# Phase II COBRE in Mesenchymal and Neural Regulation of Metabolic Networks - Equipment

> **NIH NIH P20** · MAINEHEALTH · 2024 · $42,765

## Abstract

Overall Program (L. Liaw PD/PI)
MaineHealth Institute for Research initiated a Phase I COBRE in Mesenchymal and Neural Regulation of
Metabolic Networks (COBRE in Metabolic Networks) in 2017, directed by Lucy Liaw PhD, Faculty Scientist and
Professor at MaineHealth. Our Center in Phase I developed a critical mass of investigators with biomedical
research interests in metabolic health and disease, focusing on adipose tissue, bone and skeletal biology, and
environmental, neural, and pharmacological inputs that regulate these tissues. Our COBRE also supported
three scientific core facilities – Physiology, Histopathology, and Proteomics and Lipidomics cores. These
scientific core facilities provide outstanding services, and have responsibility for maintaining state-of-the-art
technologies in their respective areas by updating technology, equipment, and maintaining current knowledge.
In addition, scientific core facilities are responsible for the training of staff, and assisting in experimental design,
project implementation and data analysis. We established a robust mentoring network for our junior
investigators, and engaged an external advisory committee to evaluate projects, cores, and our overall Center.
Our investment in Phase I COBRE projects and pilot projects thus far has directly yielded six NIH R01 awards
(including funding of the original four junior investigator project leads) with seven COBRE members, one NSF
CAREER award, one NIH S10 instrumentation grant, and one foundation research grant. Two COBRE
members also mentor PhD students who were awarded NIH F31 fellowships during this time. In year four of
Phase I, we held a national faculty recruitment that yielded two outstanding new junior investigators who joined
our COBRE; one in August 2021 (Matt Lynes PhD), and one in August 2022 (Ziru Li PhD). In addition to Drs.
Lynes and Li, Phase II includes support for a third new junior investigator project lead, Dr. Isha Agarwal. These
new project leads bring expertise in thermogenic adipocytes, a gut-bone signaling axis, and impact of night
shift work on diabetes risk in pregnant women. Our Phase II program will build upon our successful leadership,
mentorship and professional development model. We will focus on expanding our portfolio of research and
scientific resources under the guidance of an Advisory Committee. Goals for Phase II of this COBRE in
Metabolic Networks are: 1) Provide leadership to evolve a robust Center infrastructure including administrative,
fiscal and scientific management to support growth of collaborative research and resources in metabolic health
and disease, 2) Support career advancement for COBRE investigators and alumni, 3) Maintain high quality
shared scientific resources, and 4) Build a diverse research community that is guided by principles of diversity,
inclusion, and equity. Successful achievement of these goals will support professional development of
promising junior investigators while expanding the use of we...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11036742
- **Project number:** 3P20GM121301-07S1
- **Recipient organization:** MAINEHEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Lucy Liaw
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $42,765
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11036742

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11036742, Phase II COBRE in Mesenchymal and Neural Regulation of Metabolic Networks - Equipment (3P20GM121301-07S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11036742. Licensed CC0.

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