MISSISSIPPI CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN PERINATAL RESEARCH SUMMARY This proposal is to continue funding in Phase 2 to advance and sustain the Mississippi Center of Excellence in Perinatal Research (MS CEPR) COBRE at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). Perinatal research encompasses the study of disease states that have their etiology during gestation and early post-natal development that result in long term consequences in the mother and offspring across their lifespans. Studies during Phase 1 focused on the integrative relationships and health disparities among adverse pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and developmental programming of diseases in human and animal studies by 12 investigators (2 clinicians, 8 women, and 5 under-represented minorities), who secured > $4.6 million in federal funding (>$12 million total) and contributed 115 publications. The Center grew from 17 investigators to 51 in 5 basic science and 3 clinical departments. Development and support for the MS CEPR cores also allowed 160 additional local and extramural investigators to obtain 75 PHS/non-PHS grants. Our longterm goal is to develop an internationally recognized MS CEPR dedicated to improving the lives of women and their offspring, especially in Mississippi, through discovery, innovation, and translation to prevent and reduce death and disability from perinatally-induced diseases. The major goal of Phase 2 of this COBRE is to further advance the MS CEPR to provide infrastructure and capacity for a multidisciplinary, diverse group of basic, clinical and population scientists working on the common synergistic theme of perinatal diseases and health disparities and to facilitate their collaborations. Continuing to support the MS CEPR will provide a diverse group of Research Project and Pilot Project investigators with outstanding mentors and the necessary research core services to accelerate acquisition of extramural funding and provide career development programs to develop the junior investigators into highly productive, independent investigators, and the senior investigators who are changing research direction to conduct synergistic research on the common theme of perinatal research and developmental programming of disease that is so important for our population in Mississippi. The goals of the Center are achieved by providing a stimulating mentoring environment, strengthening research capacity and capabilities, increasing diversity of our researchers and study populations, and enhancing the research infrastructure at UMMC.