Grant List
Represents Grant table in the DB
GET /v1/grants?page%5Bnumber%5D=1403&sort=awardee_organization
{ "links": { "first": "https://cic-apps.datascience.columbia.edu/v1/grants?page%5Bnumber%5D=1&sort=awardee_organization", "last": "https://cic-apps.datascience.columbia.edu/v1/grants?page%5Bnumber%5D=1424&sort=awardee_organization", "next": "https://cic-apps.datascience.columbia.edu/v1/grants?page%5Bnumber%5D=1404&sort=awardee_organization", "prev": "https://cic-apps.datascience.columbia.edu/v1/grants?page%5Bnumber%5D=1402&sort=awardee_organization" }, "data": [ { "type": "Grant", "id": "15424", "attributes": { "award_id": "1SB1AG087755-01", "title": "Ryan® CompanionBot for Assisting Older Adults with Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "National Institute on Aging (NIA)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [ { "id": 32031, "first_name": "DINESH", "last_name": "John", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "start_date": "2024-03-01", "end_date": "2026-05-31", "award_amount": 1424731, "principal_investigator": { "id": 32032, "first_name": "Mohammad", "last_name": "Mahoor", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2541, "ror": "", "name": "DREAM FACE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "CO", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "The population of Americans age 65 years or older will increase from 58 million in 2021 to 88 million by 2050. By 2050, nearly 14 million older adults are expected to have AD/ADRD. For these individuals, significant care is required, and that care is often provided by family members. A 2022 study estimated that 11 million American family members are providing 16 billion hours of care valued at more than $272 billion. Senior care facilities are another option. The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected senior care facility residents. Despite representing only about 1% of the total population in the U.S., COVID-19 deaths in senior care facilities have made up nearly 40% of total COVID-19 deaths. Senior care facilities often face staffing shortages during and after the pandemic. Currently, 3 in 5 assisted living facilities are concerned that they may have to close due to staffing shortages. The situation with these two caregiving options is alarming; increasing demand for caregivers coupled with short supply has led to higher costs, unfilled needs, and fierce competition for resources. While computer technologies, such as wearable devices, are beginning to partially alleviate the shortage of caregivers, more powerful and personalized tools are needed. To address this urgent need, DreamFace Technologies, LLC invented Ryan® CompanionBot, a novel humanoid socially-assistive robot expertly tailored to the specific needs of older adults with early-stage AD/ADRD. The development of Ryan®, with the support of one NSF and two NIA/NIH SBIR grants, has been informed by 100 customer interviews and several subsequent field tests and clinical trials involving more than 50 older adults with early-stage AD/ADRD. In these tests, Ryan® has effectively delivered companionship, engaging conversations, physical and mental stimulation, daily activity reminders, and valuable assistance to the AD/ADRD-afflicted seniors powered by state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technologies such as facial expression recognition and synthesis, brain games, and empathic conversations while we also learned about several additional capabilities required for commercial success. Furthermore, in the pre-launch phase of the initial version of Ryan®, it has been deployed on a subscription basis at the esteemed senior care facility, Morningstar, which has served as a valuable beta site. In this Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) program, we plan to complete the preparation of Ryan® for full commercialization. Specifically, we will: (1) refine and enhance Ryan®'s software and hardware, making mass manufacturing more efficient and cost-effective while making Ryan®'s operation more robust and easier to adopt by family members, staff, administrators, and caregivers in senior care facilities, (2) develop robust, integrated marketing and sales strategies, (3) develop an Intellectual Property strategy and required privacy policy and legal documents and (4) develop a financing and fundraising strategy for the successful commercialization of Ryan®. Upon the completion of the CRP project, we will have all the essential elements in place for the full commercialization of Ryan® as a transformative solution for senior care, benefiting both individuals diagnosed with early-stage AD/ADRD and caregivers alike.", "keywords": [], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15433", "attributes": { "award_id": "6R21HD112742-02", "title": "Designing effective RNA therapies for oocyte maturation", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [ { "id": 27537, "first_name": "NEELAKANTA", "last_name": "RAVINDRANATH", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "start_date": "2023-09-01", "end_date": "2025-08-31", "award_amount": 303504, "principal_investigator": { "id": 27910, "first_name": "Nehemiah Seth", "last_name": "Alvarez", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [ { "id": 27911, "first_name": "Pavla", "last_name": "Brachova", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2542, "ror": "https://ror.org/04zjtrb98", "name": "Old Dominion University", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "VA", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "Infertility is a major reproductive health issue that affects ~12% of reproductively aged women in the United States. Approximately 1-3% of infertile or subfertile women have oocytes that arrest in meiosis or shortly after fertilization due to genetic variants. Unfortunately, there are no therapies for women experiencing infertility due to oocyte arrest. Strategies to restore oocyte maturation in women with oocyte arrest are of dire need in order to give these women fertility options. An emerging class of therapies, called mRNA therapeutics, utilize in vitro synthesized mRNA as a treatment for diseases and for