ABOUT – LBRN (Louisiana Biomedical Research Network)
Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN) was established in September 2001 with Biomedical Research Infrastructure Networks (BRIN) funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) Grant P20RR016456, the LBRN is committed to raising the research competitiveness of Louisiana researchers. IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is the second phase of the BRIN Program when LBRN initially started. Currently, LBRN is in the fourth phase with continued funding by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Grant P20GM103424 and the Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund.
The Data Science Core of the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN) serves to train and support project investigators and their teams across Louisiana, and to lead and support translational research activities at the frontiers of biomedical science. Its team uses both established and custom computational tools, operating at computational scales ranging from the mundane to analyses engaging many hundreds of compute cores.
ABOUT – BioMMed (Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine)
BioMMED is a multidisciplinary research, support and development unit that provides centralized access to state-of-the-art equipment and advanced training in molecular and cell biology. BioMMED administers the NIH:NIGMS INBRE program (Louisiana Biomedical Research Network-LBRN) and the Molecular and Cell Biology Cores of two NIH:NIGMS COBRE Programs, the Center for Pre-Clinical Cancer Research (CPCCR) and the Center for Lung Biology and Disease (CLBD). The functions of these core laboratories are integrated within BioMMED and the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine facilities, as well as campus-wide facilities and consist of state-of-the-art equipment and support services that are staffed by LSU, Vet. Med. and BioMMED personnel. A primary focus of BioMMED is the application of Next Gen Sequencing Technologies and advanced molecular and cell biology technologies to ameliorate animal and human health.
ABOUT – LBRN TRAINING PLATFORM
The LBRN training platform is developed and operated by Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine (BioMMed) at School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), Louisian State University- Baton Rouge, LA. The platform provides a comprehensive foundation in bioinformatics, -omics data analysis, machine learning, computational languages for -omics data handling, structural biology, and drug discovery. Designed to build strong foundational knowledge and skills, it prepares students for advanced topics and specialized courses offered by the NIGMS Sandbox. Available freely to LBRN Network PUIs/Community Colleges, our platform enhances accessibility, making complex bioinformatics concepts understandable even for those without a strong background. It directly supports career development by imparting skills applicable to academia and industry, thus enhancing employability in bioinformatics and data science. Additionally, the platform advances research by equipping students with essential tools and knowledge. We foster a supportive community through forums for peer support, mentorship, and networking, encouraging collaboration among students and experts. Our curricula integrate real-world projects and datasets, providing practical experience in bioinformatics research. Committed to accessibility and inclusion, we ensure that students from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented groups in STEM, can benefit from our platform. Robust assessment mechanisms validate student learning, offering certifications recognized by academic and industrial employers. To bridge the educational gap in essential biomedical sciences and enhance student preparedness for advanced studies, we propose the "Fundamentals of NIGMS Sandbox" course series. This foundational series covers critical topics such as bioinformatics, genomics, transcriptomics, single-cell transcriptomics, computer-aided drug design, metagenomics, epigenomics, statistics, and the use of R and Python for biomedical data analysis, equipping beginners with the skills needed to excel in the biomedical field and prepare for specialized modules offered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).
LBRN Network:
Flagship Campus
PUI Campuses
- Grambling State University
- Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS)
- Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech)
- Southeastern Louisiana University
- Southern University and A&M College (SUBR)
- University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM)
- University of New Orleans (UNO)
- Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA)
- Loyola University
Mentor Campuses
Summer Research Campuses
- Baton Rouge Community College
- Centenary College
- Dillard University
- Louisiana College
- Louisiana State University Alexandria
- McNeese State University
- Nicholls State University
- Northwestern State University
- Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, formerly called Our Lady of the Lake College
- Southern University at New Orleans
- Southern University at Shreveport
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Leadership:
Dr. Konstantin Gus Kousoulas - Principal Investigator (LBRN); Director (BioMMed); Head (PBS) (vtgusk@lsu.edu)
Ojasvi Dutta - Program Manager (LBRN); Assistant Director (BioMMed) (odutta@lsu.edu)
