Janos Zempleni has dedicated over 20 years to understanding how nutrition impacts our genes. His journey began when Nebraska’s tobacco settlement research funds started boosting biomedical studies in 2001. This decision was part of a state initiative to invest tobacco money back into health research, allowing Nebraska to attract top scientists and federal funding.
On January 9, 2024, leaders gathered in Lincoln to celebrate 25 years of the Health Care Cash Fund. They emphasized the profound impact of these investments, which have brought significant research dollars and talent to the state.
In 2003, Zempleni received his first support from these tobacco settlement funds, which helped him establish a laboratory focused on epigenetics—the study of how nutrients can affect gene activity. This early backing was crucial; it allowed him to develop a research program and pull in more funding. His work now boasts a portfolio of about $30 million, with around $1.26 million originating from tobacco settlement funds, marking a return of nearly 24 to 1.
A significant outcome of these investments was the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for the Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases, launched in 2014. This center focuses on understanding how compounds like choline and omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent obesity-related issues, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Alarmingly, obesity-related illnesses affect about 40% of Nebraskans.
The center conducts practical intervention studies in underserved communities, including Native American populations. It collaborates with 59 faculty members across multiple University of Nebraska campuses, which strengthens its research output. In September 2024, the center secured another round of NIH funding, showcasing its ongoing importance.
Zempleni’s team has also made breakthrough discoveries regarding milk-derived exosomes, showing they can influence gene regulation and metabolism. These findings hold promise for improving infant nutrition and cognitive development. There’s even research into utilizing milk’s genetic material to combat brain tumors.
Zempleni is a recognized leader in his field, ranking among the top 2% of most-cited researchers worldwide. Additionally, in 2023-24, the University of Nebraska allocated $2.74 million from the tobacco settlement for various health and research initiatives, which helped leverage over $46 million in external funding during that same timeframe. Overall, since 2001, tobacco settlement funding has attracted more than $300 million in external research support across the University of Nebraska system.
This impactful use of state funds demonstrates how strategic financial support can lead to significant advancements in health research—even transforming the landscape of medical studies in Nebraska.
Source link
