Marquette Researchers Awarded $650,000 in Biotechnology Grants Released: May 11, 2006 Eight researchers from Marquette University will participate in research funded by the Biomedical Technology Alliance totaling almost $650,000, the alliance announced today. Marquette will lead two of the projects chosen by the alliance's Collaborative Grant Program. The Collaborative Grant Program is intended to assist research teams in starting their work; they will then seek further grants from federal sources. The program is part of the BTA's effort to create collaborative relationships among participating institutions that increase academic research capacity in southeastern Wisconsin while developing research applications that have the potential to contribute to economic growth. The BTA is an alliance among academic institutions in southeastern Wisconsin, including Marquette, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and UW-Parkside, and the TechStar Foundation. As lead institution, Marquette faculty will undertake the following research projects: Cysteine Prodrugs in the Treatment of Schizophrenia: Dr. David A. Baker, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, has identified a novel process in the brain that may underlie schizophrenia as well as a class of drugs that may reverse the pathology underlying the disease. To determine whether these drugs represent a new approach in treating schizophrenia, Baker has assembled a research team consisting of Dr. Robert Risinger from the Department of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Dr. James Cook from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. BTA has provided $250,000 for the research. Dithio Probes for Imaging Oxidative Stress and Screening Drug Targets : Dr. Daniel S. Sem, assistant professor of chemistry and director of the Chemical Proteomics Facility at Marquette, will collaborate with Dr. Marilyn Merker of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin to develop two screening tests that will use fluorescent chemical reagents developed in his laboratory. The reagents are able to detect thiol, sulphur-containing chemicals in all cells that protect them from damage caused by oxidation. Oxidative damage is highly correlated with diseases such as asthma, Alzeimer's and atherosclerosis, and the research will help to better define the protective role of thiols as well as disease pathology. If successful, these tests will allow the first quantitative measurement of thiol levels, an advance with potentially significant value given the role of oxidation in disease. Another test is also being developed using the reagents for screening protein kinases, one of the most actively pursued new drug target classes in the pharmaceutical industry. Protein kinases are enzymes targeted by newly developed drugs for treating diseases such as leukemia and arthritis. BTA has provided $100,000 for the research. "Marquette is proud to have this opportunity to highlight the research of our faculty and to collaborate with our colleagues at the Medical College and UWM,” said Dr. William Wiener, dean of the Graduate School . “The BTA is an important catalyst in promoting academic research which addresses societal needs.” Marquette researchers will also be collaborating on five projects led by other institutions that received almost $300,000 from BTA. The projects include: "Novel Technologies for Spinal Regeneration and Assessment of Motor Function” at the Medical College of Wisconsin involves Dr. Brian D. Schmit, associate professor of biomedical engineering; "Quantification of Molecular Probe Uptake in Acute Myocardial Infarction” at the Medical College of Wisconsin includes Dr. Said H. Audi, assistant professor of biomedical engineering; "Spatially oriented EMR for Dentistry” at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee involves Dr. Lisa J. Koenig, associate professor in the School of Dentistry , and Thomas Wirtz, director of dental informatics; "Effect of Near-infrared Light Treatment on Muscle Function and Metabolism in Diabetes Mellitus” at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee includes Dr. Robert H. Fitts, professor and chair of biological sciences; and "Calcineurin as a Therapeutic Target for Age-related Cognitive Deficits” at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee includes Dr. John R. Mantsch, assistant professor of biomedical sciences. Collaborative Grant Program participants were reviewed and selected by a joint committee of 12 individuals representing scientists from the participating research institutions and outside industry professionals including venture capitalists, corporate leaders, state agency representatives, entrepreneurs, or technology experts. Office of Marketing and Communication Contacts Mary Pat Pfeil Senior Director of University Communication Phone: (414) 288-4719 Send e-mail Brigid O'Brien Miller Director of University Communication Phone: (414) 288-7445 Send e-mail