vaccines such as the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, but the safety and efficacy has not been explored in infertility. Microinjection of RNA into oocytes is an established tool that has enabled discovery of critical aspects of oocyte biology, but it could also be used as a therapeutic, particularly in women with oocyte arrest. Two recent studies successfully generated blastocysts in oocytes from women with genetic variants causing oocyte arrest, following the injection of in vitro synthesized wild-type RNA during assisted reproductive procedures. RNA therapies represent a novel treatment strategy for women experiencing oocyte arrest, however, rigorous testing is needed before they become an assisted reproductive technology. Considering the unique RNA processing and transcriptional quiescence of fully grown oocytes it is critical to understand how oocytes process exogenous RNA therapeutic molecules. Furthermore, synthetic therapeutic mRNA contain RNA modifications that promote RNA stability, translation, and reduce immune stimulation. Recently, our work and others have implicated RNA modifications as playing an important regulatory role in RNA stability and translation in oocytes. However, the impact of multiple RNA modifications on RNA stability, translation, and oocyte maturation has not been examined. Our goal here is to test how RNA modifications impact the function of mRNA therapeutics designed to rescue oocyte maturation defects. To understand how RNA therapeutics are processed by the oocyte and how they impact oocyte maturation and fertility, we will use a genetic knockout mouse model of the Protein Associated with Topoisomerase II Homolog 2 (Patl2 gene), which results in oocyte maturation arrest. Mice lacking PATL2 protein phenocopy women with genetic defects in Patl2, and have oocytes that fail to mature, so we predict that microinjection of an RNA therapeutic for Patl2 will restore oocyte maturation, fertilization, and birth. We will determine the effects of RNA modifications on stability and translation of therapeutic Patl2 RNA. Our studies have the potential to reveal novel aspects of RNA modifications in oocyte RNA processing and translation, as well as establish groundwork for future studies testing the safety and efficacy of RNA therapeutics to treat female infertility due to oocyte arrest.", "keywords": [], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15440", "attributes": { "award_id": "3R01MD019027-02S1", "title": "Factors Influencing Pediatric Asthma into Adulthood (FIPA2)", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [ { "id": 27240, "first_name": "UTIBE RONALD", "last_name": "Bickham-Wright", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "start_date": "2023-09-25", "end_date": "2028-04-30", "award_amount": 120454, "principal_investigator": { "id": 32035, "first_name": "LYLE G", "last_name": "BEST", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [ { "id": 9754, "first_name": "Esther", "last_name": "Erdei", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [ { "id": 761, "ror": "", "name": "UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "NM", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true } ] }, { "id": 32036, "first_name": "Dara", "last_name": "Torgerson", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2543, "ror": "", "name": "MISSOURI BREAKS RESEARCH, INC.", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "SD", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "A. Summary of Funded Parent Grant: Factors Influencing Pediatric Asthma into Adulthood (R01MD019027) The prevalence of asthma among American Indian (AI) children is 9.3% as compared to 5.5% in non- Hispanic White children. Asthma disparities become even more pronounced into adulthood, with AI adults having the highest prevalence of asthma as compared to all other racial/ethnic groups in the US, with 60% uncontrolled. Asthma is influenced by social and environmental factors (SEF) including adverse childhood events (ACEs), tobacco smoke, and everyday life stressors that may alter immunological state. ACEs in particular, including abuse, neglect, and household challenges have been associated with immune dysregulation, may have implications for clinical outcomes of respiratory viral infections in children that have been linked to asthma and persistent respiratory symptoms. For example, Infants who develop severe RSV bronchiolitis in the first year of life are more likely to develop asthma, and children with asthma are at increased risk of experiencing complications from respiratory viral infections due to SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and rhinovirus C. In the Factors Influencing Pediatric Asthma (FIPA) study including children from a Northern Plains American Indian community, we found children with asthma experienced an increased clinical burden from RSV infection and had lower levels of serum RSV-specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) than children without asthma, indicative of immune suppression or dysfunction. However, the complex interplay between social, environmental and immunological response to viral respiratory infections remains largely unknown, and these factors have not been investigated among AI children with respect to their influence on immunological response and asthma development and control of asthma symptoms. In this continued AI community-focused study, we will test the hypothesis that social and environmental factors contribute to asthma susceptibility through stress-induced immune dysregulation, including the alteration of immunological response to viral respiratory infections. We will also investigate the role of viral respiratory infections and SEF on asthma control, including frequency of symptoms, exacerbations, ER visits/hospitalizations, and use of asthma medications. Aim 1: Identify social and environmental factors (SEF) that contribute to asthma susceptibility, asthma control, and long-term respiratory health in American Indian children. We will follow-up on our previously NIMHD-funded case/control study of 324 children recruited between the ages of 6-17 from 2013- 2017 as they transition