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UNMC Develops Library for Researchers of Staph Infections

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Newswise Through the creation of a library of more than 2,000 mutant strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, the University of Nebraska Medical Center has provided an important tool for scientists around the world seeking answers for how to better deal with staph infections.

The project detailed in the Feb. 12 issue of mBio, the journal of the American Society for Microbiology was spearheaded by Paul Fey, Ph.D., first author, and Ken Bayles, Ph.D., senior author.

Dr. Fey is professor, pathology and microbiology, and medical director of clinical microbiology. Dr. Bayles is associate vice chancellor for basic science research and director of the UNMC Center for Staphylococcal Research.

Developed over the past four years, the library of mutant staph bacteria is essential in allowing scientists to better understand how staph genes cause infections. It also is critical in helping pharmaceutical companies develop new drugs to combat staph infections.

The mutant strains have been deposited in the Network on Antimicrobial Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus (NARSA), a repository funded by the National Institutes of Health. There is no cost for scientists to acquire these mutant strains.

NARSA has already provided nearly 2,600 mutant strains to scientists from 85 different laboratories and 12 countries. The entire library has been sent to 20 different labs around the world including labs in Germany, Switzerland, China, Ireland and England.

Based on the high usage, its clearly making a difference to the scientific community, Dr. Fey said. This was a significant undertaking, so its rewarding to see that other investigators appreciate what we have done.

Dr. Fey said it often takes several months for scientists to develop a single mutant strain. Having access to the library of mutant strains saves them a lot of time and work, and it allows for rapid hypothesis generation for their research, he said.

To complement the library of mutant strains, Jeffrey Bose, Ph.D., a fellow in pathology and microbiology, created a variety of genetic tools to help investigators better utilize the library. His work will be featured next month in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Dr. Fey also cited Robert Boissy, Ph.D., internal medicine administration, for providing his biomedical informatics expertise in the analysis of the genetic data. Three research techs Jennifer Endres, Vijaya Kumar Yajjala and Todd Widhelm also were involved on the project.

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American Academy of Microbiology releases resistance report

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Public release date: 7-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Garth Hogan ghogan@asmusa.org 202-942-9389 American Society for Microbiology

What do cancer cells, weeds, and pathogens have in common? They all evolve resistance to the treatments that are supposed to eliminate them. However, researchers developing the next generation of antibiotics, herbicides, and anti-cancer therapeutics rarely come together to explore the common evolutionary principles at work across their different biological systems. The new American Academy of Microbiology report "Moving Targets: Fighting Resistance in Infections, Pests, and Cancer" concludes that scientists working on different kinds of treatments have much to learn from each other. Applying lessons learned about the evolution of resistance in different biological systems during the earliest stages of drug and pesticide design could lead to more effective treatments for patients, farmers, and public health organizations.

Do you think the oncologists at a cutting-edge research hospital ever sit down with local farmers? Do you think the pharmaceutical researchers developing the next generation of anti-HIV drugs spend any time with the plant scientists working on the next generation of Roundup Ready soybeans? If your answer to both questions is no, you would be mostly right. Even though all of these people are dealing with exactly the same evolutionary phenomena, they do not recognize themselves as a single scientific community and rarely get a chance to learn from each other. What they all have in common is that they are trying to eliminate an unwanted living entity but the treatments they develop eventually lose effectiveness because the target evolves resistance.

The emergence of resistance is a phenomenon with ancient evolutionary roots, although the human role in triggering resistance was little appreciated before the advent of widespread antibiotic and pesticide use in the 1950s. In Silent Spring, the prescient Rachel Carson wrote in 1962 that "by their very nature chemical controls are self-defeating, for they have been devised and applied without taking into account the complex biological systems against which they have been blindly hurled." Sadly, in the fifty years since Silent Spring was published, biologists, doctors, and farmers continue to be plagued with resistance evolution by the species they seek to control. This phenomenon is witnessed in medicine in the emergence of antibiotic resistance and when tumors become intractable to standard anti-cancer medications, in agriculture when insecticides and herbicides lose effectiveness, and in public health when disease-carrying insects develop resistance to control strategies. The report "Moving Targets: Fighting Resistance in Infections, Pests, and Cancer" makes clear that a multi-disciplinary approach to the phenomenon of resistance can be very powerful.

