The Center for the Study of Gene Structure and Function (Gene Center) of Hunter College of the City University of New York is now comprised of a cadre of 19 biomedical researchers with the common goal of increasing the translational/clinical potential of their research projects to help reduce health disparities. The long-term goal of the Gene Center is to enhance infrastruture to support basic and translational/clinical research and so to reduce minority health disparities. Our goals are to: 1) enable investigator^ to become more successful in obtaining extramural support in biomedical/behavioral research, particularly on diseases that disproportionately impact minority populations;2) foster professional development in the biomedical sciences especially in the areas of Cancer, Neuro/Behavior and Disease Prevention.
Our specific aims are: 1) To build translational/clinical capacity in the areas of Cancer and Neuro/Behavior;2) To build on our existing collaboration with the CTSC;3) To continue to develop interactive telehealth e-platforms of disease prevention;4) To increase R-type funding in the areas of Cancer and Neuro/Behavior. We propose to build on the demonstrated accomplishments of our investigators in order to move their projects to translational/clinical status in collaboration with the Weill Cornell Medical College Clinical and Translationnal Sciennce Center and the RCMI Translational Research Netwok. Our Cancer research focuses on prostate and breast cancers and involve, 1) innovation in treatment;and 2) detection and therapeutics. Neuro/Behavior focuses on, 1) addiction and neuroprotection;and 2) diagnosis of stress disorders. A new and novel area developed collaboratively with the CTSC involves Disease Prevention using telehealth eplatforms to serve the underserved. To accomplish our objectives, we propose to fund six pilot projects, hire three new faculty in the areas of Cancer and/or Neuro/Behavior, maintain/strengthen our biomedical research infrastructure, and provide additional targeted professional development acitivities. We are implementing an evaluation program with clearly defined milestones and metrics that will allow us to assess our progress and correct problems that might arise at all stages of the five-year cycle.

Public Health Relevance

Our goal is to enhance our capacity to conduct targeted research on Cancer and Mental Health through collaborations with our clinical partners. Telehealth strategies will facilitate serving underserved populations. Our research addresses diseases that disproportionally afflict minority populations, and success should reduce health disparities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Type
Research Centers in Minority Institutions Award (G12)
Project #
8G12MD007599-27
Application #
8333433
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRR1-RI-B (02))
Program Officer
Arora, Krishan
Project Start
1997-09-01
Project End
2016-06-30
Budget Start
2012-07-12
Budget End
2013-06-30
Support Year
27
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$2,610,673
Indirect Cost
$900,887
Name
Hunter College
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
620127915
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10065
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