
NYU College of Dentistry Professor Receives $1.4 Million Grant
NYU College of Dentistry Professor Receives $1.4 Million Grant New York University (NYU) has announced that Despina Sitara, PhD, MSc, BSc, an assistant professor of basic science and craniofacial biology at NYU College of Dentistry, is the recipient of a
NYU College of Dentistry Professor Receives $1.4 Million Grant
New York University (NYU) has announced that Despina Sitara, PhD, MSc, BSc, an assistant professor of basic science and craniofacial biology at NYU College of Dentistry, is the recipient of a 3-year, $1.4 million grant from the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. The award will be used to study how an excess of the bone-secreted hormone fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) causes severe anemia. This research seeks to understand the role FGF-23 plays in anemia, which affects more than 80% of patients with chronic kidney and cardiovascular conditions.
Sitara’s prior research demonstrated that FGF-23 helps regulate phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis and bone mineralization. It also suggests that high levels of FGF-23 lead to decreased red blood cell formation. As her team pursues further research based on these findings, Sitara hypothesizes that inhibition of FGF-23 will enable the body to restore red blood cell production, thus countering the effects of anemia. This investigation is reportedly the first to examine FGF-23 as the cause of anemia. It is hoped that studying this fibroblast growth factor could lead to a new targeted therapy.
Hygiene Connection E-Newsletter
March 2017