As the worldwide coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues to play out, researchers are among those working to find innovative solutions to help flatten the curve.

One such researcher is Jamie Sturgill, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine. Sturgill's research focuses heavily on lung disease.

Linda J. Van Eldik, director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky, co-authored a paper reporting the first human clinical study of a drug candidate that suppresses injury and disease-induced inflammation of the brain.

University of Kentucky virologist Rebecca Dutch normally studies the steps of infection for viruses like human metapneumovirus, but she's been looking at the novel coronavirus these days. The chair of UK’s Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry is leading the College of Medicine’s COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance team, which brings together faculty expertise from multiple disciplines across the university to focus on advising COVID-19 patient care and clinical trials based on emerging research. Today, she answers some of our questions about COVID-19.

The Department had nine publications listed in PubMed for the month of March 2020.

1: Jin H, Moseley HNB. Robust Moiety Model Selection Using Mass Spectrometry Measured Isotopologues. Metabolites. 2020 Mar 21;10(3). pii: E118. doi: 10.3390/metabo10030118. PubMed PMID: 32245221.

2: Welden JR, Pawluchin A, van Doorn J, Stamm S. Use of Alu Element Containing Minigenes to Analyze Circular RNAs. J Vis Exp. 2020 Mar 10;(157). doi: 10.3791/59760. PubMed PMID: 32225139.

Timothy Ainger, PhD, had just completed a 10-hour clinic day when he pulled out his cellphone to check his messages. There were 74 in total, which was pretty typical because he was involved in group chats with his pals, as well as a Fantasy Football league. However, amid those messages were 14 notifications from his wife, Jan.

Researchers and faculty from multiple disciplines across the University of Kentucky are coming together as part of the global effort to treat, understand and eradicate COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance team, a new workgroup within UK’s College of Medicine, is bringing together UK experts from across the campus to focus on advising COVID-19 patient care and clinical trials based on emerging research and potential treatment options.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2020) - Anna Goodman Hoover, Ph.D., is assessing Appalachian Kentuckians’ water-related environmental health literacy. She says that providing residents with useful information to protect their health first requires understanding their knowledge and perceptions of water-related issues. The project is supported by a pilot grant from the University of Kentucky Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES), which is funded by NIEHS.

By Josh Shepherd

*NOTE: Not long after UK HealthCare received FLS Testing Center approval, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) temporarily closed all testing centers from March 27 – April 30 as a preventative measure in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Notification will be sent to residents and departments when the UK Center re-commences FLS Testing.

Click this link for original Health Matters article and other related information on patient health.

By Dr. Malay Shah, MD, FACS