Pharmacologist Receives $1.2 Million Grant to Research Rheumatoid Arthritis
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utnews.utoledo.edu JULY 8, 2013 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 37 Pharmacologist receives $1.2 million grant to research rheumatoid arthritis By Samantha Watson molecule found in green tea could hold the secret to rheumatoid arthritis, and in high levels it also can Ahelping those with rheumatoid arthritis, according affect vital organs like the heart and liver by causing to Dr. Salah-uddin Ahmed, an assistant professor of systemic inflammation. pharmacology at The University of Toledo. Using human cells and animal models of Ahmed recently received a $1.2 million grant from rheumatoid arthritis, Ahmed’s lab is trying to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and understand the underlying mechanism through which Skin Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, EGCG inhibits IL-6 mediated inflammation and joint to continue his work with the molecule epigallocatechin- destruction. 3-gallate (EGCG). The grant will fund research on the Ahmed hopes that the success from this study may molecule for five years. lead to the development of treatment options that will EGCG, which is naturally found in green tea, is a one day replace existing expensive biological therapies molecule that inhibits inflammatory proteins produced in for rheumatoid arthritis, which can cost patients arthritic joints. Ahmed has been studying this phenomenon thousands of dollars. in different arthritic models in his lab for years. In early “What we are trying to test is if we can harness studies, animals with induced arthritis displayed reduced something that is natural, might have less-adverse symptoms when given EGCG treatment. effects, and be cost-effective, too,” Ahmed said, By isolating human synovial cells obtained from joint adding that he would like to continue his research into replacement surgeries and creating an environment similar synthesizing and improving the ECGC molecule to to that in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, make it more effective. Ahmed discovered that EGCG is particularly effective “One of the advantages I have at UT as a Photo by Cameron Norton against interleukin-6 (IL-6). The molecule IL-6 has been pharmacologist is the collaboration with the GRANT RECIPIENT: Dr. Salah-uddin Ahmed’s research on rheumatoid shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry,” arthritis is being funded by a five-year $1.2 million grant from the continued on p. 2 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Dates to remember as fall semester Assistant professor wins Early approaches Investigators Award for research on women’s health ack-to-college planning is in full swing Students are reminded to monitor their Bfor students returning next month. accounts frequently, as figures regarding By Samantha Watson As the first day of fall semester scholarships, grants and other financials approaches on Monday, Aug. 19, students can change and affect the balance. Go to Dr. Jennifer Hill, an assistant professor yourself, your own laboratory, and working are asked to keep a few important dates in myut.utoledo.edu and enter user names and in the UT Department of Physiology and on your independent research direction.” mind as they finalize class registrations, passwords for more information. Pharmacology, is one of eight recipients of Hill’s research is focused on Polycystic residence arrangements and other essentials. FRIDAY, AUG. 9 a 2013 Early Investigators Award from the Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — a syndrome “We know our students have active This is the official deadline for students to Endocrine Society. that affects 10 percent of women. Women lives as the end of summer approaches,” pay outstanding balances for fall 2013 and The award is sponsored by Amgen with PCOS have an imbalance of hormones said Dr. Kaye Patten Wallace, senior vice previous semesters, or to make their first and Pfizer Inc. and recognizes outstanding that can lead to irregular periods, unwanted president for the student experience. “It’s Installment Payment Plan payments. individuals hair growth, acne and fertility problems. important, though, to keep a few key WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14 early in their The syndrome can put women at risk for dates in mind and do a little planning careers who type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other before classes begin in August. A little Students who have not paid outstanding research problems. foresight can prevent snafus regarding class balances in full or made arrangements women’s Since joining UT’s faculty in July schedules, on-campus amenities, and other through the Installment Payment Plan will health. 2009, Hill has performed research on how facets of enjoying student life.” be subject to registration cancellation on Wednesday, Aug. 14. “It’s a metabolic challenges such as obesity and Important dates really critical insulin resistance impact fertility and PCOS Per UT’s registration cancellation period of development. TUESDAY, JULY 9 policy, students may be dropped from your career,” “This is a very important issue for Financial and scheduling information registered classes, current housing Hill said. women’s health, and there is a limited will be fully updated for fall semester in assignments and all University-related “You’re amount of research that can be done on students’ accounts on the myUT portal. establishing continued on p. 3 Hill continued on p. 3 JULY 8, 2013 NEWS UT student interns at World Pharmacologist Health Organization this continued from p.1 Ahmed said. “We are able to start one of the rewarding aspects of his summer collaboration with medicinal chemists on job is being a mentor to graduate and campus to see if there are options to modify undergraduate students. He enjoys watching By Casey Cheap this molecule and make it work much them discover their potentials, learn to better.” conduct biomedical research, and find their anjay Gupta Sagar, a doctoral student While in Europe, Sagar also hopes to Ahmed said he looks forward to suitable career paths. in the UT Department of Health and visit the WHO regional headquarters in S engaging students in his research because Recreation Professions, is spending his Geneva, Switzerland, and Copenhagen, summer interning for the World Health Denmark. Organization (WHO) offices in Europe. “Eventually, I want to work in the Photo by Cameron Norton Sagar INVESTIGATIVE TEAM: Assisting Dr. Salah-uddin Ahmed, right, with his research are students, from left, Maria Beamer, Shay Riegsecker, Wylie Wingerter, Karissa Cottier and Yeahwa Hong. Through July, he is based in the Bonn, global public health areas, so I would like Germany, office, where he will compile to get exposure to all regions of the world a summary analysis of the 2013 Joint where WHO is working,” Sagar said. “My Monitoring Program report for the WHO next destinations will be Australia and European region, map potential donors and Africa.” foundations for water health, collect data “It will be a great internship for him,” and literature review on the water-related said Dr. Jiunn-Jye Sheu, UT associate disease situation in Europe, and update the professor of health education, who is WHO European Region atlas on water and Sagar’s adviser. “It is the most well-known health. organization on public health, and he “Europe was my first choice,” said has experience with water sanitation in Sagar, who also was accepted to the Nepal underdeveloped regions of the world.” WHO office and the United Nations Sagar found the internship while International Children’s Emergency Fund browsing online and said the application in India. “I am originally from Nepal, process was a lengthy one. He thanked Sheu which is in South Asia and hence, I do and the Center for International Studies have understanding of public health in that and Programs for their help in securing the region. I was never exposed to Europe, and opportunity. that is why it was my first choice.” “The Center for International Studies Once he completes his studies and and Programs at UT is very supportive has had significant exposure in the field, for those wanting international exposure,” his goal is to work with WHO and make a Sagar said. “The center provided me a travel difference in public health. grant to cover my airfare to Germany, and I am thankful to them as well.” Photo by Cameron Norton SWEET TIME: David Dabney, chief financial officer and vice president for finance, sliced into his retirement cake during a party last month. He joined the University as vice president for finance in 2008 and was promoted in 2011. A certified public accountant, a certified internal auditor and a certified investments and derivatives auditor, Dabney oversaw Auxiliary Services, Budget Office, Look for the next issue of UT News July 22 Controller, Internal Audit, Information Technology, Supply Chain Management and Treasury. In addition, he was involved with the University Foundation’s Real Estate Corp. and UT’s economic development activities through the Innovation Enterprises operation. 2 NEWS JULY 8, 2013 Changes to Rocket Wireless system put Dates to remember customer in charge continued from p.1 By Samantha Watson amenities. Until financial arrangements Other important dates ocket Wireless customers at The system rather than payroll deduction not are made, these students also may not be Detailed information regarding important University of Toledo now have more only will reduce error, but will be more R eligible to re-register for any classes or dates for fall semester is available at control over when and where they make efficient for the University as the process receive housing assignments. utoledo.edu/offices/treasurer. their monthly payments and equipment previously had been done manually. orders. The utilization of the third-party Impacted students also could Students are encouraged to contact Starting July 1, Rocket Wireless company also allows American Express experience negative credit reporting.