Monthly Archives: July 2012

Align Aerospace Receives Silver Boeing Performance Excellence Award

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CHATSWORTH, Calif., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Align Aerospace LLC, a global provider of aerospace fasteners, assembly components and supply chain solutions, is pleased to announce that it has received a Boeing Performance Excellence Award (BPEA). The Boeing Company issues the award annually to recognize suppliers who have achieved superior performance. This year, Boeing recognized a total of 529 suppliers who achieved either a Gold or Silver level BPEA. Based on Boeing's metrics for quality and on time delivery, Align Aerospace achieved Silver level status for 2011.

"We have based our business on superior performance and execution and we are honored to once again receive this very important award from Boeing," said Rick Organ, CEO of Align Aerospace. "Boeing is a worldwide leader in the aerospace industry, and we have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with them."

Align provides parts to support Boeing commercial and military satellite programs, Boeing Defense C17 and UAV's, and Boeing Commercial 737, 767, 777 and 787 platforms, both direct to Boeing and through subcontractors.

For more information on the Boeing Performance Excellence Award, visit http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/doingbiz/supplier_portal/bpea.html.

About Align:

Align Aerospace is a leading supplier of hardware and related components to a broad range of aerospace and defense OEMs and their subcontractors throughout the world. Experts in bid-to-buy, JIT, VMI, lean manufacturing and supply chain management, Align has more than 90,000 unique parts in stock from over 2,000 suppliers ready to ship from its warehouses throughout the U.S. and Europe. Between 1998 and 2011, the Company operated as Pentacon, Eurofast SAS, and Anixter Aerospace Hardware. Align began independent operations in August 2011 as a result of the divestiture of the business by Anixter International to Greenbrier Equity Group.

http://www.alignaero.com

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Align Aerospace Receives Silver Boeing Performance Excellence Award

CIRCOR Aerospace Signs Distribution Agreement With Aero Precision

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CORONA, CA--(Marketwire -07/09/12)- CIRCOR Aerospace, a CIRCOR International Company (CIR), has partnered with Aero Precision Industries to sell and distribute its Fluid Controls, Landing Gear and Actuation, and Sylmar facility product lines, with a particular focus on foreign military sales.

Aero Precision's agreement with CIRCOR Aerospace features a global territory, tailored upon product lines and current distribution channels. Aero Precision will continue to increase CIRCOR's established customer connectivity and market presence for specialized fluidic controls legacy components and actuation as well as nose wheel steering actuators and fully-dressed landing gear and components on military platforms such as fighter aircraft and helicopters.

"Our new ally, Aero Precision and their international network will continue to drive our singular purpose for customer satisfaction in CIRCOR Aerospace products, capabilities and value," said Michael Dill, CIRCOR Aerospace Group Vice President.

"Aero Precision has proven ability to present parts and services to the international military aftermarket in the most efficient and strategic manner, and we're excited to begin our partnership with CIRCOR," noted Frank Cowle, Aero Precision President.

About Aero PrecisionAero Precision is a leader in aerospace distribution and services and a premier worldwide stocking distributor of aircraft OEM parts. With 20 years of reliability, quality products and unparalleled customer service, Aero Precision facilitates spare part purchasing, repair coordination and aircraft maintenance program management using a unique logistic support model to source military aircraft solutions for the US Government and over 60 countries. Aero Precision has stocking distribution or Channel Partnerships with Honeywell, Hamilton Sundstrand, Crane Aerospace, Texstars, CEF, Parker, Woodward, and additional strategic OEM partners for various product lines.

For more information on Aero Precision, visit: http://www.aeroprecision.com

About CIRCOR Aerospace Products Group and CIRCOR Aerospace, Inc.

CIRCOR Aerospace Products Group is focused on the design, development, and manufacture of specialty fluidic control, actuation, and aircraft landing gear systems for demanding aerospace and defense applications. CIRCOR Aerospace provides a full range of fluid controls and electro-mechanical controls, actuation systems, manifold assemblies, and complete landing gear systems. CIRCOR Aerospace has business units located in California, Ohio, New York, Paris and Chemill, France, Tangier, Morocco and Suzhou, China.

