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Faculty Development
Projects
The Tumorigenicity Potential of LRH1 in
Pancreatic Cancer (2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
Xiaoqun Dong, University of Rhode Island
Mentor:
Jack Wands,
Brown University
Abstract:
Pancreatic Cancer (PC) ranks as the 4th-leading
cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with a mortality
approaching its incidence. Pancreatic cancer has the lowest
5-year survival rate (<5%) in all malignancies due to its aggressive
progression and refractoriness to therapy.
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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.
More
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
Student
Training Projects
NAMPT Regulation
through Post Translational Modification (2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
Karen Almeida, Rhode Island College
Mentor:
Robert Sobol,
University of Pittsburgh
Abstract:
Nad+ is essential for life and therefore must be strictly
controlled. NAD+ is widely used as the cofactor in cell energy
production and metabolism by providing high-energy electrons
required for oxidation/reduction reactions.
More
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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Anaerobic Enzymes as Targets of Novel Anti-infective Therapeutics (2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
Avelina Espinosa, Roger Williams University
Mentor: Dan
Eichinger, New York University
Abstract:
Anaerobic
protozoan parasites share physiological and biochemical features
(e.g. carbohydrate metabolism and cytosolic fermentation enzymes)
essential to survive in their hosts. Understanding the
evolutionary adaptations of glycolytic enzymes to luminal
environments -in the context of diverse host conditions for
anaerobic metabolism- can lead to the development of new drugs
and/or improve treatments for infectious diseases.
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Nano-Biomarker Arrays for Cancer Diagnostics
(2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
Bernard Munge, Salve Regina University
Mentor:
James Rusling, University of Connecticut
Abstract:
Rapid, extremely
sensitive and accurate biosensor arrays for clinical measurements of
biomarker proteins for early detection and monitoring of cancer are
critically important and will lead to inexpensive devices for
reliable on-the-spot cancer diagnosis, improved therapeutic outcomes
at lower costs, decreased patient stress, and new targeted
therapies.
More
Small Regulatory RNAs in the
Metal-Reducing Bacterium Shewanella oneidensis (2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
Brett Pellock, Providence College
Mentor:
Mary Allen, Wellesley College
Abstract:
Small, non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are a relatively recently discovered
class of genes that bacteria use to regulate the expression of other
genes in response to changing environmental conditions. sRNAs
function by base pairing to their mRNA targets and mediating either
positive or negative regulatory outcomes.
More
Microinjection of Rat Brain Synaptolemma into Xenopus oocytes (2012 - Present)
Investigator:
Steven Symington,
Salve
Regina
University
Mentor:
J. Marshall Clark, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Abstract:
Current approaches to toxicity are time
consuming, expensive and typically rely on investigations that
evaluate observable changes to whole animals.
New approaches capable of assessing environmental contaminants in a
cost and time efficient manner are required to provide information
necessary for sound evaluation of the health effects of adverse
environmental agents.
More
Pilot Projects
Structural
Characterization of Soluble and Neurotoxic Aggregates of FUS (2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
Nicolas Fawzi,
Brown
University
Mentor:
Wolfgang Peti, Brown University
Abstract:
Increasing life expectancy in the United States has been the result
of many medical advances. The occurrence of neurodegenerative
diseases associated with older age, however, has therefore also
increased. Although the subject of intense research, effective
therapies for these devastating diseases have yet to be found, in
large part because the underlying mechanism of toxicity leading to
degeneration has yet to be fully understood.
More
The Molecular
Mechanism of Ultraviolet Phototransduction in Human Melanocytes (2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
Elena Oancea,
Brown
University
Mentor:
Julie Kauer, Brown University
Abstract:
Skin, the largest organ of the human body, is constantly exposed to
solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a powerful environmental risk
factor for skin cancer. Human skin has the unique protective
ability among vertebrates to increase its pigmentation upon UVR
exposure due to melanin production in melanocytes. When this
defense mechanism is inefficient, as in fair-skinned people, or in
response to prolonged UVR-exposure, cancer-promoting genotoxic
damage occurrs. More
Student
Training Pilot Projects
The Design,
Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Potentially Novel Anti-infective
Agents (2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
Susan Meschwitz, Salve Regina University
Abstract:
Bacterial infections are a leading cause of death in children and
the elderly in the United States. The widespread and sometimes
inappropriate use of antibiotic to treat bacterial infections have
contributed to the rapid development of antibiotic resistance in
bacterial populations. More
Mercury Contamination
in Rhode Island Estuarine and Coastal Fisheries (2012 -
Present)
Investigator:
David Taylor, Roger
Williams University
Abstract:
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic environmental contaminant affecting
human health, and exposure occurs mainly through dietary uptake of
contaminated fish. To minimize MeHg epxosure, U.S. federal and
state agencies issue consumption advisories to inform the public of
the possible health risks of eating fish.
More
The Molecular Mechanism of the Resistance to Oxidative Stress in
Melanoma Cells (2012 - Present)
Investigator:
Yinsheng Wan,
Providence College
Abstract:
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and less curable cancers, and
yet the molecular mechanisms of the aggressiveness remains elusive.
Melanocytes and melanoma cells respond to oxidative stress
differently. More
Arylphosphonium Salt Conjugates: Diagnostic, Cell-Imaging Anticancer
Agents; Synthesis and Screening (2012 - Present)
Investigator:
John Williams, Rhode Island College
Abstract:
Arylphosphonium
salts (APS) are ctyotoxic lipophilic cations that can cross cell
membranes. They interact with DNA, both nuclear and
mitochondrial, and block the replication fork. They are
antibacterial and antifungal by known mechanism(s).
More
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