University of Pittsburgh researchers have received a $2.7 million federal grant to develop a medication to protect against radiation poisoning.

A team led by Dr. Joel Greenberger, chairman of radiation oncology at Pitt's School of Medicine, will develop the drug known as JP4-039, which has been shown to protect against radiation damage in mouse studies and with human tissues in the lab.

The goal is to create a drug that can be shipped to hospitals in case of a radiation emergency.

A complementary $1 million grant to Pitt's Dr. Louis Falo Jr. will be used to develop a topical cream that can deliver the drug through the skin.