INTEGRATIVE MOLECULAR ANALYSIS CORE

University Of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr, Albuquerque NM

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

INTEGRATIVE MOLECULAR ANALYSIS CORE – PROJECT SUMMARY The Integrative Molecular Analysis Core (IMAC) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) plays a crucial role in supporting research on metals in biology and medicine, providing specialized expertise and high-end equipment beyond the capacity of individual labs. Throughout Phase I, the IMAC has been instrumental in assisting mentored research project leaders (RPLs) and pilot project principal investigators in their pursuit of independent funding, leading to impactful publications, collaborations, and R01 grants for early-stage investigators. In response to growing user demands, the IMAC has secured over $4 million through research instrumentation grants including an NIH S10, two CoBRE supplements, and an award from New Mexico's Technology Enhancement Fund, enabling significant equipment acquisitions and facility upgrades. Now established, the overarching goal for the IMAC in Phase II is to sustain and expand this innovative core by focusing on three specific aims. First, the IMAC will empower Phase II RPLs with the technology, support, and expertise to elevate their research on metals in biology and medicine. To this end, the IMAC will integrate cutting-edge technologies, particularly in spatial imaging through mass spectrometry, which aligns with IMAC's focus on metals and biomolecular analysis in cells and biological samples. This aim seeks to bolster the RPLs' research quality, enhance reproducibility, and improve their competitiveness for NIH-R01 funding. Second, the IMAC aims to support and expand the user base by providing expert service, training, collaboration, and dissemination of new technologies. The goal is to build a critical mass of users across the UNM Health Sciences Center, main campus, and other regional research institutions. Third, the IMAC will build a path to long-term sustainability by enhancing core operations and fostering increased utilization at state and regional levels. To accomplish this aim, the IMAC will expand outreach initiatives to include new state, regional, and IDeA partners, in addition to renovating newly allocated space to accommodate additional users and instruments. This approach is designed to increase core usage, leading to sustained operations beyond CoBRE funding phases, and to extend the reach of the IMAC's advanced molecular analysis capabilities. These combined efforts are expected to drive multidisciplinary research on metals in biology and medicine, support RPLs in achieving research independence, increase collaborations within UNM and across other IDeA states, and facilitate scientific innovation in addressing metal-mediated diseases, which impact millions of people in New Mexico and globally.