NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

In 2007 Nebraska EPSCoR received a three-year, $9 million Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) grant from the National Science Foundation to continue development of research and education infrastructure. Dr. F. Fred Choobineh, P.E., Director of Nebraska EPSCoR is the Project Director. The grant includes cooperation and collaboration among Creighton (CU), the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UN-L), and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).  

Grant funds support pursuit of deeper understanding of the global gene regulatory processes that define a species, its variegated cell types, and its inherent responses to environmental stimuli. Chromatin is a dynamic complex of DNA, RNA, and protein in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells. Fundamental questions regarding the role of chromatin in defining gene expression networks, and the direct modulation of these processes by cellular factors, represent key unknowns of complex biological systems. Nebraska possesses research strength in areas that, when effectively merged, provide important opportunities to enhance novel, large-scale systems biology research focused on chromatin function, structure, and targeted manipulation. This RII supports unification of biological sciences and engineering expertise under one umbrella, creating a strategic research niche and opportunities for major contributions to Epigenetics research (the study of heritable changes in gene functions not associated with changes in DNA sequence).

According to chromatin area coordinator Dr. Sally Mackenzie, research will improve understanding of “the cellular context in which genes are expressed. We understand how individual genes might influence particular features, such as eye color or predisposition to disease, but we don’t fully understand how suites of genes are coordinated to influence processes of development or an organism’s response to its environment. Understanding these complex genetic processes could help us, for example, to enhance a plant’s ability to adapt to environmental changes or to influence an animal’s aging process.”

Bioengineering area coordinator Dr. Joseph A. Turner said, “The project’s engineering aspects are focused on understanding the force-displacement behavior of plant cell walls to design a nanodevice that can insert short strings of RNA into a plant cell in a reliable manner. We need a clear understanding of the penetration process, the development of new methods of insertion via nanofiber manufacturing, and integration of the two for building functioning nanodevices."

This grant continues, broadens and strengthens science education and outreach as well as faculty development and economic development and technology transfer. For more information, see Programs. See also Teens Experience Collegiate Science, Research Opportunities for Minority Students, the Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Program, the competitive FIRST AWARD and Nebraska Engineering, Science, and Technology Internship Program (NESTIP).