Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Matrix Biology Phase 3

Project Summary/Abstract -- Overall The long-term goal of the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Matrix Biology is to establish, enhance, and actively advance a multidisciplinary research center focusing on improving our understanding of the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in development, health, and disease. Proposed phase 3 plans will sustain the research capacity established during the previous phases by supporting research core facilities and providing career development opportunities to investigators. Program accomplishments in phases 1 and 2 include the establishment of a multidisciplinary cadre of investigators working in matrix biology research, designing career development and mentoring programs, facilitating an increase in research grant awards, and increasing the access to shared instrumentation within the COBRE core facilities. Most importantly, a culture shift has occurred at Boise State from a primarily undergraduate teaching university to a doctoral research institution. Phases 1 and 2 supported research projects from 21 investigators, eleven Research Project Leaders and ten additional Pilot Project Leaders that focused on the ECM in breast cancer metastasis, ligament healing, liver fibrosis, cardiovascular health and disease, novel biomaterials for tissue engineering, ECM targets for vaccine development, ECM in neuroinflammation, mechanotransduction of forces from the ECM to the nucleus, skin cancer, and several others. As a result, thirteen investigators were awarded R01-like funding. The COBRE program has positioned Idaho to make significant contributions to solutions addressing national health concerns by advancing our understanding of ECM and translating these findings into technologies and therapeutics. The center has built new laboratories and established cores supporting proteomics and metabolomics, histology, microscopy, imaging, and biostatistics/bioinformatics. COBRE investigators published 213 peer-reviewed manuscripts including noteworthy articles in journals of high impact and 1,808 scientific presentations. Phase 3 is critically important for us to continue our upward momentum toward our goals of research growth and sustainability. To achieve this overarching goal, we will 1) solidify the collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment put in place during the two previous phases, 2) administer a Pilot Projects Program that includes mentoring and training opportunities, and 3) sustain and support the research cores that were developed during previous phases. Upon successful completion of phase 3, we will have solidified the advances in research infrastructure that supports investigators with shared priorities in understanding the role of the matrix in development and disease. Shared core facilities will be sustainable and will support the needs of investigators. The research infrastructure established during the three phases of the COBRE program will have a continued impact on biomedical research at Boise State beyond phase 3.