Research & Clinical Trials –
   Basic Research Projects

The Department of Urology has an active research laboratory that investigates the causes of urological disorders and diseases. Physicians, Ph.D. doctorates, medical students, nurses, and other highly skilled personnel closely collaborate on these projects.

The goals of the Urological Research Unit at MGH are to:

• Improve the clinical care of men and women suffering from urological disorders;
  
• Determine fundamental mechanisms of urologic disease through basic scientific research;
  
• Investigate the causes of urological cancer;
  
• Develop and investigate new medical treatments and surgical techniques which benefit patients suffering from urological diseases; and
  
• Provide an academic environment for researchers and medical students to pursue clinical research that will benefit patients with urological disorders.

Currently, the following research projects are underway in the Department of Urology:

• Elucidation of the mechanisms of metabolic derangements that occur with urinary intestinal diversion
  
• Benign and malignant prostate explant cultures employed in:
  
  • Endocrine interactions
    
  • Cancer development
    
  • Genetic abnormalities
    
• Early diagnosis of bladder cancer using advanced technology
  
• Molecular genetics of genitourinary cancer
  
• Study of cell cycle kinetics in genitourinary cancer
  
• Voiding dysfunction and urodynamic measurements for the analysis of who will benefit from specific therapies
  
• Tissue ablative technologies.

Many of these studies are funded by either National Institute of Health (NIH) grants or generous philanthropic donations.