2016-2017 PILOT PROJECT RECIPIENTS

The MIT Center for Environmental Health Sciences, through support from the NIH-NIEHS Center Grant P30-ES002109, has awarded one basic science and one translational pilot projects with a start date of September 1, 2016 from the May pilot project call released this year.

These pilot studies are expected to demonstrate that chemotactic sensing occurs via a specific molecular motion.

  • Gabriela Schlau-Cohen
    Assistant Professor, Chemistry

We wish to measure mutation accumulation process within cells with and without mismatch repair deficiency.

  • Paul Blainey
    Assistant Professor, Biological Engineering

This proposal connects community-driven concerns to translational application with a focus of preventative action, linking to regulation and policy. It thus informs both upstream (global and national policy and regulation) and point-of-exposure efforts to improve human health.

  • Noelle Selin
    Associate Professor, Institute for Data Systems and Society, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

The goal of this pilot research initiative is to evaluate a putative role for the proinflammatory proteins calprotectin (CP, S100A8/S100A9) and psoriasin (S100A7) in contact hypersensitivity to nickel, a metal ion that is a component of many consumer products and causes skin allergy in humans.

  • Elizabeth Nolan
    Associate Professor, Chemistry