The Cancer Chemoprotection Program (CCP) is currently comprised of LPI scientists Drs. George Bailey, Roderick Dashwood (Chief of the Program), David Williams, Emily Ho, and Gayle Orner. Dr. Rosita Rodriguez-Proteau of the College of Pharmacy is also a member of the CCP. These scientists focus on the study of phytochemicals (plant chemicals that may affect health) in cancer prevention. The mission of the CCP is to identify previously unstudied phytochemicals and to develop existing phytochemicals as supplements that can protect against cancer. The approach involves mechanistic and molecular studies in vitro and in nonmammalian and rodent animal models. The safety and efficacy of the most promising phytochemical candidates are also studied in human subjects. A five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute entitled "Comparative Mechanisms of Cancer Chemoprevention" has markedly advanced efforts towards the Program's goals. In addition, an important function of the CCP is to act as a repository and resource center for information on the role of micronutrients and phytochemicals in cancer chemoprotection.
This ten-year grant awarded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to LPI scientists Drs. Balz Frei, Joseph Beckman, Tory Hagen, and Weijian Zhang is supporting studies in cell culture, animal models, and human subjects to determine the mechanisms of action of different classes of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, and their safety and efficacy in treating chronic diseases and reversing the age-dependent loss of cellular resistance to stress. The grant is comprised of three highly interactive projects: "Lipoic acid supplementation to reduce risk factors for atherosclerosis in humans;" "Lower vulnerability to toxins in aging by treatment with lipoic acid;" and "Complementary and alternative medicine antioxidants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis."
The Linus Pauling Institute annually awards one-year Pilot Project Grants to Oregon State University scientists who have proposed research projects relevant to the mission of the Institute. These grants, usually in the amount of $25,000, provide initial funding to test a novel hypothesis and generate enough data to present to more traditional funding sources, such as the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society, to continue and expand the research project.
The Linus Pauling Institute sponsors graduate students (Ph.D. candidates) who have chosen to pursue their degree at Oregon State University through research work in one of the Institute's laboratories. The Fellowships—two years each—are funded by donations from individuals, corporations, and private foundations.
Fellowships consist of:
The Linus Pauling Institute hosts scholars who reside at the Institute for several months. These scientists come from across the country and around the world to conduct research in the Institute's laboratories and collaborate with scientists at LPI and Oregon State University.
