PHOENIX, Ariz. – Joshua Niska, an intern at the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen), has won a $7,500 national Goldwater Scholarship from the Barry
M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence In Education Foundation.

Niska is among five TGen interns who have won this prestigious national award
including his brother, Jared Niska. Goldwater Scholarships are considered the
nation's highest undergraduate award in science, math and engineering.

Josh Niska, who plans to attend medical school, teach and pursue a career in
medicine and cancer research, is majoring in Biochemistry with an emphasis on
Medicinal Chemistry at Arizona State University.

"As a cancer researcher and oncologist, I hope to benefit cancer patients in
three ways," Niska said. "By conducting research in the laboratory, I will have
the opportunity to discover new treatments and improve the standards of care. In
the clinic, I will be able to provide novel treatments as part of clinical
trials. Through teaching at the university/medical school level, I will be able
to train the next generation of researchers who will make further advances."

Niska, who has interned at TGen since 2005, most recently worked in the lab of
Dr. Heather Cunliffe, Head of TGen's Breast & Ovarian Cancer Research Unit. He
has focused on development of a new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for
invasive breast cancer.

"This is fabulous news for Josh," Dr. Cunliffe said. "He has won several
prestigious national awards while at TGen that will weigh heavily in his
acceptance into a leading medical school. It has been my privilege to train some
of the bright young minds of tomorrow. There is a tremendous need for additional
biomedical research emphasis in clinical training to impact a revolution in
health care."

Niska also has won the American Association for Cancer Research Thomas J. Bardos
Science Education Award for Undergraduate Students (2008 and 2009), American
Association for the Advancement of Science Travel Grant, and the
Chemistry/Biochemistry Department Alpha Chi Sigma Merit Award.

Niska started at TGen with a voluntary summer internship in 2005, continued his
project during his senior year of high school, and was again a summer intern in
2006. In 2007 he was a summer intern under the Helios Scholars Program at TGen,
and in 2008 was a summer intern as a TGen Undergraduate Research Fellow (TURF).
He was awarded research fellowships in 2007, 2008 and 2009 by the ASU School of
Life Sciences Undergraduate Research (SOLUR) program to continue his research
training throughout the academic year.

"Josh's achievements are proof positive that internships are a vital component
in fostering the next generation of scientists," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen's
President and Research Director. "Appropriate mentorship, coupled with a great
community partner such as the Helios Education Foundation, can produce a winning
environment that allows students to gain valuable hands-on experience in the
biomedical sciences."

In TGen's Breast & Ovarian Cancer Research Unit, Niska has gained experience in
cell-based mechanistic perturbation technologies, molecular pathology and
array-based gene expression profiling. His lab mentor has been Research
Associate Amanda Willis. He also worked in a TGen lab where he received basic
laboratory training and participated in a research project investigating
mechanisms impacting brain tumor cell invasion.

Niska is one of 278 students nationwide awarded the Goldwater Scholarship for
the 2009-10 academic year; one of six from Arizona, and one of three from
Arizona State University.

Other recipients of Goldwater Scholarship who interned at TGen include:

-- Lara Cardy (2007-08) who worked in the Neurogenomics Division.

-- Eric Anderson (2006-07) who also works with Dr. Cunliffe.

-- Shannon Fortin (2005-06) who worked with Dr. Nhan Tran, Head of TGen's
Central Nervous System Tumor Research Lab. Fortin went on to win a Fulbright
Scholarship.

-- Jared Niska (2003-04) who worked with Dr. Michael Berens, Director of TGen's
Cancer and Cell Biology Division.

All attended ASU.

About the Goldwater Foundation
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence In Education Foundation is a
federally endowed agency based in Springfield, Virginia, honoring the late
Arizona Sen. Barry M. Goldwater. It is designed to encourage outstanding
students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering,
and it is considered the premier undergraduate award of its type in these
fields. Since Congress established the program in 1986, the foundation has
awarded 5,801 scholarships worth nearly $56 million. Trustees plan to award
about 300 scholarships for the 2010–11 academic year.

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit
organization based in Phoenix, Ariz., dedicated to conducting groundbreaking
research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping
patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen
is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to
unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can
make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the
translational process. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org

http://www.arizonabiotech.com/


International tissue-repository association president selected to lead emergent
Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg


LUXEMBOURG – March 25, 2009 - Officials of the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg
(IBBL) today announced the selection of Dr. Robert Hewitt, president of an
international association governing biological samples, as Chief Executive
Officer.

As head of the IBBL, Hewitt will be in charge of a state-of-the-art tissue
storage and distribution initiative that will help a worldwide network of cancer
scientists and other disease researchers find answers to humanity's most
pressing health problems.

Dr. Jean-Claude Schmit, chairman of the seven-member governing board of the
IBBL, said Hewitt was selected as CEO because of his impeccable credentials, his
worldwide connections and his experience in setting up biobanks in other
nations.

"Dr. Hewitt is internationally recognized as a leading scientist in biobanking,"
Schmit said, following the IBBL's recent board meeting at the Phoenix, Arizona,
USA headquarters of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). TGen
is partnering with Luxembourg to help develop the IBBL, and TGen is part of the
first demonstration project, Luxembourg Project Lung Cancer, in collaboration
with the Partnership for Personalized Medicine.

Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen's President and Scientific Director, said Hewitt was the
obvious choice for the new position. "Dr. Hewitt brings energy and creativity to
the IBBL. His reputation within the biobanking community is a strength that will
help ensure the IBBL's success through his leadership and his ability to foster
collaborations on an international scale."

The IBBL is key to a multi-part strategy to make Luxembourg the center of
excellence in health sciences and technologies of Europe.

"This is a project that puts us on the global map," said Schmit, who also is
General Manager of Luxembourg's Public Research Centre for Health (Centre de
Recherche Public Sante). "The IBBL will allow us to have state-of-the-art
samples for research. It is opening our country to international research. For
TGen, it's an opportunity to enter the European research market."

Patrizia Luchetta, the IBBL Project Manager and IBBL Board Vice-Chairman, also
praised Hewitt's dedication and experience.