into adulthood (now ages 11-27). We will recontact original study participants, evaluating their current asthma status to investigate the role of age and gender on long-term respiratory health including current asthma and asthma control. We will also expand our study to 400 new participants with and without asthma between the ages of 6-17, including Tribal members living in Rapid City, SD, and offspring of original study participants (~30% of original study participants have since become parents). We will obtain detailed measures of SEF, and retrospective information on adverse childhood events (ACE) using an established screener to evaluate their role in asthma susceptibility and asthma control, including comparisons between urban vs. rural and multi-generational effects in this community-engaged study. We hypothesize that domains of biological and behavioral influences acting on the individual and interpersonal levels generate social stress and have an impact on asthma development and control. Aim 2: Investigate the role of SEF on immunological response to viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in AI children with and without asthma. We will investigate the impact of social and environmental factors measured using validated and Tribally-developed surveys on the immune system of AI children with and without asthma, including response to viral respiratory infections (viral-specific serum IgG and IgM concentrations to RSV and other VRI pathogens known to cause long-term respiratory sequelae). We will quantify serological measurements of participants’ humoral immune responses including serum biomarkers of inflammation (Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines), atopy (serum total IgE), and total immunoglobulins. We will test our hypothesis that interactions with detailed survey measures of SEF with immunological and clinical outcomes of VRIs, including viral responses in participants with and without asthma are the strongest and most significant predictors in our AI participants. Aim 3: Engage with an existing Tribal Community Advisory Board (CAB) using continuous bidirectional process evaluation to develop an intervention and policy framework of asthma prevention. We will engage with the CRST’s dedicated community and Tribal cultural experts and active volunteers in building our local CAB. We will leverage the scientific knowledge gained under this proposal to work with the CAB to create a sustainable, feasible, and Lakota-driven, intervention and policy framework, including the creation of structures to allow integration of social stressers including ACEs into existing referral services and policy initiatives. We will collect detailed information using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews among CAB members and the community about the study development and processes. We recognize that Tribal children with mild, moderate to severe asthma who are experiencing humoral immune response alterations and a combination of SEFs need very targeted and specialized preventive measures that this study will be able to develop and support with implementation. B. RESEARCH PLAN: Environmental Toxicants and Asthma in American Indian Children Background: Viral respiratory infections in early life have been linked to the development of asthma and persistent respiratory symptoms in children 1–3, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) of which the majority of children are exposed before age 2. Infants who develop RSV bronchiolitis in the first year of life have a high chance of developing asthma 4, and children with asthma have an increased risk of experiencing complications and lasting respiratory symptoms from infections such as RSV, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and rhinovirus-C 5–8. The prevalence of asthma among American Indian (AI) children is 9.3% as compared to 5.5% in non-Hispanic White children 9. This is a serious but understudied, pediatric health disparity in the U.S. that becomes even more pronounced into adulthood, with AI adults having the highest prevalence of asthma as compared to all other racial/ethnic groups 9. Asthma has been linked to a number of social and environmental factors 10–15 including exposure to social stress, tobacco smoke, air pollution, and environmental toxicants including per- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 16. There is mounting evidence that PFAS, a “forever chemical” in the environment has a deleterious effect on many aspects of health 17, including thyroid and immune activity 18, inflammation in pregnancy 19, fetal growth 20, immune response to childhood vaccines 21 and viral respiratory infections 22,23. Thus, exposure to PFAS and environmental toxins during childhood may have a lasting effect on Tribal health. In summary, we propose to address newly emerging chemical exposures including PFAS in an at-risk, low income, Native American community in consultation with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST), including children living in Rapid City South Dakota and the Cheyenne River Sioux and Oglala Lakota Reservations. In this area of South Dakota, the proportion of children living below the Federal poverty line is 47% and 57% in Ziebach 24 and Dewey 25 Counties, respectively. The adverse health effects of PFAS and environmental toxins due to community-level exposure in this area of high childhood poverty has yet to be investigated, nor their effects on immunological response to viral respiratory infections and immune dysfunction. Preliminary Research: In the Factors Influencing Pediatric Asthma (FIPA) study we found that AI children with asthma living on the Cheyenne River Sioux and Oglala Lakota Reservations were more likely to reside in multi-unit housing, and in residences with rodent or insect infestation resulting in poor indoor air quality as compared to asthma controls 26. Children with asthma also had higher BMI, total leukocyte counts, % eosinophils, total serum IgE, and specific IgE to five common indoor airborne antigens 27. We also found children with asthma to have lower levels of RSV-specific IgG during the winter (Figure 1) and to report increased