Major NIH Center of Excellence Grant Awarded for Host-Microbe Systems Biology
The University of Oregon has been awarded a prestigious NIH Center of Excellence in Systems Biology grant to study host-microbe interactions in zebrafish and stickleback!
This multi-million dollar award establishes Oregon as a national leader in microbiome research, with the Cresko Lab playing a key role in understanding how host genetics shapes microbial communities using threespine stickleback as a model system.
Center Overview
The new center will: - Study host-microbe systems - Integrate multiple disciplines - Use zebrafish and stickleback - Develop new technologies - Train next generation scientists
Cresko Lab Role
Our contribution focuses on: - Stickleback microbiome variation - Host genetic influences - Population comparisons - Environmental effects - Evolutionary perspectives
Collaborative Team
The center brings together: - Multiple UO departments - Biology and computer science - Molecular biology experts - Microbiome specialists - Systems biology leaders
Research Goals
Key objectives include: - Understanding microbiome assembly - Host-microbe coevolution - Immune system interactions - Environmental influences - Disease relationships
Stickleback Advantages
Our model offers: - Natural population variation - Defined genetics - Environmental gradients - Evolutionary replication - Experimental tractability
Technology Development
The center will create: - New analytical methods - Computational pipelines - Imaging technologies - Sequencing approaches - Database resources
Training Program
Students will receive: - Interdisciplinary training - Systems biology approaches - Computational skills - Experimental techniques - Professional development
Infrastructure Investment
Funding supports: - Core facilities - Equipment purchases - Personnel hiring - Computing resources - Collaborative spaces
Scientific Impact
Expected advances in: - Microbiome understanding - Host-microbe interactions - Systems biology methods - Evolutionary insights - Disease mechanisms
Regional Excellence
This award confirms: - Oregon research leadership - Regional scientific strength - Competitive excellence - Innovation capacity - Collaborative culture
Long-term Vision
The center aims to: - Transform field understanding - Develop new therapeutics - Train future leaders - Build lasting infrastructure - Enable discoveries
Community Benefits
Local impacts include: - Job creation - Student opportunities - Economic development - Scientific visibility - Educational outreach
This transformative grant positions Oregon at the forefront of microbiome research!