The University of Toledo

HIGHLIGHTED RESEARCH

Grants

Dr. Jennifer Hill's new NIH R21 grant entitled “Inflammatory triggers of polycystic ovarian syndrome” received funding by the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) (April 2012-March 2014). The aim of this project is to determine whether inflammation precedes ovarian dysfunction in a potential mouse model of PCOS.

Dr. Sonia Najjar's NIH R01 grant entitled “CEACAM1 and insulin action” was renewed for the third time by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (August 2010-April 2015). The major goal of this project is to characterize the causative role for CEACAM1-dependent insulin clearance pathways in diet-induced insulin resistance and obesity.

Dr. Sonia Najjar's new NIH R01 grant entitled "CEACAM 1: A Link between Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases" received funding by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (January 2012-December 2016). The major goal of this project is to identify a role for CEACAM1 in linking insulin resistance to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Dr. Guillermo Vazquez's newNIH R01 grant entitled "Role of TRPC3 channels in molecular and cellular aspects of atherogenesis" has received funding by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (December 2011-November 2015). Dr. Vazquez’s group has recently pioneered the demonstration that in coronary artery endothelium, TRPC3 is an obligatory component of the signaling regulating expression of cell adhesion molecules, monocyte recruitment to the subintima and macrophage survival and apoptosis, all critical events in early and advanced stages of atherosclerotic lesion development. The proposal further investigates the role of TRPC3 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.


Highlighted Publications 

Dr. Sonia Najjar's paper Development of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Insulin Resistant L-SACC1 Mice received an Editorial Review by: Rexford S. Ahima: Gastroenterology, 135:1860-1862

Dr. Sonia Najjar's paper Increased metabolic rate and insulin sensitivity in male mice lacking the carcino-embryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 2 has been selected to be featured 'Up front' by Diabetologia to merit special attention for 2012. The paper is highlighted on the Editor website.


Highlighted Abstracts
 
Dr. Edith Mensah-Osman abstract "Menin-A new central player in metabolic & energy homeostasis" won the first place in the poster contest at the Michigan Neurological Meeting on July 24-26, 2009 in Bellaire, Michigan and chosen as a hot-topic item by the media at the Neuroscience Meeting on October 17-21, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Marcia F. McInerney abstract entitled "The Interplay between Macrophages and Adipocytes in Inflammation Associated with Diet-induced Obesity and Diabetes." has been selected for Poster Presentation at the 12^th International Immunology of Diabetes Society Conference, in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on June 15^th-19th, 2012.


Highlighted Presentations

Dr. Beata Lecka-Czernik was invited to present her work to the ADA Order of the Amaranth’s National Assembly on June 24, 2012 in Ontario, Canada.


Media 

Dr. Jennifer Hill was featured in the UT news on April 7, 2010 for her study on how the brain controls weight gain and regulates blood glucose levels. Dr. Hill's study appears in the April 7th issue of Cell Metabolism.