Life Science Company and Industry News Briefs

Georgetown Researchers Receive $1.8M NIH Grant

Posted by Jennifer Nieuwkerk on Thu, Aug 01, 2013

Lab suppliers interested in marketing life science solutions and university lab equipment may be interested in the latest funding news at Georgetown University. Researchers at Georgetown University recently received a $1.8 million NIH grant to study oxidative stress in the kidney in hypertension. According to the NIH RePorter, the project was awarded funding in 2013 and has been led by Christopher S. Wilcox, Professor of Medicine, George E. Schreiner Chair of Nephrology and Director of the Hypertension, Kidney and Vascular Research Center.

“Reactive oxygen species (ROS), notably superoxide anion (O2-) in blood vessels increases their reactivity and tone in hypertension,” said the project’s abstract. “The kidney plays the predominant role in long-term BP regulation. Renal mechanisms of hypertension center on an increased reactivity or tone of the afferent arteriole which limits the transmission of pressure into the kidney and hence increases the set point of BP regulation together with increased release of renin and an increased re-absorption of NaCl by the tubules which underlies salt sensitivity.”

The focus of the study is to examine the roles of ROS in renal mechanism of hypertension. The abstract went on to say that there are three underlying projects within the study. The first project will investigate the role of ROS in modulating myogenic responses in mice. The second will study a new model of inducible activation of normal fibroblast growth and its interaction with certain FGF molecules and receptors. The third project will examine the molecular mechanisms of defense against oxidative stress in the tubule that are controlled by dopamine receptors.

 

Christopher Wilcox

Georgetown University's Christopher Wilcox

Image courtesy of Georgetown University

 

The Georgetown University Hypertension, Kidney and Vascular Research Center’s webpage states: “Hypertension is the major preventable cause of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. Cardiovascular disease is the commonest cause of death and disability in the world. Therefore, prevention or better treatment of hypertension would have a huge impact on global health. Cardiovascular diseases include heart attacks, heart failure, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Chronic kidney disease can lead to end stage renal disease (ESRD) that requires dialysis or transplant. Currently ESRD afflicts almost half a million Americans. The commonest causes of ESRD are high blood pressure and diabetes.”

Clearly, the Georgetown University study currently receiving NIH funding is an important contribution to this field of research. Lab suppliers reading this article who are interested in marketing their university lab equipment and life science solutions at Georgetown University may want to take note of upcoming life science marketing events in the D.C. area. Georgetown University is a very well-funded market. In 2012, the NIH awarded Georgetown University $53.5 million in research funding, while Georgetown also received $6 million from the NSF in 2012.

Biotechnology Calendar, Inc.’s Georgetown BioResearch Product Faire™ Event is quickly approaching and will be held on October 18th, 2013. Last year, the Georgetown BioResearch Product Faire™ Event attracted 223 attendees, of which 59 were purchasing agents, professors and post docs, and 24 were lab managers. The visitors came from 13 different research buildings and 21 departments around campus.

Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. is a full service science research marketing and events-planning company that organizes life science marketing events at top research universities nationwide. For more information on our Georgetown BioResearch Product Faire™ Event, or to view more detailed funding statistics for Georgetown University, click on the button below. If you would like to market your university lab equipment and life science solutions and life science marketing events closer to home, we encourage you to view our 2013 calendar of events.

 

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Tags: 2013, Georgetown University, Washington DC, D.C., Geotwn

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