Basic Science Training Grant in Urology
Preceptors | Contact Information
This program offers training for young scientists (Ph.D. and/or M.D.) in the following areas of urological research: cancer biology, microbiology, reproductive biology, endocrinology, developmental biology and epidemiology.
The Basic Science Training Grant in Urology at Northwestern University is funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Grant # T32 DK062716).
Preceptors and Areas of Research Interest
Trainees will select one of the following faculty members as a mentor:
Robert Brannigan, M.D., Testicular physiology and PEDF in the male reproductive tract.
More information on Dr. Brannigan is available here.
Elizabeth Calhoun, Ph.D., Urologic health services research
Dr. Calhoun is an experienced health services researcher with expertise in examining the economic burden of urologic conditions. Her research interests also include examining the efficacy of interventions designed to reduce racial disparities. She has a long history of conducting studies within Chicagoland communities and has worked for many years with Access Community Health Network, the largest group of federally qualified health centers in the country, serving a quarter of a million minorities in Chicago.
More information on Dr. Calhoun is available here.
Earl Cheng, M.D., Nanotechnology-based tissue reconstruction
Quentin Clemens, M.D., Epidemiology and care decisions in bladder dysfunction and pelvic pain
More information on Dr. Clemens is available here.
Erwin Goldberg, Ph.D., LDH-C4 expression in spermatogenesis and prostatic carcinoma
LDH-C4 (LDH-X) is a member of the lactate dehydrogenase family of enzymes. These dehydrogenases play a functional role in glycolysis and the various isozymes differ in kinetic properties as well as tissue distribution. LDH-C4 is a testis specific isozyme and the only LDH of spermatozoa. Dr. Goldberg's research has focused on the catalytic properties of LDH-C4 and on LDH-C4 as a target for male contraception, and on the regulation of ldhc gene expression. His lab is characterizing the transcription factor(s) responsible for germ cell specific expression of ldhc; they have identified in part cis and trans regulation of ldhc but not the protein(s) that may be responsible for germ cell specific expression.
They are targeting disruption of the ldhc gene in mice to test our hypothesis that this gene is required for spermatogenesis and sperm function. A conditional knockout approach using Cre-lox should establish the function of LDH-C4 to answer important questions about the gene. This work will provide a foundation for understanding disorders of reproductive health as well as resolving questions of male infertility and fertility regulation.
Of potential clinical relevance is the finding the LDH-C4 is present in human prostate tumors. This positions LDH-C4 as a tumor-associated antigenic target for diagnosis and potential immunotherapy. They are using immunohistochemistry to localize LDH-C4 in biopsy samples, and preliminary results suggest a correlation with more advanced stage tumor cells. In addition, they are examining methylation patterns of the gene promoter sequences as potential diagnostic and prognostic cancer biomarkers.
More information on Dr. Goldberg is available here.
Larry Jameson, M.D., Role of nuclear receptors in gonadal development and function
More information on Dr. Jameson is availablehere.
David Klumpp, Ph.D., Bacterial and neural basis of bladder inflammation and immunity
James Kozlowski, M.D., Role of PEDF as an important prostate stromal survival factor
More information on Dr. Kozlowski is available here.
Chung Lee, Ph.D., TGF-ß mediated cellular events in immunology and cancer
More information on Dr. Lee is available here.
Kevin McKenna, Ph.D., Neural control of sexual function and its role in disease states
More information on Dr. McKenna is available here.
Kevin McVary, M.D., Neural control of penile and prostate function, sexual dysfunction
More information on Dr. McVary is available here.
Chad Mirkin, Ph.D., Nanotechnology-based diagnostics and therapeutics for urological diseases
More information on Dr. Mirkin is available here.
Carol Podlasek, Ph.D., Genetic regulation of sexual dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a serious medical condition that affects 52% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 and costs in excess of $150 million for inpatient care alone (1985 dollars). Diabetes is a contributing factor in 50% of individuals with ED. Current treatment options for ED are only partially effective (Vale, 2000). Therefore a need exists to develop new therapeutic approaches to treat ED.
The process of erection involves critical integration of vascular, neural, hormonal and morphological influences. As ED develops the balance between these processes becomes skewed. In both diabetic and cavernous nerve injury induced ED models, profound alterations in smooth muscle and endothelial function and abundance commonly accompany the observed impotence. Current treatments for ED aim to increase the available NO and thus smooth muscle relaxation. However as the smooth muscle morphology of the corpora cavernosa becomes increasingly abnormal, these traditional treatment strategies become less effective and eventually fail. In this application we propose a novel approach, in which we aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that cause corpora cavernosa smooth muscle abnormalities and thus ED to occur.
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a crucial regulator of penile morphology. Shh inhibition alters penile morphology such that smooth muscle and endothelium significantly decrease, the sinusoid architecture collapses and ED occurs. The morphological and physiological changes of the Shh inhibited penis parallel observations of smooth muscle loss and decreased Shh protein in diabetic and CN injured rat models of ED and in human diabetic penes, thus implicating a physiological link between decreased Shh protein and ED. Shh protein treatment can induce VEGF and NOS, thus suggesting a potential mechanism through which decreased Shh protein can cause ED. We propose the hypothesis that Shh inhibition represents an underlying cause of ED rather than a symptom of smooth muscle loss. Increasing our understanding of Shh signaling in the penis will provide valuable insight that may lead to new treatment strategies for impotence.
More information on Dr. Podlasek is available here.
Anthony Schaeffer, M.D., Molecular pathogenesis of urinary tract infections
More information on Dr. Schaeffer is available here.
Samuel Stupp, Ph.D.
More information on Dr. Stupp is available here.
Olga Volpert, Ph.D., Angiogenesis mechanisms; natural inhibitors in cancer prevention/treatment
More information on Dr. Volpert is available here.
If you have questions or comments, please contact:
Olga Volpert, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Northwestern University Feinberg of Medicine
Department of Urology
303 East Chicago Avenue, Tarry 16-703
Chicago, IL 60611-3008
olgavolp@northwestern.edu