PROJECT SUMMARY – RESEARCH CAPACITY CORE (RCC) Convergent external and internal trends at the UPR Medical Sciences Campus (MSC) will shape the institutions’ research portfolio for the next five years: 1) Scientists at the MSC continue to perform studies at the molecular level that require Genomics and Proteomics approaches. 2) Researchers at the MSC’s Institute of Neurobiology rely on cutting-edge imaging resources and specialized methods to learn about the structure and function of the nervous system. 3) The threat of endemic and newly emerging infections is evidenced by the COVID 19 pandemic, HIV pandemic, dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and other pathogens in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and the world. 4) All these studies are generating large amounts of heterogeneous data that require the application of Bioinformatics, Health Informatics, Biomedical Data Science, and other computational techniques. The proposed Research Capacity Core (RCC) addresses these evolving trends by continuing integrating resources in Integrated Informatics Services (IIS), Genomics Service (GS), Proteomics Services (PS), Neurogenetics & Bio-imaging Services (NBS), and Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Services (TEIDRS) into one transdisciplinary capacity core. The goal of the RCC is to maximize the quality and productivity of the research projects proposed in the Research Projects Core and in the pilot projects that will be funded through the Investigator Development Core. This RCC will also promote collaboration between RCMI faculty and other researchers throughout the institution and leverage other RCMI cores, especially the Administration and Community Engagement cores. These objectives will be accomplished via the following specific aims: 1) assist researchers with integrated informatics solutions such as bioinformatics, health informatics and data science as they apply to biomedical research; 2) provide advice in experimental design, training and high-end services to support Genomics and Proteomics research; 3) provide state-of-the-art Neurogenetics and Bio-imaging services, and 4) provide access to key resources, services, advice in experimental design and training for research on Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases. The RCC will be managed by a faculty Core Director and a team of Facility Leaders with relevant expertise. Technical Specialist staff will be responsible for daily operations and laboratory technologies management. A central electronic ticket system will allow users to request any service, track progress, completion of services, and schedule use of shared instrumentation. The RCC will continue integrating the cost recovery, managed centrally by the RCMI Program Administrator. Internal and external collaborations have been secured to avoid duplication of services and resources. Instrumentation, hardware, and most software required for the provision of these services are already fully operational. The synergy among the RCC and its collaborating partners will facilitate basic and translational biomedical research, stimulate studies on health disparities, and contribute to the development of a diverse biomedical workforce at the MSC.

Project Narrative – Research Capacity Core See Overall Section, as per RFA MD-22-002 instructions.