University of Vermont COBRE 1
"Center for Neuroscience Excellence"
Abstract Years 1 - 5
P20 RR016435, 9/1/2001 - 6/30/2006
The proposal to establish a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Neuroscience at the University of Vermont (UVM) includes the following specific aims:
Specific Aim 1:
Establish the research and intellectual infrastructure to support a University-wide Center for Neuroscience Excellence at UVM. Goals of this aim include 1) to establish a mentoring program to support junior neuroscience faculty, 2) to establish an imaging/physiology core to support the research projects of the junior faculty, 3) to establish a cellular/molecular core to support the research projects of the junior faculty, 4) to establish a University-wide Neuroscience Seminar Series and Annual Neuroscience Retreat, 5) to establish a mechanism of communication between basic scientists and clinicians that facilitates development of translational research and 6) to establish a University-wide mechanism for Neuroscience Graduate Education.
Specific Aim 2:
Support the research development of a core group of junior faculty who will be future leaders in the Center for Neuroscience Excellence. Faculty to be supported and their project titles are 1) Dr. Rona Delay, Department of Biology: Chloride homeostasis in olfactory neurons, 2) Dr. William Falls, Department of Psychology: Molecular and genetic analysis of learned fear reduction in mice, 3) Dr. Anthony Morielli, Department of Pharmacology: Kinase and cytoskeletal regulation of potassium channels, 4) Dr. Matthew Rand, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology: Proteolytic modulation of Notch signaling in neurogenesis and 5) Dr. George Wellman, Department of Pharmacology: Mechanisms of cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage.
UVM has established investigators in three areas of neuroscience: molecular/developmental, cellular/systems and clinical/behavioral neuroscience. Award of this application would provide a mechanism to significantly expand research strength in these existing areas of neuroscience emphasis, to integrate basic with clinical neuroscience, and to promote research collaborations university-wide. A level of excellence in research and training will be fostered that is not possible without external support. Productivity of both junior and senior investigators will be stimulated, and a long term mentoring framework will be created. UVM is a small institution in a rural state with limited resources; an award would substantially expand our research infrastructure and significantly increase faculty competitiveness
University of Vermont COBRE 2
"Center for Neuroscience Excellence"
Abstract Years 6 - 10
P20 RR016435, 7/1/2006 - 6/30/2011
The competitive renewal for support of the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Neuroscience at the University of Vermont (UVM) includes the following specific aims:
Specific Aim 1:
Further develop the research and intellectual infrastructure of the University-wide Center for Neuroscience Excellence at UVM. Goals of this aim include 1) to continue a mentoring program for junior neuroscience faculty, 2) to maintain an imaging/physiology core and a cellular/molecular core to support the research projects of the neuroscience community, 3) to support a University-wide Neuroscience Seminar Series and Annual Retreat, and 4) to facilitate dialogue between basic and clinical scientists that promotes development of collaborative and translational research.
Specific Aim 2:
Support the research development of a core group of junior faculty who will be future leaders in the Center for Neuroscience Excellence. The faculty and their project titles are 1) Dr. Alan Howe, Pharmacology Department: Spatial Regulation of Protein Kinase A Signaling During Growth Cone Guidance, 2) Dr. Miguel Martin-Caraballo, Biology Department: Developmental regulation of GluR2 AMPA receptor subunit expression, 3) Dr. Jeffrey Spees, Medicine Department: Adult Bone Marrow Stem Cells For CNS Repair, and 4) Dr. Umadevi Wesley, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Department: Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPPIV) in Peripheral Neurogenesis and Neuroblastomas.
UVM has established investigators in molecular/developmental, cellular/systems and clinical/behavioral neuroscience. The current COBRE in Neuroscience provided a highly successful mechanism to significantly expand research strength in these existing areas, to integrate basic with clinical neuroscience, to create a long term mentoring framework for junior faculty and to develop a new university-wide Neuroscience Graduate Program. A goal of the next grant cycle is to build upon our success and develop a cohesive group of talented junior and senior investigators focused on neuronal development and differentiation who will form the core for future applications directed at strategies to prevent and treat neurologic disease. UVM is the only doctoral degree granting institution in a state with limited resources due to its tax base of fewer than 625,000 people. The current COBRE funding has been instrumental in developing an excellent research infrastructure for neuroscience that has allowed the UVM neuroscience community to compete successfully for both significant new institutional funds and extramural support. Continued support of the Neuroscience COBRE by the National Center for Research Resources over the next funding cycle will ensure a return on investment that will benefit the University, the State of Vermont, the national research enterprise, and the patients looking to science for answers and hope.