# Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Pathogen Host Interactions

> **NIH NIH P20** · MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $2,140,849

## Abstract

Overall Abstract
The Phase I COBRE at Mississippi State University (MSU) has catalyzed a transformation in the biomedical
research enterprise, particularly in the research focus area of the COBRE, pathogen-host interactions. In the
CVM Basic Sciences Department, where most COBRE investigators worked, the research culture has
changed; 19 of 20 faculty members now have competitive extramural funding. Furthermore, the total NIH
funding amount at Mississippi State University has increased from about $1.4 million in 2012 (just before the
Phase I COBRE began) to about $5.4 million in 2016 (year 4 of the Phase I COBRE). Two of our Phase I
investigators have graduated to independent status, and all have obtained significant levels of competitive
extramural funding. In fact, these two independent Phase I investigators will serve on the Leadership Team in
Phase II, which will continue relationships between Phase I and Phase II investigators to build functional teams
that will be competitive for collaborative funding efforts. Continuing the transformation of biomedical research
at MSU to yield a self-sustaining high level research enterprise is the goal of the Phase II COBRE described in
this application. We have identified 5 excellent investigators (two of whom were hired during Phase I) to lead
research projects in the Phase II COBRE. The projects include sufficient commonality to allow synergy, and all
are novel and have the potential to open new avenues of investigation. For example, two projects focus on
vector borne diseases, three projects investigate the role of microbial metabolic adaptations in virulence, and
two projects involve Staphylococcus aureus. One of the most positive characteristics of our investigators is the
spontaneous development of collaborations between Phase I and Phase II investigators, which has occurred
even before the beginning of Phase II. Plans for Phase II take advantage of this by deliberately encouraging
continued interactions between Phase I and Phase II investigators both in mentoring and in research
collaboration. Each investigator in Phase II has identified a distinguished scientist who is a leader in his/her
field of study to serve as an external mentor. Internal mentors (from MSU) will serve as advisors in both
scientific areas and in grant writing. All members of the distinguished External Advisory Committee from
Phase I have agreed to serve in the same role in Phase II. With funds from Phase I, physical facilities and
research infrastructure have been substantially improved by purchase of major equipment, renovation of the
HVAC system of 4 labs, and addition of 6 Biological Safety Cabinets. The support of MSU for research in
pathogen-host interactions is also illustrated by the university’s substantial investment to acquire a BSL-3
modular lab (1200 square feet with 3 separate labs), which has been commissioned and should be operational
by the summer of 2018. A major user will be one of our COBRE Phase I investiga...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10470185
- **Project number:** 5P20GM103646-10
- **Recipient organization:** MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Bindu Nanduri
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $2,140,849
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-09-30 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10470185

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10470185, Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Pathogen Host Interactions (5P20GM103646-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10470185. Licensed CC0.

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