Research

To improve the health of the population we serve, we must advance knowledge about the disease processes we encounter. Incorporation of research experiences for urology residents in all levels of training is a crucial part of our department’s mission. This is evident in the dedication of the PGY-4 year to research, departmental seminars and conferences, encouragement of PGY-4 residents taking graduate courses; and the inclusion of residents in the design and conduct of clinical research.

Basic Research

Recently, the major research areas of investigation for the Department of Urology have been Renal Calculi, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH), and cancers of the bladder, kidney, and prostate. The Laboratory currently has three independent National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants and works closely with researchers in Endocrinology, Immunology, Nephrology, Oncology, Orthopedics, and Pathology. Specific projects involve investigation of hypercalciuria and metabolic aspects of calcium stone disease; the influence of the polyamine synthesis inhibitor difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in the prevention of urothelial cancer; the role of epidermal growth factor in the promotion and progression of bladder cancer; the influence of putative suppressor gene deletions on chromosome 9 in bladder carcinogenesis; the role of neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer in the development of hormonally refractory disease; the influence of RNA editing on expression of the WT1 gene in Wilm’s tumor; tissue-specific expression of PSA (in a transgenic mouse model); and prostate cancer immunotherapy. Recent work coming directly from our laboratory and its current researchers includes characterization of serum binding proteins of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and methods for early detection of bladder cancer. 

Facilities 

The two research laboratories (consisting of 2,800 square feet) provide facilities for cell culture used for carcinogenesis and molecular studies, as well as a microsurgical facility used for animal models of metabolic stone disease. The department has fully-equipped molecular biology, radio-immunoassay, and immunohistochemical facilities. 

Innovative Techniques 

The Laboratory is performing a variety of techniques including molecular cloning, PCR, “RNA fingerprinting,” DNA sequencing, non-radioactive in situ hybridization, fluorescence in situ hybridization, Northern and Southern blotting, Western blotting, immunohisto- and immunocytochemistry, receptor kinetic studies, bioassays, immunoassays, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and microsurgery. 

Clinical Research Studies 

In addition to the above mentioned basic research, several more clinically oriented studies are being performed. These studies involve analysis of serum levels of free and complexed PSA; hematuria screening for bladder cancer; prevention of bladder cancer; microwave therapy for BPH; testing of new devices and agents for treatment of urinary incontinence and interstitial cystitis; a variety of cancer treatment studies (both industry-sponsored and through the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group); and the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization and microsatellite repeat analysis in the diagnosis of bladder cancer. A collaborative effort with Behavioral Medicine and Community and Preventive Medicine involves a variety of studies associated with the physical and psychological stresses engendered by the diagnosis of prostate and bladder cancer. Specific ongoing pediatric research includes study of the effectiveness of intra-operative local anesthesia for postoperative pain control, and the most cost-effective paradigms in the evaluation of surgically correctable causes of urinary tract infections. 

Collaborative Efforts 

The Research Lab also works in collaboration with several groups within the University of Rochester (see above), as well as in Baltimore, MD, Charlottesville, VA, Chicago, IL Madison, WI, San Diego, CA, and Lund, Sweden. Collaboration often is a prerequisite for competitive research efforts. 

Personnel 

The Research Laboratory has a full-time technician, a Ph.D. Molecular Biologist and Professor of Pathology of international renown as research director, and an MD/Ph.D. (Molecular Biology) urologist, as well as two PGY-4 residents and investigators on the full-time faculty. 

Summary 

The Urology research laboratory supports several peer-reviewed extramurally-funded research projects with state-of-the-art technology and facilities to study a wide range of basic, translational and clinical research problems. It has developed far-reaching intramural and extramural collaborations. The residents play a significant role in our research efforts.