Dr. Alejandro Chade had a problem. All he needed was some ELP.

Biotechnology developed by a University of Mississippi Medical Center team could become a new treatment for renal vascular disease (RVD). In a study published online in November by the Journal of the American Society for Nephrology, the work demonstrates how an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) fused with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes blood vessel repair, formation, and function in damaged kidney tissues.

“This is completely new,” said Chade, UMMC associate professor of physiology, medicine, and radiology and lead author of the paper. He studies RVD and potential treatments.

About ten percent of adults have RVD. Blood vessels in the kidneys become hard and blocked with plaque which restricts blood flow. This damages downstream parts of the kidney and can decrease its filtration abilities. According to Chade, current therapies like artery-opening stents do not improve outcomes in nearly half of RVD patients.

Quarterbacks, ballerinas and iconic Jackson landmarks, aglow in neon.

Those are just a few of the images captured by the lens of Dr. Mark Reed.

Chief of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Reed may be known as well for his photography as his skills as a healer. His works have graced the cover of Mississippi State University's Alumnus magazine, the website and programs of Ballet Magnificat and the walls of homes and offices around the state.

Visitors to 5 East can take a break from their busy days to enjoy a gallery of Dr. Reed's work, and those attending charity fundraisers often see his works among silent auction donations.

The Mississippi native and UMMC alumnus has enjoyed photography since childhood.

“When digital photography came out, that's when I got into this in a big way,” Reed said.

After being asked by a colleague to donate photos to a silent auction for the Central Mississippi Down Syndrome Society, Reed said, he began to think about images that would resonate with bidders. Before long, he was sitting outside Brent's Drug Store at 4 a.m., trying to get just the right light for a photo of the beloved pharmacy-turned-restaurant.

Like many other students, Meagan Henry decided to go to medical school so she could serve others one day. Chances are, she didn't know she'd also be serving pizza.

As one of UMMC's newly-minted Student Alumni Representatives (STARS), she has done that, but that's only the beginning. Besides dishing up meals for their fellow students at campus events, nearly two dozen STARS from all six professional schools here have welcomed visiting alumni and donors, promoted pride in UMMC, furthered the cause of teamwork and more.

“STARS gives medical students a unique way to learn what practicing medicine looks like,” said Henry, an M2. “We are motivated, and usually entertained as well, by the stories we hear from people who were once in our shoes but have done so much since.”

Apparently the only organization of its kind at the Medical Center, STARS began to come out in the spring under the guidance of April Overstreet, director of alumni affairs, and Dr. Mignon Chinn, alumni engagement associate, who took it on as her first major project following her arrival here in February.

A number of interesting events is scheduled for the upcoming week at the Medical Center.