# Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA · 2020 · $2,119,136

## Abstract

The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics at the University of
Montana (CBSD COBRE) supports research that applies the methods and concepts of biophysics, structural
biology and chemistry to understand the mechanistic basis of biological processes in health and disease.
CBSD faculty members are drawn from the basic and biomedical sciences in the Colleges of Humanities and
Sciences and the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences. Disciplines represented by Center
faculty include cellular biology, pharmacology, neurobiology, biochemistry, synthetic chemistry and
computational research in chemistry and biology. The first aim of the Phase II CBSD COBRE program is to
support and mentor CBSD Investigators by: a) supporting four Junior Project Investigators who will conduct
research in the general theme of small molecules that regulate or mimic protein receptors and enzymes; b)
conducting an effective and robust mentoring program to guide Junior Investigators along the path towards
academic success and independent funding; c) identifying and supporting strong replacement projects within
the CBSD research theme, inviting both established investigators and collaborative projects to strengthen the
research cohesion of the Center; and d) maintaining a Pilot Project and Bridge-funding Program to encourage
innovative explorative research and sustain productive Investigators while they pursue independent funding.
Aim 2 of the proposal is to carry on the work of Phase I to build a strong cohort of CBSD investigators though
strategic faculty recruitment, supported by Career Development Awards, emphasizing the structure and
dynamics of macromolecular assemblies in biological processes. Aim 3 advances the Core Facility structure of
the CBSD by: a) maintaining a strong Administrative Core that provides effective leadership, oversight and
financial management of the Center; b) developing additional capability in the Macromolecular X-ray Diffraction
Core Facility to conduct protein expression and purification, as well as small molecule X-ray crystallography; c)
developing advanced capabilities in the BioSpectroscopy Core Research Laboratory in time-resolved
fluorescence spectroscopy, including single molecule analysis, and d) consolidating an integrated collaborative
facility for protein modeling and molecular and dynamics in the Molecular Computation Core Facility. Aim 4 of
the application is to conduct an array of programmatic activities to promote program cohesion and scientific
excellence. An important overall goal of this proposal is to foster a self-sustainable Center by mentoring and
supporting a community of outstanding junior and established investigators, and by adopting multiple funding
streams to ensure sustainable Core Research Facilities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10004060
- **Project number:** 5P20GM103546-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
- **Principal Investigator:** BRUCE E BOWLER
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,119,136
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-09-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10004060

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10004060, Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics (5P20GM103546-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10004060. Licensed CC0.

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