January 31, 2000
New health sciences advisory council approved
Posted January 31, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 31, 2000 | 2000-01-16-ME |
New health sciences advisory council approved
The advisory council will provide a forum for advising on the optimal use of the resources of the health sciences colleges in the interests of health care in Saskatchewan and the optimal use of health care facilities for the teaching and research needs of the health sciences colleges.
"The objective of everyone involved in this process is to create a forum for active discussion on issues that are important to all of us," said Peter MacKinnon, University of Saskatchewan President.
The Advisory Council will be made up of representatives from the health science colleges, senior university administration, the health districts, the Department of Health and the Department of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training. A board of governors representative will chair the Council.
"The College of Medicine is an important provincial institution which is closely linked to our health system," said Pat Atkinson, Minister of Health. "The Advisory Council will improve communication and co-ordination between the university, health districts, and government and ensure the College continues to meet the needs of Saskatchewan people.
"The new Health Sciences Advisory Committee is a welcome addition to this partnership," said Glenn Hagel, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training. "It will provide an excellent forum in which to foster effective planning, accountability mechanisms and communication among the partners."
"Saskatoon District Health supports this initiative and looks forward to assuming its role on the Council," said Jim Fergusson, President and CEO, SDH. "This has the potential to strengthen and clarify the closely interdependent and complex relationship between SDH and health science colleges of the university, most particularly the College of Medicine."
"The health science colleges are an integral part of the health care system in this province," said David Popkin, Dean of the College of Medicine. "Our ability to carry out our mandate is affected by the decisions made by the Province and the health districts as do our choices have an impact on them. This model will enhance the opportunity for informed and mutually beneficial decision making."
The Noseworthy Report was the result of a study commissioned by Saskatchewan Health. On matters of governance, the Noseworthy Report recommended that "the University of Saskatchewan close the gap between the Board and the College of Medicine by establishing a sub-board of health sciences.
For more information, please contact:
Michael Atkinson
Vice-President (Academic)
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8484
David Popkin
Dean, College of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6149
Terry White
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training
(306) 787-1069
Barry Maber
Physician Vice-President
Saskatoon District Health
(306) 655-1219
Peter Mayne
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Health
(306) 787-7296
College of Medicine programs recommended to receive Full Royal College Approval
Posted January 31, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 31, 2000 | 2000-01-17-ME |
College of Medicine programs recommended to receive Full Royal College Approval
Anesthesia, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, General Pathology, and Medical Imaging (Radiology) were surveyed on January 26 -28, 2000 by four Royal College Accreditation Surveyors and two residents from residency training programs in other parts of Canada.
At the last Royal College Survey in October 1997, at which time all twenty College of medicine Residency Training Programs were surveyed, three programs: Anesthesia, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Medical Imaging were given the status of Provisional Approval because various weaknesses were identified in each program. General Pathology was given a Notice with Intent to Withdraw, indicating serious weaknesses.
"This recommendation of Full Approval means that each program, their respective department heads, program directors, residency training committees, and residents worked together in a concerted effort to enhance their educational profiles in order to meet the expectations and objectives of the Royal College," said Dr. David Popkin, Dean of the College of Medicine.
During the review, the Chairman of the Survey Team pointed to the strengths of the College of Medicine's educational process, including the contribution by part-time (clinical) faculty, the dedication of the part-time faculty in Regina, the Regina education programs, the opportunities for enhancing education through regionalization, the partnering of Saskatoon District Health with the College of Medicine, and the overall satisfaction of the quality of education as expressed by the residents.
The results of this review ensure that medical students will not hesitate to apply to any of these programs for their specialty training. Residents who then train in these high quality programs are more likely to remain in the province. As well, faculty who are dedicated to teaching and research will be more easily attracted to positions in these programs.
"This is an overall positive message for the University of Saskatchewan as to the quality and strength of the educational processes at the College of Medicine," said Dr. Popkin.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. David Popkin
Dean, College of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6149
$1 M in Medical Research Council Grants Awarded to U of SFaculty
Posted January 31, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 31, 2000 | 2000-01-18-OTHER |
(Please note the description of Wei Xiao's research has been modified)
$1 M in Medical Research Council Grants Awarded to U of S Faculty
The researchers will tackle projects ranging from the prevention of pneumonia in acute stroke patients, to developing specific tumor drugs which can help in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
In making the announcement, Goodale applauded the successful U of S researchers. "The contribution of Saskatchewan's researchers in increasing our health science knowledge is a resource we must cultivate and maintain," he said. "Through MRC and eventually, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Saskatchewan researchers will continue to provide Canada's health care system with a sound scientific foundation."