"Dr. Hewitt stands out for his appreciation of the role of biobanks in
biomedical research, and his deep understanding of what it takes to set up a
state-of-the-art biobanking facility," said Luchetta, who also serves as Deputy
Director of Luxembourg's Board of Economic Development in the Ministry of the
Economy and Foreign Trade.

Dr. Hewitt is president of the International Society for Biological and
Environmental Repositories. The ISBER aims to promote best practices in the
management of biobanks, which store such items as therapeutic tissues, microbial
culture collections, biodiversity samples and even museum collections.

"The IBBL is really vital to the development of personalized medicine," said
Hewitt, referring to the process of quickly bringing new laboratory discoveries
to the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

As part of an international partnership to spur discovery and innovation,
Luxembourg last year enlisted the Phoenix-based Partnership for Personalized
Medicine, which includes: TGen; Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute;
and Seattle, Washington's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. A strategic
partnership between Seattle's Institute of Systems Biology and the University of
Luxembourg constitutes the third pillar of Luxembourg's overall initiative in
life sciences.

Hewitt has developed biobanks in England, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, where he
is director of the Tissue Repository & Hospital-based Cancer Registry at the
National University Hospital and National University of Singapore. The Tissue
Repository provides researchers with samples of blood and tumor tissues
collected only with patient consent.

"What I set up in Singapore is like a small scale model of what will be set up
for Luxembourg," said Hewitt, who was educated in England and served a
fellowship in the Laboratory of Pathology at the U.S. National Institutes of
Health. "The wonderful thing with the Luxembourg plan is that everything is
funded."

Hewitt starts his new position on July 1. He eventually will supervise a staff
of nearly 70 at the IBBL, which will include a biorepository, biorefinery,
offices of administration and compliance, a technology center and an
information-management center for maintaining and developing databases.

"One thing I've learned is the importance of winning the enthusiastic support of
the many different groups of people who are vital to the biobanking process.
These include patients and their communities as well as doctors, nurses,
scientists and administrators. Only when all these groups are working together,
can we be fully effective in building high quality biobanks to support advances
in medical research," Hewitt said.

About the Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg (IBBL)
The Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg - co-founded by the nation's three Public
Research Centers Santé, Tudor and Lippmann, and by the University of Luxembourg
– holds the promise of becoming the premier European hub for advanced
biobanking, biotechnology and biomedical informatics. While most European and
U.S. biobanks focus on collection and distribution of specimens, the IBBL will
implement uniform standards for collection, storage and distribution of a full
range of tissue samples, including blood, serum and tumor tissues. This
next-generation biobank will provide molecular-based characterizations of
biospecimens linked to clinical studies. The project will leverage expertise in
biology, pathology, informatics and information technology infrastructure,
laboratory operations, transportation, legal matters and ethics. The IBBL will
serve as a centralized resource for sharing and comparing research results
through a robust, scalable and secure bioinformatics system that supports the
collection, processing, storage, annotation and distribution of biospecimens and
data.

http://www.azhttp.com/

PHOENIX, Ariz. - March 17, 2009 - Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, Physician-In-Chief of the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), has won an award recognizing
his achievements in cancer research.
Dr. Von Hoff, who also is Chief Scientific Officer of TGen Clinical Research
Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, will be recognized in the category of Health
Care Research in a special report this month in Arizona Business Magazine. Dr.
Von Hoff was honored March 4 at the magazine's 2009 Health Care Leadership
Awards at the Ritz Carlton Phoenix.

This is the second major award in recent months for Dr. Von Hoff, a
world-renowned cancer scientist and one of the leading experts in pancreatic
cancer. In November, Dr. Von Hoff was named Arizona's Community Service Leader
of the Year at the 2008 Governor's Celebration of Innovation, presented annually
for contributions to Arizona's technology industry through relentless community
involvement, leadership, visibility and excellence in economic development
activity.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Von Hoff has dedicated his time and experience to
the study of cancer and treatment methods. Arizona Business Magazine cited his:

International leadership in bringing to patients new anti-cancer agents – many
of which have been shown to increase patient survival.

Study of pancreatic and other forms of cancer.
Dedication to teaching.

Entrepreneurial research efforts, which have led to 12 patents.
Through the three-year-old partnership between TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare,
Dr. Von Hoff leads a nearly 40-member staff in the research and treatment of
cancer. TCRS at Scottsdale Healthcare is conducting 35 ongoing studies,
involving the treatment of many patients with advanced cancer. The alliance
works to identify new anti-cancer agents, and strives to bring diagnostic and
treatment options to patients as fast as possible.

Dr. Von Hoff earned his medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and
Surgeons. He held an internship and residency at the University of California,
San Francisco; conducted four years of cancer research at the National Cancer
Institute; and worked as a faculty member at the University of Texas.

In Arizona, he has worked as Director of the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson and
as a Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Dr. Von Hoff holds a presidential appointment to the National Cancer Advisory
Board, is widely published and has been a keynote speaker at numerous national
and international medical and scientific conferences.

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing
results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as
cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic
components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the
scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial
contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.

http://www.arizonabiotech.com/
Enhanced understanding of genetic basis of disease to hasten advent of
personalized medicine

Phoenix, AZ – March 9, 2009 – Applied Biosystems, a division of Life
Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE), and the Translational Genomics Research
Institute, today announced a strategic alliance designed to accelerate research
into complex diseases and medical conditions. As part of this alliance, a team
of scientists from TGen and Applied Biosystems will employ the SOLiD™ 3 System,
Applied Biosystems' next-generation genomic analysis platform, to sequence DNA
from thousands of patients with a variety of diseases. The goal of this research
is to translate scientific discoveries at the genetic level into knowledge about
the underlying causes of disease that may ultimately be used to create
cutting-edge tools for use in clinical diagnosis.

The alliance enables TGen researchers to apply best-of-breed sequencing
technology across a broad spectrum of research efforts that focus on developing
a more personalized approach to medicine. This approach, which is known as
personalized medicine, represents a potential clinical shift from treatment of
disease based on symptoms, to therapy that is specific to an individual's unique
genetic make up. Among the goals of this project is to advance the promise of
personalized medicine by reducing the cost of genome sequencing to make it a
routine diagnostic tool in medical care.

