Top News
Asthma more prevalent among children with primary ciliary dyskinesia
Research co-led by Benjamin Gaston, MD, uncovered compelling evidence that children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare genetic disorder affecting airway function, are significantly more likely than children without PCD to have asthma. The findings, recently published in a JAMA Network Open research letter, highlight the importance of routine asthma screening for children with PCD and suggest some children with asthma may have undiagnosed PCD.
Learn about the discovery
$1.1 million grant to help researchers improve Type 1 diabetes screening in Indiana
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded a three-year, $1.1 million grant to help diabetes researchers at the Wells Center advance innovative screening strategies for the early detection of Type 1 diabetes, with the goal of improving diagnosis rates and treatment outcomes for both children and adults in Indiana at high risk for developing the chronic autoimmune disease.
Read the news
Grant to advance research on benefits of low oxygen in blood stem cell treatments
Scientists in the Wells Center's hematologic malignancies and stem cell biology program have secured a $3.2 million, four-year grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to advance research on the benefits of low oxygen levels on hematopoietic stem cells, aiming to expand the reach of advanced stem cell therapies and lead to new strategies for treating a range of blood disorders, including leukemia, anemia and genetic conditions.
Find out more
High uric acid levels linked to deadly outcomes in children with severe malaria
Researchers from the Wells Center's pediatric infectious diseases and global health group along with their collaborators at Makerere University in Uganda have identified high uric acid levels as a potential contributor to increased mortality and long-term cognitive impairment in children with severe malaria. Their findings were recently published in Nature Medicine.
Explore the findings
More Team Wells Updates
Celebrating 2024
Team Wells wrapped up an incredible year with two festive events! On December 6, we gathered at the Indiana Historical Society for a holiday celebration, and on December 19, three teams put their knowledge to the test with a fun-filled game of Wells Center Jeopardy.
From personal loss to professional purpose
Driven by personal loss and a passion for science, Melissa L. Fishel, PhD, is developing therapies for pancreatic and other hard-to-treat cancers. Recently named the Myles Brand Scholar in Cancer Research, she is advancing cancer research while mentoring future scientists and fostering collaboration across disciplines.
Find out what drives her passion
Navigating adversity to advance medicine Meet Rada Malko
Pediatric Cancer Advocacy Day
Wells Center faculty members Reza Saadatzadeh, PhD, Karen Pollok, PhD, and
Pankita Pandya, PhD, participated in Pediatric Cancer Advocacy Day at the Indiana Statehouse on January 16. The Indiana Pediatric Cancer Coalition (IPCC) organized the event to raise awareness about pediatric cancer programs across the state.
Learn about the IPCC
Advancing global health through science, service and synergy
Chandy John, MD, is a globally recognized expert in pediatric infectious diseases. Appointed as a Distinguished Professor at Indiana University in 2024, he has built his career on a commitment to serving the underserved and a passion for scientific discovery, guided by the support of his mentors and collaborators.
Uncover the story behind his success
Emily Sims and her reason to dance
Wells Center investigator Emily Sims, MD, will be a featured “celebrity” at this year’s Reason to Dance, Reason for Hope event on March 15. She and her professional dance partner, Mike DeSante, will take the stage for two performances, competing for one of four awards. All proceeds from the event benefit the Riley Children’s Foundation, supporting both the Child Life Program at Riley Children’s Health and research at the Wells Center.
