Donation supports groundbreaking work of the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease

Since its inception in 2008, 91������Ʒ’s (GRHD) has become one of the leading gene research centers in the country with a focus on improving the understanding of basic biological processes and how the malfunction of these processes result in numerous diseases. In the past 8 years the Center’s researchers have received more than $20 million in extramural funding and produced over 160 peer-reviewed journal articles.

GRHD will now be able to expand its research and education efforts thanks to a new $1 million gift. The support, provided by an anonymous donor, will be used to fund graduate scholarships, post-doctoral fellowships, pilot and bridge research projects, and equipment needs. It will also assist in drawing additional private and public investment to further expand and strengthen the Center’s research portfolio.

“GRHD is one of 91������Ʒ’s most important assets and a significant component of our efforts to produce research with a real-world impact while also offering our students first-class, engaged learning opportunities,” notes Jerzy Sawicki, 91������Ʒ’s Vice President for Research.

“By improving our understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms underlying many deadly diseases, we can ultimately develop novel cures and treatment approaches, paving the way for personalized medicine,” notes Anton A. Komar, director of the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease. “Our success would not be possible without the full commitment of our faculty, post-doctoral fellows, staff members, and, most importantly, our graduate and undergraduate students to the research agenda of the Center. We are deeply indebted to the generous donor.”

GRHD was launched with a grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission and was designated as a state Center of Excellence by the Ohio Department of Higher Education in 2010. The Center serves as the home for 15 faculty members from the Departments of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Chemistry; and Physics as well as over 50 graduate students within the 91������Ʒ/Cleveland Clinic joint Ph.D. programs in Regulatory Biology and Clinical-Bioanalytical Chemistry.

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