Findings
Houston, Texas
Volume 4, Issue 9
October 2006

Briefs

Three BCM researchers receive childhood cancer research grants

Three Baylor College of Medicine researchers were awarded grants by Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a group dedicated to advancing childhood cancer research.

Sharon Plon, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics, received an Innovation Award for her research on parallel sequencing to identify the causes of childhood cancer. Heidi Russell, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, was given a Translational Award for research in building a Texas-based center for neuroblastoma clinical research. A Young Investigator Award was presented to R. Craig Castellino, M.D., instructor of pediatrics, for his work on genotoxic stress, which can affect the way genes govern the activities of cells. All three are researchers at Texas Children's Cancer Center.

In addition, Texas Children's Hospital was given two grants – one for data management for pediatric oncology clinical trials and another to help fund cancer vaccine studies. Plon's research is being conducted in collaboration with the BCM Human Genome Sequencing Center. The families are enrolled in cancer genetics research studies at BCM, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Russell's grant will be used to develop a neuroblastoma referral center for Texas and surrounding states. Increasing the enrollment of children in clinical trials is an important part of understanding and treating the disease. Castellino's award as a Young Investigator will give him start-up funds for his research in a study of a particular protein that is involved in genotoxic stress.

Chan recognized by Endocrine Society

Lawrence Chan, M.D., D.Sc., is the recipient of the 2007 Edwin Astwood Award from the Endocrine Society, presented to one scientist a year for "outstanding research in endocrinology.

He will receive the award at the society's annual meeting in 2007. Chan, professor in the departments of molecular and cellular biology and medicine, is recognized internationally for his work in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome; lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis; and somatic gene therapy and other molecular therapies for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Collaborative grant

A $26 million research/treatment grant entitled "Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment," has been awarded for a collaborative study by BCM, the Harris County Hospital District, The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the UT Austin Addiction Research Institute. The funding came through the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which awarded the state of Texas $18 million, and the HCHD, which agreed to make an in-kind contribution of $8 million.

The three-year project will evaluate the rate of independence and employment in approximately 2,400 study patients with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders. The outcome of this study will impact future government policy making related to Medicaid and Medicare mental health as well as medical benefits. Britta Ostermeyer, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and family and community medicine, was appointed medical director of Psychiatric Services for the collaborative grant.