Oklahoma Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunity

Overall Component Abstract The Oklahoma Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunity (OCMP&I) Phase 2 COBRE is a rapidly expanding center of excellence focused on supporting and mentoring the next generation of microbiologist and immunologists. In Phase 2 of this COBRE program, the OCMP&I supports four research project leaders and a pilot project program. Phase 2 research projects span disciplines that include parasitology, antimicrobial resistance, neuroimmunology, and inflammation. These projects add to the program’s growth in Phase 1, which included fostering early career investigators studying bacteriology, innate immunity, mycology, tuberculosis, microbiome, parasitology, bat immunity, and host-pathogen interactions. Growth in Phase 2 of this program will expand the network of well-trained, NIH-funded investigators leading research laboratories in 11 areas of study related to infectious diseases and immunology. The components of the OCMP&I Phase 2 COBRE include research projects, pilot projects, research core support, and an administrative core. The research core, Immunology and Informatics Core (IIC), will provide research project leaders with support in immune profiling and large data set analyses as part of the next iteration of research core support established in Phase 1. The IIC will also lead an annual course in bioinformatics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The administrative core will provide administrative support, facilitate an advisory committee, organize grant writing workshops, and oversee a pilot project program. Overall, the aims of this Phase 2 COBRE are: 1) Capitalize on the Phase 1 accomplishments and accelerate growth of the OCMP&I COBRE. 2) Provide administrative and research leadership to support the growth of the OCMP&I COBRE Program. 3) Select, support, and mentor outstanding Research Project Leaders. 4) Support critical research needs through strategic core support in program administration, immune profiling, and informatics. 5) Foster a culture of mentoring to support the professional development of Phase 2 project leaders.