UVM Center for Biomedical Shared Resources (CBSR) - Project Summary
The University of Vermont (UVM) is an Institution of Emerging Excellence that serves a highly rural region. It is
also the only research-intensive institution in the state of Vermont, an IDeA state. We propose to use NIH C06
funding to co-locate five of our leading laboratory-based, shared resource cores to create the Center for
Biomedical Shared Resources (CBSR), within the new Firestone Medical Research Building. Participating
cores include Integrative Genomics, the Vermont Genetics Network (VGN, INBRE), Flow Cytometry/Cell
Sorting, Microscopy Imaging, and Mass Spectrometry. The proposed CBSR will comprise 10,319 net square
feet (14,450 gross square feet), and will encompass the first floor of the new Firestone Medical Research
Building. The UVM Board of Trustees formally approved construction of the Firestone Medical Research
Building on January 31, 2020. Groundbreaking is slated for April 30, 2020 with a two-year completion timeline.
We are already making very significant investments to support our cores, but they remain in inflexible,
compartmentalized spaces scattered across campus. C06 funding for the CBSR provides a unique opportunity
to co-locate these cores in a centralized location on the Larner College of Medicine (LCOM) campus. Further,
the proposed modular design promotes dynamic, team-science research collaboration through shared write up,
computation, bench, equipment, and instrumentation rooms. Like many other institutions, we face the
challenge of long-term sustainability of our shared resource cores. This initiative will enhance long-term
sustainability through efficiencies of scale, improved access, sound fiscal management, cross training of
personnel, and sharing of resources. We will specifically use this opportunity to reduce duplication of services
among several cores. We will implement a pilot-tested and sustainable business model for the CBSR with a
shared business manager and common procedures for marketing, scheduling, billing, and service tracking.
While not part of our C06 funding request, our long-term plan is to also integrate our Bioinformatics Team and
Biomedical Statistics Core into CBSR administration and services. They will relocate to data science facilities
planned for the adjacent Given Building once the Firestone Building is completed. The CBSR will support
biomedical research programs and trainees at UVM, as well as advance regional and national collaborations.
Our cores provide services to institutions across northern New England, and support large, regional research
programs. The successful integration of our shared resource cores into a new facility will support continued
growth in biomedical research spanning our institution and region for years to come.