UC BREP: Hightlighted Grants

University of California BREP Home Page

Representing the 10 campuses and 3 National Laboratories of the UC System

Highlighted Grants
Principal investigator: Joseph L. Napoli Campus: University of California, Berkeley Title: Program in Nutritional Genomics Amount: $360,000.00 Project period: 07/01/02 - 06/30/04	Principal Investigator Joseph Napoli working in his laboratory.
Abstract : We request support for a new interdisciplinary training Program in Nutritional Genomics (PING), under auspices of the Interdepartmental Graduate Program inNutritional Sciences, with the cooperation of the Facility and Center for Nutritional Genomics, UC-Berkeley. The emerging area of Nutritional Genomics applies the techniques and information generated by sequencing plant and mammalian genomes to understand the affects of diet on mammalian health. Successful pursuit of Nutritional Genomics requires cross education and training in nutrition, genomics and other basic sciences. PING will provide such training through a new and unique combination of interdepartmental and interdisciplinary course work, seminars, journal clubs and symposia. Additionally, PING faculty have ongoing projects to provide research training in all areas germane to understanding the impact of diet on regulating mammalian genes and affecting health, as well as in developing new genomics techniques. Altogether, PJNG has the administrative structure, active research faculty, genomics facilities, a plan and the environment to successfully conduct a training program that would meet expanding demand by academic, industrial, public-interest and government agencies.

Principal investigator: Pierre Baldi Campus: University of California, Irvine Title: Biomolecular Interactions in Complex Biological Systems Amount: $340,000.00 Project period: 07/01/02 - 06/30/04	Graduate student Arlo Randall, working with UC Irvine Professor Pierre Baldi, utilizes computer software to identify the structure and function of a smallpox protein.
Abstract : The targeting of proteins in living cells, the understanding of biomolecular interactions during diseases such as chlamydia, and the search for new drugs to treat these diseases are all of fundamental importance in biotechnology and are important for the economy and health of the State of California. The training of graduate students in interdisciplinary research in the chemical, biomedical, and bioinformatic sciences is critical to these endeavors. The long-term goal of the proposal is to develop an interdisciplinary research and training program between the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Information and Computer Science, the School of Biological Sciences, and the Colege of Medicine at UCI to understand biomolecular interactions in complex biological systems such as chlamydia, elucidate related disease processes, and open new avenues for drug design.

Principal investigator: David Low Campus: Title: Investigating bacterial-host interactions at mucosal surfaces: a comparative analysis of Bordetella pertussis, Salmonella typhim Amount: $380,000.00 Project period: 07/01/02 - 06/30/04
Abstract : Symptoms associated with bacterial infection, which can be serious

Principal investigator: Samir Mitragotri Campus: University of California, Santa Barbara Title: Discrete Nanoscale Transport in Biological Systems Amount: $450,000.00 Project period: 07/07/01 - 06/30/04
Abstract : Transport molecules and particles in biological media govern numerous cellular biological functions including endocytosis and protein trafficking. Such transport processes are also an essential element in therapies such as drug and gene delivery. The goal of the proposed research and training program is to develop a fundamental understanding of nanoscale transport in biological media through a systematic pursuit of a completely new interdisciplinary subject that utilizes magnetic nanoparticles under the influence of externally imposed electromagnetic fields. In the proposed project, we will build an interdisciplinary team, with complementary backgrounds in bio-transport, nanophysics, biochemistry and bio-materials, diagnostics, theory and simulation of complex-fluids and nanoparticle technology. This will develop a new area of expertise at UCSB that provides students and post-docs with a training opportunity in the emerging interdisciplinary subject of "nanoscale bio-transport". Two graduate level courses on Bio-Transport will be developed as part of the proposed activity that excellently with the UCSB thrusts on bio-engineering and nanotechnology.

Principal investigator: Andrew J. Fisher Campus: University of California, Davis Title: Training Program in Structure-Assisted Drug Discover Amount: $539,985.00 Project period: 07/01/01 - 06/30/04	Principal Investigator Andrew Fisher and his laboratory personnel
Abstract : Recent advances in biological and physical technologies have sparked an explosion in the number of atomic-resolution structures of biological macromolecules. Additionally, the advent of new chemical technologies has resulted in the synthesis of large combinatorial libraries that serve as chemical "databases" that can be searched for discovering new drug leads to regulate the target biomolecule. Often these searches result in novel lead compounds, which are not optimal for clinical trials because of their low affinity or selectivity. One can synthesize a larger database to discover the perfect drug, but this would be equivalent to making a larger haystack in which to find the needle. However, if the target macromolecule's active site structure is known, along with the mechanistic details, one can modify the lead compound into a drug with higher affinity and selectivity resulting in fewer side effects. The primary objective of this proposal is to train students in all aspects of the drug discovery process to help provide qualified researchers for California's biotechnology industry.

Principal investigator: Patricia C. Babbitt Campus: University of California, San Francisco Title: Training in Bioinformatics and Biocomputing Amount: $281,943.62 Project period: 07/01/00 - 06/30/02
Abstract : As the human genome and other genome projects are completed, the information they provide has the potential to transform the ability of medicine and biotechnology to understand normal and abnormal biological processes in entirely new ways. But if we are to use this information to develop new drugs, safer and more efficient agricultural technologies, and even explore evolution of new proteins in the laboratory, we must first be able to catalog and interpret the huge volume of information now coming available. The young scientists in this Training Program will investigate how the protein products encoded by the genes evolved to mediate their functions, use this information to design new classes of drugs and biocatalysts, and create new computer tools to visualize and analyze protein structural information in more sophisticated ways than are presently possible. This will also help us to interpret the data from high-throughput experimental technologies in functional genomics, including array data and direct characterization of the proteome through mass spectrometry.

