The Uro-Voiding Research Interest Group includes CAIRIBU and non-CAIRIBU investigators focused on improving diagnostics and treatments for bladder dysfunctions. Key themes included multi-modal monitoring, gene therapy, and regenerative treatments. Go HERE to read a brief abstract describing how the CAIRIBU Uro-Voiding Research Interest Group was started.
Creation of the Uro-Voiding RIG
This research interest group focused on advancing research in urinary dysfunction. Kristin Ebert, MD (pediatric urology, UW-Madison) highlighted the need for better diagnostic tools and personalized medicine, emphasizing the variability in neurogenic bladder phenotypes. Nathan Tykocki, PhD (Michigan State University) discussed the importance of bladder blood flow and urothelial signaling. Jim Hokanson, PhD (Medical College of Wisconsin) emphasized the crossover of symptoms in urological conditions and the need for better diagnostics. Sarah Roccabianca, PhD (Washington University) focused on mechanical biology and sex hormones in bladder dysfunction.
Joanna Hannan, PhD (UW-Madison) highlighted the impact of pelvic radiation on bladder function. LaTasha Crawford, VMD, PhD (UW-Madison) discussed the role of sensory innervation in bladder pain. Kim Keil Stietz, PhD (UW-Madison) stressed the impact of environmental toxicants on bladder function. Anneke Verstegen, PhD (BIDMC/Harvard) focused on neural control of continence. Margot Damaser, PhD (Cleveland Clinic) emphasized translational research and device development.
The group focused on improving diagnostics and treatments for bladder dysfunctions. Key themes included multi-modal monitoring, gene therapy, and regenerative treatments. The group identified four research gaps: bi-directional neural regulation, sex differences in the lower urinary tract, human data mining from brain to bladder, and mechanistic understanding of disease subtypes. Specific research questions addressed predicting adverse outcomes, understanding disease progression, and identifying physiological fingerprints. The goal is to develop more precise treatments and better characterize bladder diseases.