University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy researchers continue to grow and expand the research goals of the College through securing collaborations and funding with private and federal sponsors.
Below is a list of College-led projects that were funded at the University between January and August 2021.
Matthew Bertin
Evaluating Abundance and Persistence of the Neurotoxin Domoic Acid in Shellfish Following Pseudo-Nitzschia Bloom Events in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island (May 2021, RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, $79,415). The goal of this project is to determine how long mussels and quahog clams retain the neurotoxin domoic acid and if their reproductive systems are damaged by ingestion of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia.
Toward the Smart Interconnected Bay – Artificially Intelligent Detection of Harmful Algal Blooms in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island (May 2021, RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, $39,971). The goal of this project is to integrate real-time chemical and physical oceanographic data with co-located high-frequency automated field sampling and advanced biological/chemical analysis within an artificially intelligent model framework to better enable the forecasting of harmful algal blooms.
Development of unnarmicin D as a dual function mu-delta opioid agonist (June 2021, RI Research Foundation, $24,633). The goal of this project is to optimize unnarmicin D as a lead molecule for activity at multiple opioid receptors and to enhance its anti-inflammatory activity.
Aisling Caffrey
Comparative effectiveness and complications of intravenous ceftriaxone compared with oral doxycycline in Lyme meningitis (September 2021, Rhode Island Hospital (NIH), $19,743). This comparative effectiveness study will determine if oral doxycycline is not inferior to intravenous ceftriaxone for treating children with Lyme meningitis, and identify the factors that patients, parents and clinicians use to guide treatment decisions. Success of this study would comprehensively improve the quality and patient-centered care for children with Lyme meningitis.
Advance-CTR; RI-Center for Clinical and Translational Science – Professional Development Core (August 2021, Brown University Advance CTR, $15,110). This is an IDeA Clinical and Translational Research Award (Advance CTR) to form a state-wide consortium of universities, hospital systems, and non-profit agencies working together to develop the infrastructure to support, train and educate faculty level investigators conducting clinical and translational research.
Richard Clements
Surgical Cardioprotection Through BKCa-Dependent Modulation of Mitochondrial Supercomplexes (June 2021, National Institutes of Health, $373,090). There is considerable evidence that activation of a cardiac potassium channel, the BKCa channel, may improve heart health and contraction during reduced heart blood flow (ischemia) or heart attacks (myocardial infarction). The purpose of this grant is to determine the mechanism and therapeutic potential of channel activation after ischemic injury associated with heart surgery. Specific focus will be on effects that may alter cardiac energy production.
Xinyuan Chen
A Novel Adjuvant to Boost Influenza Vaccination (May 2021, National Institutes of Health, $410,303). This project develops a physical radiofrequency-based adjuvant with potent humoral and cellular adjuvant effects to boost influenza vaccination with minimal local, systemic or long-term side effects.
High-Density Flagellin-Displayed Virus-Like Particle for Universal Influenza Vaccine Development (June 2021, National Institutes of Health, 196,875). This project develops universal influenza vaccines based on high-density flagellin-displayed virus-like particle platform and explores their safety and immunogenicity and protective efficacy in preclinical animal models.
Bongsup Cho
Rhode Island IDeA Network for Excellence in Biomedical Research, (May 2021, National Institutes of Health, $3,846,250). RI-INBRE is a NIH-sponsored state-wide program grant and its major objective is to support and develop talented individuals, committed to research careers in Rhode Island, and to build the biomedical research capacity of Rhode Island higher education institutions.
RI-INBRE Women’s Health Supplemental Award, (May 2021, Office of Research on Women’s Health, $268,789). This supplemental project falls within the thematic area of Environmental Health Sciences and will be carried out at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) in RI, Salve Regina University (Dr. Susan Meschwitz), in collaboration with University of Rhode Island investigators (Dr. Jodi Camberg and Dr. David Rowley).
RI-INBRE Equipment Supplemental Award, (May 2021, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, $209,364). This supplemental award will purchase instruments at two RI-INBRE Centralized Core Facilities (CRCF) Extension Laboratories (CELs), Roger Williams University and Providence College.
RI-INBRE INBRE/COBRE Collaboration Supplemental Award, (May 2021, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, $174,389). Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery for inflammatory arthritis project will be led by a Rhode Island College INBRE investigator (Jamie Towle-Weicksel) in collaboration with a Rhode Island Hospital COBRE investigator (Eui Young So).
Giuseppe Coppotelli
Role of Copine 2 in brain homeostasis and neurological disorders. (April 2021, RI Research Foundation, $25,000). The overall aim of this project is to determine the molecular function of a novel protein CPNE2 and its role in brain homeostasis and neurological disorders.