Principal investigator: Jeffrey Esko Campus: University of California, San Diego Title: Glycosyltransferase Inhibitors: Glycobiology Research and Education Amount: $166,824.94 Project period: 07/01/00 - 06/30/02	Metastatic lung tumor formation is inhibited by treatment with disaccharide agents developed by trainees in Jeffrey Esko's program at UCSD. The lower panel shows the reduction of lung tumors in animals receiving drug-treated cells.
Abstract : Many human diseases are caused by inappropriate contacts between cells. Examples include infection (pathogen-host interactions), uncontrolled inflammation (leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions), and cancer (tumor cell-endothelial cell-platelet interactions). These cell-cell contacts depend in part on complex carbohydrates (sugars) on the surface of tumor cells recognizing receptors (proteins) on other cells. The scientific goal of this project is to develop a chemical strategy to inhibit the ability of tumor cells to make these complex carbohydrates and to test if the blockade inhibits the spread and growth of cancer. To achieve this goal, five different laboratories with expertise in chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and tumor biology will work together to design, synthesize and test new inhibitory agents as cancer fighting drugs. We will take advantage of these collaborations to train students and post-doctoral fellows. In addition to doing research, the trainees will participate in conventional classroom experiences to learn about the history and theory of complex carbohydrates and tumor biology. Our intention is to provide a cadre of well trained scientists to fill a gap that currently exists in industry. A long range goal is to obtain additional funding from outside sources for future program expansion.

Principal investigator: James Borneman Campus: University of California, Riverside Title: Diagnostic Analysis of Microbial Communities Amount: $209,251.17 Project period: 07/01/00 - 06/30/02
Abstract : Microbiology has been thrust to the forefront of science as new appreciations for the roles they play in human health, environmental pollution removal, and plant disease control have developed. One prominent example has been the recent identification of the cause of many stomach ulcers in humans, a bacterium named Helicobacter pylori. As a result of this microbiological research, we now have simple and effective means to treat many human ulcers. In the past, microbiological research has been limited to the study of organisms that can be grown in the laboratory. However, recent reports suggest that less than one percent of all microorganisms can be grown in this manner. We propose to develop and implement new tools to examine these previously inaccessible microbial communities and apply this approach towards the control of plant disease and the removal of environmental pollutants. This project will also foster a new interdisciplinary collaboration involving scientists in four different departments and two separate colleges, providing multidisciplinary training for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researchers.

Principal investigator: David Haussler Campus: University of California, Santa Cruz Title: Training Program in Biomolecular Engineering Amount: $209,142.00 Project period: 07/01/99 - 06/30/01
Abstract : We propose an interdisciplinary project to explore the genome and proteome of C. elegans by computational and experimental means. Our focus is on obtaining a complete list of the protein-coding genes of this organism, along with information about each gene that will help identify its function. Our results will be made available on the world wide web. Through coordinated computational and experimental approaches, we hope to produce a definitive account of the C. elegans proteome, which can then form the basis for future work on gene regulation, cell differentiation, signaling and other pathways, in C. elegans and other higher organisms. By exploiting homologies between human and C. elegans proteins, new potential protein targets for diagnostic and therapeutic uses could be discovered using the results of this research. The development of closely coupled computational and experimental methods for genomic and proteomic analysis will also provide a testbed for similar coordinated approaches to the direct analysis of the human proteome, which will be urgently needed in the coming years.

Principal investigator: Lynne G. Zucker & Michael R. Darby Campus: University of California, Los Angeles Title: University/Industry Collaboration and Financial Markets: California`s Engine of Innovation in Biotechnology Amount: $78,329.00 Project period: 07/01/98 - 06/30/00
Abstract : Previous work has demonstrated the importance of intellectual human capital -- particularly star bioscientists -- to where and when firms entered biotechnology and which of them were most successful. This project explores (a) the effect of intellectual human capital on access to financial capital and (b) how variations in the cost and availability of financial capital to biotech firms has affected such non-financial variables as scientific productivity (measured by the number and average citations of articles) and the founding of new biotech firms. We will estimate the impact of going public and raising venture capital on the success of the firm directly involved, on the scientific productivity of its associated scientists, and on the spillover impacts in which the success of nearby firms encourages emulative scientists to increase their own scientific productivity and firm formation. Preliminary empirical evidence supports this approach. The project will be able to trace the dynamic interactive effects of intellectual and financial capital in creating the rapidly growing biotechnology industry, informing policy makers of policies and institutions which enhance or retard that growth.

Principal investigator: Heinz-Ulli, G. Weier, Joe W. Gray Campus: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Title: Training Program in Genome Research Amount: $320,000.00 Project period: 07/01/96 - 12/31/98
Abstract : Seed funding is requested to create a multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art research and training program in genome research. Four laboratories at LBNL and one research unit at UCSF will provide a cutting-edge research and training environment in positional cloning of disease genes, map construction, cDNA selection, sequencing and computational genomics. The program will expose three pre- and five postdoctoral trainees to all relevant aspects of genome research and provide essential links to ongoing biology and tumor research programs at LBNL and UCSF as well as to the California biotech industry through an Industrial Mentor Program.

Highlighted Grants