     "This strategic alliance will accelerate genomic discoveries by integrating
relevant scientific findings into the clinical setting," said Mark Stevenson,
President and Chief Operating Officer of Life Technologies. "The SOLiD System
will help this team of scientists and other researchers and clinicians interpret
how genetic variation can improve the ability to create more effective
therapeutic solutions, bringing personalized medicine one step closer to
mainstream application."

The scientists involved in this alliance will utilize a total of five SOLiD 3
Systems to build a sequencing pipeline in connection with patient-centric,
medically-directed resequencing on a cross section of patient samples. The
results are expected to positively impact individuals with cancer, autoimmune
and neurological disorders. The alliance will also involve the co-development of
a bioinformatics analysis and visualization pipeline for the SOLiD platform.
This will result in software tools designed to ease the analytical challenges
associated with analyzing the vast amounts of data generated by human disease
and cancer genomics applications of next generation sequencing.

Dr. Jeffrey Trent, President and Scientific Director of TGen, and other renowned
principal investigators will partner with Applied Biosystems scientists to
perform six different projects focused on comprehensive characterization of
genetic and molecular changes occurring within clinical cohorts for each
disease. The scientists at TGen chose the SOLiD technology for this project, due
to its inherent scalability, unparalleled throughput and unmatched data
accuracy. These attributes make the SOLiD System uniquely suited for
translational research of complex diseases by enabling the detection of single
nucleotide polymorphisms and other structural variation across the genome in
large numbers of samples.

"Consistent with TGen's mission of developing the next generation of diagnostics
and therapeutics, the alliance with Applied Biosystems forges ties with a key
industry partner whose technologies align seamlessly with our research
objectives and should produce accelerated progress in our efforts to better
understand the genetic underpinnings of many diseases, with a particular
emphasis on cancer," said Dr. Trent.

Applied Biosystems is a global leader in providing innovative instrument systems
to accelerate academic and clinical research, drug discovery and development,
pathogen detection and forensic DNA analysis. The technologies it markets
include a robust line of DNA sequencing systems and chemistries to meet the
increasing demands of the scientific community for higher throughput, more
sophisticated DNA sequencing solutions. Applied Biosystems, together, with
Invitrogen – a leading provider of platform independent, essential life science
technologies for disease and drug research, bioproduction and diagnostics – is
part of Life Technologies Corporation, which markets the life science industry's
most comprehensive portfolio of solutions for molecular and cell biology.
Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen products are used in nearly every major
laboratory in the world.

TGen is a growing leader in integrating medically directed technologies and
applications into clinical practice, the results of which provide real solutions
for patients. Through its recent alliance with the Van Andel Research Institute
in Grand Rapids, Michigan, TGen and VARI now have a national outreach to patient
populations across multiple diseases. That alliance combines the groundbreaking
basic research expertise of VARI with the cutting-edge translational genomics
and analysis capabilities of TGen.

For more information, please visit: www.appliedbiosystems.com,
www.invitrogen.com and www.tgen.org

About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) is a global biotechnology tools
company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and
services enable researchers to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to
discoveries and developments that make life even better. Life Technologies
customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance
personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural
and environmental research, and 21st century forensics. Life Technologies had
sales of more than $3 billion in 2008, employs approximately 9,500 people, has a
presence in more than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing
intellectual property estate of approximately 3,600 patents and exclusive
licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen
Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc. For more information on how we are
making a difference please visit our website: www.lifetechnologies.com

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing
results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as
cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic
components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the
scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial
contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org

Dr. Joshua LaBaer to head Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics

The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University taps Harvard scientist Dr. Joshua LaBaer to head Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics

Joshua LaBaer

In a significant boost for an Arizona-based personalized medicine initiative, the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University and the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust are pleased to announce Joshua LaBaer, M.D., Ph.D., as director of the new Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics. Dr. LaBaer most recently served as director of the Harvard Institute of Proteomics.

Funded by a multimillion gift from Piper Trust, the Center for Personalized Diagnostics will pursue earlier, more accurate diagnosis of diseases including lung cancer and diabetes. It will leverage the latest capabilities in personalized medicine, an emerging field with potential to improve patient treatments and outcomes by factoring in an individual’s unique genetic and metabolic profile.

The Center occupies 8,000 sq. ft. within the Biodesign Institute. In addition to the recruitment of LaBaer, the Piper Trust's philanthropic investment supports development of the research team and laboratory infrastructure such as a state-of-the-art robotic system for gene cloning.

“Dr. LaBaer is one of a handful of innovators who could be labeled trailblazers in the relatively new field of proteomics, which is a crucial technology for profiling the molecular changes in disease and a key for more personalized approaches to medicine,” said Dr. George Poste, director of the Biodesign Institute and chief scientist for ASU’s Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative. “The generosity of the Piper Trust enabled us to recruit a true leader in the field and provide his team with the sophisticated laboratory needed to do this type of research. I am confident Dr. LaBaer and his team will help place Arizona at the forefront of personalized medicine research,” said Poste.

“In the future, we will look back at our current list of illnesses as a gross oversimplification,” said LaBaer. “Already, in our modern era of molecular medicine, we are learning that what we have thought about as single diseases like inflammatory bowel disease or breast cancer actually include many different molecular variations, each with a different root cause, a different prognosis and a response to specific therapies. Our lab hopes to help develop new diagnostic tools that pinpoint the specific molecular disease for each patient and directs physicians to the right therapeutic strategy for that individual.”

TGen, Scottsdale Healthcare, Mayo Clinic study starts for new drug
that could bolster the immune systems of cancer victims

New Drug for Cancer Treatment of Immune System - Study
TGen, Scottsdale Healthcare, Mayo Clinic study starts for new drug that could
bolster the immune systems of cancer victims

http://www.arizonabiotech.com/2008/12/new-drug-for-cancer-treatment-of-immune.ht\
ml

12-19-2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Dec. 19, 2008 - The Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale Healthcare and Mayo Clinic are
testing a new drug that could help cancer patients by stimulating the
immune system.
Clinical trials of the drug VTX-2337 are being conducted at TGen
Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, a partnership of
Phoenix-based TGen and Scottsdale-based Scottsdale Healthcare Corp.,
and at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Dr. Ramesh Ramanathan, Medical Director of TGen Clincal Research
Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, said the new drug appears promising.

