UAB Mental Retardation Research Center

描述（由申请人提供）：这是对阿拉巴马大学伯明翰分校（UAB）公民国际研究中心成功的智力迟钝研究中心（MRRC）的竞争性更新的修订。DAB的MRRC建立在大学过去三十年在智力迟钝和发育障碍领域的贡献之上。MRRC的使命有三个方面：增加有关基本发育神经生物学和影响中枢神经系统发育因素的科学知识；制定和测试MR/DD的预防性干预措施；并促进对有效治疗策略的理解，以改善MR/DD对个人、家庭和社会的影响。该中心包括62名参与者，其中包括37名获得研究核心服务的研究人员和另外25名临床医生和科学家，他们是MRRC社区的一部分，但不获得研究核心服务。来自16个基础科学和临床部门的研究人员（有51个已资助或正在进行的研究项目将使用核心支持）将参加。主要研究方向有：(1)突触的发育、功能和可塑性；（二）神经系统发育与退化的分子生物学/遗传学；（三）中枢神经系统传染病及神经内分泌机制；（IV） MR/DD的诊断、干预和治疗；(V)环境对大脑发育的影响（包括与父母、贫困、同伴和化学物质的行为互动）。管理和生物计量核心（Core A）提供科学领导，支持基于人群的智力迟钝和神经发育障碍研究，提供数据库管理和生物统计支持，赞助中心范围的科学研讨会和座谈会，鼓励创新和新的多学科合作，积极指导MRRC的初级研究人员，并监督行政职能。三个研究核心是：重组技术核心（Core B），发育神经生物学成像和组织处理核心（Core C）和发育基因组学核心（Core D）。总的来说，这些核心旨在促进多学科合作，及时交流信息和技术进步，吸引新的研究人员参与MR/DD研究，促进与其他mrrc的研究活动，以及提高资助研究项目的质量和生产力，同时展示成本效益。高度优先考虑的是纳入妇女和来自代表性不足的民族/种族群体的个人作为MRRC的科学家，学员和研究项目的参与者。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is the revision of a competitive renewal for a successful Mental Retardation Research Center (MRRC) in the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The MRRC at DAB builds upon the University's contributions over the past three decades to the field of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The MRRC's mission is threefold: to increase scientific knowledge about basic developmental neurobiology and factors that affect CNS development; to develop and test preventive interventions for MR/DD; and to advance understanding about effective treatment strategies to ameliorate the personal, familial, and societal consequences of MR/DD. The Center includes 62 participants comprised of 37 investigators who access research core services and another 25 clinicians and scientists who are part of the greater MRRC community but do not access research cores. Investigators from 16 basic science and clinical departments (with 51 funded or pending research projects that will use core supports) will participate. The five major research groups are: (I) Development, function and plasticity of synapses; (II) Molecular biology/genetics of nervous system development and degeneration; (III) CNS infectious diseases and neuroendocrinologic mechanisms; (IV) Diagnosis, interventions and therapies for MR/DD, and (V) Environmental effects on brain development (including behavioral interaction with parent, poverty, peers, and chemicals). An Administration and Biometry Core (Core A) provides scientific leadership, supports population-based studies on mental retardation and neurodevelopmental disabilities, provides database management and biostatistical support, sponsors center-wide scientific seminars and colloquia, encourages innovation and new multidisciplinary collaborations, actively mentors junior MRRC investigators, and oversees administrative functioning. The three research cores are: the Recombinant Technologies Core (Core B), the Developmental Neurobiology Imaging and Tissue Processing Core (Core C), and the Developmental Genomics Core (Core D). Collectively, these cores are designed to promote multidisciplinary collaboration, timely exchange of information and technology advances, attract new investigators to MR/DD research, and promote research activities with other MRRCs, as well as to increase the quality and productivity of funded research projects while demonstrating cost-effectiveness. Of high priority is the inclusion of women and individuals from underrepresented ethnic/racial groups as MRRC scientists, trainees, and participants in research projects.