P30GM149376

Expanding Excellence in Developmental Biology in Oklahoma - Abstract

Overall, developmental biology research is fundamental to progress in determining the molecular basis of many diseases, as well as for the rapidly emerging field of regenerative medicine.

During COBRE Phases I and II, we welcomed 12 new investigators, many of whom use model organisms (planarians, Drosophila, zebrafish, and C. elegans) whose genomes can be efficiently manipulated to understand fundamental physiological processes that are conserved among species. In some cases, functional genomic approaches were used to model human mutations to understand the basis of devastating inherited diseases. All our project leads were rigorously trained in developmental biology, published in top-tier journals, and showed exceptional promise. Their appointments were deliberately divided among four of OMRF's research programs (equivalent to academic departments) to encourage cross-fertilization and attract established investigators to the field. We now have a critical mass of developmental biologists that includes COBRE-supported investigators as well as more established faculty.

During Phases I and II, we also established and expanded cores that provide essential services to developmental biologists: an Imaging Core and a Bioinformatics and Pathways Core.

Our goals in Phase III are to consolidate the progress we have made in Phases I and II by welcoming new developmental biologists into our community through the support of pilot projects and to expand the services offered by our cores, while at the same time positioning them for sustainability when COBRE funding ends. We will accomplish our goals through the following specific aims.

Aim 1: To expand the breadth of our research program in developmental biology through the choice of pilot project investigators with outstanding potential to become leaders in their fields.

Aim 2: To mentor the pilot project investigators using a combination of senior scientists and recently graduated COBRE project leads within existing OMRF and University of Oklahoma faculty.

Aim 3: To form an external advisory committee of internationally recognized developmental biologists to evaluate the progress of, and offer advice to, the pilot project investigators and core directors.

Aim 4: To expand the capabilities of the core facilities so they are well-positioned to support the research of both current and future developmental biologists (including current pilot project investigators) and lay the groundwork for sustainable operation after COBRE funding ends.

Aim 5: To promote scientific interactions among the pilot project investigators and former project leads to create an environment conducive to investigator retention.

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

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]

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 731045005 United States

Single Zip Code

Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase III - Transitional Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-20-115)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 282% from $1,278,750 to $4,887,004.