Archived News (2009)
An NU Start-Up Wins 2009 CBC Business Plan Competition
From Emily Ayshford, The McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
May 30, 2009
VesselTek Biomedical, an innovative vascular products company started by Guillermo Ameer, associate
professor of biomedical engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at
Northwestern University, his former student Antonio Webb, and Melina Kibbe, assistant professor of
surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine, will receive a $10,000 prize for winning the annual competition,
which invites graduate student teams from the three CBC schools — Northwestern, University of Chicago, and
University of Illinois at Chicago — to submit biomedically relevant business plans in order to compete for
the grand prize. This year, six teams competed.
VesselTek Biomedical started a year ago after Ameer realized that the biocompatible coating that promotes
the safety and success of vascular repairs that he developed in his lab would need outside funding and support
if it were ever to make it to market.
“Tony Webb did an excellent job presenting,” Ameer says, “and winning this competition validates the company’s
goals. When it comes to raising funds, we hope it will open doors.”
Ameer says a synthetic graft with biocompatible coating that would reduce thrombosis and could be on the market
within three years. A drug-eluting version, making artificial graft procedures as successful as those using natural
vessels, will follow within the next five years.
The Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC), launched with a demonstration project in 2002 and a full granting program
starting in 2006, aims to stimulate collaboration among scientists at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago,
and the University of Illinois at Chicago that will transform research at the frontiers of biomedicine. The Chicago
Biomedical Consortium is supported by the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust.
CBC Microscopy Forum Highlights New Imaging Techniques and Applications
March 26, 2009
On March 26, 2009, the CBC gathered 10 local principal investigators with an interest in various aspect of microscopic imaging for
a special Forum: Seeing Small is Believing Big. Over 100 researchers from Northwestern, University of Chicago,
and UIC attended the half-day event at the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center. The primary purpose of this event was to
familiarize this group of excellent, diverse, and multi-institutional investigators with the array of microscopy-based research and
resources going on across the city. Presentations covered topics ranging from “New Fluorescent Proteins for In Vivo Imaging” to
“Micromanipulation and micro-visualization studies of protein-DNA interactions and chromosome structure.” The forum was organized
by Vladimir Gelfand (Northwestern), Lawrence Miller (UIC), and Jerrold Turner (University of Chicago). It is the CBC’s hope that
this and similar faculty-initiated efforts will foster more and stronger collaborations across the three institutions.
Benjamin Glick: Prof, Dept of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology
University of Chicago
New Fluorescent Proteins for In Vivo Imaging
Margaret Gardel: Asst Prof, Dept of Physics
University of Chicago
Dynamics of the F-actin Cytoskeleton
Vladimir Gelfand: Prof, Dept of Cell & Molecular Biology
Northwestern University
Imaging organelle transport in cultured cells
Wonhwa Cho: Prof, Dept of Chemistry
University of Illinois at Chicago
Molecular imaging of membrane trafficking and remodeling
Kathrin Banach: Asst Prof, Dept of Medicine, Cardiology
University of Illinois at Chicago
InsP3 signaling domains in cardiac pacemaking
Lawrence Miller: Asst Prof, Dept of Chemistry
University of Illinois at Chicago
Lanthanide protein labels and time-resolved imaging
Barry Lai: Physicist
Argonne National Laboratory
X-ray Imaging of Native Cellular Processes and Chemistry
John Marko: Prof, Dept Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Cell Biology
Northwestern University
Micromanipulation and micro-visualization studies of protein-DNA interactions and chromosome structure
Philip Hockberger: Assoc Prof, Dept of Physiology
Northwestern University
Application of Two-Photon Microscopy to Studies of Neural Stem Cell Migration and Dendritic Physiology
Jerrold Turner: Prof, Dept of Pathology
University of Chicago
Looking at Leaking: New Views of Epithelial Barrier Regulation
Newly Hired CBC Associate Director
March 25, 2009
The Chicago Biomedical Consortium is pleased to welcome Gene Webb, Ph.D. to the position of Associate Director.
Gene joins us from the University of Chicago’s Biological Sciences Division Dean’s office, where he carried out
planning and assessment of initiatives for the Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine. As the Division’s
Planning Manager, Gene oversaw reviews of the grant portfolio as well as long-range assessments of research and
education accomplishments, goals, and resource allocation. Gene is trained as a geneticist and molecular biologist
and brings a broad understanding of the biomedical sciences, research funding, science education and academic
administration.
Since its inception in 2006, the CBC has successfully implemented a strategic plan to promote biomedical
research in the Chicago area. This has been accomplished through awarding to date a portfolio of grants
that include Catalyst Awards (14), Spark Awards (5), Lever Awards (2), Faculty Recruitment Awards (1), as
well as educational and infrastructure programs. In total, over $17M has been awarded to foster collaborative
scientific programs between the three CBC institutions (Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and
the University of Illinois at Chicago). Gene will be located at Northwestern University’s Evanston campus and
can be reached at g-webb at northwestern dot edu or by phone at (847) 467-0633.
