Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)

Clarissa Henry, Ph.D.

Professor, School of Biology and Ecology

Director, Center of Biomedical Research Excellence:  Extracellular impacts on cellular behavior

UMaine Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)

The long-term goal of this Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) is to help grow the burgeoning biomedical research industry in Maine by positioning the University of Maine (UMaine) as a biomedical research and training hub that supports and recruits outstanding junior faculty while strengthening our unique statewide graduate program. This COBRE is focused on Regulation of Cellular Behavior in Response to Extracellular Cues.

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the part of the National Institute of Health (NIH), supports state-of-the-art biomedical research centers at institutions in IDeA states (an NIH program that strengthens research capacity in states that historically have had lower levels of NIH funding) states via three award phases, each lasting five years.

COBRE Phase 1 awards build capacity in an area of biomedical research through the establishment of a center of excellence that helps develop a critical mass of investigators who are able to compete effectively for independent research funding and improve infrastructure in the center’s research area.

COBRE Phase 2 awards strengthen successful COBRE Phase 1 centers through continued development of investigators to compete effectively for independent research, pilot project funding, and further improvements to research infrastructure at the institution.

COBRE Phase 3 awards provide support for maintaining research cores developed during Phases 1 and 2 to sustain a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment with pilot project programs, mentoring, and training components.

The UMaine COBRE is starting Phase 1 in 2023.