The Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is a statewide network of collaborative partnerships to expand biomedical research capacity in Arkansas. The Arkansas INBRE builds upon infrastructure developed during the BRIN Phase, and features the three research-intensive institutions in the state - the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS); the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UAF); and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) -which provide scientific leadership.

Thirteen investigators from seven partner institutions, Arkansas State University, Hendrix College, Ouachita Baptist University the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the University of Central Arkansas, with their mentors from the lead institutions (UAMS, UAF, & UALR), will conduct research within the overall theme of Cellular Signaling, Growth, and Differentiation.

The Administrative Core, directed by Drs. Lawrence Cornett and Helen Beneš, coordinates all Arkansas INBRE activities. The Arkansas INBRE will continue its commitment started in the BRIN Phase to expand opportunities for underrepresented groups. The UAMS Center for Diversity Affairs will assist the Administrative Core in identifying promising minority faculty and students, and will offer courses to minority undergraduate students to improve their performance on standardized entrance examinations for graduate and professional schools.

Communication among INBRE participants is facilitated by inSORS® Access Grid Studios and Executive Stations linked through Internet2 to facilitate group-to-group interactions among researchers.

The Bioinformatics Core, a major component of the Arkansas INBRE, led by Drs. Liz Pierce, of UALR and Tom Kieber-Emmons of UAMS, will continue to be a statewide research and educational resource to give undergraduate faculty and students access to the computational tools needed for multidisciplinary biomedical research.

The Arkansas INBRE also supports a Science Research Core, directed by Dr. Helen Beneš, which consists of a DNA Damage & Toxicology Facility led by Dr. Alexei Basnakian, Proteomics Facility led by Dr. Alan Tackett, and a Digital Microscopy Facility led by Dr. Brian Storrie. These facilities provide investigators access to sophisticated instrumentation and workshops in experimental design and use.

The Outreach Core, directed by Dr. Roger Koeppe, II, of UAF, will provide mentored summer research opportunities to additional undergraduate faculty and students throughout the state. Additionally an annual statewide conference will be held at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville that will be open to all science faculty and students.

Through further enhancement of research infrastructure, particularly at undergraduate institutions, the Arkansas INBRE will improve the ability of academic researchers to compete for federal funding, increase the number of undergraduate students who choose careers in biomedical research, and stimulate the growth of biotechnical industries in Arkansas.

BRIN Summary