Parent company CIRCOR International is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts and the CIRCOR Aerospace Products group is headquartered in Corona, California.

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CIRCOR Aerospace Signs Distribution Agreement With Aero Precision

B/E Aerospace Announces Senior Notes Offering

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WELLINGTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

B/E Aerospace (BEAV) (the Company), announced today it has commenced an underwritten public offering of $675.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.25% senior notes due 2022.

The senior notes are being offered pursuant to a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus filed by the Company as part of a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

The senior notes are an additional issuance of, will be fully fungible with, rank equally with, and form a single series with the Companys $500 million 5.25% Senior Notes due 2022 issued on March 13, 2012, and will have the same CUSIP number.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering, together with cash on hand, to fund the consideration in its concurrent tender offer and consent solicitation for any and all of its outstanding 8.50% Senior Notes due 2018, including the payment of accrued interest and any applicable consent payment. The Company intends to use any remaining net proceeds from this offering (to the extent less than all of the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2018 are tendered) for other general corporate purposes.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as joint book-running managers and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as co-managers for the offering.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the notes described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these notes in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

The offering is being made by means of a prospectus and the related prospectus supplement only. Copies of the prospectus and the related preliminary prospectus supplement can be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, attention: High Yield Syndicate, (800) 245-8812, HY_syndicate@jpmorgan.com, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Brooklyn Army Terminal, 140 58th Street, 8th floor, Brooklyn, New York 11220, (877) 858-5407, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, One Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010, (800) 221-1037, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, telephone (866) 471-2526, facsimile (212) 902-9316, prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com, and UBS Securities LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 299 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10171, (877) 827-6444, ext. 561 3884.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Companys actual experience and results may differ materially from the experience and results anticipated in such statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in the Companys filings with the SEC, which include the Registration Statement, prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement related to this offering and its Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. For more information, see the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and, except as required by federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About B/E Aerospace

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B/E Aerospace Announces Senior Notes Offering

Nanotech Achieves 1st Roll-to-Roll Commercial Scale Production Run

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire -07/09/12)- Nanotech Security Corp. (the "Company") (NTS.V) is pleased to announce that the Company has successfully completed its first large scale test-run using its nanotechnology-based optical security feature, NOtES. An independent third party was contracted to conduct a production test-run embossing images onto a 300 metre (1000 ft) PET transparent plastic film. The third party is a multi-billion dollar world leader in optical products. The approximately 27cm (10.5 in) wide film was run on a continuous roll-to-roll basis over the entire length and comprises 8 columns of optical images arrayed in rows with some images being continuous, and others which are separated by .5 cm spacing. Over every 27 sq. centimeters there are some 23 separate and clearly visible nanotechnology- based optical images embossed onto the plastic substrate. Of the 8 columns, 2 columns were single continuous images over the full 300 metre length demonstrating common pre-requisites for potential bank note applications.

The production run shows that the Company's origination process and master shims used by the third parties embossing equipment were able to transfer separate and continuous images accurately onto the film over a commercial scale run. The technology proved to be extremely robust in the high-volume, high-speed setting - with the last ten metres performing as strongly as the first ten metres. Images of this film which represents a revolutionary optical-tagging system will be available in the near future on the Company's website at http://www.nanosecurity.ca/press_imagesvideos.php.

Doug Blakeway commented, "We are very pleased by the results of this test which demonstrated the technical feasibility of using the Company's patent-pending, highly advanced nano-hole optical technology in a large scale commercial application. The plastic film test-run was imprinted with over 150,000 separate and easily visible iridescent optical images which, once the production run was set up, were produced in a matter of minutes. This technical proof-of-concept is a major breakthrough for the Company's scientific team and we look forward to sharing our developments with the many potential users who are keenly following our progress."

