Innovative Methodology to Identify Cancerous Cells Developed by NU Biochemist

Max Diem, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and his team have developed automatic methods based on vibrational microspectroscopy that identify the presence of metastic cancer cells in lymph nodes, and abnormal cells in a sample of exfoliated cells, without the need for staining, and without human input. The methods, which are entirely machine-based and computer-interpreted, will reduce the workload in diagnostic laboratories by increasing overall accuracy and decreasing the time required to render medical diagnoses.

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Oral Gene Delivery System Promises a Painless Treatment Option for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The findings of a research project led by Professor and Associate Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences Mansoor Amiji and recently published in Gene Therapy evaluate the efficiency of Nanoparticles-in-Microsphere Oral Systems (NiMOS) as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. The NiMOS therapy is a promising replacement to frequent invasive administration of drugs that have strong side effects. The findings are part of a four-year research project funded by a $1.34 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.

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Optical Tweezers Aid NU Researchers to Study DNA-Drug Interactions

Mark Williams, Associate Professor of Physics, assisted by graduate student Thaya Paramanathan, has developed a novel method of stretching a DNA molecule in order to better observe how drug molecules bind to the DNA. The observations are expected to help in the development of drug therapies that would inhibit or prevent mutated cells from replicating. The research appears in a recent edition of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

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$1.4 Million NIH Grant Awarded to NU Researcher to Study Genetics of Resistant Bacteria

Professor of Biology Kim Lewis will use the four-year grant he was recently awarded by NIH to continue his research on the formation of dormant persister bacterial cells, which are tolerant to all known antibiotics and make many infections incurable. Dr. Lewis and his team hope to identify the genes responsible for the formation and maintenance of persister cells and to develop a therapy to destroy them.

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Of Note

MRI System

We are pleased to announce that the latest Northeastern biotechnology center, the Center for Translational NeuroImaging, will open in July under the direction of Craig Ferris, Professor of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences. In addition to preparing students for careers in industry labs, the Center will focus on early drug discovery aimed at reducing the risk of Phase II investment through functional MRI, microPET and microSPECT imaging. It is anticipated that industry will be able to contract the Center to perform research services in the future; please contact Dr. Ferris at c.ferris@neu.edu for information on research services.

Undergraduate Health Sciences major Alicia Jones has been recognized as a 2008 Steamboat Scholar by the Steamboat Foundation Summer Scholar Program. The prestigious internship will allow Ms. Jones to work with pioneers of innovative cancer treatments at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

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Upcoming Campus Events

The third annual Biotechnology Entrepreneur Lecture Series will be held on September 25th and will feature George Poste, Director of The Biodesign Institute and Chief Scientist of the Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative at Arizona State University. Dr. Poste will present "Biotechnology, Molecular Medicine, and the Future Evolution of Healthcare." A reception to meet Dr. Poste will be held at 11:00 a.m. on campus in the Raytheon Amphitheater, Egan Research Center. The lecture will follow at 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact Cynthia Bainton at c.bainton@neu.edu.

For more information on events, see Upcoming Events.
For a map and directions to campus, click here.

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