college news
A new multi-institution, cross-college institute
From Molecules and Microchips
aims to improve lives around the world by
catalyzing the development of innovative drugs
to Diagnosis and Medicine and tools for diagnosis
d
The Texas Institute for Drug and Diagnostics Develop-
ment (TI-3D) will bring together researchers in the
College of Natural Sciences with scientists and medical
doctors in the Colleges of Engineering and Pharmacy,
the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the University
of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). The institute is being
created to help turn basic discoveries in medical science
i
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3
into pharmaceutical and diagnostic products.
“We expect TI-3D to become a national model for
close cooperation among research universities, medical
t
schools, and commercial entities in the development
of important new tools to fight and diagnose disease,”
says Dean Mary Ann Rankin. Currently, vast amounts
Dr. Brent Iverson. Photo by: Marsha Miller.
of potential drugs and diagnostic tools
The Institute is
that come out of academic labs languish, What starts here changes the world
being created
because they never make the jump into Here a few examples of drug and diagnostic research
the development stream. from the college that could impact the lives of people
to help turn TI-3D will help build partnerships around the globe:
between those who are discovering new Dr. Jonathan Sessler developed molecules
basic discoveries
molecules and pathways, those who can called texaphyrins, which are “Texas-sized” versions
in medical
develop new drugs or engineer new tech- of natural blood pigments called porphyrins. Licensed
nologies, and commercial ventures that to Pharmacyclics, Inc., the molecule is attractive for
science into can put the discoveries into the hands of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and
the people who need them most. cancer. Several texaphyrin formulations are moving
pharmaceutical
TI-3D will benefit from existing col- through clinical trials under the aegis of Pharmacyclics,
and diagnostic
lege research groups, like the Center for Inc., including xcytrin®, which is being tested for its
Nano and Molecular Science and Tech- use in treating brain and pancreatic cancers.
products. nology, Center for Systems and Synthetic Dr. John McDevitt and co-workers developed a
Biology, and the Institute for Cellular novel biochip sensor technology that completes complex
and Molecular Biology. blood analysis quickly and accurately. The technology has
TI-3D will also provide a training been licensed to LabNow™ and will be used to test blood
ground for the next generation of drug characteristics in people afflicted with HIV/AIDS in Africa.
development scientists. By connecting Drs. Brent Iverson and George Georgiou
novel research with commercial ven- developed an anthrax antibody that operates as an
tures, the institute is poised to foster the effective antidote against anthrax infection. The antibody
growth of pharmaceutical and biotech- is licensed to Elusys, Inc.
nology industries in Texas. ✥
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