The Research Resources and Training Core oversees undergraduate research training and the mentoring of undergraduate students from the partner and outreach undergraduate institutions in two highly successful programs – intensive research Short Courses and mentored Undergraduate Research Fellowships.
The Core administers research training programs for students and faculty in coordination with managing several unique support programs to facilitate state-wide sharing of instrumentation and Core services, and coordinates communication among scientific core directors in Maine to share best core management practices. The Core provides access to essential core facilities and research resources, including equipment and technical expertise, for researchers within the ME-INBRE network and other IDeA programs in Maine and the northeast Region. The Core also facilitates access to research resources among IDeA programs in the Northeast Region.
DNA Sequencing, Gene Expression Analysis, Biological Imaging, and Animal Support Services, as well as high-level training in each of these areas is provided by the Core for faculty and student researchers.
Student Training
A variety of student training programs are administered by the Core.
Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium (MBMSS)
The MBMSS is an annual two-day conference that brings together researchers from across the state of Maine to present research and attend talks and presentations from ME-INBRE faculty and students.
Shared Core Facilities and Services
Maine INBRE scientists, faculty, and students are allowed access to Shared Core Facilities and Services at INBRE and COBRE partner institutions in Maine through a collaborative agreement. The lead institution, MDI Biological Laboratory, shares its Cores—Animal Resources, Imaging, DNA Sequencing, and Instrumentation—while other institutions offer similar or even expanded scientific services:
- Bates College
- Maine Medical Research Institute
- The Jackson Laboratory
- The University of Maine
- University of New England
Shared Core Facilities and Services offers details and specific contact information for each institution/facility.
Regional Core Facilities Database (Vermont INBRE) lists core facilities and equipment available in Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Delaware. If there are services you need for your research which are not available in Maine, it is a good resource for finding these options nearby.
Small Grants Program
This program provides small grant awards to faculty from many Maine institutions to utilize core facilities across the Northeast IDeA Region to assist in their biomedical research. Faculty from Maine IDeA institutions (those with INBRE or COBRE programs); independent, non-profit research institutions; or public and private undergraduate institutions are eligible to apply for funding. Note: Scientists who are directly funded by a COBRE grant may not receive funding under this program. The program requires written justification for each project through a formal annual application process and matches research requirements with appropriate research cores across the region. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; procedures and an application form are available in the RRC Grants Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Instrument Exchange Program
The Maine INBRE Instrument Exchange Program allows Maine INBRE and COBRE institutions to donate or request equipment or instrumentation.
Shared Seminars and Training Events
Maine INBRE and COBRE institutions share useful seminars, presentations, workshops, and other training programs among the Maine IDeA network. These events are made available in person and/or by remote access. Events are shared remotely by video streaming (real-time viewing via the web) and video archiving (viewing the event up to two weeks after its conclusion).