Seven UC Davis researchers received pilot grant awards from the UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center to conduct innovative and collaborative research.

The awards came in three broad categories — highly innovative research, new approaches to neurodevelopmental disorders and mini-biorepositories from clinical research projects. The recipients and their categories are:

Highly innovative research

Sanjay Joshi, assistant professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering, is working with department colleagues and a biomedical engineering graduate student to focus on a new computer interface device that allows a person to control a wheelchair, room lights and a computer mouse by using the contractions of a single muscle in the head.

Heike Wulff, professor of pharmacology, is collaborating with a colleague in the Department of Neurology to conduct proof-of-concept studies of new anti-epileptic drug compounds that target entirely novel cellular mechanisms and may be useful for patients who cannot benefit from currently available drug therapies.

New approaches to neurodevelopmental disorders

David Segal, associate professor of pharmacology, is working with faculty from medical microbiology and immunology to create molecular tools that will be used to develop a combined epigenetic therapy — changing the instructions of certain genes — for treating Rett Syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder marked by the absence of speech, lack of coordinated muscle movement and seizures.

Frank Sharp, professor of neurology, is working with colleagues from multiple departments to develop a completely new approach to understanding how autism is passed from parents to child, including whether immunologic factors can help explain heritability.

Mini-biorepositories from clinical research projects

Simeon Boyd, associate professor of pediatrics, is investigating nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, a common head malformation in newborns, by collecting DNA samples from multiple family members to create a cell-line biorepository that will enable researchers to map, clone and characterize the genes causing the condition.

Regina Gandour-Edwards, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, is developing a novel biopsy tool and standardized protocol to improve the study of prostate cancer.

Joshua Miller, associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, is investigating a new way to store biological samples at room temperature as it holds the promise of providing a cost-effective, space-saving and environmentally friendly alternative to preserving serum and plasma samples at very cold temperatures.