About Nanotech Security Corp.:

With a nearly 30 year history in security applications for law enforcement, Nanotech Security Corp. licensed nanotechnology which originated at Simon Fraser University in order to try to develop products to sell into the authentication and anti-counterfeiting market. The technology uses patented algorithms with electron and ion beam technology to fabricate hundreds of millions of nano-holes into a wide variety of materials. These nano-holes can be arrayed into unique patterns which employ the surface plasmonic physics of light waves to collect and reflect concentrated light in readily visible images somewhat similar to holograms but with certain superior technical and commercial aspects. The technology allows images which are visible to the naked eye as well as so-called covert features which are readable only by machine. The company is working to enhance security for banknotes but other potential commercial applications include authenticating legal documents, designer merchandise, concert tickets, tax-paid stamps, medical & credit cards, government documents, passports, and pharmaceuticals. More information on the company can be found at http://www.nanosecurity.ca.

This news release contains forward looking information or statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, the risk that commercial products using the nano-technology will never be successfully developed, the need for unknown amounts of additional capital that will dilute shareholders if it is available at all (for which there can be no certainty). Investors are cautioned that any such forward looking statements are not guarantees for future performance and the actual results or developments may differ materially from those suggested in such statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's home jurisdiction filings that are available at http://www.sedar.com.

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

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Nanotechnology may aid diagnosis

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A common type of lab test used in research and medicine can be made three million times more sensitive, raising hopes that certain cancers and Alzheimer's disease can be detected earlier.

That is the conclusion of new research by Princeton University engineers, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, which describes an improved lab test that uses nanotechnology.

The test is called a fluorescent immunoassay, a laboratory staple for decades. It relies on antibodies that bind with specific proteins or biomarkers in a sample of fluid, such as blood or urine. The antibodies are "labeled" in such a way that they emit a fluorescent glow indicating that the target protein is present.

The Princeton researchers used an array of nano-antennas to amplify this type of fluorescence so that targeted proteins, such as those that may herald the presence of certain cancers, could be detected at much lower levels.

The antenna arrays consist of glass pillars measuring just 60 billionths of a meter in height, each capped with a tiny gold disk. The pillars also have smaller gold dots on their sides.

The system acts somewhat like the wooden body of a violin, which transmits the vibrations of the strings to the surrounding air, said senior author Stephen Y. Chou, a professor of electrical engineering at Princeton. "Without the body, you'd struggle to hear the sound," he said.

Chou and his colleagues evaluated their technology on fluid containing a standard lab protein called human immunoglobin G ordinarily detectable at a concentration of about one-billionth of a mole (a basic unit in chemistry) per liter. The team detected the protein at a concentration three million times lower.

The test could help diagnose Alzheimer's disease, which researchers try to detect by taking samples of cerebrospinal fluid, a relatively invasive procedure. Chou's technology, which detects much smaller concentrations in blood, "would be much easier and faster to use," said Yueming Li, a researcher at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center who advised Chou on the research.

The group is conducting further research to detect biomarkers for specific diseases, such as breast and prostate cancers.

Tom Avril

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New insights into how the most iconic reaction in organic chemistry really works

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Kendall N. Houk holds UCLAs Saul Winstein Chair in Organic Chemistry. (Credit: Reed Hutchinson/UCLA)

(Phys.org) -- In 1928, chemists Otto Diels and Kurt Alder first documented diene synthesis, a chemical reaction important for synthesizing many polymers, alkaloids and steroids. Their work on this mechanism, which came to be known as the DielsAlder reaction, won them the 1950 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Since then, the iconic reaction has become the most commonly used and studied mechanism in organic chemistry. But what happens during the reaction has never been entirely clear.

Now, Kendall N. Houk, UCLA's Saul Winstein Professor of Organic Chemistry, and colleagues report exactly how the DielsAlder reaction occurs. Their research is published this week in the early online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and will be published in an upcoming print edition.

"We have examined the molecular dynamics of the DielsAlder reaction, which has become the most important reaction in synthesis, in detail to understand how it happens," said Houk, who is a member of the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA.

Houk and his colleagues created a number of simulations he calls them short movies of molecules coming together and reacting.

