Comedian and sage Tim Bedore says, “If you don’t like the news, go out and make some of your own.”
We know a lot of people who take that to heart. Our state has many passionate entrepreneurs, insightful researchers, and other dedicated agents of growth and change. USTAR is grateful for their efforts.
We in Utah are a resilient people. Let’s make 2010 a great year. Go out and make some news!
View our holiday message: http://newmedia.innovationutah.com/holiday/
An array of precisely directed, cancer-fighting drugs may be on the horizon, thanks to a recent agreement signed between a Maryland-based pharmaceutical company and a company formed by University of Utah researchers.
On Dec. 14, Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex:RNN), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company commercializing potential oncology and central nervous system therapeutics, and TheraTarget, Inc., a developer of polymer therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, announced the formation of a joint research collaboration agreement.
Under the terms of the agreement, TheraTarget will synthesize and supply Rexahn with polymer-drug conjugate products, which are part of Rexahn’s polymer-based nanomedicine portfolio. Co-founders of TheraTarget are University of Utah professors Jindrich (Henry) Kopecek and Hamid Ghandehari, who is a USTAR researcher.
Hamid Ghandehari
The class of compounds to be synthesized use technology pioneered by Kopecek. The compounds are composed of chains of polymers, to which anti-cancer drugs are attached. The compounds are able to target cancerous cells, and deliver the cell-killing agents. Because of their high molecular weight, the compounds stay active in the bloodstream longer than conventional pharmaceuticals, thereby enhancing dose efficacy. (more…)
The second annual Milford Renewable Energy Fair is scheduled for April 29, 2010. It will be held at the Milford High School in Milford, UT. USTAR is a sponsor and will exhibit at the event. For more information, visit http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGN2cGg2QV94UXZSd2o5VzRBSHpXMnc6MA.
John Kowaleski, director of Media Relations at Weber State University, shares this story:
Christmas came early at Weber State University as six research projects were among the initial 10 projects statewide to receive Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) Technology Commercialization Grants (TCG). Funding from the six grants totals nearly $189,000.
The grant recipients represent a diverse cross-section of academic disciplines, faculty and staff at WSU — many working in partnership with local industry.
WSU President F. Ann Millner
Funded projects range from a product to coat and protect concrete and stucco surfaces to synthetic saliva to a wireless aviation headset. One project uses statistical models to predict a job candidate’s likelihood of success in a specific role. The projects are at various stages in the development process.
“Half the projects include student involvement,” said WSU President Ann Millner. “These are incredible opportunities for our students to work closely with faculty and better understand the complexities of taking a product from concept to market.” (more…)
To Ken Ely of the Emery County Search and Rescue team, “Copenhagen” is something you stick in the back pocket of your jeans. Nonetheless his handiwork is on display in a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary on climate change called “Hot Planet.” It ran Dec. 9th in the United Kingdom and features some breathtaking high wall climbing scenes in Central Utah.
A BBC film crew came stateside in July 2008 to interview Brian McPherson, an associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah and a USTAR faculty member. The dramatic backdrop for the interview was Utah’s public lands.
McPherson drew the BBC’s attention because he is spearheading a multi-state project testing the feasibility of geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2). The Southwest Partnership on Carbon Sequestration seeks to test the idea that the CO2 burned at power plants can be pumped thousands of feet underground and stored safely away from the atmosphere. McPherson is an internationally recognized expert and his test laboratory is the intermountain West’s Colorado Plateau.
Ken Ely and Kathy Sykes above Buckhorn Wash
During the filming in Buckhorn Wash, McPherson had the easy job. He got to stand on solid ground while being interviewed. On the other hand, Kathy Sykes, a popular British TV personality who is a professor at the University of Bristol, had the hard job. She dangled on a cliff face a thousand feet above the bottom of the wash while speaking on camera about the properties of CO2 and sandstone. (more…)
As the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to look back and take stock. For the USTAR initiative, the year has been one of momentum building and an increasing pace of achievement. Today’s article is an update on our building projects.
Leading researchers and industry will utilize two state of-the-art interdisciplinary research and development facilities coming to Utah as a result of a key program of the USTAR initiative.
The primary purpose of two new buildings – rising on the Utah State University and University of Utah campuses – is to give our research teams top-of-the-line facilities in which to conduct their work in USTAR’s key innovation focus areas.
In addition, it is estimated that the projects are employing as many as 800 construction workers in the second half of 2009.
The buildings when complete should also foster the connection between industry, entrepreneurship and research. Each facility will serve as an industry magnet, encouraging collaboration between researchers and industry experts.
The USTAR projects are employing a significant number of construction workers.
Yesterday, State Senator Lyle Hillyard posted an interesting comment to the Senate blog site. You can read the full text here – http://tinyurl.com/yavw8yf.
In the blog he cites conversations with Ned Weinshenker of Utah State University on the importance of protecting the commercial value of the unique organisms present in Utah on public lands. Sen. Hillyard states he is considering filing a bill along these lines.
An example from USTAR-funded research illustrates the topic. The USU Biofuels team is evaluating different algae strains, and to date, a number of strains that reside in the Great Salt Lake – a highly saline and “Ph challenged” environment – appear to be very productive.
Sen. Hillyard’s focus on the long-term ramifications of commercial development of our biodiversity assets is commendable and far-sighted.
