August 30, 2005
Lorne Babiuk Named an Officer of the Order of Canada
Posted August 30, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, August 30, 2005
2005-05-06-VIDO
Lorne Babiuk Named an Officer of the Order of Canada
Lorne Babiuk, director of the University of Saskatchewan Vaccine and
Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), has been named an Officer of the
Order of Canada.
"Lorne Babiuk has made tremendous contributions to the field of vaccinology
nationally and internationally, as well as to the University of Saskatchewan
research community and our unique life sciences cluster," says U of S
President Peter MacKinnon. "He is a fitting recipient of the country's
highest civilian honour and I heartily congratulate him."
A professor in the department of veterinary microbiology, Babiuk holds a
Canada Research Chair in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, and has received the
Saskatchewan Order of Merit.
Since taking the helm of VIDO in 1993, Babiuk has overseen the creation of a
unique and valuable element of Canada's national biotechnology research
infrastructure. Under his leadership, VIDO researchers have developed a
growing library of patented technologies, including five "world firsts" in
vaccine development.
An international authority in veterinary virology and immunology, Babiuk is
recognized as a consummate team builder, research collaborator, and master
negotiator. He serves on several scientific advisory boards and boards of
directors including the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity, the Canada
Foundation for Innovation, Genome Canada, and the International Centre for
Infectious Diseases.
Recently, his team of VIDO scientists and collaborators was offered $6.9
million through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges in
Global Health initiative. The team will develop more effective vaccines for
newborns, targeting developing countries.
Babiuk is the lead proponent of the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac)
which will be one of the largest vaccine research laboratories in North
America when completed on the U of S campus in 2009. The centre will house
Saskatchewan's first Level 3 labs dealing with both human and animal
diseases. Scientists from academic, research and government institutions in
Canada and around the world will develop and test new vaccines and methods
of delivering vaccines.
Babiuk grew up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan. Though initially interested
in soil science, a desire to protect the health of humans and animals led
him to pursue studies in virology at the University of British Columbia.
Returning to Saskatchewan, he joined VIDO in 1984 as research director.
He has mentored more than 90 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who
have obtained positions in industry, academia and government, served as a
member of many grant and government committees and a reviewer for various
scientific journals, as well as serving on general editorial boards. He has
published more than 400 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 80 book chapters and
reviews.
Babiuk has received prestigious national and international awards for
excellence in research and for transferring research into the commercial
arena, including an NSERC Chair in Biotechnology, Canadian Society of
Microbiology Award, and Xerox-Canada Forum Award.
The Order of Canada honours Canadians who have demonstrated merit,
achievement and service to their communities. Created in 1967, the Order of
Canada has three levels of achievement -- Companions, Officers and Members.
More information is available at www.gg.ca .
For more information about VIDO and InterVac or to download a photo of Lorne
Babiuk, visit www.vido.org
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For more information, contact:
Tess Laidlaw
Communications, VIDO
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1506
laidlaw@usask.ca
www.vido.org
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Director
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
Kathryn.warden@usask.ca
www.usask.ca
August 29, 2005
U of S Research Reveals "Beauty and the Beast" Genes May Govern Cancer Development
Posted August 29, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, August 29, 2005
2005-08-05-ME
U of S Research Reveals "Beauty and the Beast" Genes May Govern Cancer
Development
A U of S research team has found that a pair of closely related genes may
govern the development of cancer, a discovery that could lead to new early
screening tools to detect the deadly disease, according to an article
published today in the Journal of Cell Biology.
"These two genes are very similar, like twins," says University of
Saskatchewan health scientist Wei Xiao. "They are over 90 per cent
identical, but they have very different functions."
In fact, the products of the genes and what they do has led Xiao and his
team to dub them "Beauty and the Beast." Beauty codes for an enzyme, Mms2,
which repairs damaged DNA so the cells keep reproducing healthy copies of
themselves. If the DNA damage is too great, the cells destroy themselves in
a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
Beast is another matter entirely. Its enzyme, Uev1A, encourages cell
division. Xiao, professor and head of the department of microbiology and
immunology in the College of Medicine, explains that this is a critical
function when the body is under attack by viruses or bacteria. In such a
situation, Beast marshals defenses such as lymphocytes, a type of white
blood cell that must multiply rapidly to fight off invaders.
