Science Market Update

Lab scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and UP's Center for Biologic Imaging have recently published an important paper in the Journal of Cell Science that sheds light on a novel method of interrupting mitosis in a cell by effectively depriving its mitochondria of a key protein. The resulting replication stress means cancer cells are stopped from successfully multiplying. Colorful images of the targeted cells actually show them stuck in anaphase trying to divide and subsequently tearing themselves apart. By identifying a compound that carries out this protein interference and disrupts normal mitochondrial fission, researchers have identified a promising therapeutic avenue for halting cancer growth.

In order for HIV to proliferate and infect new cells in the body, a number of proteins need to interact with each other in just the right way. If they don't, the virus is not able to multiply and spread, and HIV infection cannot develop into full-blown Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It's a case of finding a weak link and exploiting its potential to disrupt an entire supply chain. In the University of Pittsburgh microbiology lab of Dr. Thomas Smithgall, this protein sabotage approach has successfully allowed them to identify a helper molecule that, if compromised, could form the basis of an effective new HIV/AIDS treatment therapy. The paper documenting their research appeared in the January 24 issue of Chemistry & Biology.

The University of Pittsburgh has strong ties with the Pittsburgh Veteran's Administration Medical Center located next door, and those relations are about to be strengthened with the establishment of the UP School of Medicine Center for Military Medicine Research as well as a new research facility under contruction at the VA's University Drive campus (photo right).

You've heard the phrase "a force of nature," but we'd have to say that the University of Pittsburgh is clearly a force of science based on several recent news items: the University ranks in the Top 3 among public institutions of higher learning in the US (according to the NSF); they're in the Top 5 in federally financed research and development expenditures; and they've just had 3 of their faculty scientists elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. Chancellor Mark Nordenberg says of the first honor:

“The rankings emphasize yet again the enormous return on investment the Commonwealth [of Pennsylvania] receives through its support of this public institution while offering additional dramatic proof of the elite universities, both public and private, with which Pitt now keeps company.”

The 225^th Anniversary of the University of Pittsburgh will be celebrated this year. One of their most notable accomplishments was contributing to the launch of the "Biotech Industry". Herbert Boyer, a Pitt PhD graduate helped discover how to cut and transfer individual genes within the DNA molecule and transfer them  from one organism to another.  Boyer eventually founded Genetech, widely considered one of the first successful biotech companies.

Dr. Robert Kormos at the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine has secured $13.3 million in funding from the NIH's Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to carry out a 5-year heart device study in collaboration with researchers at the University of Michigan.  Both the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Michigan's Center for Circulatory Support are leaders in research on and implantation of artificial hearts (also known as mechanical circulatory support devices).