treatments and therapies
for heart disease and vascular disorders.
Work in each of these defined areas
of research will be supported and
enhanced by expertise throughout the
school in “platform” fields of study:
• genetics
• clinical research and evidencebased
medicine
• drug discovery and development
• regenerative and stem cell medicine
A platform in drug discovery and
development, for instance, will
significantly support research throughout
all disease-related programs, while
attracting industry collaborations
and developing intellectual property
for Tufts. In regenerative medicine,
advances in stem cell research will
address problems in bone, heart, and
neurosensory repair.
Significant work lies ahead in securing
the resources for building this critical
organizational structure and recruiting
and retaining research talent.