Expanding Excellence in Developmental Biology in Oklahoma

摘要概述 发育生物学研究是确定许多疾病的分子基础的基础。 疾病，以及快速发展的再生医学领域。在COBRE第一阶段和第二阶段， 我们迎来了12名新的研究人员，他们中的许多人使用模式生物（真涡虫，果蝇，斑马鱼， 和C. elegans），其基因组可以有效地操纵，以了解基本的生理 物种间保守的过程。在某些情况下，功能基因组学方法被用于 模拟人类突变，以了解毁灭性遗传疾病的基础。我们所有的项目负责人 在发育生物学方面受过严格的训练，在顶级期刊上发表文章，并表现出非凡的前景。 他们的任命被故意分配给OMRF的四个研究项目（相当于 学术部门），以鼓励交叉施肥和吸引既定的调查人员到外地。我们 现在有一批发展生物学家，其中包括COBRE-supported调查人员，以及 更成熟的教师。 在第一阶段和第二阶段，我们还建立和扩大了核心，为以下方面提供基本服务： 发育生物学家：成像核心和生物信息学和途径核心。我们在第三阶段的目标 我们将通过欢迎新的发育生物学家来巩固我们在第一阶段和第二阶段取得的进展 通过试点项目的支持进入我们的社区，并扩大我们的核心提供的服务，同时 同时在COBRE资金结束时为他们提供可持续性。我们会实现我们的目标 通过以下具体目标。 目标1.通过选择试点项目，扩大我们在发育生物学方面的研究计划的广度 具有成为各自领域领导者的杰出潜力的项目调查员。目标2.指导飞行员 项目调查人员使用资深科学家和最近毕业的COBRE项目负责人的组合 在现有的OMRF和俄克拉荷马州大学的教师。目标3.成立对外咨询委员会， 国际公认的发育生物学家，以评估进展，并提供建议，试点 项目调查员和核心主管。目标4。扩大核心设施的能力， 有能力支持当前和未来发育生物学家的研究（包括当前的 试点项目调查员），并为COBRE资助结束后的可持续运作奠定基础。目的 5.促进试点项目研究者和前项目负责人之间的科学互动， 有利于留住调查员的环境。

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.