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Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Digestive & Liver Disease

Advancing Discovery.
Developing Investigators.
Transforming Digestive Health.

About the center

The MUSC Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Digestive and Liver Disease strengthens research capacity and accelerates discovery in gastrointestinal and liver disease.

By combining advanced infrastructure, expert mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the center equips investigators to produce high-impact biomedical research and compete successfully for external funding. 

Mission

Develop and support innovative investigators while advancing fundamental discoveries in digestive and liver disease.

Vision

Establish MUSC as a leading hub for digestive and liver disease research, serving as a sustained engine of scientific discovery, collaboration, and investigator development in South Carolina and beyond.

Why digestive and liver disease research matters

Digestive and liver diseases affect tens of millions of Americans each year, creating a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems.

The center addresses this challenge by advancing understanding of disease mechanisms and laying the groundwork for new and improved treatments.

Impact and Growth

By integrating research, mentorship, and infrastructure, the COBRE in Digestive & Liver Disease is building a sustainable and collaborative research ecosystem at MUSC, positioning the institution as a leader in digestive and liver disease innovation.

Research Focus Areas

The COBRE in Digestive & Liver Disease builds on MUSC’s strengths to support research in three key domains:

  • Inflammation and fibrosis
  • Metabolic disease
  • Cancer

Through these focus areas, the center unites multidisciplinary researchers and promotes innovative, cross-cutting approaches to complex diseases.

Resources

The COBRE in Digestive & Liver Disease supports investigators with resources designed to accelerate research success:

  • Access to advanced research cores:
    • Imaging
    • Animal models
    • Cell models
  • Biostatistical support
  • Structured mentorship and career development
  • Collaborative research opportunities across disciplines

Junior Investigator Program

Developing the Next Generation

The COBRE in Digestive & Liver Disease Junior Investigator Award is designed to launch early-stage researchers toward independence and R01-level funding.

Program highlights:

  • Approximately $150,000 annually in direct support, for up to 3 years
  • Dedicated mentorship from established investigators
  • Full access to COBRE in Digestive & Liver Disease core facilities and services
  • Structured career development and grant preparation support
  • Pilot awards to promote early-stage innovative projects

This program provides a strong foundation for emerging scientists to build independent, competitive research programs.

Career Development

The center accelerates the transition of investigators to independent funding, enhances scientific productivity and collaboration, and builds a strong pipeline of future leaders.

The center is committed to advancing early-stage investigators into well-funded, independent researchers with national and international reputations.

The center provides a highly collaborative scholarly environment that emphasizes rigorous science, strong mentorship, and sustained opportunities for professional growth, scientific exchange, and networking.

The center's Faculty Enrichment Program supports continuous learning, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhances the visibility of digestive and liver disease research. The program integrates scientific exchange with structured career development opportunities.

Key objectives:

  • Provide ongoing scientific education for digestive and liver disease investigators.
  • Foster interdisciplinary communication and collaboration across MUSC and external institutions.
  • Promote dissemination of research locally, nationally, and internationally.

Signature Activities

Weekly Digestive Disease Seminar Series

The seminar series is the central component of the enrichment program, hosting internationally recognized experts in digestive disease research. Since 2019, the series has hosted more than 60 speakers, including National Academy members and Nobel Laureates, and is attended by a broad cross-section of the MUSC research community.

Annual Digestive Disease Retreat

The annual retreat provides a forum for scientific exchange and collaboration. Activities include poster sessions, short talks selected from submitted abstracts, and keynote presentations from leaders in the field. The retreat promotes collaboration, showcases ongoing research, and enhances program visibility.

Monthly Work-in-Progress (WIP) Meetings

Monthly all-hands meetings provide an interactive platform for presenting research updates, developing grant ideas, and refining manuscripts. These sessions foster collaboration, provide real-time feedback, and connect investigators with the center's core resources.

The center supports attendance at advanced professional courses and workshops across the United States. These training opportunities expand technical expertise and directly contribute to research productivity, funding success, and career advancement.

Programming addresses:

  • Laboratory and personnel management
  • Fiscal management and budgeting
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
  • Rigor and reproducibility
  • Human subjects' protection

The center provides travel awards to support trainees presenting at national scientific meetings. These awards enable students and postdoctoral fellows to disseminate their research and build professional networks.

Supported conferences include the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Digestive Disease Week, and FASEB.

Travel funding up to $1,000 may be provided for accepted abstracts.

Projects


Digestive and liver disease research

Current and completed projects reflect a deep bench strength of early-career investigators as well as nationally recognized experts.
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Leadership

Director: Stephen A. Duncan, D.Phil. 
Associate Director: Don C. Rockey, M.D.