Ruitang Deng
Interplay of Bile Acid and Estrogen Signaling (January 2021, National Institutes of Health, $423,398). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. At present, there are limited options in treating HCC patients. This multi-year R01 grant is aimed at understanding the underlying mechanisms by which HCC develops through the dysregulation of the bile acids/ farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and estrogens/estrogen receptor alpha signaling pathways.
Mechanism-Based Combination Targeted Therapy for Colorectal Cancer (July 2021, United States Army, $155,700). Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined in the United States. It’s expected to cause about 52,980 deaths during 2021. This multiple year grant is to investigate the multi-driver nature of colorectal cancer through various protein kinase signaling pathways and subsequently develop combination targeted therapy with protein kinase inhibitors for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer.
Dennis Hilliard
2020 Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program (January 2021, Department of Public Safety, $79,410). The grant funds were used to purchase a Vacuum Metal Deposition chamber to improve our ability to develop identifiable fingerprints on evidentiary items. The remaining funds provided staff members the ability to attend training conferences/symposiums in-person and remotely, in order to maintain our Laboratory accreditation.
Anita Jacobson
University of Rhode Island Vaccine Education Project (May 2021, Extension Foundation, $7,253). The Extension Foundation’s Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) is a project sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Anita Jacobson of the College of Pharmacy and Dr. Tolani Olagundoye of the College of the Environment and Life Sciences – Cooperative Extension are collaborating together to lead the effort to reach Rhode Island’s High Density Communities to address identified obstacles to vaccination of these at-risk populations.
Mary-Jane Kanaczet
IIHI – Transforming Health in RI: Medication Technician Program (May 2021, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, $93,291). The State Approved Medication Training Program in Drug Administration trains Certified Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH)-approved long-term care facilities to become medication technicians, certified to safely deliver medications in long-term care facilities and adult day care centers. The 15-week course is coordinated by URI’s Office of Strategic Initiatives and the College of Pharmacy Office of Continuing Professional Development. The MedTech program is the first award for URI’s Transforming Health in Rhode Island Partnership with the RI Department of Labor and Training and community-based health care organizations that aims to enhance the training of health care professionals as health system transformation efforts evolve in the state.
Stephen Kogut
CTC PQI Avoidable Hospitalization Through Team Based Care Management (February 2021, Care Transformation Collaborative RI, $50,001). This initiative, supported by a grant from United Healthcare, aims to reduce preventable emergency department use and hospitalizations through the efforts of ambulatory care pharmacists working to improve medication use among patients with chronic disease.
RI Center for Clinical and Translational Science (May 2021, Brown University Advance CTR, $110,986). Advance-CTR is a statewide hub of research resources and services for clinical and translational investigators funded by an Institutional Development Award Networks for Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (U54GM115677) for the state of Rhode Island. Dr. Kogut directs Advance-CTR’s Tracking and Evaluation core.
Kerry LaPlante
Development and Risk Assessment for Fully Weight-Bearing Antibiotic-Eluting Joint Implants (April 2021, Massachusetts General Hospital). This project’s long-term goal is to provide a new, safe and efficient implant for combating prosthetic joint infections, which can eliminate the costly and burdensome gold standard of two-stage revision with temporary immobilization. The rationale for the proposed research is that by using a newly discovered antibiotic synergy between local PJI antibiotics and commonly used analgesics, we can optimize drug elution profiles with maximum efficacy in preventing the growth of clinically relevant infections of variable risk. Dr. LaPlante is a co-investigator on this project and will utilize their pharmacodynamic and staphylococcus infections expertise to determine optimal synergistic concentrations of antibiotics with analgesics.
Improving Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Living Centers (CLC) (May 2021, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center). The overall goals of this four-year mixed methods MERIT proposal are to determine the scope of antimicrobial resistance among VA CLCs, to compare that information with antimicrobial utilization patterns in CLCs and their affiliated VAMCs, to develop effective AMS strategies for VA CLCs, and to understand how COVID-19 may have impacted infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, and the environment in VA CLCs. The long-term goals of this study are to improve antibiotic use, decrease resistance and improve patient care and safety at VA CLCs nationally.
COBRE Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Therapeutic Discovery (August 2021, Miriam Hospital). This project is to build a unique, multi-disciplinary center of excellence to study mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and develop therapeutic countermeasures. Our Center’s overall mission is to foster an environment that inspires individuals to pursue rigorous laboratory science by providing technical and mentoring support through our core facilities. The long-term goal of the Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Therapeutic Discovery (CARTD) at The Miriam Hospital of the Lifespan Hospital Group is to develop new therapies for infections caused by drug resistant pathogens. Dr. LaPlante is Director of the pharmacology CORE in the CARTD by providing advice on pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and other pharmacology considerations related to drug development.
