An extraordinary breadth and depth of research occurs throughout the Feinberg School of Medicine. Much of this work is “translational,” intended to quickly bridge the gap between research and the actual treatment of patients. Several of the many outstanding research contributions made during the year are noted on the following pages.

Genetics J. Larry Jameson, MD, Irving S. Cutter Professor and chair of medicine, is actively involved in several projects dealing with the genetic basis of hormonal disorders. Says Dr. Jameson, “With several floors of the new Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center dedicated to genetics, we can be assured that Northwestern will be a leader in developing new knowledge in this exciting area, as well as helping to educate the next generation of practicing physicians who will use genetics to enhance patient care.”

Cardiac Arrest/Stroke “During asphyxia, cardiac arrest, or stroke, cells are acutely deprived of oxygen supply,” explains Paul T. Schumacker, PhD, professor of pediatrics, medicine, and cell and molecular biology. “Our laboratory is interested in understanding how the cells detect these rapid decreases in oxygen supply, and how the resultant protective mechanisms lessen cell death.” Ultimately, Dr. Schumacker and colleagues want to identify how these protective mechanisms work and develop therapeutic interventions that can rescue patients experiencing an acute loss of tissue oxygen supply.

Asthma Robert P. Schleimer, PhD, Roy Patterson Professor and chief of the allergy-immunology division, studies the mechanisms that cause allergic airway diseases including asthma and severe sinus disease. “The mechanisms we are testing in the lab involve the possible roles of upper respiratory viruses, bacteria, and fungi from the environment and how anti-inflammatory steroids suppress these diseases,” says Dr. Schleimer. “This work is a good example of translational research because investigators are using approaches that include molecular analysis of gene expression and function in cultured cells and in vivo studies of human subjects.”

Multiple Sclerosis Stephen D. Miller, PhD, Congressman John Edward Porter Professor of Biomedical Research and director of the Interdepartmental Immunobiology Center, studies the immunoregulation of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease in which certain lymphocytes destroy the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, causing paralysis. His laboratory investigates how lymphocytes reach the central nervous system and release the inflammatory molecules that destroy myelin. He and his colleagues also focus on how viral infections may trigger MS and other autoimmune diseases and possible cellular and molecular mechanisms for treating them. A Phase I/II clinical trial will begin soon to test mechanisms of preventing disease progression in MS patients.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Mary M. McDermott, MD, GME ’94, associate professor of medicine and of preventive medicine, is conducting a clinical research study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to determine whether regular exercise can improve leg and ankle functioning in participants with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This is a condition similar to coronary artery disease, in which fatty deposits on the wall of arteries block blood flow to the legs and feet. People with PAD are at significant risk for heart attack and stroke. In Dr. McDermott’s study, participants are randomized into one of three groups: a supervised treadmill exercise training program, a supervised progressive resistance training program, or a nutrition control group. After six months of on-site exercise training, participants in the exercise groups will begin six months of exercise at home to determine whether gains made during supervised training can be retained.

Heart Valve Function Aortic valve calcification affects 2–5 percent of people over age 65 and can result in a variety of cardiac problems. This condition was thought to be caused by a passive accumulation of calcium along the surface of the valve of the heart. However, recent studies by Nalini Rajamannan, MD, assistant professor of medicine, have demonstrated that it is actually an active process caused by elevated cholesterol levels and inflammation. Dr. Rajamannan has successfully identified the key initiating events in this disease, demonstrating that high cholesterol causes the valve to turn into bone, which leads to calcification. This process can be inhibited by drug therapy.