Yearly Archives: 2007

Title: Cardiopulmonary Organ Engineering

Description: Researchers are currently working to develop tissue constructs that could be utilized to repair congenital heart defects and to recover function lost to myocardial infarction. The general approach involves optimizing the combination of precursor cells with synthetic scaffolds and culturing methods to achieve the functionality required for the given application. The research team working on this project includes cardiothoracic surgeons, bioengineers, polymer chemists, cell biologists and electrophysiologists. Read More

Title: Beta-catenin in the growth of hepatocellular cancer

Description: Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a disease of poor prognosis. Identifying novel molecular aberrations might present opportunities to identify new therapeutic targets. Due to the similarities between the processes of development and cancer, we used early developing livers to identify genes that might play a primary role in HCC. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRalpha) was identified from microarray using early developing mouse livers. Expression of PDGFRalpha and its upstream effectors, PDGF-AA and PDGF-CC, were examined in HCC tissues (n = 43) by Western blot, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Finally, effect of anti-PDGFRalpha antibody (mAb 3G3, ImClone Systems, Inc.) was examined on human hepatoma cells. A high expression of PDGFRalpha was observed during early liver development. HCCs (17 of 21) revealed cytoplasmic PDGFRalpha and activated PDGFRalpha (phospho-Tyr(754)) by immunohistochemistry. Additional HCCs (14 of 22) showed elevated PDGFRalpha levels when compared with the adjacent normal livers by Western blots. Of these 14 patients, 3 showed increased PDGFRalpha gene expression, 3 showed elevated PDGF-AA, and 4 had higher PDGF-CC levels in the tumors compared with adjacent livers. Multiple hepatoma cell lines, when treated with mAb 3G3, showed significant decreases in cell proliferation and survival (P < 0.05). In conclusion, approximately 70% of HCC tissues had elevated PDGFRalpha levels due to diverse mechanisms. PDGFRalpha inhibition in hepatoma cells led to diminution of tumor cell survival and proliferation and thus might be of therapeutic significance. Read More

Co-PIs: Dr. Joyce Bischoff, Dr. David Brown, Dr. Danielle Gottlieb, Dr. John Mayer, Dr. Robert Padera, Dr. Andrew Powell, Dr. Virna Sales, Dr. Frederick Schoen, Dr. George Stetten Read More

Co-PIs: Stephen Grant and Michael Epperly

Title: Biomarkers of invasiveness using isogenic and progressive human ductal carcinoma in situ cell lines Read More

Co-PIs: Douglas Weber, PhD

Title: Surface Modified Polymer Conduits for Peripheral Nerve Repair

Description: The project seeks to increase the understanding of the effects of biomaterial surface properties on nerve regeneration, and also to enhance the integrated research and education activities of graduate, undergraduate and pre-college students. The plan includes outreach programs and innovative research in the exciting areas of biomaterials and tissue engineering. Specifically, the research plan is focused on developing biodegradable conduits with modified inner luminal surfaces that enhance peripheral nerve repair over long gaps, and the educational plan is focused on enhancing and maintaining the involvement of women and underrepresented minorities in engineering. Read More

Co-PI(s) Susan Braunhut, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Lorraine Gudas, Ph.D., chairman of the pharmacology department and Revlon Pharmaceutical Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York City
Ellen Heber-Katz, Ph.D., professor, molecular and cellular oncogenesis program, The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia
Shannon Odelberg, Ph.D., assistant professor, departments of internal medicine and neurobiology and anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Hans-Georg Simon, Ph.D., a developmental biologist and assistant professor of pediatrics, Children’s Memorial Research Center and Northwestern University in Chicago Read More

Title “Quantitative proteomics of nuclear matrix proteins in novel human ductal carcinoma in situ model systems”
Summary Background: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the earliest identifiable breast cancer lesion. Because DCIS is a pre-invasive malignancy, a better understanding of if and how it may progress to invasive disease will allow determination of which patients to treat aggressively and avoid unnecessary aggressive procedures. Once determined, these differentially expressed proteins may be used as biomarkers or therapeutic targets, as well as help determine the paths by which normal cells progress to DCIS plus provide a better understanding of breast carcinogenesis and ways to prevent it. Tumor grade, size and presence of necrosis are currently used to make clinical decisions regarding DCIS. Read More

Title Biomechanical Soldier Treatment and Regeneration Consortium (STRaC): Preclinical Study to evaluate the use of UBM-ECM for Partial Thickness Skin Wounds Read More

Co-PI(s) William Wagner, PhD

Title Biomechanical Optimization of Tissue Engineered Heart Valves
Summary The focus of this competitive renewal grant is a comprehensive biomechanical evaluation of the in-vitro phase of engineered tissue heart valve development. Read More

Co-PI(s) Donald M. Yealy, M.D and Mitchell P. Fink, M.D.

Title Protocolized Care for Early Septic Shock (ProCESS) Read More

Title National Tissue Engineering Center (Multiple Awards)

Summary Regenerative Medicine Approach to the Treatment of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in a Dog Model Read More

Title Biological Markers of Recovery for the Kidney (BioMaRK)

Summary Investigate the role of inflammation, as well as other factors in recovery from acute renal failure (ARF). This project, called Biological Markers of Recovery for the Kidney, or BioMaRK, will examine how such factors influence survival as well as recovery of kidney function. The study will assess how certain inflammation markers relate to clinical outcomes and build a risk-prediction model based on clinical variables and those biomarkers. The results of this study could potentially lay the foundation for the development of ARF treatment therapies, particularly those designed to enhance organ recovery. Read More