NIH Phase I COBRE Program
Where immunomodulation meets omics data science
The Oklahoma Center of ImmunoEngineering (OCIE) provides research infrastructure, mentoring, and end-to-end experimental and computational services that help investigators understand and combat diseases with immunological roots, in Oklahoma and other IDeA states.
About OCIE
A shared home for immunoengineering research in Oklahoma
Immunoengineering is advancing rapidly. That creates great opportunities for researchers, and real challenges too, especially for early-stage investigators.
Specialized equipment and facilities are hard to access and use effectively, and modern multi-omics studies require bioinformatics, biostatistics, and high-performance computing expertise that is costly and time-consuming for individual labs to set up.
OCIE was established to close these gaps. It brings immunomodulation research and omics data science together, supports the career development of Research Project Leaders (RPLs) and other immunoengineering researchers, and speeds up their work to understand and combat diseases with immunological roots.
Research infrastructure
A multi-institutional immunoengineering research infrastructure spanning OU-Norman, OUHSC, and OMRF.
Mentoring program
A multi-tier mentoring program that guides Research Project Leaders to independent research careers.
End-to-end services
Experimental and computational services that support a study from design and data analysis through to publications and grant proposals.
Collaborative network
A network of basic, translational, and clinical researchers in Oklahoma and other IDeA states.
How OCIE works
One center, two Research Cores, four research projects
The Administrative Core oversees all OCIE operations. Two Research Cores, one experimental and one computational, work together to support Research Project Leaders and the wider research community from start to finish.
Immunomodulation Technology Core (IMTC)
Coordinated access to immunoengineering technologies, with training and full experimental support.
Omics Data Science Core (ODSC)
Bioinformatics, machine learning, and high-performance computing for multi-omics studies.
Research Project Leaders
The OCIE research cycle
Support from first idea to grant proposal
The IMTC and ODSC work alongside researchers at every stage, turning experiments into data, data into findings, and findings into publications and new grant proposals.
- 1
Design
Plan experiments and multi-omics studies with scientific rigor from the start.
IMTC + ODSC - 2
Generate
Access specialized equipment and facilities, with training and technical support.
IMTC - 3
Analyze
Process large multi-omics datasets with validated workflows and HPC.
ODSC - 4
Interpret
Turn data into scientific findings, with the ODSC developing new ML methods where needed.
IMTC + ODSC - 5
Disseminate
Publish results, archive data in public repositories, and pursue new grants.
Researchers + Cores
Research Projects
Four investigators, four immunological frontiers
Migration Stress, Antiviral Immunity, and Coronavirus Spread in Wild Bats
Tests migration as a stressor in Mexican free-tailed bats and its impact on coronavirus infection and shedding, then models how migrating bats could spread these viruses.
Dr. Daniel Becker Neuro-oncology · Biomedical imagingHigh-Resolution Optical Imaging to Guide Anti-ELTD1 and OKN-007 Therapy for Glioblastoma
Builds a multimodal optical imaging platform that tracks tumor cells, immune cells, and microvasculature to guide anti-ELTD1 and OKN-007 therapies for glioblastoma.
Dr. David R. Miller Cancer vaccines · T-cell immunologyPredicting Antitumor TCR Specificity and Adjuvant Effects in Neoepitope Cancer Vaccines
Uses DNA-barcoded multimers and single-cell profiling to find tumor-reactive TCRs, predict their specificity with machine learning, and define how adjuvant choice shapes T-cell responses.
Dr. Marmar Moussa Rare cancers · Immuno-oncologySpatial Immune Atlas and Fusion Neoantigens in Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma
Maps the tumor immune microenvironment of a rare, fusion-driven sarcoma and searches for fusion neoantigens that could be targeted by TCR-based therapies.
Dr. Rafeh NaqashPartner institutions
A statewide network of facilities and expertise
Through the IMTC, OCIE coordinates access to major instruments and core facilities across three Oklahoma institutions, so each partner's resources fill gaps at the others.
University of Oklahoma, Norman
- Immunoengineering Core at the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, the home base of the IMTC
- Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory Core
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
- Genomics Core
- Mass Spectrometry Core
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Flow Cytometry Core
- Imaging Core
Community
Growing immunoengineering beyond a single campus
OCIE builds a lasting community through funding programs, training, and events that connect researchers across disciplines and institutions.
Pilot grants
Pilot funding identifies and supports additional RPL candidates from related biomedical fields.
Team-Science grants
Seed funding, matched by OU, for joint projects between researchers from different disciplines in Oklahoma and other IDeA states.
Workshops & training
Monthly IMTC workshops and regular ODSC training sessions on new technologies and data science methods.
OCIE Annual Symposium
Research meetings, seminars, and an annual symposium that bring together current and graduated RPLs, pilot project PIs, and collaborators.
Work with OCIE
Researchers interested in OCIE core services, mentoring, pilot funding, or collaboration are welcome to get in touch.