Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine (KIPM)

CBM2 Grant

Profs. Andrew Godwin, Alan Yu, and Steven Soper were awarded an NIH grant to enhance the institution's biomedical infrastructure, supporting a Biomedical Engineering Core using microfluidics for precision medicine decisions.
Profs. Andrew Godwin, and Steven Soper posing together holding microchips in a lab

NIH Grant and Core Laboratories

  • Profs. Andrew Godwin (PI), Alan Yu (CO-I), and Steven Soper (CO-I) were recently awarded a prestigious grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) program. The grant aims to strengthen the institution's biomedical research infrastructure through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach.

  • The COBRE program focuses on two key initiatives to enhance the institution's research capabilities. Firstly, it involves the establishment of Core Laboratories with unique and advanced capabilities, facilitating cutting-edge research. Secondly, the program emphasizes mentoring young researchers, providing them with guidance and support to become competitive for independent research grants from the NIH and other agencies.

Biomedical Engineering Core and Precision Medicine

  • Among the evolving Core Laboratories under the KIPM COBRE, one stands out—the Biomedical Engineering Core. This core will leverage microfluidics technology to isolate liquid biopsy markers, including rare circulating cells, extracellular vesicles, and cell-free molecules. The technologies developed by CBM2 will be instrumental in this process.

  • The Biomedical Engineering Core's work is critical in facilitating the extraction of liquid biopsy markers from clinical samples. This material will be used for molecular profiling of various disease states, enabling precision medicine decisions on patient treatment strategies.

  • The awarded grant is in its Phase I and provides essential support for five years, with the possibility of two renewals. This funding will pave the way for groundbreaking research and advancements in precision medicine, significantly impacting patient care and medical knowledge.