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U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson |
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U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel |
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Harold M. Maurer, M.D. |
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Yuri Lyubchenko, Ph.D., D.Sc. |
The project would be funded through the United States Department of Energy Office of Science.
The bill must still be approved by Congress and then by the president. Appropriations bills are annual spending bills that Congress enacts to allocate federal funds, sometimes to specific institutions (also called earmarks). This appropriations bill is part of the 2008 fiscal year budget.
The funding would provide UNMC researchers with equipment for imaging, manipulation and analysis of biomedical materials to develop treatments of diseases caused by protein malfunction. The technology provides more precise imaging to analyze protein buildup.
The research involves nanomedicine, a growing field of research that combines engineering with the pharmaceutical and medical sciences in revolutionary ways that hold promise for more effective delivery of drugs to treat cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and other diseases. One outcome of nanomedicine is the use of tiny particles much smaller than a cell, for therapeutic drug delivery directly to the affected site.
The project will be directed by Yuri Lyubchenko, Ph.D., D.Sc., professor, UNMC College of Pharmacy Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and principal investigator of the project.
“I would like to express my deep and sincere appreciation to the senators and their staff for their enthusiastic support of our initiative,” Dr. Lyubchenko said. “With these funds we’ll be able to develop a strong program in the nanomedicine studies of neurodegenerative diseases and establish a nationwide center for nanoimaging capable of competing with the top ranking schools for long-term federal support.”
UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., said neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases, are a significant burden on families and the economy.
“Neurodegenerative diseases like these, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, are expected to have a great impact because of the aging population,” Dr. Maurer said. “We appreciate the efforts of our senators in supporting our work in these devastating neurological diseases.”
Nanomedicine is one of UNMC’s eight “Centers of Excellence,” which represent areas in which the medical center is recognized internationally. The project will further UNMC’s competitiveness in the area of nanomedicine, which also has been designated as a priority initiative for many federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation.
“These funds will permit one of UNMC’s star research teams to apply 21st century technology to a set of incurable, devastating diseases,” said Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., UNMC vice chancellor for research. “The outcome of this work ultimately will benefit all of us. I am proud of the support provided to UNMC research by the people of Nebraska and our elected representatives, and I thank Sens. Nelson and Hagel for helping move this critical work forward.”
Together, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases affect more than 6 million people in the United States and carry a combined annual cost of more than $90 billion. The diseases result from proteins amassing in the brain abnormally, causing memory loss, tremors and other symptoms.
The number of people affected currently in the United States by Alzheimer’s disease is 4.5 million. Parkinson’s disease affects 1.5 million Americans and while somewhat less prevalent, Huntington’s disease has been diagnosed in 30,000 Americans, yet there are hundreds of thousands more at risk for developing the disease.
“UNMC is Nebraska’s premier medical research institute,” said Nelson, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “They are doing groundbreaking work to treat and provide for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which will benefit generations of Americans. This federal funding will help them continue this important work.”
“UNMC has long been a leader in medical research,” Hagel said. “All of Nebraska benefits from UNMC’s cutting-edge work. This funding will allow UNMC to remain at the forefront of medical innovation and contribute greatly to the study of neurological diseases.”