General Clinical Research Center

The adult General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) was established in 1960 with a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to the Yale Medical School. In 1963 the pediatric GCRC opened. The purpose of the facilities was to provide a resource for Yale faculty pursuing excellence in clinical research. For over 45 years the GCRC has served as a “Center without walls” providing resources to investigators conducting studies both on the unit and in other locations. On December 1, 2003, the Yale pediatric GCRC (Children's Clinical Research Center) merged with the adult GCRC.

The present GCRC is located on 10-5 / 10-6 in the East Pavilion of Yale New Haven Hospital under the direction of Dr. Robert Sherwin. Children participating in inpatient research studies are admitted to the 7-4 South Pavilion pediatric unit. The Center is funded for inpatient and outpatient beds, core laboratories, metabolic kitchen, biostatistical and data processing units. Additional facilities include the Bone Density Center, conference room, waiting room, and administrative offices. The nursing staff works closely with investigators, coordinating protocols and conducting research studies. Special attention is paid to Human Subject Protection, Informed Consent and the protection of Personal Health Information in the performance of the research studies. The NIH created a Research Subject Advocate position in 2001 at all the GCRCs to work with the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and investigators on compliance and advocacy. Other resources include:

There are over 100 approved protocols on the GCRC focusing on diverse areas of study and subject populations including: diabetes, genetics, MR spectroscopy and imaging, bone and calcium disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV, schizophrenia, depression, substance abuse, chemotherapy, obesity, insulin resistance, Gaucher's disease, cardiovascular disease, premature infants, and complementary medicine.

Investigators wishing to utilize GCRC resources for their research studies need to submit their protocols for approval by the GCRC General Advisory Committee (GAC). The Committee is chaired by Peter Herbert, M.D.

The GCRC is fully supported by an NIH grant and operates on a schedule compatible with the University calendar and the grant budget. Investigators are invited to call the GCRC, tour the unit or speak with the staff to learn more about the Center.