One of Houk's DielsAlder movies:

(Houk isn't the only one making movies about DielsAlder. UCLA organic chemistry students in Professor Neil Garg's class have produced a series of amusing music videos in which they reference the reaction: Watch "Chemistry Jock" [reference at 2:08], "Hey There Neil Garg" [1:44] and "Payphone" [1:07].)

"The idea," Houk said, "is to understand how the reaction happens not just that A goes to B and B goes to C, but to actually follow how the bonds are forming and how the atoms are moving as these things come together. Using the massive computing power we have now, we get a degree of resolution of the mechanism that was not really possible before. It took a lot of computer time, but as a result, we now have unprecedented insight into how this reaction occurs."

Organic chemists have argued about this for years: If two bonds form during a reaction, do they form at the same time, or does one form first and then the other?

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New insights into how the most iconic reaction in organic chemistry really works

PDS Biotechnology Corporation Signs Worldwide Licensing Agreement with Merck KGaA for Versamuneâ„¢

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LAWRENCEBURG, Indiana, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PDS Biotechnology Corporation announced today that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, for use of PDS Biotechnologys novel Versamune nanotechnology platform in two of Mercks investigational antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies currently in pre-clinical development. Merck obtains the rights to utilize the technology with two investigational antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies which are in pre-clinical development.

Under the terms of the licensing agreement, PDS Biotechnology Corporation will receive an undisclosed upfront payment in cash, as well as development milestone payments, and commercial and sales milestone payments. PDS Biotechnology Corporation will also receive royalties on sales of the products incorporating the technology.

Dr. Frank Bedu-Addo, Chief Executive of PDS Biotechnology Corporation said, "We are very pleased that Merck which is experienced in the clinical development of cancer immunotherapies would like to utilize the Versamune technology. For PDS Biotechnology Corporation, this deal is important since the companys business strategy is focused on a few strategic out-licensing or partnering deals at a preclinical or early clinical stage. This is the stage where companies will be seeking to enhance their pipelines by taking advantage of a new technology that has broad potential applications in clinical research into the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious diseases."

About PDS Biotechnology Corporation and Versamune PDS Biotechnology Corporation is a privately held biotechnology company founded to exploit the newly discovered properties of specific synthetic positively charged (cationic) lipids to commercialize a new generation of immunotherapies and vaccines. The proprietary Versamune platform nanotechnology, when combined with specific cancer-associated molecules, has been demonstrated to lead to increased tumor regression rates compared to leading clinical adjuvants in pre-clinical cancer models (Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, 2008, 57: (4) 517-530). The Versamune nanotechnology presents a giant step forward in the development of the next generation of immunotherapies. PDS Biotechnology Corporations lead products are being developed to treat prevalent cancers such as cervical cancer, head and neck cancer and melanoma. The technology is also being applied to the development of vaccines which are designed to protect against pandemic diseases. Visit http://www.pdsbiotech.com [http://www.pdsbiotech.com/] for more information on Versamune and products in development.

PDS Biotechnology Corporation

Web site: http://www.pdsbiotech.com/

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PDS Biotechnology Corporation Signs Worldwide Licensing Agreement with Merck KGaA for Versamuneâ„¢

Canadian biotechnology developer QLT slashes workforce by two-thirds, CEO to depart

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By The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER - Canadian biotechnology company QLT Inc. is cutting its workforce by two-thirds, leaving it with 68 employees after a downsizing brought in by new leadership following a proxy battle waged by some of its shareholders.

Among those leaving is Robert Butchofsky, who has been QLT's president and chief executive. He has agreed to stay until July 31 as part of the transition.

The Vancouver-based company (TSX:QLT.TO - News) had been one of Canada's most successful biotechnology firms based on its treatment for a common form of age-related blindness.

But sales of Visudyne have fallen and QLT has struggled in recent years to find another commercially successful product.

As a result, QLT's new chairman says the company is cutting 146 of its 214 remaining jobs.

He says the downsizing will reduce QLT's annual operating expenses by $45 million to $50 million in 2013. The downsizing will cost about $14 million to $17 million, mostly for severance and change-of-control payments.

QLT's new board of directors has also authorized a payout of $100 million to its shareholders in a process known as a return of capital.

