UC Merced biochemistry professor Jinah Choi is looking for a cure for hepatitis C, and she's doing so by studying ways in which the virus leads to liver cancer.
Hepatitis C, which was first discovered in 1987 and which affects millions of people across the world, doesn't directly cause liver cancer. Instead, it causes a chronic infection, which over time causes cirrhosis of the liver and damages a person's DNA. Over time, that damaged DNA may lead to mutations and cancerous cells in the liver.
Antioxidants can reduce DNA damage, but they're not likely to be as effective when consumed in food, drinks or supplements. Choi said one option could be directly inhibiting the source of oxidants in the infected cell, making its effect more potent.
Choi published a paper about her research in the July issue of "Hepatology," the leading journal in the field of liver disease. In the paper, Choi describes this source of oxidants that can be targeted by a pharmacological approach.
"It's really exciting that all the pieces are coming together," Choi said. "Whatever we find in the lab has consequences. It has the potential to really impact people."
Choi, who was an undergraduate at UCLA, came to UC Merced because she knew there was a new UC campus in the works. She wanted to be among the first faculty members to help develop the programs.
"We can shape the future of the UC and serve the community," she explained, adding that she enjoys the close interaction with students. "Students know faculty, and faculty members can know each student. It's almost unheard of at UCLA."
Professor earns California Sea Grant
UC Merced engineering Professor Wei-Chun Chin was one of 17 researchers to receive a California Sea Grant award in July. Chin, who received the California Sea Grant for the first time, will use the grant to study the physiology of harmful, toxin-producing marine algae -- in particular, how the toxins are released and whether the process is similar to the release of hormones in animals.
The California Sea Grant program sponsors marine research, extension services and education activities to support the management, conservation and enhancement of those resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
It was a busy summer for Chin, who also had a research paper he co-authored, "A New Role for Bicarbonate in Mucus Formation," published in "The American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology" and featured on MDLinx.com in August.
Professors win UC Mexus Award for research
UC Merced Professor Ajay Gopinathan and his collaborator from Mexico recently won the George E. Brown Jr. Award from the University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC Mexus).
Gopinathan will be working with Mexican professor Braulio Gutiérrez-Medina on research into the interactions between certain proteins. Gopinathan is the second UC Merced researcher to win the award, joining 2007 recipient Mónica Medina.
The award was established in 2000 to honor Brown's commitment to strengthening relations between the United State and Mexico by supporting cooperative research and academic development between the two nations. Brown served eighteen terms as a congressman for Southern California.
UC Merced Connect is a collection of news items written by the university's office of communications. To contact the communications team, e-mail communications@ucmerced.edu.
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