A UCLA institute received a $69.6 million award Tuesday for its work in biomedical research.
The National Institutes of Health awarded the five-year grant to the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute, or CTSI, a UCLA partnership with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute.
The National Institutes of Health, which is under the United States Department of Health and Human Services, offers research grants for biomedical research.
CTSI director Steven Dubinett said the institute will use the money to update research infrastructure for clinical studies and train investigators in translational science.
The CTSI uses translational science, which uses biomedical innovations and laboratory research to develop treatments for diseases and health issues.
“What makes UCLA’s work in (translational science) so important is (that) we’re really focused on bringing biomedical innovations on the greatest health needs of Los Angeles,” Dubinett said.
Dubinett added the grant will also help the institute fund programs to engage people who do not usually participate in research, like children, older adults or ethnic minorities.
In 2011, the CTSI received a $83.1 million grant from the NIH for its translational science research.