| In This Issue |
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Study Reveals Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Monoclonal Anticancer Antibody |
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Targeted Deletion of HIF-1a Gene in T Cells Prevents Their Inhibition in Hypoxic Inflamed Tissues |
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Novel Biological Treatment Process for High-ammonia Waste Stream Treatment |
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Faculty Researchers Win Awards |
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Of Note |
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Upcoming Campus Events | |
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Study Reveals Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Monoclonal Anticancer Antibody
A study performed by Vladimir Torchilin, Distinguished Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Tamer El-Bayoumi, MS '03, PhD '06, has found that doxorubicin-loaded long-circulating liposomes (Doxil?) modified with the nucleosome-specific monoclonal antibody 2C5 (mAb 2C5) recognizes a broad variety of tumor cells. As a result, mAb 2C5-modified Doxil? demonstrates significantly higher cytotoxicity towards various cancer cells, including those resistant to doxorubicin. The study was published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
> Read an article. |
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Targeted Deletion of HIF-1a Gene in T Cells Prevents Their Inhibition in Hypoxic Inflamed Tissues
Michail Sitkovsky, Director of the New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute, led a research team in a study showing that deletion of the HIF-1a gene in T cells leads to higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, stronger anti-bacterial effects, and improved septic mice survival. The results of this study suggest novel therapeutic anti-pathogen strategies. The most important implication is for acutely needed treatment of drug resistant bacteria.
> Read an article. |
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Novel Biological Treatment Process for High-ammonia Waste Stream Treatment
In a study performed by April Gu, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, a single-stage submerged attached-growth bioreactor (SAGB) was found to achieve stable nitrogen removal of high-strength ammonia wastewater with higher treatment efficiency and lower energy and carbon cost then conventional treatments. The study was piloted at Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.
>> Read an article. |
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Faculty Researchers Win Awards
Northeastern researchers have won three out of nine high-profile grants awarded by the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center for technologies that have the potential to translate to the marketplace. The $40,000 awards will go to Vladimir Torchilin, Distinguished Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Robert Hanson, Matthews Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, for cancer research and to Gregory Kowalski, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, for work on a biocalorimeter, a tool that measures the interaction between drugs and proteins.
>> Read an article.
Professor and Associate Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences Mansoor Amiji and his interdisciplinary team have just been awarded a $1.34 million grant by NIH?s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel DNA delivery system.
>> Read an article.
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Barbara Waszczak was recognized for her work on an intranasal treatment for Parkinson?s disease with a $75,000 Rapid Response Innovation Award from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson?s Research.
>> Read an article. |
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Of Note
We are pleased to announce that Graduate Co-op Coordinator Deborah Jancourtz, who has been developing internship positions for students in NU?s Biotechnology and Bioinformatics PSM Programs, has become a permanent member of our team. Deborah has over twenty years of experience in career services and earned an MS in Human Resource Counseling from Bouv? College of Health Sciences. The Biotechnology and Bioinformatics PSM Programs require students to perform an internship in a corporate, government, or academic setting. If you would like to speak to Deborah about an internship opportunity you have available for an NU student, please contact her at 617-373-8129 or d.jancourtz@neu.edu. |
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Upcoming Campus Events
On March 2 - 4, the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis will hold Biogenerics 2008, an open forum on the scientific and regulatory issues in the approval of biosimilar protein therapeutics. Following an opening address by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), plenary sessions will be presented by policy-makers from the FDA and its European counterpart EMEA. For more information, visit www.barnett.neu.edu or e-mail biogenerics2008@neu.edu.
On March 21, the Center for Drug Discovery will hold its 6th Annual Current Trends in Drug Abuse Research Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Raytheon Amphitheater, Egan Research Center. The event will feature prominent researchers from academia, clinical medicine, and industry. To register (no fee), contact Diane Biegel at d.biegel@neu.edu. For more information contact Shawntelle Dillon at 617-373-7322.
On March 25, the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis will hold the 9th Francine and Michael Saferstein Memorial Lecture with guest speaker Dr. Graham Cooks, Henry B. Hass University Distinguished Professor of Analytical Chemistry at Purdue University. Dr. Cooks' work on ionization methods has led to the desorption electrospray ionization procedure for ambient mass spectrometry. The event will take place from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in Raytheon Amphitheater, Egan Center. For more information contact Felicia Martin at fe.martin@neu.edu.
For more information on events, see Upcoming Events. For a map and directions to campus, click here. |
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The Biotechnology Initiative promotes state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research and innovative education at Northeastern with emphasis on close collaboration with industry and medical communities. Biotechnology Initiative
Northeastern University | |
e-mail: c.bainton@neu.edu phone: 617-373-2627 web: www.biotech.neu.edu | |