Three GSDM Researchers Receive CTSI Pilot Grants
Three Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) researchers have been awarded $20,000 each in Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) pilot funding. The GSDM researchers are Research Associate Professor Dr. Manish Bais, Research Associate Professor Dr. Ann Marie Egloff, and Professor Dr. John C. Samuelson. All three researchers are in GSDM’s Department of Molecular & Cell Biology.
The pilot grant competition, led by the Boston University CTSI and financially supported by GSDM, funds innovative translational research intended to obtain preliminary data for federal funding applications. Many outstanding proposals were submitted, and a panel of faculty members reviewed the proposals to decide which to select for funding.
Dr. Bais received funding for his project, “Lysine specific demethylase 1 inhibitor for improved personalized oral cancer therapy.” In this project, Dr. Bais will investigate two effects of LSD1 on oral cancer. First, this project will determine if LSD1 sensitizes recurrent oral cancer stem cells to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patient-derived primary cells. Second, it will evaluate if inhibition of LSD1 sensitizes oral squamous cell tumors to radiation therapy in PDOX mouse models. The results of this research have strong translational potential, and could identify LSD1 as a novel drug sensitive target in FDA approved combination therapies. This is the second year that Dr. Bais has been awarded a CTSI grant.
Dr. Egloff received funding for her project, “Improving upon EGFR targeting for head and neck cancer using relevant models.” This project will investigate the hypothesis that Her2 and ER signaling is vital for HNSCC growth and survival in the presence of the EGFR blockade. By developing and evaluating preclinical models, Dr. Egloff strives to improve assessment of candidate therapies and their potential for translation to the clinic. Dr. Michael Platt and Dr. Scharukh Jalisi, both members of the Department of Otolaryngology, will also be working on this project.
Dr. Samuelson received funding for his project, “Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to kill oocysts of Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma.” The coccidian parasites Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma are important human pathogens, but in many situations hand washing—the most effective way to prevent infection—is not practical. Dr. Samuelson’s project will investigate whether alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which have been shown to reduce spread of many pathogens in hospitals and other public places, might be effective against these parasites.
“I would like to congratulate the recipients of the CTSI pilot grant awards,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “While only three projects could be selected, many outstanding projects were submitted, highlighting the breadth and depth of research excellence at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.”
Submitted by GSDM Communications.