Grant awarded for bacterial-virus research

The 2009 budget cuts have VCU officials, including President Michael Rao and Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Reuban Rodriguez, exploring new ways to make more programs self-efficient by generating their own revenue. A recent $100,000 Grand Challenges Exploration grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the university falls under the continuing efforts to better fund research programs without VCU administration requesting state money. The grant provides funding for innovations and improvements in global health.

Luiz Shozo Ozaki, an associate professor at VCU’s Life Sciences Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, will use the funding to research how bacterial viruses might be a tool for blocking transmission of the malaria parasite, according to a statement issued by Anne Buckley, associate director for VCU Communications and Public Relations. Not only does the grant benefit the university, the research might have a worldwide effect according to Ozaki. “The beneficial consequences for global health are enormous,” Ozaki stated in an e-mail.

“For instance, malaria alone kills almost a million people annually, mostly children.” According to Buckley, Ozaki’s project is one of 76 grants announced by the Gates Foundation. The funding allows scientists around the world to explore bold and unproven ways to advance health in developing countries. “I’m excited about their ideas,” stated Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of the Gates Foundation’s Global Health program, on VCU’s Web site. “And look forward to seeing some of these exploratory projects turn into life-saving breakthroughs.”

Ozaki and VCU Professor Gail Christie, will genetically engineer bacterial viruses to express malaria-parasite inhibitors in the mosquito gut upon infection of the bacteria, according to VCU’s Web site. Both professors will then test the engineered bacterial viruses to be used as a biological tool for controlling the transmission of the disease. “The tool we are developing here at VCU will aid in the eradication of malaria altogether with other armaments like conventional drugs, vaccines and bed nets,” stated Ozaki in an e-mail. “Now, imagine extrapolating this tool to other parasitic diseases.”

According to Gregory Buck, director of VCU’s Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, the novel strategies introduced by the Gates Foundation and proposed by Ozaki and Christie, are required to combat the disease. “This award by the Gates Foundation to VCU adds further recognition to the university,” stated Buck on VCU’s Web site.

“As a center of excellence in the study of important infectious diseases.” According to Ozaki, there is a lack of research funding by other agencies for studying neglected diseases. Ozaki stated neglected diseases not only directly affect poor people in poor countries, but people worldwide. “Poverty, ultimately enhanced and maintained by diseases, causes all sorts of social problems,” Ozaki stated in an e-mail. “Which ultimately reverts to the whole world, no matter how rich the country is.”