This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Cancer disproportionately affects the citizens of West Virginia and Appalachia, as evidenced by health disparities in cervical, lung, head & neck, ovarian and breast cancers. The Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center (MBRCC) was established at West Virginia University to address the cancer problem in our region. Toward that goal we plan to establish a cancer center that meets the criteria for NCI designation as a Clinical Cancer Center for our underserved population. NCI designated Cancer Centers were established to lead the fight against cancer as evidenced by (a) strong basic and clinical research programs, (b) an active cancer prevention and control program and (c) an active clinical trials program. The goal of the first phase (Phase I) of our CoBRE program was to foster these institutional goals through the development of strong and interactive basic cancer research programs. In Phase I, the MBRCC coordinated cancer center membership and organization of programs, provided matching support for pilot projects, core facilities and lab/office space for new faculty hires. In addition, the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center committed tenure-track faculty lines for new faculty hires and resources for startup packages, administrative support, renovations for labs and core facilities and funds for core equipment. During Phase I, the CoBRE provided support for five junior faculty basic research projects, core facility infrastructure for new and existing faculty and matching funds for faculty recruitment. In Phase I of the CoBRE, we were successful in recruiting 8 new faculty members, mentoring 5 junior faculty members to independent research project grant (RPG) funding, establishing two new core facilities and expanding the scope of a 3rd core facility. In this renewal application (Phase II), we seek to add depth to our basic science research programs with a long term goal of integrating basic research projects with translational research programs.
The Specific Aims of Phase II are to (a) maintain an Administration Core that guides and develops the CoBRE program (b) support 3 core facilities in Flow Cytometry, Proteomics and Bioinformatics that foster our research programs and (c) support five junior faculty research projects and mentor these faculty members to independence. The Administration core (Aim #1) will oversee this effort. This CoBRE program will foster our long term goal of achieving NCI designation as a Clinical Cancer Center that serves the patient population of West Virginia and the surrounding Appalachian region.
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