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Scholar Awards:
Kristine Hope and Hiroki Takahashi are recipients of 2004 Aventis Metabolism Scholar Awards, and Huarong Zhou is the recipient of a Western Society for Clinical Investigation Travel Award. All three PNRI (now PNDRI) scientists have been recognized for the significance of their recent research into the mechanisms of insulin. The trio will be honored in conjunction with the Western American Federation for Medical Research meetings in Carmel in January. The Metabolism Scholar Awards are sponsored by Aventis to support the growth of metabolic research.

See the press release.

An Evening of Wine—First Flight - May 15, 2004
Join us at the exclusive Seattle Golf Club for PNRI's first annual fundraising event. Wines from eight of Washington State's finest wineries paired with delicious appetizers, plus a live auction of seven wine-themed packages. Proceeds go to PNRI research. $150.00 per person. Make your reservation by contacting Linda Bonomi, Director of Development, 206.726.1203 or lbonomi@pndri.org.
 

Asbestos Cancer Breakthrough

 
Ingegerd Hellstrom    
A PNRI (now PNDRI) team led by Dr. Ingegerd Hellstrom, and an Australian team, led by Dr. Bruce Robinson, of the University of Western Australia, has reported the development of a blood test for mesothelioma, a highly aggressive lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

According to Hellstrom, mesothelima cells release distinctive molecular markers, SMR (soluble mesothelin-related proteins), into the blood stream. Hellstrom and her colleagues have identified this group of markers and have developed a test to detect them with great specificity.

"This is a very important breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma," Hellstrom explains. "Currently, no blood test exists to detect this cancer and the new biomarker will help doctors see the disease that so far has required much more complicated and expensive tests, and that even then has often gone undetected."

Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. (FDI) of Malvern, PA, a leading oncology diagnostic company, has acquired an exclusive license from PNRI to develop a commercial test for the worldwide distribution.

Full details

4th Annual Student Biotech Expo

 
John Raycraft and Jylian Scott    
The Washington Biotechnology Foundation (WBF) will be holding its 4th annual Student Biotech Expo on March 18, 2004. Scientists from PNRI-Michael Brantley, Peter Ong-Lim, Elizabeth Oseid, Sarah Parker, Vincent Poitout, John Raycraft and Melissa Smith- are mentoring eight local high school students. The students are matched with mentors by their area of interest such as molecular biology, forensics, immunology, bioethics, etc.

Students are encouraged to visit the labs. Some job shadow their mentors, others learn about diabetes and cancer research being done while others design and conduct experiments. Mentors are invited to attend the Expo where the students present their final projects in a competition. Last year two students who were mentored by PNRI staff won first place in their project categories.

For more information on the Expo check out the Biotech Expo website.

Annenberg Symposium on Islet Transplantation

 
    
The 3rd Annual Annenberg Symposium on Islet Transplantation was held in December. This year's program included an international roster of scientists and surgeons reporting on today's most promising therapy for type 1 diabetes. Participants discussed the evolution of islet transplantation, the results of current studies, the innovative directions of this new technology, and the challenges facing researchers as they work to make it an even more effective clinical practice.

Dr. R. Paul Robertson, CEO and Scientific Director of PNRI, opened the Symposium. Robertson, one of the world's leading diabetologists, helped found the symposium three years ago and continues to serve as its program chair.

See the press release for more information.


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