Oral Health Research Infrastructure Development at MUSC

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请是向NIDCR申请资金，以支持基础设施的扩展，以加强南卡罗来纳医科大学牙科医学院的研究活动和研究能力。目前的U24合作协议提案是基于成功的R24规划拨款申请。计划拨款和目前的提案都是及时的，允许学院利用现有的机会，并在扩大研究任务的背景下加强其功能和组织结构。MUSC口腔医学院研究发展的长期愿景是通过进入NIH年度总资助的前10名牙科学院，在口腔和颅面研究和研究培训方面取得全国突出地位。根据关键需求评估和外部咨询审查，具体目标是：(1)通过有针对性地招聘额外的教师来弥补专业知识的严重差距，在与口腔健康相关的三个重点研究领域培养临界数量的研究人员，并指导口腔医学院目标教师的研究职业发展；(2)战略性地加强共享科研资源，聘请新的科研人员提供技术支持和扩大资源能力，并收购少数关键设备，增强资源能力；(3)支持行政核心实施基础设施增强计划，并为MUSC口腔健康研究中心制定商业计划和长期可持续性计划。外部科学和规划咨询委员会（ESPAC）由七名在与实施赠款重点相关的口腔健康研究方面取得杰出成就的国家认可专家组成，将提供独立的外部顾问专业知识。令人印象深刻的机构承诺和现有资源的杠杆组合将确保拟议的基础设施增强计划的成功实施，这将对州、地区和国家产生影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application is a request for funds from the NIDCR to support the expansion of infrastructure to enhance research activities and research capacity of the College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. The present proposal for a U24 cooperative agreement is pursuant to a successful R24 planning grant application. Both the planning grant and the present proposal are timely, permitting the college to leverage existing opportunities and enhance its functional and organizational structure in the context of an expanding research mission. The long-term vision for research development in the College of Dental Medicine at MUSC is to achieve national prominence in oral and craniofacial research and research training by moving into the top 10 dental schools as indicated by total annual NIH funding. Based on a Critical Needs Assessment and External Advisory Review, the specific aims are to: (1) develop a critical mass of researchers in three focal research areas relevant to oral health through targeted recruitments of additional faculty to bridge critical gaps in expertise, and mentored research career development of targeted faculty in the College of Dental Medicine; (2) strategically enhance shared research resources by hiring new research personnel to provide technical support and expand resource capacity, and acquiring a few critical items of equipment to enhance resource capabilities; and (3) support an Administrative Core to implement the Infrastructure Enhancement Plan and establish a business plan and long-term sustainability plan for the MUSC Center for Oral Health Research. An External Scientific and Program Advisory Committee (ESPAC) comprised of seven nationally recognized experts of outstanding distinction and achievements in oral health research relevant to the focus of the Implementation Grant will provide independent external consultant expertise. An impressive portfolio of institutional commitments and leveraging of existing resources will ensure successful implementation of the proposed Infrastructure Enhancement Plan that will have state, regional, and national impact.