Nutrition and Metabolic Health Center (NMHC) COBRE - The University of Louisville (UofL) proposes the establishment of the Nutrition and Metabolic Health Center (NMHC) as a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) to address the pressing health challenges associated with malnutrition, poor diet, and metabolic dysfunction. These issues contribute significantly to the global burden of noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and liver disorders. Given the critical role of nutrition in regulating systemic metabolism, immune function, and overall organ health, the NMHC will serve as a transformative initiative to advance research and develop innovative solutions for disease prevention and treatment. The Center is particularly timely, as Kentucky ranks 41st in overall health and experiences some of the nation’s highest rates of chronic metabolic diseases. By leveraging UofL’s existing expertise and integrating with ongoing NIH-funded programs, the NMHC will enhance institutional research capacity, provide vital infrastructure, and create new opportunities for collaboration in metabolism and nutrition sciences. The NMHC will be supported by an exceptionally strong institutional commitment, including $7.9 million in funding and dedicated salary lines, making it the most highly supported COBRE initiative at UofL. The Center will be structured around an Administrative Core (Core A) and three specialized research cores: a Multi-Omics Technology Development Core (Core B); a Translational Metabolic Phenotyping and Nutrition Core (Core C), and a Data Management, Analysis, and AI Core (Core D). These cores will not only provide essential resources and expertise but also foster interdisciplinary collaboration to drive impactful scientific discoveries. The leadership team, led by Drs. Cave and Hill, brings extensive expertise in both basic and clinical sciences, spanning metabolism, nutrition, cardiovascular health, and liver disease. They will be supported by a distinguished group of mentors and promising earlycareer investigators, ensuring the Center’s long-term sustainability and success. The NMHC has three primary objectives: (1) to establish a Center of Excellence in nutrition and metabolic health research by expanding research capacity and fostering innovative studies across basic, translational, and clinical domains; (2) to support the development of early-career investigators by providing mentorship, research funding opportunities, and high-impact publication support, thereby cultivating future leaders in the field; and (3) to create sustainable core facilities that enhance the research capabilities of UofL scientists through advanced methodologies, training programs, and collaborative opportunities. By building expertise in nutrition and metabolism, the NMHC will accelerate scientific discoveries and contribute to improving health outcomes in Kentucky and beyond. Through its comprehensive approach, including recruitment of new investigators, development of cutting-edge research infrastructure, and promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration, Phase 1 of this COBRE will establish the NMHC as a nationally recognized leader in the fight against poor nutrition and metabolic disease.
