Basic Science Applications
Targeting perinatal “fast food” exposures and cancer risks later in life
This pilot project is to investigate a significant public health problem involving the inexplicable increase in incidence of inflammation-associated cancers with a Westernized lifestyle. In particular, there is a recent increase in some types of cancer among adults younger than age 50 years.
- Susan Erdman
Prinicple Research Scientist, Divsion of Comparative Medicine - Eric Alm
Associate Professor, Biological Engineering and Civil & Environmental Engineering
Cooperation and cheating in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria
This pilot proposal aims to guide quantitative measurements with ideas from evolutionary dynamics and game theory to provide fresh insight into the evolution of antibiotic resistance.
- Jeff Gore
Assistant Professor, Physics
An in vivo targeted mutagenesis system to examine the fate of clustered abasic sites
The goal of this pilot project is to hypothesize that targeted mutagenesis proceeds via the generation of clustered abasic sites through the non-specific action of localized Mag1 to normal DNA.
- Narendra Maheshri
Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
S100 proteins and zinc in epidermal repair
The goal of this project is to identify genes that are required to stabilize DNA replication under hyperreplicative conditions as we expect mutations in the human homologues of these genes to be predisposed to environmental – and/or oncogenes induced carcinogenesis as well as potentially good chemotherapy targets.
- Elizabeth Nolan
Assistant Professor, Chemistry
A study of mucosal colonization by candida albicans
The aim of this pilot project is to fill the gap of the mechanisms that lead to Candida colonization of the mucosa and characterize key steps of Candida colonization inside the mucosa.
- Katharina Ribbeck
Assistant Professor, Biological Engineering
Translational Applications
Tracking bacterial transmission in fijian farming communities as a test case
The goal of this translational pilot project is develop an integrated epidemiological/environmental model for transmission of bacteria within human communities. Ultimately, this project is track bacteria (and DNA itself), not only through environmental reservoirs but through human social networks.
- Eric Alm
Associate Professor, Biological Engineering and Civil & Environmental Engineering - Stuart Levine
Co-Director, CEHS Genomics and Imaging Facilities Core
Pilot investigation of air pollution and endometriosis
This pilot project proposes to investigate the hypothesis that increased exposure to particulate matter, as observed in women who live in urban areas, is associated with endometriosis and infertility.
- Stacey A. Missmer
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health
Interactions between gut microbiomes and arsenic exposure
This pilot proposal will examine the interactions between gut Microbiomes and arsenic exposure. Specifically addressing three critical questions: 1) Does arsenic exposure cause dysregulation of gut Microbiomes?; 2) Does gut microflora affect arsenic metabolism?; and 3) Does gut microflora mediate toxicological responses to arsenic exposure? This proposal will not only bridge exciting gut microbiome and environmental exposure research, but move them a step forward by emphasizing analysis of functional impacts of altered gut Microbiomes using metabolomics.
- Steven R. Tannenbaum
Professor, Biological Engineering, Chemistry, and Toxicology - Kun Lu
Postdoctoral Associate, Biological Engineering - James G. Fox
Professor and Director, Divsion of Comparative Medicine