"To understand why the Board is taking this new direction, it is critical to understand why it was elected and how QLT's previous strategic plan could have put the company in a precarious financial position," QLT chairman Jason Aryeh said in a letter to shareholders publishes Monday.

"Our board was elected by concerned and frustrated shareholders, disquieted that the company's spending and headcount seemed to be inappropriate given the nature of its assets, size and focus."

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PDS Biotechnology Corporation Signs Worldwide Licensing Agreement with Merck KGaA for Versamune(TM)

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LAWRENCEBURG, Ind., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- PDS Biotechnology Corporation announced today that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, for use of PDS Biotechnology's novel Versamune(TM) nanotechnology platform in two of Merck's investigational antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies currently in pre-clinical development. Merck obtains the rights to utilize the technology with two investigational antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies which are in pre-clinical development.

Under the terms of the licensing agreement, PDS Biotechnology Corporation will receive an undisclosed upfront payment in cash, as well as development milestone payments, and commercial and sales milestone payments. PDS Biotechnology Corporation will also receive royalties on sales of the products incorporating the technology.

Dr. Frank Bedu-Addo, Chief Executive of PDS Biotechnology Corporation said, "We are very pleased that Merck which is experienced in the clinical development of cancer immunotherapies would like to utilize the Versamune(TM) technology. For PDS Biotechnology Corporation, this deal is important since the company's business strategy is focused on a few strategic out-licensing or partnering deals at a preclinical or early clinical stage. This is the stage where companies will be seeking to enhance their pipelines by taking advantage of a new technology that has broad potential applications in clinical research into the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious diseases."

About PDS Biotechnology Corporation and Versamune(TM)

PDS Biotechnology Corporation is a privately held biotechnology company founded to exploit the newly discovered properties of specific synthetic positively charged (cationic) lipids to commercialize a new generation of immunotherapies and vaccines. The proprietary Versamune(TM) platform nanotechnology, when combined with specific cancer-associated molecules, has been demonstrated to lead to increased tumor regression rates compared to leading clinical adjuvants in pre-clinical cancer models (Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, 2008, 57: (4) 517-530). The Versamune(TM) nanotechnology presents a giant step forward in the development of the next generation of immunotherapies. PDS Biotechnology Corporation's lead products are being developed to treat prevalent cancers such as cervical cancer, head and neck cancer and melanoma. The technology is also being applied to the development of vaccines which are designed to protect against pandemic diseases. Visit http://www.pdsbiotech.com for more information on Versamune(TM) and products in development.

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PDS Biotechnology Corporation Signs Worldwide Licensing Agreement with Merck KGaA for Versamune(TM)

PDS Biotechnology Corporation Signs Worldwide Licensing Agreement with Merck KGaA for Versamune™

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LAWRENCEBURG, Ind., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --PDS Biotechnology Corporation announced today that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, for use of PDS Biotechnology's novel Versamune nanotechnology platform in two of Merck's investigational antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies currently in pre-clinical development. Merck obtains the rights to utilize the technology with two investigational antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies which are in pre-clinical development.

Under the terms of the licensing agreement, PDS Biotechnology Corporation will receive an undisclosed upfront payment in cash, as well as development milestone payments, and commercial and sales milestone payments. PDS Biotechnology Corporation will also receive royalties on sales of the products incorporating the technology.

Dr. Frank Bedu-Addo, Chief Executive of PDS Biotechnology Corporation said, "We are very pleased that Merck which is experienced in the clinical development of cancer immunotherapies would like to utilize the Versamune technology. For PDS Biotechnology Corporation, this deal is important since the company's business strategy is focused on a few strategic out-licensing or partnering deals at a preclinical or early clinical stage. This is the stage where companies will be seeking to enhance their pipelines by taking advantage of a new technology that has broad potential applications in clinical research into the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious diseases."

