UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT DALLAS
Grant: $200,415 - National Institutes of Health - Jul. 15, 2009
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Award Description: Mutation in the gene for the ABCA3 transporter cause a variety of lung diseases that result in either death in the immediate newborn period or chronic lung disease in children and into adulthood. We have created mouse models of the human ABCA3 mutations so as to study their susceptibility to lung injury and the development of chronic lung disease. These studies examine the pathogenesis of genetic lung diseases, explore the development of potential therapies, and will be relevant to other severe conditions of the lung (e.g. cystic fibrosis) and liver (e.g. alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) that have similiar mechanisms of disease.
Project Description: During the first quarter, Dr. Williams has been involved with multiple activities that have advanced his research project and career development. First, a tentative curriculum has been developed to aid in his cognitive development. In the Fall, Dr Williams will be attending a conference titled, 'Phenotyping Mouse Models of Human Lung Disease'. This is an elite four day conference will be taught by experts in the field of lung biology and will serve as the foundation of Dr. Williams experimental methods in the future. In addition, the conference offers a unique opportunity for networking with other scientists with similar interests. Closer to home, Dr. Williams will be attending a campus sponsored course in the Fall titled, ' Research Protocol Development'. Oversight of Dr. Williams progress will be conducted through two established mechanisms which include weekly laboratory meetings and two formal research presentations. With respect to the wet bench, Dr. Williams has mastered several critial techniques including mouse models of injury in newborn mice which will be applied to the heterozygous and wild type ABCA3 mice of the parent award. He has also recently successfully accomplished primary murine embryonic cell isolation (MEF), immunocytology and mammalian cell transfection. Finally, Dr. Williams is in the process completing a manuscript for submission in the next 1- 2 months in which he will be the first author.
Jobs Summary: Dr. Williams is a junior investigator, physician-scientist with training in cell and molecular biology, as well as, the clinical management of complex pediatric lung diseases. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern and is developing studies focused on the molecular pathways that regulate the response to injury and alveolar development. The ARRA funds received will assist in ensuring his retention in academic medicine and allow him to focus on research while transitioning to the role of an independent investigator. Iimportantly, Dr. Williams is a visible minority and his training in science will enhance the diverstiy of investigators for the future. (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
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