Five years of support are requested tocreate a faculty development program that will enable junior faculty involvedin research at the three PhD granting institutions in Kansas, (KU at Lawrenceand the KU School of Medicine in Kansas City, and K State University) tobecome more competitive for securing NIH grant support. This will be achievedby creation of a strong mentoring body (comprised of Dr. Narayan and otherestablished, NIH-funded senior faculty at the three institutions),establishment of committees of internal and outside advisors to the COBREprogram, institutionalization of monthly seminar and data presentationmeetings, and an annual meeting dedicated to factors important in preparationof NIH grant applications. Three cores, one administrative, and two technicalwill be established to expedite the research program. The COBRE will receiveextensive institutional support in the form of FTEs, new research equipment,and space. The research theme is centered on mechanisms inhibitingreplication of pathogenic microbes, with the long-term goal of controllinginfectious diseases important in human health. Studies will be focused onidentification of genes and gene products that have a seminal role inmicrobial replication. To find inhibitors for these proteins, we will link upwith the COBRE program at KU/Lawrence to exploit resources in combinatorialchemistry and high-throughput screens for inhibitors of the proteins inquestion. We will also exploit more biological approaches using core supportwith phage display and aptamer technology, which will be shared amonginvestigators. Further, we will establish core facilities in X-raycrystallography and fermentation for the isolation and determination of the3-D structures of the proteins, which will be useful for development ofpotential drugs. Six junior faculty members, two of whom are experiencedX-ray crystallographers, have been selected for support for two to threeyears. The projects of currently selected faculty were based on scientificmerit, potential for complementary interaction with other projects, andpotential for exploiting the core resources of both COBRE programs. Projectsof new junior faculty will be selected and awards made upon recommendation ofthe internal advisory committee. A portion of the COBRE fund will be used toenhance faculty recruitment packages.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 174 publications
