Restricted Research - Award List, Note/Discussion Page
Fiscal Year: 2023
288 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (142176)
Principal Investigator: Chauhan,Subhash C
Total Amount of Contract, Award, or Gift (Annual before 2011): $ 6,000,000
Exceeds $250,000 (Is it flagged?): Yes
Start and End Dates: 2/1/23 - 1/31/28
Restricted Research: YES
Academic Discipline: Immunology and Microbiology
Department, Center, School, or Institute: Immunology and Microbiology
Title of Contract, Award, or Gift: South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research
Name of Granting or Contracting Agency/Entity:
Cancer Prevention & Research Inst. of TX
CFDA: n/a
Program Title: n/a
Note:
SAMs 1.1.1--The funded ST-CECR will research and develop a comprehensive approach to reduce cancer health disparities of the Rio Grande Valley region by defining novel etiological, confounding factors, and developing cancer health disparity research workforce in the region. We proposed four research projects from junior investigators on different aspects of hepato-GI cancers, considering huge disparities in liver cancer in the area and keep the focused theme of the research project. Research Project# 1 led by Dr. Bandyopadhyay, a medicinal chemist, proposed to develop novel KRAS inhibitors for the treatment ofhepato-GI cancers. The new class of KRAS inhibitors has potential to develop effective treatment strategy for strategy hepato-GI cancers. Research Project# 2 led by Dr. Tripathi, proposed to investigate the influence of stress on an oncogenic LncRNA MALATl and NFATcl (a transcriptional regulator ofMALATl) expression and liver cancer progression using a Z-Probe RNAScope technology. Research Project# 3 led by Dr. Khan, propose to identify liver inhabitant microbiota signatures that can predict the risk of developing HCC and, understand functional and mechanistic association of identified microbial species predisposing NAFLD patients to HCC. Research Project# 4 led by Dr. Sahoo, an electrophysiologist, propose to investigate the role of Zn2+ and K+ ion channels associated proteins TRPML1 and hEAG1, respectively in liver cancer progression. He will use organelle electrophysiology, reactive oxygen species (ROS)/Zn2+ imaging, voltage imaging, small molecule channel agonists, and inhibitors for this research project. Additionally, we proposed the establishment of Biospecimen and Tumor Biology Core Resource (BTBCR) Facility under the leadership of Dr. Rao. This facility will develop local Hispanic centered biospecimens resource and rapidly bridge gaps in early cancer diagnostics and cancer therapeutics across the RGV. This facility will provide tumor biospecimens, body fluids, DNA/RNA samples, patients derived tumor organoids (PDOs), patients derived tumor xenograft (POX) models to the cancer researchers. This core will also facilitate proposed recruitment of at least three new cancer researchers for the further expansion of ST-CECR. Research projects will conduct world class, state of the art basic, translational, and clinical research to improve early cancer diagnosis and develop strategies to enhance outcomes of conventional and modern therapeutic modalities in RGV minority populations. This center application will foster and promote collaboration between research projects, other Texas Institutions, engage community partners and facilitate translation of bench side research into clinical bed side practice. These activities will be crucial for developing successful intervention strategies to eliminate cancer health disparities exists in this unique and highly underserved region. Additionally, this funding will allow to prepare us for the submission of bigger P50 and SPORE like applications to NIH and CPRIT in near future.
Discussion: No discussion notes