Engineering Research Center

North Carolina A&T State University has been awarded a grant for an Engineering Research Center (ERC) from the National Science Foundation. The ERC at A&T, under the direction of Dr. Jagannathan Sankar (pictured) will conduct research into next-generation bio-implants made with magnesium alloys that have the ability to adapt to the body, "grow" without refitting, and be absorbed by the body when no longer needed.

Nutrition Research

Dr. Michael McIntosh's research group at UNC Greensboro is investigating dietary approaches to the management of obesity and its related chronic diseases. The long-term goals of the research are to provide effective health management strategies through dietary decisions, rather than drug-based therapies. The department of nutrition at UNC Greensboro also conducts studies in both nutritional issues in marginalized communities, and bioactive food components.

Autoimmune Disease Vaccine Research

Dr. Mark Mannie, a professor and researcher at East Carolina's Brody School of Medicine, is working on novel vaccines for Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Unlike a conventional vaccine, which provides immunity to a particular disease, vaccines for autoimmune diseases have to suppress faulty immune responses, while preserving a body's ability to fight other illnesses.

Virtual Lung Project

Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill from a variety of disciplines are working on developing accurate computer models to describe the human lungs in detail. The models will help explain the interactions between different lung components, leading researchers to new ideas for research projects. The models will also allow for high-quality simulations and visualizations of the impact of new drugs and treatments for conditions like asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Anti-Bacterial Breakthroughs

Dr. John Cavanagh at NC State has developed small, non-toxic molecules with the remarkable ability to re-sensitize bacteria to the antibiotics to which they have become resistant. These compounds have particular significance for combating the particularly challenging MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections, and have great potential as a treatment for cystic fibrosis-related illnesses.

Bone Marrow Stem Cells

Dr. Anna Spagnoli, a pediatrician and professor of biomedical engineering at UNC Chapel Hill's School of Medicine, is investigating the ways bone marrow stem cells can assist with faster and more complete recovery from bone fractures. Dr. Spagnoli and her team have shown that injecting treated bone marrow stem cells into mice with bone fractures increases the cartilage and bone growth at the fracture sites (treated fractures shown at right) as compared to untreated fractures over the same time frame (left).

Allergens Research

Dr. Mohamed Ahmedna, an agricultural researcher at North Carolina A&T, has developed a process to remove the compounds that cause allergic reactions from peanuts and peanut products. Peanut and tree nut allergies are often extremely severe, affecting almost 3 million Americans, and causing roughly 100 deaths annually. The process is now under development for use with other allergens.

Exercise and the Immune System

Dr. David Neiman, a researcher in the department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science at Appalachian State University, examines the role of nutrition and exercise in overall health and well being. He and his team have shown that while moderate exercise can have a positive effect on the immune system, aiding a body's ability to ward off disease, cases of extreme physical exertion, such as after running a marathon can have the opposite effect.

Forensic Research Labs

Under the direction of Dr. John Williams, Western Carolina University has developed the Human Identification Laboratory, a research and education facility dedicated to the recovery, storage, and analysis of human remains. The WCHIL also maintains a decomposition research station. This facility is one of only two in the nation, and is dedicated to research into time standards of human decomposition; information vital to law enforcement endeavors.

Breakthroughs in Pain Management

Investigators at UNC Chapel Hill's School of Medicine have discovered that an enzyme, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), commonly used as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer, also holds great potential as a novel pain treatment. Dr. Mark Zylka and his team have shown that mice injected with PAP had decreased responses to a variety of pain types. Notably, the pain-reducing effects of PAP lasted for days and had no side effects.

Improving Treatment Protocols

Warfarin is a drug commonly used in hospitals as a blood thinner for people with dangerous blood clots. A highly potent drug, warfarin administration can take several days, as doctors have to start with a very small dosage, to prevent excessive bleeding. Dr. Darrel Stafford, a biologist at UNC Chapel Hill, has developed a genetic test to predict the correct dosage a particular patient can tolerate. His test will decrease the treatment time and lead to more swift recoveries from blood clots.

REALTROMINS

Dr. Keith Kocis from UNC Chapel Hill has developed a new health assessment tool for critically ill children. The tool, REALTROMINS (Real Time Risk of Mortality and Instability), works by integrating a large variety of health indicators to provide doctors and nurses with up-to-date summary information about a patient's well-being. The device will help medical teams better monitor, assess, and respond to the changing clinical condition of patients.