University of Kentucky Office of Biomedical Education

UK researchers help understand sex-specific differences in aortic aneurysms Research UK researchers help understand sex-specific differences in aortic aneurysms By Sara Macias Palacio Monday The photos shows a CTA of the abdominal aorta with stent-grafting in a patient. mr.suphachai praserdumrongchai, iStock/Getty Images Plus LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 23, 2024) — A group of r...

The research study led by Josiane Tessmann, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar in the laboratory of Yekaterina Zaytseva, Ph.D., is the first to show that long-term PFOS exposure can lead to changes in intestinal cells that are linked to the development of colorectal cancer.

Markey study links ‘forever chemical’ PFOS with colorectal cancer Research Markey study links ‘forever chemical’ PFOS with colorectal cancer By Elizabeth Chapin Thursday Yekaterina Zaytseva, Ph.D. Photo provided. LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 5, 2024) — A recent University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study sheds light on how the environmental pollutant perfluor...

Q&A: Are Olympians built differently? Physiology doctoral fellow Benjamin Burke talks about the factors that set Olympians apart.

“This study has great parallels to human health and disease,” said Chris Norris, Ph.D., one of the principal investigators of the study. “Staying socially connected, exercising and keeping your brain engaged with stimulating activities may provide substantial protection against the detrimental effects of aging and age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s.”

Sanders-Brown research shows clear connection between socialization, enrichment and brain health Researchers from the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and the University of California Irvine are some of the first to show socialization and enrichment are good for aging brains. The collaborative study was recently published in the Journal of Neuroscience. Imaging from the ...

Patrick Sullivan: 2024-25 University Research Professor Q&A Since joining UK in 2002, Sullivan’s laboratory has pioneered numerous techniques to evaluate specific mitochondrial populations in the central nervous system.

“This study lays the groundwork to learn what’s happening during the exchange of extracellular vesicles between different cell types to then work toward understand the significance of these processes in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease,” said Erhard Bieberich, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Physiology in the UK College of Medicine.

UK study links nanoparticles to oxidative stress and neuron death Erhard Bieberich’s research team focused on oxidative stress — an excess of oxygen radicals in the body. This excess results in damage to cells and tissues. Other studies have shown this plays a role in many chronic and degenerative conditions.

Congratulations, Dr. Garvy!

Dr. Beth Garvy named to lead FASEB Board Beth A. Garvy, PhD, professor and senior associate dean for biomedical education at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, was named president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Her term began July 1, 2024. 

Gregory A. Jicha: 2024-25 University Research Professor Q&A In summing up his research, Jicha said he investigates ways to unlock the secrets of healthy brain aging that can be made possible for all. He and his research team are working to develop new treatments for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders — most notably the FDA-approv...

Octavio A. Gonzalez: 2024-25 University Research Professor Q&A Gonzalez’s research focuses on identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms through which oral pathogenic bacteria and aging affect the gum’s tissue responses. These responses can lead to oral inflammation and loss of the tissues that support the teeth, like gum disease, also known as periodont...

Natalia Korotkova, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics in the College of Medicine. Her project titled “Functional significance of extracytoplasmic intrinsically disordered regions in streptococci” was selected for a seed grant by a Hypothesis Fund Scout — outstanding scientists who identify other scientists to fund.

UK project on bacteria-focused research selected for Hypothesis Fund seed grant The Hypothesis Fund supports early-stage, innovative research focused on addressing systemic risks to human and planetary health.

On Monday, UK Research welcomed Monica Bertagnolli, M.D., the NIH director, to the Healthy Kentucky Research Building (HKRB) — a space dedicated to enabling multidisciplinary teams to find solutions to reduce the health disparities greatly impacting Kentucky.

UK showcases community-based, health-focused research during NIH delegation visit On Monday, UK Research welcomed Monica Bertagnolli, M.D., the NIH director, to the Healthy Kentucky Research Building (HKRB) — a space dedicated to enabling multidisciplinary teams to find solutions to reduce the health disparities greatly impacting Kentucky.

Mark Ebbert is leading the research team behind the study titled “Mapping medically relevant RNA isoform diversity in the aged human frontal cortex with deep long-read RNA-seq”.

