COBRE 1: Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence for the Study of Pain and Sensory Function

"The COBRE 1: Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence for the Study of Pain and Sensory Function at the University of New England is an NIH-funded Center for Biomedical Research Excellence dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of chronic pain and sensory processing. Established in 2012 and supported through funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under grant P30GM145497 (PI Meng), the center fosters a collaborative neuroscience research environment at UNE. The COBRE strategically recruits neuroscience faculty, supports ongoing investigator-led research, and launches the careers of junior scientists through a competitive pilot project program. The center’s mission is to create a critical mass of neuroscience researchers capable of sustaining a vibrant, competitive research enterprise focused on the neurobiology of chronic pain and the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. To accomplish these aims, the center maintains two specialized core facilities that expand UNE’s research infrastructure: the Behavioral Core and the Histology and Imaging Core.

These cores provide investigators with access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, technical expertise and training necessary to perform cutting-edge behavioral, anatomical, and imaging studies. The COBRE also prioritizes mentorship and capacity building. By administering pilot project grants and providing start-up funds for recruited faculty, the center helps junior investigators establish independent research programs and generate preliminary data for external funding. This investment in early-stage researchers is complemented by guidance from a steering committee and an external advisory board composed of regional and national experts in pain and neuroscience. 

The combined expertise of UNE faculty—spanning pharmacology, biomedical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and marine science intersections—creates a broad intellectual environment that supports translational and basic research efforts. The center’s activities enhance UNE’s ability to translate fundamental discoveries into potential therapies for chronic pain, while also training the next generation of scientists.