Methods of Dendritic Drugs for Controlled Release in Drug Delivery  This technology enables a novel drug delivery method that utilizes dendrimers as a quantitative and controlled mechanism of delivery; biocompatible linkers with biodegradable bonding allow drug molecules to be incorporated into a dendritic structure to form a dendritic drug that consists of a known amount of drug molecules. Each layer of the cascade structure of the dendrimer is designed to contain a known amount of drug, with the largest amount at the periphery and the lowest amount at the core. The dendrimer delivery platform appears to be very flexible with application for many classes of drugs including anti-fungals, anti-inflammatory agents, anticancer drugs and anti-bacterials. The platform could be designed for diverse administration paths: oral, rectal, or parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intraspinal, intracranial, topical, ocular, and subcutaneous routes. |
Molecules That May Have Biological Significance  This research program focuses the development of analogs of natural products, with specific emphasis on synthesizing complexes of nucleosides and nucleotides. In addition, the research probes electronic properties of molecules through the use of perflouroalkyl groups and chain length modifications for potential exploration of the biological properties of these molecules. The program is directed toward synthesizing materials that exhibit antiviral, anticancer, antisense properties and serve as bio-probes, as well as the development of new synthetic methodologies. |
Center for Biomedical Research This center supports state-of-the-art research facilities for biomedical research, promotes and publicizes biomedical research, and aggressively encourages and supports initiatives for support of biomedical research. The center sponsors research presentations and colloquia, provides funds to support pilot research projects, and identifies novel funding. In addition, the center assists with the development and submission of proposals for external funding of major multi-investigator equipment, (b) provides and maintains readily accessible multi-user equipment facilities, and (c) facilitates access to specialized facilities and services. In addition to supporting and promoting collaborations among its members, the center facilitates interactions between members and other institutions, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and promotes access to biomedical research equipment within the center. |
Embedded systems and Artificial Intelligence Derived Biosensor Devices This is application-driven research focused on the use of artificial intelligence and embedded systems in biosensors and imaging devices. One of the technologies that is being developed involves a device that traps and kills HIV infected cells. The device conceivably would be implanted into the lymph system and proactively recruit infected cells. Additionally, research is focused on a sensor to map the progression of brain cancer using 3-D mathematical modeling and an embedded systems approach. While these are early stage technologies, the architecture that enables functionality of the sensors involves the generation of a circuit without using a microprocessor. The research has yielded a way to use JAVA to create the circuit. This concept could have the potential to be used in a number of different applications, including wide use in the biosensor field. |
Linoleic Acid This research is focused on two components. First, the metabolic disposition and biological activity of oxidized derivatives of linoleic acid is being actively investigated. The major pathway for oxygenation of linoleic acid involves production of 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid by the action of lipoxygenases or cyclooxygenases. This is followed by reduction of the hydroperoxy fatty acid to the hydroxy derivative (13-HODE) and the subsequent dehydrogenation of 13-HODE to the 2,4-dienone 13-OXO. Research efforts are currently focused in two areas related to this metabolic pathway. One area of emphasis involves unraveling the biochemical contribution of 13-HODE dehydrogenase to cellular regulation. A second area of interest involves identification of crucial cellular targets interacting with key metabolites of oxidized linoleic acid. Both chemical and biochemical techniques are employed to address these questions and elucidate these pathways.
A second major area of interest involves attempts to elucidate the mechanism by which conjugated derivatives of linoleic acid, known as CLAs, inhibit mammary tumorigenesis. The CLAs have been shown to be non-toxic inhibitors of both initiation and post initiation events during mammary carcinogenesis. The emphasis in these investigations involves an examination of the potential modulation of the oxidative metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by CLA. Again, identification of biological targets and the elucidation of metabolic pathways available to CLA are major goals of these NIH-supported investigations. |
Biochemical Characterization of Carbofuran Hydroxylase This project supports collaborative research between Dr. Rasul Chaudhry, Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Oakland, Michigan and Dr. Narayan Roy, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. They plan to study certain enzymes that degrade pesticides. The PIs have studied microbial degradation of carbamates and isolated microorganisms that can degrade these chemicals. Microorganisms either hydrolyze or oxidize the chemicals. Hydrolytic processes are less efficient and partially degrade pesticides, whereas oxidation reactions involved in degradation of carbamates are efficient, but more complex. The goal of the study is to determine the molecular mechanism of microbial oxidation of carbofuran. Using a variety of biochemical and molecular biology techniques, the PIs will test the following hypotheses: 1. A mixed function oxygenase, carbofuran hydroxylase, catalyzes the reaction of carbofuran to 4-hydroxycarbofuran. 2. A cytochrome P-450 or another unknown cofactor is involved in the electron transport circuit from NADPH to molecular oxygen. The following four specific aims will be pursued: 1. Purify the enzyme complex responsible for hydroxylation of carbofuran, 2. Characterize the purified enzyme, 3. Determine the components of the hydroxylase and their interactions responsible for catalyzing the reaction, and 4. Investigate the diversity of pesticide-degrading microorganisms. A combined expertise of the collaborating investigators, a biochemist and a molecular biologist will help solve the novel mechanism of induction and functioning of the hydroxylase complex that is key to the effective inactivation of carbofuran in the environment.
Pesticides such as carbofuran are the major group of chemicals that are used in large amounts for improving productivity and quality of crops. While these chemicals are vital to agriculture, human exposure to these pesticides through consumption of foods or drinking water has been suggested to play a key role in the early onset of neurological diseases, old age diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, immunological and reproductive disorders as well as an increase in the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This study will substantiate and extend our understanding of microbial metabolic diversity. It will also help develop new strategies for their safe and effective use as well as disposal. |
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