Professor awarded $480,000

CHENEY – Dr. Jason Ashley, an associate professor of physiology at Eastern Washington University, has received a $480,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the molecular mechanisms behind bone regeneration.

This funding marks a significant milestone for both Ashley and the university’s growing research programs in molecular biology.

In an interview, Ashley explained the basics of how bones naturally repair and remodel themselves at a molecular level.

“Bones are dynamic organs that have a protein and mineral structure that is turned over continuously,” he said. “The skeleton a person has today is completely different from the one they had 10 years ago.”

Ashley described the bone remodeling process as involving three main cell types: osteocytes, which detect damage and mechanical stress; osteoclasts, which remove old bone; and osteoblasts, which create new bone. He detailed the remodeling cycle, which begins with osteocytes releasing signals to recruit osteoclasts, followed by the dissolution of the bone matrix and the formation of new bone by osteoblasts.

Ashley’s research focuses on the Notch signaling pathway, which works in conjunction with RANK signaling.

“We know that Notch signaling is important because when we block it genetically or with drugs, we greatly diminish osteoclast formation,” he explained. “The project that’s been awarded NIH funding seeks to answer how the decoration of Notch receptor proteins with sugars by enzymes called Fringe changes their signaling strength and the genes they regulate.”

The potential benefits of Ashley’s research are promising, especially for individuals suffering from bone degeneration diseases like osteoporosis.

“If we can carry the protective effects we observed in mice into human patients, we might have a new treatment for osteoporosis with better scalability and fewer side effects than current approaches,” he said.

A challenge in studying molecular processes is the need for advanced instrumentation.

“Small changes in receptor activation and gene expression patterns represent new therapeutic opportunities,” Ashley noted. “However, techniques like tandem mass spectrometry, essential for characterizing the sugars on Notch receptors, require expensive equipment.”

Receiving the grant was an achievement for Ashley, who had been working on versions of this project for eight years.

“It was extremely gratifying to get the email informing me that my grant proposal had been selected for funding,” he said. “Now, we have to deliver.”

The grant will be divided into four $100,000 annual blocks for direct costs, with an additional $80,000 estimated for indirect costs. This funding will cover materials, graduate student stipends, travel expenses, and publication fees.

“Supporting graduate students with this grant is valuable to both our program and the students,” Ashley said.

The grant also expands Eastern’s research capacity.

“Completion of this project will contribute to my record as an investigator and EWU’s record as a place where cutting-edge research is performed,” Ashley said. “This puts us in a stronger position for future proposals and investments in infrastructure and equipment.”

Ashley emphasized the importance of federal grants. “Students interested in STEM careers should look to EWU as a destination for instruction and hands-on research experience,” he said. “Writing and winning grants to support our research are among the best things we faculty can do to provide the best education for our students.”

Ashley is optimistic about the future of his research and its potential impact. “The grant allows me to scale up my research and explore new questions,” he said.

Author Bio

Clare McGraw, Reporter

Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.