Administrative Core: Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics

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The defining role of the Administrative (Admin) Core of the Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics (CBSD) during phase III COBRE funding is to provide the framework that guides efficient and strategic operation of the CBSD so that it becomes a self-sustaining research center at the University of Montana (UM). This task will be led by PD Bruce E. Bowler with assistance from Assistant Director for Budget and Finance Heidi Boggs and her staff. The focus of phase III funding will be on affording guidance and resources to the four research cores supported by the CBSD so that they can grow their user bases and maintain state-of-the- art facilities that will be necessary to give their users a competitive edge for research funding. The Admin Core will build upon the successful programs administered during phases I and II of COBRE funding, which led to 58 grant awards to CBSD investigators that brought in more than $27 million in funding to support their research and use of the four research cores that are critical for maintaining their research programs at the forefront of their research areas. During phase III, the goal of achieving long term sustainability for the CBSD will be achieved by optimizing core recharge structures (specific aim 2) and promoting further growth of research core user bases by 1) ensuring that they continue to offer state-of-the-art facilities (specific aim 1), 2) by facilitating strategic use of Pilot Project grants and 3) by partnering with other COBRE centers at UM and in nearby IDeA states with overlapping needs (specific aim 2). Closely coupled to these core-centric strategies are mentoring programs that keep the research of CBSD researchers at the vanguard of their science (specific aim 3). These programs include 1) the Hot Water grant writing workshop that provides panel-style review of grants before submission that help CBSD researchers at all career stages improve both the clarity and quality of their grant applications and 2) the monthly CBSD Research Meeting that provides a forum for CBSD investigators to present their research in an informal environment meant to stimulate new ideas and promote collaboration with their peers. The Admin Core will also focus the weekly Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Seminar series on prominent outside speakers whose research highlights the leading edge science made possible by our research cores (specific aim 4). This integrated approach will create synergies between the cutting-edge capabilities of our research cores and a scientifically stimulating environment that will grow the research enterprise of the CBSD ensuring its long-term sustainability. Oversight and guidance for this evolution will be provided by our Internal Advisory Committee, which includes representative members of the CBSD community, and an External Advisory Committee comprised of eminent biophysicists and structural biologists.