About PDS Biotechnology Corporation and VersamunePDS Biotechnology Corporation is a privately held biotechnology company founded to exploit the newly discovered properties of specific synthetic positively charged (cationic) lipids to commercialize a new generation of immunotherapies and vaccines. The proprietary Versamune platform nanotechnology, when combined with specific cancer-associated molecules, has been demonstrated to lead to increased tumor regression rates compared to leading clinical adjuvants in pre-clinical cancer models (Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, 2008, 57: (4) 517-530). The Versamune nanotechnology presents a giant step forward in the development of the next generation of immunotherapies. PDS Biotechnology Corporation's lead products are being developed to treat prevalent cancers such as cervical cancer, head and neck cancer and melanoma. The technology is also being applied to the development of vaccines which are designed to protect against pandemic diseases. Visit http://www.pdsbiotech.com for more information on Versamune and products in development.

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PDS Biotechnology Corporation Signs Worldwide Licensing Agreement with Merck KGaA for Versamune™

Like humans bacteria remember (if only for 4 seconds), says researcher

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The bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) has a rudimentary molecular "memory" that allows it to swim toward the richest sources of food. MU biochemistry professor Gerald Hazelbauer's continuing discoveries about how bacteria do this could shed light on human and animal sensory, memory and response systems.

"My doctoral work was with Julius Adler, the first scientist to study the molecules behind bacterial behavior. His work led to the discovery that bacteria have a molecular 'memory' system that allows them to 'remember' the past, compare it to the present and thus move toward the area that is most favorable," Hazelbauer said. "When I began my work as a researcher in the late 1960s, studying bacterial behavior was a curiosity and its significance unclear. Now, decades later, the research done by my group and others has grown into a body of knowledge about the fundamental processes used by all living things to recognize, remember and respond to changes in their environments."

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) recently recognized and rewarded Hazelbauer's scientific contributions by granting him a "Method to Extend Research in Time" (MERIT) Award. The award, which is worth at least $5.5 million over 10 years, will allow him to continue his research without re-applying for funding. Hazelbauer joins only 11 other MU researchers who have received the MERIT award, including his wife, Linda Randall, who is also a biochemistry professor.

MERIT awards are intended to foster creativity and allow researchers to take more time to develop new techniques. The awards are given only to scientists who have proven themselves by succeeding in at least 10 years of previous NIGMS-funded research and who seem likely to continue making valuable contributions to their field.

Hazelbauer is professor and chair/director of biochemistry, a department/division jointly administered by the University of Missouri's School of Medicine and College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Linda Randall is the Wurdack Professor of Biological Chemistry in that unit.

Provided by University of Missouri-Columbia

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Like humans bacteria remember (if only for 4 seconds), says researcher

Sara Ramirez, 'Grey's Anatomy' Star, Is Married! (EXCLUSIVE)

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"Grey's Anatomy" star Sara Ramirez is married!

A rep for the 36-year-old Mexican actress confirms that Sara tied the knot on July 4th.

"On July 4th 2012, after a year-long engagement, Sara Ramirez and Ryan Debolt were married in an intimate ceremony in New York. The private event was attended by close family and friends," the rep wrote in an email to The Huffington Post.

Last June, Ryan got down on one knee and popped the question to Sara in Paris, France.

At the time, witnesses described the romantic exchange that took place when Ryan proposed. "Her boyfriend came next to her and kneeled," a witness said. "He opened a case, and we just heard her saying, 'Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God,' and seconds later, a really big 'Yes!'"

Then Sara gave Ryan a big hug. "She looked several times at her ring," the onlooker added.

Congratulations to Sara and Ryan!!!!

LATINO CELEBS ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

Cuban born actor, Andy Garcia earned his star in The Hollywood Walk fo Fame in 1995. Garcia earned an Oscar nomination for his role in "The Godfather Part III" and a Grammy as producer of "Ahora Si" by Israel "Cachao" Lopez. More recently he played the role of Terry Benedict, the casino mogul, in "Ocean's Eleven" and it's following sequels. Garcia will appear in the movie "Hemingway and Fuentes", which will be released in 2012, in the role of Gregorio Fuentes.

Aguilera, who's father is originally from Ecuador, was awarded a star in The Hollywood Walk fo Fame in 2010. In 1999 she had three number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100--"Genie in a Bottle", "What a Girl Wants", and "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)."