hospitalizations and RSV diagnoses (Figure 2), suggesting immune dysregulation with clinical implications 28. We hypothesize that exposures to environmental toxins, some of which have been linked to immune dysregulation may play an important role. Figure 1: A. Asthma cases recruited during the winter (RSV season) had significantly lower RSV IgG as compared to asthma cases recruited during the summer (p=2.5x10-6). There was no observed difference in seasonality for asthma controls (p=0.60). B. More children with asthma have low levels of IgG (<40 IU/mL). In unpublished results, Dr. Erdei (co-PI of parent study) detected PFAS in 83% of samples from 50 CRST adults who fish regularly from the Tribe's main public water sources. She has identified an association between PFAS and a number of tissue- specific and antinuclear autoantibodies, and found serum PFAS and other compounds to be predictors of autoimmune markers indicative of a hyperreactive immune response in adults (Figure 3). Consuming locally caught fish as part of AI Figure 2: Children with asthma in the FIPA study report a higher culture and as a dietary source of protein was also clinical burden from RSV. associated with overall elevation of serum PFAS. Similar investigations among children in the CRST will allow us to learn more about PFAS exposure patterns as it relates to immune dysregulation, viral respiratory infections, and its effect on children’s health in the community. Figure 3: Quantile Regression plots in CRST adults showing that A. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) exposures are predictive of anti- native DNA response. B. PFOS and C. PFOA exposures are predictive of thyroid-specific (anti-thyroglobulin) autoimmune response, with PFOA having an immunosuppressive effect. In summary, we hypothesize that exposure to environmental toxins, specifically PFAS, contributes to immune dysregulation and response to viral respiratory infections in American Indian children with asthma. As recruitment for FIPA2 is starting, this is an opportune time for Dr. Spear to lead a study investigating the role of PFAS and environmental toxins on the health of AI children. This opportunity will afford Dr. Spear to narrow in on the role of PFAS on immune dysregulation and response to viral respiratory infections in children with and without asthma, while making new connections with scientists in the field of environmental research. Overall, our study will advance knowledge of the effect of environmental toxins on immune dysregulation of children to inform future policies and interventions. Thus, our specific aims for this diversity supplement are: Specific Aim 1: Measure and identify suspect and PFAS chemicals that are present in American Indian children from Rapid City and the Cheyenne River Sioux/Oglala Lakota Reservations. Specific Aim 2: Perform correlative and predictive modeling between PFAS/suspect chemicals and immunological biomarkers and response to viral respiratory infections in AI children with and without asthma. Approach: We will perform suspect screening and test for levels of 12 PFAS in serum samples of 52 children with and without asthma and living in urban vs. rural (Reservation) locations (Figure 4). We will identify suspect chemicals present in AI children, and perform preliminary correlations with immune biomarkers, viral-specific immunoglobulins, PFAS and suspect chemicals identified. Characterizing the presence and effect of environmental toxins on the immune system is an essential step for understanding environmental health disparities, which the community has been struggling with for decades. Figure 4: Location and summary of serum samples for study to measure PFAS/suspect chemicals in children ages 6-17 years old in FIPA2. Recruitment is beginning 5/2024. We also have stored samples for >300 original FIPA participants at -80C (living on Reservation, only). Specific Aim 1: Measure and identify suspect and PFAS chemicals that are present in American Indian children from Rapid City and the Cheyenne River Sioux/Oglala Lakota Reservations. We will work with the UCSF Bioassay Facility Core to develop a protocol for PFAS and untargeted suspect screening of serum samples from 52 AI children, including 26 asthma cases and 26 matched controls living in an urban (Rapid City SD) vs. rural (Reservation) environment. Specific Aim 2: Perform correlative and predictive modeling between PFAS/suspect chemicals and immunological biomarkers and response to viral respiratory infections in AI children with and without asthma. We will test for a correlation of PFAS/suspect chemicals with levels of immune biomarkers and viral- specific immunoglobulins. Immune biomarkers will include cytokines, Creactive protein, CBCs (white blood cell counts), total serum IgE, and viral specific IgG/IgM (SARs-CoV2, RSV, influenza, and rhinovirus C). Results from this aim will provide insights in to 1) the variability in exposure to environmental toxicants in children living in urban vs. rural (Reservation) locations and 2) the role of exposure to PFAS/suspect chemicals on immune dysregulation and asthma. Statistical analyses: We will examine the distribution of individual PFAS chemicals plus untargeted suspect chemicals to determine the relevant statistical test. In general, for commonly detected chemicals we will utilize linear and logistic regression models (or nonparametric tests) to test for associations between PFAS/suspect chemicals adjusting for multiple covariates selected through an iterative process (e.g. BMI, sex, household size, asthma medications); we will also contrast models with and without an asthma interaction. For rare chemicals we will apply a fisher’s exact test for detected/undetected. ROC curves will be generated for individual chemicals by asthma and location, and cluster analyses will be performed over all chemicals using a principal component analysis (with UMAP projection) and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) for predictive modeling and Cox regression. Lastly, we will attempt a mediation analysis to evaluate if exposure to PFAS/suspect chemicals contributes to asthma via immune dysregulation. Relevance to the