Research Centers and Resources

105 Bond Life Sciences Center / 573-884-7703 / Director: Walter Gassmann

The Bond Life Sciences Center at MU was designed with teamwork in mind. Our unique facilities and innovative culture allow researchers to form collaborations rarely seen on college campuses to solve problems in human and animal health, the environment and agriculture. Facility statement.

134 Research Park Drive / 573-882-9482 / Director: Scott Rector (interim)

Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center is making great strides toward understanding the causes of many diseases, including hypertension, cancer, cystic fibrosis and heart disease. With this understanding comes the development of new and improved therapies - the ultimate goal of our researchers. Dalton investigators have earned excellent local, national and international reputations based on their publications, successful acquisition of national grants and presentations at scientific meetings. Dalton partners with many units across the campus. Investigators hold primary academic appointments in one of several colleges on campus. Facility statement.

1-31 Agriculture Building / 573-882-1841 / Director: David Braun

The Interdisciplinary Plant Group (IPG) is a community of MU faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and professionals who are pursuing novel, creative, and transformative ideas in the field of plant biology. Established in 1981, the IPG seeks to encourage interdisciplinary cooperation between scientists engaged in plant molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, evolution, ecology, and computer science. Our aim in integrating these disciplines is to stimulate joint research projects that will enhance our understanding of how plants grow and develop in changing environments. Facility statement.

C3241 Lafferre Hall / / Director: Matt Maschmann and Tommy Sewell

The MU Materials Science & Engineering Institute (MUMSEI) brings together interdisciplinary collaborators focused on materials science and engineering research and education. Facility statement.

4011 Discovery Drive / 573-884-6076 / Director: Aaron Ericsson

The MU Metagenomics Center (MUMC) is closely affiliated with the NIH-funded MU Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center (MMRRC) and Rat Resource and Research Center (RRRC), and is managed and operated by the same team of experts. Drawing on over 100 years of combined experience in translational biomedical research, the MUMC team has the passion and expertise to help you reach your research goals. Facility statement.

205 London Hall / 573-884-2419 / Director: Keith Herman, Wendy Reinke

The Missouri Prevention Science Institute is a group of interdisciplinary scholars (faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduates and undergraduate students), research assistants and associates, fiscal and grant administrative experts, clinicians and teaching faculty who work together to solve big world problems. Although the institute's scholars each have independent areas of interest, they come together under one umbrella — prevention science — to advance research and improve outcomes. Facility statement.

210 McAlester Hall / 573-882-0426 / Director: Denis McCarthy

The Missouri Center for Addiction Research and Engagement (MO-CARE) is a multi-disciplinary collaboration seeking to better understand and prevent addictive behaviors through research, engagement, and student-training activities. Launched in 2019, MO-CARE coordinates the work of addiction investigators across the University of Missouri System to meet the needs of Missourians affected by addiction through innovative research, enhancing remote access to care and training the next generation of addiction-treatment providers. MO-CARE collaborates with health care providers such as nurses, pharmacists, pain management physicians, and surgeons to better understand addiction processes. These partnerships further lead to wholistic, more precise interventions. Facility statement.

1514 Research Park Drive / / Director: Carolyn Anderson

The Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Center (MITC) is a university-wide resource for developing radiopharmaceutical-based diagnostic imaging and therapeutic agents. It serves as a hub of shared resources for in vivo imaging from mice to humans. Facility statement.

205 Ellis Library / 573-884-5116 / Director: Tracy Greever-Rice

The MU Research Data Center (MURDC) is located in Ellis Library on the main campus of the state’s flagship university. The MURDC is a U.S. Census Bureau Federal Statistical Research Data Center, organized as a satellite branch of the Kansas City RDC located at the Kansas City Federal Reserve and overseen by a consortium that includes the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the Kauffman Foundation, the University of Kansas, University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Missouri. The MURDC provides technical assistance, support and a secure environment to support qualified researchers in accessing and using restricted-access federal data sets. Facility statement.

1513 Research Park Drive / 573-882-5346 / Director: Matt Sanford

The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) saves and improves lives with its trailblazing research and innovative medical isotope production. As the world’s most important university research reactor for fighting cancer, MURR is the sole U.S. producer of four medical isotopes used to treat liver, thyroid, pancreatic and prostate cancers, and in imaging agents to diagnose cancers and heart disease. More than 1.6 million cancer and cardiac patients are treated or diagnosed annually using the radioisotopes that MURR produces and ships worldwide. Safely operating 365 days a year and filling production gaps when other research reactors go offline, MURR is the top choice for global radiopharmaceutical companies and enables research across many disciplines, from investigating ancient cultures to how plants respond to their environment. Facility statement.

4011 Discovery Drive / 573-884-6076 / Director: James Amos-Landgraf

The primary function of the MMRRC is to supply biomedical investigators with the mouse models, embryonic stem cells, related reagents, and protocols they require for their research. The MMRRC provides a unique repository service to the biomedical community by importing, storing and distributing a vast number of mutant mouse strains; as well as performing research that improves the function of the Resource Center. Facility statement.

920 E. Campus Drive / 573-882-6414 / Director: Kiho Lee

The National Swine Resource and Research Center (NSRRC) was established in 2003 to develop the infrastructure to ensure that biomedical investigators across a variety of disciplines have access to critically needed swine models of human health and disease. The NSRRC also serves as a central resource for reagents, the creation of new genetically modified swine, and information and training related to the use of swine models in biomedical research. Facility statement.

NextGen Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases

9251 S. Tom Bass Road / 471 Bond Life Sciences Center / 573-882-2348 / Director: Xiu-Feng "Henry" Wan

The mission of the NextGen Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases is to develop and apply systems biology-based translational approaches to counteract influenza and emerging/re-emerging infectious diseases. The center includes a facility to study influenza, infectious disease transmission and vaccinology using various animal models, especially swine. This facility is equipped to test vaccine efficacy under a wide range of humidity and temperature parameters, mimicking important transmission conditions. Facility statement.

1030 Hitt St., Columbia, MO 65201 / 573-882-8571 / Director:

Directed by W. David Arnold, MD, the NextGen Precision Health initiative unites the University of Missouri System's four public research universities, University of Missouri Health Care, MU Extension and private partners toward a single goal: precision health solutions for society's toughest diseases. 

The Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building, directed by R. Scott Rector, PhD, will accelerate innovations in precision health care for Missourians and the world. Facility statement.

Room S117, 4011 Discovery Drive / 573-884-6076 / Director: Elizabeth Bryda

The primary function of the RRRC is to supply biomedical investigators with the rat models, embryonic stem cells, related reagents, protocols and specialized services they require for their research. The RRRC provides a unique repository service to the biomedical community by importing, storing and distributing a vast number of rat strains; as well as performing research that improves the function of the Resource Center. In addition to repository, cryostorage and distribution functions, the RRRC can facilitate acquisition of rat strains from other international repositories as well as provide specialized services, consultation and technical training to investigators using rat models. Facility statement.

205 Portland St. / 573-884-6052 / Director: Connie Brooks

The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment is a leader in providing comprehensive support to individuals and families impacted by autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. With a mission to enhance lives through an integrated approach, the center combines cutting-edge research, clinical services, education and public policy advocacy. By advancing understanding, improving treatments and promoting inclusion, the Thompson Center ensures that individuals of all ages have access to world-class care and resources. Its multidisciplinary team is committed to fostering collaboration across fields, ultimately empowering those impacted to lead fuller, more meaningful lives. Facility statement.