Dr. Yana Sandlers and Dr. Xue-Long Sun, both faculty members in the Department of Chemistry, have received new National Institutes of Health (NIH) R15 awards to support their genetic research programs. NIH's Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) R15 award program supports meritorious research that engages student researchers.

Dr. Sandlers will study genetic processes related to Barth Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can affect a range of body systems such as an enlarged and weakened heart, muscle weakness, susceptibility to infection due to low white blood cell count, and short stature. The project, titled “Novel mitochondria-targeting peptides (MTPs) as therapeutic intervention in Barth syndrome,” is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Dr. Sandlers will investigate cardiolipin abnormalities, the fundamental defect underlying Barth Syndrome. A better understanding of the mechanisms hold promise for developing treatments for Barth Syndrome, and currently there are no FDA approved therapies for the condition.

Dr. Sun, who is a member of CSU’s Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD), is engaged in research on the proteoglycan Thrombomodulin (TM). Proteoglycans are proteins that play a role in the physiology and function of tendons, ligaments, and the cardiovascular system. Thrombomodulin is a cell membrane protein that regulates blood coagulation. His project, also originating with the NHLBI, is titled “Chemoenzymatic Semisynthesis of Proteoglycan and Its Cofactor Activities,” and will focus on developing a comprehensive approach to study TM’s structure and how it relates to coagulation processes.