Infectious disease research
New vaccines and delivery methods
Cell signaling with GM mice
Cardiovascular disease pharmacotherapy
Drug metabolism research
Drug use public policy
Pharmacoeconomics and drug affordability
Infectious diseases research is conducted at OSU and OHSU, with collaboration from the OSU Veterinary Medicine and Science colleges and OHSU’s Molecular Medicine Institute. The emphasis in Pharmaceutical Sciences is on the discovery of novel, naturally occurring and semi-synthetic antibacterial molecules. A translational component of the infectious diseases research program is conducted by Pharmacy Practice faculty in Portland who conduct research to identify mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and test novel dosing models in humans. Current work includes studies of bacterial resistance to fluoroquinolones in various organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae. This research includes collaborations with Corvallis faculty and OHSU’s Molecular Medicine Institute. In addition, pharmacokinetic modeling of various antimicrobials in special populations is studied, as well as assessment of pharmacists’ involvement in vaccine-preventable diseases.
In early 2006, OSU Vice President for Research John Cassady convened a steering group co-chaired by Luiz Bermudez (Veterinary Medicine) and Mark Zabriskie (Pharmaceutical Sciences) to further define the mission of infectious disease research at OSU and explore the potential for a broader drug discovery program beyond antibiotic compounds. In turn, this group participated in the development of a statewide signature research center proposal entitled the Oregon Translational Research and Drug Discovery Institute (OTRADI). This is a joint proposal by OHSU, OSU, Portland State University, the University of Oregon and several Oregon-based biotechnology companies. The institute will focus on the development and commercialization of therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics for infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer and other major problems affecting human health. A primary objective of this proposal is to create a unique drug development consortium and facility that will bridge the gaps between basic research, development and commercialization. This proposal is currently under review by Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC), a legislatively appointed research engine for the state.
Faculty: T. Mark Zabriskie, Taifo Mahmud, Phil Proteau, David Bearden, George Allen, Fred Stevens, Kerry McPhail, Patricia Flatt, Xihou Yin
Major funding partners: NIH, Smithsonian Institute, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Linus Pauling Institute, Medical Research Foundation of Oregon, Merck Oregon Sea Grant, Northwest Health Foundation, College of Pharmacy
Investigators in pharmaceutics are examining the creation of new vaccines and novel modes of vaccine delivery: Vaccines for fish, immunizations against anthrax and novel mechanisms for lung-specific delivery are being pursued.
Faculty: J. Mark Christensen, Zhengrong Cui
Major funding partners: Oregon Sea Grant, Elsa Pardee Foundation, OR-CAL chemicals, Medical Research Foundation of Oregon
A focus of the pharmacology section of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences is to refine and expand our understanding of cell signaling as it pertains to activation of cellular processing and control of gene expression. Development of genetically modified mouse models that facilitate our understanding of the significance of alterations in organisms is an emphasis of these studies. Investigations include a range of therapeutic concerns, from ischemic diseases to cardiovascular function and cancer. Murine models of disease currently available are targeted toward mechanisms involved in melanoma, leukemia and fetal development.
Faculty: Mark Leid, Theresa Filtz, Jane Ishmael, Arup Indra, Chrissa Kioussi, Gitali Indra
Major funding partners: NIH, American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Linus Pauling Institute
Current activity in cardiovascular disease pharmacotherapy includes clinical trials and pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, metabolic and pharmacoeconomic studies of new and existing lipid-lowering drugs. Novel programs for improving drug therapy in patients with lipid disorders and congestive heart failure are evaluated. Collaborative efforts have been initiated with the OHSU Cardiovascular Division and Heart Research Center. The hiring of several new faculty who joined the group in summer and fall of 2006 expands our pharmacotherapeutic research to include hypertension, heart failure and other chronic cardiovascular diseases.
Faculty: Matthew K. Ito, Terri Bianco, Harleen Singh, Joel Marrs, Craig Williams
Major funding partners: College of Pharmacy
Pharmaceutics faculty examine metabolic processes and mechanisms of drug disposition that influence the therapeutic utility of drugs. Investigations explore genomic influences on drug metabolism and how this may alter pharmacokinetic models and drug toxicity. Faculty on the Portland campus are developing a pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics modeling and consulting program as a component of the OHSU School of Medicine’s Pharmacokinetics Core. Areas of research include infectious diseases, nephrology and oncology. Progress in this research area has been slowed faculty turnover, but a new faculty search is currently underway.
Faculty: Rosita Rodriguez Proteau, J. Mark Christensen, Myrna Munar
Major funding partners: NIH
The Drug Use Research and Management (DURM) Program employs five clinical pharmacists and two support staff in Portland and Salem. They work with the Oregon State Medical Assistance Program (OMAP) and Care Oregon to help shape state policies for the cost-effective use of medications for low-income families. Their research evaluates policies and methods to improve the cost-effective use of prescription drugs.
Faculty: Dean Haxby, Ann Hamer, Rose-Ellen Hope, Kathleen Ketchum, Michele Koder
Major funding partners: NIH/NIMH, OMAP
Pharmacoeconomics and biostatistics faculty perform pharmacoeconomic/cost effectiveness analysis of pharmaceutical and other therapies, assess practice patterns and subsequent outcomes, and use large databases (such as medical claims databases) to develop and test hypotheses about occurrence of disease and treatment patterns. Clinical areas include oncology (brain tumors and chemoprotective agents), cardiology, diabetes, neurology, osteoporosis and women’s health.
Faculty: Dale Kraemer, Jessina McGregor, Daniel Hartung
Major Funding Partners: NIH, Planned Parenthood
