Stem Cells and Aging

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Overall Abstract The long-term goal of the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for Stem Cells and Aging is to develop a multidisciplinary translational Center for Stem Cells and Aging Biology and Therapeutics, focusing on the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potentials in the stem cell and aging fields. The two areas of endeavor overlap extensively, one holding the promise of tissue restoration in a wide variety of disorders while the other underlies diseases that impact everyone and leads to death. Since the start of the COBRE nine years ago 17 junior investigators have received either full projects or pilots, with 369 research articles and cumulative extramural funding of over $20,000,000 largely from NIH. Seven of these individuals are still funded while 13 have sustained or advanced in their academic fields, with three entering the Biotechnology field. Since their COBRE funding, 5 have received promotions at Brown University. The main objective of the Phase 3 COBRE is to strengthen and transition the COBRE research infrastructure into a competitive, independent and self- sustaining academic center of excellence- the Center for Stem Cells and Aging Biology and Therapeutics in 5 years. To achieve this main objective four specific aims are proposed as follows. 1) To provide strong leadership, structure and support to enhance translational stem cell and aging research, by providing critical equipment and unique expertise in flow cytometry, viral construction and extracellular isolation and characterization. 2) To facilitate and develop the Flow Cytometry, Lentivirus Construct, and the Extracellular Vesicle Cores, by evaluating and focusing the performance of the Cores toward the goal of long-term independence, sustainability, and regional growth. 3) To guide the Pilot Project Program in translational stem cell and aging related research, toward extramural funding, with expert mentorship from successful local faculty through support of the Administrative Core. 4) Enhance translational research in the Rhode Island community by encouraging and enabling collaborations between clinicians and basic researchers at the junior and senior investigator levels. Our vision is by sustaining and transitioning the established high caliber research infrastructure, we will enable clinicians working side-by-side with basic research scientists, junior investigators and senior investigators, to develop insights into diseases and disorders of stem cells and aging, leading in turn to effective clinical therapeutic approaches.