New Catalyst Award - "Proteolysis-inducing peptides as tools for chemical genetics"
February 26, 2009
Three scientists, Stephen Kron (University of Chicago), Brian Kay (University of Illinois at Chicago), and Stephen Kent (University of Chicago) have received the new CBC Catalyst Award in January, 2009.
In detail, ProTaPs consist of three functionalities: a targeting peptide that binds to
specific protein target, a domain that binds to an E3 ubiquitin ligase to induce
polyubiquitination and a cell penetrating peptide to deliver the ProTaP to its site of action.
These three functionalities can be synthesized independently as peptide modules and then linked
together by native chemical ligation. This modular approach allows great flexibility, so that a
large number of ProTaPs can be synthesized and tested in parallel. Treating cells with a ProTaP
will rapidly induce ubiquitin-proteasome dependent destruction of the target protein. We hope to
validate ProTaPs alongside knockouts and knockdowns as a tool for analysis of gene functions,
but also as a novel route to validating proteins as targets for therapeutics.
This new tool will be used to analyze chromatin modification and protein assembly at DNA double strand
breaks. We will identify a small number of key target proteins and exploit phage display to discover high affinity
and high specificity binding peptides that will tether a ProTaPs to each of these proteins. Because
ProTaPs can be used much like a drug, they will allow determination of the requirements for normal
responses to DNA damage, such as modification of histone proteins, recruitment and assembly of DNA
damage signaling and repair proteins, and for assembly of the characteristic protein complex at the
double strand break site. They will exploit a GFP fusion to 53BP1, a protein that rapidly localizes to
DNA breaks, as a fluorescent reporter for changes in chromatin modification or protein assembly. By
examining changes in the characteristic relocalization of GFP-53BP1 from diffuse nuclear distribution
to discrete foci at double strand break sites and then tracking whether the persistence of the foci is
normal, we will be able to determine whether a ProTaPs has disrupted a key function in the DNA damage
response. This work will identify new mechanisms and targets in DNA damage response and provide useful
data on the approach of targeting chromatin as a route to radiosensitization.
Developing a new tool to help understand protein function in the response to DNA damage may have broad
consequences. The new drug-like molecules to be studied here may provide leads for a new class of drugs that
will enhance the effects of radiation on tumors, with the potential for major impact on the treatment of metastatic
cancer.
Open Position - CBC Senior Program Manager
January 28, 2009
The successful candidate must be able to travel between all three campuses.
Specific Responsibilities:
Acting as program liaison to coordinate efforts among NU, UC, and UIC by directing communications between NU and CBC
sites, outside entities and scientists and facilitating interaction among high-level individuals at the three institutions
in order to coordinate policies, procedures and long and short-term plans in order to maintain this large-scale
collaboration; Assisting with writing projects by reviewing proposals submitted for funding, providing appropriate
follow-up recommendations and assisting in the timely submission of required annual grant reports and continuation
applications to ensure uninterrupted funding; Monitoring program management between institutions by setting goals and
developing and implementing policies and procedures within program guidelines to ensure that consistent and acceptable
standards are met; Supporting development initiatives by managing publicity efforts in local, regional, and national
scientific funding communities, creating announcements and publicity pieces, and coordinating press releases with the
three press and development offices to cultivate exposure and recognition of the CBC; Overseeing the content of the CBC's
website, database, email list-serves and access grid used to allow easy communication within the CBC community; Planning
and directing the CBC symposia and workshops in areas of interest; Work with faculty to develop Graduate-level courses
and student activities in CBC-interest areas. Interface with CBC-funded infrastructure projects and oversight boards to
enhance collaborative use; Performing other related duties as required or assigned;
Minimum Qualifications:
A master's degree required, preferably in Biomedical or Natural Sciences or the equivalent combination of education,
training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired; Excellent writing skills; Excellent oral
communication skills; Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and work under pressure to meet deadlines;
Demonstrated ability to facilitate effective communication, cooperation, respect and teamwork within the CBC; The
ability to self-motivate and to work with minimal direction; Displayed initiative; Demonstrated attention to detail;
Strong analytical, quantitative and reasoning skills; The ability to maintain confidentiality; Excellent decision-making,
planning and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
A Ph.D. or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired; Good interpersonal skills; Familiarity with one or more of the CBC institutions; Previous administrative, academic
research program, or other relevant experience.
All applications received before February 26, 2009 will be considered. TO APPLY visit Northwestern
University's Careers site by clicking here. Once you are
on the Careers Home page, please follow the below steps to view the Sr Program Manager position:
1. Choose Academic/Administrative Jobs under "Apply Now"
2. Type: Sr Program Manager into the Keywords text box in Basic Job Search
3. Click on the Search button to view the search results.