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chris |
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Monday, August 18 2003 @ 12:41 PM CDT |
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BATON ROUGE – The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) continues to make progressive strides in the field of molecular biology with its new Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine (BIOMMED).
“The future of medicine rests in the study of molecular biology and genetics. In 20 years research and treatment will be done through molecular medicine, not traditional medicine,” said Dr. Konstantin “Gus” Kousoulas, director of BIOMMED. “This division was created to assist the SVM faculty in the use of biotechnology in detecting, diagnosing and curing diseases. By having a centralized division, the level of sophistication in our work and what we can accomplish rises.”
The goals of BIOMMED are:
* To provide advanced molecular biological and bioinformatics capabilities to SVM, LSU and Louisiana-based researchers.
* To develop in collaboration with LSU and Louisiana-based researchers molecular biological methodologies to ameliorate human and animal diseases.
* To train SVM and LSU researchers in the effective use of molecular and analytical technologies through seminars, workshops and courses as well as "hands on training".
The work is done in three new laboratories established for the division. Using molecular diagnostics to determine the presence of a disease or virus before any symptoms are present allows for faster treatment, which increases the chances for success.
With the addition of microarray production and analysis slide equipment, technicians in the GeneLab can now test DNA to determine genetic predisposition for cancer, heart disease, (WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER DISEASES?) and many other diseases.
“With the new diagnostic equipment available, the level of detection is amazing. We can now find the proverbial needle in the haystack,” noted Kousoulas.
The Viral Vectors Laboratory is the only lab on the LSU campus that does DNA synthesis, where DNA that mimics a virus is created out of a RNA structure. This process, as well as DNA sequencing, helps to create new viruses that will be used as vectors, or transmitters, to fight diseases.
The Protein and Antibody Production and Purification Laboratory does just what the name suggests, producing and purifying proteins and antibodies that are used in creating vaccines.
“This new technology has given scientists the ability to understand disease at the genetic level, and to detect and manipulate DNA. There are tremendous applications to these capabilities. We can now create a ‘signature’ of a person or animal based on their individual DNA. We can identity that person’s predisposition to particular diseases, and we are working to develop new products through molecular biology to improve or cure those diseases,” said Kousoulas.
BIOMMED is heading a school-wide program in cancer research, and one part of the program is already yielding results. Dr. Timothy Foster, an assistant professor for research in the BIOMMED division, and Dr. Neal Mauldin, one of LSU’s two veterinary oncologists, have cloned small proteins that stop malignant tumors from growing. They are now working to deliver the proteins through gene therapy and should begin testing the proteins on animals within six months.
“Pharmaceutical companies are now investing in molecular biological research and new drugs are being created as a result. One goal for this new division is to have our staff and other SVM faculty work together on projects, such as Dr. Foster and Dr. Mauldin’s, to develop molecular medicines,” explained Kousoulas.
There will be weekly, hands-on workshops held this fall to acquaint SVM faculty and students with molecular biology and the new division. BIOMMED’S state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure will be available to the entire veterinary school and even to other scientists on campus.
“We want BIOMMED to be a bridge between the clinicians and researchers. We hope to transfer this bank of knowledge out of the lab and into the clinics,” said Kousoulas.
BIOMMED is a Division within the School of Veterinary Medicine, Louiisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA. It is financially supported by the School of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Basic Sciences, and the LSU Agricultural Center. BIOMMED is a participant in the Biomedical Infrastructure Network (BRIN) headquartered in the College of Basic Sciences and funded by NIH. Dr. K. G. Kousoulas serves as director of BIOMMED.
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