scientists study new asthma biomarker for treatment: lakehead researcher only canadian awardee

(october 6, 2009 - thunder bay, on) the american asthma foundation (aaf) recently released its 2009 competition results for its research award program. among 12 successful applicants of the 327 who applied is dr. rui wang, a professor of biology and 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 's vice-president (research). dr. wang is the only scientist in canada to receive a 2009 award from the aaf, and his award is valued at $750,000 (u.s.) over three years."my team and i are very grateful that our research application was selected by members of the scientific review board of the aaf. it clearly attests to their belief that the study is groundbreaking and innovative," says dr. wang. alongside his collaborator, dr. brian m. ross, professor at the northern ontario school of medicine (nosm), wang will launch an innovative research project entitled "altered metabolism of h2s in the lung: a novel biomarker and therapeutic avenue for asthma."

"asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes restriction in bronchial air passages. essentially, it alters a person's airways by causing them to become narrower, thereby reducing oxygen flow to the lungs," dr. wang explains. he notes that researchers in the field are challenged with asthma management issues because the cellular and molecular mechanisms for this condition are not clear. subsequently, they continue to work toward finding methods for early detection, monitoring prognosis, and new therapeutic avenues that can offer more effective treatment. dr. wang's research revolves around the presence of hydrogen sulphide (h2s) within the lungs and how it contributes to bronchoconstriction in asthma patients. he hypothesizes that by increasing h2s production levels in the airways and the lungs, bronchoconstriction and airway remodelling will ultimately be lessened.

h2s is produced by selective enzymes, and dr. wang and his research team will work to determine exactly how and where in the lungs and airway tissues this takes place. they will examine the ability and potency of h2s gas in both dilating the airways and decreasing the contractile force of the smooth muscles within them. the hydrogen sulphide that is produced in the lungs might also have the potential to limit the overgrowth of airway muscle cells, which is common in asthma, and to ensure that the airway will not become too narrow. a better understanding of the properties of h2s will aid in the design of new pharmaceutical and genetic approaches to prevent and treat asthma. this research may also lead to the development of new biomarker and diagnostic techniques for early detection and prognosis of asthma based on airway production of h2s, a task that dr. ross will undertake as he analyzes h2s levels in nasal air using state-of-the-art instruments and techniques.

"the aaf funds innovative research on asthma through a grants program designed to recruit outstanding investigators from a broad range of fields outside of asthma. drs. wang and ross bring valuable perspectives and expertise from outside the field," states marion o. sandler, chairman of the board of the aaf. "innovative and potentially breakthrough projects, like theirs, are at the heart of the american asthma foundation's approach to funding cutting-edge research needed to eradicate the asthma epidemic."

since the year 2000, the aaf has made 122 awards to scientists in canada, the united kingdom, and the united states.

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media: drs. wang and ross are available for interview. interviews with dr. wang may be arranged by contacting heather scott, 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 's communications officer, at 807-343-8177; or eleanor abaya, 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 's director of communications, at 807-343-8372 or eabaya@lakeheadu.ca. to schedule an interview with dr. ross, please contact lisa kokanie, nosm communications officer, at 807-766-7314 or lisa.kokanie@normed.ca.

to arrange an interview with an aaf executive or researcher, or for further information, contact seth feldman, executive director, american asthma foundation, at 415-404-3484 or sfeldman@americanasthma.org

about lakehead
lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. with a main campus located in thunder bay, ontario and a campus in orillia, ontario, lakehead has over 7,700 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the northern ontario school of medicine. in 2006, research infosource inc. named 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 canada's research university of the year in the undergraduate category. for more information on 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 , visit www.hsbcwebinars.com