OEFC & TRSC November 2023 Voucher Awards

Cycle 11-November 2023 OEFC Research Voucher Awards

Large OEFC Research Voucher Award(s): Supporting the Base (large) awards (up to 25% total OMICS costs capped at a $10,000 maximum) will be provided to subsidize CIEHS-member NIEHS-funded research.

Principal Investigator:John Wise, Jr., Ph.D.
Collaborator:Lu Cai, M.D., Ph.D. and Jun Cai, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: Cr(VI)-Induced DNA Damage Contributes To Brain Aging
Lay Description: This research voucher supports Dr. Wise and his team to investigate the neurotoxicity of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. Cr(VI) is a known human carcinogen that made international news when Erin Brokovich challenged PG&E for contamination of drinking water in Hinkley, CA. Dr. Wise's study is the first to assess potential neurotoxic effects of Cr(VI) using a rat model exposed to drinking water levels that are currently considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); 0.05 and 0.1 mg/L (or ppm), respectively. This research voucher will provide the necessary funds to assess accumulation of chromium in various brain regions using UofL's Metallomics Core facility, and results are expected to be disseminated next spring.

New Hypothesis Expansion/Direction Medium OEFC Research Voucher Award(s):Medium research voucher 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:Carolyn Klinge, Ph.D.
Collaborator:Melissa Smith, Ph.D. and Eric Rouchka, Ph.D.
Title: Determine If Palmitic Acid and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposures Alter m6A Marks in the Transcriptome of Aml12 Mouse Hepatocyte Cells
Lay Description: Environmental pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) increase progression of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We identified changes in a chemical modification of mRNA (m6A) in the livers of mice exposed to PCBs and a high fat diet that cause MASLD. The goal of this study is to determine if PCBs alter m6A in mRNAs in mouse liver cells to allow future specific mechanistic studies.

Cycle 7 - November 2023 TRSC Research Voucher Awards

New Hypothesis Expansion/Direction Medium TRSC Research Voucher Award(s): Medium research voucher 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:Natalie DuPre, ScD
Collaborator: Lu Cai, M.D., Ph.D. and Sandy Kavalukas, M.D.
Title: Biospecimen Processing, Storing and Metal Levels For Epidemiologic Studies Of Cancer
Lay Description: The proposed research is relevant to public health because novel short-term and long-term environmental risk factors may be identified for the development of colorectal cancer, the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. This may explain health disparities due to environmental injustices and/or the rise of early onset colorectal cancer. This study is important because alternative prevention strategies for colorectal cancer could stem from environmental interventions at the individual-level or via public health policy (e.g., promote colorectal cancer screening in communities with high environmental contamination and/or more closely monitor metallic pollutants in residential areas).