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A PDF of Moving Targets can be found here: http://bit.ly/XV0NSu.

The American Academy of Microbiology is the honorific leadership group of the American Society of Microbiology. The mission of the Academy is to recognize scientific excellence, as well as foster knowledge and understanding in the microbiological sciences. A full list of Academy colloquia reports can be found at http://academy.asm.org/colloquia. For more information about the American Society for Microbiology, visit http://www.asm.org.

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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Food Micro, Sixth Edition – Food Microbiology Testing in Europe

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DUBLIN, March 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Food Micro, Sixth Edition - Food Microbiology Testing in Europe" report to their offering.

Food Micro, Sixth Edition: Food Microbiology Testing in Europe

(Food Micro6) is the first definitive report to focus exclusively on the European food microbiology testing market. Food Micro6 reviews the methods, technologies, companies, regulations and trends shaping food safety testing in Europe. Europe is a substantial market for food microbiology testing. With a population of over 500 million, the 27 countries of the European Union (EU) conducted an estimated 275 million food safety microbiology tests in 2011. In comparison, there were 213 million tests conducted in the US in 2010.

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In addition to size, the European food safety testing market differs from the US market in areas such as methods used, organisms tested and regulations. As a result, Europe must be examined and understood as a separate entity as it relates to food microbiology testing, and not simply thought of and treated as like the US. Food Micro6 tracks, analyzes and reports on the distinct and important EU food microbiology testing market.

According to Tom Weschler, president of Strategic Consulting and lead author of Food Micro6, Food safety microbiology testing in the EU will reach close to 350 million tests in 2016, at which point we expect the market to top $1 billion in value. A resurgence in public awareness in the wake of the 2011 E.coli outbreak in Germany, and the continued focus of the European Food Safety Authority on EU-wide systems, could drive test volumes even higher.

In preparing this new and comprehensive review of the European food microbiology testing market, Strategic Consulting (SCI) conducted more than 175 detailed interviews in 11 European countries accounting for 77% of all agricultural/food value-added in the European Union.

Because SCI conducted primary research with food-processing plants in Europe, Food Micro6 is able to offer new, detailed data on European food safety testing such as test volumes, methods used for routine and pathogen testing, and costs per test performed. Differences in testing practices are analyzed for the meat, dairy, fruits/vegetables, and processed food segments. Variations within countries are outlined, and expected changes in future testing practices are discussed.

Food Micro6 incorporates:

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Food Micro, Sixth Edition - Food Microbiology Testing in Europe

Food Micro-Fifth Edition: Microbiology Testing in the US Food Industry

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DUBLIN, March 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Food MicroFifth Edition: Microbiology Testing in the US Food Industry " report to their offering.

Food Microbiology Testing Shows Healthy Growth

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New regulations and public demand for safe food fuel growth in testing volume in the food processing industry and competition among industrial diagnostics companies. Woodstock, VT Industrial diagnostic companies competing in the food sector will continue to face exciting but turbulent times in the coming few years, according to a new report from Strategic Consulting, Inc., a leading knowledge resource for the industrial diagnostics industry.

This new report, "Food MicroFifth Edition: Microbiology Testing in the US Food Industry, tracks changes to microbiology testing practices as the U.S. food industry strives to produce safe and wholesome foods in an increasingly global market. According to the report, new regulatory requirements and heightened public concern about food safety issues have increased concern and testing in the food sector: In 2010, 213.2 million microbiology tests were collected in the US food processing industry, a 14.4% increase since 2008.

