# Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis (Diversity Supplement)

> **NIH NIH R37** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2021 · $120,102

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
This diversity supplement to the NIAAA R37 grant is in support of the candidate Dr. Amani Lee.
Dr. Amani Lee will pharmacologically inhibit epigenetic regulators of the mobility and matrix
formation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). He will work with both commercial inhibitors (e.g.
Tazemetostat, iBET151) and novel inhibitors, developed by collaborators at the University of
Minnesota, to elucidate downstream effects that will influence activation/migration and matrix
formation for HSCs. Co-inhibition is hypothesized to reduce both the migration of HSCs and
fibrogenesis in liver disease models. In total, this approach has the potential to identify
downstream targets that converge two regulatory pathways, as well as, highlight the potential for
a pharmacological co-treatment of alcohol-associated liver fibrosis. This supplement will combine
Dr. Lee’s expertise in chemistry with his desire to learn how to translate frontier biomedical
research into effective and practical clinical applications. Given his PhD, he will independently
function in bench-based experimentation and develop methodology necessary to advance the
project. He will also be trained in advanced molecular genetics and cell biology techniques by lab
members in the Shah Lab. Additionally he will have the opportunity to audit workshops and short
courses at Mayo to enhance his background knowledge of molecular biology and epigenetics. Dr.
Shah will have weekly one-on-one meetings with Dr. Lee, in addition to quarterly meetings, where
they will review Dr. Lee’s career development plans. Furthermore, Dr. Lee will be co-mentored in
how to find, draft, and submit grant applications, clinical journal papers, and conference
publications. It is our goal that within 24 months of approval Dr. Lee will be well-suited to apply
for NIH grants (e.g., F32), as well as, obtain the tools to design his own experiments on biological
systems affected by alcohol-associated liver disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10402533
- **Project number:** 3R37AA021171-10S1
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** VIJAY H. SHAH
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $120,102
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2012-05-10 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10402533

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10402533, Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis (Diversity Supplement) (3R37AA021171-10S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10402533. Licensed CC0.

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