The first year of our Biotechnology Resesarch Grant program resulted in awards for a variety of research in all areas of the state.
The projects that received funding are:
University of North Carolina-Asheville
Dr. Gerard Voos, $75,000 In partnership with Dr. Jeff Schmitt of the new Bent Creek Institute, to use state-of-the-art analytical and cancer-screening techniques to study pale Indian plantain, flowering splurge and bethroot. All three have been used in traditional cultures as herbal remedies to combat cancer.
Dr. Thomas Meigs, $74,850 To kick-start efforts to find a novel approach for identifying a specific cascade of cellular events linked to the development of cancerous tumors. Meigs will conduct experiments designed to dissect the molecular machinery inside cells used by a protein called G{alpha}12. He suspects that this protein and its mode of action may be linked to the invasive spread of cancer cells throughout the body.
Carolinas Medical Center - Charlotte
Dr. Qi Lu, $75,000 To develop polymers for use as gene-delivery vehicles that can carry replacements for mutated genes, for treating muscular dystrophy. University of North Carolina-Charlotte
Dr. Andriy Baumketner, $75,000 To use theoretical modeling to study the self-assembly process of the promising nano-materials called self-assembled peptides. These materials have wide-ranging applications in engineering, material science and medicine. The research targets better manufacturing methods for peptide-based biomaterials.
Wake Forest University - Winston-Salem
Dr. Christa Colyer, $75,000 To study ways to wield fluorescent probe molecules and capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection tools in human and environmental health and homeland security.
North Carolina Central University Durham
Dr. Somnath Mukhoopadhyay, $75,000 To study a new technology that may shed light on a cellular receptor site that could provide a new target for developers of disease-fighting drugs.
Dr. Jiahua (Jay) Xie, $75,000 To develop transgenic plants with enhanced abilities to accumulate the element selenium, for possible use in cancer treatment as well as environmental clean-up.
East Carolina University Greenville
Dr. Rachel Roper, $72,497 To test a new strategy for improving the safety and effectiveness of poxvirus vaccines for prevention of infectious diseases and treatment of cancers by removing a specific gene that affects immunity.
Dr. Yan-Hua Chen, $75,000 To study cell cultures from a mouse model of acute renal failure to find possible biomarkers that can be used for early detection of the disease and for screening of drugs developed for its treatment.
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Dr. Thomas Shafer, $74,437 To inhibit certain genes for specific proteins in "soft-shell" blue crabs to learn whether these proteins regulate shell hardening by affecting the timing, type and pattern of microscopic mineral production. The data from the crabs may be transferred to produce novel materials that mimic natures non-scale processes.