COBRE for Restoration of Neural-Based Function

OVERALL – PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT The COBRE in Stroke Recovery has been tremendously successful – effectively establishing the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) as an international leader in stroke rehabilitation research, with outstanding researchers and core resources. Our Phase 3 strategy is to remain leaders in stroke recovery while widening our scope to fully support research into the restoration of neural-based function in all populations – building upon the diverse and multidisciplined user base built over the first two phases – effectively becoming the COBRE for Restoration of Neural-Based Function. The COBRE will foster continued innovation; technology development; and diverse and multidisciplinary faculty recruitment, career development, and retention. Further, we propose to fully align our COBRE investigators and core infrastructure with three synergistic MUSC strategic research initiatives. Our Specific Aims are to: 1) Optimize successfully established stroke recovery research programs and restoration of neural-based function infrastructure built in prior COBRE phases; and 2) Implement strategies to advance MUSC research excellence in the restoration of neural-based function beyond COBRE funding. First, we will streamline existing Phase 2 cores to better serve the needs of our investigators by refocusing on specialty services not available elsewhere, while transitioning those services which have become more widely available through other university research cores. Specifically, we will consolidate the specialty services of the Brain Stimulation and Neuroimaging Cores to become a more focused Neural Function Core supporting neuromodulation, neural recordings, and combined multimodal studies. Second, we will coalesce COBRE operations and human capital within a newly constructed research home. This will create a truly synergistic research environment for transdisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex restoration of neural-based function research in state-of-the-art laboratories. Next, we will leverage considerable, new university-wide faculty growth and diversity programs – in which COBRE faculty already have leadership roles – to accelerate cluster hiring, career development, and resource allocation for sustained COBRE growth and independent operations post NIH funding. Finally, we will support a robust pilot project program to drive novel mechanistic and technological innovations. MUSC will be leaders in ushering in the era of neural circuit-based medicine as we use our world- class resources to develop novel neuromodulation interventions for restoring neural-based functions across the spectrum of physical function, cognitive function, and psychiatric function for all of those in need.