Over the last several years, TTURC has sponsored many pilot studies in efforts to expand the scope of research in tobacco harm reduction and attract new investigators to the field of transdisciplinary tobacco research. The grants that we provide for pilot studies are intended to provide seed money that will result in viable applications for external funding. In many cases, pilot projects funded by TTURC have directly resulted in larger, nationally funded grants.

Below is a list of pilot projects conducted in the past several years. For more information about our pilot studies program, please contact Kathy Longley.

Pilot Studies for 2006/2007

Pharmacogenetics and molecular adaptations in nicotine addiction

Principal investigator: Mark Thomas, PhD
Funding period: 6/1/06-5/31/07

Identification of chemopreventive agents against lung cancer induced by smoking

Principal investigator: Chengguo Xing, PhD
Funding period: 6/1/06-5/31/07

Proteomic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage: smokers vs. non-smokers.

Principal investigator: Christine Wendt, MD
Funding period: 3/15/06-3/14/06

Oxygen transport rate: a potential biomarker for cardiovascular disease

Principal investigator: Henry Buchwald, MD, PhD
Funding period: 1/20/06-1/19/07

Role of the translational repressor 4E-BP in lung epithelial carcinogenesis induced by tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. (NNK)

Principal investigator: Peter Bitterman, MD
Funding period: 11/1/05-10/31/06

Smokeless tobacco vs. medicinal nicotine: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in humans.

Principal investigator: Irene Baumgart, MD
Funding period: 6/1/05-5/31/06

Characterization of negative affect during nicotine withdrawal in rats. (Career development award)

Principal investigator: Jonathan Gewirtz, PhD
Funding period: 6/1/05-5/31/06

Implications of the TDRL computational model of addiction on smoking. (Career development award)

Principal investigator: A. David Redish, PhD
Funding period: 6/1/05-5/31/06

Pilot Studies for 2000-2004

Pulmonary-specific retention of an NNK metabolite

Principal investigator: Cheryl Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Funding period: 11/1/03-8/31/04

Separate effects of tobacco extract and nicotine on fracture repair in rats

Principal investigator: Joan Bechtold, Ph.D.
Funding period: 11/1/03-8/31/04

Nicotine CNS distributional kinetics using microdialysis sampling

Principal investigator: William Elmquist, Pharm.D., Ph.D.
Funding period: 11/1/03-8/31/04

Understanding attitudes toward tobacco harm reduction: social psychological and policy implications

Principal investigator: Gene Borgida, PhD
Funding period: 6/1/02-8/31/03
(proposal submitted for additional funding)

Effects of opiate blockade on stress hormones in dependent smokers

Principal investigator: Mustafa al’Absi, Ph.D.
Funding period: 2/3/03-8/31/03

Investigation of the effects of nornicotine in animal models of nicotine dependence

Principal investigator: Mark LeSage, Ph.D.
Funding period: 9/1/01-8/31/02

Impact of smoking on the integrity of mucosal defense against the pneumococcus

Principal investigator: Edward Janoff, MD
Funding period: 9/1/00-8/31/01 (additional funding received)

Identification of target compounds for chemoprevention of lung cancer in smokers

Principal investigator: Natalia Tretyakova, PhD
Funding period: 9/1/00-8/31/01 (additional funding received)

Racial disparities in the risk of adverse birth outcomes

Principal investigator: Julie Ross, PhD, MPH
Funding period: 9/1/00-8/31/01
(proposal submitted for additional funding)

A double-blind study of bupropion HCl and placebo in the treatment of smoking in schizophrenia

Principal investigator: S.H. Fatemi, MD
Funding period: 9/1/00-8/31/02
(proposal submitted for additional funding)

Vaccine effects on nicotine distribution to the fetus

Principal investigator: Paul Pentel, MD
Funding period: 6/00-6/01 (additional funding received)

Preferences and practices among renters regarding smoking restrictions in apartment buildings

Principal investigator: Deborah Hennrikus, PhD
Funding period: 1/01-12/01 (additional funding received)

Racial differences in nicotine metabolism using transdermal patches

Principal investigator: Jesse Mason
Funding period: 9/02-8/04
(subsequent external funding has been received)