COBRE: NDS U: ADMIN: NEW STRATEGIES FOR TARGETING PROTEASES IN DISEASE

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The program will consist of three projects and a central core facility with each addressing a critical aspect of the overall goal. The focus of the Center will be the development of therapeutic inhibitors for matrix proteinases, which include the family of zinc-dependent matrix metalloenzymes (MMP's), and the serine proteases (SP's), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasmin. The majority of effort of this project is the inhibition of MMP's. But, the two serine proteases also play critical roles in matrix homeostasis in both health and disease. A part of the effort will be directed towards the design and optimization of inhibitors for these enzymes. This effort will consist of four interrelated projects. North Dakota, like other EPSCoR states, does not submit enough proposals to NIH. To address this problem, the COBRE Center will dedicate a large part of its budget to Human Resources. This center will increase the number of faculty with biomedical research interests by providing startup funds for a new in vivo biologist. Research activities in the Center will bring to North Dakota qualified technicians, postdoctoral associates, and students. Additionally, the center will initiate several programs to increase biomedical research in the state. These initiatives include : seed grants for North Dakota faculty, establishment of a graduate fellowship program, post-doctoral fellowships summer research program for undergraduates and faculty from 4-year colleges, and NIH workshops.