GlyCORE: Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence

University Of Mississippi, University MS

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Project Summary The Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence (GlyCORE) was established in 2020 to develop a regional hub of glycoscience excellence in the IDeA state-rich Mid-South region. Glycoscience is an essential and rapidly emerging field of biomedical science and the challenging nature of glycoscience research requires tools and expertise that are not commonly found in the biomedical research community. Moreover, the biomedical community is rapidly growing to appreciate the essential role of carbohydrates, with investigators outside of the dedicated glycoscience community facing challenging questions in glycoscience as part of the course of their biomedical research. In Phase 1, GlyCORE established three Research Cores covering essential services to support modern glycoscience: the Analytical and Biophysical Chemistry Research Core, the Imaging Research Core, and the Computational Chemistry and Bioinformatics Research Core. GlyCORE also instituted a faculty development program including recruitment of new glycoscience faculty, financial support of the investigators' research efforts, a formal mentoring program, and priority subsidized access to University of Mississippi Core facilities through both a Research Project program and a smaller Pilot Project Program. Finally, GlyCORE initiated efforts to establish the University of Mississippi as a regional center for glycoscience in the Mid-South, including hosting an annual Mid-South Glycoscience Meeting and a monthly Seminar Series to highlight the role of glycoscience at the University of Mississippi and bringing in leaders in the glycoscience field. In Phase 2, we will build upon our progress in Phase 1, refine our approach to improve metrics for success, and prepare for our transition to long-term sustainability. We will expand the services offered by our Research Cores, including expanding our workshop offerings to broaden our impact and user base. We will support four concurrent Research Project Investigators throughout Phase 2 to improve the competitiveness of our researchers for major extramural funding, as well as supporting a total of nine one-year Pilot Projects to develop research ideas from their initial stages and aid in new faculty recruitment. In Phase 2, we will institute a cost-recovery model as part of our transition to sustainability, using a voucher system to provide full Core support to our internal glycoscience investigators. We will institute new programs to improve our investigator extramural funding success rate through an enhanced external mentoring program and incorporation of professional external grant proposal review services for current and previous Project Leaders. By the end of Phase 2, GlyCORE will be recognized as a major destination for glycoscience in the Mid-South, with a core of faculty expertise and sustainable research infrastructure necessary to support modern glycoscience.