"VTX-2337 is a new, novel, small molecule aimed at stimulating the
immune cells in the blood, lymph nodes, and in and around the tumor.
It represents an exciting new class of agents for cancer therapy with
good preclinical evidence of activity," Dr. Ramanathan said.

The Phase I trial, a yearlong first-in-humans test, will study the
drug's safety. If successful, a Phase II trial will test the drug's
effectiveness on tumors.

A weakened immune system is often the result of advanced cancer. The
hope is that this new drug will actually help enable the immune system
to slow down the growth of tumors, and perhaps even shrink them, Dr.
Ramanathan said.

VTX-2337 is the first drug of its kind developed by San Diego-based
VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. The biopharmaceutical company is focused
on the development of new Toll-Like Receptor 8 (TLR8) agonists, which
are small molecules that prompt a response in the body's immune
system. The drugs are intended to treat cancer, respiratory and
autoimmune diseases.

"VentiRx is very excited to be working with TGen, Scottsdale
Healthcare and Mayo Clinic on this important and novel program," said
Michael Kamdar, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at
VentiRx. "Entering Phase I clinical trials represents a significant
milestone for VentiRx and our TLR efforts in that we have rapidly
advanced into a clinical development company with a novel molecule
that may play an important role and have broad application in the
treatment of cancer."

VTX-2337 is a small molecule TLR8 agonist that is expected to be used
in combination with standard of care for the treatment of patients
with cancer. Preclinical evaluation of VTX-2337 suggests that it may
play a key role in augmenting the innate arm of the immune system.

There are two broad components of the immune system, the innate arm,
and the adaptive arm. Both generally aim to eliminate viruses and
bacteria.

-- The innate arm senses infectious agents as they infect the body by
recognizing structures they have in common, such as lipids, proteins,
sugars, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). This is an initial rapid
response, which is not precise but potent.

-- The adaptive arm of the immune system is instructed by the innate
arm to devise more specific responses to unique components of the
invading pathogens. This is a more precise response and takes longer,
especially when an infectious agent is encountered for the first time.

The first clinical trial at TCRS at Scottsdale Healthcare will
investigate the safety and pharmacology of multiple doses of VTX-2337
in patients with late-stage cancer. For more information about this
clinical trial, please call Joyce Ingold, R.N., research patient care
coordinator for Scottsdale Healthcare, at 480-323-1339.

The clinical trial coordinator for Mayo Clinic is Dianna Boughter, who
can be reached at 480-301-9875.

"VTX-2337 is the first selective TLR8 compound to reach the clinic,
and we are hopeful that modulation of the innate immune response will
provide a benefit to patients in a number of oncology indications,"
said Dr. Robert Hershberg, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical
Officer at VentiRx.

# # #

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life
changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with
diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is
on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are
able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities,
TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit: www.tgen.org.



About Scottsdale Healthcare
Scottsdale Healthcare is a primary clinical research site for TGen.
TGen Clinical Research Services (TCRS) at Scottsdale Healthcare is
housed in the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare, located on the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea medical campus.
Scottsdale Healthcare is the not-for-profit parent organization of the
Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn and
Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak hospitals, Virginia G. Piper
Cancer Center, Scottsdale Clinical Research Institute, TGen Clinical
Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Home
Health Services, Scottsdale Healthcare Community Health Services, and
Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. For additional information, visit
www.shc.org.



About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is one of only 39 U.S. medical centers that
have been named as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive
Cancer Center. To receive this designation, an institution must meet
rigorous standards demonstrating scientific excellence and the ability
to integrate diverse research approaches to address the problem of
cancer. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is the only national, multi-site
center with the NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Center designation. In
Arizona, Mayo's clinical and research experts work together to address
the complex needs of cancer patients, with a dedication to
understanding the biology of cancer; discovering new ways to predict,
prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; and transforming the quality of
life for cancer patients today and in the future.

About VentiRx Pharmaceuticals
VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed
to the development and commercialization of novel medicines for the
treatment of cancer, respiratory and autoimmune diseases. The
company's initial focus is on developing small molecule TLR-based
product candidates for oncology and allergy. VentiRx is a privately
held organization headquartered in San Diego with operations in
Seattle. For additional information, visit www.ventirx.com.



<a href="http://www.azhttp.com/" title="Arizona Internet
Marketing">Arizona Internet Marketing</a>
<a href="http://www.azhttp.com/2007/04/29/biotechnology/"
title="Arizona Biotechnology Marketing">Arizona Biotechnology
Marketing</a>
<a href="http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biotech-news/"
title="Biotechnology News">Biotechnology News</a>

TGen researcher remembered; benefit in her honor

The first Alana's Champs 5K, a run and walk to benefit brain cancer research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), is set for Dec. 6 at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.

Alana was a neurogenomics researcher for the Translational Genomics Research Institute. She studied hearing loss, Down syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease. A north Phoenix resident, she died as the result of a brain tumor on Dec. 3, 2007.

Brett Bernacchi was interviewed by TGen senior science writer Steve Yozwiak:

- How did you and Alana first meet? And how did you re-connect?

Alana and I met by chance in Grand Forks, N.D. We were teenagers traveling with our respective teams and we both happened to have functions there the same weekend. Her ballet school stayed at the same hotel as my wrestling team. We met, talked, shared a laugh, and some breakfast on the morning we left to go to our respective homes. She gave me her address then went back home to Minneapolis, Minn. I was living in Winnipeg. We started a long-distance relationship through letters and an occasional phone call. We wound up together, but unfortunately at 21 she was ready to take on the world and we broke up.

We spoke intermittently for the next few years then fell out of contact. About 2001, I found an article about her health struggles that was printed in a newspaper from her hometown. I was concerned, so I phoned her father to find out how she was doing. He never told her that I had called. Again, in the spring of 2005, I found another article from her hometown paper. This time it reported a "recurrence" of her brain tumor. Doctors had given her less than six months to live, but she miraculously began to heal despite their grim prognosis. The article was published approximately only two months before I actually found it. She was more than seven months from the prognosis and 'healing spiritually and mentally' according to the writer. This time I reached out to Alana after finding her email address at the University of Michigan, where she had been continuing her PhD research.

