2023 – Discovery and Innovation at University of Utah Health

December 28, 2023June 19, 2026 | Orthopaedics / School of Medicine | PI: Dustin Williams, PhD & Nicholas Ashton, PhD

Local Drug Delivery Device to Control Stubborn Infections

When bacteria settle into a wound or surgical site as a microbial community known as a biofilm, the infection can be notoriously difficult to treat. Microbes in a biofilm hibernate inside a protective matrix, largely out of reach of systemic antibiotics, allowing the infection to stubbornly persist. Treating biofilm infections requires strong local antibiotics, delivered over a prolonged period—and that has been difficult to achieve. A new drug delivery device developed by Dustin Williams, PhD, a professor of orthopaedics and Nicholas Ashton, PhD, a research assistant professor of orthopaedics, does exactly that. Continue reading → Local Drug Delivery Device to Control Stubborn Infections

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Risks of Cannabis During Pregnancy

Cannabis use is increasing among reproductive age females. However, the effects of cannabis use on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes remains largely unknown. Torri Metz, MD, MS, vice chair of research of obstetrics and gynecology, and Robert Silver, MD, professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology, examined if cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes mediated by the placenta.

They analyzed the pregnancy outcomes of more than 9,000 people, including 610 who used cannabis during their pregnancies. Because self-reports of cannabis use can be unreliable, they used urine samples to estimate study participants’ exposure. After controlling for variables like socioeconomic status, nicotine use, and certain medical conditions

they found that individuals who used cannabis had a higher frequency of a composite adverse outcome which included small for gestational age babies (<5^th percentile for age and sex), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, medically indicated preterm birth and stillbirth. In addition, they found that ongoing use throughout pregnancy, and heavier use were associated with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Information about the risks of maternal cannabis use will be critical in counseling patients so they can make informed decisions about cannabis use during pregnancy.

References:

Cannabis Exposure and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Related to Placental Function. Metz TD, Allshouse AA, McMillin GA, et al. JAMA. 2023;330(22):2191–2199. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.21146

Press Releases and Media:

NBC News
Live Science
Washington Post
Fox News
Web MD

December 4, 2023June 19, 2026 | Internal Medicine / School of Medicine | PI: Nareej Agarwal, MD

Talazoparib Plus Enzalutamide Increases Survival Rates in Men with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men in the United States. Worldwide, more than a million new cases are diagnosed each year. Treatment often includes drugs that rein in the cancer by blocking hormones that spur its growth. But as the disease progresses, many tumors become less sensitive to this type of treatment. Continue reading → Talazoparib Plus Enzalutamide Increases Survival Rates in Men with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

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November 22, 2023March 27, 2025 | Drug Discovery / Prevention | PI: Micah J. Drummond, PhD

Diabetes Drug Protects Against Muscle Loss

As we get older, it can be harder to bounce back from injury or prolonged periods of bed rest. That’s partly because it takes older adults longer to rebuild muscles that have atrophied due to disuse. The resulting weakness can limit mobility and put people at risk for falls, hospitalization, and even chronic disease. Encouragingly, it may be possible to protect older adults against muscle loss with a drug that millions of people already take. Continue reading → Diabetes Drug Protects Against Muscle Loss

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September 22, 2023March 27, 2025 | Cardiovascular | PI: TingTing Hong, MD, PhD & Robin M. Shaw, MD, PhD

Regulation and Remodeling of Membrane Microdomains of Cardiomyocytes During Heart Failure Progression

At U of U Health, scientists are learning how the molecular organization of heart cells changes as heart failure progresses, and using that knowledge to pioneer potential gene therapy for heart disease. Continue reading → Regulation and Remodeling of Membrane Microdomains of Cardiomyocytes During Heart Failure Progression

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March 22, 2023May 9, 2025 | Population Health / Population Health Sciences / Prevention / School of Medicine | PI: Adam Bress, PharmD

Uncovering Disparities that Impact Heart Health

About 40 million adults in the United States take statin drugs to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. The drugs, which lower levels of LDL cholesterol, are considered safe for most people, and for many, their potential benefits are high. Many people who might benefit from statins, however, aren’t taking them.

Graduate student Joshua Jacobs and Adam Bress, PharmD, MS, associate professor of population health sciences, analyzed data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys completed between 2013 and 2020 and found the drugs are underutilized, particularly among Black and Hispanic Americans. Jacobs looked at data from more than 3,400 people and found that only about 30 percent of those with the highest risk of developing a cardiovascular problem in the next 10 years were taking statins. While 28 percent of White participants were being treated with the drugs, only 15 percent of Hispanic and 20 percent of Black participants were.

Although statins are among the most prescribed drugs in the United States, many patients who might benefit aren’t taking them. The findings highlight disparities in care and a need to identify barriers to treatment.

Graphic - Uncovering Disparities that Impact Heart Health

References:

Prevalence of Statin Use for Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease by Race, Ethnicity, and 10-Year Disease Risk in the US: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2013 to March 2020. Jacobs JA, Addo DK, Zheutlin AR, et al. JAMA Cardiol. 2023;8(5):443–452. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2023.0228

Press Releases and Media:

University of Utah Health: Certain Racial, Ethnic Groups Less Likely to Receive Preventive Heart Disease Treatment

CNN

March 10, 2023May 30, 2025 | Biochemistry / College of Health / Nutrition & Integrative Physiology / School of Medicine | PI: Jared P. Rutter, PhD & Kevin Hicks, PhD

Finding Inspiration for Drug Development in Metabolic Regulators

The metabolic pathways that shape how our bodies use nutrients and energy are under constant adjustment, with metabolites pay a key role in managing their function and activity. There are thousands of metabolites inside our cells, and surprisingly little is known about how most of them interact with other cellular components, even though when these interactions with proteins are disrupted, it can leave us more vulnerable to disease. Continue reading → Finding Inspiration for Drug Development in Metabolic Regulators

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March 6, 2023March 27, 2025 | Biochemistry / School of Medicine | PI: Minna Roh-Johnson, PhD

Transferred Mitochondria Accumulate Reactive Oxygen Species, Promoting Proliferation

Cancer cells don’t act on their own. Their behavior is influenced by neighboring cells, which sometimes help them grow and spread. For instance, immune cells called macrophages patrol the body, engulfing and destroying potential threats. But when they interact with tumors, they can often produce signals that drive the disease. Continue reading → Transferred Mitochondria Accumulate Reactive Oxygen Species, Promoting Proliferation

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