# Microbiome Research Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS · 2020 · $178,857

## Abstract

Project Summary - Microbiome Core
Characterization of microbial communities and isolates is a key element necessary to achieve the scientific
objectives of the proposed Center in Transformative Research in Metabolism. The Microbiome Core will
provide a unique service dedicated to microbiome research and training. The goal of the Core is to support a
comprehensive pipeline for characterization of microbial communities and isolates, which when characterized
will generate testable hypotheses explaining host-microbiome symbiosis. We will achieve this goal by
accomplishing the following Specific Aims (SA). SA1. Provide and maintain state-of-the-art technologies and
procedures for a high throughput pipeline that characterizes microbial communities and isolates. SA2. Provide
expertise in microbiome research, from experimental design and sample collection to data analysis and
bioinformatics. SA3. Support and grow microbiome research and dissemination through expert consultation,
and by engaging in outreach events with COBRE investigators and the general public. The novelty of this
proposed core is to combine multiple modules that researchers can plug into at any point along the pipeline or
access the full pipeline to characterize either isolates or microbial communities. The Microbiome Core is an
essential component of the Research Projects supported by the Phase 1 center that focus on basic research
into microbe-host symbiosis in metabolism. The Core provides the expertise, equipment, and software required
for organismal, molecular, and bioinformatic analysis. Key equipment maintained by the Core includes a
microbial bioreactor that allows users to set up experimental conditions similar to host guts and perturb the
system to identify key microbial processes. An Illumina MiSeq and Nanopore MinION will provide the
sequencing power to analyze the molecular underpinnings. In collaboration with the INBRE Bioinformatics
Core, the Microbiome Core will provide expertise on bioinformatic algorithms needed for microbiome research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9978872
- **Project number:** 5P20GM130443-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
- **Principal Investigator:** Brandon Briggs
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $178,857
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9978872

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9978872, Microbiome Research Core (5P20GM130443-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9978872. Licensed CC0.

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