parent grant: The parent grant is centered on identifying social determinants of the environment including adverse childhood experiences that contribute to the development of asthma through altering the immunological response to viral respiratory infections. However, there is substantial evidence to suggest that exposure to environmental toxicants contribute to immune dysregulation in both the context of asthma and general immune function as discussed above. In this proposal, Dr. Spear will focus on the physical environment, specifically the role of exposure and accumulation of environmental toxicants on immune dysregulation in children with and without asthma.", "keywords": [], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15484", "attributes": { "award_id": "1R41MD019586-01", "title": "MiREA, a mHealth intervention to Reduce Health Disparities by Improving Equitable Access to Mandated College Students with Problematic Alcohol and Marijuana Use", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [ { "id": 6029, "first_name": "JARRETT AINSWORTH", "last_name": "Johnson", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "start_date": "2024-11-01", "end_date": "2025-10-31", "award_amount": 296519, "principal_investigator": { "id": 32039, "first_name": "Donna Marie", "last_name": "Kazemi", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2544, "ror": "", "name": "MHEALTH SYSTEMS, INC", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "NC", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "This STTR Phase I proposal is designed to address the urgent need for an effective primary prevention approach to the problem of heavy episodic drinking and cannabis misuse among mandated minority college students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and attending school in rural Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) counties. Alcohol and cannabis misuse affects all demographic groups in the United States (NSDUH, 2021); however, some subsets are disproportionally affected. Access to treatment differs, often by race and gender. With growing evidence of health disparities among minority college students, the COVID-19 pandemic has decimated college budgets and elevated the risk of substance misuse and mental health issues. Smartphone app interventions are expanding and can offer accessible, scalable, and cost-effective tools. Cannabis use has increased significantly among Hispanic and Black Americans aged 18 and up in 2015-2018 (NSDUH, 2020). Alcohol death rates among college-age students (18 to 34) jumped 69% from 2007 to 2020. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug among the country's 20- plus million college students. Research suggests that newer technologies, such as smartphone apps, prevent misuse in mandated students more effectively than face-to-face intervention. However, little research has been done into culturally attuned evidence-based interventions that empower students to engage in health-seeking behaviors and avoid risky alcohol and cannabis misuse. To address this gap, mHealth Systems, Inc. is partnering with the University of NC at Charlotte (UNCC), the University of South Carolina USC), and Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital on this Phase I STTR. We will enhance the Motivational Intervention in Real-time delivered through the Ecological Application (MiREA) App by expanding to incorporate further culturally attuned content. Phase 1 will test the adapted product's feasibility and acceptability. Specific aims: 1) Determine usability, feasibility, and efficacy of the MiREA-AC intervention (months 1-12); we will: a) conduct alpha theater and field testing (months 1-3, n=10) at two U.S. campuses to ensure acceptability of the app's contents; b) conduct a multi-site pilot feasibility trial (months 3-12, n=60) at six U.S. campuses. 2) Examine key customer needs by engaging with a Stakeholders Advisory Board (SAB, n=50, months 1-12) composed of health wellness staff, administrators, and minority representatives from HBCU and ARC socioeconomically disadvantaged colleges and universities and engage the SAB in the integration of MiREA-AC prototype within mandated programs. Participants will include 60 minority-mandated students from six US universities, ages 18 to 25, who have violated school drug and alcohol policies. Because of students' comfort with mobile technologies, we expect those receiving digital intervention to report higher satisfaction with the MiREA-AC mobile app than with in-person interventions. We expect MiREA-AC to be more cost-effective and to have greater reach, adoptability, portability, and sustainability than current approaches.", "keywords": [], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15488", "attributes": { "award_id": "1I01BX006139-01A1", "title": "Junctophilin- 2 in brown Adipocyte Metabolic Regulation and Obesity", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [], "start_date": "2024-10-01", "end_date": "2028-09-30", "award_amount": null, "principal_investigator": { "id": 32040, "first_name": "Long-Sheng", "last_name": "Song", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2545, "ror": "https://ror.org/03r9k1585", "name": "Iowa City VA Medical Center", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "IA", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "Obesity, a state of imbalance between caloric intake and energy expenditure, is a major global problem that increases the risk of developing a wide range of diseases including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 among others. Brown adipocytes in brown adipose tissue (BAT) depots dissipate chemical energy in the form of heat through non-shivering thermogenesis, to increase systemic energy expenditure and maintain whole-body energy homeostasis in response to stresses, including cold exposure and overnutrition. Brown adipocytes share a common lineage with muscle cells, the source of shivering thermogenesis. We recently discovered that junctophilin-2 (JP2), a muscle specific protein, is also enriched in brown adipocytes. JP2 is a structural protein that spatially organizes endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR)-plasma