After a decade of solid but quiet growth, the microbiology testing requirements of the food processing industry have been thrust into the public spotlight again, driving healthy growth in food diagnostic testing, says Thomas Weschler, president of SCI and lead author of Food Micro5. Given the opportunities in this market, strong industrial diagnostic companies prone to action should do well, he says.

Food Micro5 examines the market, methods, technologies and key companies involved in microbiology testing in the food processing industry.

Primary research was conducted with more than 100 food processing plants producing a broad range of products in the meat, dairy, fruit/vegetable, and processed food segments. SCI also contacted many of the senior quality and food safety officers at the top-30 food companies in order to include both the strategic and the operational perspective on the U.S. food processing industry.

TVO, Coliform/E. coli, Yeast/Mold, and Staphylococcus are the routine microbiology tests that are generally used in the food processing industry as indicators of microorganisms in the plant or food product. The test volume for routine/indicator organisms went up by just over 10% between 2008 and 2010. During that same two-year period, however, testing for specific pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and E. coli O157 increased by more than 30%.

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Food Micro-Fifth Edition: Microbiology Testing in the US Food Industry

Now buy best quality MIG Welders at standard prices at Longevity Global Inc.

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Longevity Global Inc., USAs pioneer supplier of welders and plasma cutters is known for providing customers with the best quality welding equipment at competitive prices. It has recently announced discounts on MigWeld 303P which are now being sold at $1899 with a considerable discount of $100.

Hayward, Ca (PRWEB) March 06, 2013

MIG welding stands for Metal Inert Gas Welding, a process developed in the 1940s, is semi-automated and popular a lot. As it is semi-automated a welder still requires skill; however, this welding machine will continuously keep filling the joint being welded.

A spokesperson for Longevity Global Inc. states, MigWeld 303P Pulse MIG welder is the latest in the LONGEVITY IGBT MIG welder line. This machine is newly designed for industrial welding applications. With a new and improved internal wire feed system and spool gun compatibility, The MigWeld 303P competes with top model MIG welders in the industry.

This MIG welder requires 3 Phase 220V power supply which can be found in most industrial applications or generators. This MIG welder comes with full amperage and speed adjustments for faster or slower hand speeds on thicker or thinner material! This MIG welder is also equipped with full pulse amperage settings with complete adjustment for better quality welds, he added further.

Through innovation, experience, and engineering, they at Longevity provide customer with affordable and reliable welding machines in all ranges of production from the garage users, to pipe welders. Thus, helping out clients buy fine quality welding equipment, Longevity Global Inc is a one-stop online shop.

About the Company

Longevity Global Inc is recognized worldwide for providing reliable welding, cutting, and power generating equipment. Since their inception 2001, it has earned slogan, "The Power to Last" through innovation, customer satisfaction, and industry leading production. The organization constantly strives to provide global dealers, distributors, and users with the most innovative welding and cutting machines in the market. Their engineering team works together with their dealers and customers to develop the best equipment in the market.

To know more visit: http://www.longevity-inc.com/

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Now buy best quality MIG Welders at standard prices at Longevity Global Inc.

Longevity Global Inc now introduces Low-priced Silent Diesel Generators and Gasoline Generators

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LONGEVITY Global Inc. has now introduced silent diesel generators as well as gasoline powered, propane powered, and natural gas powered generators at lower costs.

Hayward, CA (PRWEB) March 08, 2013

Diesel generator sets from the company are the epitome of rugged dependability and reliable mechanical and electrical performance. These are also well suited for utility peaking plants, Distributed Generation (DG) facilities, peak shaving (or peak lopping), and power management at large commercial or industrial sites, etc. amongst others.

Spokesperson for Longevity Global Inc states, Our diesel generators are more efficient because these are powered by our top direct fuel injected diesel engine. Our diesel engines offer twice the compression of ordinary gasoline engines found in generators, and consume less diesel, resulting in a longer operating life and more efficient productivity. Diesel fuel is also less volatile in comparison to gasoline making it much safer to store and use.