She emailed back within an hour. We spoke on the phone and it was as if only a day had passed since the last time we were together and happy. In actuality, it had been more than 10 years since we had spoken. We were married in Sedona in the fall that same year.

- What do you miss the most about her?

Her amazing smile.

- What would you like the public to know most about Alana's work here at TGen?

Her work as a scientist was exceptional and the passion in which she performed it was undeniable.

- What do you think she would make of the upcoming event named in her memory?

The event is her "gift" to all of us. She would have gladly given her life if it meant she would be helping to save others from pain and suffering. Alana loved life and all those who live it.

Thank you for your work in helping to make the inaugural Alana's Champs a success.

*

If you go

Where: Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, just east of the Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix.

When: Dec. 6. Event-day registration starts at 7 a.m.; the 5-kilometer run starts at 8 a.m.; the 5K walk at 8:10 a.m.; and the 1-mile run/walk at 8:45 a.m., followed by a kids dash and raffle.

Participation Fees: -- Ages 13 and up: $25 pre-registration; $30 on Dec. 6.
-- Ages 5-12: $10.
-- Children ages 4 and younger are free.

Details: Please visit the TGen Foundation at www.helptgen.org or call Erin Massey, assistant director of development, at 602-343-8470.

*

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process.

If the future of bioscience matters to you, you don't want to miss this presentation! 

On Wednesday, November 12, join us either for breakfast in Tucson (Westin La Paloma) or lunch in Phoenix (Sheraton Phoenix Downtown) and hear what G. Steven Burrill, world-renowned biotech visionary, has to say about what he sees from now until 2020.  Hint - he believes the convergence of genomics, information technology, and nanotechnologies will radically alter every aspect of the healthcare system from the way companies develop and market drugs and devices to the way individuals pay for and receive medical services.  See attachment for more details.

New Sandia biofuels project focuses on enzyme engineering

LIVERMORE, CA —Biofuels researchers at Sandia National Laboratories
have been awarded $600,000 in funding for a two-year, Department of
Energy-funded effort titled "Development of Saccharifying Enzymes for
Commercial Use." The award is part of a joint proposal led by industry
partner DSM.

Sandia engineer Rajat Sapra will serve as principal investigator on
the project, whose additional partners include Abengoa Bioenergy
Technologies and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The work will focus on the use of enzymes that break down cellulose
for conversion into ethanol and other industrial products that can be
derived from biomass. It is a natural extension of Sandia's current
work with enzymes that break down cellulose in plant biomass to sugars
for fermentation or biofuels production, Sapra says.

"DSM already has a well-established understanding of enzymes for
industrial purposes and how to produce these enzymes for commercial
purposes," says Sapra, who explained that the company possesses a
successful industrial fermentation process for non-biofuels
applications in areas as diverse as animal feed and food and beverage
industry.

"What we plan on doing is to take our expertise in structural and
biophysical analysis, apply it to this particular type of enzymes, and
help improve the properties of the enzyme through a structural and
computational guided rational enzyme engineering process," he says.
Sandia will use various spectroscopic and molecular modeling
techniques that will help scientists to better understand how these
enzymes break down biomass. "Ultimately, what we're trying to do is
make better, more effective enzymes," says Sapra.

The project is one of four DOE-funded initiatives announced recently.
Covering a four-year period, nearly $34 million has been committed by
the Department for the projects, the focus of which will be an
extensive enzyme development program with applications in
cellulose-based biorefineries for the production of biofuels.

Observe Sandia's enzyme engineering work in the lab at
http://www.ca.sandia.gov/podcast/episodes/200810/2008-5709W/


Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a
Lockheed Martin company, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National
Nuclear Security Administration. With main facilities in Albuquerque,
N.M., and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has major R&D responsibilities in
national security, energy and environmental technologies, and economic
competitiveness.

BIO-Europe 2008 to Get Biotech Industry Partnerships Started in
Challenging Economic Environment

Big pharma has a lot of cash and is looking to spend it
BIO-Europe 2008

ZURICH, Switzerland & CARLSBAD, Calif. & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--In order to seek out new partnering opportunities, the top 20
big pharma companies will be in attendance on November 17–19 in
Mannheim/Heidelberg, Germany for BIO-Europe 2008, the world's largest
stand-alone partnering conference. Accompanied by their teams of
scouts from research and business development, many of the most
respected industry leaders will travel to the conference from around
the world to examine industry issues, learn new business approaches,
and most importantly, begin networking with organizations toward
successful business deals.

On the minds of many attendees at BIO-Europe 2008 will be the recent
credit crisis that is disrupting global markets and pushing economies
into recession. Despite this turmoil, partnering gives the industry a
reason to be optimistic.

"The current financial crisis has major implications for the
biopharmaceutical industry. Capital will be much harder to access for
private companies and the hundreds of public companies below USD 500
million in market cap. Companies must rationalize their portfolios and
reduce operating expenses to survive", said well known industry
dealmaker and a featured speaker at BIO-Europe 2008, James Watson,
Managing Director, Head of Merchant Banking, Burrill & Company.
"Conversely, the larger big pharma and biotech companies are less
affected and still opportunity poor and cash rich. Although
acquisitions are growing in number, these deals are in reality still
rare. The real win-win solution is partnerships. At Burrill we see
increasing commitment from both sides to partner and greater focus on
creative deals that leverage big pharma's balance sheet in a 'banker
role' but stop short of a full acquisition."

Echoing this comment, Barbara Yanni, VP and Chief Licensing Officer of
Merck & Co., added, "Partnering has been a key strategic priority for
Merck for many years. Over 65% of Merck's 2007 revenue came from
in-licensed products and patents. Our commitment to partnering grows
increasingly stronger each day. This should be very good news for
small companies that have made significant discoveries and are seeking
a partner to realize the vision of bringing new medicines to patients
worldwide."