membrane (PM) junctions in muscle cells. These EM/SR-PM junctions are essential for precise control of Ca2+ homeostasis and contractile function in cardiac and skeletal muscles. In addition to its structural role, we recently demonstrated that JP2 serves as a stress-adaptive transcriptional regulator, controlling the transcriptome that regulates metabolic pathways that are also relevant to adipose metabolism. However, it remains completely unknown whether JP2 also functions in regulating Ca2+ homeostasis, and thermogenic program in brown adipocytes. In pilot studies, JP2 expression in BAT was suppressed by diet-induced obesity. Furthermore, JP2 deficiency disrupts BAT calcium dynamics and blunts sympathetic nervous system activation of thermogenesis in BAT. Notably, adipose-specific JP2 deletion promotes cold intolerance, and worsens obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction. These pilot data indicate that JP2 is required for maintaining thermogenic and metabolic homeostasis in BAT. Based on these intriguing preliminary data, we hypothesize that JP2 is crucial in maintaining normal Ca2+ homeostasis and energy metabolism in brown adipocytes, and defects in JP2-mediated Ca2+ regulation lead to energy imbalance and metabolic dysfunction. To test this hypothesis, we will use a multidisciplinary approach, including multiple novel mouse models, high resolution confocal imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemical analysis and a spectrum of in vitro and in vivo metabolic assays. Upon successful completion of this project, we will establish a mechanistic understanding of the physiological regulation of JP2 in brown adipocytes and the pathophysiological role of JP2 dysregulation in obesity and associated diseases, therefore revealing a novel molecular mechanism leading to metabolic disorders.", "keywords": [], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15489", "attributes": { "award_id": "75N93024C00014-0-9999-1", "title": "MRNA VACCINE DEVELOPMENT", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [], "start_date": "2024-09-01", "end_date": "2026-08-31", "award_amount": 594566, "principal_investigator": { "id": 32041, "first_name": "KATERINA", "last_name": "ANDRIANOVA", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2546, "ror": "", "name": "FLAG BIO, INC.", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "NY", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "The contractor will develop mRNAFlag as a vaccine adjuvant. mRNAFlag is an mRNA transcript that encodes for the deimmunized TLR5 agonist GP532. mRNAFlag would be developed within the context of an influenza mRNA vaccine, using an A/California/07/2009(H1N1) hemagglutinin in an LNP formulation used by Moderna for its SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.", "keywords": [], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15504", "attributes": { "award_id": "75N91024P00404-0-0-1", "title": "NCI PATTERNS OF CARE STUDY- DIAGNOSIS YEAR 2021 (PROSTATE CANCER AND OVARIAN CANCER)", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "National Cancer Institute (NCI)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [], "start_date": "2024-05-01", "end_date": "2025-04-30", "award_amount": 86402, "principal_investigator": { "id": 32050, "first_name": "Marylou", "last_name": "Gonsalves", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2547, "ror": "", "name": "CONNECTICUT STATE DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "CT", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Patterns of Care (POC) studies describe, characterize, and compare practice patterns and treatments provided for cancer in different geographic areas of the United States. POC Studies are conducted periodically, typically annually, to satisfy a congressional directive (under Public Law 100-607, Sec. 413 (a)(2)(C) adopted on November 4, 1988) to the NCI to “assess the incorporation of state-of-the-art cancer treatments into clinical practice and the extent to which cancer patients receive such treatments and include the results of such assessment in the biennial reports…”. To satisfy the directive and to update and enhance the utility of the POC Studies, a working group including representatives from the NCI’s Divisions of Cancer Control and Population Sciences and Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis and a representative from the American Cancer Society was developed to review knowledge gaps in cancer therapy dissemination and to develop priority areas for study. The group reached a consensus that a gap remains regarding factors associated with guideline use of biomarker tests and targeted therapy. Furthermore, the group determined there is limited information about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and receipt of supportive/palliative care among individuals diagnosed with cancer. For feasibility reasons, the group also recommended that this POC Study be focused specifically on the patterns of care for patients newly diagnosed with prostate or ovarian cancer. This POC Study will also collect data on documentation of palliative care and patient financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Relevant information on cancer diagnosis, cancer recurrence and metastasis, patterns of care (e.g., utilization of biomarker testing, specific cancer treatments, supportive/palliative care), and patient financial stability shall be abstracted from medical records among patients aged 20 years or older who were diagnosed with prostate or ovarian cancer in 2021.", "keywords": [], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15512", "attributes": { "award_id": "1R01NS135072-01A1", "title": "Targeting cerebrovascular Wnt/beta-catenin signaling to reverse brain endothelial damage induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [ { "id": 6896, "first_name": "WILLIAM PATRICK", "last_name": "Daley", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "start_date": "2024-12-01", "end_date": "2029-11-30", "award_amount": 801329, "principal_investigator": { "id": 31999, "first_name": "Sarah Elizabeth", "last_name": "Lutz", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2548, "ror": "", "name": "UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "IL", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "Many COVID-19 survivors experience long-lasting neurological post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (NeuroPASC) including cognitive, cerebrovascular, and neurological disorders. The causes of NeuroPASC are not understood. However, evidence suggests that blood-brain barrier damage may contribute to NeuroPASC. Identifying mechanisms that regulate the brain endothelial cell response in NeuroPASC is therefore important. Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in maintaining integrity of the blood-brain barrier. This grant will test the novel mechanism that Wnt/β-catenin dysregulation in brain endothelial cells contributes to NeuroPASC by increasing blood-brain barrier permeability and neuroinflammation. We will determine the effect of age on brain endothelial cell signaling and blood-brain barrier permeability for the resolution of NeuroPASC. We will define the mechanism by which Wnt/β-catenin activation reverses blood-brain barrier leakage and memory impairment in NeuroPASC. We will determine the extent through which transcellular blood-brain barrier permeability contributes to NeuroPASC. These studies could identify future therapeutic strategies leveraging Wnt/β-catenin signaling to improve chronic post-infectious neurological diseases.", "keywords": [], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15642", "attributes": { "award_id": "1R01HL176717-01", "title": "Aerocyte-mediated Alveolar Epithelial Regeneration following Lung Injury", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [ { "id": 23738, "first_name": "Sara", "last_name": "Lin", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "start_date": "2025-01-16", "end_date": "2028-11-30", "award_amount": 480990, "principal_investigator": { "id": 32146, "first_name": "Bisheng", "last_name": "Zhou", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2548, "ror": "", "name": "UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "IL", "zip": "", "country": "United States", "approved": true }, "abstract": "/ ABSTRACT Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening lung injury caused by various factors such as infection and trauma, currently lacking a cure. Annually, approximately 190,000 Americans are diagnosed with ARDS, a number further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary pathology involves damage to the alveolar epithelium, necessitating innovative approaches to accelerate alveolar epithelial regeneration for treating ARDS. Alveoli, surrounded by abundant capillaries for gas exchange, remain poorly understood in their regulatory role within this intensive capillary niche. Our focus is on aerocytes, a recently identified capillary endothelial population specialized in the lungs and positioned on the outer surface of the alveolar epithelium. Given this unique location, we propose that aerocytes play a pivotal role in alveolar epithelial regeneration. Preliminary data indicate that aerocytes express the angiocrine factor R-spondin3, a Wnt signaling activator, and stem cell factor. Loss of angiocrine R-spondin3 impedes regenerative epithelial remodeling and lung repair following injury, suggesting a crucial role for aerocyte-derived signaling in lung alveolar regeneration. Our research proposal aims to establish the central role of aerocytes in regulating alveolar regeneration post lung injury, with a specific focus on the signaling molecule R-spondin3. We hypothesize that aerocytes guide regenerative alveolar remodeling through R-spondin3, enhancing Wnt signaling in alveolar epithelium, and orchestrating interstitial macrophage plasticity for the necessary regenerative niche. To rigorously test this hypothesis, we outline the following specific aims: Aim 1: Investigate the role of aerocyte-derived R-spondin3 in lung growth and recovery using loss-of- function and gain-of-function animal studies within disease-related lung injury models. Aim 2: Define the mechanisms of regenerative alveolar remodeling guided by aerocyte-derived signaling, focusing on AT2 cell renewal, transition into TSCs, and differentiation into AT1 cells using advanced techniques such as alveolar organoids. Aim 3: Examine the impact of aerocytes on interstitial macrophage plasticity in establishing a regenerative alveolar niche. By unveiling the role and mechanisms of aerocytes in alveolar epithelial regeneration, this research potentially leads to innovative therapeutic strategies for treating ARDS by targeting aerocyte-derived signaling to regenerate the alveoli, ultimately improving the health and quality of life for individuals affected by severe respiratory complications associated with COVID-19 and ARDS.", "keywords": [ "AGTR2 gene", "Acceleration", "Acute Lung Injury", "Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome", "Address", "Affect", "Alveolar", "Alveolus", "American", "Animals", "Blood capillaries", "COVID-19 pandemic", "COVID-19/ARDS", "Cells", "Critical Illness", "Data", "Diagnosis", "Disease", "Endothelium", "Epithelium", "Gases", "Growth", "Health", "Individual", "Infection", "Injury", "Life", "Location", "Lung", "Macrophage", "Mediating", "Modeling", "Natural regeneration", "Organoids", "Pathology", "Play", "Population", "Positioning Attribute", "Quality of life", "Recovery", "Research", "Research Proposals", "Role", "Sepsis", "Signal Transduction", "Signaling Molecule", "Stem Cell Factor", "Surface", "Techniques", "Testing", "Therapeutic", "Trauma", "WNT Signaling Pathway", "alveolar epithelium", "effective intervention", "epithelium regeneration", "gain of function", "improved", "innovation", "interstitial", "loss of function", "lung injury", "lung repair", "new therapeutic target", "regenerative", "respiratory", "severe COVID-19" ], "approved": true } }, { "type": "Grant", "id": "15533", "attributes": { "award_id": "1R01AI186964-01", "title": "The role of cell, antigen, and antibody, in controlling virus infection through Fc-dependent mechanisms", "funder": { "id": 4, "ror": "https://ror.org/01cwqze88", "name": "National Institutes