Cycle 12- February 2024 OEFC Core Utilization Subsidy Program (CUSP) Awards

Large OEFC Core Utilization Subsidy Program (CUSP) Award(s): Large CUSP applications will be provided to subsidize already funded EHS research (for example NIEHS) by subsidizing up to 25% total OMICS costs capped at a $10,000 maximum.

Principal Investigator:Matt Cave, M.D.
Co-Investigator:Carolyn Klinge, Ph.D., Melissa Smith, Ph.D.
Title: ISO SEQ Identification of Splicing Events in a Mouse Model of MASLD
Lay Description: The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in the U.S. population is increasing with ~ 36-48% of the population affected. Our work examines the impact of environmental pollutants, including persistent organic pollutants called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and diet on MASLD using experimental models including mice. The current study uses a special technique called IsoSeq from Pacific Biosciences to determine if a single oral exposure of mice to a PCB called Aroclor1260 affects the different forms of RNA transcribed and the association of those RNAs with pathways in human MASLD.

New Hypothesis Expansion/Direction Medium OEFC Core Utilization Subsidy Program (CUSP) Award(s): Medium CUSP applications support the expenses (up to $5,000) associated with critical exploratory research and proof-of-concept studies needed by CIEHS members for hypothesis generation and grant (re)submission.

Principal Investigator:Alex Carll, Ph.D.
Collaborators:Petra Haberzettl, Ph.D., Melissa Smith, Ph.D. and Juw Won Park, Ph.D.
Title: Role of Pulmonary Oxidative Stress in the Cardiotoxicity of Inhaled Fine Particulate Matter
Lay Description: Inhalation of particulate matter air pollution evokes heart rhythm changes that may promote cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest. These effects are believed to result from altered nervous system regulation of the heart, involving enhanced ‘fight-or-flight’ stress activation through the sympathetic nervous system. We recently found in a mouse model that particulate matter exposure alters the expression and phosphorylation of cardiac proteins involved in electrical conduction and ion channel function. This work will use a common Beta-blocker drug that inhibits sympathetic receptors to elucidate beta-adrenergic receptor activation underlies the impacts of particulate air pollution on cardiac gene expression, thereby validating a molecular mechanism of particulate matter-induced cardiac toxicity.

Small OEFC Core Utilization Subsidy Program (CUSP) Award(s): Small CUSP applications support the costs (up to $1,500) associated with OMICs research needed to finish out a project or address questions arising in manuscript revisions or grant resubmissions.

Principal Investigator:J. Christopher States, Ph.D.
Co-Investigators:Lu Cai, M.D., Ph.D., Ted Smith, Ph.D., Charlie Zhang Ph.D., Rochelle Holm, Ph.D., D.J. Biddle, Ph.D.
Title: Metals In Wastewater in Jefferson County
Lay Description: This award will allow us to follow up on two sites where we found elevated levels of lead (Pb) in the wastewater in spot samples. Elevated lead in wastewater could indicate leaching of lead from old lead water delivery pipes or industrial discharge into the sewers.