The results announced today are from the September 1999 health research competition. Across Canada, the MRC has approved approximately $158 million in funding over five years for operating and equipment grants, clinical trials, HIV/AIDS and genomics research.
There were 23 applications for operating grants from the U of S. The university had a success rate of 22 per cent, its best rate in three years.
"This is an example of improving research success at U of S and we really hope to continue this in the future," Louis Delbaere, MRC regional director for Saskatchewan and professor of biochemistry, applauded the university's success.
- Jim Xiang of the Saskatoon Cancer Centre will receive an annual
$58,135 grant for three years to develop tumor-specific pharmaceuticals
that will target tumor cells in cancer patients more effectively than
current treatment. This will help in the diagnosis and treatment of
cancer.
- Peter Bretscher of the department of microbiology and immunology will
receive an annual $129,137 grant for three years. He is searching for an
appropriate vaccination strategy that could be used to prevent and treat
human diseases caused by parasitic infectious agents such as the bacteria
that causes tuberculosis. His research has already shown that lowering the
vaccination dose will generate an immune response that will ensure
protection against natural infections such as tuberculosis.
- Jay Biem of the department of medicine will get an annual $43,500 grant
for two years to study the accuracy of a combination of simple, non-invasive
bedside tests to check for the acute stroke patient's ability to swallow and
protect the airway. Stroke frequently causes disorders of swallowing and
airway control that can lead to pneumonia and death. A simple diagnostic
screening tool could help decide which patients can safely eat and drink and
which patients require further diagnostic testing and treatment. This tool
could prevent pneumonia and decrease health care costs by eliminating the
need for barium swallow X-rays.
- Peter Yu from the department of psychiatry will receive an annual $63,989
grant for three years to study the involvement of an enzyme (SSAO) in
initiating damage of blood vessels. This investigation will uncover the
pathological mechanism of diseases such as diabetic complications and
Alzheimer's disease. The study could lead to new strategies in the
treatment of these illnesses.
- Wei Xiao of the department of microbiology and immunology will receive an annual $75,509 grant for three years and $2,500 for equipment. The aim of his research is to identify and better understand the pathway involved in repairing damaged DNA and preventing mutations. All living cells have mechanisms whereby they can repair their DNA when it becomes damaged. Lack of such repair systems has been associated with diseases including cancer. This study could lead to prevention and cure of diseases caused by mutations.
In addition to the operating grants, the U of S received one maintenance and equipment grant.
Louis Delbaere will receive an annual $37,869 maintenance grant for five years to maintain an X-ray area detector that will collect data from protein crystals to examine protein structures. A long-term goal is to use the information to design new pharmaceuticals that will help in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes.
Delbaere's grant was one of 18 maintenance and equipment grant application that were submitted across Canada. A total of 10 were approved, for a value of $967,000.
The Medical Research Council of Canada is the major federal agency responsible for funding biomedical health research in Canada. Its role is to promote, assist and undertake basic, applied, and clinical research in Canada in the health sciences.
For more information, contact:
Barry McLennan
Assistant Dean of Research
College of Medicine
(306) 966-4338
Cynthia Holmes
Communications Assistant
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
(306) 966-2427
January 28, 2000
Expert to Speak Today on Using Synchrotrons to Solve EnvironmentalProblems
Posted January 28, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 28, 2000 | 2000-01-14-OTHER |
Expert to Speak Today on Using Synchrotrons to Solve Environmental Problems
Gordon E. Brown, a professor at Stanford University in California, will present a seminar entitled "Synchrotron Studies of Environmental Geochemistry Problems" to faculty, graduate students and industrial representatives at 4 p.m. in Room 115 of the Geology Building.
Prof. Brown will be available for media interviews on Friday morning by appointment.