Further, as reported by BioWorld Today, in addressing a recent
industry gathering this October, David Brennan, CEO of AstraZeneca
plc, said, "The crisis makes it even more important for cash-rich
pharma companies like AstraZeneca to do more partnership deals. Strong
companies don't sit around passively waiting for the [financial] storm
to pass. For AstraZeneca, strategic partnering is priority."

All of these remarks are reflected in BIO-Europe's continuing growth
this year and exemplify what industry data have illustrated for years:
partnering is a key catalyst for the industry's growth. BioWorld Today
data indicate that the total number of annual bio-partnering deals has
doubled from 600 in 1997 to more than 1,200 in 2007, with 400
biotech-big pharma collaborations in 2007, and more than 600 other
biotech partnerships.

This year's event will continue its 15-year legacy of providing
quality partnering meetings and informative sessions. With over 2,300
delegates expected for BIO-Europe, industry leaders know where
partnering deals begin.

Notes to Editors:

Entry to BIO-Europe 2008 is free to the media, including full access
to the partnering system, sessions, press conferences, workshops, and
pre-arranged partnering meetings. Visit the BIO-Europe conference Web
site at http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope for detailed information on
this year's conference and online registration. When you register
online, please indicate in the comment field that you are requesting a
complimentary press registration. Please fax a copy of your press pass
to complete your complimentary media registration to fax number +49 89
23 88 756-55.

About BIO-Europe

BIO-Europe is the preeminent stand-alone partnering event for the
biotechnology industry. Delegates from all parts of the biotechnology
value-chain come to BIO-Europe to efficiently identify, engage and
enter into the strategic relationships that drive their business
successfully forward. The annual BIO-Europe partnering event draws
over 2,200 industry attendees from almost 50 countries, representing
more than 1,250 companies, for three days of high-level networking.
BIO-Europe is organized by EBD Group with the support of the
Biotechnology Industry Organization and European Biopharmaceutical
Enterprises. For more information please visit
http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope

About EBD Group

EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global life science
industry. Since 1993, biotech, pharma and medical device companies
have leveraged EBD Group's partnering conferences, technology and
services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic
relationships essential to their success.

EBD Group's conferences are run with the support of leading
corporations and international trade associations and include:

     * BIO-Europe and BIO-Europe Spring®, the world's largest
stand-alone life science partnering conferences, supported by the
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
     * BioPharm America™, EBD Group's North American partnering event
     * EuroMedtech™, EBD Group's new partnering event for the
innovative medical technology industry
     * BioEquity Europe, the investor conference co-organized with
BioCentury Publications and BIO

EBD Group's sophisticated Web-based partnering service,
partneringONE™, is used as the partnering engine at numerous
third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format,
EBD Group's consultants provide hands-on assistance for firms seeking
to in- or out-license products and technologies.

EBD Group has offices in the USA and Europe.

For more information please visit www.ebdgroup.com

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations
across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO
members are involved in the research and development of innovative
healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology
products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the
world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with
industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

ASU's new bioengineering leader set to inject bold entrepreneurial spirit into research and education

TEMPE, Ariz. - An accomplished researcher, scholar, administrator and entrepreneur is the new chair of the Harrington Department of Bioengineering in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona... Read more »

Arizona Biotech

AZBio Inside Look: Applied Microarrays

Jul 24, 2008 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Applied Microarrays
7700 S. River Parkway
Tempe AZ, 85284
Map and Directions

This informal evening of networking with industry colleagues will include an opportunity to tour the facilities at Applied Miroarrays, and to hear a brief presentation by President & CEO Alastair Malcolm, who will provide an overview of the company's technology and business strategy. James Xia from Genosensor and Carl Yamashiro from ASU Biodesign Institute, both Applied Microarrays business partners will be provided a spotlight as well. We are grateful to our host for providing the refreshments as well as the venue for this "Inside Look" at an Arizona bioscience company.
Networking starts at 5:00 p.m. (refreshments will be provided). The presentation will begin at 5:30 with tours to follow.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS STRONGLY ADVISED. This allows for expedited check-in as there are strict building security requirements.

REGISTER
for this event


Contact Information:
Phone: 602-495-2938
Email: events@...

Arizona Biotech

TGen Awarded $1.99 Million Grant to Advance Highly Parallel Supercomputing 

Arizona Biotech - Biotech News

The Arizona Bioscience Experience in New Mexico

Guest Speaker Robert Eaton,

President and CEO of Arizona Bio

"The Arizona Bioscience Experience" on July 8th

Bob Eaton serves as CEO of AZ Bio, the Ariziona Bioindustry
Association which he joined in October, 2007.  During his short time
with AZ Bio, Bob has already succesfully merged the State's regional
bioscience groups into a single, strong Statewide association, and has
begun an aggressive drive to expand membership.

Previously, Bob served for ten years as president of MdBio where he
expanded the nonprofit organization from a staff of two to eight with
an annual operating budget of about $2 million. He managed the
investment of approximately $4 million in more than 30 bioscience
companies, and has worked closely with senior biotechnology and
pharmaceutical industry leaders regarding state and federal regulatory
and policy issues. Under his leadership, MdBio developed an array of
programs to support the growth andsuccess of bioscience companies,
primarily in theareas of business development, communication,
workforce training, and K-12 education.

In previous roles, Eaton worked with the Technology Council of
Maryland, where he worked with industry leaders to establish the
Maryland Bioscience Alliance; served as director of R&D programs for
the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (now PhRMA) in
Washington, D.C.; worked with a small molecular biology services
company; and was involved in protein biochemistry research at the
National Institutes of Health.

Eaton also served on several boards and councils in Maryland and
Virginia related to the bioscience and technology industries. He
received a master's degree in science, technology, and public policy
from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in applied
and engineering physics from Cornell University.

NMBio July Meeting:  Bob Eaton of AZ Bio
Date: Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
UNM STC Rotunda
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $25.00 NMBBA Members
          $35.00 Non-Members

RSVP to Annie Hooten at anniehooten@...
by Friday Noon, July 4th, 2008 or register using the PayPal links above.

