Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our regular Spring REINVENT cycle was deferred and the Rapid REINVENT program was implemented in April. The purpose of the program was to promote and encourage innovation in COVID-19 research. Seven projects received funding in the first cycle in April and five projects received funding in May. Congratulations to those awarded!

April Cycle

Kevin S. Harrod, Ph.D. (PI), Brant Wagener, M.D., Ph.D. (Co-I), Jessy Deshane, Ph.D. (Co-I)
Modeling of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 in human lung epithelium.

Qiang Ding, Ph.D., Kevin S. Harrod, Ph.D., Brant Wagener, M.D., Ph.D., Jean-Francois Pittet, M.D.
Repurposing already-available drugs to treat COVID-19; a pilot study for the effect of already-available drugs on COVID-19 virus entry and replication in lung epithelial and endothelial cells

Jean-Francois Pittet, M.D., DEAA and Jaroslaw W. Zmijewski, Ph.D.
Therapeutic recovery of immunosuppression and metabolic maladaptation induced by COVID-19 infection

Dylan R. Addis, M.D.
Investigation of VEGF and sFlt-1 levels in the pathogenesis and severity of COVID-19 disease

Zhen Zheng, M.D. M.S.
Penehyclidine protects lung from SARS-CoV-2-induced endothelial barrier disruption via limiting MLC2 phosphorylation - A novel intervention to ARDS in COVID-19

Brant Wagener, M.D. Ph.D., Timothy J. Ness, M.D. Ph.D., Sonya Heath, M.D., Sadis Matalon, Ph.D., D.Sc.
Exploratory study of the effect of tranexamic acid treatment on the progression of COVID-19 in Outpatients

Sadis Matalon, PhD, D.Sc. (PI), Ahmed Lazrak, D. Sc., (Co-PI)
Inhibition of Lung Ion Channel Activities by SARS CoV-2 S (spike) Protein

May Cycle

PI: Shama Ahmad, Ph.D., Co-PI: Aftab Ahmad, Ph.D.
Protease activated receptor (PAR) dependent cardiomyocyte damage due to SARS-CoV2 Spike protein

Co-PIs: Jean-Francois Pittet, M.D., Marisa Marques, M.D., Jori May, M.D. and Nita Limdi, Ph.D.
Insights into COVID-19-Mediated Activation of the Coagulation Cascade

PI: Saurabh Aggarwal, M.D., Ph.D.
The role of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in Impairing Bactericidal Function of Macrophages: Therapeutic Potential of Raltegravir

PI: Jianguo Gu, M.B., Ph.D.; Co-PI: Sadis Matalon, Ph.D., Dr.Sc. (Hon.), FAPS
Neurogenic lung inflammation and its therapeutic implications in COVID-19

PI: Promil Kukreja, M.D.,Ph.D., Co-I: Hari Kalagara, M.D., Peter Nagi, M.D., Jeff Dobyns, M.D., MSHA
Effects of COVID pandemic on care and outcomes of elderly hip fracture patients.