# Expanding Excellence in Developmental Biology in Oklahoma

> **NIH NIH P30** · OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION · 2024 · $1,050,754

## Abstract

ABSTRACT OVERALL
Developmental Biology research is fundamental to progress in determining the molecular basis of many
diseases, as well as for the rapidly emerging field of regenerative medicine. During COBRE Phases I and II,
we welcomed 12 new investigators, many of whom use model organisms (planarians, Drosophila, zebrafish,
and C. elegans) whose genomes can be efficiently manipulated to understand fundamental physiological
processes that are conserved among species. In some cases, functional genomic approaches were used to
model human mutations to understand the basis of devastating inherited diseases. All our Project Leads were
rigorously trained in Developmental Biology, published in top tier journals, and showed exceptional promise.
Their appointments were deliberately divided among four of OMRF’s Research Programs (equivalent to
academic departments) to encourage cross-fertilization and attract established investigators to the field. We
now have a critical mass of Developmental Biologists that includes COBRE-supported investigators as well as
more established faculty.
 During Phases I and II we also established and expanded Cores that provide essential services to
Developmental Biologists: an Imaging Core and a Bioinformatics and Pathways Core. Our goals in Phase III
are to consolidate the progress we have made in Phases I and II by welcoming new Developmental Biologists
into our community through the support of Pilot Projects and to expand the services offered by our Cores, while
at the same time positioning them for sustainability when COBRE funding ends. We will accomplish our goals
through the following Specific Aims.
Aim 1. To expand the breadth of our research program in Developmental Biology through the choice of Pilot
Project Investigators with outstanding potential to become leaders in their fields. Aim 2. To mentor the Pilot
Project Investigators using a combination of senior scientists and recently graduated COBRE Project Leads
within existing OMRF and University of Oklahoma faculty. Aim 3. To form an External Advisory Committee of
internationally recognized Developmental Biologists to evaluate the progress of, and offer advice to, the Pilot
Project Investigators and Core Directors. Aim 4. To expand the capabilities of the Core facilities so they are
well-positioned to support the research of both current and future Developmental Biologists (including current
Pilot Project Investigators) and lay the groundwork for sustainable operation after COBRE funding ends. Aim
5. To promote scientific interactions among the Pilot Project Investigators and former Project Leads to create
an environment conducive to investigator retention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11047349
- **Project number:** 3P30GM149376-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Linda F Thompson
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,050,754
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2023-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11047349

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11047349, Expanding Excellence in Developmental Biology in Oklahoma (3P30GM149376-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11047349. Licensed CC0.

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