Prepayment is required by either check or credit card (M/C or VISA
only) to reserve. Send checks to NMBio, P.O. Box 80233, Albuquerque,
NM 87198

Leading U.S. Bioscience Pioneers Enter International Collaboration
with Government of Luxembourg to Accelerate Biomedical Research

http://www.arizonabiotech.com/

International Public-Private Initiative to Drive Innovation in the
U.S. and Overseas

06-05-2008

New York, June 6, 2008 - Three of the United States' most prominent
biomedical science leaders have been tapped by the government of
Luxembourg for an unprecedented international collaboration to
establish a bioscience center of excellence in the heart of the
European Union.
The government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has announced an
ambitious plan to increase the pace of innovation based on
cutting-edge research in the areas of molecular biology, systems
biology and personalized medicine. The initiative will include
formation of a centralized biobank/tissue repository, two major
projects to further research in the field of molecular biology, which
is the cornerstone of personalized medicine, and a project to
demonstrate the effectiveness of new diagnostics tests for earlier
detection and treatment of lung cancer.

The U.S. organizations involved in the collaboration are: The
Partnership for Personalized Medicine (PPM) led by Dr. Leland H.
Hartwell, director, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 2001
and president of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in
Seattle, Washington; The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), also in
Seattle, led by Dr. Leroy Hood, president of ISB and co-founder of
U.S.-based Amgen Inc.; and Arizona's Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen), led by Dr. Jeffrey Trent, president and scientific
director of TGen and former scientific director at the National Human
Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

The announcement was made jointly by three branches of Luxembourg's
government, the Ministry of the Economy and Foreign Trade, the
Ministry for Culture, Higher Education and Research and the Ministry
of Health. The Luxembourg government is investing $200 million in the
initiative, with the hope that ultimately it will improve the health
of its own people by increasing the ability to administer the right
drug to the right patient at the right time and in the right dose. In
addition, it seeks to accelerate the global pace and integration of
biomedical research, education and commercial development around the
world.

The public-private initiative is expected to serve as a model for
other international collaborations among partners looking to not only
share research and development costs but also to gain access to each
other's information, networks and markets. The Luxembourg
collaboration was developed and negotiated in consultation with the
global professional services organization, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and
is built on an integrated approach that links research, education,
healthcare and the economy.

The collaboration consists of three interrelated research initiatives
that build on each other. They include:

Build the Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg (IBBL)
Led by TGen, Luxembourg will launch the Integrated BioBank of
Luxembourg, which has the promise of becoming a premier European hub
for advanced biobanking, biotechnology and biomedical informatics.

Biobanks are invaluable in bridging the gap between the pace of
scientific and technological advancement and translation to clinical
benefit. Most existing European and U.S. biobanks focus on simple
collection and redistribution of specimens to scientists and
educators. The IBBL will implement uniform standards for collection,
storage and redistribution of an anticipated full range of tissue
samples (e.g. blood, serum and tumor tissue). However, the added value
of this next-generation biobank will be the detailed, centralized,
molecular-based characterization of biospecimens, which over time (and
ultimately linked to detailed clinical information) will lead to
amassing an extensive database of medically relevant information.

The project will unite and leverage expertise in biology, pathology,
informatics and information technology infrastructure, laboratory
operations, transportation, legal matters and ethics.

Accessible to European and international colleagues, IBBL will
maintain its collection of tissues in a research environment that will
seek collaborations broadly within the wider research community. As
such, the IBBL will serve as a centralized resource for sharing and
comparing research results through a robust, scalable and secure
bioinformatics system that supports the collection, processing,
storage, annotation and distribution of biospecimens and data.

TGen's principal role working with Luxembourg scientists and
physicians, will be to jointly develop and implement the next
generation of molecular medicine through the development of the
information architecture and technology implementation.

Create the Center for Systems Biology Luxembourg (CSBL)
The Institute for Systems Biology will collaborate with the University
of Luxembourg to create the Center for Systems Biology Luxembourg. The
Center will participate with ISB on two basic research projects
designed to provide greater insight into the identification of disease
and to enable more effective treatments:


ISB Research Project 1: The first project will include completion of a
personalized human genome sequencing map on a minimum of one hundred
subjects and development of new methods for understanding the role of
genetic variations in disease, leading to new insights into diagnosis,
treatment and prevention.
ISB Research Project 2: The second project is development of
integrated systems proteomics, RNA and cell analysis methodology and
tools based on ISB's groundbreaking discovery of protein blood
"fingerprints" and single-cell characteristics that can report on the
physiological state of the body's 50 major organs. The research
promises to lead to powerful early diagnostic approaches to not only
treat but also predict disease and the ability to monitor the effects
of existing drugs, including both effective responses or adverse
reactions.
ISB's role will be to apply its systems biology approaches and tools
to study model organisms such as mice to determine how best to
interrogate and analyze human genetic data at the DNA sequence level.
New computational and mathematical tools will be developed to
facilitate these large-scale genome analyses and to integrate these
insights with protein blood fingerprints.
Launch the Luxembourg Project Lung Cancer
The goal of Luxembourg Project Lung Cancer is to advance research in
personalized medicine by pursuing research projects to develop
molecular diagnostics for specific disease. These research projects
center on the selection and validation of biomarkers to more
effectively diagnose and manage disease from early detection through
therapeutic follow-up.

The Luxembourg project will focus specifically on lung cancer for
which there are no reliable tools for early detection and for patients
with advanced disease with virtually no known cures. The project also
will seek to demonstrate that earlier detection and intervention can
reduce healthcare costs. The initiative capitalizes on the efforts of
the U.S.-based Partnership for Personalized Medicine (PPM), led by Dr.
Hartwell, and will develop use of new personalized, protein-based
diagnostic tools.

The Partnership will unite the efforts and capabilities of
investigators at TGen and the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State
University, as well as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
Over time this effort is expected to link to a host of other research
institutions and initiatives in the U.S. and beyond.

Personalized medicine focuses on improved prevention, targeted
screening, early diagnosis and treatment of the causes of illness with
drugs based on an individual's genetic and biological make-up, such as
drugs targeted and suited to each patient. It is believed that
personalized medicine will gradually take the place of conventional
medicine. Ultimately, this will result in great improvements in the
ability to administer the right drug to the right patient at the right
time and in the right dose.

