University of Kentucky researchers are fortunate to have myriad resources to support their work on campus. In addition to resources provided by the NRPA and identified here, extensive support can be found at the following:
Resources
CV-RPA Funding Opportunities
Finding Funding
Internal Funding
The Office for the Vice President for Research provides a regularly updated list of internal funding opportunities as the University. Because many external funding sources limit the number of applications coming from one institution, the VPR's office maintains an internal funding portal that hosts internal competitions to choose the most competitive applicant to put forward.
Internal Funding Opportunities Internal Funding Portal
External Funding
The university offers resources to make the funding search process easier. Pivot allows researchers to independently search for funding as well as potential collaborators. The Proposal Development Office can also assist in conducting a funding search on behalf of researchers.
Core Facilities and Laboratories
The Saha Cardiovascular Research Center
The Saha CVRC is housed on the second and third floor of the state-of-the-art Biomedical Biological Sciences Research Building (BBSRB) as well as the 5th floor of the Charles T. Wethington Building. In addition to these floors, which house core faculty, CVRC associate faculty are located in the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health.
In addition to the wide array of Core facilities that are available at the University of Kentucky that are described below, the Saha CVRC provides access to several Core facilities that are available to CV-RPA members. These include:
Microscope room B206C: We have a variety of light microscopes with objective lenses ranging from 2X-100X (oil) for basic histological and fluorescent viewing and imaging. There are 2 Nikon Eclipse E600 equipped with high-definition cameras and Nikon elements software for image capturing and analysis (key required). One Nikon Optiphot-2 equipped with a monochrome camera, and 1 Olympus IX70 that can be used for viewing only (no camera attached). We also have 3 dissecting microscopes equipped with Nikon high-definition cameras for macro-imaging (key required), 2 Nikon SMZ800 with accompanying light sources, and 1 Nikon SMZ18 equipped with a motorized stage for more precise dissection procedures and imaging.
Histology Area B0206-01: Our histology area is fully equipped for all types of tissue sectioning and staining procedures. We have 2 Leica CM1860 cryostats for frozen tissue sectioning, and 1 Thermo Shandon Finesse ME microtome for paraffin sectioning. We implement the Fisher Scientific MicroProbe system for the bulk of our staining protocols and have 5 Protocol MicroProbe system incubators. The histology hood is also stocked with chambers/holders and reagents for the more standard “dunk” technique of histological staining. All required basic reagents are stored in the histology hood or in the cabinet's underneath, and all basic staining materials can be located in the adjacent cabinets and drawers.
- Blood Pressure – telemetry - DSI radio telemetry allows for the continuous measure of blood pressure in non-restrained rodent models. Sampling can be done 24 hours a day for consecutive days until battery life has expired on telemeter. Our equipment has the ability to measure 16 mice at any single time.
- Visitech BP-2000 Series II – Blood pressure analysis equipment and software which utilizes a non-invasive, tail cuff method for measuring systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate using Photoplethysmography (PPG). We have 2 units available, capable of measuring up to 10 mice.
- Kent CODA® System - Blood pressure tail-cuff system designed to allow accurate blood pressure measurement in mice and rats using Volume Pressure Recording (VPR) sensor technology. We have four 8-channel units available for measuring up to 32 mice.
- Visualsonics Vevo 2100 – high frequency ultrasound system, offering 30-micron resolution and frame rates up to 740 fps. Three MS series probes offer frequencies between 13-55 MHz. Applications include Color and Power Doppler Modes for blood flow quantification, M-Mode single line acquisition for high-temporal resolution in LV functional analysis, 3D-Mode Imaging & Volume Analysis, Nonlinear Contrast Imaging, VevoStrain™ Analysis software for cardiac research, and advanced measurements & quantification.
- Visualsonics Vevo 3100 – high frequency, touchscreen, ultrasound system, offering 30-micron resolution and frame rates up to 740 fps. MX550D probe offers frequencies between 13-55 MHz. Applications include Color and Power Doppler Modes for blood flow quantification, M-Mode single line acquisition for high-temporal resolution in LV functional analysis, 3D-Mode Imaging & Volume Analysis, HD Imaging technology and advanced measurements & quantification.
Institutional Cores
Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR)
Provides animal care, technical services, surgical resources, breeding colony management, and species-specific training.
Genomics Core Laboratory
Providing wide range of services for clinical care including DNA, RNA, and Sanger sequencing, Fragment Analysis, Gene Expression Microarray, NanoString, Real-time PCR, Bionalaysis, and other services.
Genetic Technologies Core
The Advanced Genetic Technologies Core provides a range of services related to the manipulation and delivery of nucleic acids to biological systems.
