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) 2007Grant No. 5P20RR016472-2007Research CoreCore Objective: Strengthen the biomedical research capability in the Delaware INBRE network, through pilot research grants, mentoring, and access to infrastructure.OverviewThe INBRE Research Core, through its Research Committee, is charged with providing guidance and research expertise to help the program meet its biomedical research goals. The committee is broadly representative of the state-wide institutions involved in the Delaware INBRE. In addition to Roberta F. Colman as Chair, the current members are: Brian Little and Nicholas Petrelli - Christiana Care Health SystemBeverly Hartline - Delaware State UniversityJoan Barber and Sam Panella - Delaware Technical & Community College Vicky Funanage - Nemours Biomedical ResearchAbraham Lenhoff, Veronica Rempusheski, and Karl Steiner - University of DelawareBette Coplan, Paul DeGategno, and Malcolm DSouza, and Jonathan Kidd - Wesley CollegeThe third year of INBRE research involved the start of a new cohort of INBRE grantees, whose research began June 1, 2006, shortly after the start of INBRE Year 3.New INBRE Researchers and Project Titles:University of Delaware: Six 32-month projects:Farach-Carson, M. Cynthia - Professor, Biological Sciences Electrospun Collagen Scaffolds for Development of 3-D Cellular Models for Testing Anti-Neoplastic AgentsGalileo, Deni Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences Autocrine Stimulation of Primary and Metastatic Brain Cancer Cells *(Project funded under the Christiana Care budget allocation)Johnston, Murray Professor, Chemistry and BiochemistryMason, Robert Director, Cell Science Core, NemoursProteomic Analysis of Apoptotic Mechanisms in CancerKambhamettu, Chandra Associate Professor, Computer and Information Sciences3-D Image Analysis Algorithms for Automatic Computation of Ground Glass Opacity of Lung TumorsPanchapakesan, Balaji - Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Nanotechnology for Cancer Detection and Therapeutics Sikes, Robert - Assistant Professor, Biological SciencesRole of IGFBP-2 Fragments in Development of Androgen Insensitive Prostate CancerDelaware State University: Four 32-month projects (plus 1 continuing project):Besong, Samuel A. Associate Professor, Family and Consumer SciencesHepatic Lipid Metabolism and Gene Expression in HenDiMaria, Peter - Associate Professor, ChemistryRNA Cap Hypermethylases in MicrosporidiaHarrington, Melissa Associate Professor, BiologyDavis, Leonard Associate Professor, BiologyPokrajac, Dragoljub Assistant Professor, Computer & Information ScienceInvestigating the Neurobiology of Sensory Processing and Learning in an Invertebrate Model SystemLiu, Fengshan Professor, Applied Mathematics and Theoretical PhysicsAnalysis of 3-D Breast Surface Deformation during Mammographic Compression Sabrina Brougher Assistant Professor, Biology *(Continuing Project)Characterization of Surfactant Protein Expression in Avian Lung as a Model for Upper Respiratory Disease in HumansAI DuPont Hospital for Children NemoursKreuger, Leslie J.Wesley College: Three one-year projects:D'Souza, Malcolm Professor, ChemistryExtent of Nucleophilic Participation in Acyl, Sulfonyl and Sulfamoyl HalidesEverett, Lynn Associate Professor, BiologyGenetic Diversity in Borrelia burgdorferiKidd, Jonathan Professor, BiologyCurran, Kathleen Associate Professor, Biology Distribution of Lyme Disease and Other Tick-borne Diseases in DelawareResearch Meetings September and October 2006 EAB Meetings INBRE-funded researchers had the opportunity to present their research and talk with members of the INBRE External Advisory Board (EAB), the second time that the Board had an opportunity to meet network investigators in person. Faculty were asked to provide research summaries in advance of the meeting, and to provide a research update for the EAB the day of the meeting. This process allowed the EAB to focus on key questions for investigators work toward sustainability.
The aim was to talk with investigators in a focused way to encourage steps toward R01 proposal submission by June 2008. EAB members offered suggestions during the meeting, and provided summary comments in their fall report, attached to this document. January 2007 AAAS MeetingAs part of the Delaware INBRE evaluation process, a panel arranged through AAAS conducts an evaluation visit every second year. The January 2007 meeting constituted the second INBRE visit. The AAAS panel recognized progress made in the research network, and praised the INBRE leadership, research infrastructure, outreach and evaluation efforts to date. After meeting with INBRE investigators, the AAAS panel recommended adding more informal research meetings to the INBRE plan. Informal brown bags and chalk talks are now slated to begin in spring 2007.Christiana Care has established a new collaboration with Nemours Biomedical Research, where an active biomedical translational research program is in place. In Year 3, AI DuPont Hospital for Children - Nemours became a new partner in the Delaware INBRE, with Dr. Leslie J. Kreuger as a currently funded investigator.At Delaware State University (DSU), Dr. Melissa Harrington, an INBRE-funded researcher, has used the INBRE 'umbrella' to organize a statewide neuroscience network, which brings together faculty and students for seminars and for exploring and pursuing collaborative research ideas. Research and educational collaborations between DSU and nearby Wesley College are growing. One initiative underway is an agreement toward a joint degree program in biological chemistry. Work will continue on this joint program in 2007. INBRE funding at Wesley College, an undergraduate institution, allowed investigators to pursue summer research that involved undergraduate students, and which led to their participation in several national meetings, and student co-authorship on several publications. The Delaware INBRE continues to support investigators through core center fee waivers. Investigators in the INBRE Network were able to apply to use, at no charge, core instrumentation centers including Bioinformatics, Bioimaging, DNA Sequencing and Genotyping, Mass Spectroscopy, Microarray, NMR and Protein Production and Analysis. The Delaware INBRE contributed substantially to establishing a new Center for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR) in 2006. The CTCR will be launched as a virtual entity between UD, DBI, Christiana Care and Nemours. Dr. Cindy Farach-Carson, one of the new faculty in INBRE Year 3, will serve as CTCRs Founding Director, and recurring funds for CTCR have been provided by the Delaware legislature.
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