Synchrotrons such as the Canadian Light Source Inc. which is now under construction on the University of Saskatchewan campus allow scientists to use intense light beams to closely examine the surface of minerals to determine what processes are taking place and whether or not toxic metals will be released into the environment.
Before synchrotron light sources were developed in the 1970's, it was difficult to detect what reactions were taking place on rock surfaces.
Prof. Brown will explore some recent applications of synchrotron radiation to important environmental problems involving heavy metal and radionuclide contaminants that are present in mining waste materials and on mineral surfaces. These wastes can be broken down to release toxins such as arsenic, mercury and lead into the environment.
Prof. Brown, who is chair of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, will also provide an overview of environmental problems that are being addressed through synchrotron studies. These include arsenic contamination in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, selenium contamination in the Central Valley of California, mercury contamination in the California Coast Range and lead contamination in the U.S. and France.
Synchrotrons are widely used in a broad range of science, engineering, and applied fields, and have resulted in revolutionary advances in understanding molecular level processes of all types.
For more information or to arrange an appointment with Prof. Brown, contact:
Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications Officer
(306) 966-2506
New biotechnology undergraduate programs approved at U of S
Posted January 28, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 28, 2000 | 2000-01-15-OTHER |
New biotechnology undergraduate programs approved at U of S
The programs, available in four different colleges, provide undergraduate students with a common core of courses that deal with the key scientific, social, economic, commercial, and ethical issues associated with the development and growth of the biotechnology industry. The Colleges of Arts and Science, Medicine, Agriculture, Commerce, and Engineering have cooperated in the development of these programs.
These are the first academic programs that have come about from the university's Priority Determination Process (PDP). In February 1999, Council approved biotechnology as one of four priority areas on which the University will focus its resources. In order to be approved under PDP, biotechnology had to be determined as responsive to societal need and student demand, have high quality faculty, have innovative undergraduate programs, and be an area where the U of S has a comparative advantage.
The programs approved by Council are:
- College of Agriculture
- Biotechnology minor - College of Arts and Science
- B.Sc. Honours and four-year in Cell Biology and Biotechnology
- B.Sc. Honours and four-year in Biology and Biotechnology
- B.Sc. Honours and four-year in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- B.Sc. Honours and four-year in Microbiology and Biotechnology
- B.A. Four-year in Sociology of Biotechnology - College of Commerce
- Major in Biotechnology Management - College of Engineering
- Biotechnology Option in Chemical Engineering
- Biochemical Option in Chemical Engineering
"These programs provide exciting new training options for students in one of our most dynamic and growing industries," Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon said. "The College is an investment in innovation now for the jobs and careers of tomorrow."
"Approval of the Virtual College of Biotechnology will greatly strengthen the role of the University of Saskatchewan as an innovator, co-ordinator, and a leader in the intellectual and economic development of biotechnology said Gary Kachanoski, dean of the college of graduate studies and research and designated dean of the virtual college.
The new biotechnology undergraduate programs will be included in the university's 2000/01 calendar and will be an available option for students beginning in September 2000.
For more information, please contact:
Gary Kachanoski
Dean, Graduate Studies & Research
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5759
Bob Ellis
Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development
(306) 787-1691
January 27, 2000
Nature Publishes U of S Discovery of How Horses Keep their Brains Cool
Posted January 27, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 27, 2000 | 2000-01-11-WCVM |
Nature Publishes U of S Discovery of How Horses Keep their Brains Cool
The team led by Jonathan Naylor, professor of veterinary internal medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, has determined that sacs called "guttural pouches" in the inner tube that connects the ear and throat are responsible for heat regulation in the horse's brain.
"How horses keep their brains cool during exertion and therefore avoid brain damage has long been a mystery," Prof. Naylor said.
"This finding could lead to better ways of keeping horses cool when they are exercising in hot environments for long periods of time such as in endurance races."
Until this discovery, guttural pouches, which contain up to half a litre of air, were the largest anatomical structure of domestic animals whose function was unknown.
Scientists over the centuries have been unsure of the role of guttural pouches, which are found in horses, their close relatives, some bats, and a few other mammals. There have been many theories - that the pouches functioned as a hearing aid, a voice resonator, an air cushion to allow head flexion, a sneezing aid, a swallowing aid, a head buoyancy device, and a regurgitation device.
