CU Boulder researchers uncover new target for cancer research
Oct 25th
In a new paper released today in Nature, BioFrontiers Institute scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder, Tom Cech and Leslie Leinwand, detailed a new target for anti-cancer drug development that is sitting at the ends of our DNA.
Researchers in the two scientists’ laboratories collaborated to find a patch of amino acids that, if blocked by a drug docked onto the chromosome end at this location, may prevent cancerous cells from reproducing. The amino acids at this site are called the “TEL patch” and once modified, the end of the chromosome is unable to recruit the telomerase enzyme, which is necessary for growth of many cancerous cells.
“This is an exciting scientific discovery that gives us a new way of looking at the problem of cancer,” Cech said. “What is amazing is that changing a single amino acid in the TEL patch stops the growth of telomeres. We are a long way from a drug solution for cancer, but this discovery gives us a different, and hopefully more effective, target.”
Nobel Prize winner Tom Cech
Cech is the director of the BioFrontiers Institute, a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator and winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in chemistry.
Co-authors on the study include postdoctoral fellows Jayakrishnan Nandakumar and Ina Weidenfeld; University of Colorado undergraduate student Caitlin Bell; and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Senior Scientist Arthur Zaug.
Telomeres have been studied since the 1970s for their role in cancer. They are constructed of repetitive nucleotide sequences that sit at the ends of our chromosomes like the ribbon tails on a bow. This extra material protects the ends of the chromosomes from deteriorating, or fusing with neighboring chromosome ends. Telomeres are consumed during cell division and, over time, will become shorter and provide less cover for the chromosomes they are protecting. An enzyme called telomerase replenishes telomeres throughout their lifecycles.
Telomerase is the enzyme that keeps cells young. From stem cells to germ cells, telomerase helps cells continue to live and multiply. Too little telomerase produces diseases of bone marrow, lungs and skin. Too much telomerase results in cells that over proliferate and may become “immortal.” As these immortal cells continue to divide and replenish, they build cancerous tumors. Scientists estimate that telomerase activation is a contributor in up to 90 percent of human cancers.
To date, development of cancer therapies has focused on limiting the enzymatic action of telomerase to slow the growth of cancerous cells. With their latest discovery, Cech and Leinwand envision a cancer drug that would lock into the TEL patch at chromosome ends to keep telomerase from binding there. This approach of inhibiting the docking of telomerase may be the elegant solution to the complex problem of cancerous cells. Cech, a biochemist, and Leinwand, a biologist, joined forces to work on their latest solution.
“This work was really made possible by the fact that our labs are so close,” Leinwand said. “My lab was able to provide the cell biology and understanding of genetics, and Tom’s lab allowed us to explore the biochemistry. We have a unique situation at BioFrontiers where labs and people comingle to make discoveries just like this.”
Leinwand is the chief scientific officer of the BioFrontiers Institute and a professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology.
Researchers at the University of Colorado have a significant history in developing marketable biotechnologies. Cech founded Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc. Leinwand co-founded Myogen with CU professor Michael Bristow, Hiberna and recently launched MyoKardia (http://www.myokardia.com/about.php).
The BioFrontiers Institute is an interdisciplinary institute housed at the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building at CU-Boulder. The institute is dedicated to training the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists through its IQ Biology Interdisciplinary Quantitative Biology Ph.D. program. For more information about BioFrontiers visithttp://biofrontiers.colorado.edu
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Here comes the snow City of Boulder warning
Oct 24th
City prepares for snowfall and reminds people to remove snow from sidewalks
Current weather forecasts indicate that an incoming storm may produce accumulated snow in Boulder beginning the night of Wednesday, Oct. 24, and continuing through Thursday, Oct. 25. The City of Boulder is preparing snow response crews in advance. Community members are asked to be mindful of the conditions, to prepare their vehicles as appropriate and to plan for extended commute times.
OK, it’s not that deep yet, but we likey. 🙂
Snow Removal on City Streets
The city’s Public Works Department has snow crews on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to changing weather conditions. During snowstorms, 16 plow trucks are active on Boulder’s streets. Six of the trucks distribute a liquid deicer, four spreader trucks distribute traction materials, and six trucks can distribute either material. Fifteen of the plow trucks drive predetermined routes while one “floater” truck responds to problem areas.
During the snowstorm, the city may spot-treat bridges and overpasses as needed to help reduce the buildup of ice and snow. Depending on the weather conditions, a liquid deicer may also be applied to streets and multi-use paths to continue melting the snowpack throughout the snowstorm. Spreader trucks will dispense a crystallized deicer for traction, where appropriate.
consistent with other Front Range communities, the city does not plow all residential streets since Boulder’s sunny climate typically melts most snow within a day or two and because residential plowing would increase costs by an estimated 200 percent. Plowing residential streets would also block driveways and cars parked on the streets. However, problem areas like particularly icy slopes, blocked storm drains or impassable sidewalks can be reported to the city for response. To report roadway or path problems, call the Street and Bikeway Maintenance Hotline at 303-413-7177.
