Skip to content

Pepper Pilot studies


Pilot Awards - 1st cycle                     Pilots Awards - 2nd cycle


Pilot/Exploratory Core (P/E C)

Arny A. Ferrando, Ph.D. - Core Leader Year 1
Elena Volpi, M.D., Ph.D.– Co-leader Year 2
James Goodwin, M.D. – Core leader Year 3
Blake Rasmussen, Ph.D. – Leader Years 4-5
Glenn Ostir, Ph.D. – Co-leader
Jean Freeman, Ph.D. – Senior Investigator

Core Activities Progress Progress Progress Progress
Initial Application Year 1:
2005 -2006
Year 2:
2006 -2007
Year 3:
2007 -2008
Year 4:
2008 -2009

The goal of the Pilot/Exploratory Core (P/EC) is to facilitate development of innovative and methodologically rigorous research designed to enhance our understanding of the etiology and mechanisms related to the sarcopenia of aging.

Specific Aims:
1) Solicit and select the most meritorious research proposals for P/EC funding;

2) Provide P/EC investigators with access to resources from other OAIC cores and institutional research facilities/centers;
3) Identify potential opportunities for co-sponsorship of P/EC studies;

4) Monitor the progress of P/EC studies;

5) Provide assistance and mentorship to develop P/EC studies into independently funded grant applications; and

6) Ensure the safety and protection of human subjects enrolled in P/EC studies.

Elisabet Borsheim Ph.D., Department of Surgery
“Transcapillary insulin transport in aging”

Henry Epstein, M.D., Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology
“Chaperone modulation of motor activity in aging”

Melinda Sheffield-Moore, Ph.D., Department of Internal Medicine
“Cyclic testosterone and bone turnover in older men”

Bartosz Szczesny, Ph.D., Sealy Center for Molecular Science “Age-dependent change in activity of DNA base excision repair proteins and its impact on the functions of mitochondria in skeletal muscle”

Satoshi Fujita, Ph.D., Department of Internal Medicine
“Muscle mTOR signaling and the regulation of translation initiation in sarcopenia”

Wolfgang Maret, Ph.D., Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health
“Zinc and muscle wasting (sarcopenia"

Elizabeth Protas, Ph.D. – Department of Physical Therapy
“Activity and outcomes in hospitalized elders”

Hiroshi Saito, Ph.D., Department of Surgery

“IL-15 and adipocytokines in sarcopenia

 

Hans Dreyer, Ph.D. Department of Physical Therapy
“Muscle mTOR signaling and the regulation of translation initiation in sarcopenia” – Year 2

Hiroshi Saito, Ph.D., Department of Surgery
“IL-15 and adipocytokines in sarcopenia” - Year 2

Melinda Sheffield- Moore, Ph.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology
Suppression of Atrophy Signaling in Skeletal Muscle Following Testosterone Therapy”

Douglas Paddon-Jones, Ph.D., Department of  Physical Therapy
“Restoration of cell signaling and muscle protein synthesis in the Elderly”

Glenn Ostir, Ph.D.,
Department of Internal Medicine-Geriatrics

“Ongoing Functional Status in Hospitalized Older Adults”

Blake Rasmussen, PhD, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, was appointed and approved as Leader of the P/E C

Pilot studies supported by the P/E Core 2008-09:

José Manuel Barral, MD, PhD

Neuroscience & Cell Biology
Chaperone Function in Age-Related
Sarcopenia

Micah Drummond, Ph.D.
Physical Therapy
Muscle microRNA expression in aging: Effects of exercise and essential amino acids

Barbara Doucet, Ph.D.
Occupational Therapy
Electrical Stimulation and Nutritional Support in Hospitalized Elders

Alan Brasier, MD
Internal Medicine
Serum biomarkers in inactivity-induced sarcopenia

Hans Dreyer,
PhD
Physical Therapy
Muscle Metabolism & Function during Rehabilitation and Amino Acid Supplementation

Janna McGaugh, PhD
Physical Therapy
Effects of nutrition and intensive rehabilitation on recovery after hip fracture