More on her participation
Welcome to the Wells Center
Help us extend a warm welcome and congratulations to the members of Team Wells who have joined or accepted new positions with us since November 2024:
Lisa Cross – Gaston lab
Irene Georgiadis – Kelley lab
Sayeh Gholampoor – Soranno lab
Lei Liu – Zhang lab
Ashley MacMillan – Clapp lab
Alissa Muncy – Linnemann lab
John Shields – Payne lab
Dongming Yang – Zhou lab
Trey Young – Herzog lab
Discovery in Action
Congratulations to Grant and Award Recipients
Members of the Wells Center have received numerous grants and awards in recent months. Here are a few highlights:
Steve Angus, PhD, Wade Clapp, MD, & Jodi L. Lukkes, PhD | “Disrupting FBXW11-mediated degradation of NF1 to rescue haploinsufficiency” (Gilbert Family Foundation)
Matthew Austin | “Characterizing the Role of Autophagy in Type 1 Diabetes Development” (NIH F30 - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Naro Biswas, PhD | “Immunocytokine therapy for immune modulation in hemophilia” (NIH R33 - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
Joan Cook-Mills, PhD | “Vaping α-T-acetate Generates a Novel Toxic Compound that Induces Fever and Lung Inflammation” (NIH R21 - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
Brian DeBosch, MD, PhD | “Leveraging chip-based organoids to define nutritional impacts in pediatric liver” (Heartland Children’s Nutrition Collaborative) / “Novel coenzyme Q6 variant reveals non-immune determinants of survival during pneumococcal sepsis” (Washington University)
Jamie Felton, MD | “An Observational, Long-term Safety Study of TZIELD (teplizumab-mzwv) in Patients with Stage 2 Type 1 Diabetes” (Sanofi/United Biosource Corp)
Melissa L. Fishel, PhD, Mark Kelley, PhD, & Ashiq Masood, MD | “Inhibition of Ref-1 to reprogram the tumor and its microenvironment in colorectal cancer” ( Colorectal Cancer Alliance)
Benjamin Gaston, MD | 2024 Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Outstanding Mentor Award
William Hagopian, MD, PhD | “Development and Validation of MENA Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Risk Score” (Sidra Medicine) / “Whole Protein Arrays to Detect Antimicrobial Antibodies Associated with Triggering and Progression of Islet Autoimmunity in TEDDY (TEDDY ancillary virus antibody proposal)” (Arizona State University)
Renzhi Han, PhD | “Epigenetic Editing Approaches for Blood Lipid Control” (American Heart Association Incorporated)
Chandy C. John, MD | Merv Yoder Research Mentoring Award
Reuben Kapur, PhD & Ji Zhang, PhD | “Regulation of hematopoietic stem cells under low oxygen tension” (NIH R01 – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
Tatsu Kono, PhD | “Decoding the Gut-Pancreas Axis: Innovative Dietary Fiber Prebiotic Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes Onset Prevention” (Heartland Children’s Nutrition Collaborative)
Eyram Kpenu | 2024 IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Deutsch Scholarship Award
Dana K. Mitchell, MD | “CTF-Taconic-Cyagen NF1 and NF2 mouse model validation” (Children's Tumor Foundation)
Ailee Nguyen, PhD | American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship Award
Pankita H. Pandya, PhD & Karen E. Pollok, PhD | “Mitigating Therapy Resistance by Combination CDK4/6 and PI3K/mTOR Inhibition in Pediatric and AYA Osteosarcoma” (U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity) / “Development of therapeutic strategies for targeting BET proteins and ALK in rare models of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma with aggressive variants” (U.S. Army Medical Research And Developmental Command)
Santhosh K. Pasupuleti, PhD | “Targeting Novel Inflammatory Signaling Pathways in Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia” (Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation)
Karen E. Pollok, PhD | Merv Yoder Research Mentoring Award
Steven D. Rhodes, MD, PhD | University of Alabama Birmingham Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium (UAB NFCTC) Infrastructure Award
Elizabeth A. Sierra Potchanant, PhD | “Targeting the CENPE-CENPF axis for the Treatment and Prevention of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors” (U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity)
Emily Sims, MD | “Mechanistic Etiologies Underlying the Impact of Verapamil to Preserve Beta Cell Function in Type 1 diabetes” (University of Minnesota)
Recent Publications
- “2023 Year in Review: High-Flow Nasal Cannula for COVID-19.” Published in Respiratory Care. Contributing IU author: Michael D. Davis
