ACTRI@La Jolla Clinic
About
ACTRI@La Jolla Center for Clinical Research
Our state-of-the-art clinical research facility, located at UC San Diego’s La Jolla medical campus, is designed to support groundbreaking clinical trials with the highest standards of care and scientific excellence.
Serving both pediatric and adult populations, our clinic accommodates participants as young as 3 months. This allows us to facilitate a broad range of studies, providing tailored care at every life stage.
Comprehensive Clinical Services
Our highly trained clinical staff performs advanced and specialized procedures critical to cutting-edge research, including:
- Complex Infusions: Gene therapy, cell therapy, and monoclonal antibodies
- Phase 1 Unit Support: Facilitating early-phase clinical trials
- Procedural Sedation: Ensuring patient comfort during complex procedures
- Expert Phlebotomy: Precision blood collection for research needs
- Specimen Collection, Processing, and Shipping: Managed by skilled lab technicians
- Echocardiograms (ECHO) and Ultrasound Imaging: Supporting cardiovascular and diagnostic research
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET): Assessing physical performance and metabolic function
- Customized, Study-Specific Meal Preparation: Managed by our Certified Dietitian (RDN) to ensure adherence to research protocols
- DEXA Scans: Measuring bone density and body composition
Facility Features and Specialized Spaces
With over 20 specialized rooms, our facility offers a versatile environment designed to meet diverse research needs:
- Dedicated Infusion Rooms for complex treatments
- Comfortable Overnight Rooms for extended monitoring or sleep studies
- Fully Equipped Exam Rooms to support various medical assessments
- Consultation Spaces for investigator and participant discussions
- Cognitive Testing Room for neurological and behavioral assessments
- Ultrasound Suites for imaging-based research
- Exercise Room to facilitate physical performance studies
- Metabolic Kitchen for precise dietary control in research studies
- DEXA Room for bone density and body composition scanning
Expert Multidisciplinary Team
Our bilingual dedicated team of professionals ensures seamless research execution and participant care, including:
- Nurse Practitioners (NP)
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)
- Lab Technicians
- Certified Dietitian (RDN)
- Ultrasound Technician
Specialized Laboratory Services
Our Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) Laboratory is equipped to safely process and analyze biological specimens, including those requiring complex handling. Experienced lab technicians trained in biosafety protocols ensure accurate sample management, supporting studies with strict processing needs.
Research Pharmacy
The Investigational Drug Service (IDS), a division of the Pharmacy Department, manages all investigational drugs and biologics. IDS pharmacists play a vital role in clinical trials, collaborating on study design, protocol review, and regulatory compliance to ensure safe and efficient drug management. They oversee dosing accuracy, blinding, storage, and documentation while providing training on drug handling and safety. With expertise in complex investigational therapies, the IDS team upholds the highest standards, supporting innovative research and advancing patient care.
ACTRI's IDS Pharmacists are responsible for:
- Procuring & storing drugs
- Maintaining all study drug records regarding purchase, regulation & dispensing
- Compounding & dispensing study drugs
- Providing consultations to subjects enrolled in clinical trials
- Monitoring potential drug side effects in subjects enrolled in the studies
- Assuring quality control & compliancy
Through our comprehensive services, specialized infrastructure, and experienced team, the ACTRI clinical research facility remains committed to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes through innovative research.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)- ACTRI@La Jolla Clinic
- What is the role of the metabolic kitchen in clinical research? Our metabolic kitchen is specifically designed for clinical research, allowing for precise preparation and control of study-specific diets. It is equipped with professional-grade appliances and calibrated measurement tools to ensure consistency and adherence to strict nutritional protocols. This level of control is essential for nutrition-based studies, where even slight variations in diet composition can impact research outcomes.
- What is a BSL-2 laboratory, and why is it important? Our BSL-2 laboratory is a specialized environment equipped to handle a wide range of biological agents safely and efficiently. It features biological safety cabinets, HEPA filtration systems, and advanced ventilation controls to ensure the safe processing and analysis of biological specimens. These measures help maintain study integrity while protecting both staff and participants from potential hazards.
- How does your facility ensure participant safety and comfort? Participant safety and comfort are our top priorities. Our facility is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and dedicated overnight monitoring rooms to provide continuous observation when needed. Our experienced clinical staff delivers attentive, compassionate care, ensuring that participants feel safe and supported throughout the trial. Every aspect of our facility is designed to create a secure and comfortable environment for all study participants.
- Can my trained study coordinators perform phlebotomy or ECGs? No, all sample collection, ECGs, and other clinical procedures are performed exclusively by our highly trained clinical staff. This ensures that every procedure is carried out with the highest level of accuracy, compliance, and participant safety. By entrusting these tasks to our dedicated professionals, we maintain study integrity and uphold the rigorous standards required in clinical research.
Phase 1 Unit
The ACTRI Phase I Unit, established in 2014, was designed to meet the growing demand for first-in-human and first-in-disease studies. This state-of-the-art unit provides dedicated clinical trial space, an investigational pharmacy, and an infusion center, alongside a comprehensive suite of services, including nursing, clinical coordination, biostatistics, laboratory support, physician oversight, and investigational drug compounding.
Recently, the unit expanded its capabilities to provide gene and cell therapies into early-phase trials, supporting the administration and monitoring of novel treatments. Leveraging disease-specific registries, the unit efficiently identifies research participants and is equipped to conduct weekday 24-hour telemetry monitoring, pharmacokinetic, biomarker, and safety studies. With around-the-clock sample acquisition and processing, the Phase I Unit ensures seamless execution of early-phase clinical research, driving innovation in precision medicine and therapeutic development.
Metabolic Kitchen
The ACTRI Metabolic Kitchen offers customized nutritional services to support UC San Diego investigators in achieving their research goals. Our services are designed to meet the specific needs of investigators, participants, and study objectives.
Services Provided:
Our comprehensive offerings include:
- Menu Development: Tailored menus based on study protocols and participant needs.
- Energy and Nutrient Analysis: Detailed assessments to ensure precise dietary control.
- Diet/Meal/Menu Instruction: Clear guidance for participants on dietary requirements.
- Research Counseling: Expert support for study design, interventions, outcomes, and data analysis.
Meal Types Available:
The Metabolic Kitchen can prepare a variety of study-specific meal types, including:
- Post-clamp/CHO-controlled meals
- Calorie- or nutrient-controlled meals
- Weighed out/in meals
- Standard breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options
- Carry-out or take-home meals
Service Details:
- All services are provided by Cynthia Knott, RDN, CCRC, Senior Dietitian with the ACTRI Centers for Clinical Research.
- Metabolic Kitchen services are available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Ultrasound Services
The ACTRI Center for Clinical Research has expanded its ultrasound imaging capabilities, now offering a comprehensive range of sonography services for clinical trials. These include echo, vascular, general, gynecologic, and small parts ultrasound (e.g., thyroid, testicles), enhancing diagnostic precision and research outcomes.
Our highly credentialed sonographer holds multiple certifications, including Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS), Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT), and Registered General Ultrasound Technologist, ensuring the highest standards in imaging quality and expertise.
Address
9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037