It was a young graduate student, Keith Baptiste, who first came up with the idea five years ago that guttural pouches could be a heat regulation device for the brain. He reasoned that since the horse is a supreme athlete, overheating would be a more acute problem for horses than for most other mammals. He observed that a major artery, the internal carotid artery, passes over the surface of the pouch on its way to supply blood to the brain. Could the guttural pouches function to cool blood on the way to the brain?
At first this idea seemed unlikely. In most mammals, heat loss from major arteries is often accomplished through branching networks of vessels. But the internal carotid artery is a single vessel with no branching network for heat exchange. For Baptiste's hypothesis to be correct, it would mean that there was cooling of a straight tube of blood.
An experiment - the first to monitor a live horse's blood temperature in the internal carotid artery -- was designed to test Baptiste's hypothesis. The experiment took place on campus in the newly constructed Equine Performance Centre that has a special treadmill on which a horse can be cantered while monitoring its body temperature.
A multi-disciplinary team of veterinary medicine researchers was assembled. Ernie Barber, now U of S dean of agriculture, helped design temperature probes which would monitor the horse's blood. Jeremy Bailey, professor of anesthesiology, radiology and surgery, implanted the probes into the horse. Jim Thornhill, professor of physiology, and Klaas Post, professor of internal medicine, gave advice and support.
With a horse at rest, there was no demonstrable cooling of blood as it flowed over the horse's guttural pouches. But as the horse exercised, blood in the internal carotid artery grew progressively warmer at the point where it entered the guttural pouch. This is because heat generated by exercising muscle is transferred to the blood draining the muscle. However, the blood cooled as it flowed over the pouch and there was further cooling just before the blood entered the brain.
Further research is needed to establish precisely how the air in the guttural pouch cools the horse's blood, Naylor said.
He said the finding have immediate implications for how certain equine diseases are treated. For instance, it calls into question the long-term effects of tying off the carotid artery when treating equine fungal infections in the pouch. "Now there is clear evidence this procedure might have adverse consequences on heat regulation," he said.
Naylor notes that the horses did not suffer any permanent damage. The temperature probes were removed immediately after the experiment and all the horses were sold as pleasure horses. In fact, Baptiste, who is now working at the Danish Veterinary Laboratory, flew one of the horses with him to Denmark where the horse now enjoys life on an acreage.
The Equine Performance Centre is the only facility of its kind in western Canada dedicated to research. It's equipped with a high-speed treadmill and a "force plate" which measures the force of a moving animal on the treadmill. Researchers can examine large animals, primarily horses, in motion and assess problems such as lameness, gait abnormalities and respiratory diseases.
Nature is the most cited general sciences journal in the world.
Note to Editors: Photographs of horses being tested at the Equine Performance Centre can be arranged.
For more information, contact:
Prof. Jonathan Naylor
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7098
Kathryn Warden
Office of the Vice-President Research
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
January 26, 2000
"Children's Rights: Does Saskatchewan Measure Up?"
Posted January 26, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 26, 2000 | 2000-01-10-LA |
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
"Children's Rights: Does Saskatchewan Measure Up?"
The lecture will take place in the Moot Court Room, College of Law, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information, please contact:
Sharon Wandzura-Fehr
Administrative Office
College of Law
(306) 966-5873
U of S Prof Wins $20,000 Petro-Canada Award to Help Improve Safety inOil Refineries
Posted January 26, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 26, 2000 | 2000-01-12-OTHER |
U of S Prof Wins $20,000 Petro-Canada Award to Help Improve Safety in Oil Refineries
"Prof. Dalai's research could lead to safer working conditions in oil refineries," said Michael Corcoran, U of S Vice-President (Research). "His project is an excellent example of the kind of vitally important work the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award Program was designed to encourage."
Dalai, an associate professor of chemical engineering, is working to replace highly toxic materials used in gasoline processing with non-toxic materials. The new materials will be safer for petroleum refining workers and better for the environment because they can be recycled in the refinery.
"Prof. Dalai's research regarding the safety of materials in oil refineries is highly relevant to our industry," said Ken Cummings, Petro-Canada terminal manager for Saskatchewan and Manitoba. "Petro-Canada has three major refineries in Canada and this work has the potential to be both useful and valuable to our operations."