Sidewalk Snow Removal
The Boulder Police Department is responsible for enforcing the city’s sidewalk snow removal ordinance. Property owners, tenants and landlords must clear their sidewalks within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Official snowfall reports are available on the National Weather Service website. Failure to remove snow from sidewalks before the 24-hour deadline may result in a summons and/or an abatement process. Abatement includes the use of a private snow removal contractor to clear the sidewalk. The property owner will be charged a $50 administrative fee, along with the contractor’s fee for removing the snow. To report a sidewalk snow violation, call Code Enforcement at 303-441-3333. Snow should be shoveled onto landscaping, not into the streets. Pushing snow into the streets creates hazards for bike commuters and pedestrians, and gutters clogged with snow may cause ice to form on the sidewalks.
The ICEBUSTERS program pairs residents who are physically unable to clear snow from their sidewalks with someone who can do the work for them. Seasonal and substitute volunteers are needed for this community program. To volunteer or learn more, please call 303-443-1933.
For more information about the city’s snow removal or for winter driving tips, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov/publicworksand click on “Winter Tips” on the left menu.
For code enforcement information, call 303-441-3333 or visit the Boulder Police Department’s website at www.boulder-police.com.
Downtown Boulder: Munchkin Masquerade, CU Homecoming Oct 24-31
Oct 24th
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Munchkin MasqueradeOctober 31 | 2 – 5 p.m. | Pearl Street & BeyondBOO! On Halloween, Pearl Street is overtaken with ghosts & goblins, dinosaurs & dragons, fairies & princes, super heroes and animals of every size trick-or-treating along the bricks &East and West End districts. Several Downtown businesses will participate as Treat Stops. Start at the Daily Camera Booth at the top of 11th and Pearl, the Visitors Information Center at 13th & Pearl, The Cup or Full Cycle on the East End, or Clutter on the West End for a Treat Stop map and additional information! A handful of volunteers are needed to serve as traffic marshals at street crossings (13th, 14th, Broadway and Pearl streets). Please email events@dbi.org to learn more or sign-up! |
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Halloween Festivites in Downtown BoulderDon’t miss Halloween events taking place in Downtown Boulder, October 26 – 31. Shine, kicks it off Friday night with the Sinner’s Ball and celebrations continue well into Wednesday night. |
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Pearl Street Stampede – Only Two LeftFriday, November 2 | 7 p.m. | 1300 block of the Pearl Street MallThe Pearl Street Stampede happens next Friday evening to kick off homecoming weekend. Join us on November 2nd along with members of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band, the team, coaches and cheerleaders, as we get pumped up for the Homecoming game against the Stanford Cardinals on Saturday! |
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Switch on the Holidays Save the DateSunday, November 18 | 5 p.m. | 1300 block of Pearl StreetGrab your elves, throw on some tinsil and help us switch on the holidays on SUNDAY, November 18th! Santa will flip the switch for the grand illumination of the Boulder County Courthouse, the Pearl Street Mall and the star on Flagstaff Mountain. Enjoy a special performance by the Boulder Chorale. Immediately following Switch, join us at Light up the Ice for a holiday ice show and open skating. This year over 16,000 LED lights will adorn the mall with 320 festive sphere ornaments. |
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Make it BIG: Small Business SaturdaySaturday, November 24 | Downtown BoulderThe 3rd annual Small Business Saturday® is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year. On Saturday, November 24th, pledge to shop small at your favorite Downtown Boulder stores & restaurants and help fuel our local economy. Several downtown businesses will be celebrating Small Business Saturday and/or participating in a Winter Sidewalk Sale – offering special savings & incentives! The Sidewalk Sale runs November 23-25, 2012. Check here for participating businesses and additional details. |
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Play “Found Downtown” & Win a $25 Downtown Gift Card!Think you know Downtown Boulder? Tell us where the photo to the left was taken and your correct guess will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Downtown Boulder Gift Card. One winner will be chosen at random from the correct answers. One guess per person please. Email your answer to info@dbi.org by Tuesday, November 6 with Found Downtown in the title. The winner will be notified on Wednesday, November 7. Congratulations to the October 10 (Rocket Fizz) winner Linda Wigod! |
» New Members
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Naropa UniversityContact: Charles Lief
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KidrobotContact: Reed Halstead
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T|ACOContact: Whitney Olmsted
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Source: Downtown Boulder
