August 27, 2009

Eight Drexel University College of Medicine research projects received funding totaling more than $1.6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Projects include investigations of HIV, genetic diseases, liver biology and therapeutic approaches to ALS. 

The ARRA legislation, enacted earlier this year, provides an unprecedented level of funding  - $10.4 billion - to the NIH to help stimulate the U.S. economy through the support and advancement of scientific research. The goal is to fund projects that will stimulate the economy, create or retain jobs and have the potential for making scientific progress in two years.

College of Medicine researchers receiving grant awards are:

Timothy Block, PhD, Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Project Title: Imino Sugars for Flavivirus Infections of Bioterror, $96,787

Michael Bouchard, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Project Title: A Microfluidic-Platform Mini-Liver System for Human Liver Biology Studies, $227,592

Richard Huneke, DVM, Executive Director, University Laboratory Animal Resources
Project Title: Animal Facility Renovations of New College Building to Enhance Biomedical Research, $500,000

Gordon Lutz, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Project Title: Targeting AMPA Receptor Splicing as a Therapeutic Approach for ALS, $229,375

Eishi Noguchi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Project Title: Studies of the SWI1-SWI3 Replication Fork Protection Complex, $280,059

Brian Wigdahl, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Project Title:  HIV-1 LRS Activation in Peripheral Blood and Brain, $18,251

Brian Wigdahl, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology  
Project Title:  Co-evolution of HIV-1 Regulators in CNS Disease, $20,673