Ames, Iowa
November 1, 2007
Iowa State University's Office of Biotechnology has awarded
$460,000 to newly-hired biotechnology faculty members. The new
faculty scientists will use the funds to establish their
research programs at Iowa State.
The six awards were made through the faculty recruitment program
begun by the Office of Biotechnology in 1986. To date, the
office has provided more than $13.3 million to 121 new
scientists in 25 academic departments. By obtaining additional
funds from external granting agencies, these scientists have
brought millions of dollars to Iowa State.
"The Office of Biotechnology is pleased to provide these funds
to help bring outstanding faculty researchers to the
university," said Walter R. Fehr, Charles F. Curtiss
Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and director of the
Office of Biotechnology.
The research projects of this year's six new faculty recipients
are summarized below.
- Thomas Lübberstedt,
agronomy, is using molecular approaches to better understand
complex characteristics such as forage quality, disease
resistance and bioenergy-related traits in crop plants.
These activities aim at development and application of
molecular markers to more efficiently exploit genetic
diversity in breeding new crop varieties. Lübberstedt is in
the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Gaya Amarasinghe;
biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology; is studying
the structural and functional relationships of RNA and
proteins that control how proteins are produced. In
particular, this work is aimed at exploring how viruses can
disrupt a cell's normal protein production. His work could
lead to medical applications, such as structure based drug
design to treat viral infections, and generate new
viral-resistant, genetically engineered crops. Amarasinghe
is conducting his research in the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences.
- Julie Blanchong, natural
resource ecology and management, is working to identify
factors responsible for the transmission and distribution of
disease in wildlife populations. Her research could
contribute to a better understanding of disease transmission
in wildlife populations, as well as the potential for
transmission to livestock and humans. Blanchong is
affiliated with the College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences.
- Steve Carlson, biomedical
sciences, is studying antibiotic resistance and ways that it
might be reversed. His research could lead to renewed
effectiveness of currently obsolete antibiotics to which
bacteria such as Salmonella have developed resistance. He
also is studying the side effects of antibiotics and how
disease pathogens attach to receptor sites in cells. Carlson
conducts his research in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Sinisa Grozdanic,
veterinary clinical sciences, conducts his research in
veterinary ophthalmology. What he learns about eye diseases
such as glaucoma in animals could contribute to new
treatments for similar eye diseases in humans. Grozdanic is
affiliated with the College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Ravindra Singh, biomedical
sciences, is conducting research on alternative splicing, an
essential process that allows synthesis of multiple proteins
from a single gene. The complex process of alternative
splicing is associated with spinal muscular atrophy,
Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and a growing
number of neuronal and mental disorders. Alternative
splicing also has been linked to various forms of cancers,
cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. Singh's
research could lead to a better understanding of these
diseases and provide novel targets for therapies. Singh is
conducting his research in the College of Veterinary
Medicine.
The Office of Biotechnology was
established at Iowa State University in 1984 as part of the
Office of the Vice Provost for Research to offer innovative
programs in biotechnology research, education, outreach and
technology transfer. A Biotechnology Council of leading
biotechnology faculty from the Colleges of Agriculture and Life
Sciences, Engineering, Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and
Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine makes funding and program
recommendations. The Office of Biotechnology has provided $13.3
million to 121 new faculty to help them initiate their research
programs. It has awarded 199 fellowships for outstanding
graduate students. The office operates state-of-the-art
instrumentation facilities that serve on- and off-campus
researchers. The Biotechnology Outreach Education Center of the
Office of Biotechnology trains educators and students throughout
the year, provides free laboratory supplies for K-12 and
extension educators throughout Iowa, and develops innovative new
curricula. The office helps fund a full-time biotechnology
liaison who works with faculty and industry to facilitate
interactions that promote research, economic development and
technology transfer. |
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