VCU scientists on agenda for life sciences research priorities conference

By Lorraine Cichowski
VCU News Services

Two of Virginia Commonwealth University's top scientists are on the agenda for the May 27-28 conference, "Research Priorities in the Life Sciences," co-sponsored by Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology.

Dr. Rupert Schmidt-Ullrich, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, will highlight the Massey Cancer Center's Radiation Biology and Oncology Program at the conference, which will be held at the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville. The Radiation Biology and Oncology Program spans every level of investigation, from the molecular examination of signal transduction, transcriptional activation and DNA repair mechanisms to pre-clinical studies of promising laboratory findings to clinical trials.

Dr. Schmidt-Ullrich's research is focused on the molecular structure of tumor cell membranes, most recently the effects of radiation on growth factor receptors and tumor cell growth control. These studies have evolved into the application of gene therapy approaches for the radiosensitization of human cancers. Among his clinical interests are improvement of radiotherapy through altered fractionation and intensity-modulated radiotherapy schedules applied to malignancies of the head and neck and central nervous system.

Dr. John N. Clore, professor of internal medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and director of VCU's General Clinical Research Center, will discuss early detection and treatment of diabetes. Dr. Clore specializes in treatment of patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. He has extensive experience in insulin pump therapy, intensive insulin therapy by multiple injections and combination oral/insulin therapy. His research is focused on the regulation of glucose production by the liver in Type 2 diabetes and the role of fatty acid composition in insulin sensitivity or responsiveness

The conference is sponsored by CIT, the University of Virginia and the Virginia Piedmont Technology Council. It is targeted at scientists, managers and administrators from Virginia universities and technology companies and will be focused on life science research programs and priorities of federal institutes and centers as well as Virginia's research institutions. Sessions include those on infectious diseases, bioterrorism, cancer, diabetes and aging/geriatrics.

The fee is $75 for the May 28 conference only and $125 for the conference and a dinner on May 27. Registration is available at: www.virginia.edu/vprgs/conferences/lifesciences.html.