Research Project
10145503
PROJECT SUMMARY (Research Infrastructure Core) The Research Infrastructure Core (RIC) at Jackson State University (JSU) RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research (RCHDR) is designed to accelerate discoveries in basic, behavioral, clinical and/or translational research on important health disparity issues of concern to minorities and underserved communities. The RIC fully supports the RCHDR vision of further developing a state-of-the-art biomedical infrastructure that enables JSU investigators to become more competitive in obtaining independent research grants from NIH and other funding agencies. Its overarching goal is to provide a robust infrastructure and research resources, for RCHDR investigators to implement innovative research aimed at improving minority health and reducing health disparities. This primary goal of RIC will be achieved through the implementation of four specific aims that include: Specific Aim 1. Enhance the biomedical research infrastructure of specialized core modules including the Analytical, Animal, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Cellomics and Toxicogenomics laboratories. Approach: Upgrade the research infrastructure and provide a modern and reliable shared instrumentation facility that enhances the research environment, promotes research collaborations, and strengthens the research competitiveness of RCHDR investigators. Specific Aim 2. Offer RCHDR investigators a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment, and bioinformatics and biostatistics services for basic, behavioral and/or clinical research. Approach: Provide research instrumentation as well as technical, methodological, and personnel support to all current and future investigators of both Research and Pilot projects. Here, we plan to support the design, implementation, data collection and analysis, and reporting of the three specific research projects included in this grant application, as well as the three to five pilot projects that will be funded through the Pilot Project Program. Specific Aim 3. Provide facilities access as well as training and support services to RCHDR investigators. Approach: Promote access to and facilitate the utilization of research resources thereby maximizing utilization of advanced technologies and increasing efficiency and productivity. Specific Aim 4. Foster professional development and interdisciplinary collaborations in biomedical research. Approach: Organize project- specific mentoring and professional development workshops. Facilitate collaborations between RCHDR investigators and investigators from various departments, within JSU and other research-intensive institutions. By achieving the above stated specific aims, the RCHDR RIC will serve as a strong catalyst for basic biomedical, behavioral and/or clinical research at JSU. It will provide a critical support to increase quality, productivity, cost-effectiveness, and biomedical research outcomes of all RCHDR investigators.
