Southeastern NEWS

                       Southeastern Louisiana University
     Public Information Office
     SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
     504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
     Date:4/24/97
       Contact:  Carol Dotson  12

SLU GRADUATE VISITS CAMPUS TO DISCUSS RESEARCH  

     HAMMOND -- Dr. Robert Moreland, an assistant research professor at Boston University
School of Medicine and a 1977 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, recently visited
the campus to talk with students about his research.
     Moreland talked candidly about a topic that was bound to get a few snickers from
students, not to mention clich‚d jokes. 
     Moreland's research focuses on male erectile dysfunction and its relationship to vascular
disease. " I look at the molecular factors that change the structure inside the penis."  Moreland has
also worked with a drug company on the anti-fibrotic properties of the drug porsteglandin e-1,
used in treating impotence.
     Moreland, who was in New Orleans at the American Urological Association meeting,
realizes the reaction he'll get when he talks about his research - which although useful and
important - is somewhat taboo in polite conversation.  He jokes about it himself saying for a long
time his mother still thought he did only cancer research.  Now she knows better, but she still tells
people he's a cancer researcher. 
     The NIH (National Institute for Health) funded researcher is also busy with study in other
areas.  He has developed a technique that he says will change the way doctors now do prostate
cancer surgery. "Currently if a doctor finds that the cancer hasn't spread, he'll remove the prostate,
if it has spread then there is a different type of treatment.  Our research has focused on seeing if
what people thought was confined to the prostate really was. And in a majority of cases, it
wasn't."
     Moreland is involved in breast cancer research as well.  He and his team have cloned a
gene that may be a predictor for hormone resistance in breast cancer.  Their results should be in
 print soon.

                                                            -more-
researcher/ADD ONE

     Dr. Linda Munchausen, a professor in biology and a former professor of Moreland's is
proud of her former student. "He sweats good ideas.  He's always been very creative and
energetic, even as a student. Now he's done research in areas where there wasn't any and has done
some good.  He's making a difference,"  said Munchausen
     "There is a great need for people who do medical research," said Moreland.  "You can do
things and see the application of it very quickly.  My research and that of others goes into making
health care better."


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notes: erectile dysufnction 60-75% is organic or related to vascular diseacse. researching for about 6 years. look at molecular factors that change the structure inside fibrosis -e xcess connective tissue; balance between muscle and connective tissue worked on anit -fibrotic properties for a drug for upjohn prosteglandin e-1; only available through uroiligst was here at Amerian Uroligic Association meeting in New Orleans last week; is an NIH funded investigator Breastcancer - cloned a gene that may be apredictor for hormone sresistance in breast cancer - should be in print soon. basci sci research difficult to do - only academic job offer had - has turned out great. people who do medical research - great need - you can do stuff and see the application of it very quickly; work in aossicitno with ... drug company - rearch goest into making health care better makes work - more/// in use than penile disfunction worked on whether prostate cancer spreads-- if hasn't spread doctors will remove prostate. If what people thought was confined was - 5 yr later looked at lymphnode to see if it had spread developed technique will change the way people do pc surgery if spread - differnt type of tratment LINDA absolutly proud of him -s weats good ideas, very creative, enegetic resaerch in area where theres wasnt any and do some good, makes a differnce. lystyle induced disease pge only fdea approved drug to treat impotence - can show in cells it works; have done it with rabbits and rats; very good evidene in human celles and tissues; wife - Kathi Battles Moreland '78 son daniel 10 yr old 4/15 .MEDIA ADVISORY HAMMOND -- Dr. Robert Moreland, an Assistant Research Professor in the department of Physiology at Boston University School of Medicine and a 1977 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, will visit the Southeastern campus on Friday April 18 at 1:00 pm in Pursly Hall, room 114. Dr. Moreland's main research involves male impotence and erectile dysfunctions. He recently received an National Institutes of Health grant for his work. Dr. Moreland will be available for interviews. # # # dr linda muchausen 2159