Flow Cytometry and Immune Monitoring Core
Flow cytometry cell analysis and high-speed sorting. Multiparameter fluorescent analysis and sorting of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell types. Cell sorting also available for live human cells and infectious samples.
Learn more about Flow Cytometry
Light Microscopy Core
State-of-the-art imaging equipment for research on biological systems ranging from neuroscience to physiology, and cutting-edge materials science.
Learn more about Light Microscopy
Electron Microscopy Core
This Core is housed in the College of Engineering. This core provides expertise in sample preparation and electron microscopy. It contains two transmission electron microscopes.
Learn more about Electron Microscopy
Proteomics Core Facility
Offers proteomic analysis services; identification of proteins and peptides and characterization of protein modifications.
Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory
Provides access to state-of-the-art instrumentation for structural analysis and quantitation of a wide range of analytes using mass spectrometry-based approaches.
Learn more about Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center (MRISC)
Includes a 3T Siemens Magnetom Trio for human and animal studies and a Bruker/Siemens 7T MR scanner for animal studies.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Center (NMRSC)
This Center is located within the Department of Chemistry. It has 6 instruments and several data stations for offline processing NMR data. The instruments include two upgraded GEMINI 200 MHz instruments; one is a dedicated H/C machine, the other has multinuclear and variable temperature capability.
Animal Behavior Core (ABC)
Offers validated and reliable testing of animals over a broad range of physiological and behavioral domains, including general health, cognitive, emotional, sensory and motor function.
Bone Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (BDRL)
Bone histomorphometric analyses. Sections obtained from bone biopsy are analyzed and histological diagnosis and results are provided.
A&S Imaging Center
Microscopy facility in the Jacobs Science Building. Includes 10x Genomics Single Cell services, Zeiss Lightsheet Z.1, TEM Prep Services, and others.
Preparing Grants
Preparing Grant Submissions
Administrative assistance with proposals including budget preparation is provided by the Office of Sponsored Project Administration. Once an award is issued, OSPA's college grant officers will oversee the administration of the grant.
The Proposal Development Office provides more involved assistance with your application including editing and critiquing your proposal. The PDO has additional writing resources, NIH sample applications, and guidance on NIH rigor and reproducibility.
The Vice President of Research's office offers a video library with tutorials and guidance on grant writing, proposal development, and industry advancement. The video library requires a linkblue login and can be accessed below.
The NIH and NSF also provide grant writing guidance and resources.
For Early Researchers looking at NRSA grant - This is an excellent resource on writing that first training grant.
Intellectual Property Considerations
Technology Commercialization serves to aid in the commercialization of innovative ideas developed at the University of Kentucky. The office does not provide legal representation but assists in technology transfer, licensing, and new venture development.
Research Support Services
UK Research
UK research provides a jumping off point for identifying research support and provides an overview of research at the University. From here you can link to supporting offices including the Office of Research Integrity and the Office of Sponsored Project Administration.
The Office of the Vice President for Research
The Office of the Vice President for Research aims to facilitate research across UK and oversees the University's 13 multidisciplinary research centers and eight core facilities. The VPR's webpage also includes funding opportunities and additional resources for researchers.
The Center for Clinical and Translational Science
The Center for Clinical and Translational Science provides a broad spectrum of services and resources to support research including funding. Included among these are a Biomarker Analysis Lab, a biobank, the CRSO (discussed below), data safety monitoring, grant management, participant recruitment services, and Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design. For researchers, the CCTS can provide meaningful support and help navigate many of the ins and outs of research development and compliance.
The Clinical Research Support Office
The Clinical Research Support Office provides support for clinical research by reducing administrative burdens, increasing compliance, and removing barriers. Their Resarch Billing Integrity unit provides coverage analysis, required for all clinical trials, and determines the potential for Medicare reimbursement. The CRSO financial management team also provides pricing and budget development, sponsor negotiations, account monitoring, and other services. Finally, the CRSO has Regulatory and Recruitment Support teams. The Regulatory team ensures compliance with ethical and regulatory requirements and the Recruitment team supports researchers in recruitment planning and marketing.
Office of the Attending Veterinarian
In addition to ensuring all vertebrate animals used in research are appropriately cared for and provided veterinary clinical care, the OAV provides administrative support to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IACUC oversees the policies and procedures in relation to the ethical treatment of animals at the University.
Cardiovascular Biorepository
Our Cardiovascular Biorepository (CVBR) maintains a collection of cardiovascular tissue retrieved from organ donors and patients undergoing cardiovascular surgeries.
Trainee Travel Awards
Support for trainees to attend CV related conferences is available up to $500 per trainee per year. The application packet should include a brief description of the meeting including expected expenses, a letter of support from the faculty mentor and the trainee’s CV. Deadline is 8 weeks prior to travel.