Silent diesel generators from the company come with features such as full power panel with engine shut off switch, hour meter, voltage selector, etc. amongst others. The idle control feature of this generator saves fuel and reduces noise.

Nonetheless, Gasoline generators they offer are compact and available for various power output and size and can be moved from one place to another. They are not only used for home, but also for site jobs and other situations.

About the Company

Longevity Global Inc is recognized worldwide for providing reliable welding, cutting, and power generating equipment. Since their inception 2001, it has earned slogan, "The Power to Last" through innovation, customer satisfaction, and industry leading production. The organization constantly strives to provide global dealers, distributors, and users with the most innovative welding and cutting machines in the market. Their engineering team works together with their dealers and customers to develop the best equipment in the market.

To know more visit: http://www.longevity-inc.com/

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Longevity Global Inc now introduces Low-priced Silent Diesel Generators and Gasoline Generators

Biology students place top at Mammalogists meeting

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Two ASU biology students won top prizes for their research presentations at the annual meeting of the Texas Society of Mammalogists held at Texas Tech University Feb. 15 17.

Senior Malorri Hughes won the Vernon Bailey Award and a $400 honorarium for best poster presentation in classical mammalogy at the organismal level for her project entitled Prevalence of the Sinus Roundworm, Skrjabingylus chitwoodorum, in Rabies-Negative Texas Skunks (Mephitis mephitis).

Classical Mammalogy at the Organismal Level simply means studying the mammal as a whole, Hughes said. We would study the animals environment, habitat, behavior, ecological niche, etc.

Graduate student Wesley Brashear won the Clyde Jones Award and a $400 honorarium for best poster presentation in studies pertaining to mammalian cytology, evolution, and systematics. Brashears project on bat systematics is entitled Further Evidence for the Basal Divergence of Cheiromeles (Chiroptera: Molossidae).

The Clyde Jones Award is an award given for the best poster presentation in studies pertaining to mammalian cytology; a study of cellular processes, structure and function, evolution and systematicsthe study of the evolutionary relationships of groups of organisms, Brashear said.

Using a DNA sequencer, Brashear discovered that a rather unique Malaysian species of bat called the Naked Bulldog is the oldest species of bat in the Basal Divergence of Cherinomeles, or the Chiropetra Molossidae.

18 ASU undergraduate and graduate students attended the TSM meeting, including Krysta Demere, who presented a research poster entitled Investigation of Bat Populations and Activity in Northern Tom Green and Southwestern Coke Counties.

Hughes research over rabid skunks proved to be particularly interesting for Dr. Robert Dowler, who became her mentor.

Hughes mentor, Dr. Robert Dowler, assisted Hughes with her project.

Dr. Dowler salvages the heads of rabies-negative skunks from the Texas Department of State Health Services, and eventually they are added to the Angelo State Natural History Collection, Hughes said.

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Biology students place top at Mammalogists meeting

UTSW molecular biologist Olson wins March of Dimes developmental biology prize

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Public release date: 8-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Deborah Wormser deborah.wormser@utsouthwestern.edu 214-648-3404 UT Southwestern Medical Center

DALLAS March 8, 2013 Dr. Eric Olson, chairman of molecular biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, is the 2013 recipient of the March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology for identifying key genetic pathways in the formation of the heart and other muscles.

His work is credited with forging new insights into heart development and regeneration that could lead to novel treatments for heart disease and muscle dysfunction. Several drugs based on his research are currently under study.

Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, senior vice president for research and global programs for the March of Dimes, said about 1 percent of newborns have heart abnormalities that occur during development.

"Dr. Olson's work has portrayed a detailed genetic model for heart development that provides a framework for how these genes function in normal and abnormal heart development. His work will surely lead to new ways to treat and prevent cardiac defects in infants as well as in adults," Dr. Simpson said.

Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, president of UT Southwestern, said, "Dr. Olson's studies have led to profound insights into cardiac development and advanced our understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying altered cardiovascular function in disease. His work represents the very best in our faculty's efforts to pursue discoveries that can ultimately lead to better prevention and treatment of serious heart disease."

Dr. Olson joined the UTSW faculty in 1995 as chair of the then-newly formed Department of Molecular Biology. Dr. Olson, who earned his doctorate in biochemistry at Wake Forest University's Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1981, was recruited from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

At UT Southwestern, Dr. Olson also directs the Nancy B. and Jake L. Hamon Center for Basic Research in Cancer. "I have been especially fortunate to work with an amazing group of colleagues at UT Southwestern, who made this award possible," Dr. Olson said. "Given that congenital heart disease is the most common human birth defect, I am also grateful that our work on heart development and disease was recognized on the 75th anniversary of the March of Dimes."

An elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Olson has garnered numerous awards and honors, including the 2012 Passano Award and the Institut de France's prestigious Lefoulon-Delalande Foundation Grand Prize for Science from the French Academy of Sciences in 2009. He also has won the Pollin Prize for Pediatric Research, the Pasarow Award in Cardiovascular Medicine, the Outstanding Investigator Award from the International Society for Heart Research, and an inaugural Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Heart Association. He was awarded the AHA's National Research Achievement Award for work that the organization described as having "redrawn battle lines in the fight against heart disease."

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UTSW molecular biologist Olson wins March of Dimes developmental biology prize

Researcher claims anti – aging breakthrough

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An Australian researcher claims that drugs formulated to combat aging may be available within five years.

According to Professor David Sinclair, from UNSW Medicine, who is based at Harvard University, the treatment is capable of targeting a single anti-aging enzyme in the body - with the potential to prevent age-related diseases and extend lifespans.

Indeed, a recent research paper published by Sinclair in the March 8 of Science illustrates all of the 117 drugs tested work on the single enzyme through a common mechanism. Meaning, a whole new class of anti-aging drugs is now viable, which could ultimately help to prevent cancer, Alzheimers disease and type 2 diabetes.

"Ultimately, these drugs would treat one disease, but unlike drugs of today, they would prevent 20 others," explained Sinclair. "In effect, they would slow aging."

The target enzyme, SIRT1, is switched on naturally by calorie restriction and exercise, but can also be enhanced through activators. The most common naturally-occurring activator is resveratrol, which is found in small quantities in red wine, but synthetic activators with much stronger activity are already being developed.

Although research surrounding resveratrol has been going for a decade, until now the basic science had been contested. Despite this, there have already been promising results in some trials with implications for cancer, cardiovascular disease and cardiac failure, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases, fatty liver disease, cataracts, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, sleep disorders and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, arthritis and colitis.

"In the history of pharmaceuticals, there has never been a drug that tweaks an enzyme to make it run faster. Our drugs can mimic the benefits of diet and exercise, but there is no impact on weight," said Sinclair. "[As such], the first therapeutic to be marketed will [likely] be for diabetes.

To be sure, there have been limited trials in people with type 2 diabetes and the skin inflammatory disease, psoriasis. There were benefits to the metabolism in the first group and a reduction in skin redness in the second.

The drugs can be administered orally, or topically. So far, there have been no drugs developed targeting ageing skin, but one major skin care range has developed a cream with resveratrol in it.

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Researcher claims anti - aging breakthrough

Anti – aging drug breakthrough

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Mar. 8, 2013 Drugs that combat aging may be available within five years, following landmark work led by an Australian researcher.

The work, published in the March 8 issue of Science, finally proves that a single anti-aging enzyme in the body can be targeted, with the potential to prevent age-related diseases and extend lifespans.

