CURING CANCER ONE WRINKLE AT-A-TIME: A Professor Emeritus ‘Lab Rat’ Riffs on the Root Causes of Dis-Ease in Health, Science, and Humanity
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Join RNegade podcasters as they explore the wonders of science and laboratory work with Professor Dr. Varani. This course will focus on distinguishing science from technology, the transformation over the past 50 years on how science is understood and misunderstood. In addition, Dr. Varani will share his research that currently works on at the University of Michigan and how his findings will help healthcare professionals care for their patients when it comes to gut and overall health.
OUTCOMES
- Understand the current state of science research from the corporate, government, and citizen lenses
- Distinguish between science and technology and the importance of distinguishing
- Explore the tissues of the colon and relationship between chronic inflammation and overall health of the other organ systems
- Understand how Dr. Varani’s current research reveals new information about health, nutrition, and making healthy choices
OUTLINE
I. Introduction/About “Uncle Jimmy”
A. From Med School to Pharma to getting rats ‘high’
B. The Golden Age of Science
C. 50 years later, professor Emeritus, and still in love with the job
II. The current state of “science”
A. Decoupling of science and technology
B. The influence of politics
C. The dictates of grant money
III. Dr. Varani’s current research on the gut, supplements, and inflammation
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Varani is an internationally recognized expert in human cell and organ culture, particularly models of skin. He has worked with a variety of biotechnology and large pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson and Johnson, Genentech, and Amgen. Utilizing in vitro and in vivo models he has supported retinoid, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer drug research.
Dr. Varani’s research focuses on the processes of skin homeostasis, aging, atrophy, and fibrotic skin disease. His studies examine regulation of fibroblast proliferation, signaling pathways controlling growth, extracellular matrix production, elaboration of matrix metalloproteinases, and their inhibitors. His group utilizes chemically-induced skin irritation to understand mechanisms of inflammatory skin disease such as psoriasis, drug-induced injury, and Rosacea.
Dr. Varani has developed human colon organ models to understand the process of growth and differentiation in this tissue. These studies have implications for colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr. Varani received his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and his Ph.D. at the University of North Dakota in 1974. After Post-Doctoral work at the University of Connecticut, he came to the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in 1980. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1985 and became a Full Professor in 1991. Currently, Dr. Varani serves as professor emeritus at The University of Michigan.