Sanders-Brown study: Long-read RNA sequencing reveals key gene expressions in Alzheimer’s disease Mark T. W. Ebbert, Ph.D., and a team of researchers at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging are using a cutting-edge technique to better analyze genes in the brain. The team is also working to understand the role those genes play in brain-related diseases.

The Consortium for Understanding and Reducing Infectious Diseases in Kentucky (CURE-KY) will foster multidisciplinary collaborations to address the burden of infectious diseases in the Commonwealth and beyond.

New consortium to advance research on infectious disease prevention, treatment The Consortium for Understanding and Reducing Infectious Diseases in Kentucky (CURE-KY) will foster multidisciplinary collaborations to address the burden of infectious diseases in the Commonwealth and beyond.

We're excited to be part of this cohort!

pd|hub welcomes the 2024-2025 cohort of pd|hub Collections Implementation Sites! We are delighted to welcome twenty teams as our second cohort of Implementation Sites for the pd|hub Collection: Foundations of Career Exploration for PhD Scientists. We are looking forward to supporting these organizations as they adapt and implement evidence-based approaches from this Collection t...

"The MSMS program has provided me with an exceptional, fulfilling, and highly educational experience. Interacting with a diverse group of professors who have excelled in their careers has been an enriching experience for me."

Congratulations to Cortney and all of our graduates!

Graduation Q&A: Cortney Laye On May 4, the UK College of Medicine celebrated the graduation of several students in our biomedical sciences programs. Six graduates earned graduate certificates, 33 earned a Master's, and 12 earned their doctorates. Join us in congratulating these scholars on this momentous occasion! Watch the cer...

On this episode of "Behind the Blue," Campbell talks about this important research and how the development of the Gill Cardiovascular Biorepository has helped drive heart muscle research around the world.

'Behind the Blue': Kenneth Campbell discusses his research, helping solve mysteries of the heart Research 'Behind the Blue': Kenneth Campbell discusses his research, helping solve mysteries of the heart By Kody Kiser and Lindsay Travis Monday LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 29, 2024) — Kenneth Campbell, M.D., is the director of translational research in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in the Un...

“We eagerly welcome a fourth cohort of members to the Research Scholars Program and look forward to seeing the valuable contributions they will make, adding to this program’s success,” said Nancy Schoenberg, Ph.D., RSP co-director. “Our goal is to bring a diverse group of junior faculty to the table, nurture their talents and set them up for continued research success here at UK."

Research Scholars Program welcomes 4th cohort, advancing health care perspectives The program is aimed at advancing research by promoting the success of a diverse group of faculty. RSP also trains junior faculty in publishing, communication and networking.

“Identifying environmental risk factors for Alzheimer’s is critical to mitigate cognitive decline in humans,” said Anika Hartz, Ph.D., a professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences in the College of Medicine and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy. She is the study’s principal investigator.

“Bisphenols can accelerate Alzheimer’s disease and lead to cognitive deficits. Simply: Be smart and stay smart by avoiding plastics.”

UK study: Chemicals in plastics could be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s Anika Hartz, Ph.D., and her colleagues are examining three types of bisphenols (BPA, BPF and BPS), which are chemical compounds used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. These compounds are commonly found in food containers, water bottles and the lining of cans.

The five-year NCI grant will support Guo’s research to explore LH2b’s prevalence in lung cancer patients and understand its mechanisms of action.

Markey researcher awarded $2.6 million to study new metastatic lung cancer target Research Markey researcher awarded $2.6 million to study new metastatic lung cancer target By Elizabeth Chapin Jan. 26, 2024 Markey researcher Huofu Gou received a $2.6 million grant from the NCI to study a new target linked to lung cancer progression. LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2024) — A University...

We'd like to wish all of our OBE friends and family a safe and happy holiday season. See you in 2024!

"UK’s world-recognized research is impacting the community and producing innovations that make Kentucky and the world healthier, wealthier and wiser. We congratulate these outstanding individuals for this citation recognition.” -- Lisa Cassis, Ph.D., UK Vice President for Research

UK scientists and scholars among top 2% of world’s most-cited researchers In a database compiled by Stanford University, 120 current UK scientists and scholars appear among the top 2% of the most-cited researchers in the world.

