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Collaborative Projects
Fate of Mercury Contaminants in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island
(2009 - Present)
Investigator:
David Taylor, Roger Williams University
Collaborator/Mentor:
Warren Prell, Brown University
Abstract:
Mercury (Hg) is a
toxic environmental contaminant affecting human health, and exposure
occurs mainly through dietary uptake of contaminated fish. To
minimize Hg exposure, public health officials affiliated with the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, and state agencies issue consumption advisories to inform
citizens of the possible health risks associated with eating fish.
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Faculty Development
Projects
Synthesis of New Polyamines for siRNA Complexation and Delivery (2010 -
Present)
Investigator:
Mindy Levine, University of Rhode Island Mentor:
James Manley,
Columbia University
Abstract:
The use of siRNA for
the treatment of various diseases, including cancer and ocular
ailments, is a remarkably promising area of research, although new
and more efficient delivery methods are still needed. Proposed
herein is the development of a new class of chiral polyamines for
siRNA complexation and delivery.
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Phototermal-chemotherapy
of Melanoma with Targeted Cisplatin-loaded Hollow Gold nanospheres (2010 -
Present)
Investigator:
Wei Lu, University of Rhode Island Mentor:
Vincent Rotello, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Abstract:
Hollow gold nanospheres (HAuNS) possess a unique combination of
small size (~40 nm), spherical shape, hollow interior, and strong
surface plasmon resonance at near-infrared (NIR) region wavelengths
(~800 nm), wherein optical absorption in tissue is minimal and
penetration is optimal. More
Identification of
Small, Non-Coding RNA Genes in the Bacterium Shewanella oneidensis (2009 -
Present)
Investigator:
Brett Pellock, Providence College Mentor:
Mary Allen, Wellesley College
Abstract:
Maintenance of genomic integrity is essential for all organisms, and
cells respond to DNA damage with a tightly orchestrated sequence of
events that coordinates cell cycle arrest and DNA repair.
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Student
Training Projects
Defining a Role for
Bcp1 in the DNA Damage Response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2009 -
Present)
Investigator:
Deborah Britt, Rhode Island College Mentor:
Anatoly
Zhitkovich,
Brown University
Abstract:
Maintenance of genomic integrity is essential for all organisms, and
cells respond to DNA damage with a tightly orchestrated sequence of
events that coordinates cell cycle arrest and DNA repair.
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Identification of New Drugs Against Amebiasis by Targeting Protozoan
Anaerobic Metabolism (2009 -
Present)
Investigator:
Avelina Espinosa, Roger Williams University Mentor: Dan
Eichinger, New York University
Abstract:
Amebiasis
is the second leading parasitic cause of death worldwide and its
causative agent is the anaerobic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica.
Approximately 12% of the world’s population is infected. Clinical
symptoms manifest in nearly 50 million people annually, causing
100,000 fatalities worldwide.
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Gene Divergence of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors (AHR) in Early Vertebrates (2009 -
Present)
Investigator:
Rebeka Merson, Rhode Island College Mentor:
Mark Hahn, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Abstract: Adverse health
effects from exposure to dioxin-like compounds depend on activation of
aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHR), induction of genes encoding
biotransformation enzymes, and dyregulation of numerous genes outside
the toxic response pathway.
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Biomarker Arrays for Tobacco-Related Cancer Diagnostics
(2009 -
Present)
Investigator:
Bernard Munge, Salve Regina University Mentor:
James Rusling, University of Connecticut
Abstract:
This Proposal
addresses the area of Biomedical Diagnostics for Early Detection of
Cancer Biomarker. Despite recent improvements in early detection and
treatment, cancer is still one of the major causes of death in the
world. Early cancer detection coupled with new therapies holds the
best current hope to change this fact.
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Characterization of Pyrethroids on Human Voltage-Sensitive Calcium
Channels (2009 - Present)
Investigator:
Steven Symington,
Salve
Regina
University Mentor:
J. Marshall Clark, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Abstract:
Pyrethroids are widely used insecticides, especially in urban
environments, to protect agricultural commodities and control
vectors of human diseases. It is well established that pyrethroids
modulate voltage-sensitive sodium channels; however, recent evidence
suggests that voltage-sensitive calcium and chloride channels are
also inhibited.
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Student
Training Pilot Projects
The Interactome of NAMPT: The Influence of Energetics on DNA
Repair (2011
- Present)
Investigator:
Karen Almeida, Rhode Island College
Abstract:
Maintaining an accurate genome is
critical for cellular survival. Yet the genome is under constant
assault from both endogenous and environmental agents that cuase DNA
damage. Therefore, cells have developed numerous pathways to repair
damage to the DNA. More
Interactions of Fungal Pathogens and Immune Cells: Mechanisms for
Pathogenic Success
(2011 -
Present)
Investigators:
Christopher Reid &
Kirsten
Antonelli, Bryant University
Abstract:
The relationship between indoor
exposure to toxic mold and human health is only beginning to be
understood. While evidence exists of strong correlations between
exposure and infectious and allergic diseases as well as risks of
cancer development, the effects on immune cell function is poorly
understood.
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Mechanisms of CpG-ODN's Protection against UV-induced Cell Death (2009 - Present)
Investigator:
Yinsheng Wan,
Providence
College
Abstract: UV radiation from
sunlight is a major etiologic factor of nonmelanoma skin cancer that
occupies half of cancer in the United States and remains as a
serious social and economical concern. If untreated, skin cancer can
be life-threatening. While more efficient strategies against skin
cancer are under development, understanding the mechanisms of how
skin cancer is induced and developed upon chronic UV radiation
becomes urgent. More
Anticancer Agents and Antibiotic Polymers (2011 - Present)
Investigator:
John Williams,
Rhode Island College
Abstract:
Tamoxifen and
GSK-4716 mimics have been synthesized in our labs. We have
identified compounds with estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity or
both, with no off-target toxicity, in multi-plate screenings against
the estrogen receptor alpha in each subclass of mimic structures;
triarylethenes, triaryltriazoles, diarylimines and triarylimines and
arylphosphonium salts.
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