Core B: Research and Development

University Of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

The goal of the Research Development Core B (RDC) will be to promote the training of early stage investigators in the basic biology of aging and to facilitate the ability of established investigators working in other disciplines to initiate studies in aging by providing training and access to novel core services. The RDC will provide mentoring and educational programs on genomic instability and the effects of this primary hallmark of aging on senescence, inflammation and epigenetics changes as well as in basic biology of aging. These goals are aligned with the missions of the UMN Institute on the Biology of Aging (iBAM) to recruit scientists to the field of aging including undergraduate, graduate and medical students as well as post-doctoral and geriatric fellows, to create the workforce necessary to address the problem of our aging world population. The Core will achieve these goals by offering, advertising and promoting both Aging Research Pilot Grants ($20,000 - $40,000) and Research Stimulus Grants ($5,000 - $10,000), both internally and externally, which allow access to MN NSC Cores as well as additional relevant iBAM and UMN Cores. Applications received for Pilot funding will be reviewed using a two-tier system with initial screening for eligibility followed by submission of a full application. The RDC will offer hands-on training opportunities for up to two weeks in the methodologies offered in the Cores and support 1-2 month sabbaticals for junior faculty. In addition, the RDC has establish a Mentoring Team to provide guidance to early stage investigators and those new to the basic biology of aging and genomic instability fields. The team will also provide mentoring to trainees on NIA T32 and R25 funded grants and to NIA K grant awardees. With the help of our internal and external advisory boards, we will conduct an annual review of the success of the RDC. Funds to support MN NSC Aging Research Pilot Grants will also be backed by iBAM, which is well- funded by the state of Minnesota and by NIH, and is the current focus of a UMN major philanthropic fund-raising effort for aging research. The MN NSC will be prominently featured in those efforts with the hope of raising additional funds for Pilot and Research Stimulus grants. Furthermore, the MN NSC will have a competition for a New Investigator in Genomic Integrity and Aging Award in Year 4, supported through internal funds and selected from previous Aging Research Pilot recipients. Finally, the RDC will host a one-week workshop on Omics Methodologies and Aging in Years 2 and 4, providing exposure to single cell/nucleus and spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, CyTOF, Mass Imaging, single-cell DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, mass spectroscopy analysis of oxidative DNA damage, DNA repair assays and more. Drs. Paul Robbins and Douglas Mashek – experts in the basic biology of aging with experience as PIs of NIA-funded grants and members of study sections and dedicated to mentoring early-stage investigators – will co-direct the RDC.