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Sara Ramirez, 'Grey's Anatomy' Star, Is Married! (EXCLUSIVE)

The trials of Andre Davis: how DNA stopped an innocent life being completely stolen

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Andre Davis, right, is hugs his father Richard Davis inside the Tamms Correctional Centre. Photo: AP

Andre Davis spent 32 years behind bars as an innocent man before DNA evidence overturned his life sentence. He was only 19 when he was wrongfully convicted of raping and murdering three-year-old Brianna Stickle in 1980.

Now 50, Mr Davis walked out of Tamms super-maximum security prison in Illinois, USA, last Friday into a radically changed world.

I don't think we had the issues they had in America with the vast separation and the vast number of laboratories that were set up over there, and many of them weren't accredited

Had his legal team not requested in 2004 that blood and semen samples be DNA tested, he might never have been freed. The results proved that Davis could not have committed the crime.

One of 42 convicted men in Illinois who were proven innocent after DNA testing, Mr Davis's case reflects a growing trend in the United States. With support from the Innocence Project and other organisations, DNA testing is being used to re-examine cases where prisoners may be innocent.

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Australia has not experienced a similar ratio of wrongful convictions being overturned after DNA testing and is unlikely to do so in the future, according to a senior NSW forensic expert, who asked not to be identified.

Unlike the US, forensic laboratories in Australia are more heavily regulated and testing standards are higher, he said.

"We run an extremely thorough and accurate system in Australia where laboratories became accredited very early on.

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The trials of Andre Davis: how DNA stopped an innocent life being completely stolen

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Revamped biology Ph.D. program aims to double admissions

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Revamped biology Ph.D. program aims to double admissions

BY ALY BROWN | JULY 09, 2012 6:30 AM

UI Biology Department officials say renovations in the Ph.D. program will better train students for careers in science through collaboration and seminar opportunities.

Josh Weiner, head of the IBIO program and associate professor in the department, said the new program to be implemented in the fall of 2013 will attract students interested in big-picture puzzles in basic biology.

"We are rebooting the grad program," he said. "We compete for students with other institutions and other overlapping UI programs, like the biosciences and interdisciplinary programs. We want to attract the kind of students who are most interested in big issues in basic biology."

Last year, four new students enrolled in the biology Ph.D. program, but Weiner wants to double those admitted. The program has 33 Ph.D. students; Weiner said the program used to house 50 before severe state and Graduate College budget cuts reduced the number.

Weiner said there aren't many departmental graduate programs around anymore, noting many have merged to create interdisciplinary focuses.

A major concentration for IBIO is to encourage collaboration among faculty, students, and various labs in the department.

"There were different 'research areas' in the old biology Ph.D. program," he said. "In IBIO, however, everything is integrated, and while each lab is focused on a smaller set of topics, students will be expected to integrate into the program as a whole."

During the fall semester of their first year, students previously participated in research rotations between three labs for 10 to 11 weeks, but IBIO will allow seven weeks.

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A new avenue to better medicines: metal-peptide complexes

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09.07.2012 - (idw) Ruhr-Universitt Bochum

Researchers at the RUB and from Berkeley have used metal complexes to modify peptide hormones. In the Journal of the American Chemical Society, they report for the first time on the three-dimensional structure of the resulting metal-peptide compounds. With this work, we have laid the molecular foundation for the development of better medicines says Prof. Raphael Stoll from the Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Ruhr-University. The team examined hormones that influence the sensation of pain and tumour growth. Bochum, 9.7.2012 No. 237

A new avenue to better medicines Selectively modifying hormones and using them as medicinal substances German-American research team produces metal-peptide complexes

Researchers at the RUB and from Berkeley have used metal complexes to modify peptide hormones. In the Journal of the American Chemical Society, they report for the first time on the three-dimensional structure of the resulting metal-peptide compounds. With this work, we have laid the molecular foundation for the development of better medicines says Prof. Raphael Stoll from the Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Ruhr-University. The team examined hormones that influence the sensation of pain and tumour growth.