- “A CRISPR mis-insertion in the Zic3 5'UTR inhibits in vivo translation and is predicted to result in formation of a mRNA stem-loop hairpin.” Published in Biology Open. Contributing IU authors: Helen M. Bellchambers, Maria B. Padua, Stephanie M. Ware
- “AAV vectors tested in perfused human livers.” Published in Nature Biotechnology. Contributing IU author: Roland W. Herzog
- “Acute kidney injury in neonates after implementation of a standardized neonatal nephrology consult program: a single center experience.” Published in Journal of Perinatology. Contributing IU authors: Mayra Kotlik, Benjamin Holland, Kathryn Lowe, Samantha Wallace, Anna Latimer, Jennifer L. Chmielewski, Paulomi Chaudhry, Danielle E. Soranno, Cara L. Slagle, Michelle C. Starr
- “Adeno-Associated Virus 8 and 9 Myofibre Type/Size Tropism Profiling Reveals Therapeutic Effect of Microdystrophin in Canines.” Published in Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. Contributing IU author: Roland W. Herzog
- “Adeno-associated virus-based gene therapy for hemophilia-addressing the gaps.” Published in Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Contributing IU author: Radoslaw Kaczmarek
- “Advances in basic biology and translation in islet research.” Published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology. Contributing IU author: Carmella Evans-Molina
- “Changes in immunofluorescence staining during islet regeneration in a cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) ferret model.” Published in Islets. Contributing IU authors: Sawash M. Mohammed, Robert N. Bone, Jacqueline Del Carmen Aquino, Carmella Evans-Molina, Heba M. Ismail
- “Combating PDAC Drug Resistance: The Role of Ref-1 Inhibitors in Accelerating Progress in Pancreatic Cancer Research.” Published in Journal of Cellular Signaling. Contributing IU authors: Eyram K. Kpenu, Mark R. Kelley
- “EMC3 is critical for CFTR function and calcium mobilization in the mouse intestinal epithelium.” Published in American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. Contributing IU authors: Sarah Penrod, Yunjie Huang
- “Emerging Concepts and Success Stories in Type 1 Diabetes Research: A Road Map for a Bright Future.” Published in Diabetes. Contributing IU authors: Emily Sims, Carmella Evans-Molina
- “Fast-Relaxing Hydrogels Promote Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cell Aggressiveness through Integrin β1 Signaling.” Published in Biomacromolecules. Contributing IU authors: Jacqueline K. Peil, Yan Tong, Dana K. Mitchell, Melissa L. Fishel
- “G Protein-Coupled Receptor 17 Inhibits Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Secretion via a Gi/o-Dependent Mechanism in Enteroendocrine Cells.” Published in Biomolecules. Contributing IU authors: Jason M. Conley, Alexander Jochim, Carmella Evans-Molina, Hongxia Ren
- “IL-1R1 and IL-18 Signals Regulate Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in an Aged Murine Model of Myelodysplastic Syndromes.” Published in Blood. Contributing IU author: Reuben Kapur
- “Insulin mitigates acute ischemia-induced atrial fibrillation and sinoatrial node dysfunction ex vivo.” Published in JCI Insight. Contributing IU author: Michael Rubart
- “K+ currents in ventricular cardiomyocytes of p.N98S-calmodulin mutant mice.” Published in American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. Contributing IU authors: Shuai Guo, Wen-Chin Tsai, Michael Rubart
- “Nasal CPAP increases alveolar number in a rhesus monkey model of moderate prematurity.” Published in European Respiratory Journal. Contributing IU author: Robert S. Tepper
- “Novel coenzyme Q6 genetic variant increases susceptibility to pneumococcal disease.” Published in Nature Immunology. Contributing IU author: Brian J. DeBosch
- “PDGFRA is a conserved HAND2 effector during early cardiac development.” Published in Nature Cardiovascular Research. Contributing IU authors: Beth A. Firulli, Anthony B. Firulli
- “Physiologic Pulmonary Phenotyping of Infants Born Preterm and Post-Discharge Respiratory Morbidity.” Published in The Journal of Pediatrics. Contributing IU authors: Robert S. Tepper, Jeffrey Bjerregaard, Christina Tiller, Laura Amos, Greg Sokol
- “Promotion or inhibition? This is a question in gene editing.” Published in Molecular Therapy. Contributing IU author: Renzhi Han
- “Ref‑1 is overexpressed in neovascular eye disease and targetable with a novel inhibitor.” Published in Angiogenesis. Contributing IU authors: Anbukkarasi Muniyandi, Gabriella D. Hartman, Kamakshi Sishtla, Ratan Rai, Cátia Gomes, Kristina Day, Yang Song, Andi R. Masters, Sara K. Quinney, Hailey Woods, Jason S. Meyer, Jonah Z. Vilseck, Millie M. Georgiadis, Mark R. Kelley, Timothy W. Corson
