West Virginia University Stroke COBRE

Abstract. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the US and the world, and a significant health burden in West Virginia (WV). Furthermore, stroke survivors often have persistent cognitive, affective, and sensorimotor deficits, which substantially compromise quality of life. Unfortunately, effective approaches for preventing and treating stroke remain an unmet need; continued investment in foundational research is needed to develop novel solutions for preventing and treating stroke. For these reasons, the West Virginia University (WVU) Stroke CoBRE focuses on promoting foundational research into risk factors for stroke, biological mechanisms underlying neuronal damage, novel therapeutics, and strategies to stimulate post-stroke recovery of cognitive and behavioral function. Phases I and II of the WVU Stroke CoBRE were highly successful in training 16 Research Project Leaders (RPLs); eleven “graduates” have secured independent research funding. The five remaining RPLs, holding appointments during the latter half of Phase II, have submitted 9 grant applications and are vigorously pursuing independent funding. The RPLs and the broader stroke research community have been supported by the Rodent Experimental Stroke and Surgery (RESS) Core and the Rodent Behavior Core (RBC), which eliminate the substantial barriers to conducting rigorous, state-of the-art in vivo stroke research. Both cores are highly productive; the RESS Core performs more than 3000 procedures/year, and the RBC is in use an average of ~7.2 h/day. Furthermore, the RESS Core and RBC work together to offer leading-edge 2 photon (2P) microscopy that allows monitoring and manipulation of individual neurons during a behavioral task, which is crucial for understanding how stroke alters the function of individual neurons and their networks to influence behavior. The services and expertise offered by the RESS Core and RBC are not otherwise available at WVU, or elsewhere in WV; a sustainable future for these scientific cores is crucial for serving stroke researchers in WV. This objective will be achieved through three Specific Aims: Aim 1 is to further expand the critical mass of investigators conducting stroke research through initiation of a Pilot Project Program (PPP) that catalyzes the scientific and professional development of aspiring stroke researchers, especially early-stage investigators (ESI) and new investigators (NI), through holistic mentoring. In addition, a voucher program will be used to offset the cost of core use by ESI, NI, and other unfunded faculty who need preliminary data to pursue grant applications. Aim 2 is to optimize and solidify the scientific cores, ensuring that they remain leading-edge and responsive to the evolving needs of the stroke research community. Aim 3 is to implement a fee-for-service business plan that will promote long-term sustainability of the RESS Core and the RBC. In summary, the overarching goal of the WVU Stroke CoBRE in Phase III will be to sustain the scientific momentum created by reaching a critical mass of foundational stroke researchers with the PPP, while enacting a shift to fee-for-service within the scientific cores, which will promote sustainability without compromising the excellence or innovative edge of the cores.