This is the first competitive renewal for the transformative Einstein Nathan Shock Center (E-NSC). During the first grant period, funding exclusively for biology of aging tripled in size, and was accompanied by an impressive publications record E-NSC members as exemplified in 124 papers and reviews in Nature and Science-journals, a staggering average of approximately 6 collaborative papers (with other E-NSC members) per E-NSC investigator and the proactive recruitment and 'conversion' of 25 members to the E-NSC who were not members for the first submission. Our membership now includes internal (52) and external (11) members as well as support for a 'mini-NSC' with Brown University (5) investigators. Other resources are also highly important for E-NSC success, including large aging Program Projects, an ongoing NIH-funded Einstein Aging (T32) training grant, a complementary graduate course on the Biology of Aging, and the Glenn Center for Biology of Human Aging at Einstein. Activities of the E-NSC were leveraged by supplemental Institutional funding; the Center awarded 18 pilot and feasibility grants, with good outcomes. The three Research Resource Cores provided services to over 150 investigators, offering state-of the art services with dependable quality control at an affordable price.
The aims of the E-NSC are: 1) To enhance and expand ongoing basic biology of aging research by providing state of the art and unique new technologies for our three Research Resource Cores: a) Proteostasis of Aging Core (PAC, Dr. Ana Maria Cuervo); b) Chronobiosis, Energetics/Metabolism of Aging Core (CEAC, Drs. Nir Barzilai and Derek Huffman); c) Advanced Genomics of Aging Core (AGAC, Dr. Jan Vijg). 2) The Administrative Core (Dr. Barzilai) implements and administers enrichment activities through a lecture series, mini-retreats and attendance at NSC national meetings, and will continue to develop potential regional and/or national resources. 3) To provide support and a suitable environment for new investigators in biology of aging research through a Research Development Core (Dr. Yousin Suh) that will provide P&F awards to deserving investigators.
Research centers of excellence have emerged to stimulate the investigator intellectual environment for specific fields of research and to provide technology that is not practicable the individual scientist. With support for 3 research resource cores, pilot& feasibility awards, a designated mentor system program enrichment and a yearly mini-retreat, this Einstein Nathan Shock Center will continue to transform the field with the goal to delay human aging and its associated diseases.
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