of Health", "approved": true }, "funder_divisions": [ "National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)" ], "program_reference_codes": [], "program_officials": [ { "id": 29189, "first_name": "Moriah Jovita", "last_name": "Castleman", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "start_date": "2024-12-23", "end_date": "2029-11-30", "award_amount": 318085, "principal_investigator": { "id": 32074, "first_name": "Ceri", "last_name": "Fielding", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, "other_investigators": [ { "id": 32075, "first_name": "Stephen", "last_name": "Graham", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, { "id": 32076, "first_name": "Jordan Scott", "last_name": "Orange", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, { "id": 32077, "first_name": "Richard", "last_name": "Stanton", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, { "id": 32078, "first_name": "Eddie Chung Yern", "last_name": "Wang", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, { "id": 32079, "first_name": "Michael", "last_name": "Weekes", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] }, { "id": 32080, "first_name": "Wioleta Milena", "last_name": "Zelek", "orcid": null, "emails": "", "private_emails": "", "keywords": null, "approved": true, "websites": null, "desired_collaboration": null, "comments": null, "affiliations": [] } ], "awardee_organization": { "id": 2549, "ror": "https://ror.org/03kk7td41", "name": "Cardiff University", "address": "", "city": "", "state": "", "zip": "", "country": "UNITED KINGDOM", "approved": true }, "abstract": "The ability of an�bodies to bind infected cells and ac�vate cellular immunity through an�body-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), an�body-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and complement-dependent cytolysis (CDC) is cri�cal to control of intracellular virus and intra-host dissemina�on. The induc�on of these responses is therefore highly desirable in an�viral and immunotherapeu�c responses. However, our understanding of how to exploit ADCC/ADCP/CDC significantly lags that of neutralising ac�vity. Whereas neutralising an�bodies can be readily induced by vaccina�on with entry glycoproteins or receptor-binding subdomains, it remains unclear how to select an�gens, domains, or epitopes, for op�mal ADCC ac�vity. We have shown that there is litle correla�on between the ability of an�bodies to neutralise and to ac�vate cellular immunity, and that previously unsuspected an�gens can induce significantly enhanced Fc-dependent ac�vity compared to those that induce neutralising responses. It is now cri�cal to understand why some an�gens and epitopes offer superior ac�va�on of cellular immunity. Our previous work required laborious wet-lab screening with ex vivo cells, virus infected cells, and proteomics, to iden�fy op�mal targets for this ac�vity. Deciphering the underlying biology of this process offers the poten�al to predict ideal an�gens and to design epitope-specific vaccina�on strategies, that maximise ADCC/ADCP/CDC responses in addi�on to neutralisa�on. This has the poten�al to enhance the efficacy of future vaccines and immunotherapies, as well as de-risk and accelerate their development. Fc-dependent immunity requires effector cell, an�body, epitope, and an�gen, to each co-ordinate. We therefore seek to understand how each of these aspects contributes to effec�ve control of intracellular virus. The molecular determinants that govern how NK cells control virus dissemina�on through ADCC will be assessed func�onally and through high- resolu�on imaging of the ADCC immunological synapse (IS), with proteomics used to determine why NK cells from different donors exhibit markedly different ADCC capaci�es. Molecular engineering of an�bodies will inves�gate the specificity requirements for ADCC responses, and methods of op�mising ADCC-inducing immunotherapies. Structural and IS-imaging studies will reveal how an�gen structure and epitope conforma�on affect ADCC efficacy, and whether the same requirements apply to the induc�on of ADCP and CDC. Finally, we will determine how predic�ons of Fc-dependent immunity can be rapidly validated. Although the way that these parameters interact is likely independent of any specific virus, viruses drama�cally remodel the infected cell surface to counteract host immunity and this can significantly alter the func�onal outcome of interac�ons. We will therefore use two different viruses throughout these studies – one which manipulates the surface proteome extensively (HCMV), and one less so (SARS-CoV-2) – to reveal whether virus immune-evasion impacts outcome, and whether any underlying principles are therefore virus-dependent. For both viruses we have iden�fied novel an�gens and monoclonals that provide enhanced ADCC responses as compared to current vaccine/immunotherapeu�c approaches.", "keywords": [ "2019-nCoV", "Acceleration", "Address", "Affect", "Ally", "Animal Model", "Antibodies", "Antigens", "Binding", "Biological Assay", "Biology", "Biophysics", "Cell surface", "Cell-Mediated Cytolysis", "Cells", "Cellular Immunity", "Complement", "Cytolysis", "Cytomegalovirus", "Data", "Development", "Disease", "Drama", "Effector Cell", "Engineering", "Epitopes", "Event", "Exhibits", "Fc Receptor", "Fc domain", "Future", "Glycoproteins", "Human", "Image", "Immune", "Immune Evasion", "Immunity", "Immunotherapy", "Knowledge", "Ligands", "Longevity", "Mediating", "Methods", "Molecular", "Natural Killer Cells", "Outcome", "Pathway interactions", "Persons", "Phagocytosis", "Phagocytosis Induction", "Process", "Proteins", "Proteome", "Proteomics", "Risk", "Role", "Specificity", "Structure", "Subunit Vaccines", "Surface", "Vaccines", "Viral", "Virus", "Virus Diseases", "Work", "assay development", "cell killing", "cell type", "design", "efficacy evaluation", "imaging study", "immunological synapse", "improved", "mutant", "novel", "pathogen", "receptor binding", "response", "screening", "single molecule", "tool", "tumor", "vaccine candidate", "vaccine development", "viral transmission" ], "approved": true } } ], "meta": { "pagination": { "page": 1403, "pages": 1424, "count": 14236 } } }