Oklahoma Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Sensory Biology

About This Grant

The COBRE program in this application is designed to develop the field of sensory biology on the OUHSC campus by supporting innovative research focusing on the processes used by cells to sense their environment. The COBRE will support a wide spectrum of projects using a variety of model organisms, from worms and green algae to mice and human tissue. It will support studies on cell signaling across the plasma membrane mediated by sensory organelles such as cilia and flagella; specialized signaling domains on the cell surface such as dendrites and immunological synapses; and cell surface molecules such as receptors and ion channels. It will also support research projects investigating disease and syndromes associated with sensory defects. Initially, the Oklahoma Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Sensory Biology (OCBRESB) will take advantage of the rapidly expanding talent and expertise in cilia biology and diseases associated with defects in primary cilia on campus and then will expand to all sensory modalities. The essential biological and biomedical importance of cilia biology and the growing nexus of cilia biology researchers at OUHSC makes us uniquely positioned to develop a multidisciplinary biomedical Center of Excellence. OCBRESB will consist of an Administrative Core led by Dr. Leonidas Tsiokas, Professor and Chair of the Department of Cell Biology with research expertise on cilia biology and ion channel signaling, four Research Projects exploring mechanisms of sensory signaling in diseases affecting vision (Bennett), neurodevelopment (Craft Van de Weghe), neuronal function (Zhang), and neuropsychiatric disorders (Paterno), and two Research Cores, which will provide state-of the art support in super-resolution imaging and cell and genetic engineering. Strategically, the OCBRESB integrates perfectly well with OUHSC’s ongoing research on obesity/diabetes, vision, cancer biology; builds on the strength of Geroscience/Healthy Brain Aging; and functions as the springboard for new research activities in Neuroscience. Critically, it supports cutting-edge infrastructure needed for basic science research, traditionally the engine for discovery at OUHSC, to excel and achieve our short- and long- term strategic goals. Finally, it is essential for the development of the next generation of independent, NIH-funded talented investigators who will become leaders in an emerging area of highly relevant biomedical research. Completion of the OCBRESB will have a significant impact in enhancing biomedical research in the state of Oklahoma.