Institute News
Here’s a GREAT opportunity for life sciences educators!
HAIB News - Mon, 05/20/2013 - 4:59pm
The Genetic Resources to Empower Alabama Teachers workshop is a unique learning opportunity provided at no cost to Alabama accredited, public, high school life sciences teachers.
The GREAT Workshop will be held at the University of South Alabama Life Science Building, August 8-9, 2013 from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. each day.
Teachers who complete the two-day workshop will return to the classroom with lesson plans and hands-on materials that are student-tested, informative and that link to state course objectives.
Categories: Institute News
HudsonAlpha genetic counselor discusses whether women should be tested for breast cancer gene mutations
HAIB News - Wed, 05/15/2013 - 11:20am
News Outlet: The Huntsville Times and WHNT Date published: May 15, 2013
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Actress Angelina Jolie underwent a preventive double mastectomy after learning she carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, which sharply increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. She learned this after a test showed that she was 87 percent likely to develop breast cancer. This has left many women wondering if they should be tested for this genetic abnormality as well.
Kelly East, a genetic counselor at HudsonAlpha, says 5-10 percent of all breast cancers are hereditary.Categories: Institute News
Brain study identifies genetic link between major depressive disorder and the internal clock in humans
HAIB News - Tue, 05/14/2013 - 2:40pm
Cellular-level connections provide potential targets for improved diagnosis and treatment
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Sleeping, eating, working; humans, as well as many other living organisms, have circadian patterns, regularly occurring, 24-hour rhythms, that are part of normal function. Dysfunctions in regular patterns – such as insomnia and unexplained fluctuations in appetite, body temperature and/or hormones — are symptoms shared by many patients with depression. Researchers at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, with scientists at the University of Michigan, the University of California at Irvine, Stanford University and Weill Cornell Medical College, collaborated in a study where they found the first direct evidence connecting cellular level activity in the brains of patients with depression to out-of-step circadian rhythms. These groups have been part of the Pritzker Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Consortium for the past decade.
Release Date: May 14, 2013 (All day) Contact Name: Holly Ralston Contact Email: hralston@hudsonalpha.org Contact Phone: 256.508.8954 Organization Background: The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.Categories: Institute News
HudsonAlpha researcher Jian Han, M.D., Ph.D., teams up with UAH researcher to identify invasive plant species
HAIB News - Mon, 04/29/2013 - 4:03pm
News Outlet: Newswise Date published: April 29, 2013
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — University of Alabama in Huntsville assistant biology professor Dr. Leland Cseke and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology researcher Dr. Jian Han have joined forces to identify invasive plant species that are sneaking into the United States because they look just like desirable crops or ornamentals.
Categories: Institute News
HudsonAlpha Foundation receives $2.5 million gift
HAIB News - Fri, 04/26/2013 - 9:47am
Special fund honors institute founder Lonnie McMillian
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- A group of “stealthy” individuals led by Danny Windham, chief executive officer of Digium, revealed its mutual hand last night when the Lonnie McMillian Inspiring Excellence Fund was announced at the annual HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology fund raising event. “The idea of a non-profit institute for biotechnology here in Huntsville was Lonnie’s vision,” said Windham, “and proceeds from the fund will help recruit and retain the very best researchers to HudsonAlpha.” Initial gifts to the fund total $2.5 million.
Categories: Institute News
DNA Day on April 26 highlighted in local media
HAIB News - Fri, 04/19/2013 - 3:02pm
News Outlet: The Huntsville Times Date published: April 19, 2013 Download PDF: 2013 DNA Day Agenda 1 (1).pdf
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Interested in learning -- quickly -- what some of Alabama's smartest minds are working on in biotechnology? Block out April 26 from 3-6 p.m. on your calendar when theHudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology showcases its resident companies, speed-dating style.
As part of its annual celebration of DNA in April, the institute is offering what it calls "short, spirited presentations" by representatives of 10 companies on its campus. HudsonAlpha, the non-profit cornerstone of a growing biotech campus in Huntsville's Cummings Research Park, has a three-part mission of genetic research, education, and incubating new biotech businesses. This year, the DNA Day emphasis is on education and business development as a way to show the economic value of science to Alabama and the value of science education to the future.Categories: Institute News
Through the Microscope - Spring 2013
HAIB News - Fri, 04/12/2013 - 9:21am
April 12, 2013 Spring 2013 Download PDF: spring2013.pdf
Categories: Institute News
HudsonAlpha slates April 26 for DNA Day celebration
HAIB News - Fri, 04/12/2013 - 9:20am
Public outreach program highlights the business side of biotech
Widely famous for showers that bring May flowers, April has another claim to fame at HudsonAlpha and many other biology-centric organizations. April is the month to salute deoxyribonucleic acid-- DNA.
“Each year, the celebration at HudsonAlpha changes,” said Neil Lamb, director of education outreach at HudsonAlpha. “This year, we are focusing on the companies located with us here on the biotech campus.”
Download PDF: 2013 DNA Day Agenda.pdfCategories: Institute News
HudsonAlpha Institute and Carolina Biological partner to help students learn by doing
HAIB News - Thu, 04/11/2013 - 9:14am
Carolina Biological to distribute institute-developed science activities
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. and BURLINGTON, N.C. -- “Educational outreach at HudsonAlpha aims to deliver creative, hands-on educational experiences that raise student comprehension and build teacher confidence,” said Neil Lamb, Ph.D., director of educational outreach at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. The value of educational kits designed by Lamb and his staff at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has been acknowledged by an executed agreement with Carolina Biological Supply Company. According to Lamb, Carolina will promote and broadly distribute institute-branded, hands-on experiments and resources.
