Specialized Research Services
Overview
The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) offers funding support to help members access specialized research services and technologies that advance cancer research. These services provide financial support for shared resources, compound screening, and preclinical testing. Each service has specific eligibility and funding limits. See individual service descriptions below for details and submission information.
Tumor Engineering and Phenotyping (TEP) Shared Resource Support
Service Provider: Tumor Engineering and Phenotyping Shared Resource
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000
Submission Period: Rolling
Overview: This program provides funding support for CCIL members to access services offered through the Tumor Engineering and Phenotyping (TEP) Shared Resource. The facility provides specialized technologies, cancer models, and expertise to support cancer research.
Services Available Through this Award*
NanoString nCounter
PhenoCycler-Fusion System
Seahorse XFe 96 Analyzer
* See the Service Provider webpage for a full list of services offered outside of this program.
Eligibility: 1) Open to CCIL members; 2) Limited to one award per member per year; 3) Written approval must be received from CCIL prior to initiating services
Funding Details: Funding support will be provided in the form of services provided to the investigator by the TEP, and no direct transfer of funds will be involved. Only TEP supplies, staff time, and research facility use fees will be covered by this initiative. Funds will not be awarded retrospectively for work already completed by the TEP. Funding must be used within 6 months of the award.
How to Apply: Prior to request, applicants must consult with TEP manager, Hui Xu at huixu@illinois.edu, to develop a service plan and cost estimate prior to submission.
High-Throughput Screening Facility Support
Service Provider: High-Throughput Screening Facility
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000
Submission Period: Rolling
Overview: This program supports researchers interested in screening chemical compounds through the High Throughput Screening Facility (HTSF) shared resource to identify and explore new anticancer compounds and novel biological targets for anticancer therapy.
Services Available Through this Award: Currently, the HTSF contains over 280,000 small molecules for screening, including an extensive library of cancer compounds. Through staff-assisted screening, users have access to facility equipment including liquid handlers, plate readers, and the small molecule libraries. For a full list of services offered, please see the Service Provider webpage.
Eligibility: 1) Open to CCIL members; 2) Limited to one award per member per year; 3) Written approval must be received from CCIL prior to initiating services.
Funding Details: Funding support will be provided in the form of services provided to the investigator by the HTSF, and no direct transfer of funds will be involved. Funding supports screening-related facility costs, including supplies, staff time, and equipment usage. Priority will be given to projects where screens are fully developed and ready for implementation at the HTSF. Funds will not be awarded retrospectively for work already completed by the HTSF. Funding must be used within 2 years of the award.
How to Apply: Applicants are encouraged to consult with facility staff to develop a screening plan and cost estimate prior to submission.
PRISM Compound Evaluation Support
Service Provider: Broad Institute PRISM Lab
Funding Amount: Up to $11,000 (reimbursement)
Submission Period: Based on PRISM submission windows
Overview: This program provides reimbursement support for compound testing through the PRISM evaluation service from Broad Institute. This service tests anticancer compounds against ~1,000 cancer cell lines in culture, reporting back IC50 values for each of the cell lines. In addition, users receive detailed bioinformatic information, where cell line sensitivity is correlated to expression and mutational patterns; this information can help determine the mode-of-action and translational potential of the compound.
Eligibility: 1) Open to CCIL members; 2) Limited to one award per member per year; 3) Written approval must be received from CCIL prior to initiating services.
Funding Details: After written approval from CCIL, PI will initiate a service request with Broad Institute for the PRISM evaluation. After service is provided, PI will submit for reimbursement.
How to Apply: Submit compound information for CCIL review and approval prior to PRISM submission.
Back to the Cancer Center at Illinois Merit-Based Research Awards page.