New therapies expected from better understanding of RNA says UH prof

[Guest guest]

New therapies expected from better understanding of RNA, says UH prof

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=31616

Biology/Biochemistry News

06 Oct 2005

Fox to give lecture, receive honor at Sigma Xi Scientific

Research Society event -

One professor's research in RNA with immediate application in

monitoring bacteria in the environment and potentially allowing for

advances in biotechnology will be discussed at the annual University

of Houston Sigma Xi lecture at 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10. The event is

open to the public.

As the 2005 recipient of the Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award,

E. Fox, UH professor of biology and biochemistry and professor of

chemical engineering, will present a lecture on his explorations in a

local region of RNA sequence space. He will describe studies that

provide a better understanding of what is possible and what is not

when modifying a naturally occurring RNA. This work furthers efforts

to develop general design principles for RNA that can be used in

emerging biotechnology applications. This is especially significant

now because RNA has recently been discovered to be unexpectedly

involved in the regulation of gene expression in mammalian cells.

Hence, the ability to design novel RNAs is expected to facilitate

research leading to new therapies for a variety of human ailments.

The Scientific Research Society of Sigma Xi is the global honor

society of scientists and engineers that promotes scientific

achievement with chapters in every college and university in the

United States. Some 180 Sigma Xi members are Nobel laureates and many

more have been elected to the National Academies of Science and

Engineering. The UH chapter of Sigma Xi is honoring Fox with the

award " for distinguished contributions to scientific knowledge and

its applications. " The honor also includes a cash prize of $2,000.

Since coming to UH in 1977, Fox has held numerous positions including

vice chair of the Department of Biology and Biochemistry from 1998 to

2000 and director of the Institute for Molecular Biology from 1988 to

2001. He is the author or co-author of more than 110 peer review

publications and has received numerous honors and awards for his

research. Fox is an elected fellow of the American Academy of

Microbiology, the American Association for the Advancement of Science

and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. He

earned his bachelor's degree and his doctorate in chemical

engineering from Syracuse University.

WHO:

E. Fox, UH Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award 2005 Recipient

Professor of Biology and Biochemistry and Professor of Chemical

Engineering

WHAT:

Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award Lecture and Reception " Explorations

in a Local Region of RNA Sequence Space "

WHEN:

4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10

WHERE:

University of Houston

M.D. Memorial Library

Rockwell Pavilion

University of Houston

http://www.uh.edu/newsroom