Dear colleagues and friends of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute,
As the fiscal year draws to a close, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute can look back on a challenging period in which everyone showed incredible resiliency and resolve to keep advancing the frontiers of biomedical science. The contributions of the faculty, staff and students to supporting all of our colleagues during a time of ongoing challenges to social justice has been outstanding. In June, we celebrated Juneteenth by recognizing many of our scientific colleagues of color who have made important contributions to advances in biomedical and health sciences.
Besides dealing with the pandemic in a manner that followed scientifically sound protocols and showed care and respect for co-workers and the community, the research institute's teams continued to advance the frontiers of science and medicine on multiple fronts. Their innovations and efforts were duly recognized by national review panels who awarded 31 new grants and contracts valued at over $34 million in fiscal year '21.
The arrival of the new cardiovascular research teams led by Dr. Pfleger, Dr. Sassi and Dr. Warren is a major milestone in the growth of the research institute and our recent expansion in Roanoke. These researchers each bring a unique approach to addressing different aspects of the nation’s number one cause of mortality under the leadership of Dr. Gourdie, who directs our Center for Vascular and Heart Research. Along with the other cardiovascular teams, our researchers are making Roanoke a leading destination for cardiovascular science.
Many high impact publications have continued to report the discoveries and advances of the teams at the research institute in June. One example that has gained considerable international attention is the publication in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience this month from the labs of Dr. Craig Ramey, Dr. Sharon Landesman Ramey, Dr. Read Montague, and their colleagues. The study showed dramatic lifelong effects of early childhood interventions on human brain structure.
Studies such as these often have impact beyond the scientific community to help in addressing policy. This is just one example of the many important translational and transformative projects published by the teams at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.
In the spirit of Ut Prosim,
Michael J. Friedlander, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, Virginia Tech
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Warren seeks to reduce heart failure
Junco Warren, a new assistant professor joining the institute's Center for Vascular and Heart Research, studies the metabolic and molecular causes of heart failure. Read More
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Pfleger studies how metabolism, stress alter gene expression in heart cells
Jessica Pfleger, a new assistant professor joining the institute's Center for Vascular and Heart Research, studies how common risk factors for heart disease – such as obesity, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure – alter gene expression in the heart. Read More
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Sassi explores molecular causes for deadly lung, heart diseases
Yassine Sassi, a new assistant professor joining the institute's Center for Vascular and Heart Research, investigates the role of microRNAs in pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as heart failure and the abnormal enlargement of the heart. Read More
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Fralin Biomedical Research Institute to advance brain, cancer research with focused ultrasound
With support from a $1.8-million grant from the Edward N. & Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, the research institute is building a new MRI-guided focused ultrasound facility in Roanoke. In addition to research, the new facility may be used by physicians and veterinarians to treat their patients in the future. Read More
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Active early learning shapes the adult brain
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute scientists have revealed how an emotionally supportive learning environment during the first five years of childhood has lasting impacts on brain structure and size. Read More
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Celebrating Juneteenth through actions and recognition
The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute has advanced numerous diversity and inclusion initiatives in the past year, including the formation of an advisory group, and the creation of a full-time Leadership and Inclusion Associate role. Read More
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Board of Visitors hears update on growing health sciences efforts
Virginia Tech’s overall annual funding across the campus from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has grown by 57 percent in the past five years. The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, a cornerstone of the university’s strategic investment in health sciences, was awarded about 43 percent of Virginia Tech’s NIH awards in fiscal year 2020. Read More
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Fralin Biomedical Research Institute scientist awarded NIH grant to study CASK-related severe brain disorder
Sarika Srivastava, a research assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, believes the loss of CASK gene function could cripple the ability of brain cells to produce much-needed energy and trigger the progressively worse seizures. She has been awarded a $2 million National Institutes of Health grant to study the disease. Read More
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TBMH graduate student awarded NIH fellowship to study how the CASK gene regulates brain function
Paras Patel, a Virginia Tech translational biology, medicine, and health graduate student, was awarded a National Institutes of Health grant that will fund his remaining predoctoral research exploring how a rare mutation in the CASK gene causes certain brain regions to deteriorate shortly after birth. Read More
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Making transformative discoveries to build a healthier future for all
Virginia Tech and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are providing rapid COVID-19 sample analysis to help control the pandemic in support of our local community, the Commonwealth, and frontline responders. Private support is critical to continue these efforts. Here are some ways that you can support the research institute right now, in light of COVID-19:
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