The paper shows all of the 117 drugs tested work on the single enzyme through a common mechanism. This means that a whole new class of anti-aging drugs is now viable, which could ultimately prevent cancer, Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes.

"Ultimately, these drugs would treat one disease, but unlike drugs of today, they would prevent 20 others," says the lead author of the paper, Professor David Sinclair, from UNSW Medicine, who is based at Harvard University. "In effect, they would slow aging."

The target enzyme, SIRT1, is switched on naturally by calorie restriction and exercise, but it can also be enhanced through activators. The most common naturally-occurring activator is resveratrol, which is found in small quantities in red wine, but synthetic activators with much stronger activity are already being developed.

Although research surrounding resveratrol has been going for a decade, until now the basic science had been contested. Despite this, there have already been promising results in some trials with implications for cancer, cardiovascular disease and cardiac failure, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, fatty liver disease, cataracts, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, sleep disorders and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, arthritis and colitis (inflammatory bowel disease).

"In the history of pharmaceuticals, there has never been a drug that tweaks an enzyme to make it run faster," says Professor Sinclair, a geneticist with the Department of Pharmacology at UNSW.

The technology was sold to pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline in 2008[i]. Four thousand synthetic activators, which are 100 times as potent as a single glass of red wine, have been developed -- the best three are in human trials.

"Our drugs can mimic the benefits of diet and exercise, but there is no impact on weight," says Professor Sinclair, who suggests the first therapeutic to be marketed will be for diabetes.

There have been limited trials in people with type 2 diabetes and the skin inflammatory disease, psoriasis. There were benefits to the metabolism in the first group and a reduction in skin redness in the second.

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Anti - aging drug breakthrough

Windsor High School biology teacher Tammie Pennington nominated for prestigious award

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JOSHUA POLSON/jpolson@greeleytribune.com Tammie Pennington, a biology teacher at Windsor High School, watches as Garrett Graff, 15, starts an experiment Friday afternoon at Windor High School. Pennington was watched by four scholars who critiqued her teaching skills for the biology teacher of the year in Colorado.

JOSHUA POLSON/jpolson@greeleytribune.com Tammie Pennington, right, a biology teacher at Windsor High School, watches as Maddie Singleton, 15, prepares lab equipment during class Friday afternoon at Windsor High School. Pennington is currently in the running for biology teacher of year in Colorado.

WINDSOR Tammie Pennington is a rock star in the classroom just ask her students. Pennington, 44, a Windsor High School biology teacher, even makes biology fun for students who dont particularly like it. Carson Barnhart, a 15-year-old sophomore in Penningtons pre-Advanced Placement biology class, admits science isnt on the top of her list of favorites. Science isnt really my thing, but I definitely get it, Barnhart said. Shes a great teacher, and we have a lot of fun. Theres a lot of hands-on, and I really like the hands-on thing. In the classroom, shes really relaxed, and shes

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Windsor High School biology teacher Tammie Pennington nominated for prestigious award

BioBricks founder on his shift from computer science to synthetic biology

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Tom Knight, founding director of BioBricks, was pulled away from computer science and into synthetic biology after becoming fascinated by cell division and data storage.

Speaking at the Economist's Technology Frontiers conference, he explained how he used to work in computer science, exploring artificial intelligence, integrated circuit design and programming around the time when the web was emerging. However 15-20 years ago, he decided that "biology would be the next important thing that would change the world as we know it".

Knight was inspired by seeing cell division of bacteria through transmission electron microscopy, a property of living systems which "from the standpoint of an engineer like myself is rather surprising and remarkable". He added: "There are some profound implications. We don't have physical objects that we engineer that reproduce themselves. OK, so maybe computer viruses, but physical objects such as buildings and microprocessors don't have the property that they reproduce themselves."

In addition to this reproduction, Knight was fascinated by the storage capacity of cells. E Coli, for example, has around four million base pairs of DNA. "That's one megabyte of information stored in a region of a micron in each dimension."

