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Abstract or Project Description

Abstract or Project Description

To support underprivileged youth across the East Bay Area with full access Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scholarships.

Abstract or Project Description

To support an Artist Payment Accelerator Prototype and Implementation.

Abstract or Project Description

Pain is a major component of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), increasing the suffering of patients and decreasing their quality of life. However, the underlying cellular basis for pain in IBD and the role of pain-mediating neurons in driving gut dysfunction are not well known. Our goal is to characterize the role of neurons that mediate pain in IBD, and to determine whether inhibiting or activating these neurons leads to changes in the gut that can treat pain and inflammation.

Abstract or Project Description

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by non-resolving pathological inflammation leading to erosion of the colon tissue. Recent studies analyzing gene expression signatures in UC patients highlighted specific colonic fibroblast populations that may contribute to inflammation and disease progression. While these studies emphasize the proinflammatory function of activated intestinal fibroblasts, it is unknown whether subsets of intestinal fibroblasts may fulfill protective regulatory functions required to limit intestinal inflammation. Our studies leverage a novel spatial transcriptomics method (MERFISH) to generate a detailed cellular and molecular atlas of the colon, with an emphasis on elucidating the function of fibroblasts in mouse and human colitis. We discovered a new population of regulatory fibroblasts (Fregs) that differentiate during colitis and suppress intestinal inflammation. In particular, we found that Fregs appear in non-inflammatory regions and promote the differentiation of regulatory B cells (Bregs) and tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs). The goal of this project is to define the molecular framework governing Freg, Breg and tolDC interactions during colitis, and establish the nature of these interactions in human UC. These studies will demonstrate how Fregs orchestrate immune tolerance to colitis and whether failure of this mechanism may contribute to tolerance breakdown in UC.

Abstract or Project Description

Besides the brain, the gastrointestinal tract has the highest number of neurons in the entire body. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is often referred to as the second brain as it commands all manner of intestinal function, from nutrient absorption to defecation control. In patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the ENS undergoes major disruption resulting in many debilitating complications impacting the quality of life. We have recently uncovered that the ENS also controls intestinal inflammation and regulates the balance of “good” vs. “bad” bacteria in the gut. As the ENS has the unique capacity to rapidly relay signals from the gut directly to the brain and, by extension, to all other organs, we hypothesized that ENS might act as front-line sensors of gut inflammation to warn the body of impending infections. Our preliminary data indicate that when intestinal neurons are activated, they can trigger inflammation in other organs to protect against bacterial invasion. This novel protective mechanism has never been reported before and in this project, we aim to elucidate this unknown pathway of inflammation. Going forward, we will further explore if this axis is aberrantly activated during chronic intestinal inflammation and if it directly contributes to non-intestinal inflammatory complications exhibited in patients with IBD to aid in novel therapeutic design.

Abstract or Project Description

Supports the extention of its work to four OUSD and Eduction for Change school sites. Services consist of principal coaching, launching family engagement teams to develop a literacy-focused action plan, and training for educators.

Abstract or Project Description

To hire three additional case managers to support 72 Oakland households with financial literacy and resources to preserve their housing stability and prevent educational disruption.

Abstract or Project Description

Accumulating data supports the concept that Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has a preclinical period that may be amenable to early diagnosis and intervention. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of this preclinical period in disease pathogenesis offers new opportunities in risk prediction and prevention. We have recently reported the first data from a large study using longitudinal pre-diagnostic samples from the US Department of Defense Serum repository, the PREDICTS study, where we assessed the predictive value of a panel of antimicrobial markers and a proteomic panel (>1100 proteins). Additional –omics data including glycan profiles, metabolome and exposome are currently generated on these same samples that span from up to 5 years before diagnosis to first clinical symptoms and confirmed diagnosis. We will integrate these massive multi-omics datasets to develop machine-learning based models predictive of future progression of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis years before diagnosis, and to discover driver biomarkers and biological processes responsible for disease initiation. This will be achieved by constructing time-varying disease-specific networks capturing the associations across all biomarkers measured at different years before diagnosis available through the PREDICTS initiative. We will make all results publicly available via a user-friendly web-platform to facilitate the easy query, exploration and utilization of these data.

Abstract or Project Description

Ignite! Reading will provide one-on-one Tier 3 literacy intervention to two hundred students across five school sites from October through December as part of Oakland Unified School District’s strategic goal and Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation’s funding strategy. In January, Eat. Learn. Play. will fund the continuation of Tier 3 tutoring for six hundred OUSD students through the end of the year.

Abstract or Project Description

Immersive Arts Alliance is a nonprofit that supports and presents works of public art, stewarding collaboration between artists and creative communities.

Abstract or Project Description

To fund arts programs that support disabled creatives in the film world.

Abstract or Project Description

To support Jewish Film InstituteÕs exploration of the possibility of hosting a convening at their summer festival that brings together filmmakers from across the country who are working on media projects that expand the Jewish story.

Abstract or Project Description

Established in 1986 to support Joe Goode’s artistic endeavors, the Joe Goode Performance Group (JGPG) became a radical voice during the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, blending text, gestures, humor and dance to promote connection and compassion. Recognized in 2019 as a Legacy Business for its history of centering the Queer experience, JGPG is celebrated for its innovative site-responsive installations and intimate theatrical performances.

Abstract or Project Description

The interleukin-2 (IL-2) protein plays an essential role in regulating the immune response and preventing the development of autoimmune disorders by supporting the growth and activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Promising preclinical and clinical work has demonstrated the potential for IL-2 to mitigate autoimmune diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, in addition to stimulating Tregs, IL-2 also stimulates effector T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, which drive inflammation and lead to autoimmune disease progression. Thus, developing a biased version of IL-2 that activates Tregs but not effector T or NK cells would represent a monumental advance for autoimmune disease therapy. A recently discovered antibody known as F5111 specifically directs the activities of IL-2 towards Tregs, while also extending its persistence in the bloodstream. We built on this work and designed a single-agent fusion protein that combines IL-2 with F5111 and demonstrated that our engineered therapeutic, called the F5111 immunocytokine (IC), selectively activated Tregs and protected mice against disease development in an IBD model. This project aims to advance the translation of F5111 IC, performing vital studies in animal models and patient samples that will catapult this molecule into clinical trials to directly benefit patients with IBD.

Abstract or Project Description

A performance experience for teens and young adults about navigating consent and learning embodied skills through the creative process and performance choregraphed by Yayoi Kambara, narrated and guided live by drag queen Black Benatar (aka Mx. Beatrice Thomas) and in partnership with Dance Mission Theater’s Grrrl Brigade and Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA).

Abstract or Project Description

Kara, the sole standalone grief-focused agency in the Bay Area, annually serves 4,000 individuals with crucial bereavement support services, providing comprehensive grief support, crisis intervention and education since 1976. Through accessible, research-based interventions in English and Spanish, Kara fosters resilience, prevents and alleviates advanced reactions to loss and trauma, contributing to the well-being of the community

Abstract or Project Description

A full-length dance performance piece that will explore the storytelling capacity of Kathak from a modern perspective by challenging traditional approaches to the classical dance form and centering a wider range of movement vocabulary and narrative to expand the Kathak form.

Abstract or Project Description

To support The KHFresh Festival in honor of Kathleen Hermesdorf.