Research Capacity Core

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Project Summary. The overarching goal of Meharry RCMI Research Capacity Core (MRRCC) is to increase the number of funded investigators at Meharry Medical College. To this end, RCMI has equipped and staffed MRRCC with the latest state of the art biomedical instrumentation that enables our investigators to compete on equal footing with investigators from research intensive institutions like Vanderbilt University. MRRCC Core directors have also established a close working relationship with their counterparts at Vanderbilt University such that our investigators are able to access equipment at Vanderbilt that they may need but not currently available at Meharry. For example, our investigators can access and utilize electron microscope at Vanderbilt for their imaging needs due to such arrangements (see letter of support). During the current funding cycle of RCMI, our investigators were able to obtain R01, R21, SC1 and U54-Cancer investigator-initiated funding based on the data generated in MRRCC. These non-RCMI grants that were obtained with the help of MRRCC totaled more than $ 11,000,000. MRRCC has also fostered collaboration among our investigators. For example, during the current RCMI funding cycle, 314 basic science grant applications collaborated with at least one of the 5 MRRCC cores. Specifically, 65 applications collaborated with one core, 50 with 2 cores, 54 with 3 cores, 37 with 4 cores and 8 collaborated with all the 5 cores. We have 2 broad specific aims for MRRCC in the current application: Aim 1. Expand core services and resources. We will purchase with institutional funds an OpenSPR system for protein-protein interactions in real time and Seahorse for metabolomics studies. As funds become available, we will continue to provide new instrumentation based on our user’s needs. We will establish a new Genomics Data Core. This core will provide Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data analysis, data mining, AI/ML, and visualization through development of genomic databases and state-of-the-art data-access portal. Lastly we will establish Gene Editing Services. The new core service will help users with the design of CRISPR/Cas9 experimental protocols, perform transfection/infection, determine CRISPR efficiency, clone positive cells, and evaluate on/off-targets efficiency. Aim 2. Continue to provide high quality service. The services we provide are deemed necessary for generating preliminary data for grants, publishing manuscripts in high impact journals, and enabling acquisition of extramural grant support. We will enhance business operations. We are establishing direct connectivity with our Office of Information Technology (OIT) to provide seamless data tracking and improve cost recovery by connecting within institutional-level systems. We will also enhance interconnectivity within the MRRCC Sub-Cores, Meharry research departments, and the national RCMI network. We will enhance cost recovery efforts by requiring funded investigators to budget at least $ 2,000 per year for services that they will get from MRRCC.