Center for Integrative Neuroscience

Project Summary Overall This proposal is to continue the development of a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Integrative Neuroscience at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Nationally, advances in the neurosciences are proceeding on many fronts and addressing fundamental questions in both basic and clinical science. The COBRE at UNR was established to synergize and elevate the capacity for neuroscience research at UNR and the state of Nevada, by 1) cross-fertilizing research units that had already developed teams of focused expertise in cognitive or cellular neuroscience or bioengineering; and 2) providing the modern infrastructure required to mount impactful research programs in the field. Phase I and II have supported 24 tenure-track junior faculty in both basic and clinical research. These mentored project leaders have achieved very high productivity in both peer-reviewed publications and NIH, NSF, and agency funding. Phases I and II also developed research cores with high impact and use, including establishing the first fMRI facility in the region. The resources provided through the cores have expanded far beyond the original aims, and have been mounted in ways that are highly cost-effective and sustainable. Phase III will further expand and solidify these successes, supporting four research cores for 1) Neuroimaging; 2) Computational Modeling and Analysis; 3) Cellular and Molecular Imaging; and 4) Virtual and Augmented Reality Interactions. The Computa