P20GM152330

Une Center for Cell Signaling Research - cellular systems such as the nervous, immune, vascular systems and bone do not work in isolation, but are functionally integrated and communicate extensively both in health and disease states. Defects or dysfunction in cell signaling are fundamental drivers of human disease, and our ability to meet contemporary clinical challenges, including neurodegenerative and metabolic disease, chronic pain and optimizing healthy aging, requires a broader understanding of mechanisms of intercellular and intracellular communication.

The proposed Une Center for Cell Signaling Research (CCSR) will build a critical mass of talented investigators with a broad research emphasis on cellular metabolism, inflammation and aging. The initial research project leaders (RPLs), selected through a competitive process, bring diverse and complementary expertise from across Une colleges and departments. Their research projects address discrete clinical challenges by investigating fundamental cell biological mechanisms that may have broad ramifications for human disease.

New faculty recruitment and support of a pilot project program will ensure a continued pipeline of RPLs and further grow the center. Investigators will be provided with a structured mentorship program to support both their professional and research program development in their progression to independent funding and beyond. The proposed center will also expand the research infrastructure at Une to support the innovative research programs of investigators in cell signaling.

The proposed in vitro analytical core will support the research of the RPLs with outstanding instrumentation and innovative services that are not broadly available elsewhere in the region, including primary cell and cell line culturing, transfection and analysis through functional imaging as well as transcriptional and protein-based analysis. The core will be housed in newly renovated research space that will be contiguous with an existing Une histology and imaging core, providing a unique suite of resources to support research at Une.

Institutional commitments include additional protected research time for RPLs and institutional matching funds for the pilot project program. In addition, the university has committed to hiring 3 additional investigators whose research programs will complement those of the existing faculty. The center will also benefit from strong continued institutional investment into research infrastructure, as well as well-established collaborations with neighboring IDEA state programs in Maine and New Hampshire.

Research infrastructure will be enhanced by laboratory renovations, purchasing new instrumentation, and key support for personnel. Additional institutional support has been committed for each of these. With sound financial and administrative management and regular assessments of performance with specified benchmarks, the CCSR will be well-positioned to make a significant impact in optimizing healthy, pain-free aging and in finding new treatments for neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.

University Of New England

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES (NIGMS) SUPPORTS BASIC RESEARCH THAT INCREASES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCES IN DISEASE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION. NIGMS ALSO SUPPORTS RESEARCH IN SPECIFIC CLINICAL AREAS THAT AFFECT MULTIPLE ORGAN SYSTEMS: ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PERI-OPERATIVE PAIN, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ?COMMON TO MULTIPLE DRUGS AND TREATMENTS, AND INJURY, CRITICAL ILLNESS, SEPSIS, AND WOUND HEALING.? NIGMS-FUNDED SCIENTISTS INVESTIGATE HOW LIVING SYSTEMS WORK AT A RANGE OF LEVELSFROM MOLECULES AND CELLS TO TISSUES AND ORGANSIN RESEARCH ORGANISMS, HUMANS, AND POPULATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, TO ENSURE THE VITALITY AND CONTINUED PRODUCTIVITY OF THE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE, NIGMS PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THE TRAINING OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS, ENHANCING THE DIVERSITY OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE, AND DEVELOPING RESEARCH CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

93.859 - Biomedical Research and Research Training

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) [HHS - NIH]

Biddeford, Maine 04005 United States

Single Zip Code

Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase 1 (P20 - Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-22-250)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 90% from $2,367,000 to $4,497,000.