Computer predicts anti-cancer molecules
Link to UPI Article

U.S. scientists have created a computerized method of analyzing cellular activity that correctly predicts the anti-tumor activity of several molecules.

Researchers Jeffrey Skolnick and John McDonald led a Georgia Institute of Technology team in developing the tool, called CoMet, that studies the integrated machinery of the cell, predicting which components can have an effect on cancer.

"This opens up the possibility of novel therapeutics for cancer and develops our understanding of why such metabolites work," said Skolnick.

He said metabolites are small molecules that are naturally produced in cells. Enzymes, the biological catalysts that produce and consume the metabolites, are created according to a cell's genetic blueprints. Importantly, however, he said metabolites can also affect the expression of genes.

"By comparing the gene expression levels of cancer cells relative to normal cells and converting that information into the enzymes that produce metabolites, CoMet predicts metabolites that have lower concentrations in cancer relative to normal cells," the scientists said, adding their findings prove that by adding such putatively depleted metabolites to cancer cells, they exhibit anti-cancer properties.

The research that included Adrian Arakaki, Roman Mezencev, Nathan Bowen and Ying Huang appears in the open access journal Molecular Cancer.

Computer predicts anti-cancer molecules
Link to UPI Article

U.S. scientists have created a computerized method of analyzing cellular activity that correctly predicts the anti-tumor activity of several molecules.

Researchers Jeffrey Skolnick and John McDonald led a Georgia Institute of Technology team in developing the tool, called CoMet, that studies the integrated machinery of the cell, predicting which components can have an effect on cancer.

"This opens up the possibility of novel therapeutics for cancer and develops our understanding of why such metabolites work," said Skolnick.

He said metabolites are small molecules that are naturally produced in cells. Enzymes, the biological catalysts that produce and consume the metabolites, are created according to a cell's genetic blueprints. Importantly, however, he said metabolites can also affect the expression of genes.

"By comparing the gene expression levels of cancer cells relative to normal cells and converting that information into the enzymes that produce metabolites, CoMet predicts metabolites that have lower concentrations in cancer relative to normal cells," the scientists said, adding their findings prove that by adding such putatively depleted metabolites to cancer cells, they exhibit anti-cancer properties.

The research that included Adrian Arakaki, Roman Mezencev, Nathan Bowen and Ying Huang appears in the open access journal Molecular Cancer.

Link to National Science Foundation Article: http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111497

Link to National Science Foundation Article: http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111497

Dr. Marion B. Sewer appointed to serve as a member of the Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Study Section, Center for Scientific Review. Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors. Service on a study section also requires mature judgment and objectivity as well as the ability to work effectively in a group, qualities we believe Dr. Sewer will bring to this important task.

Dr. Marion B. Sewer appointed to serve as a member of the Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Study Section, Center for Scientific Review. Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors. Service on a study section also requires mature judgment and objectivity as well as the ability to work effectively in a group, qualities we believe Dr. Sewer will bring to this important task.

Ashley Steensland Smith and Beth Burnham Goldstein are receiving a 2008 CDC and ATSDR Honor Award. Smith and Goldstein make up the central lab of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study(NBDPS), whose primary goal is to advance the understanding of what causes birth defects. They work under the guidance of Dr. Margaret Gallagher and Dr. Deborah Koontz, who received her Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Smith graduated from Tech in 2004 with B.S. in Applied Biology; she is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Health. Goldstein graduated from Tech in 2005 with a B.S. in Applied Biology.

For more information about NBDPS: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/centers.htm

Ashley Steensland Smith and Beth Burnham Goldstein are receiving a 2008 CDC and ATSDR Honor Award. Smith and Goldstein make up the central lab of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study(NBDPS), whose primary goal is to advance the understanding of what causes birth defects. They work under the guidance of Dr. Margaret Gallagher and Dr. Deborah Koontz, who received her Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Smith graduated from Tech in 2004 with B.S. in Applied Biology; she is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Health. Goldstein graduated from Tech in 2005 with a B.S. in Applied Biology.

For more information about NBDPS: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/centers.htm

Five-day tour of the pharmaceutical industry in Puerto Rico by group of 24 Georgia Tech students

During spring break 2008, 24 undergraduate and graduate students visited pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Puerto Rico as part of a course offered by the Georgia Tech Center for Drug Design, Development and Delivery. Students heard lectures and toured the facilities of Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer, and Wyeth. They learned about and saw the production of drugs, including diabetes medications (Januvia), birth control patches (EVRA), slow-release cardiovascular pills (Procardia XL), biotechnology proteins (Neupogen) and veterinary medicine (Heartgard).

This trip was the second in what promises to be an annual event. Participating students were from the Schools of Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and Chemistry & Biochemistry. The trip was led by professors Mark Prausnitz and Andreas Bommarius, organized by graduate students Charlene Rincon and Eduardo Vazquez, and sponsored by the Center for Drug Design, Development and Delivery.

For more information, please contact Mark Prausnitz (prausnitz@gatech.edu) or Andreas Bommarius (andreas.bommarius@chbe.gatech.edu)

Five-day tour of the pharmaceutical industry in Puerto Rico by group of 24 Georgia Tech students

During spring break 2008, 24 undergraduate and graduate students visited pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Puerto Rico as part of a course offered by the Georgia Tech Center for Drug Design, Development and Delivery. Students heard lectures and toured the facilities of Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer, and Wyeth. They learned about and saw the production of drugs, including diabetes medications (Januvia), birth control patches (EVRA), slow-release cardiovascular pills (Procardia XL), biotechnology proteins (Neupogen) and veterinary medicine (Heartgard).

This trip was the second in what promises to be an annual event. Participating students were from the Schools of Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and Chemistry & Biochemistry. The trip was led by professors Mark Prausnitz and Andreas Bommarius, organized by graduate students Charlene Rincon and Eduardo Vazquez, and sponsored by the Center for Drug Design, Development and Delivery.

For more information, please contact Mark Prausnitz (prausnitz@gatech.edu) or Andreas Bommarius (andreas.bommarius@chbe.gatech.edu)