The two genes complement each other when they work together. But Xiao says
Beast's propensity for uncontrolled cell division makes it a prospective
oncogene - a gene that causes cancer (in this case, lymphoma) when
abnormally active in a cell.
"Both these genes work with the same partner, called Ubc13, so they both
need the same resources," he says. "If the Beast is being constantly
expressed to stimulate cells to reproduce, it could lead to cancer."
Xiao hopes further studies will confirm this idea. If true, it could lead to
screening tests to detect a cancer-causing imbalance much earlier, allowing
treatment and prevention. Indeed, some reagents suitable for such tests have
been developed by Xiao and his colleagues at the University of Saskatchewan
and licensed to California-based Zymed Laboratories, Inc. and Calgary-based
CytoStore.
Details of the research appear in the article "Distinct regulation of Ubc13
functions by the two ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme variants Mms2 and Uev1A"
(http://www.jcb.org/cgi/content/abstract/170/5/745).
The research was led by Xiao and his team including graduate students Parker
Andersen and Landon Pastushok, with collaborators from the University of
Saskatchewan, University of Alberta and Genentech Inc. in San Francisco.
Funding is provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the
Montréal-based Cancer Research Society.
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For more information, contact:
Wei Xiao
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
College of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4308
wei.xiao@usask.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
August 24, 2005
The Heart of the U of S Campus Re-opens
Posted August 24, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -August 24, 2005
2005-08-04-OTHER
The Heart of the U of S Campus Re-opens
After a period of renewal and conservation, the 93-year-old College Building
will be reopened on the University of Saskatchewan campus in early
September. Guided public tours will be available from 9-10 a.m. and from 2-4
p.m. Sept 7, 8 and 9. Student ambassadors will also be available to answer
questions on Sat. Sept 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome and
assistance is available for those with disabilities.
After this time, self-guided tours can take place while the building is open
- 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Informational brochures will be
available at the building entrances.
The College Building, was the first building on campus and is the physical
and emotional heart of the University. The rehabilitation of the building
was one of the largest heritage conservation projects in Canada. Designated
both a national historic site and a provincial heritage property, the
College Building is considered the centerpiece of the University and serves
as a sign of renewal for not only the campus but also the city and the
province.
In its stoic past, it has housed classrooms, laboratories, and the library.
It hosted dances, music recitals, and even the Queen. Now, the building is
the home of the University Art Collection, the Amati Quartet in Residence,
Student and Enrolment Services Division, the senior administration and a
stirring memorial honouring students, staff and faculty who served in World
War I.
More information is available online at: www.usask.ca/collegebuilding or
email college.building@usask.ca
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August 16, 2005
Saskatchewan Government Provides Research Funding to U of S
Posted August 16, 2005
The following release was issued by the Government of Saskatchewan.Saskatchewan Government Provides Research Funding to U of S
Five research projects at the University of Saskatchewan will receive more
than $500,000 from the Government of Saskatchewan through the province's
Innovation and Science Fund.
The contribution matches that provided by the
Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI) New Opportunities Fund and the
Canada Research Chairs Program.
The full provincial government release is located at:
http://www.gov.sk.ca/newsrel/releases/2005/08/16-766.html.
August 10, 2005
U of S Licenses Potential Anti-Cancer Compounds to Major Drug Development Firm
Posted August 10, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -Wednesday, August 10th, 2005
2005-08-02-OTHER
U of S Licenses Potential Anti-Cancer Compounds to Major Drug Development
Firm
The University of Saskatchewan and Mississauga-based drug development
company YM BioSciences Inc. today announced a worldwide licensing agreement
for the commercial development of new molecular compounds with potential to
enhance cancer drug therapies.
Under the agreement negotiated by the U of S Industrial Liaison Office, YM
BioSciences plans to undertake the clinical development of these compounds,
known as propargylamines, for the treatment of human diseases including
cancer.
"It's very exciting for me after all these years of lab work to see that
these compounds may finally be evaluated clinically," said U of S biochemist
Rob Warrington.
"What these new compounds do is modulate or alter the action of conventional
anti-cancer drugs so that they diminish harm done otherwise to normal cells.
