PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Overall Component Our Silvio O. Conte Digestive Diseases Research Core Center (DDC) was initially funded by the NIDDK in 2001 to promote and foster the advancement of science and research in digestive disorders through interactions among various research and training units at participating institutions in the Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston. The DDC remains as a consortium of three institutions: Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) at Houston, and MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). Our overarching theme has evolved to “molecular mechanisms and outcomes of infection, injury, or metabolic dysfunction of the digestive system”. From among our research base of 62 full members, 18 are focused on digestive disease research related to infection, 20 are focused on injury, 12 are focused on metabolism, and 13 are focused on two or all three of these areas. Our Research Base federal Digestive Disease funding is $36,455,578 in direct costs, with $11,295,864 of that from the NIDDK (31%). ≥487 published papers acknowledged the DDC, with 53% collaborative manuscripts between two or more members. DDC members are leaders across the TMC, including the Chair of the BCM Department of Medicine and Chiefs of Sections of Pediatric and Adult Gastroenterology and Hepatology at BCM and UTHSC, as well as principal investigators for both pediatric and adult NIH T32 research training fellowships at BCM. The overall goal of the DDC is to encourage, nurture, and promote DD research that is focused within our theme. The DDC seeks to achieve this goal through the following Aims: (1) To provide scientific and administrative leadership and institutional infrastructure to facilitate and stimulate multidisciplinary and collaborative DD-related research. (2) To provide DDC investigators with scientific core services that will enhance their research efficiency and productivity. (3) To develop DD research programs by supporting new investigators, pilot projects and career development. (4) To promote and disseminate new DD research findings to our DDC members and the larger scientific community, thereby providing the foundation to generate new research ideas and to educate, excite and entice new students, postdoctoral fellows and investigators to join the DD research community. This DDC includes four Biomedical Research Cores: the Tissue Analysis and Molecular Imaging Core, Functional Genomics and Microbiome Core, Gastrointestinal Experimental Models Systems Core and. the Study Design and Clinical Research Core. The DDC also includes a robust Pilot and Feasibility Program and a multi- component DDC Enrichment Program. Major changes in this application include: (1) Successful transition plans as evidenced by new and highly qualified DDC Co-director, Core Co-directors and P/F program Co-Directors; (2) Cellular & Molecular Morphology Core has been replaced by the Tissue Analysis and Molecular Imaging (TAMI) ...