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Abstract or Project Description

Career Girls is founded on the dream that every girl around the world has access to diverse and accomplished women role models Ñ to learn from their experiences and to discover their own path to empowerment.

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To support the Center for Cultural InnovationÕs Sol Center for Liberated Work policy and advocacy program for artists.

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To support the Center for Cultural InnovationÕs AmbitioUS initiative to identify innovative and alternative models that center equity to advance equitable outcomes for artists and the field, including new and sustainable frameworks such as cooperative platforms that pool risk and rewards.Ê

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A reexamination of the Middle Eastern epic story rumored to have inspired Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet.” Torange Yeghiazarian’s adaptation will experiment with Iranian performance traditions, music and movement in an ensemble-driven creative process. Unlike traditional tellings, this adaptation will center the female character, Leyli, directly challenging the erasure of women’s experience in historic literary works.

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Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Days explore advances in pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research, gaps in knowledge in pediatric IBD and target areas for future pediatric IBD research.

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The epithelial cells lining the intestine control responses to gut bacteria, limiting intestinal damage in Crohn’s disease. A critical gene in this pathway is DUOX2, which is up-regulated in response to bacteria, and helps maintain intestinal health.  We discovered that Crohn’s disease patients who carry genetic variants in DUOX2 are more likely to progress to fibrotic disease complications requiring surgery. We tested an intestinal gene signature for refractory pediatric Crohn’s disease in a database containing 2000 small molecules, identifying 140 which might be more effective therapies. Our studies will now utilize a novel Human Intestinal Organoid, or “mini-gut” model system for refractory pediatric Crohn’s disease that we have developed informed by genetic factors like DUOX2. We have prepared stem cells from pediatric Crohn’s disease patients who did or did not have DUOX2 genetic variants, and will differentiate them into white blood cells and human intestinal organoids. This novel model system will be used to test ways to modulate pathways linked to fibrosis in patients, by screening the top small molecules which we have identified as potentially beneficial. Our studies will advance precision medicine, by developing a platform to screen new therapies in patient-derived intestinal organoids with clinically important genetic variants.

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To support the filmmaker hub formerly known as Oakland Film Center.

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A dance-based work of performance grappling with multi-racial collaboration, anti-racist art, queer eroticism and femme power. Using the radical concept of “failure” as a form of protest of purity and perfection, the piece will challenge rigid success notions and create space to reimagine alternatives.

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Support for school supplies, meals for food insecure students, character development (Built for Life) workshops and building job internship opportunities.

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This award supported the Color of Gastrointestinal Illness (COGI)’s participation in Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week (CCAW) to elevate the impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) on BIPOC communities. CCAW aims to educate people about the symptoms, causes and ways to manage Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The week recognizes and supports IBD patients and appreciates the family members, caregivers, healthcare providers and researchers who help them battle their disease. This project is in collaboration with the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists.

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CURYJ (pronounced ‘courage’) unlocks the leadership of young people to dream beyond bars. They look to young people to lead the way in transforming our communities by investing in their healing, aspirations and activism.

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To support operations for Fire Prevention, Regenerative Agriculture and Environmental/Climate Justice.

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Community Music Center (CMC), founded in 1921, is a nonprofit music school and performance space with branches in the Mission and Richmond Districts. CMC makes high quality music accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, regardless of financial means.

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Cotuit Center For The Arts’ mission is to be a welcoming home for Cape CodÕs artists, performers, students and audiences, working together to make the creation and experience of art accessible, nurturing and thrilling to all.

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Rooted in nature and a legacy of healing, Bellforge nurtures community, creativity and self-expression through the arts.

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NOD2 was the first and to date the most frequent gene associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The NOD2 protein functions as a sensor of bacteria by binding molecules (peptidoglycans) shed from the bacterial cell wall. The IBD mutations in NOD2 result in its inactivation or partial loss of function. In 2019 we reported that NOD2 requires the attachment of 2 fatty acids to be functional. This modification termed palmitoylation is mediated by the protein zDHHC5 and is missing from many of the mutant forms of NOD2 associated with Crohn’s disease. Palmitoylation is a reversible modification and while zDHHC5 is the “writer” that adds the modification, the “eraser” that removes it has not been identified. We believe that by blocking the eraser that we can restore function to at least some of the NOD2 mutants. Our unpublished work has identified the relevant acyl thioesterase which removes palmitate and inactivates NOD2. Through the use of chemical inhibitors we are able to rescue the function of several NOD2 mutant proteins. This proposal represents the next logical steps in our goal to characterize the relevant acyl thioesterase and to determine if any FDA approved drugs can restore function to NOD2 by inhibiting this eraser.

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For the health needs of Darryl Smith.

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David Andrew Pooh Maddan Foundation’s mission is to provide financial assistance to young adults diagnosed with cancer and to fund innovative cancer treatments and research.

Abstract or Project Description

Our gut microbiome has a strong influence on a variety of diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Fungi form an integral part the human gut microbiome, and studies in mice showed that fungi may have a substantial influence on inflammation and IBD development, while antibody responses against fungi constitute important clinical IBD diagnostic tools. However, the functional roles of fungi in modulating IBD, and whether they can be harnessed towards new treatments, remain elusive to date. In this study, we plan to uncover the role of fungi in IBD by taking biopsy samples of the gastrointestinal tract from IBD patients. From the biopsies, we plan to grow mini-guts, called organoids, in petri dishes. We have previously shown that it is possible to use these organoids cultured with microbes to study the interactions between bacteria and the gut cells. Thus, using IBD patient-derived gut organoids and specific IBD-relevant fungi, we will be able to identify mechanisms of the interactions between the diseased gut cells and the fungi. Interesting fungal candidates will be further validated in IBD-like mouse models. This combination of different approaches will allow us to better understand the influence of fungi on IBD progression and develop new intervention strategies for treating IBD.