These modulators also increase the ability of anti-cancer drugs to kill
tumor cells and have been shown to overcome drug-resistance traits that are
often problematic in cancer therapy. Our hope is that they'll increase
survival rates in cancer patients, but of course we won't know that for
several years."
Noting the Saskatchewan government has funded the neuropsychiatry research
unit since 1954, ILO managing director Doug Gill said, "Saskatchewan
government support has played a critical role in advancing this exciting
area of health research. It's gratifying to see the work of many U of S
researchers over many years reach this important stage of development which,
if all goes well, could lead to commercial development of a Saskatchewan
discovery and tremendous benefits to human health."
YM BioSciences CEO and Chair David Allan said, "This new technology platform
represents an additional opportunity for YM BioSciences to expand its
already significant franchise in cancer through the development of a new
generation of combination drug treatments that enhance the cytotoxic
activities of chemotherapeutic drugs."
The concept of using modulating compounds in cancer therapy was originally
discovered by Warrington more than 30 years ago. Five years ago, Warrington
began a collaboration with the U of S neuropsychiatry research unit which
was working on compounds with potential to help prevent Parkinson's,
Alzheimer's, and other neurological diseases. The result was the discovery
that the neuro-protective compounds developed by the unit's research team
were also powerful modulators in cancer research experiments.
In addition to Warrington, other U of S researchers involved in the
licensing agreement are Peter Yu, Lillian Dyck, and Xin Min Li, all with the
U of S neuropsychiatry research unit. Other inventors of the compounds have
retired or left the university.
YM BioSciences plans to focus its own resources on the cancer applications
and seek partners to advance the neurological applications. The company's
current lead drug is another modulating compound called tesmilifene which is
undergoing a pivotal Phase III trial to confirm its ability to enhance
chemotherapy in women with breast cancer.
The U of S owns patents on the molecular compounds and their various uses,
and will obtain royalties through the licensing agreement.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Gill
ILO Managing Director
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7335
http://www.usask.ca/research/ilo
James Smith, the Equicom Group Inc.
(416) 815-0700, ext. 229
http://www.ymbiosciences.com/
Kathryn Warden
Director, Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research
August 04, 2005
Premier's "Project Hope" Will Include a Research Chair for the U of S
Posted August 04, 2005
The following was issued by the Government of Saskatchewan today:
Premier's "Project Hope" Is Provincial Action Plan for Substance Abuse
For information please see
August 03, 2005
U of S Appoints New Vice-President
Posted August 03, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 3, 2005 2005-08-01-OTHER
U of S Appoints New Vice-President
The University of Saskatchewan announced today it has appointed an
accomplished financial strategist, administrator and academic as its new
Vice-President of Finance and Resources.
President Peter MacKinnon said Richard Florizone, currently a Director of
Strategy for Bombardier Aerospace, will assume his new role at the
University on October 17. He said Florizone, a U of S alumnus originally
from Prince Albert who went on to international corporate success, will be a
valuable addition to the University's senior leadership team.
"Solid administration of the University's assets will be required as we
enter our second century - with continued dedication to international
standards, academic preeminence and an unfailing sense of place," MacKinnon
said. "The addition of Richard Florizone to our senior finance position
brings knowledge, experience, strategic vision and personal connection to
the province that will ensure we efficiently manage the competitive
evolution of our campus."
Florizone has extensive experience in developing and implementing business
strategies for major corporations in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. MacKinnon
said his understanding of acquisitions, cost reduction, corporate strategy,
negotiation and public policy make him well suited to run the diverse
portfolio of Finance and Resources at the U of S.
"I'm looking forward to becoming a part of such a fine Canadian university,"
Florizone said. "I'm committed to helping facilitate the growth and
development of the world-class programs, facilities and minds at the U of
S."
Florizone holds a PhD in Nuclear Physics from Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) and holds an MSc ('92) and BSc ('90) from the U of S. He
conducted his graduate studies at the U of S under Physics Professor Dennis
Skopik, and was awarded the President's Medal as the most distinguished
graduate in engineering in 1990.
*Please note: photos are available by contacting (306) 966-6919.
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For more information, contact:
Ghislaine McLeod
Director, Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-6614
Email: ghislaine.mcleod@usask.ca
Web: www.usask.ca/communications
Richard Florizone
Tel: (514) 671-9943 (home)
