Project Summary/Abstract -- Overall
The long-term goal of the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Matrix Biology is to
establish, enhance, and actively advance a multidisciplinary research center focusing on improving our
understanding of the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in development, health, and disease. Proposed
phase 3 plans will sustain the research capacity established during the previous phases by supporting
research core facilities and providing career development opportunities to investigators. Program
accomplishments in phases 1 and 2 include the establishment of a multidisciplinary cadre of investigators
working in matrix biology research, designing career development and mentoring programs, facilitating an
increase in research grant awards, and increasing the access to shared instrumentation within the COBRE
core facilities. Most importantly, a culture shift has occurred at Boise State from a primarily undergraduate
teaching university to a doctoral research institution. Phases 1 and 2 supported research projects from 21
investigators, eleven Research Project Leaders and ten additional Pilot Project Leaders that focused on the
ECM in breast cancer metastasis, ligament healing, liver fibrosis, cardiovascular health and disease, novel
biomaterials for tissue engineering, ECM targets for vaccine development, ECM in neuroinflammation,
mechanotransduction of forces from the ECM to the nucleus, skin cancer, and several others. As a result,
thirteen investigators were awarded R01-like funding. The COBRE program has positioned Idaho to make
significant contributions to solutions addressing national health concerns by advancing our understanding of
ECM and translating these findings into technologies and therapeutics. The center has built new laboratories
and established cores supporting proteomics and metabolomics, histology, microscopy, imaging, and
biostatistics/bioinformatics. COBRE investigators published 213 peer-reviewed manuscripts including
noteworthy articles in journals of high impact and 1,808 scientific presentations. Phase 3 is critically important
for us to continue our upward momentum toward our goals of research growth and sustainability. To achieve
this overarching goal, we will 1) solidify the collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment put in place
during the two previous phases, 2) administer a Pilot Projects Program that includes mentoring and training
opportunities, and 3) sustain and support the research cores that were developed during previous phases.
Upon successful completion of phase 3, we will have solidified the advances in research infrastructure that
supports investigators with shared priorities in understanding the role of the matrix in development and
disease. Shared core facilities will be sustainable and will support the needs of investigators. The research
infrastructure established during the three phases of the COBRE program will have a continued impact on
biomedical research at Boise State beyond phase 3.