# Cellular and Molecular Toxicology Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS · 2020 · $258,400

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 To elucidate the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of normal-tissue injury induced by anticancer
drugs or ionizing radiation, 4 highly innovative research projects developed by the talented young investigators
of the proposed Phase 2 COBRE Center for Studies of Host Response to Cancer Therapy at the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). These studies contribute to the development of novel mechanism-based
interventions to prevent or mitigate the side effects of chemo- and/or radiotherapy. To accomplish the goals of
their projects, these investigators will analyze various tissues at the cellular and molecular levels (in vitro and in
vivo) to determine potential injury. Due to the nature of the chemical and/or physical agent, route of exposure,
and the composition of the tissue, the response to the insult is complex and varies widely. This analysis requires
expensive and sophisticated instrumentation that individual laboratories cannot afford. To provide junior
investigators with state-of-the-art equipment, facilities, and consultation that would otherwise be prohibitive, the
Cellular and Molecular Toxicology Core (Core B) was established during Phase 1. In Phase 2, Core B will
continue to offer services under the leadership of Alexei G. Basnakian, MD, PhD, DSc, a well-established expert
in normal-tissue injury and cancer research fields, an experienced core facility director, and a successful COBRE
mentor. The core director will oversee well-trained technical personnel. During Phase 1, the core demonstrated
high productivity, and while offering services to project leaders and pilot project grantees at no cost, fees charged
to other users have made this core largely self-sufficient. The core provides project leaders with various basic
and advanced cellular and molecular analyses for chemotherapy- and radiation-induced tissue injury, particularly
irreversible cell injury associated with DNA fragmentation. In addition, the core will constantly expand the
repertoire of available techniques to meet the growing needs of the innovative research conducted by members
of the COBRE Center, as well as other investigators at UAMS. Specifically, the core will pursue the following
specific aims: provide sensitive and quantitative analysis of in vitro and in vivo functional and structural toxicity
(including genotoxicity) and measurements of drug and toxin concentrations (Aim 1); provide mentoring, training,
consultation, and technical assistance concerning experimental design, sample preparation, assay development,
data analysis, and preparation of high-quality figures for publications and grant applications as they relate to
cellular and molecular analysis of tissue injury (Aim 2); and identify and develop new technologies to assist in
the cutting-edge research of the Center (Aim 3). These objectives will greatly benefit the research proposed in
all 4 projects of the Phase 2 COBRE Center as well as enrich the re...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10025389
- **Project number:** 2P20GM109005-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexei G Basnakian
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $258,400
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2015-06-24 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10025389

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10025389, Cellular and Molecular Toxicology Core (2P20GM109005-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10025389. Licensed CC0.

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