University of Louisville Magazine

FALL 2013

The University of Louisville Alumni Magazine: for alumni, faculty, staff, students and anyone that is a UofL Cardinal fan.

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H A P P E N I N G H E R E UofL research studies adult stem cell treatment for angina Roberto Bolli's internationally renowned research in the battle against heart disease continues to move forward. The director of the UofL's Institute for Molecular Cardiology is now recruiting patients to a Phase III clinical trial in adult stem cell research to study whether their own stem cells will help lessen the debilitating effects of angina. Known as the RENEW trial, the study seeks patients who have severe refractory angina, characterized as intense, chronic chest discomfort that does not respond to conventional treatment. Stem cells will be ex- tracted from each patient's blood; after processing, the cells will be injected back into targeted areas of the patient's heart. Patients then will be followed for two years to measure improvement. Bolli is no stranger to groundbreaking research in adult stem cells for cardiac disease. He led the SCIPIO trial at UofL in which patients suffering from heart failure who were infused with their own cardiac stem cells showed an average of 12 percent improvement in one year. "It is clear that adult stem cell treatment continues to have a benefcial effect in repairing damaged hearts," Bolli said. "As we continue studying how this improvement occurs, we will see if these results hold up in the future. If they do, I believe this could be the biggest revolution in cardiovascular medicine in my lifetime." UofL is the only trial site for the RENEW study in Kentucky. To fnd out if you qualify for participation, call 502-587-4106 or go to the trial protocol synopsis listed at www.ClinicalTrials.gov, using identifer number NCT01508910. Wang honored for groundbreaking molecular research Eugenia Wang, the Gheens Foundation Inc. Chair in Aging Research and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, received the 2013 Alltech Medal of Excellence for her pioneering work using high-throughput technologies to explore the molecular signatures of Alzheimer's disease, other dementias and heart disease. Her research has led to diagnostic breakthroughs that hold potential for the creation of diagnostic tests that could enable family physicians to determine if a patient is predisposed to a potentially fatal disease. "Modern medicine has come to the realization that diseases are best treated at their inception, not when symptoms appear. Dr. Wang's work in this area is tremendous," said Alltech President Pearse Lyons. EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE without leaving Louisville. Immerse yourself into a 360° mind-blowing experience GHEENS SCIENCE HALL & RAUCH PLANETARIUM planetarium.louisville.edu 502.852.6664 Belknap Campus F A L L U O F L M A G A Z I N E | 21

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