Guilford
Genomic Medicine Initiative (GGMI): The
GGMI is a demonstration project designed to introduce
genomic medicine into a community health care system. The
project is funded by the Department of Defense for a
total of $10 million over four years, starting in April,
2005. The CBGHR is partnering with
the Duke University Center for Human Genetics and the
Moses Cone Health System (MCHS) to produce the educational
materials, infrastructure and operational support, and
research necessary to translate genetic discoveries into
everyday clinical practice. CBGHR is responsible
for developing physician, community, and patient education
materials which will be utilized in the military health
care system and in other community health care systems.
www.genomic-medicine.org
UNCG Genotyping
Core Facility: The CBGHR has secured funding
from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to offer clinical
genotyping and DNA sequencing capabilities for campus researchers
interested in identifying human genetic variants associated
with a variety of disease and health conditions.
Genetic Basis
of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: In collaboration
with Dr. Susan Phillips (Communication Sciences), the CBGHR
is initiating a study to explore the causes of hearing
loss in young music students. The project is investigating
the interaction between noise exposure and genetic susceptibility,
with the ultimate aim of identifying individuals who are
vulnerable to hearing loss and devising personalized and
preventive interventions.
Genetic Basis
of Early Onset Schizophrenia: The CBGHR
is collaborating with Drs.Tom Kwapil and Walter Salinger
(Psychology) to explore the possible association of genetic
polymorphisms in a gene encoding a neurotransmitter-metabolizing
enzyme (catecholamine O-methyl transferase (COMT)) and
other genes with the schizophrenia and schizo-affective
patterns.
DNA-based Environmental Assessment: In
collaboration with Dr. Parke Rublee (Biology), the CBGHR
is developing a microarray technology with the goal of producing
an “all in one” screening technology to identify
natural and artificial changes in water conditions that affect
human health and wildlife. The work has been funded by the
US Environmental Protection Agency and a patent is pending
for the technology. The research recently resulted
in funding by an EPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
grant as part of a company spinoff.
Nuclear Receptor
Action: Dr. Henrich continues his basic
research focused on the mechanisms by which nuclear receptors
regulate gene expression in the model organism, Drosophila
melanogaster. Recently, a variety of endogenous
compounds and related plant compounds have been associated
with alterations in nuclear receptor activity. The
work has also demonstrated that the responsiveness of insect
hormone receptors is widely variable, thus providing a
basis for discovering chemical agonists and modifiers that
act in a species-specific manner. A patent is pending
for the screening technology developed from the basic research
program.
Teamwork in
Research and Intervention to Alleviate Disparities ( TRIAD): The
CBGHR is collaborating with Dr. Debra Wallace to institute
family history screening programs in populations within
Guilford County that often lack adequate access to health
care. Family history collection is a noninvasive
and inexpensive method for identifying individuals who
are at risk for disease, thus targeting interventions and
educational programs to those who have the greatest risk
for a particular disease or condition.
