EMORY UNIVERSITY

Columbia University-led IndiPHARM project, funded by $39.5M from ARPA-H, aims to develop a platform measuring drugs, metabolites, and environmental factors to optimize therapeutic efficacy, reducing adverse drug events and improving patient care.

South Asians, despite lacking common heart disease risk factors, face elevated risks due to genetics and lifestyle factors, prompting research initiatives to understand and address these disparities.

Cornell-led team developed machine-learning models using cell-free RNA to diagnose pediatric inflammatory conditions like Kawasaki disease and MIS-C, monitoring organ health. Published in PNAS, the study highlights cell-free RNA's potential as a molecular diagnostic tool, with further research needed on its biological origins.

Kynurenine, a tryptophan metabolite, exacerbates Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by inhibiting astrocyte glycolysis and lactate production, starving neurons. IDO1 inhibitors, which block kynurenine production, could potentially treat AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

A study published in Science Translational Medicine identifies 34 protein modules in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including those involved in autophagy, ubiquitination, and glycolysis. Proteins related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and neddylation were tied to ApoE4. In serum, these modules predicted AD up to two decades in advance. A clinical trial showed atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, could mitigate some AD-associated pathways, particularly glycolysis.

U.S. reps ask FDA about biopharmaceutical companies' clinical trials with PLA entities; NSF OIG finds ISU inappropriately charged $9,709 on six awards; UMB's Eckert agrees to 8-year debarment for research misconduct; NIH bans AI use in peer reviews; OHRP finds Emory IRB members may lack clear understanding of approval conditions; NSF updates guidance on reporting multiyear foreign gifts or contracts.