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Abstract or Project Description

Abstract or Project Description

Support for at risk youth students to receive free Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Guardian East Bay.

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 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

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

Pain is a major component of inflammatory bowel diseases, 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

For general support, including the design of the Arts public space regranting program.

Abstract or Project Description

To support the production of “Vivien’s Wild Ride (working title).”

Abstract or Project Description

A year-long collaboration among dance artist-activists Cherie Hill, Hope Mohr and Karla Quintero that explores shared leadership through dance to develop practices for sharing choreographic power resulting in performance, dialogue and installation.

Abstract or Project Description

Up to 15% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) will require surgery, the most common of which is the total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Since 1980, the ‘J’ pouch has revolutionized the lives of thousands of patients, providing restoration of intestinal continuity and avoidance of a permanent end ileostomy. Unfortunately, pouchitis is common after surgery with cumulative incidence rates of 50% at two years. Patients with pouchitis experience increased bowel movement frequency, urgency, pelvic pain, rectal bleeding and/or incontinence – symptoms that are reminiscent of their disease before surgery. Antibiotics are the mainstay of acute pouchitis treatment, however approximately 20% of patients develop chronic pouchitis and require long-term antibiotic therapy or immunosuppressive therapy. The risk of surgical pouch removal and transition to a permanent end ileostomy is 5-10% in patients with chronic pouchitis. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been successfully used in the treatment of recurrent Clostridiodes difficile infection and has shown benefit in the treatment of UC in clinical trials. The success of FMT in these patients is because of the reconstitution of the recipient’s unhealthy microbiome with the donor’s healthy microbiome. A number of studies have evaluated FMT in patients with chronic pouchitis, but have proven unsuccessful. This is likely because these studies have used stool from patients with a colon and transplanted it into patients with a pouch. This is problematic because the microbiome of the colon and pouch are not similar, and putting healthy stool from a colon may not reconstitute a healthy pouch microbiome. The specific purpose of this project is to transplant stool from patients with a healthy pouch to patients with an inflamed pouch. We hypothesize that the stool from patients with a healthy pouch is well suited to reconstitute the microbiome of patients with an inflamed pouch.

Abstract or Project Description

Accumulating data supports the concept that 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 (ML) based models predictive of future progression of CD and UC 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

To provide more Oakland students daily Tier 3 interventions, which have shown promising results.

Abstract or Project Description

To support literacy acceleration at Korematsu Discovery Academy, one of the Oakland schools slated to close in June 2023. Korematsu Discovery Academy is partnering with FULCRUM and Ignite! Reading to provide a year of intensive daily intervention for students reading below grade level in kindergarten through second grade to get them reading at grade level by the time they transition to their new schools.

Abstract or Project Description

An evening length performance and extended reality project choreographed by Yayoi Kambara that uses Japanese American history as a tool for learning. The dance performance explores unjust Japanese American incarceration, struggles for reparations and healing and current/future solidarities with communities facing the violence of xenophobic policies.

Abstract or Project Description

To support Immersive Arts Alliance’s operations and projects.

Abstract or Project Description

The James Morehouse Project (JMP) supports young people to negotiate challenging environments with grace and courage, to identify a positive future and to lead their lives in ways that resonate more closely with their own hopes and dreams. JMP programs include schoolwide social justice initiatives, teacher training and support and a range of mental health, reproductive health, health education and youth leadership programs.

Abstract or Project Description

A new ensemble work instigated by Jess Curtis in collaboration with a diverse ensemble of Blind, Low Vision and sighted artists and consultants, which will examine cultural and phenomenological experiences of darkness and light. Into the Dark addresses the physical, subconscious and literal effects of Western thought’s binary mobilization of darkness and light in societal and individual creations of meaning.

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

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

KQED offers Northern Californians a community-supported media platform, providing informative content, fostering dialogue, promoting arts accessibility, facilitating storytelling and enhancing education for students and teachers while encouraging exploration for all ages.

Abstract or Project Description

“That’s My Word: The Influential, Underrecognized History of Bay Area Hip-Hop” is a documentary produced by KQED, exploring the significant yet often overlooked history of Bay Area hip-hop.