The Foundation for Accelerated Vascular Research Grants $150,000 Wylie Scholar Award for Blood Vesse...( Vascular Surgeon-Scientist Ulka Sac...),Health

Vascular Surgeon-Scientist Ulka Sachdev, M.D., Named 2008 Wylie Scholar

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation for Accelerated Vascular Research (FAVR) today announced vascular surgeon-scientist Ulka Sachdev, M.D., of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, has been named the 2008 Wylie Scholar in Academic Vascular Surgery. The $150,000 three-year grant was awarded to support her research in understanding the mechanisms that promote blood vessel growth, and to develop new therapies for people suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is a vascular condition of the lower limbs affecting 12 million Americans that can lead to amputation.

"The goal of the Wylie Scholar program is to provide funding to develop outstanding surgeon-scientists that demonstrate the potential to accelerate the translation of clinical research into patient treatments," said Charles Versaggi, Ph.D., co-chair of FAVR. "Dr. Sachdev's promising research exemplifies the scientific creativity and dedication that Wylie Scholars share."

PAD develops when arteries in the lower limbs become clogged with fatty deposits that limit blood flow. Advanced stages of the disease can lead to critical limb ischemia (CLI), resulting in painful sores, gangrene and limb amputation. Each year CLI results in approximately 150,000 amputations in the United States.

To better understand PAD and ways to treat it, vascular researchers are studying how blood vessels grow. The process known as angiogenesis is complex and poorly understood. Dr. Sachdev is studying a group of molecules called "high-mobility group proteins" (HMGB1) that may act as mediators of angiogenesis.

"My research is directed at developing a better understanding of how HMGB1 may stimulate blood-vessel growth," explained Dr. Sachdev. "This knowledge could allow us to develop revascularization strategies that may reduce the incidents of gangrene, amputations and death." '/>"/>