The University of Nebraska Medical Center learned today that it has
been awarded a five-year grant totaling more than $10.6 million from the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study genes in neurosensory systems.
The grant the largest ever received by UNMC was funded through the
Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE) program, which is supported
by the NIH.
We are tremendously pleased that we have been awarded this grant,
UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. said. The grant went through an
extremely competitive process by the National Institutes of Health and
was selected because of its promise to humanity. I could not be more pleased.
Through the grant support, UNMC will form a research center to study
the relationships between neurosensory conditions and specific genes or
gene pathways, including disorders of vision and hearing, as well as touch
and balance.
Shelley Smith, Ph.D, director of the UNMC Center for Molecular Genetics,
is the principal investigator for the grant and will direct the Nebraska
Center for Molecular Biology of Neurosensory Systems.
Dr. Smith said the COBRE grant for the Nebraska Center for Molecular
Biology of Neurosensory Systems will involve four research projects at
three different institutions UNMC, Creighton University and Boys Town
National Research Hospital. Three core facilities all established through
the Center for Human Molecular Genetics at UNMC are part of the COBRE
grant, as well, Dr. Smith said.
In one research project, a team of UNMC researchers will study the genes
in the auditory system that respond to alcohol exposure in fetal alcohol
syndrome. Other studies will involve the effect of growth factors on the
development of nerve connections to the skin, genetic factors that protect
against viral infections of the nervous system, and the development and
maintenance of balance in aging adults.
Because of the size of this grant, the proposal underwent enormous
review, said Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D, vice chancellor for research at
UNMC. These (CoBRE) grants are highly competitive because theyre so big
and because theyre extraordinarily valuable to the state.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel said the award reflects the confidence placed
in UNMC by the NIH.
Todays announcement is testament to the world-class work that is taking
place at UNMC, Hagel said. Nebraskans and this country greatly benefit
from UNMCs cutting-edge work.
U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson said it is no surprise that UNMC is recognized
as a preeminent institution by its peers.
NIH has recognized the cutting-edge work, the superiority of facilities
and the leading minds at UNMC by awarding this important biomedical research
grant, Nelson said. UNMC’s work in this field will bring about advancements
in health technology, treatment options and new perspectives in addressing
medical challenges.
Congressman Lee Terry, who represents the Second District, in which
UNMCs main campus resides, said the grant announcement is tremendous news
for UNMC and all of Nebraska.
We can be proud that UNMC has again been recognized for its ground-breaking
research, which provides real returns to every resident of our state,
Terry said. The fact that other local institutions — such as Creighton
University and Boys Town National Research Hospital — will take part in
the research spurred by this grant is proof of the significant medical
expertise in Nebraska.
The four research projects are all led by junior scientists. The intent
of the COBRE program is that the junior scientists would use the funding
for two to three years, after which they would make a case for independent
NIH funding. At that time, additional researchers would use the COBRE funds
to begin their own projects. By the end of the five-year COBRE grant, those
projects should compete for their own funding, as well.
We hope to end up with a core of good scientists who can get competitive
funding and keep the center going, Dr. Smith said.
Ultimately, she said, patients who suffer from the illnesses and diseases
being studied will benefit.
If we can get at the genetic issues, well understand the clinical
conditions better and be able to get at them, Dr. Smith said. Better
clinical treatments will come about because of this work.