# Research Infrastructure Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL PASO · 2022 · $25,334

## Abstract

ABSTRACT 
The BBRC Research Infrastructure Core (RIC) facility will continue to provide principal investigators, 
staff, and students access to state-of-the-art equipment to achieve the goals of their proposed 
research projects. The BBRC has established several core facilities over the past 25 years that 
provide essential support for the research of the majority of biomedical researchers across campus 
and the border region. In recent years, these well-established cores have expanded to include a wide 
array of assays and techniques including whole genome sequencing, transcriptome analysis, cell 
sorting, proteomics, high resolution imaging, in vivo animal imaging, and drug screening. While highly 
successful, these cores have been restructured under this proposal and consolidated into three units 
to increase efficiency and avoid duplication of effort. In the new BBRC RIC, a human tissue 
biorepository component has been added to the Cellular Characterization and Biorepository unit. The 
new biorepository function within the CCB will collect and store tissue samples primarily from Mexican 
origin Hispanic patients. This biorepository will provide a unique resource for local and other research 
teams across the county working on cancer-related health disparities research projects. The 
Biomolecule and Genomic Analysis cores have been merged to enhance their function, and renamed 
the Biomolecule Analysis and Omics unit. Research proposed in this application will rely heavily on 
both proteomics and genomics for the discovery of mutations in signaling molecules associated with 
the onset of Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma and other types of cancer. The Statistical Consulting 
Laboratory and the Bioinformatics Core were merged into the Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit as 
they frequently consult on the same research projects. The three units of the Core will be intimately 
involved in the research projects proposed in this application and will consult/work regularly with the 
lead investigators and their staff to ensure the successful completion of the proposed research. The 
RIC will continue to train and assist students and staff working on proposed BBRC projects and 
support all users, in a variety techniques. The RIC will further support health disparities research at 
UTEP and across all RCMI Institutions by working closely with the RTRN/RRCN. Resources within 
the Core will provide critical support to new and early career faculty investigators to enhance their 
research. Since the inception of the BBRC, research productivity in terms of publications and grants 
by faculty has steadily increased and we envision this will continue for years to come. The BBRC is 
well-poised to usher in a new period of research prosperity and productivity for biomedical, clinical 
and behavioral research and community engagement at this institution and other institution in the 
border region.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10588294
- **Project number:** 3U54MD007592-29S3
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL PASO
- **Principal Investigator:** RENATO J AGUILERA
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $25,334
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1998-06-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10588294

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10588294, Research Infrastructure Core (3U54MD007592-29S3). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10588294. Licensed CC0.

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