"That storage density is somewhere in the vicinity of 10^7 or 10^8 times higher than the very best disk drives, USB sticks or any other semi conductor technology we can build today. That's another reason why a computer jerk like me should be interested in cells. I can store more information that way than with any of the technology I have available," Knight said.

He added that he was also fascinated by catabolism and anabolism -- biochemical processes that take place in living organisms, building things up and breaking them down, to maintain life. He draws parallels between anabolic processes and manufacturing, drawing on a finite core of building materials and referring to a "blueprint" to create things. "Biology does this in an incredibly precise way; in a way that allows us to specify with the genome exactly what's going to be produced."

"We have very little ability to put atoms exactly where we want them. Semiconductor engineers don't get to put atoms where we want them. Biology puts every atom in the place it wants with precise control. We can use that as a very powerful manufacturing technology."

This line of thinking led him to the development of BioBricks -- genetic sequences which have been standardised like electronic components. These Lego-like BioBricks have various functions and can be plugged into each other to create entirely new biological systems in microorganisms. As explained in our article from September 2012, BioBricks can be used to transform bacteria into machines for sensing and degrading pollutants. One tool measures arsenic levels in water -- you add the bacteria to a bottle wait over night and "if it turns red, you have a problem". This replaces the need for expensive laboratory tests.

So far 10,000 of these BIoBricks have been standardised. You can find out more at BioBricks.org.

Don't miss: Synthetic biologists build Lego-style BioBricks in public lab

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BioBricks founder on his shift from computer science to synthetic biology

MIT professor speaks at 13th annual Shine Lecture

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The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted the 13th annual Henry J. Shine Lecture, coinciding with Shines 90th birthday celebration in the Chemistry building at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The event started with an introduction by Carol Korzeniewski, chairwoman of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and was followed by an introduction about Shine by Interim President Lawrence Schovanec. Guigen Li, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, gave the guest speaker introduction.

Its an endowed lectureship, Korzeniewski said. It was endowed by the friends, and colleagues of Professor Shine, friends, colleagues and former students.

The reason for the continuation of the lecture series, she said, was because the series brings distinguished researchers from around the world to Tech to interact with students and discuss science.

The event was open to the public, she said, but most of the people who attended were from the chemistry department along with science departments, engineering departments and the Tech Health Sciences Center.

After the lecture, Korseniewski said a Q-and-A session occurred, followed by refreshments and a birthday cake to be presented to Shine in the foyer of the building.

He turned 90 in January, she said. Thats what makes this years lecture special.

A group of faculty specializing in organic chemistry selected the guest speaker with preparation taking place a year before the event happened, Korzeniewski said.

The speakers are very prominent, often members of the National Academy of Science, she said. Weve had Nobel Laureates.

Li, Korzeniewski said, played an important role in getting the guest speaker to participate in the lecture series.

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MIT professor speaks at 13th annual Shine Lecture

In the Lab: Research roundup

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Following is a list of some of the medical research grants awarded to scientists in the area.

St. Louis University School of Medicine

The scientist Dr. Robert E. Fleming, professor of pediatrics; and biochemistry and molecular biology.

The grant $1.8 million from National Institutes of Health.

The study Examine the role of transferrin in the production of red blood cells and iron metabolism, as a possible treatment for thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, and other iron overload diseases.

The scientist Yuna Ayala, assistant research professor of biochemistry and molecular biology.

The grant $617,181 from National Institutes of Health.

The study Reveal the basic mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS and dementia, that would aid in the development of therapies and better diagnostic tools.

Washington University School of Medicine

The scientist Dr. Stuart Sweet, professor of pediatrics.

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In the Lab: Research roundup

Student conducts independent Alzheimer’s research

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A Cal Poly Pomona biochemistry student is working on independent Alzheimers disease research and is trying to secure private funding to further his research.

