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Research and Development - Iowa City VA Health Care System

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Biomedical Laboratory Research Funding Awards to VA Research Service Investigators

The Biomedical Laboratory Research Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development funds and administers research that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases and disorders affecting veterans. The primary goals of the Service are twofold: to support high quality biomedical research relevant to veterans' health care needs and to develop and enhance the research environment. The Research Office wishes to recognize these scientists who were awarded grants that begin April 1, 2004.

Principle Investigator Grant Title Goals of Study
Donald D. Heistad, M.D. Vascular Effects of ECSOD and a Human Gene Variant With the use of gene transfer this project will provide new insight into the functional consequences of a common and important gene variant. A potential implication of the findings is that the gene variant may be a risk factor for the cause of hypertension, endotoxemia, and heart failure.
Rama K. Mallampalli, M.D. Regulation of Surfactant by Bioactive Sphingolipids Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is commonly seen in our patient population and is characterized by a deficiency of pulmonary surfactant. This study will work on understanding the mechanisms responsible for altered surfactant synthesis and metabolism could lead to novel and more effective therapies for ARDS.
Mohamed Nasr, M.D. Regulation of Immune Response by CD4+CD25+ Inhibitory Hibridomas Many of our patients suffer from end stage organ failure for which solid organ transplantation remains the only treatment. This proposal will increase our knowledge of how the immune system develops and maintains tolerance and therefore may aid the design of therapeutic approaches that focus on inducing tolerance.
Christine L. Oltman, Ph.D. Progression of Vascular Dysfunction with Metabolic Syndrome: Role of Oxidative Stress Metabolic syndrome is an emerging epidemic and consists of several components including, abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance + glucose intolerance, a proinflammatory state, and a prothombotic state. This study will look at how oxidative stress contributes to development of cardiovascular dysfunction in the metabolic syndrome.
William I. Sivitz, M.D. Mitochondrial Function and Oxidative Stress in Diabetes The role of enhanced oxidative stress and oxidative damage in the initiation and progression of diabetes is poorly understood. This study will evaluate and characterize the mitochondrial defects that occur in insulin-sensitive target tissues during the development and progression of diabetes.
Lubomir P. Turek, M.D. Molecular Epidemiology of Head and Neck Cancer Head and neck cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the VA patient population. Identification of a causative role for human papillomavirus virus (HPV) in head and neck cancer would have great impact, particularly with the advent of effective vaccines for HPV.
Mary E. Wilson, M.D. Interactions of the Leishmania sp. with Mammalian Cells Leishmaniasis has become a major problem for the U.S. military personnel stationed in the Middle East. Many cases of both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis have occurred among active duty personnel. Therapeutic agents for leishmaniasis are toxic, and there is emerging drug resistance leading to treatment failures. The work proposed in this study may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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