Osteoarthritis Gene Therapy Research Honored With OREF Award
The founders of Genascence, a UF Innovate | Accelerate gene therapy startup, have been awarded with the 2024 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Clinical Research Award for their research on local gene therapy for osteoarthritis (OA). Over the past 30 years, the team has spearheaded research from the lab to human critical trials. This award recognizes outstanding clinical research related to musculoskeletal disease or injury.
Researchers and UF Innovate | Accelerate startup founders find Highly Effective Therapeutic Strategy for Small-Cell Lung Cancer
The proteins BCL-XL and BCL-2 can be targeted to help treat small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), a team of researchers has found. Previous treatments targeted these proteins using navitoclax, an anti-cancer drug, which resulted in platelet toxicity.
Third International Kratom Symposium Draws Experts From Across the Globe
Faculty from the University of Florida joined kratom scientists from around the world the Third International Kratom Symposium held in Orlando from Feb. 14-15. Hosted by the UF College of Pharmacy, the symposium featured botanists, chemists, pharmacologists, and public health experts as they exchanged ideas and discussed the most pressing issues concerning kratom's use internationally and in the West.
Oliver Grundmann, Ph.D., professor of medicinal chemistry and co-director of the symposium, said this event provides a unique opportunity to tackle the challenges around research and regulation of kratom.
Decoding the Genes Behind Dolastatin 10 Paves the Way for New Cancer Therapeutics
Researchers at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy have identified the genes responsible for the creation of dolastatin 10, a marine natural product that has led to six FDA-approved cancer drugs since 2011. The research team used genomic library screening and genome sequencing to identify the genes responsible for producing the marine natural product.
Novel Compound Opens New Avenue in Immunotherapy Treatment for Cancers
Researchers at the UF Health Cancer Center have developed a first-of-it-kind compound that may reveal a new way to treat cancer using immunotherapy. Currently, immunotherapy is among the most groundbreaking cancer treatments, but only about 20% to 40% of patients respond to it. It works by first identifying a target protein that contributes to tumor development and then developing a compound that will target that protein specifically, slowing tumor growth and boosting the body's immune system to fight off the cancer.
Genetic Score Advances Personalized Treatment Strategies With Promising AML Drug
In the latest development in precision medicine approaches to treating pediatric leukemia, UF Health researchers have developed a genetic score to predict patient outcomes with a promising targeted drug treatment.
University of Florida To Launch Space Mission Institute With $2.5 Million in Strategic Funding
Faculty at the University of Florida are joining forces to form the UF Space Mission Institute, with $2.5 million in funding from UF President Ben Sasse. The Institute will be managed by UF Research and will be a hub in which scientists and scholars from across UF can collaborate, conduct research, and innovate.
The institute will work to enhance existing relationships with Space Florida and the Space Life Sciences Laboratory at the Kennedy Space Center, and seek new partnerships with the International Space Station National Laboratory. The institute will also work to leverage UF’s proximity to the growing commercial space ecosystem in Florida. Throughout the next five years, the total economic impact of the commercial space industry in Florida is expected to be more than $5.3 billion.
Tech Tuesday – Mei He
In this week's Tech Tuesday for WCJB TV20, UF Innovate's Melanie Morón interviews Mei He, associate professor in the UF College of Pharmacy. Her research focuses on advancing the delivery of drugs to the human body.
By utilizing naturally-derived materials, the drug delivery process is more efficient and the drug's efficacy is maximized.
President’s Office Announces $10.2 Million for Fourth Round of Strategic Funding Awardees
The UF President's Office recently announced a fourth round of strategic funding to grow UF's research capabilities in critical areas of AI, space exploration, healthcare, and more.
Combination of Two Common Compounds Improves COVID Survival in Mice, UF Researchers Find
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered the combination of Lactoferrin, a protein found in cow and human milk, and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used for allergy symptoms, increased resilience of mice towards the virus that causes COVID-19.
