Drug discovery group, genome browser webinar, grant-writing tips and STEM conference deadline

Triad Drug Discovery Discussion Group at A&T, May 17: The group’s next meeting will be held at N.C. A&T, Thursday, May 17, 6:30 p.m. It will be joint meeting with Central NC ACS.  Topic: Ethics in Scientific Practice. Speaker: Dr. Daniel Vallero of the EPA, an environmental engineer who conducts research in chemical fate and transport of pollutants, especially those that are persistent and accumulate in the food chain. The meeting will be held in the New Science Building.

Genome browser webinar, May 17: The UCSC Bioinformatics Group will hold two free webinars on the UCSC Genome Browser. The webinars will be conducted by OpenHelix, which provides training on free, publicly accessible bioinformatics and genomics resources. The 75-minute webinar will cover the topics needed to effectively use the browser. Thursday, May 17, 1 p.m. ET. Details here.

Grant writing webinar, May 24: “Creating Successful Research Proposals: Tips from the Trenches,” a short, free presentation followed by Q&A with Celia Elliott, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. How to get started writing a proposal, strategies that will increase your chances for success, common mistakes that kill proposals, and other topics.  Thursday, May 24, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. ET. Part of the ACS Webinar series.

Abstract deadline, STEM conference, May 31: Bridging the Gap: Uniting K–16 STEM Education, October 23-24 in Raleigh, will bring together education, industry, government and informal science groups to strengthen K–12 and college STEM education throughout North Carolina. Presented by the N.C. Association for Biomedical Research.

Bioengineering camp for high school students

Click on the image for the application packet.

Future bioengineers will have a chance to get started while still in high school at the weeklong Summer Bioengineering Institute at N.C. A&T.

The program is open to rising 10^th through 12^th graders who are academically motivated and eager to practice engineering by turning new ideas into reality.

The institute will begin with a half-day orientation on Friday July 27 and continue from Monday July 30 through Friday August 3.  The fee is $75.  Registration is limited to just 20 students.  The deadline to apply is May 15.

In addition, promising rising 11th and 12th graders may apply for the six-week Young Scholars Program, a paid research experience, which will begin Monday June 25 and include the Bioengineering Institute.

The institute is an outreach program of the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials, which is based at N.C. A&T.  The center is developing biodegradable, biocompatible metal alloys for use in implantable medical devices for rehabilitation and regeneration.

The application is available at http://ncat.gosignmeup.com/documents/Y966g_2012Bioengineering%20Camp%20Package.pdf.

Forum on biomarkers and personalized medicine

What: A forum presented by the N.C. Biotechnology Center, titled, “Identification and Development of Novel Biomarkers as Tools for New Diagnostics: Applications for Personalized Medicine.”

Details: “This Biotech Forum … will bring together many of the region’s top experts in the life sciences to discuss new diagnostical techniques and their application to personalized medicine.”

When and where: Wednesday, April 11, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., North Carolina Biotechnology Center, 15 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park.

Cost, registration, etc: See the Biotech Center’s website.

Scientists from N.C. A&T and N.C. Central identify ginger as possible treatment for anemia

Scientists from N.C. A&T and North Carolina Central University have found a new direction for anemia research through their work with ginger.

Dr. Shengmin Sang of A&T and Dr. TinChung Leung of NCCU were scheduled to present their findings this week at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Chicago.

From an NCCU news release:

“The two researchers have found that ginger extract and its purified component increase red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) in transgenic zebrafish recovering from anemia, as well as in normal non-anemic zebrafish. They also discovered that ginger and its purified component stimulate a signaling pathway that encourages blood stem-cell formation. This finding provides insight for future study of the effect of ginger and its bioactive components in formation of blood cellular components in mammals. It has the potential to lead to development of novel erythropoiesis-promoting agents to treat anemia commonly associated with cancer chemotherapy.”

Both researchers are based at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.  Sang is with A&T’s Center of Excellence for Post-Harvest Research. Leung is with NCCU’s Julius Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute.

Survey for biomedical, biobehavioral researchers

Biomedical and biobehavioral researchers: DORED needs 60 seconds of your time to help us secure NIH funding to enhance our research administration infrastructure, particularly through the development of a biostatistical data analysis unit and a pilot research grant program.

Please complete this survey. It really should take just a minute.

The results of this survey are anonymous.  If you have any questions, contact Nora Shively at nshivelyncatsu@gmail.com.

Joint criminal & epidemiological investigations workshop

The FBI will conduct a two-day workshop in Raleigh next week on investigating incidents that could involve bioterrorism or the intentional exposure to chemical or radiological hazards. The event is targeted to law enforcement and public health professionals. The details:

North Carolina Regional Joint Criminal & Epidemiological Investigations Workshop, Presented by the FBI

FBI field offices, law enforcement, and public health investigators may be the first to initiate the notification process to investigate incidents that could have a potential bioterrorism nexus, or involve the intentional exposure to chemical or radiological hazards. Therefore, since 2008, FBI and CDC offered regional Joint Criminal and Epidemiological Workshops at the regional level.  More than 500 law enforcement and public health agencies’ personnel have been introduced to the joint investigations concept in regional workshops.

Cost: Free
Date: Tuesday March 27 and Wednesday March 28
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Hilton North Raleigh, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh

For more information and to register, click here.

Attention students: New NC Biotech internships

“The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is pleased to announce the creation of a new internship program, designed to provide experiential opportunities in the life science industry while strengthening local life science companies and organizations. We’ve partnered with entrepreneurial biotech startups and non-profit organizations to create eight new internship positions, with clearly defined activities and accomplishments that can be completed in a 3-month engagement.”

Details are on the N.C. Biotech website.

Students invited to FBI Bioterroism workshop

From the N.C. Association for Biomedical Research in regard to their previously announced event on Tuesday, February 28:

“NCABR’s Academic Biosecurity Workshop, presented in partnership with the FBI, will address potential biosecurity risks, information and skills needed for a successful attack on a research institution, and warning signs to look for. It will promote the early reporting of suspicious activities and will solidify relationships between law enforcement, research institutions, community stakeholders and academia.

“To ensure an optimal workshop experience, we’d like a cross section of participants that is as broad as possible. Would you please invite appropriate students from your institution by sharing this email? The workshop is completely free to attend.

“For more information and to register, please visit the workshop webpage: ncabr.org/fbi.”

A quick weekend read: ERC wins SBIR grant

The NSF Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials is starting the commercialization process for its biodegradable implant technology for reconstruction and regeneration.  A front-page story in today’s edition of The Business Journal details the work now being funded by an SBIR grant to develop a magnesium-alloy device that aims to make spinal fusion easier and less painful.

FBI Biosecurity Workshop: February 28 in RTP

News from the N.C. Association for Biomedical Research:

“Registration is under way for the popular Academic Biosecurity Workshop, which NCABR is presenting in partnership with the FBI. It is completely free to attend.

“The workshop will address potential biosecurity risks, information and skills needed for a successful attack on a research institution and warning signs to look for. It will promote the early reporting of suspicious activities and will solidify relationships between law enforcement, research institutions, community stakeholders and academia.”

“The workshop is geared toward academia, but is open to all employees of NCABR member organizations. Space is limited to 150 attendees.”

Details:

• Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 1 pm – 5 pm.
• Location: North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Research Triangle Park.
• Speakers, syllabus, reference materials and more are available at the workshop website.