Reilly Breaux and his research partner, Alex Lopes, who attends MiraCosta College, are working to figure out what happens when different genes associated with Alzheimers are combined rather than isolated.

Alzheimers disease is a form of dementia that causes problems in thinking, memory and behavior that is on the rise in the elderly.

There are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimers disease, according to the Alzheimers Association, a non-profit organization.

[Alzheimers disease] has already been extensively researched, but it cant be measured, said Breaux. Its not quantitative because youre just seeing this person has the gene and this person doesnt, but still sometimes they both get Alzheimers. Its a really tricky thing.

Breaux and Lopes research is also looking at a gene that has to do with swelling of the brain.

Weve actually found another gene that might have been overlooked, which has to do with inflammation of the brain and that can attribute to the build up of [beta amyloid protein], said Breaux.

The build up of the beta amyloid protein has been linked to Alzheimers disease, said Breaux.

Were not only trying to research the combinations, the interactions, of certain genes, but also maybe this other gene, which has to deal with inflammation in the brain, is causing it or helping it, said Breaux.

The idea of combining genes was inspired by another project that Breaux is working on, which is an iPhone application that deals with the interaction of drugs.

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Marta I. Rendon, MD Unanimously Elected President of the Skin of Color Society at the Annual 2013 American Academy of …

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BOCA RATON, Fla., March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Dr. Marta Rendon was unanimously elected as the President of the Skin of Color Society by her medical colleagues at the annual 2013 American Academy of Dermatology meeting.

The Skin of Color Society is a professional dermatologic organization dedicated to promoting awareness of and excellence within a specific area of dermatology. Skin of Color is defined by the Society as individuals who are of Asian, Hispanic/Latino, African, Native American and Pacific Island descent. The Skin of Color Society is committed to the education of health care providers and the general public on dermatologic health issues related to skin of color.

For over 25 years Dr. Rendon has been dedicated to treating various skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, melasma and other unique challenges posed by treating skin of color patients. As a Board and Founding Member of the Skin of Color Society since its inception in 2001, Dr. Rendon, a Board Certified dermatologist of Latin American heritage was a natural choice to lead the organization and further its mission.

Additionally, while attending the AAD annual meeting, Dr. Rendon co-chaired the Women's Dermatologic Society Annual luncheon for a second time. Over 400 people participated in celebrating women in dermatology with a theme of "40 Fabulous Women" in honor of the Women's Dermatology Society's 40th Anniversary. She also trained other Physicians on Dermatological procedures at the AAD "Cosmetic Procedures in Darker Racial Ethnic Groups."

Dr. Rendon has over 25 years of experience in dermatology, aesthetic medicine and research. She is internationally recognized as a renowned authority on cosmetic dermatology, especially in the area of skin pigmentation.

About Dr. Rendon and the Rendon Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine

Dr. Marta Rendon, world-renowned, board-certified dermatologist, is the founder of the Rendon Center for Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine, Boca Raton, FL. The Rendon Center offers services ranging from anti-aging, to cancer removal. Dr. Rendon and her team of world-class, board-certified dermatologists provide unparalleled aesthetic and dermatologic treatment, cutting-edge technology and advanced techniques to provide their patients the best results possible.Contact us today at 561.750.0544 or visit: http://www.drrendon.comto learn more!

Media Contact: Fern Cole: F.Cole@admcorp.com The Rendon Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine Phone: (561) 750-0544 Fax: (561) 750-9873 http://www.drrendon.com

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Marta I. Rendon, MD Unanimously Elected President of the Skin of Color Society at the Annual 2013 American Academy of ...

Blood: the Basics – Physiology – Video

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Blood: the Basics - Physiology
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Blood: the Basics - Physiology - Video

Unbiased Human Anatomy And Physiology Course Review (Home Study System) – Video

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Unbiased Human Anatomy And Physiology Course Review (Home Study System)
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Unbiased Human Anatomy And Physiology Course Review (Home Study System) - Video