Biomechanisms and Research Model (BRM) Sub-Core

The mission of Biomechanisms and Research Model (BRM) Core is to support ongoing research projects and pilot projects focused on basic biomedical research. The core provides in-kind access to the major equipment listed below, which is open to all NCCU investigators as well as investigators from external institutions and industry.

The leaders for the BRM Core are Qing Cheng, M.D., Ph.D., and Somnath Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D.

The BRM Core provides the following:

• Comprehensive individual training and access to high-end light microscopes
• Assistance with experimental and assay design
• Assistance/consultation regarding the purchase of microscopes and related equipment
• The Animal Research Complex

• Dr. Kevin Williams and Dr. Xiaohe Yang (RCMI project 1), project title: "Immune Microenvironments and Hepatocyte Growth Factor Signaling Interactions in Breast Cancer Disparities."
• Dr. Zainab Afzal (RCMI new investigator), project title: "How PFAS Disrupts Developmental Gene Expression Patterns: Insights from Single-Cell Observations."
• Dr. Nicole Velmeshev (RCMI new investigator), project title: "Breast Tumor Microenvironment Chemokine Receptor Profiles in Black and White Populations."
• Dr. Alex Marshall: project title: “Binge-like Ethanol Consumption Effects on the Neurobiology and Behavior in a Rodent Model.”
• Dr. Jiahua Xie and Dr. Qing Cheng, project title: "The Roles of GTPCH and DHFR in the Onset and Progression of Huntington's Disease."
• Dr. Omar Christian and Dr. Somnath Mukhopadhyay, project title: “Antihypertensive & Anti-inflammatory Metabolites from Native North Carolina Hypericum Species."
• Dr. Darlene Taylor and Dr. Somnath Mukhopadhyay, project title: “To Develop and Functional Characterization of Self-Protecting Biomimetic Nanozyme for Selective and Synergistic Clearance of Peripheral Amyloid-β."

• Upgrade the rodent behavioral core capacity through the acquisition of IntelliCage Systems. Dr. Mukhopadhyay has recently received an Impact Innovation Grant (IIG) from NC Biotechnology Center to procure IntelliCage Systems.
• Currently, six NCCU investigators from four different departments/units with specific projects have enlisted to use this Intellicage system in their research as follows: Dr. Alex Marshall (Biological and Biomedical Sciences); Dr. Vijay Sivaraman (Biological and Biomedical Sciences); Dr. Robert Onyenwoke (Biological and Biomedical Sciences); Dr. Dayami Lopez (Pharmaceutical Sciences); Dr. Qing Cheng (JLC-BBRI); and Dr. Somnath Mukhopadhyay (BBRI and Chemistry -Biochemistry).