UT Tyler School of Medicine Researchers Awarded $8.6 Million in NIH Grants
April 13, 2024 | Elizabeth Wingfield
Four researchers from The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine were awarded a total of $8.6 million in R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health.
“At UT Tyler School of Medicine, we believe in fostering an environment where innovation thrives,” said Dr. Brigham C. Willis, School of Medicine founding dean. “These grants not only highlight the outstanding quality of our faculty but also underscore the critical importance of their research in addressing some of the most pressing health issues of our time.”
The R01 grant, the oldest NIH grant mechanism, is given to a researcher for a specific project in their area of interest. The goal is to support health-related research and development based on the NIH’s mission.
“We are immensely proud of Dr. Guo, Dr. Lu, Dr. Qian and Dr. Srivastava for their exceptional dedication to health-related research,” said Dr. Torry Tucker, School of Medicine associate dean for research. “Their work showcases the potential for groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of heart disease, lung infections, pleural fibrosis and viral entry mechanisms.”
Dr. Xia Guo, assistant professor of cellular and molecular biology, was awarded a $2.3 million grant to fund her research in treatments for heart disease—the leading cause of death in the United States. One current treatment method to prevent heart attacks involves slipping a metal stent into the vessel to force it open, which is typically effective for one year. Guo is exploring an additional treatment option: using nanotechnology to block the gene RUNX3, ensuring that a stent lasts longer to minimize the number of additional surgeries needed.
Dr. Maolin Lu, assistant professor of cellular and molecular biology, was awarded a $2.2 million grant to support her research in understanding viruses, such as HIV and COVID-19, and how they enter the host cell. Her plan is to one day use her research to contribute to the development of future vaccines that target virus entry.
Dr. Guoqing Qian, assistant professor of cellular and molecular biology, was awarded $1.4 million to fund his research in treatment options for pleural fibrosis, the thickening and stiffening of the lung’s membrane. Pleural fibrosis is caused by pneumonia, asbestos, radiation and tuberculosis and can eventually lead to the need for a lung transplant. The gene DOCK 2 contributes to lung scarring, and if blocked, it may lead to a treatment for this condition.
Dr. Shashikant Srivastava, associate professor of the department of medicine, was awarded a $2.7 million grant for his research in treating mycobacterium avium complex, the most common nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in the United States. This infection can lead to serious lung damage and potentially spread throughout the body. The current treatment lasts two years and is 54% effective. Their goal is to optimize the dose, customized by weight and age, to decrease the treatment time to six months or less.
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.