About the Institute for Systems Biology
Founded in 2000, the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) is an
internationally renowned, non-profit research institute headquartered
in Seattle and dedicated to the study and application of systems
biology. Founded by Leroy Hood, Alan Aderem and Ruedi Aebersold, ISB
seeks to use systems methods to unravel the mysteries of human biology
and identify strategies for predicting and preventing diseases such as
cancer, diabetes and AIDS. ISB's systems approach integrates biology,
computation and technological development, enabling scientists to
analyze all elements in complex biological systems rather than one
gene or protein at a time. For more information about ISB, visit
www.systemsbiology.org.

About the Partnership for Personalized Medicine
The Partnership for Personalized Medicine is a major healthcare
research initiative that unites contributions from two leading
Arizona-based philanthropic organizations: the Virginia G. Piper
Charitable Trust and the Flinn Foundation with leadership and research
capabilities from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the
Translational Genomics Research Institute and the Biodesign Institute
at Arizona State University.

About Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, interdisciplinary teams of
world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent,
diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Hutchinson
Center researchers, including three Nobel Laureates, bring a
relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their
work and to the world. For more information, visit www.fhcrc.org.

About the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University
The Biodesign Institute at ASU integrates diverse fields of science to
cure and prevent disease, overcome the limitations of injury, renew
the environment and improve national security. By fusing research in
biology, engineering, medicine, physics, information technology and
cognitive science, the institute accelerates discoveries into uses
that can be adopted rapidly by the private sector. For more
information, visit www.biodesign.asu.edu.

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life
changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with
diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is
on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are
able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities,
TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process.


http://www.azhttp.net/

TGen Researcher Receives the Young Investigator Award from the Arizona
Alzheimer's Consortium


Dr. Matthew Huentelman honored for his contributions to Alzheimer's
disease and aging research

06-03-2008

PHOENIX, AZ, JUNE 3, 2008--Dr. Matthew Huentelman, an Associate
Investigator in the Neurogenomics Division at the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen), was the recipient of the Young
Investigator Award from the Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium. Dr.
Huentelman was recognized for his pioneering accomplishments in
Alzheimer's disease research and for being an outstanding mentor to
his research team and students.
"The Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium is extremely proud of Matt. He has
already made significant contributions to the genetic understanding of
memory and Alzheimer's disease, and to the discovery of promising
memory-enhancing treatments. Matt's know-how and accomplishments, his
dedication, hard work and enthusiasm, and his mentoring skills and
collaborative spirit are examples for us all," said Dr. Eric Reiman,
Director, Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium.

The Young Investigator Award is given annually to a young investigator
in Arizona for their contributions to Alzheimer's disease and aging
research. The selection process for the Young Investigator Award is
extremely competitive. Each candidate is evaluated by the Arizona
Alzheimer's Consortium's Internal Scientific Advisory Board, which
consists of 25 researchers from the organization's seven institutional
members.

"I really value my relationship with the Arizona Alzheimer's
Consortium. There are many excellent young investigators within the
Consortium, and I consider it a great honor to receive this award,"
said Dr. Huentelman.

Dr. Huentelman received a plaque and a $5,000 research grant to
continue his work in memory research. He accepted the award at the
Consortium's annual meeting attended by fellow researchers, members of
the community, the Consortium's Internal and External Advisory Boards,
and the meeting's keynote speaker, Dr. David Holtzman, the Andrew B.
and Gretchen P. Jones Professor and Chairman of the Department of
Neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine.

"This is an outstanding honor for a terrific young scientist whose
efforts are moving this field forward in remarkable ways," said TGen
President Dr. Jeffrey Trent.

Currently, Dr. Huentelman is using genetic technologies to study a
gene called KIBRA, which plays a significant role in memory
performance in humans. Dr. Huentelman has received grants from the
National Institutes of Health and Science Foundation Arizona to
continue this work with the hope of developing promising new
Alzheimer's disease treatments.

Dr. Huentelman joined TGen in July of 2004 after completing his
doctoral work at the University of Florida's Department of Physiology
and Functional Genomics where he investigated the application of gene
therapy in the study of hypertension. His undergraduate degree is from
Ohio University's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Dr.
Huentelman's career includes visiting researcher stints in Moscow,
Russia at the prestigious Lomonosov Moscow State University and in the
United Kingdom at the University of Bristol. At present time he has
published over 25 peer-reviewed manuscripts in the scientific literature.

The Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium is the nation's leading model of
statewide collaboration in Alzheimer's disease research. Established
in 1998, the Consortium capitalizes on its participating institutions'
complementary strengths in brain imaging computer science, genomics,
the basic and cognitive neurosciences and clinical and neuropathology
research to promote the scientific understanding and early detection
of Alzheimer's disease and find effective disease-stopping and
prevention therapies. It also seeks to educate Arizona residents about
Alzheimer's disease, research progress in the state and the resources
needed to help patients, families and professionals manage the
disease. The Consortium is determined to find effective treatments to
halt the progression and prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease in
the next 12 years

# # #

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research
with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping
patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where
investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and
complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and
medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial
contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational
process. TGen's vision is of a world where an understanding of genomic
variation can be rapidly translated in a manner tailored to individual
patients.

About the Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium
The Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium is a 501(c)(3) organization that
includes the state-supported Arizona Alzheimer's Research Center
(AARC), the National Institute on Aging (NIA)-funded Arizona Disease
Core Center (Arizona ADCC), and independently funded research
programs. Its seven member institutions include: Arizona State
University, the Barrow Neurological Institute, the Mayo Clinic
Arizona, the Sun Health Research Institute, the Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen), the University of Arizona, and the Banner
Alzheimer's Institute. Its three affiliated institutions include
Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, the Southern Arizona Veterans
Administration Health Care System and the University Physician's
Hospital at Kino.

If you have announcements about Biotechnology related news and events,
please let me know by sending e-mail to


bill (at)  azhttp.com


Thank you,

Bill Austin
http://www.azhttp.com/
http://www.arizonabiotech.com/