Advancing Child Health Through Cell/Molecular Biology is the overall theme of the University of Michigan's Child Health Research Center. The goal of the UM CHRC is to increase the number and effectiveness of pediatric scientists through an interdepartmental approach which will provide superb mentorship by well-established cell/molecular biologists located in basic science and clinical departments as well as within the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, an extensive array of core laboratory facilities and services, and ongoing institutional and departmental commitments. The Department of Pediatrics has a long tradition of excellence in research and in the training of academic pediatricians. During the last 20 years and especially during the last decade, the department expanded the scope of its research interests, activities, and accomplishments to a remarkable degree. The department decided to build upon its strong programs in clinical physiology and to play a major role in the medical school's plan to further develop research programs in clinically relevant areas of cell and molecular biology. The rationale underlying this commitment is the firm belief that major advances in the therapy and prevention of most congenital and acquired disorders of childhood will only be possible when cellular and molecular etiologies are known. To meet our objective a large cohort of senior and junior investigators have been recruited and/or trained, scientifically-oriented fellowship training guidelines and programs have been developed and adhered to, extensive intra- and interdepartmental collaborative efforts have been fostered, and significant resources have been committed to allow for the needed expansion of physical and human resources. Moreover, the necessary administrative systems and mentorship have been established to provide additional training and guidance of junior faculty to ensure their success as independent investigators. Current research activities of senior fellows and junior faculty, all of whom are under the guidance of established investigators, are aimed toward acquiring an understanding of the basic cause(s) of such troubling disorders as childhood cancer, genetic and acquired forms of mental retardation and Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, congenital and acquired abnormalities in the production or function of white and red blood cells, molecular pathogenesis of microbial diseases, and several forms of malabsorption. Support provided by this grant will significantly amplify the department's ability to increase the number and quality of well trained pediatric scientists by allowing us to more thoroughly utilize the remarkable scientific strengths and resources of our center; and in so doing, it will help meet a crucial need of children.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Center Core Grants (P30)
Project #
5P30HD028820-04
Application #
2201331
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRC (04))
Project Start
1991-09-30
Project End
1996-08-31
Budget Start
1994-09-01
Budget End
1995-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Flagel, Shelly B; Vazquez, Delia M; Watson Jr, Stanley J et al. (2002) Effects of tapering neonatal dexamethasone on rat growth, neurodevelopment, and stress response. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 282:R55-63
Neal Jr, C R; Akil, H; Watson Jr, S J (2001) Expression of orphanin FQ and the opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor in the developing human and rat brain. J Chem Neuroanat 22:219-49
Taj, M M; Tawil, R J; Engstrom, L D et al. (2001) Mxi1, a Myc antagonist, suppresses proliferation of DU145 human prostate cells. Prostate 47:194-204
Benson, L Q; Coon, M R; Krueger, L M et al. (1999) Expression of MXI1, a Myc antagonist, is regulated by Sp1 and AP2. J Biol Chem 274:28794-802
Sassetti, C; Tangemann, K; Singer, M S et al. (1998) Identification of podocalyxin-like protein as a high endothelial venule ligand for L-selectin: parallels to CD34. J Exp Med 187:1965-75
Wechsler, D S; Shelly, C A; Dang, C V (1996) Genomic organization of human MXI1, a putative tumor suppressor gene. Genomics 32:466-70
Henry, D N; Del Monte, M; Greene, D A et al. (1993) Altered aldose reductase gene regulation in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells. J Clin Invest 92:617-23