Friday, April 19, 2024
4/19/2024
The University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center (ULARC) was created to serve as a regional/national resource to perform interdisciplinary collaborative research on the role of nutrition as a cofactor in alcohol induced organ injury and as a possible therapeutic intervention to prevent/treat this organ injury. The nutrition and alcohol-induced organ injury theme of the center is unique among alcohol centers. The approach is highly translational. Our investigators include faculty from 13 departments and 6 colleges. The Specific Aims of the ULARC are to: 1) perform/facilitate interdisciplinary research on nutrition and alcohol-induced organ injury; 2) serve as a regional/national resource for the study of nutrition and alcohol-induced organ injury; 3) develop potential therapeutic targets/interventions for alcohol induced organ injury based on the mechanistic research of the ULARC; and 4) disseminate knowledge/interventions to the scientific and lay communities. We will explore interactions of nutrition and alcohol abuse in the development of alcohol-induced organ dysfunction, and we will evaluate diverse potential nutritional preventive/therapeutic interventions. Project 1 (Kirpich/McClain) evaluates the role of dietary fat in ALD pathogenesis; Project 2 (Barve) evaluates alcohol- induced epigenetic alterations in the gut:liver axis. Project 3 (Chen) will elucidate the mechanisms by which enhancers mediate ethanol-induced developmental impairment of neural crest cells and teratogenesis and unique exosome treatment for prevention of FASD. Project 4 (Feng) studies the beneficial effects of the probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosis GG (LGG)on the gut:liver axis in ALD. Together, these projects form a cohesive and interactive approach to investigate the effects of nutrition and nutritional interventions on alcohol-induced organ injury.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