- “Ref-1 redox activity regulates retinal neovascularization by modulating transcriptional activation of HIF-1α.” Published in the FASEB Journal. Contributing IU authors: Gabriella D. Hartman, Anbukkarasi Muniyandi, Kamakshi Sishtla, Eyram K. Kpenu, Sheng Liu, Jun Wan, Mark R. Kelley, Timothy W. Corson
- “Reshaping lipid metabolism with long-term alternate day feeding in type 2 diabetes mice.” Published in npj Metabolic Health and Disease. Contributing IU authors: Leni Moldovan, Preethi Krishman, Yaqian Duan, Tatiana E. Salazar, James M. Dominguez, Dung V. Nguyen, Carmella Evans-Molina
- “Selumetinib in adults with NF1 and inoperable plexiform neurofibroma: a phase 2 trial.” Published in Nature Medicine. Contributing IU authors: Steven P. Angus, Steven D. Rhodes, Christopher Davis, Shelley A. H. Dixon, Fang Fang, Xiaoling Xuei, D. Wade Clapp
- “Serum Periostin is Able to Stratify Type 2-Dominant Ulcerative Colitis.” Published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Contributing IU author: Simon Conway
- “Spirometry Versus Forced Oscillation to Assess Lung Function Outcome at 5 Years of Age.” Published in Pediatric Pulmonology. Contributing IU authors: Robert S. Tepper, Michelle Cunningham, Christina Tiller
- “The Loss of Tafazzin Transacetylase Activity Is Sufficient to Drive Testicular Infertility.” Published in Journal of Developmental Biology. Contributing IU authors: Paige L. Snider, Elizabeth A. Sierra Potchanant, Catalina Matias, Donna M. Edwards, Jeffrey J. Brault, Simon J. Conway
- “Trajectory of beta cell function and insulin clearance in stage 2 type 1 diabetes: natural history and response to teplizumab.” Published in Diabetologia. Contributing IU authors: Emily K. Sims, Carmella Evans-Molina, Heba M. Ismail
Kudos and Recognition
- Congratulations to the following Wells Center graduate students on their recent thesis defenses!
- Olivia Bednarski from the Schmidt lab presented on December 5, 2024.
- Caylin Billingsley from the Katzenellenbogen lab presented on January 14, 2025.
- Madeline McLaughlin from the Evans-Molina lab presented on February 12, 2025.
- Grace Turyasingura from the John lab presented on December 6, 2024.
- Joseph Castlen, MD, a current pediatric pulmonology fellow working with the Gaston lab, presented his research on the inflammatory response to antigen stasis in the primary ciliary dyskinesia airway to the North American Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia clinical center directors on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
- Brian DeBosch, MD, PhD, and Tatsu Kono, PhD, were among the investigators who received inaugural pilot project grants from the Heartland Children’s Nutrition Collaborative, a partnership between the IU School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics and the Purdue University College of Agriculture Department of Food Science.
- Gabriella Hartman, a graduate student in the Kelley lab, had her image featured on the cover of The FASEB Journal, Volume 39, Issue 3, highlighting the IU research team's article, “Ref-1 Redox Activity Regulates Retinal Neovascularization by Modulating Transcriptional Activation of HIF-1α."
- Radek Kaczmarek, PhD, has been selected by the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office as a member of the inaugural cohort of Faculty Innovation Ambassadors. The group will help foster a culture of innovation at IU and translate research into impactful solutions.
- Mark Kelley, PhD, has been named Chair of the Institutional Resource Oversight Committee (IROC) at the IU School of Medicine.
- Steven D. Rhodes, MD, PhD, was announced as a new member of the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR). SPR encourages and supports pediatric research endeavors by cultivating a diverse network of child health researchers through collaboration, community, mentorship and advocacy.
- Emily Sims, MD, joined Diamyd Medical's Scientific Advisory Board.
- Emily Sims, MD, and Jamie Felton, MD, were interviewed by Indianapolis news station Fox 59 for a piece about the $1.1 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to help the diabetes research team advance innovative screening strategies for the early detection of Type 1 diabetes.
Learn more about the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research
Read the November 2024 Newsletter
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