“Alzheimer’s is something that needs to be addressed urgently,” Dr. Devanney said. “I want to help save as many brains as we can.”

UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging led Dr. Nick Devanney to Kentucky Before training at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Nick Devanney, PhD, had little connection to The Bluegrass State. He is from New England, and his family currently lives there.

“This study is going to have a tremendous impact on Kentuckians, many of whom know firsthand the profound devastation opioid use has on the overall health of the Commonwealth,” said Ilhem Messaoudi, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics in the UK College of Medicine, and one of the principal investigators on the grant.

UK research team studies maternal opioid use impact on placenta, baby In Kentucky, roughly 20 of every 1,000 babies born in 2020 had symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. A team of UK researchers wants to understand how changes in the placenta from opioid use are linked to negative cognitive consequences in the baby.

Kenneth S. Campbell, Ph.D., the director of translational research in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in the UK College of Medicine, helped map out an important part of the heart on a molecular level. The study titled “Cryo-EM structure of the human cardiac myosin filament” was published online in the prestigious journal Nature earlier this month.

UK researcher helps solve 60-year mystery inside heart, publishes in Nature Kenneth S. Campbell, Ph.D., and fellow researchers have produced single-particle 3D reconstructions of a microscopic part of the heart. To put that level into perspective, if the heart is a continent, this team is looking at single strands of hair.

“By studying these processes in detail, we hope to better understand the ways xylazine and fentanyl interact in the brain and how they affect behavior,” said Gipson-Reichardt. “This knowledge could lead us to new strategies for treating people who are struggling with the combined use of these substances and help make naloxone more effective in saving lives.”

UK researchers awarded $2.6 million to study new drug combination driving overdose deaths Research UK researchers awarded $2.6 million to study new drug combination driving overdose deaths By Elizabeth Chapin Oct. 26, 2023 of LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 26, 2023) — Cassandra Gipson-Reichardt, Ph.D., and Terry Hinds, Jr., Ph.D., associate professors in the University of Kentucky College of Med...

“It is a really special place,” said Martinez. “We are lucky to have Sanders-Brown right here in Lexington.”

Sanders-Brown builds upon strong reputation in Alzheimer’s research, care and outreach Throughout its four decades of existence, Sanders-Brown has built an international reputation for best-in-class research into a disease that kills more people every year than breast and prostate cancer combined. At the same time, they have brought understanding of dementia home to Kentucky, arming t...

UK graduate student leads efforts for inclusivity, mentorship Carolina Galeano-Naranjo, MS, is a PhD candidate at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in the lab of Tianyan Gao, PhD, professor of molecular and cellular biochemistry.

“The brain is interesting. At rest, it makes up about 2% of your body, but it’s consuming 20% of the oxygen you breathe in,” explained Patrick Sullivan, Ph.D., Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC) Endowed Chair, neuroscience professor and grant principal investigator. “Metabolism is essential to everything that the brain does.”

NIH awards $10.6 million for central nervous system metabolism research center at UK The goal of the new multidisciplinary CNS-Met COBRE is to create a strategically designed framework that promotes leading-edge research on the role of metabolic mediators of brain function and disease.

“We stand at the threshold of a critical endeavor to develop new treatment strategies against Alzheimer’s disease,” said Erhard Bieberich, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Physiology in the UK College of Medicine. “We’ve uncovered that a medication already on the market, ponesimod (brand name ‘Ponvory’), can reduce one of the hallmarks of this disease: neuroinflammation.”

UK researchers 1st to show multiple sclerosis drug can be used as Alzheimer’s therapy The team studied ponesimod, an oral medication that the FDA has approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. The medication reduces inflammation in the brain by targeting a specific receptor in the immune system to help regulate the body’s response and prevent it from attacking the cen...

He is not only advancing scientific discoveries at UK, but also helping more undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows gain early experience with high-impact work.

In Hinds Lab, trainees gain experience with cutting-edge research Terry Hinds, Ph.D., joined the University of Kentucky College of Medicine faculty with an impressive record of groundbreaking research and state-of-the-art specialized technology. He is not only advancing scientific discoveries at UK, but also helping more undergraduate students, graduate students,....