Research undertaken at the UW-Madison George M. O’Brien Center for Benign Urology Research is dedicated to improving urologic health in aging men. The center is a multi-site research cooperative between the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Massachusetts-Boston, University of Texas-Southwestern, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Current Projects
In addition to building research tools and improving technology for benign urology research, the U54 O’Brien Center for Benign Urologic Research also supports basic science and translational research.
Resources for Researchers
The U54 O'Brien Center for Benign Urologic Research provides funding opportunities, technical resources, and protocols for researchers.
Seminars and Events
Visit our Seminars and Events page for a full list of upcoming and past seminars and events hosted by the O'Brien Center.
MISSION
The O’Brien Centers were established by the NIDDK in 1987 as P50 programs and worked independently. They were converted to the U54 mechanism in 2012 to encourage collaboration between funded centers and sharing with the larger research community with the following mission:
- Support the next generation of urologic researchers by providing meaningful education, support, and mentoring
- Cultivate new research tools and ideas by expanding the collaborative network within and outside of the traditional urologic research field
- Enhance knowledge of mechanisms associated with normal development, function, and disease pathology related to the urinary tract, kidney, and prostate
- Translate knowledge and tools generated from our collaborations to the clinical setting to reduce the burden of benign urologic illness by developing and testing therapies to better treat, manage, and prevent these diseases
GOALS
The goals of the O’Brien Center are to:
- Identify factors that cause urinary dysfunction in aging men
- Build consensus around research approaches to model urinary dysfunction in rodents
- Provide opportunities for established investigators to transition into the field of benign urology
- Secure the future of urologic research by promoting development of the next generation of urologic researchers
- Disseminate urologic research knowledge through seminars, workshops and symposia
OTHER U54 O’BRIEN CENTERS FOR BENIGN UROLOGY RESEARCH
Columbia University George M. O’Brien Urology Center
The Columbia University O’Brien Urology Center brings together research programs in Human Genetics and Mouse models to address the causes of congenital urinary tract malformations.
University of Pittsburgh O’Brien Urology Research Center
The University of Pittsburgh O'Brien Urology Research Center's mission is to identify new targets for developing novel preventative & therapeutic treatment approaches for BPH.
Latest News
Dr. Kim Keil Stietz Awarded 2022 SOT-MRC Early Career Toxicologist Award
Congratulations to Dr. Kimberly Keil Stietz, UW O’Brien Center Biomedical Core Co-Director, for being awarded the 2022 Society of Toxicology Midwest Regional Chapter Early Career Toxicologist Award! The award honors an outstanding Midwest toxicologist with …
June 13, 2022Kegan Skalitzky Awarded 2022 Hilldale Fellowship
Congratulations to Kegan Skalitzky, undergraduate student in the laboratory of Dr. William Ricke, mentored by Dr. Petra Popovics, for her selection as a recipient of the Hilldale Fellowship for 2022! Way to go, Kegan!
June 13, 2022Jaskiran Sandhu Awarded 2022 Hilldale Fellowship
Congratulations to Jaskiran Sandhu, undergraduate student in the laboratory of Dr. Chad Vezina, for her selection as a recipient of the Hilldale Fellowship for 2022! Well don, Jaskiran!
June 13, 2022Ricke Lab Welcomes Mohamed Abdelmoemen
The laboratory of Dr. William Ricke is pleased to welcome Mohamed Abdelmoemen! Mohamed is an SMPH Honorary Associate in the Department of Urology. He will be working with Dr. Teresa Liu on elucidating the effects …
June 13, 2022Ricke Lab Welcomes Samuel Hubbard
The laboratory of Dr. William Ricke is pleased to welcome Sam Hubbard! Sam is a Research Specialist and will be focusing on hormone-driven senescence in the mouse model of BPH/LUTS. Welcome, Sam!
June 13, 2022- More News