The University of Nebraska Medical Center received $10 million in federal
research grants during the second quarter of fiscal year 2002-03. The second
quarter 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 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. 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 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, AIDS-related dementia, 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 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 and chairman of urology 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.