UNMC 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.
Dr. Turpen
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 Nebraska’s research universities, and to provide infrastructure-related resources that will increase the competitiveness of Nebraska scientists for NIH funding.
Dr. Carmines
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.
Dr. Kabanov
Alexander Kabanov, Ph.D., Dr.Sc., 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, neuro-AIDS (neuro-cognitive complications related to AIDS), stroke and others.
Dr. Ahmad
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.
Dr. Hemstreet
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.