Research Centers
Basic Research
Delaware Biotechnology Institute – The Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) is a partnership among
government, academia and industry to help establish the First State as a center of excellence in biotechnology
and the life sciences. The Institute mission is to facilitate a biotechnology network of people and facilities to
enhance existing academic and private-sector research, catalyze unique cross-disciplinary research and
education initiatives, and to foster the entrepreneurship that creates high-quality jobs.
Support: The DBI is supported by infrastructure grants from the State of Delaware and the University of
Delaware. The research is supported by grants from the NIH, NSF, USDA and DoE. Additional grant support
from foundations (Crystal Trust and Kresge Foundation) as well as corporate support (AstraZeneca, E.I.
DuPont and Hercules).
Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (CBCB) - an interdisciplinary, cross-campus and interinstitutional initiative for the Delaware research and education community, and is built on the Bioinformatics
core at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) and the bioinformatics infrastructure of the Protein
Information Resource (PIR) which provides scientists with comprehensive, high quality and freely accessible
resource of protein sequence and functional information. CBCB also provides “Omics” data integration for
functional profiling and pathway analysis of large scale gene expression and proteomic data. CBCB objectives
include: Fostering cutting-edge, interdisciplinary, cross-campus and inter-institutional research in
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology synergistic to UD strategic research areas, including Systems
Biology, Energy and Environmental Studies, and Translational Medicine.
Support: The CBCB is supported by a G08 infrastructure grant from the NIH ($720k), and the State of
Delaware. Research is supported by grants from the NIH and NSF.
Delaware IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) – Supports infrastructure development
across the Delaware statewide network of academic and clinical institutions to grow biomedical research
capacity for faculty and students in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular health and neurosciences. The INBRE
provides funds for pilot projects, acquisition of technology and access to core facilities. The INBRE is part of
the national, Network of IDA Funded Core Laboratories, offering access to core facilities and advanced
technology at all INBRE funded institutions in 26 states, across the U.S. This program has ongoing P20 grant
support from the NIH/IDeA program.
Support: The IDEA program has been supported by a P20 grant from the NIH for 15 years and has fostered
transition to R01 independent funding for scientists at the University of Delaware and Delaware State
University (an Historically Black University) ($18M). The INBRE is also supported by the State of Delaware
($3M). The INBRE supports pilot project funding, mentoring programs, core facilities and acquisition of
technology.
Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Molecular Design of Advanced Biomaterials – Focuses
on the design of biomaterials for regeneration of liver and vocal fold tissues, and for drug-lead identification
and payload delivery. The center has been supported by a P20 grant from the NIH.
Support: The CoBRE in Biomaterials has been supported by a P20 grant from the NIH for the past 10 years
($12M). It has supported the research of both junior and senior faculty members who transition to research
independence, as well as core facilities that promote the research interests of the center.
Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Membrane Protein Production and characterization –
Focuses on membrane protein production and characterization, supporting research project development and
core facilities that foster the study of membrane associated proteins. The center is supported by a P20 grant
from the NIH.
Support: The CoBRE in Membrane Protein Production and Characterization has been supported by a P20
grant from the NI for the past 10 years ($12M). It has supported the research of both junior and senior faculty
members who transition to research independence, as well as core facilities that promote the research
interests of the center.
Translational Research
Center for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR) – a collaboration between UD, Nemours/AIDHC, CCHS and
DBI, focused on building partnerships of clinicians, biologists, engineers, chemists and computer scientists to
develop a pipeline of translational cancer researchers and clinicians from the undergraduate through
postgraduate levels.
Support: The CTCR infrastructure is supported by funds from the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center. The
research projects are supported by grants from the NIH, as well as charitable foundations.
Delaware Cardiovascular Research Center (DCRC) - brings together over 50 researchers, physicians, and
educators from Delaware Health Science Alliance (DHSA) member institutions to focus on ways to prevent and
treat cardiac, vascular, and blood diseases. These investigators encompass more than 20 specialties: from
epidemiology and pharmacology to preventive cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. They tackle
cardiovascular problems through basic research, clinical investigation, diagnosis, treatment, and public
education. The Center provides a focal point for interdisciplinary research and training as well as state of the
art instrumentation and facilities.
Support: The DCRC does not have programmatic support (a CoBRE P20 grant is in preparation). The DCRC
research projects are supported by grants from the NIH, NSF and charitable foundations.
