COBRE Cores
Administrative Core
PI: Joe Lutkenhaus, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor, Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center.
The administrative office of the COBRE is housed in the central administration office complex of the Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology. Two work stations have been established for the accountant and the secretary, respectively, and will be situated in a 200 sq. ft. office. Each is computer-networked with investigators on the three campuses. All information related to the COBRE program is kept on file in this office. Functions 1)Conduct bi-monthly review of research programs of junior faculty on the three campuses. 2)Identify projects of individuals that have potential for COBRE support and provide guidance for the direction in which the research program should be pointed so as to increase its competitiveness or receiving COBRE support. 3)Provide oversight of selection of new faculty for COBRE support. 4)Insurance that COBRE funds are spent appropriately. 5)Chair annual review of progress of supported members. 6)Provide input to the IAC on the decision for termination of COBRE support of a particular candidate following his/her success in acquiring independent NIH funding. 7)Chair monthly seminar and/or Data-presentation sessions of supported faculty. 8) Chair an annual symposium at which COBRE members will make formal presentations to an audience comprised of the Outside Advisors, members of the IAC, and mentors.
Core Director: Thomas Yankee, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center
The KUMC flow cytometry core houses the Becton Dickinson Aria and the LSRII in the Department of Microbiology. Single cells are carried past 3 lasers in a fluid stream, fluorescence is measured via photomultiplier tubes which are placed inline with appropriate filters. Assistance is required with initial experiments to determine appropriate settings for data collection and interpretation as cells types vary in size, surface markers vary in density and therefore intensity, and investigators can select the combination of fluorochromes used; investigators will be able to work semi-independently in later appointments. Flow cytometry is especially powerful in that observations which can be made by microscopy will be made at an accelerated rate, in a quantitative manner, and on a single cell basis. Hundreds of corollary data points are collected to indicate cell size, granularity, and viability; when fluorescent dyes are added, activation of a cell can be measured by calcium flux or signal transduction by protein phosphorylation. Dyes can be used to quantitate proliferation or cell death, without radioactivity. Cells from mixed culture or tissue with specific properties can be separated and collected for additional study. A series of short topic based lectures is planned to introduce flow cytometry, flow applications, and software for data analysis.
Writing Core
Core Director: Martha Montello, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of History and Philosophy of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center
Writing Development Seminars
4 teaching workshops, 2 hours each, will be offered to the faculty in the COBRE training program for each year of the grant. The workshops will emphasize the basic principles and methods of clear and effective professional and academic writing, focusing on strategies necessary for publishing articles and writing grants. The workshops have been developed from Professor Montello's training at the University of Chicago's program for Academic and Professional Writing and honed through her two years of previous teaching with the K-30 Clinical Scholars Program.
Individual editing services
Two hours of manuscript editing and individual consultation services scheduled with the Writing Consult Center will be offered for the faculty members working on the grant, up to a total of 25 hours. With advance notification and scheduling, editing of individual manuscripts will have a turnaround time of 48 hours.
This grant was made possible by NIH Grant Number P20 RR016443 from the COBRE program of the National Center for Research Resources.
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