Peptide hormones have many functions in the body

Hormones consisting of amino acids, the peptide hormones, convey bodily sensations such as pain and hunger, but also transmit growth signals. One example of this is insulin, which is important for the control of blood sugar levels. In interaction with specific receptors, the G-protein-coupled receptors, peptide hormones transport their messages to the cells. The hormones can be specifically chemically modified so that their effect changes, for example pain tolerance is lowered, or tumour growth inhibited. The German-Californian group of researchers has now found a new way to modify peptide hormones.

Metal complexes react with various peptide hormones

The first time they used a metal complex, namely, a rhodium compound, which reacts with the amino acid tyrosine. The precious metal rhodium is used as a catalyst in the synthesis of highly complex medicinal substances in the research laboratory as well as in industrial plants. Among other things, the researchers analysed the peptide hormone encephalin, which is important for the sensation of pain, and octreotide. The latter is a synthetic derivative of the growth hormone somatostatin, approved as a medicinal substance and already used in the treatment of certain tumours. The reaction with the metal complex was highly selective. Although the hormones consist of hundreds of atoms, the rhodium compound was always coordinated by the carbon ring of the tyrosine - the phenol ring.

The team also clarified the structure of the resulting metal-peptide complexes. We hope to develop other metal-containing, peptide-like substances by building on these basic studies says Prof. Dr. Nils-Metzler-Nolte of the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry I. These could modulate the effect of naturally occurring peptide hormones and, for example, be used as a novel remedy for pain or cancer. For the project, the Californian colleagues made their knowledge of the special reactivity of the rhodium compound available. The researchers in Bochum contributed their experience with metal-peptides, the corresponding receptors and the structural analysis of biological macromolecules. This again demonstrates that cutting-edge competitive research can only be carried out efficiently within a research association, says Prof. Stoll. The German Research Foundation (SFB 642 and Research Unit 630) and the Research Department for Interfacial Systems Chemistry at RUB supported the work.

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A new avenue to better medicines: metal-peptide complexes

Heist in medicine stores

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Seven armed youths on Sunday looted Rs 6 lakh from two wholesale medicine stores on Govind Mitra Road in daylight, sending chill down the spine of druggists.

The gang of seven split into two groups and raided the shops Ambika Agency and Kalyani Pharma in Prafulla Commercial Complex between 1pm and 1.15pm. The team of four pocketed Rs 4.5 lakh at Ambika Agency. The other looted Rs 1.5 lakh at Kalyani Pharma. Both the teams left the shops warning their owners and employees of dire consequences if they raised an alarm. The youths walked out of the two shops pulling their shutters down and fled on two-wheelers parked a little distance away. The operation lasted about 20 minutes.

According to sources, the gang members were aged between 18 and 20 years. Besides desi katta (countrymade firearms), they wielded sharp-edged traditional weapons.

Manish Kumar Makharia, the owner of Kalyani Pharma, said: Normally my shop remains closed on Sunday. But I kept the store open today because internal audit was to be carried out. I had prior appointment with a charted accountant for filing the income tax return on time.

Manish said before he or his employees could react, the operation was over. They (criminals) all were carrying arms. The money that the criminals took away from my shops locker could not be deposited in the bank because transactions are not carried out after noon on Saturdays, Manoj told the police.

Rajesh Kumar Munka, the owner of Ambika Agency, said the youths had covered their forehead with a piece of cloth (handkerchief) like professional criminals.

Woh professional ki tarah lag rahe the (They appeared to be professional criminals), he added.

Pirbhore police station house officer (SHO) Rahmat Ali said cops rushed to the spot immediately after getting information about the incident. The entire operation has been recorded in the CCTV installed in one of the two shops, he said, adding that the identity of the criminals would be ascertained with the help of the video footage.

The officer said both the shops are located at a distance from the main Ashok Rajpath. How did the criminals come to know that the shops were open today is a matter of investigation, he said.

The SHO did not rule out the involvement of people of the area in the crime. I saw one of the criminals wearing chappals (slippers) in the video footage, he added.

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Heist in medicine stores