# Infrastructure Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES · 2020 · $1,299,776

## Abstract

Project Summary – Research Infrastructure Core
External and internal trends currently are converging at the UPR Medical Sciences Campus (MSC) that will
shape the institutions' research portfolio for at least the next five years: 1) Scientists at the MSC perform studies
at the molecular level that require Genomics and Proteomics approaches. 2) These studies generate large
amounts of heterogeneous data, requiring the selection and application of Bioinformatics, Data Science, and
computational techniques. 3) Researchers at the MSC's Institute of Neurobiology rely on cutting-edge imaging
resources and specialized methods to learn about the structure and function of the nervous system. These tools
are increasingly applied to other research areas at the MSC. 4) The threat of emerging infections is evidenced
recently by the rise of Zika and Chikungunya in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
The proposed Research Infrastructure Core (RIC) addresses these evolving trends by integrating resources in
the areas of Genomics, Proteomics, Informatics, Neurogenetics, Bioimaging, and Infectious Diseases research
into one, transdisciplinary, infrastructure core. The goal of the RIC is to function synergistically to maximize the
quality and productivity of the research projects proposed in the Research Projects Core and in the pilot projects
that will be funded through the Investigator Development Core, as well as to link RCMI faculty and scholars with
other researchers at the institution. The RIC will also leverage other RCMI cores, including Administration, and
Community Engagement. This Core will accomplish the following specific aims: 1) to combine Bioinformatics,
Health Informatics and Operational Informatics resources into one Integrated Informatics Service; 2) to deliver
high-end services to support Genomics and Proteomics research; 3) to provide state-of-the-art Neurogenetics
and Bio-imaging services, and 4) to provide access to key resources for Tropical and Emerging Infectious
Diseases research. The RIC will be managed by a faculty Core Lead assisted by five faculty Service Leads with
relevant expertise. Technical staff will be responsible for daily operations. A central electronic ticket system, will
allow users to request any service, to track progress and completion of services, and to register use of shared
instrumentation. Another integrating element for the RIC is the charge-back system, which is managed centrally
by the RCMI Program Administrator. Internal and external collaborations have been secured to avoid duplication
of services. Instrumentation, hardware and most software required for the provision of these services is already
operational. Funds are requested mainly for technical staff salaries and faculty-level-expertise time. The synergy
among the RIC and its collaborating partners will facilitate basic and translational science research, stimulate
studies on health disparities, and contribute to the development of a diverse biome...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9956620
- **Project number:** 5U54MD007600-34
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Jose G. Conde
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,299,776
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-09-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9956620

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9956620, Infrastructure Core (5U54MD007600-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9956620. Licensed CC0.

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