Release Date: April 11, 2013 (All day) Contact Name: Holly Ralston Contact Email: hralston@hudsonalpha.org Contact Phone: 256.508.8954 Organization Background: The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.Categories: Institute News
Seeing beyond disability
HAIB News - Tue, 04/09/2013 - 9:21am
Spring Benefit for Childhood Genetic Disorders and photographic exhibition
The HudsonAlpha Spring 2013 benefit raises both money to advance research into childhood genetic disorders and awareness of the profound physical, emotional and financial impacts to children and families.
In support of this effort, HudsonAlpha partnered with Positive Exposure, a non-profit program founded by award-winning fashion photographer Rick Guidotti.
Categories: Institute News
Meet the inspiration spurring new research at the institute
HAIB News - Fri, 04/05/2013 - 10:56am
News Outlet: The Huntsville Times Date published: April 5, 2013
HUNTSVILLE, ALA. -- The genetic research that goes on at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology can seem complicated, the stuff of lofty science journals. A photography exhibit the institute recently commissioned, however, shows that work in a different light. It's Aidan, who recently lost his first tooth, and Brandon, who has a great sprinkle of freckles across his face. It's Sarah with her wide smile and brown eyes.
Categories: Institute News
Serina Therapeutics announces exclusive license agreement with The Scripps Research Institute
HAIB News - Thu, 04/04/2013 - 3:47pm
HUNTSVILLE, Ala -- Serina Therapeutics, Inc., announced today that the company has entered into a definitive exclusive license agreement with The Scripps Research Institute for “click chemistry” – a facile method of attaching molecules together in a precise and quantitative manner. The nature of the agreement and the financial terms were not disclosed.
Release Date:
April 3, 2013 - 1:00am
Contact Name:
Holly Ralston
Contact Phone:
256.508.8954
Organization Background:
The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.
Categories: Institute News
2013 Spring Benefit brings attention to chilhood genetic disorders
HAIB News - Wed, 04/03/2013 - 2:15pm
HudsonAlpha will hold its fifth annual Spring Benefit on Thursday, April 25. All proceeds from the event will fund the institute's research on childhood genetic disorders.
Hope for young patients and their families lies at the intersection of HudsonAlpha research and the practice of Dr. Martina Bebin, a pediatric neurologist at North Alabama Children’s Specialists in Huntsville. Genetic conditions that affect growth, behavior, and cognition are common and pervasive; HudsonAlpha scientists are searching for answers.
Download PDF: Spring Benefit 2013 email.pdfCategories: Institute News
International team works toward sustainable peach
HAIB News - Sat, 03/23/2013 - 4:51pm
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Advancing work toward sustainable crops and sustainable fuels is among potential outcomes from a project undertaken by the International Peach Genome Initiative. The initiative, including researchers at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, has completed the draft genome of peach, Prunus persica, and published findings in the March 24 edition of Nature Genetics.
Release Date: March 24, 2013 - 1:00am Contact Name: Holly Ralston Contact Email: hralston@hudsonalpha.org Contact Phone: 256.508.8954 Organization Background: The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.Categories: Institute News
iCell now available on Windows 8 platform
HAIB News - Fri, 03/22/2013 - 4:27pm
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – HudsonAlpha’s iCell is now fully available on the Windows 8 platform, potentially reaching an audience of more than 4 million Windows 8 users worldwide. The new Microsoft system features easier-to-open apps for tablets and PCs, making iCell easier to access on Windows 8 devices.
“It simplifies the process of being able to use the iCell application,” said Adam Hott, Ed.D., coordinator of educational outreach. “This makes iCell more accessible and puts it in the hands of users more efficiently.”
Release Date:
March 24, 2013 - 1:00am
Contact Name:
Victoria Cumbow
Contact Email:
vcumbow@hudsonalpha.org
Contact Phone:
256.327.5206
Organization Background:
The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.
Categories: Institute News
EGEN announces phase I clinical trial for advanced ovarian cancer
HAIB News - Wed, 03/20/2013 - 12:59pm
News Outlet:
PR Newswire
Date published:
March 20, 2013
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- EGEN, Inc. today announced that it has recently initiated a Phase I clinical trial of its novel immunotherapy agent, EGEN-001, in combination with PEGylated liposomal Doxorubicin or Lipodox for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. The EGEN-sponsored trial is conducted by a network of researchers led by Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) at member institutions under an agreement between the GOG and EGEN, Inc. Premal Thaker, M.D., M.S., of Washington University School of Medicine, is the Study Chair for the trial.
Categories: Institute News
GREAT workshop embraced by area educators
HAIB News - Wed, 03/06/2013 - 5:39pm
Nearly 130 educators from northern and central areas of Alabamaattended the February Genetic Resources Empowering Alabama Teachers workshop offered by HudsonAlpha. “Those who participated in the workshop received classroom kits with hands-on exercises in chromosomal arrangements, protein folding and the relationships between DNA, RNA and functional proteins,” said Madelene Loftin, HudsonAlpha biotechnology education specialist.
Categories: Institute News
Research shows neurons and support cells negatively impact each other in ALS
HAIB News - Tue, 02/19/2013 - 11:20am
A study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis recently published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA shows a complex genetic interplay between motor neurons and astrocytes. Led by scientists at Columbia University and supported by labs at the HudsonAlpha Institute, the study provided novel insights into the pathways leading to motor neuron-specific degeneration.
According to HudsonAlpha President and Director Rick Myers, Ph.D., “This research illustrated the linkage between motor neurons and neighboring nonneuronal cells, called glia, in ALS progression.” Astrocytes are one of three types of glial cells.
Release Date:
February 19, 2013 (All day)
Contact Name:
Holly Ralston
Contact Email:
hralston@hudsonalpha.org
Contact Phone:
256.508.8954
Organization Background:
The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.
Categories: Institute News
