Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., (GA-02) is pleased to announce that Mercer University has been awarded $176,238 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Exploratory Award Program is administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant will support cancer and autoimmune disease-related research at Mercer University.

“Almost every American knows a friend or family member who is suffering from cancer or an autoimmune disease. It is a public health challenge. Congress must support the amazing scientists across our country who are relentlessly advancing our understanding of medical science and how to better treat or even prevent these diseases,” said Congressman Bishop. “I am proud of our amazing researchers and physicians right here in Middle Georgia and glad that HHS is investing in this important work at Mercer University’s School of Medicine. I will continue to work on Capitol Hill to make sure that Congress remains a strong and reliable partner in this effort so we can help improve the quality of life for millions of Americans.”

“This project is expected to increase our understanding of LINE-1 retrotransposons in the human genome. LINE-1 activity can mutate DNA, leading to genetic disease. In addition, LINE-1 is thought to contribute to diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and autoimmune disease,” said Assistant Professor and research project director, Pamela Cook, Ph.D. “Technical limitations have slowed investigation of the proteins encoded by LINE-1. This project seeks to develop a new approach to reveal the effects of LINE-1 proteins in diseases associated with LINE-1 activity. I am grateful to Mercer University for their support and to the NIH for funding this research.”

“Mercer University School of Medicine is very proud of Dr. Pamela Cook and this cutting-edge research. This grant will fund research that will result in meaningful insight into cancer care,” added Jean R. Sumner MD FACP, Dean of the Mercer University School of Medicine.

According to the NIH's National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that nearly 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in 2024. The National Institutes of Environmental Health Science notes that there are over 80 known autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, and many are rare and difficult to diagnose. As many as 50 million people in the U.S. have an autoimmune disease, making it the third most prevalent disease category, surpassed only by cancer and heart disease.