Research Initiatives
LIPID Metabolites And
Pathways Strategy
Major goals of this program include: a) Separate and detect all of the lipids
in a specific cell and discover and characterize any novel lipids that may
be present, b) Quantitate each of the lipid metabolites present and quantitate
the changes in their levels and location during cellular function and c)Define
the biochemical pathways for each lipid and develop lipid maps which define
the interaction networks.
Superfund Basic Research
Program
The central goal of this program is to implement modern scientific approaches
to identify and characterize genomic stress responses elicited by waterborne
pollutants found at Superfund sites. The program is comprised of nine research
projects (seven biomedical, two non-biomedical), and three research support
cores (DNA microarray technology, macromolecular analysis, and mouse genetics
and phenotyping). Administrative, outreach and training cores are also included.
Pharmagenomics
The goal of pharmacogenomics research is to move beyond the "one-size-fits-all" approach
to drug therapy and allow the development of individualized treatment plans
based on genetic profiles. Using genetic indicators, physicians and pharmacists
can determine in advance which drugs will work best for specific individuals
and which are more likely to cause harmful side effects, and prescribe the
most effective therapies.
Genetics of Hypertension PPG
The central goal of this program is the study of genetic and receptor mechanisms
in hypertension. We use functional genomics and other approaches to identify
genetic loci responsible for the following traits: (a) genetic hypertension
and associated target organ damage; (b) mechanisms and central nervous system
sites important in sensori-autonomic coupling; and (c) deleterious effects
of stress on the cardiovascular system.
