Urologic Surgery Research
We are advancing the understanding of urologic diseases and delivering innovative treatments that improve patients’ lives
Urologic Surgery Research
Our Research
We are dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of urological diseases through innovative research and clinical excellence. Our research experts seek to translate scientific discovery into improved patient outcomes.
As one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive urologic research programs, our department includes six active laboratories supported by millions in competitive research funding. In fact, our department ranked among the top 10 in the 2022 and 2023 Blue Ridge Rankings for National Institutes of Health research funding.
We’re proud to be leading efforts to understand why some urologic cancers become resistant to treatment and to discover new therapies for advanced prostate cancer.
Basic and Translational Research
Our largest research program focuses on urologic oncology, particularly prostate and bladder cancer. Multiple investigators are studying the molecular pathways that drive disease progression, including mechanisms by which androgen receptors promote prostate cancer growth.
The department is also advancing discoveries in pediatric urology. Our researchers are exploring how adult and embryonic stem cells can be used to guide cell growth and repair damaged tissue. This important work may one day lead to new treatment options through tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Clinical Research
Our team collaborates to conduct leading-edge clinical research to improve the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of urologic conditions. Residents and faculty collaborate on studies ranging from innovative surgical techniques to patient-centered care, translating discoveries into real-world improvements for patients.
Urologic Oncology
Urologic oncology clinical trials are coordinated through Comprehensive Cancer Center's Clinical Trials Support Unit and cover all aspects of urological cancer. Several laparoscopic procedures are being performed as part of clinical trials to evaluate their usefulness in treating urological diseases.
Our Research Discoveries
Prostate cancers are initially dependent on the presence of androgens such as testosterone for their ability to grow. The first line of treatment for metastatic prostate cancer is to deprive them of androgens (androgen blockade using drugs to decrease androgen levels). Unfortunately, these cancers invariably become resistant to this treatment. Our studies of why this occurs have implicated the Bag1L gene product. In prostate cancers with mutated p53 genes, the gene product may sensitize the androgen receptor to very low levels of androgens, permitting the continued growth of these cancers (Nesslinger, Shi, Gumerlock and deVere White, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting, April 2001).
Analysis of alterations in the androgen receptor in prostate cancer is usually laborious and time-consuming. We have developed a rapid method of analysis that involves transferring androgen receptors from prostate cancers into yeast. Our studies can rapidly determine the type of hormone that aberrant androgen receptors respond to, the hormone concentrations to which they are responding, and the presence of mutations in the androgen receptor (Shi, Ma, Kung and deVere White, presented at the American Urologic Association meeting, June 2001).
Endourology clinical studies are exploring ways to prevent renal stone formation and to understand the pressure changes that occur during percutaneous stone removal.
Our department has long been involved in clinical research on female incontinence. One of our recent studies compared the effectiveness of transvaginal tape (TVT) and traditional slings in treating female incontinence issues.
Our pediatric urology research focuses on quality-of-life measures, clinical outcomes and the application of minimally invasive surgical approaches.
Our male infertility and sexual dysfunction research aims to provide a holistic, couple-centered approach to the treatment of sexual problems.