Grant To Study Apoptosis

University of Connecticut professor Charles Giardina has been awarded a $350,000 National Institutes of Health grant to study the processes that generate programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, an essential bodily process.

Some agents that may prevent colon cancer seem to function by increasing cancer cell apoptosis. Aspirin, which reduces the risk of colon cancer by 50 percent, is one example. Another agent is found in fibrous foods, such as grain cereals.

Mr Giardina will study the ways in which these agents encourage cancer cell death.

“That knowledge may provide valuable tools for the preservation and treatment of cancer,” he said, “since these agents could rely on the body’s ability to recognize transformed cells to target cell killing activity.”