RADFORD – The Jeffress Memorial Trust has awarded a $10,000 grant to Radford University’s Department of Biology for research that may provide new insight into eating disorders as well as an anti-eating drug for humans.

Assistant biology professor Mark Cline received the grant to help fund studies relating to the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on appetite in chickens that are hypo- and hyperphagic.

“We use the chickens to simulate anorexia and obesity in humans,” said Cline. “Basically, we hypothesize that the neurotransmitter will be more potent in the hypo- rather than the hyperphagic chickens. The research may provide new insight into eating disorders, and may be used to develop an anti-eating drug for humans.“

Assistant biology professor Tara Phelps-Durr received a separate grant renewal of $10,000 for research focusing on how genes are properly regulated during development. “The genes we focus on are important for proper development in both plants and animals,” said Phelps-Durr. “Improper regulation of genes during development can lead to developmental abnormalities."

Phelps-Durr added, “Grants such as the Jeffress Memorial Trust provide money to purchase supplies and to attend meetings where our results are presented to the scientific community. This funding allows our undergraduate students to perform hands-on research in the laboratory and gives them the opportunity to interact with students and faculty from other institutions at various local and national meetings.”

The awards went into effect January 1, 2009 and expire December 31, 2009.

The Jeffress Trust supports scientists’ research in chemical, medical and other specific fields through grants to educational and research institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia.