# Center for Cellular Metabolism Research in Oklahoma

> **NIH NIH P20** · OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION · 2021 · $2,622,000

## Abstract

Altered cellular metabolism contributes to the pathogenesis of many common diseases, such as cardiovascular
disease, cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders, which are prevalent in Oklahoma. However, metabolism-
related research resources and infrastructure are currently insufficient and scattered in Oklahoma. To address
these deficiencies, this Center for Cellular Metabolism Research in Oklahoma (CMRO) Phase I COBRE will
create and nurture excellence in cellular metabolism in Oklahoma. The CMRO is located at the Oklahoma
Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), a leading biomedical research institute. The central focus of the CMRO
is to support five new Assistant Member-level faculty (equivalent to tenure-track Assistant Professor at a
Research University) as Project Leaders from three different OMRF Research Programs: Cardiovascular Biology
(CVB), Aging & Metabolism (AM), and Arthritis & Clinical Immunology (ACI). These new junior investigators are
the foundation for expansion and unification of cellular metabolism research. They will receive an appropriate
level and form of multidisciplinary mentoring from experienced and competitive scientists. The CMRO COBRE
aims to develop a critical mass of investigators who can secure external funding to support their research while
creating a new, exciting, multidisciplinary, and collaborative environment for sustained competitive research on
cellular metabolism in Oklahoma, which will be achieved through five Aims: 1) Support five promising young
Project Leaders to scientific independence through incorporation of cellular metabolism research in their labs; 2)
Promote novel multidisciplinary research focusing on cellular metabolism through mentoring the junior Project
Leaders from three different OMRF Research Programs; 3) Integrate existing and new resources through Core
facilities that support cellular metabolism research; 4) Promote an environment that supports the success and
development of an independent sustainable center. The COBRE support will be critical to create a new,
multidisciplinary and collaborative environment for sustained competitive research on cellular metabolism in
Oklahoma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10090975
- **Project number:** 1P20GM139763-01
- **Recipient organization:** OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Lijun Xia
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $2,622,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-02-05 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10090975

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10090975, Center for Cellular Metabolism Research in Oklahoma (1P20GM139763-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10090975. Licensed CC0.

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