Dalai's research deals with a key ingredient of gasoline called iso-octane. This hydrocarbon is added to gasoline to help produce a more efficient and less polluting blend of gasoline. But at present, the production of iso-octane poses serious problems in oil refineries. The liquid acids such as sulfuric and hydrofluoric acid used to produce this chemical are highly corrosive and very toxic when handled. As well, disposal of these acids is another major threat to the environment.
Dalai and his research team will substitute less corrosive solid acids for liquid acids to make iso-octane. Solid acids are more environmentally friendly because the volume of waste for disposal is less.
Among his many projects relating to Canada's oil industry, Dalai has been working on technology for upgrading of heavy oil, bitumen, and pitch to produce liquid fuels. A patent on this project is under consideration.
Dalai joined the U of S in 1996 in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He has presented 50 papers at international conferences, published 22 research papers in referred journals, and written 30 reports for various funding agencies. He has brought over $500,000 in research funding to U of S.
Petro-Canada, a leading Canadian producer, refiner and marketer of petroleum products began the program in 1995 and has assisted young researchers in colleges and universities across Canada by launching their scholarly careers. The program was implemented in 1995 due to the growing concern by universities that some of Canada's most prominent young scholars were leaving the country to conduct their research elsewhere.
The program recognizes young innovative faculty researchers and supports their research. Their work must stand out by being innovative while enhancing the learning environment in their department. A successful candidate's research project will have potentially great significance to society at large.
Candidates are nominated by their departments. Selection of the recipient is made by a committee chaired by the Vice-President of Research. Criteria include the researcher's overall research promise, the degree of innovation of work, the quality of the proposal, and the relevance of the work to the interests of Petro-Canada. Recipients must be full-time, tenure-track faculty.
For more information, contact:
Ken Cummings
Petro-Canada Terminal Manager
Sakatchewan/Manitoba Region
(306) 668-5353
Prof. Ajay Dalai
Chemical Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4771
January 19, 2000
Student Health Centre Releases Report on Student Health Needs and Behaviours
Posted January 19, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 18, 2000 | 2000-01-07-OTHER |
Student Health Centre Releases Report on Student Health Needs and Behaviours
In 1997, the Student Health Centre (SHC) conducted the "Student Health Needs Assessment Survey" with the purpose of assessing health needs from the students' perspective. In total, over 1600 undergraduate students were surveyed. Participating students were from the Colleges of Arts and Science, Agriculture, Education, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy and Nutrition, Nursing, and Physical Education (Kinesiology).
The number one health concern among students was stress, followed closely by sexual health, fitness, drug and alcohol abuse, and nutrition.
This survey included questions on a wide spectrum of issues including general health; stress and emotional well-being; tobacco, alcohol and drug use; nutrition, exercise and fitness; preventive health; sexual health; as well as the services of the Student Health Centre.
Based on the results of the needs assessment survey, twelve (12) recommendations were developed to guide SHC programming. Some of the programming changes that have been implemented in response to the needs assessment include:
- A registered dietitian at SHC gives students increased access to nutritional counselling;
- A social worker at SHC gives students access to additional support;
- SHC staff participate on the Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Committee;
- SHC held a lecture and two workshops on Sexual Assault on Campus (1999);
- The Student Health Initiatives Program (Peer Health Education) continues to provide programs that target priority health issues; and
- Social marketing and health promotion strategies are used for health education.
For more information, please contact:
Tim Archer, Director
Student Health Centre
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5773
Genealogy and the Internet
Posted January 19, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 19, 2000 | 2000-01-08-EXT |
Public Service Announcement
Genealogy and the Internet
To register, call the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division at 966-5539.
For more information please contact:
Bobbi Mumm
Extension Division
University of Saskatchewan
966-5642 (9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
January 17, 2000
Life Sciences Research Day
Posted January 17, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 17, 2000 | 2000-01-06-PH&NU |
Life Sciences Research Day
The event will showcase over 90 poster boards describing the research of students, residents, post-doctoral fellows, undergraduates and faculty in the Life Sciences. It will allow the opportunity for researchers to receive constructive feedback, exchange information among peers across disciplines, and demonstrate the practicality of the research that is happening at the University of Saskatchewan. There will be door prizes for presenters and refreshments available.
