The UAB Heersink School of Medicine proudly announces that John Hartman, M.D., has been awarded a three-year research grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). This grant recognizes Hartman’s work in developing genetic strategies to restore the function of the CFTR protein, which is defective in individuals with cystic fibrosis.

Hartman, a UAB alumnus, earned his M.D. in 1995 after completing a B.S. at Duke University in 1989. His training includes an Internal Medicine Residency and Hematology Fellowship at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. While there, he conducted postdoctoral research in yeast genetics under Nobel laureate Lee Hartwell. Since joining the UAB Department of Genetics in 2004, Hartman has been at the forefront of using yeast genetic models to study human diseases, including cystic fibrosis.

Hartman’s project focuses on exploring the CFTR Biogenesis Network (CBN), a complex system of genes and proteins responsible for producing functional CFTR proteins. Mutations in the CFTR gene lead to defective proteins, which disrupt cellular processes and cause the debilitating symptoms of cystic fibrosis. Using budding yeast, a single-cell organism with genetic networks remarkably similar to those of humans, Hartman and his team will identify novel genetic targets to restore CFTR function.

This research holds promise for patients who cannot benefit from existing therapies, aiming to enhance their effectiveness or develop new treatments. By leveraging the unique advantages of yeast models, the project bridges fundamental genetic discoveries with clinical applications that could transform care for cystic fibrosis patients.

Hartman’s career is marked by numerous accolades, including awards from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), the National Cancer Institute, and the American Cancer Society. His prior research has received significant funding, including R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health.

The Heersink School of Medicine celebrates Hartman’s dedication and congratulates him on this significant achievement. His work exemplifies UAB’s commitment to advancing science and improving lives through groundbreaking research.