The UAB Brain Tumor SPORE consists of 4 Translational Research Projects supported by 5 Core Facilities.  In the last 5 years, three of our original projects developed and initiated Phase I Clinical Trials based on SPORE-funded translational research.  Three of the original 5 projects completed their objectives.  To find new potential therapies, the UAB Brain Tumor SPORE awarded 1- to 2-year Developmental Research Grants to 12 investigators, 9 of whom are new to Brain Tumor Research.  Three of those awards have identified potential new therapies and these developmental projects have been funded as new research projects within the current Brain Tumor SPORE Program.  Finally, the UAB Brain SPORE has awarded 4 Career Development Awards to support the basic and translational research activities of newly recruited junior faculty in the brain tumor field.   

SPORE Projects
The 5 translational research projects that are active at this time are described below.
Project #1 - Candece L. Gladson, M.D. and Robert A. Nordal, M.D. (Project Leaders)
Project #2 - Kevin A. Cassady, M.D. and James M. Markert, M.D. (Project Leaders)
Project #3 - Donald J. Buchsbaum, Ph.D. and John B. Fiveash, M.D. (Project Leaders)
Project #4 - Lawrence S. Lamb, Ph.D. and, James M. Markert, M.D. (Project Leaders)

SPORE Core Facilities
The 5 shared services "core" facilities are designed to support the translational research being performed in the Research Projects, the Developmental Research Projects and the Career Development Projects.  These are:
Administrative Core - G. Yancey Gillespie, Ph.D. and James M. Markert, M.D. (Leaders)
Brain Tumor Tissue Core - Cheryl A. Palmer, M.D. & G. Yancey Gillespie, Ph.D, (Leaders)
Clinical Trials Core - L. Burt Nabors, M.D. & James M. Markert, M.D (Leaders)
Biostatistics/Bioinformatics Core - Sreelatha Meleth, Ph.D. (Leader)
Brain Tumor Animal Models Core - G. Yancey Gillespie, Ph.D., (Leader)

SPORE Developmental Research Projects
Twelve Developmental Projects have been funded through the UAB Brain Tumor SPORE.
Dale J. Benos, Ph.D. - Physiology of ASIC2 in high grade gliomas
Jeffrey A. Engler, Ph.D. - Brain tumor-Specific Cell Surface Molecules
Charles S. Cobbs, M.D. & Matthias H. Kraus, M.D. - Role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in activation of the ligand-dependent oncogenic phenotype of EGFR in malignant glioma
Hongju Wu, Ph.D. - Transcytosis-targeted Adenoviral Vector for Brain Cancer
Corinne E. Griguer, Ph.D. - Preclinical Studies with a Novel Cytostatic Agent, OMX-2
Martin Johnson, Ph.D. - Gene Expression Analysis of Primary Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
Sergey Kaliberov, Ph.D. - Therapy of Human Glioma Using CRAd Encoding the MDA-7 gene (CRAdSK-1) alone and in combination with ionizing radiation
Kevin A. Cassady, M.D. - Chimeric HSV-HCMV recombinant vectors for Glioma Therapy
John B. Fiveash, M.D. - Optimization of Death Receptor Therapy for Malignant Glioma
Lawrence S. Lamb, Jr., R.N., Ph.D. - Cellular Therapy for Malignant Gliomas
Cheryl A. Palmer, M.D. - Molecular Neuropathology Component for the Brain SPORE
Mona N. Fouad, M.D. - Patient Navigator Program for Brain Tumor SPORE

SPORE Career Development Projects
Four young investigators have been recruited to Brain Tumor Research through the Career Development program in the UAB Brain Tumor SPORE.
Tandra Chaudhury, Ph.D., Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology
Gina M. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Neurobiology
Corinne E. Griguer, Ph.D., Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery
Susan Spiller, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neuro-Oncology