The University of Nebraska Medical Center received $10 million in federal
research grants during the second quarter of fiscal year 2002-03, which
includes the months of October, November and December.
We are pleased with the continuing growth of the research enterprise.
said Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research for UNMC. The
apparent drop-off in the growth rate that occurred in the second quarter
should be overcome when the federal budget is approved, and NIH (National
Institutes of Health) grant dollars are released. We remain optimistic
that we can achieve an annual total of $100 million in research funding
sometime around the year 2005.
The list of recipients who received grants worth $100,000 or more reflects
a wide diversity of research activities.
James Turpen, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the department of
genetics, cell biology and anatomy, received $900,678 from the NIH-National
Center for Research Resources through their Biomedical Research Infrastructure
Network (BRIN) program. The goals of the NE-BRIN are to increase
the research capacity of the state, to attract and support graduate students
into the biomedical Ph.D. granting programs at Nebraskas research universities,
and to provide infrastructure-related resources that will increase the
competitiveness of Nebraska scientists for NIH funding.
Pamela K. Carmines, Ph.D., professor in the department of physiology/biophysics,
received $363,500 to identify the cells of the kidney that produce excess
oxidant substances in diabetes, the enzymatic source of the oxidants, and
the potential therapeutic benefits of specific antioxidant compounds in
preventing the early alterations in blood vessel function that accompany
diabetes. The primary cause of end stage kidney disease is diabetes, which
exerts harmful effects on the small blood vessels of the kidney soon after
onset of diabetes.
One mechanism that might contribute to this process involves excess
production of highly reactive oxidant substances that exert a variety of
damaging effects on tissue, including the rapid breakdown of beneficial
substances. These studies should advance the understanding of the processes
that impair kidney function early in the course of diabetes — events that
are thought to ultimately contribute to the progressive development of
end stage kidney disease.
Alexander Kabanov, Ph.D., professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the
College of Pharmacy, received $349,125 to study how to enhance the brain
delivery of drugs across the blood brain barrier (BBB) using a novel drug
delivery system. Achievement of this goal would allow for developing new
therapeutic modalities and enhance current therapies of neurodegenerative
disorders, including cancer, neuro-AIDS, stroke and others.
Iqbal Ahmad, Ph.D., associate professor in the department of ophthalmology,
received $257,250 to research the biology of neural stem cells for their
application to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Wallace Thoreson, Ph.D., associate professor and director of research
in the department of ophthalmology, received $249,326 to research the mechanisms
that regulate calcium-dependent release of the neurotransmitter L-glutamate
from rod and cone photoreceptors. Maintenance of low level of activity
is essential for normal vision and over-activity of calcium currents can
produce photoreceptor damage.
George Hemstreet, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the department of surgery,
received $175,590 to study the hypothesis that certain biomarkers or proteins
(increased or decreased) are present in a high proportion of prostate cancers,
and occur early in the process of carcinogenesis. This study will
focus on these biomarkers as a basis for identifying individuals at high
risk of prostate cancer. Early detection and better preventive measures
will reduce the cost of medical care as well as the pain and discomfort
associated with multiple biopsy procedures for individuals with elevated
PSA.