Everyone is welcome. Come join us and help celebrate research in the Life Sciences.
For more information, please contact:
Heather Laidlaw, Organizer
7th Annual Life Sciences Student Research Day
c/o Department of Biochemistry
(306) 966-4384
January 14, 2000
Kirkpatrick Travel Awards Announced
Posted January 14, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 14, 2000 | 2000-01-05-ED |
Kirkpatrick Travel Awards Announced
As part of one of these division wide initiatives, Miss Kinakin was trained in using Early Reading Intervention with selected grade one students to raise their levels of reading. As a member of the division wide implementation team, Miss Kinakin was in part responsible for the Lloydminster Public School Division winning the Premier's Board of Education Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education on November 15, 1999, for this program.
Chantelle will be travelling to Kingston, Ontario to observe the First Steps Read to Read program implemented in their school division. She will be observing ways in which to sustain long term reading gains for participating students, expanding the number of students reached, and designing a follow-up program for Grade Two students. Upon her return, she will share her findings with the committee in the Lloydminster School Division and also with other interested organizations dedicated to the practice of teaching children to read.
The Kirkpatrick Travel Fund is administered by the U of S College of Education, the U of S Alumni Association, and the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation. The annual award celebrates the contribution the late Dean Emeritus Balfour Kirkpatrick has made to education in Saskatchewan.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Ken Jacknicke
Dean, College of Education
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7647
January 13, 2000
U of S Spin-off Firm to Become World-Class Drug DeliveryResearch Centre
Posted January 13, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 13, 2000 | 2000-01-04-OTHER |
U of S Spin-off Firm to Become World-Class Drug Delivery Research Centre
PharmaDerm Laboratories Ltd., headed by U of S pharmacy professor Marianna Foldvari, was recently acquired by Helix Biopharma Corp. of Aurora, Ont. PharmaDerm specializes in injection-less drugs and vaccines.
"PharmaDerm is an example of how U of S research is creating economic activity for this region," said Branko Peterman, president of University of Saskatchewan Technologies Inc. (UST), the technology commercialization arm of the U of S.
Foldvari said the acquisition is an important step for both PharmaDerm, which currently employs 15 people, and herself as a scientist. "This merger with Helix BioPharma represents a step closer to the commercialization of technologies discovered here at the U of S and will facilitate the conversion of a new technology to real benefits for patients," she said.
With PharmaDerm’s BiphasixTM technology, Helix will focus on developing three products -- an insulin patch for the treatment of diabetes, interferon-a cream for the treatment of topical viral infections such as genital warts, and a vaccine delivery system.
The technology permits injectionless delivery of large therapeutic molecules such as proteins and DNA. Foldvari has designed a cellular vesicle that will encapsulate these large molecules and deliver them to the body through patches or substances that look like ointments.
This technology has been successfully demonstrated with insulin and interferon used to treat people affected with human papilloma virus (HPV), a disease that can cause gential warts and is linked to cervical cancer.
Earlier this week, Helix announced that in a U of S study, the injection-less drug technology has been used successfully to treat 18 patients with genital warts.
Foldvari expects the insulin patch and the HPV cream to be on the market within five years.
Foldvari started PharmaDerm in 1991. The technology was patented by UST which then licensed the technology to PharmaDerm in exchange for future royalties based on the sale of products incorporating the technology and shares in the company.
"Helix is proud to have made a multi-million dollar investment to develop the BiphasixTM drug delivery technology, largely through PharmaDerm," said Helix Vice-President Donald Segal.
"As a public company, Helix expects to continue to invest millions of dollars into this technology. Saskatoon and the U of S will benefit from this investment from both a scientific development and human resource perspective. People in Saskatoon now have the opportunity to become shareholders in this venture."
He said there was never any doubt that Helix would keep PharmaDerm in Saskatoon.
"The quality of life for our highly qualified research staff, the excellent facilities available to us, the expertise and support from the U of S all made the decision to stay in Saskatoon easy," he said. "We also expect to draw on the well-qualified U of S graduates to help meet our future scientific and technical human resource needs."
