This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.Delaware INBRE Annual Progress Report (APR) 2007 Grant No. 2P20RR016472-2007Administrative Core ReportCore Objective: The Administrative Core provides statewide leadership and coordination of the program activities among the partner institutions. Dr. David S. Weir, INBRE PI and Dr. Karl V. Steiner, INBRE Program Coordinator, who are also Director and Associate Director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI), lead the Delaware INBRE Administrative Core. Accomplishments of the Administrative Core in the INBRE Year 3 include:1) The INBRE program has facilitated the development of a healthy and constructive partnership of equals among the participating institutions. The January 07 AAAS External Review Panel provided the following assessment: In general, the panel found a well-functioning program that has built and sustains a multidisciplinary network across the state of Delaware. One of the greatest strengths of the program continues to be the leadership at DBI, and the resources (equipment and people) at DBI are second to none. It is obvious that the goals of the INBRE are supported at all levels across the state from the governors office to each individual participating campus. 2) Established a Human Health Subcommittee under the Delaware Science and Technology Council, which is led by the Lt Governor, John Carney. The S&T Council is comprised of leaders of industry, academia, and state government across the State of Delaware. The Human Health Subcommittee is charged with generating a strategic plan to build a research and science-based human health capacity in the State. The initial focus of this effort has been on building a research program in cancer. ' Secured recurring funding from the State in the amount of $360k to support an inter-institutional translational research effort in cancer.3) Supported the formation of the Center for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR) as part of the statewide initiative to develop a biomedical research capability in Delaware. The CTCR, under the leadership of an INBRE-supported faculty member, Cindy Farach-Carson, is comprised of faculty and clinical staff at UD, DBI, Nemours, and the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care. ' Contributed to a translational research working group of scientists and physicians which meets semi-annually for research updates on translational research in cancer at Christiana Care. The group includes Delaware researchers as well as regional researchers, from Philadelphias Kimmel Cancer Center (Jefferson Medical College) and Fox Chase Cancer Center. 4) Developed a comprehensive evaluation process involving semi-annual research briefings for the Delaware INBRE External Advisory Board, bi-annual site visits by the AAAS-led External Review Panel, and a continuous, internal evaluation process conducted by the University of Delawares Education Research and Development Center. The evaluation process takes advantage of a detailed online user interface and evaluation database.' Began data collection and analysis related to a major effort to evaluate the growth of collaborative research networks and the relationship between patterns of collaboration and research productivity in DE INBRE. Using an approach called social network analysis, this aspect of the evaluation will track the growth of research collaborations over time, as well as the distribution of collaborations within and across Delaware INBRE partner institutions. 5) Transitioned from the infrastructure-building focus of BRIN to a program with a biomedical research focus under INBRE. Graduated the initial cohort of 19 mentored research projects in 2006 after two years of support. Two of the originally supported faculty members have successfully secured R01 funding. 6) Selected and launched a second cohort of 18 biomedical research projects organized under six research themes: Cancer, Biomedical Imaging, Animal Modeling, Infectious Disease, Biochemistry, and Nursing Research.7) Supported the establishment of a new joint Biological Chemistry Course between DSU and Wesley. Students would take 3 courses at DSU in addition to their current coursework at Wesley. This will be first such inter-institutional agreement for a joint degree program between these two INBRE partner institutions.8) Involved a cohort of 23 undergraduates in biomedically-relevant research projects through the summer undergraduate internship program. Emphasis continues to involve a diverse student group. The 2006 group included 60% women and 30% underrepresented students, and involved more than 30 faculty members at all Delaware INBRE partner institutions.9) Selected two new members for the External Advisory Board: Dr. Lynda Bonewald, Lefkowitz Professor of Oral Biology and Director of the Bone Biology Research Program, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri at Kansas City and Dr. David Speicher, Professor, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, the Wistar Institute. They replace two original EAB members, Dr. James Spellman and Dr. Gary Kurtzman and who left the EAB due to conflicts with other responsibilities. 10) Continued to develop the capability and evaluate the effectiveness of the Core Instrumentation Centers. Invested over $1M into Core Instrumentation Centers in 2006, with partial support by INBRE, and significant support from other sources.11) Continued the renovation of laboratory space to provide research space for newly hired faculty members at DSU and to provide training facilities for students at Delaware Tech.12) Provided guidance and leadership to the INBRE participants toward successful implementation of program goals. Assured that program objectives of all six INBRE Cores are met. Coordinated and oversaw financial and program management. 13) Contributed to the doubling of NIH funding to the State of Delaware over six years; from $14.9 Million in 2000 to $29.8 Million in 2006.
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