Translational Research and Innovation Laboratory (TRAIL)

Translational Research and Innovation Laboratory (TRAIL) was created in 2023 with the mission to bridge the gap between patients and laboratory science through teamwork and innovation.

The TRAIL is focused on answering questions raised by our clinical and clinical research colleagues. The capabilities of our laboratory are solely guided by the clinical and clinical and translational research needs of our Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital clinical investigators, as well as by investigators from collaborating institutions, with the aim to improve outcomes for all children.

Translational Discovery

The TRAIL team consists of laboratory-trained scientists and clinical investigators, and our success is based on leveraging a breadth of expertise and experience of individual team members, for robust solutions and innovations that would otherwise not be possible.

TRAIL leadership team

Vera Ignjatovic PhD, MBA

Professor (PAR) of Pediatrics
Vera Ignjatovic PhD, MBA

Neil Goldenberg MD, PhD

Professor of Pediatrics
Neil A Goldenberg

Steven Bruzek MS, MB

Program Manager
Steven Bruzek MS, MB

TRAIL investigators

Marisol Betensky, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Marisol Betensky, M.D.

John Morrison, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
John Michael Morrison, M.D., Ph.D.

Anthony Alexander Sochet, M.D., M.H.S.

Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Anthony Sochet M.D.

Amy Kiskaddon PharmD, MBA

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Amy Kiskaddon

Maha Al-Ghafry, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Maha Al-Ghafry MD

Overview of Core Capabilities

TRAIL

Capabilities listed by research area and/or methodological approach

Research  Area Capabilities 
Hemostasis
  • Simultaneous Thrombin and Plasmin Generation Assay
  • Clot Formation and Lysis (CloFAL) Assay
  • Modified mini-Euglobulin Clot Lysis Assay (modified mini-ECLA)
  • Novel assay development and refinement
Proteomics
  • Mass Dynamics Platform - Interactive proteomics data interpretation
  • Collaborations with external Mass Spectrometry Labs
    • Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) Proteomics
    • Data Independent Acquisition (DIA) Proteomics
  • Experimental Design Consultation (discovery to validation)
Whole Genome Sequencing  Promethion P2 Solo - Long read sequencing 
Microbiology 
  • Serum Associated Tolerance (SAT) Assay
  • Culture propagation and storage, growth assays, antibiotic susceptibility testing
Project Support / Specimen Management 
  • Consultation for project/grant applications from planning stages through execution
    • Implementation, feasibility, budgeting
    • Best practices for collection, processing, storage and use of precious biological specimens, specifically for research involving neonates, infants, children and adolescents
    • Connection with existing capabilities and expertise
    • Planning through execution

We collaborate with National and International industry partners, including global leaders in laboratory diagnostics, as well as pharma.

We are committed to mentoring and education of the next generation/s of translational researchers in the form of summer interns, and Clinical and Translational Research Training Track (CTRT) mentees.

Research Education & Training | Johns Hopkins Medicine

CTRT mentees

  • Kayla Delaney, MD, 3rd year Pediatric Resident, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Michelle Hojnicki, DO, 3rd year Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Institute (MFNI) Fellow, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Alexa Roberts, MD, 2nd year Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) Fellow, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Meghan Roddy, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Brett Russi, MD, 3rd year PCCM Fellow, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Rita Wyrebek, MD, MFNI Faculty, St Louis University, Missouri

Interns

  • Juliana Hodge (current)
  • Lauren White (past)
  • Matthew Danielson (past)

Funding

  • NIH
  • Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation

Contact