2024 Pilot Project Awards

Interdisciplinary Pilot Project Award:

Principal Investigators:Lu Cai, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-I/Collaborators:Matt Cave, M.D., Carolyn Klinge, Ph.D., Melissa Smith, Ph.D., Juw Won Park, Ph.D., Xuehong Zhang, Ph.D.
Title: Identification of Metals in Liver Disease and Cancer
Description of Project: Liver cancer is major health issue for the US, particularly Kentucky. The persistent, high prevalence of liver cancer in Kentucky may be due to environmental contamination, such as heavy metal toxicity. We will use mice to develop a model for the development of liver cancer, to directly answer whether exposure of mice to metal cadmium can induce liver cancers in these mice. Then we will detect multiple metals in the stored blood samples of the patients with liver disease and cancer to see whether the metal levels are higher in these patients’ blood. We will also look for its molecular mechanisms for providing future potential intervention. This study includes environmental toxicologist, epidemiologist, and clinical physician from both UofL and Yale University. Completing this project will help us to apply federal grant to solve the concern of Kentucky community.

New Direction Pilot Project Award:

Principal Investigators: Alex Carll, Ph.D.
Collaborators: Pawel Lorkiewicz, Ph.D., Juw Won Park, Ph.D.
Title: The Arrhythmogenic Impacts of Extreme Heat Exposure
Description of Project: The number of extremely hot days is expected to increase due to human and environmental factors, and individuals lacking access to air conditioning are particularly vulnerable. Short-term extremes in high ambient temperatures coincide with increases in sudden cardiac deaths. Sudden cardiac death can occur from impairments in normal cardiac rhythm and electrical conduction that are called arrhythmias. We will examine how extreme heat exposures affect cardiac electrical function to promote arrhythmia. The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate a causal relationship between extreme heat exposure and cardiac arrhythmias using controlled exposures in animal models that mimic human conditions of heightened susceptibility. In addition, our long-term objective is to provide guidance to people suffering from cardiovascular disease with protective measures to reduce the risks of sudden cardiac death associated with heatwaves.

Interdisciplinary Pilot Project Award:

Principal Investigators: Jason Hellmann, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator: Petra Haberzettl, Ph.D.
Title: Environmental Air Pollution Impairs Resolution of Inflammation, a Mechanism for Increased Insulin Resistance
Description of Project: Air pollution exposure is associated with increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a well-established risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and stroke. While not well understood, one possible explanation for air pollution-induced diabetes is by causing chronic inflammation. My lab has a long-standing interest in understanding how the body turns off inflammation. In this proposal, we will therefore test if air pollution exposure in mice causes diabetes by stopping the production of natural “inflammation-off” signals and determine which cell types are more susceptible to the air pollution insult. This application will provide necessary funds to work with CIEHS supported Cores to aid in the generation of preliminary data for a larger, more comprehensive application to the National Institutes of Health.