Project Summary - Overall This Phase II Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) proposal aims to sustain and enhance an interdisciplinary research Center within the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) focused on fundamental molecular and cellular signal transduction mechanisms within the cardiovascular system. Our COBRE is unique, as there are no existing centers or institutes with a focus on basic cardiovascular research within the State of Nevada. The unifying scientific theme of the COBRE is the discovery and characterization of novel molecular and cellular signaling mechanisms that regulate the cardiovascular system in health and disease. This research mission is significant because cardiovascular diseases remain the leading causes of death and disability in the US and much of the world. COBRE-sponsored research programs develop deep insight into the basic molecular and cellular signaling mechanisms that regulate cardiovascular function, thereby accelerating the rate of discovery of new treatments for common cardiovascular diseases and ultimately improving human health. The primary function of Phase II is to provide mentoring and support for the COBRE’s Research Project Leaders (RPLs), a group of three promising early-stage investigators, with the goal of developing them into fully established research scientists funded by independent Research Program Grants (RPGs), such as an NIH R01 or equivalent. The COBRE will continue to improve the research infrastructure at UNR by maintaining and enhancing two research cores—the Transgenic Animal Genotyping and Phenotyping Core (Core B) and the High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Imaging Core (Core C)—to serve the needs of the RPLs and the wider research community. Phase II of the COBRE will lay the groundwork for the long-term sustainability of the Center by increasing the number of RPG-supported investigators within cardiovascular theme at UNR and by promoting collaborations among these investigators to stimulate the development of new multi-PI R01s and Program Project Grants. Dr. Scott Earley, Professor of Pharmacology, is the Principal Investigator and COBRE Director. Dr. Earley is an accomplished investigator with an established track record of NIH funding and publication in high-quality journals. Additional scientific leadership will be provided by a group of outstanding established investigators with common interests in ion channels, localized Ca2+ signaling, intracellular signal transduction pathways, transgenic animal models, endothelial cell function, epigenetics, novel cell surface receptors, neuronal cardiovascular control, localized signaling domains, and excitation/contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle cells. Successful completion of the objectives of Phase II will maintain and enhance the Nevada COBRE in and Cellular Signal Transduction in the Cardiovascular System as a sustainable multidisciplinary Molecular research Center with a critical mass of investigators working within this thematic focus.

Project Narrative - Overall This Phase II Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) proposal aims to sustain and enhance a research center focused on molecular and cellular signal transduction in the cardiovascular system within the University of Nevada, Reno. The research mission of this Center is significant because cardiovascular diseases remain the leading causes of death and disability in the US and much of the world. The Center’s research is expected to reveal novel concepts that lead to new treatments for these conditions.