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
Petra Popovics Accepted Asst. Professor Position at EVMS
July 31st was Dr. Petra Popovics’ last day with us. An NIH K01 Research Scientist Development Award winner, she was a strong contributor to our investigator team throughout her time at UW. Best of luck …
August 4, 2022Monica Ridlon (Keil Stietz lab) & Alexis Adrian (Ricke lab) awarded GWIS Abstract and Poster Award
Congratulations to Monica Ridlon (Keil Stietz lab Molecular and Environmental Toxicology PhD student) and Alexis Adrian (Ricke lab Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology PhD student), for winning 1st place and runner up, respectively, for the UW …
August 4, 2022Ricke Lab ‘Urine Business’ Outreach Group Spreads Awareness of Benign Urologic Conditions
Dr. Petra Popovics, Scientist I/K01 Scholar, and Alexis Adrian, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology PhD student, in the laboratory of Dr. William Ricke formed the ‘Urine Business’ group this Summer to perform outreach work spreading awareness …
August 4, 2022Research Core Revitalization Program Grant Awarded to TRIPath
Congratulations to Drs. Andreas Friedl (Lead PI), Karla Esbona (Co-PI), and Kristina Matkowskyj (Co-I) for being awarded a UW Research Core Revitalization Program grant for 2022-2023! Support for this grant, titled “Acquisition of nCounter MAX …
August 4, 2022New Prostate Publication from Project 2 Co-I Dr. Douglas Strand
A new study in Prostate from UW O’Brien Center Project 2 Co-I Dr. Douglas Strand (Associate Professor of Urology, UT Southwestern), and colleagues at UT Southwestern Medical Center evaluates the histological features of benign prostatic …
August 4, 2022- More News