Oklahoma State University - Stillwater - Researchers awarded more than $500K from OCAST

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Researchers awarded more than $500K from OCAST

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

From left: Solo Kuvibidila, Rita Miller, Eduardo Yukihara and Damon Chandler

(May 12, 2009 Stillwater, OK) – Four Oklahoma State University researchers received funding for health-related projects from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology on May 7. The projects were chosen by a peer-review team from more than 152 applications. The awards total more than $500,000 in funding for the next three years. According to OCAST, “research funded under the program investigates the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human diseases and disabilities and facilitates the development of innovative health care products and services.”

The successful OSU projects include:
Dr. Rita Miller, The Regulation of Bik1p by Phosphorylation
This study on Bik1p, an important microtubule-binding protein, is ultimately directed at improving human health in several areas. Bik1p is part of the mechanism that attaches chromosomes to the microtubules of the mitotic spindle during cell division. Inaccurate chromosome attachments lead to chromosome instability and abnormal numbers of chromosomes. This results in poorer outcomes in human cancer. These studies are expected to clarify how the regulation of Bik1p contributes to microtubule function important in human cancer.

Dr. Damon Chandler, Visually Optimal Compression of Medical Imagery
This project will develop image compression technology that will improve health care for all citizens in the state by reducing storage space requirements. Since medical images require long or indefinite retention periods, a reduction in the storage space requirements could reduce expenses to a fraction of current costs. In addition, the technology will speed up image transmission and retrieval times, which will also lower costs. This will not only reduce turnaround time but will also enhance the productivity of healthcare facilities.

Dr. Eduardo Yukihara, Novel Nanophosphors for Dose Mapping in Radiotherapy
This proposal improves treatment of human disease by addressing a technological gap in obtaining high-precision measurements of dose distributions in radiotherapy, with significant impact on quality control and dose verification in radiotherapy modalities such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), stereotatic radiosurgery and proton therapy. The project goal is to develop novel nanophosphors with a unique combination of luminescence and dosimetric properties currently unavailable in any single phosphor.

Dr. Solo Kuvibidila, Effects of Mushrooms on Endothelin-1 Secretion and Cancer
Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in the U.S. Mushrooms have long been used in Asia for cancer prevention and treatment due to their capacity to boost immunity. This project addresses the issue of possible health benefits of white button, portabella and shitake mushrooms on prostate cancer prevention through endothelin-1. Endothelin-1, a protein secreted by normal and cancer cells, promotes tumor growth and cardiovascular diseases.