Antibiotic Resistance- Challenges and New Opportunities The misuse of existing antibiotics in clinical practice and the introduction of antibiotics into the environment in combination with the inherent adaptive nature of microorganisms has led to a major global health crisis with the evolution of antibiotic-resistant organisms. The CDC estimates that more than two million people are sickened every year with antibiotic-resistant infections in the U.S., with at least 23,000 dying as a result [1]. The crisis has been exacerbated by a lack of research and development into the development of novel antibiotics over the past three decades. Recognition of the [...]

Preclinical Models in CAR T-cell Therapy: Promising new approach to study tumor clearance by CAR T-cells The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to James P. Allison of the United States and Tasuku Honjo of Japan for their work on unleashing the body’s immune system to attack cancer, a breakthrough that has herald in an entirely new class of treatment called “Immunotherapy” and brought lasting remissions to many patients who had run out of options. Unlike the conventional methods of cancer treatment that consists of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy or some combination of these therapies, immunotherapy [...]

EVALUATING AGENTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SEPSIS USING INFECTIOUS DISEASE MODELS Sepsis is one of the 10 leading causes of death worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1.5 million people in the United States contract sepsis yearly, and around 250,000 of these people die from its associated complications. In 2015, sepsis added an additional $20.3 billion in healthcare costs alone in the US, and the incidence of sepsis and associated healthcare costs continues to increase. Despite many advances in care, fully effective treatment strategies for sepsis have unfortunately remained elusive. Pathobiology of Sepsis Sepsis is [...]

TCGA Publishes Highly Anticipated Results on Tumor Sequencing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)—a comprehensive and coordinated effort to accelerate understanding of the molecular basis of cancer through the application of genome analysis technologies, supported by the National Cancer Institute and National Human Genome Research Institute—recently published its results on its research sequencing the genomic landscapes of 33 different tumor types in a project called the Pan-Cancer Atlas.Specifically, this research analyzed over 11,000 tumors from 33 of the most prevalent forms of cancer with the goal of understanding how, where, and why tumors develop in humans in order to create [...]

Choosing the Right Preclinical Development Partner for Grant Programs Small businesses in the United States are afforded the opportunity to develop technological or scientific innovations through grant programs such as the SBIR, STTR, DOD, and NSF. These highly competitive programs are one of the largest sources of capital for funding promising, early-stage technology that could be considered to be too risky for private investors. These funding mechanisms encourage small businesses to engage in research and development that has the potential for commercialization.A sample of federal agencies with extramural research and development budgets participating in these grant programs include the:Department [...]