Immune-Based Interventions Against Infectious Disease - Impact of a Phase I Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Translational Infectious Diseases Immunology.

Rothman, Alan L; Friedman, Jennifer; Kurtis, Jonathan D

In 2011, faculty from the University of Rhode Island (URI)'s Institute for Immunology and Informatics and Lifespan's Center for International Health Research collaborated to develop a successful application for a Phase I Center of Biomedical Research Excellence around the scientific theme of translational infectious diseases immunology. From 2013 to 2020, this COBRE supported significant discoveries in research on dengue, HIV, and malaria, among other diseases, and facilitated the career development of several independent Rhode Island (RI)-based early-stage investigators. Our experience illustrates both the potential and challenges for investigators with shared scientific interests to leverage the NIH COBRE program to enhance cross-institutional interactions.