Center for Biomedical Engineering Research (CBER) - builds on a history of interactions between the
Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Physical Therapy, Biological Sciences, and Kinesiology and Applied
Physiology at UD and clinical facilities including CCHS, Nemours/AIDHC and the Rothman Institute of
Orthopedic Research at TJU to reduce the burden of musculoskeletal diseases. CBER is a principal contributor
to the TRIG in Experimental Therapeutics and Devices in the NCTM Unit.
Support: The CBER is supported by an NIH Biomedical Research Partnership award and many NIH R01
grants on the topics of stroke and musculoskeletal injuries.
Accel - Delaware Center for Translational Research (DE-CTR) – Supported by a P20 grant from the NIH, the
center is a collaboration between DHSA members Nemours/AIDCH; CCH; University of Delaware as well as
the Medical University of South Carolina as part of the IDEA program that fosters the ability of the institutions
to engage in clinical and translational research. The CTR develops the infrastructure to facilitate the growth
and development of clinical and translational research within the states of Delaware and South Carolina;
Facilitates the recruitment, training, and professional development of clinicians, scientists, and engineers that
will synergistically develop outstanding clinical and translational research programs; and develops model
community engagement outreach research programs that promote health and wellness to a diverse population
of Delawareans.
Support: The CTR has recently been awarded a programmatic U54 grant ($28M) from the NIH to support
translational research infrastructure and mentoring. Members of the CTR are supported by grants from the
NIH, NSF and charitable foundations.
Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) campus – conversion of a 272 acre industrial site into
the STAR campus will house the College of Health Sciences research programs from the Delaware
Rehabilitation Institute, physical therapy (ranked #2 in the nation), kinesiology; the STAR campus will also offer
a home base for the DHSA and provide space for medical students from TJU who will train in the 3rd and 4th
years.
Support: The STAR campus is being developed by funds from the University of Delaware and the State of
Delaware.
Clinical Research
Delaware Rehabilitation Institute (DRI) – devoted to the research, training and practice of physical
rehabilitation. It includes CTSA faculty in the areas of biological and health sciences, engineering, disability
studies and public policy. The Center is supported by a P20 COBRE grant for osteoarthritis research, from the
NIH.
Support: The DRI supported by a programmatic P20 CoBRE grant for 10 years ($12M) for ‘osteoarthritis:
prevention and treatment’. The research projects are strongly supported by grants from the NIH, NSF and
charitable foundations.
Bridging Advanced Developments for Exceptional Rehabilitation (BADER) Consortium – based at UD, is a
collaboration with the U.S. Army to develop orthopedic rehabilitation care that optimizes the ability of soldiers
with musculoskeletal injuries to return to a normal life through the development of assistive devices. BADER
works closely with the Center for Composite Materials to develop these assistive devices.
Support: The BADER consortium is supported by a large, multi-institutional programmatic grant ($19M) from
the Department of Defense. Members of the consortium have project grant funding from the NIH and
charitable foundations.
Population Research
Disaster Research Center (DRC) - collaborates with TJU’s Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness
(CBDP). The DRC is one of only two research centers in the US devoted to the study of disasters and
conducts field and survey research on group, organizational and community preparation for, response to, and
recovery from natural and technological disasters. Similarly, TJU’s CBDP trains health professionals in disaster
response. These linked centers are an unmatched resource for training in T3 community-based translation in
RETCD that advances the emerging national agenda in emergency preparedness
Support: No programmatic support grants. Collaborative research project support funded by the NIH, NSF,
NOAA.
Center for Applied Demographic Research - provide opinion research and statistical analysis in areas such as
health and transportation policy as well as general demographic analysis for state and local government and
the private sector. CADSR is affiliated with the University of Delaware's School of Urban Affairs and Public
Policy.
Support: No programmatic support grants. Collaborative research project support funded by the NIH, NSF,
State of Delaware and charitable foundations.
Center for Disabilities Studies - enhances the lives of individuals and families through education, prevention,
service, and research related to disabilities.
Support: The Center for Disabilities Studies was recently supported by a programmatic grant from the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) for $900,000 (2007-2012) to improve the health of people with disabilities through
state based public health programs. Project grant support comes from the CDC, state of Delaware and
charitable foundations.