News
Hollingsworth Green Chemistry Firm Expands to New MSU Bioeconomy Institute
Rawle Hollingsworth's MSU technology spin-off company, AFID Therapeutics, is the first tenant in MSU's new
Bioeconomy Institute, located in Holland, Michigan. Using Hollingsworth's research on complex carbohydrates derived from biomass and sugars, AFID Therapeutics develops high-value chemical compounds that may be used to develop drugs to treat infectious and autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular and neurolgical disorders, and for other purposes. At the new MSU Bioeconomy Institute, the company will have access to a pilot plant where they can process 4,000-liter batches, as compared to the 3-4 liter batches that are currently produced in the laboratory space at MBI International.
The MSU Bioeconomy Institute opened in Spring of 2009. Donated by former owner, Pfizer, the 140,000-square-foot professional research and development facility, will provide space for MSU research in its fully equipped modern laboratories. The Institute will also provide educational and outreach programs, such as MSU’s ongoing training in biodiesel production. It will facilitate private sector research by start-up companies, early stage entrepreneurs, and embedded researchers from larger corporations. In addition to the facility, as Hollingsworth said, "West Michigan has the experienced workforce in pharmaceuticals to draw on and support AFID beyond this (research and development and scale-up) step." AFID Therapeuctics anticipates employing 10 engineers and chemists in Holland and a similar number in its MBI laboratory.
BMB Welcomes Atshaves to Faculty
Dr. Barbara Atshaves joined the department October 1st, as an assistant professor specializing in metabolic biochemistry. Her previous position was in the Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology at Texas A&M. Dr. Atshaves earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Texas A&M under the guidance of Distinguished Professor Dr. Ian Scott. She also holds degrees in Chemistry from San Diego State (M.S.) and the University of California, San Diego (B.S.). Her research interests include: lipid metabolism and chronic disease related to obesity, protein-lipid interactions regulating fat storage in adipocytes, and the role of nutraceuticals in the prevention of obesity and diabetes.
Dr. Atshaves is currently in the process of staffing her laboratory in Room 519 of Biochemistry.
Undergraduate Molecular Biology Study Abroad Program Developed by Hoffmann-Benning and Sears
Dr. Barbara Sears, director of Genetics and Plant Biology professor and Dr. Susanne Hoffmann-Benning, assistant professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, are developing the "Molecular Biology Research in Dusseldorf, Germany" Study Abroad program. The 10-week summer program will offer students the opportunity to work in 15 host labs on projects in the fields of: plant physiology, biochemistry, evolution, neuroscience, developmental biology. Participants will be able to earn independent study credits. Many opportunities for scholarships are anticipated. In Summer 2010, the program will be open to four students who have had GRM 101 and lab research experience. Dr. Hoffmann-Benning and Dr. Sears plan to expand the program to 10 students the following summers.
For further information and applicaton instructions, contact Dr. Sears (sears@msu.edu) or Dr. Hoffmann-Benning (hoffma16@msu.edu). See flyer.
MSU BMB and COM Welcome Osenkowski
Pamela Osenskowski joined the department in August as an instructor for BMB's College of Osteopathic Medicine courses, having most recently taught at Harvard Medical School's Brigham and Women's Hospital Center for Neurologic Diseases. "I am really enjoying helping 1st year medical students in biochemistry and genetics this semester," Osenkowski said. Osenkowski earned her Bachelor's in biology at the University of Michigan - Dearborn, and her Ph.D in Cancer Biology from Wayne State University. She currently teaches at the Macomb University Center branch of the MSU COM in Clinton Township and looks forward to teaching microbiology and pathology next semester. "It has been a great experience working with the COM during this exciting expansion phase," she added.
For more departmental news, please see
The BMB Weekly.
News Archive (since August 2006)