Helix expects to double its skilled workforce in Saskatoon over the next two to four years. PharmaDerm, which currently employs about 15 people, will move into temporary laboratory facilities in January and hopes to be in their permanent laboratories at Innovation Place within 12 months. "We are expecting to significantly improve our research capabilities as a result of these new state-of-the-art facilities," said Segal.
Helix recently bought out all the shares of PharmaDerm in exchange for 500,000 Helix shares. Previously, Helix had owned 23 per cent of PharmaDerm's shares.
Drug delivery is the fastest-growing segment of the pharmaceutical industry, with sales estimated to be US$ 14 billion per year and expected to grow to US$ 50 billion by 2005, according to industry analysts.
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
U of S Research Communications Officer
(306) 966-2506
George Salvati
Investor Relations, Helix BioPharma Corp.
(905) 841-2300 ext. 232
New funding announced for Structural Sciences Centre
Posted January 13, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 13, 2000 |
New funding announced for Structural Sciences Centre
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
Office of Vice-President, Research
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
January 12, 2000
U of S Crop Development Centre Researcher Honored
Posted January 12, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 12, 2000 | 2000-01-03-AG |
U of S Crop Development Centre Researcher Honored
Prof. Rossnagel, who succeeds Robert Baker, will occupy the chair for a three-year term.
The W.J. White Professorship enables the holder to further his or her own studies in plant sciences. Selection guidelines are based on excellence in research and contributions to Canadian and Saskatchewan agriculture. Full professors of the Department of Plant Sciences/Crop Development Centre (CDC) are eligible for the appointment.
Rossnagel was selected for the professorship based on his very successful career as a feed barley and oat breeder with the CDC.
As a research scientist and professor with the CDC since 1977, Rossnagel has released 20 feed barley varieties and six oat varieties, and has acted as the co-developer on almost 20 malting barley releases. Among some of his releases are Derby and Calibre oats, CDC Dolly barley and the newest "heavy hitter", CDC McGwire barley, named after the American baseball star Mark McGwire's record-breaking season.
In addition to his research activities, Rossnagel has been active in technology transfer, participating in hundreds of extension activities including industry meetings, telephone and radio interviews, field days and tours. He has also acted as supervisor, co-supervisor or committee member for more than 35 postgraduate students.
He previously has been honored with several awards including The Prairie Oat Growers Association Kirylchuk Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Western Canadian Oat Industry and an Honorary Life Membership in Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association.
The W.J. White Professorship was established in 1986 to honor William James White, former Head of the Department of Field Husbandry (now the Department of Plant Sciences) and Dean Emeritus of the College of Agriculture.
White is well known for his early work with forage crops and sunflower breeding. He developed the first sunflower hybrid which was grown in both Manitoba and Texas and was one of the best varieties in Texas for many years.
White was also instrumental in introducing rapeseed to Canadian farmers. With breeding changes, rapeseed was improved upon and the result is the crop which is today known as canola. White was the first rapeseed breeder in North America and is credited with having the foresight and skill for laying the groundwork for what is now one of Canada's most valuable grain crops.
For more information, please contact:
Rick Holm
Director, Crop Development Centre
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5855
January 05, 2000
Municipal Policing in Saskatchewan: History, Structure and Relations with the Legal Profession
Posted January 05, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 5, 2000 | 2000-01-01-LA |
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Municipal Policing in Saskatchewan: History, Structure and Relations with the Legal Profession
The lecture will take place in the Moot Court Room, College of Law, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information, contact:
Sharon Wandzura-Fehr
Administrative Office
College of Law
(306) 966-5873
Issues in Biotechnology: Social and LegalAspects
Posted January 05, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 5, 2000 | 2000-01-02-LA |
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Issues in Biotechnology: Social and Legal Aspects
On Monday, January 17, 2000, a panel of commentators will address some of the social and legal issues raised by developments in biotechnology (eg. terminator seed contracts).
The participants will be:
- Lisa Jategaonkar
Manager, Communications and Public Awareness, Ag West Biotech - George Khachatourians
Professor of Applied Microbiology and Food Science, University of Saskatchewan - Jim Russell
Lawyer, Gauley & Company
For more information, contact:
Sharon Wandzura-Fehr
Administrative Office
College of Law
(306) 966-5873
