Federal Grant Award Summary

Loyola University of Chicago's Health Sciences Campus received a $470,066 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) under the Alcohol Research Programs (CFDA 93.273), effective May 1, 2026 through January 31, 2031. The award funds research into the molecular mechanisms of ABL kinase 2 (ABL2) in the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). The research will investigate how ABL2 activation contributes to alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis, injury, and inflammation, and will explore the kinase's role in alcohol-driven liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis. By identifying key downstream signaling targets of ABL2, the research aims to establish a scientific foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting ABL kinase inhibition as a treatment approach for ALD.

The project comprises three specific research aims designed to elucidate critical molecular pathways underlying ALD pathogenesis. The research will employ preclinical laboratory models and comparative analysis of human alcoholic steatohepatitis samples to define the mechanistic role of ABL2 in alcohol-induced liver disease progression. As part of the NIAAA's broader mission to develop improved treatment methods and prevention strategies for alcoholism and alcohol-related problems, this investigator-initiated research will contribute fundamental biomedical knowledge applicable to addressing one of the primary causes of chronic liver disease worldwide and cirrhosis-associated mortality in the United States.