DREAM CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS 11 RESEARCH FUNDING PRIORITIES
Defining Mechanisms of Naturally Occurring Organ Protection ($200,000)
In this animal study, we plan to study the naturally occurring organ protection mechanisms found in the hibernating Arctic ground squirrel. The significance of this animal model lies in our ability to place the squirrel on a heart-lung machine, thus simulating conditions in the human undergoing cardiac surgery. Using hibernating and non-hibernating ground squirrels, we plan to expose them to the same stresses that a cardiac surgical patient undergoes and use state-of-the-art gene and protein identification techniques to ascertain protective biochemical pathways. Our hypothesis is that mechanisms that afford protection during hibernation may also protect the patient undergoing surgery.
To learn more about our 11 funding priorities please click on the images above.
If you are interested in becoming a donor to the Duke Dream Campaign, please contact Elizabeth Perez at elizabeth.perez@duke.edu or 919-681-2849.