Kerry LaPlante and Aisling Caffrey
Combatting COVID-19 with Real-World Evidence: COMBAT COVID via COMMITTM (COVID-19 unMet Medical Needs and Associated Research exTension (June 2021, Ocean State Research Institute, Inc., $109,173). The major goals are to assess the real-world utilization and comparative effectiveness of remdesivir versus other treatment approaches in Veterans Affairs patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Deyu Li
Mutational Spectra of Bulky DNA Lesions (January 2021, National Institutes of Health $399,163). Many aromatic amines are environmental toxins and human carcinogens. They damage the genome and form different bulky DNA lesions, which give rise to different mutation patterns. This application will study the mutational spectra of bulky DNA lesions generated from aromatic amine exposure and provide insights into the development of tumors.
Rita Marcoux and Lisa Cohen
Pharmacy Program Oversight/Utilization Review (January, June 2021, RI Department of Corrections, $168,000). This grant involves providing clinical services and oversight of pharmaceutical purchasing for the Department of Corrections – Rhode Island. This includes development of pharmacy policies and procedures, management reporting, quality assurance, clinical and formulary services, and oversight of medication administration, storage and inventory and the computerized pharmacy order entry system and clinical rotation and training projects for pharmacy students.
Jyothi Menon
Targeting CHI3L1 and its Receptors in Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome-Associated Lung Disease (March 2021, Brown University, $32,243). In collaboration with Dr. Yang Zhou (PI, Brown University), we propose to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the efficacy of polymeric nanoparticles incorporating a therapeutic antibody for the treatment of Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome-Associated Lung Disease.
A Simulated Cell Culture Laboratory for Student Training on Aseptic Techniques (May 2021, RI-INBRE EVEREST Pilot Award, $5,000). The objective of this project is to develop a virtual reality app and 3D game that simulates a cell culture lab environment to familiarize students with key aseptic cell culture techniques.
Marin Manual
Motoneuron Mortality in Neurodegenerative Diseases Induced by Homeostatic Dysregulation of Excitability (June 2021, Northwestern University, $153,495). Many cellular functions are disrupted in ALS. We propose this complexity arises from a single mechanism, dysregulation of homeostatic plasticity in motoneurons. We systematically test this novel concept by assessing the response of ALS and control motoneurons to homeostatic challenges, with a goal of providing a basis for new therapeutic approaches.
Jaime Ross
The Role of Epigenetics in Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease (June 2021, National Institutes of Health, $249,000). Brain aging disorders represent one of the major causes of disability and dependency, with Alzheimer’s disease at the forefront. We will use the novel ICE and NICE transgenic mouse models to test whether whole-body and neuronal-specific induced changes in the epigenome result in age-related cognitive decline and contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathology, and if these changes are preventable or even reversible.
Interplay of genetic background, toxins, and lifestyle in Alzheimer’s disease (April 2021, RI Foundation Medical Research Grant, $25,000). Using the humanized APOE3 and APOE4 mice, we will expose the animals to environmental toxins and a high-fat diet in order to dissect the interconnectedness of genetic background, environment, and lifestyle in AD onset and progression, as well as to test possible treatments.
Jaime Ross and Giuseppe Coppotelli
Grant for equipment needs of Drs. Ross and Coppotelli (July 2021, The Fred M. Roddy Foundation, $95,000). The purpose of this one-year grant from the Roddy Foundation is to fund innovative behavioral equipment and an essential tissue preparation instrument, which provide Drs. Ross and Coppotelli important tools needed to perform cutting-edge research at the University of Rhode Island (URI).
Jie Shen
Development of Suitable “Bio-Relevant” in Vitro Release Testing (IVRT) Method(s) for Apomorphine Sublingual Thin Films (March 2021, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, $30,034). The major objective of this project is to develop suitable in vitro release and permeation testing of apomorphine in a vertical diffusion cell apparatus.
Development of Accelerated Dissolution/in Vitro Release Methods for Lyndra’s Long-Acting Dosage Forms(June 2021, Lyndra Therapeutics, $25,537). The major objective of this project is to develop accelerated in vitro release testing methods for long-acting dosage forms.
3D Game-Based Nanotechnology Lab as an Enhanced Education/Training Pedagogy (May 2021, RI-INBRE EVEREST Pilot Award, $5,000). The major objective of this project is to develop a novel 3D game-based Nanotechnology Lab to enhance competency of students/trainees in the subject of nanotechnology-based drug products.