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Faculty Development
Projects
Maintaining DNA
Replication Fork Stability: Role of the Fanconi Anemia Pathway (2007 -
Present)
Investigator:
Niall Howlett, University of Rhode Island
Mentor:
Ralph Scully,
Harvard
University
Abstract:
Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare recessive disorder characterized by
congenital anomalies, bone marrow failure, and pronounced cancer
susceptibility; including squamous cell carcinoma of the head, neck and
anogenital regions (HNSCC). More
Modulation of D2-Like Dopamine Receptor-Mediated Striatal Signaling
Pathways by RGS9-2 (2007 - Present)
Investigator: Abraham Kovoor,
University of Rhode Island
Mentor:
Ronald Stanton Duman, Yale University
Abstract: This
proposal will investigate the cellular functions of the striatally
enriched RGS protein, RGS9-2, a member of the RGS family of Gα GTPase
accelerating proteins. More
Role Partitioning by
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors (AHR) in Cell Regulation and Toxicity (2006 -
Present)
Investigator:
Rebeka Merson, Rhode Island College
Mentor: Cyrus
Vaziri, Boston University School of Medicine
Abstract:
The overall objective is to uncover the mechanisms underlying gene
dysregulation and cell toxicity by environmental contaminants.
More
Nanomaterial-Based Bioelectronic Detection of Disease Markers (2006 -
Present)
Investigator:
Bernard Munge, Salve Regina University
Mentor: William
Euler, University of Rhode Island
Abstract:
This Proposal addresses the Area of Biomedical Diagnostics for early
Detection of Cancer. Specific detection of cancer biomarker proteins
in serum is critically important for early cancer detection, leading
to greatly improved patient prognoses, treatment success, and even
cancer prevention.
More
Reservatrol Induction
of Gene Expression via Activation of CAR and Nrf2 (2006 - Present)
Investigator:
Angela Slitt,
University
of Rhode Island
Mentor: Bingfang
Yan, University of Rhode Island
Abstract:
Recently, red wine consumption in the United States has increased
because the popular media and medical community have touted its
antioxidant properties and potential to fight disease such as
atherosclerosis and cancer. More
Constitutive Androstane
Receptor (CAR) Activation and Intracellular Transport (2006 - Present)
Investigator:
Matthew Stoner,
University of
Rhode Island
Mentor: Karen
Lounsbury, University of Vermont
Abstract:
The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is unique among nuclear
receptors because it is expressed almost exclusively in hepatocytes,
remains in an active conformation in the cytoplasm and is activated by
many chemicals with which it does not directly interact.
More
Undergraduate Student
Training Projects
Genome Stability through Bloom Syndrome Helicase and Rad51 Complex
Formation (2008 - Present)
Investigator:
Karen Almeida, Rhode Island College
Mentor: Robert
Sobol, University of Pittsburgh
Abstract:
One of the hallmark features of tumor cells is a highly unstable genome.
Bloom syndrome (BS), an autosomal recessive disorder that results from a
mutation of the BLM gene, exhibits extraordinarily high levels of sister
chromatid exchange (SCE) events, a marker of genomic instability.
More
Characterization of
Pyrethroids on Sperm Voltage-Sensitive Calcium Channels (2008 - Present)
Investigator:
Steven Symington,
Salve
Regina
University
Mentor: Kim
Boekelheide, Brown University
Abstract:
The immediate aim of this project is to determine the effect of
pyrethroid insecticides on calcium homeostasis in mouse caudal
epididymal sperm and the effect of these compounds on viability.
More
Cell Signaling Leading
to UV-Induced Cell Injury (2005 - Present)
Investigator:
Yinsheng Wan,
Providence
College
Abstract:
Long-term exposure to UV radiation causes wrinkles. The water
content and water-holding capacity of the skin often decrease after
exposure to UV, leading to deleterious effects such as wrinkles and
delayed wound healing. More
Pilot
Projects
A Quantitative
Proteomics Approach to Understanding the Sigma-1 Receptor Signaling
Pathway (2008 -
Present)
Investigator:
Carthene
Bazemore-Walker, Brown University
Mentor:
Wayne Bowen,
Brown University
Abstract:
Over-expression of sigma receptors in tumors and in tumor cell lines
of various tissue origins is well documented and underscores the
putative essential role of sigma receptors in the pathophysiology of
cancer. More
Synthesis of Next-Generation Inhibitors of Botulinum Neurotoxin (2008 - Present)
Investigator:
Brenton DeBoef,
University of Rhode Island
Mentor:
William Euler, University of Rhode Island
Abstract: Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), a protein that is produced by Clostridium
botulinum, is the most poisonous protein in the world. The active site
of BoNT includes a zinc endopeptidase, whose structure has been
elucidated by x-ray crystallography. More
Genetic Properties of
DNA Damage Induced by Peroxynitrite (2008 -
Present)
Investigator:
Sarah
Delaney,
Brown University
Mentor:
Anatoly Zhitkovich, Brown University
Abstract:
Of the four DNA nucleobases guanine (G) is particularly sensitive to
both oxidation and nitration. Indeed when DNA is exposed to
peroxynitrite, a powerful oxidizing and nitrating agent that is
generated as part of the immune response, numerous G-derived lesions
are generated.
More
Mechanisms for Estrogen-Mediated Transrepression of Human Bile Salt Export
Pump (2008 -
Present)
Investigator:
Ruitang
Deng, University of Rhode Island
Mentor:
Bingfang Yan, University of Rhode Island
Abstract:
As a rate-limiting canalicular effluxer, bile salt export pump (BSEP)
controls both intrahepatic and biliary bile acid levels. Intrahepatic
cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and gallstone disease are pathological
conditions resulting from imbalance of intrahepatic and biliary bile
acids, respectively.
More
The Dynamic Cellular
Localization of TrpM1 (2008 - Present)
Investigator:
Elena Oancea, Brown
University
Mentor: Julie
Kauer, Brown University
Abstract:
Malignant melanoma is
the deadliest form of skin cancer that continues to increase in
incidence at a disturbing rate of 3% per year. Melastatin (TRPM1) was
discovered as a gene whose expression might be related to metastatic
potential in mouse melanoma. More
Anti-Inflammatory
Effects of Strawberry Polyphenols Via Sub-Cellular Signaling Pathways in
COX-2 Expressing Human Colon Cancer Cell Line (HT-29) (2008 - Present)
Investigator:
Navindra
Seeram,
University of
Rhode Island
Mentor:
Clinton Chichester,
University of Rhode Island
Abstract:
The association between cancer risk and dietary intake has been a
keen focus of recent scientific investigation. Epidemiological
studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between cancer
risk and the intake of fruits and vegetables.
More
Pilot
Undergraduate Student Training Projects
Synthesis,
Screening, Toxicology and Computational Chemistry of Biologically-Active
Arylphosphonium Salts (2008 -
Present)
Investigator:
John C.
William, Jr.,
Rhode Island College
Abstract:
Undergraduate chemistry and biology students will learn the
techniques of chemical biology, medicinal chemistry and toxicology
by synthesizing, doing computational chemistry on, and screening a
library of amphiphilic
arylphosphonium salts (APS).
More
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