Programs and Activities Highlights
- National Association of Veterinary Scientists D.V.M./Ph.D. Colloquium
An ORIP staff member presented a keynote talk, titled “NIH Funding Opportunities for Veterinarian-Scientists,” at the National Association of Veterinary Scientists D.V.M./Ph.D. Colloquium in August 2025. An ORIP staff member also served as a panelist at the D.V.M./Ph.D. Alumni Panel during this meeting.
- Specialized Research Training in Animal Models and Related Resources: Focus Group, Session 2
ORIP held a series of focus groups involving veterinary trainees, early-career scientists, mentors, and training program directors to identify and cultivate opportunities for collaborations and partnerships that address challenges and synergize strategies and resources supporting recruitment and retention of veterinary scientists. In the second session, held May 15, 2025, selected current trainees supported by ORIP T32 grants were invited to discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist in the current program. Additionally, early-career scientists—including ORIP K01 awardees, applicants, and graduates of the T32 program—were invited to discuss challenges faced by early-career scientists.
- T32 and T35 Directors Consortium
The T32 and T35 Directors Consortium was convened on June 2, 2025. ORIP staff presented the latest NIH policies during the meeting. ORIP offers Institutional Research Training Grants through the T32 and T35 mechanisms to encourage veterinarians to consider a career in biomedical research.
- Specialized Research Training in Animal Models and Related Resources: Focus Group, Session 1
ORIP held a series of focus groups involving veterinary trainees, early-career scientists, mentors, and training program directors to identify and cultivate opportunities for collaborations and partnerships that address challenges and synergize strategies and resources supporting recruitment and retention of veterinary scientists. In the first session, held April 11, 2025, selected training program directors and mentors in the ORIP T32 program were invited to discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist in the current program.
- K01 Special Emphasis Research Career Award (SERCA) Guidelines
In April 2025, ORIP updated its K01 SERCA guidelines with new language covering updated ORIP priorities, including new approach methodologies (NAMs) for complementing animal research relevant to human health and diseases. The SERCA is intended to stimulate the development of veterinary scientists with interests in comparative medicine and related research questions.
Read more in the archive.
ORIP-Supported Research Highlights
- Acute Degradation of Nucleolin Reveals Its Novel Functions in Cell Cycle Progression and Cell Division in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
The nucleolus is a vital compartment within the cell where ribosomes (which link amino acids together to form proteins) are assembled. Traditional experimental methods cannot deplete nucleolar proteins (proteins that make up the nucleolus) while keeping the cell alive, which limits our understanding of the biological functions of these proteins. Researchers used two advanced techniques to successfully deplete and identify the biological functions of nucleolin (NCL) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. NCL is one of the most abundant nucleolar proteins in the body. Results showed that depleting NCL in TNBC cells causes defects in cytokinesis, a step in cell division. Defects in cell division result in a smaller increase in TNBC cell numbers. Cancer therapies that target cellular mitosis (the process of a single cell dividing into two new cells) were more useful when NCL was degraded. This research supports a new role for NCL in TNBC cell division and reveals that inhibiting NCL may enhance cancer therapies.
- Dia–B–Ties: B Cells in the Islet–Immune–Cell Interface in T1D
Roughly 30 million people worldwide suffer from type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D is an autoimmune disease that requires lifelong use of insulin. A key feature of T1D is T-cell-driven damage of insulin-producing β islet cells in the pancreas. This review discusses the role of B lymphocytes (an immune cell) in T1D disease development and progression. B lymphocytes are an essential mediator of communication between other immune cell types and islet cells in what is known as the islet–immune interface. B lymphocytes coordinate communication among different cell types through antigen (a substance that tells your immune system whether something is harmful) presentation, cytokine secretion, and antibody production. Using these methods, B lymphocytes activate autoreactive (an antibody that targets a normal molecule within a person) T cells that target islet cells, which amplifies inflammation in the pancreas during the initial stages of T1D development. The review outlines current and potential therapies that target B lymphocytes. These therapies potentially could be beneficial in T1D treatment.
- Epidemiologically Relevant Phthalate Mixture and Mono(2-Ethyl-5-Hydroxyhexyl) Phthalate Exposure Alter Cell Energy Metabolism in Primary Mouse Granulosa Cells
Many products—including plastic food containers, medical tubing, children’s toys, and personal care products—contain phthalate diesters. Phthalates leach from plastics and negatively affect the environment and female reproductive system. In women, phthalate exposure is linked to endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and reduced fertility. The molecular pathways by which phthalate exposure affects ovaries remain understudied. Researchers tested the effects of different phthalate exposures on granulosa cells (cells that support egg cell development). Using female mouse granulosa cells, the researchers found that short-term exposure to phthalates altered the expression of specific genes, Ldha and Glut1, and affected the ability to create energy. These data indicate that phthalate exposure alters metabolism in granulosa cells.
- Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling Mediates Shedding of Measles Virus–Infected Respiratory Epithelial Cells
Measles virus (MeV) is an infectious respiratory virus that has a significant global impact and is a major cause of childhood mortality. A single infected person can transmit MeV to nearly 20 other people. Respiratory epithelial cells (cells that line the respiratory system) are the target of MeV infection, and shedding these cells into airborne droplets allows transmission to other people. Researchers used epithelial cells isolated from the tracheas of rhesus macaques (sex not specified) to understand the mechanisms underlying how MeV-infected epithelial cells are shed. Results showed that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling plays a key role in cell shedding. Inhibiting S1P signaling delayed MeV-infected epithelial shedding and increased the amount of virus in the epithelial lining. These findings demonstrate the key role of host cellular responses in MeV infection
- A Potential Role for c-MYC in the Regulation of Meibocyte Cell Stress
The integrated stress response (ISR) controls cell survival and promotes apoptosis (a type of cell death) through the protein CHOP during prolonged or severe stress. The ISR has not been evaluated in cancers originating in the glands of the eyelid, such as ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma (SebCA). Although SebCA is uncommon, mortality rates of up to 40% have been reported. Researchers studied the role of MYC in regulating the ISR in human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs) located in the eyelid. Results showed that inhibiting MYC in HMGECs stimulates the ISR, results in a smaller increase in the number of cells, and promotes apoptosis. These data support the role of high MYC as an underlying mechanism for SebCA tumorigenesis.
Read more in the archive.
