Carbondale lab to study genetics of disease The viral “Ice Bucket Challenge” that encouraged participants to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research has funded studies that led to a recent breakthrough: discovery of a new target gene common in more than 1,000 families with a history of ALS. Based on those findings, a scientist at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Carbondale has been awarded a two-year grant from the Department of Defense that will allow him to use cutting-edge technology to study a key genetic mutation that causes both ALS

Carbondale lab to study genetics of disease The viral “Ice Bucket Challenge” that encouraged participants to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research has funded studies that led to a recent breakthrough: discovery of a new target gene common in more than 1,000 families with a history of ALS. Based on those findings, a scientist at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Carbondale has been awarded a two-year grant from the Department of Defense that will allow him to use cutting-edge technology to study a key genetic mutation that causes both ALS

Cox lab studying nov el gene to learn why hearing cells die Hearing loss is primarily caused by death of sound-sensing cells called hair cells, which are found in the inner ear, in the snail-shaped structure called the cochlea. These cells can naturally regenerate in birds, frogs and fish, allowing recovery of hearing. However, hair cells were not thought to regenerate in humans or other mammals until very recently. In 2014, Brandon Cox, PhD, discovered their ability to spontaneously regenerate in newborn mice. Cox is an assistant professor of pharmacology and a research scientist at Southern

Cox lab studying nov el gene to learn why hearing cells die Hearing loss is primarily caused by death of sound-sensing cells called hair cells, which are found in the inner ear, in the snail-shaped structure called the cochlea. These cells can naturally regenerate in birds, frogs and fish, allowing recovery of hearing. However, hair cells were not thought to regenerate in humans or other mammals until very recently. In 2014, Brandon Cox, PhD, discovered their ability to spontaneously regenerate in newborn mice. Cox is an assistant professor of pharmacology and a research scientist at Southern

Largest study of long-term health to launch later this year Patients of SIU HealthCare will soon have the opportunity to participate in one of the largest prospective studies of health and illness ever attempted in the United States. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has joined the national Precision Medicine Initiative , which was announced by President Obama in 2015 and is led by the National Institutes of Health . It aims to enroll 1 million or more volunteers to follow their health over time and improve medicine’s ability to prevent and treat disease based on individual

Largest study of long-term health to launch later this year Patients of SIU HealthCare will soon have the opportunity to participate in one of the largest prospective studies of health and illness ever attempted in the United States. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has joined the national Precision Medicine Initiative , which was announced by President Obama in 2015 and is led by the National Institutes of Health . It aims to enroll 1 million or more volunteers to follow their health over time and improve medicine’s ability to prevent and treat disease based on individual

Largest study of long-term health to launch later this year Patients of SIU HealthCare will soon have the opportunity to participate in one of the largest prospective studies of health and illness ever attempted in the United States. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has joined the national Precision Medicine Initiative , which was announced by President Obama in 2015 and is led by the National Institutes of Health . It aims to enroll 1 million or more volunteers to follow their health over time and improve medicine’s ability to prevent and treat disease based on individual

Family physicians in nine Illinois communities are hosting students from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine July 7 – 29. The students are participating in the school’s Family Medicine Preceptorship Program. The experience provides an opportunity for students to use their medical knowledge in an office setting under the supervision of an experienced physician. The students choose from more than 160 family practice physicians in Illinois for their preceptorship experience. They will graduate from medical school in May 2017 and May 2018, then pursue advanced training in a specific

Family physicians in nine Illinois communities are hosting students from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine July 7 – 29. The students are participating in the school’s Family Medicine Preceptorship Program. The experience provides an opportunity for students to use their medical knowledge in an office setting under the supervision of an experienced physician. The students choose from more than 160 family practice physicians in Illinois for their preceptorship experience. They will graduate from medical school in May 2017 and May 2018, then pursue advanced training in a specific

DoD Grant Funds New Microscope to Aid Hearing Research Auditory researchers at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine have acquired a new microscope to enhance work in laboratories studying tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss caused by toxins, noise exposure or aging. A $270,000 grant from the Office of Naval Research in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) funded the device. “Our research labs are making great progress on understanding and reversing hearing loss, and this new investigative tool will help us advance the work,” said Brandon Cox, PhD, assistant professor in