Bioscience

ASU researchers say they have found a way to potentially revolutionize the detection of trace amounts of chemicals, which could improve airport security.

The applications for this technology, which appeared in the March 12 issue of Science magazine, could be far-reaching, potentially including more efficient airport security, environmental data, and analyses of the human body.

Usually the way this is done, called electrochemical detection, is to apply voltage to an electrode, or conductor for a flow of electrical current. Then scientists look for a reaction specific to a particular chemical

Bioscience

Abraxis BioScience, Inc., a fully integrated biotechnology company, today announced updated overall survival findings from a phase I/II study of nab®-paclitaxel given in combination with gemcitabine, demonstrated increased survival of the first-line treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. In 44 patients treated at the recommended dose of 125 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, the median overall survival (OS) time was 12.2 months, a doubling of survival compared to historical control of gemcitabine administered alone.i This combination of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine also resulted in a confirmed overall response rate in 50 percent of patients treated, and a disease control rate  of 68 percent. In the overall study (n=67), three patients achieved a complete response. These findings were discussed during a keynote address by Daniel Von Hoff, M.D., “Epithelium and Stroma: Double Trouble,” during the “Progress in Pancreatic Cancer” session on April 18 at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held in Washington, D.C.

Bioscience

Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio) announced that the Southwest Bioscience Expo 2010 – the annual conference of the Arizona BioIndustry Association – will feature a gubernatorial candidate forum at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson on May 21. To date candidates Terry Goddard, Arizona Attorney General; Dean Martin, Arizona State Treasurer; and John Munger, attorney, have confirmed their attendance.

The daylong event will celebrate the tremendous progress the Arizona bioscience industry has made and continues to make. Despite the recession, Arizona’s bioscience sector continues to grow, and at a rate much faster than the national average.

The event attracts not only those from the biosciences but from law and accounting firms, for profit and non-profit institutions, economic development professionals, educators, investors and others from across the state. The program will feature sessions on entrepreneurship and the interrelationship between science and business. A company showcase, where representatives of early stage companies describe their operations to potential business partners, was over-subscribed, and the presenters have been selected.

Bioscience

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) plans to completely characterize 200 samples from each of 10 tumor types over the next two years and 20 tumor types within five years, attendees at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting heard here yesterday.

As in the pilot stage of the project, Phase II of TCGA will involve sequence, SNP, and copy number analyses for each cancer type, as well as studies of expression, methylation, and small RNA profiles.

To achieve these goals, members of the consortium intend to exploit and expand on the standard operating procedures, infrastructure, and integrated analysis methods designed for the pilot phase of TCGA, National Cancer Institute Deputy Director Anna Barker explained during the session, which featured more than half a dozen TCGA representatives.

Bioscience

Classes could be offered in Chandler by the University of Arizona's department of management-information systems, one of the highest-ranked such departments in the nation.

Talks are under way about other UA programs in Chandler, including education, public health, humanities, optics, government/public policy and social and behavioral sciences.

Last week, a group of faculty and administrators toured a former Motorola site that could be converted into a city science and technology park and met with Christine Mackay, Chandler's director of economic development.

Bioscience

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation takes “innovation” so seriously that the word is in its name. The word gained even more meaning last week when the college’s Center for Healthcare Innovation & Clinical Trials (CHICT) received the ASU President’s Award for Innovation for 2010.

Linda Mottle, center director, accepted the award from President Michael Crow on behalf of her team, which includes other ASU units and clinical research community partners. It was the first time that the ASU college received the award.

Bioscience

The task of expanding jobs in a state - this thing they call "economic development" - is hard to define.

For any state, economic development involves creating a climate favorable for new jobs to blossom. Erect prestigious research universities and other education opportunities, spread like seed the amenities of urban living, add a reasonably business-friendly tax structure, throw in some decent weather (and a few incentives), and, hopefully, the high-paying jobs will roll in.

Bioscience

On March 19, the Arizona BioIndustry Association held the first meeting of its Bio-Algae Workgroup. Its membership includes representatives of 13 biofuel companies from across the state, along with university researchers, economic development officials, and intellectual property and investment experts.

Phoenix-based Phyco Biosciences Inc. has contracted with XL Renewables Inc. of Phoenix to develop a $10 million, 160-acre project that’s expected to produce 7,500 tons of algal biomass each year. At a regional mill, oils will be extracted for biofuels and nutritional oils, while pelletized algae meal will become food for aquaculture, pet foods and large animal feed.

Bioscience

Nearly a decade ago, support for Arizona’s burgeoning biotech sector reached a fever pitch.

Business leaders were buzzing with talk about recruiting the International Genomics Consortium to the state and establishing the Translational Genomics Research Institute.

A few years later, Science Foundation Arizona was born to help foster the emerging industry, and the Flinn Foundation put its focus on growing the state’s bio sector.

Fast-forward to 2010: Biotech still is a player in Arizona, but solar and renewable energy — what some might call biotech’s sister industry — has stolen the spotlight.

Bioscience

Arizona State University is continuing to take a leadership role in efforts to realize the nation’s engineering and science goals.

A major step in that commitment was accomplished recently when ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering presented the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Summit for the Southwest on April 8 and 9 at the Biltmore hotel in Phoenix.

In partnership with the National Science Foundation, the academy has compiled 14 Grand Challenges that identify the technological progress that must be achieved to ensure the nation’s security and prosperity in the 21st century.