Wed, 28 January 2009 Dr.Dante Fenolio & Dr. Jenny Cruse-Sanders, Amphibian conservation specialists This week’s interview was great as always.   We had the opportunity to take the science of Glycomics which is considered fledgling. And find a connection that I knew very little about, and I venture to guess many others had little recognition of as well.   We had the distinct opportunity to hear from Dr. Jenny Cruse-Sanders Ph.D., The Director of Research and Conservation at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. And Dante Fenolio, Ph.D. the resident Amphibian Conservation Specialist. http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/site/conservation/amphibian_research     We spoke about the role of Amphibian sciences in health care discoveries as well a how this research is quickly rooting itself in Glycomics. Dr. Fenolio explained that the fact that amphibians have a mucin layer on their skin surface, which s their adaptation to environment but is also their Achilles heal if left un aided by chemical defenses. HE went on to state that their skin surface is highly permeable and has to be protected by chemical barriers. Barriers that help the amphibians fight off fungus, bacteria, and other dangers to survive. And it is these same barriers that can aid greatly in the treatment and prevention of diseases in humans. He went on to explain that the study of these mucin layers has led scientists to a breakthrough that may be a great option for prevention of mucosal HIV transmission.   Dr. Cruse-Sanders went on to explain the projects at the Botanical garden and their works to coo create projects with leading researchers utilizing their incredible species variation. I urge you to look at the botanical gardens program and read the articles attached in order to catch a glimpse into the world of amphibians and their niche with in the science of glycomics.   www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9363367    http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1212620   http://www.springerlink.com/content/k6l14475604t44m2/fulltext.pdf?page=1 Direct download: Impact_of_Glycomics_01282009.MP3 Category: podcasts -- posted at: 4:13 PM Comments[0]

Wed, 21 January 2009 Dr. Leena Valmu. Stem Cell Glycomics If you didn’t get a chance to tune into this weeks interview, be sure to download this pod cast! It was my pleasure to interview Dr. Leena Valmu Education. Dr.Valmu received her  Master of Science in Biochemistry (University of Helsinki) 1992,   PhD thesis on molecular basis of leukocyte adhesion (Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki) 1998   Adjunct Professor in Biochemistry (University of Helsinki) 2006     Research Initiatives. Dr. Valmu is the R&D manager for the Red Cross Finland Blood service, Stem Cell Glycomics division. The Project aims to develop glycobiological means for identification, isolation, propagation, differentiation, preservation and quality control of human adult stem cells and therapeutic stem cell products. Recently her lab was written up for many new discoveries and achievements in the field. Dr. Valmu’s lab is of course working on many priority areas… Characterization of glyco structures on stem cells, and apply them in a. Identification of stem cell-specific surface structures b. Development of methods for stem cell isolation c. Development of optimal culture and preservation conditions for stem cells d. Mobilization, homing and migration of stem cells e. Development of characterization and validation methods for stem cell products   Be sure to listen to the interview of Dr. Valmu. Her work at the Finnish Blood service is not only impressive and cutting edge. It is really on top of mind within the research world. We had the opportunity to speak about many facets of stem cell science, and quickly it became apparent that Dr. Valmu is one of the worlds leading authorities on the subject of stem cell glycomics. Not only did she share the research, but she was gracious enough to have a very candid conversation about the state of the science, the inerrant road blocks, and the possibilities for the future. I highly recommend listening to this interview!     Here are a few links of interest or Dr. Valmu http://www.bloodservice.fi/asp/system/empty.asp?P=2394&VID=default&SID=423415099325037&S=0&C=21527 http://www.bloodservice.fi/asp/system/empty.asp?P=2386&VID=default&SID=423415099325037&S=0&C=21542  https://oa.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/35939/transcri.pdf?sequence=1 http://www.glycobiology.org/Default.aspx?tabid=98&type=viewabstract&lognumber=150 http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/scd.2005.14.204?journalCode=scd         Direct download: Impact_of_Glycomics_01212009.MP3 Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:52 PM Comments[0]

Wed, 14 January 2009 Audio Blog Show Impact of glycomics Audio blog show!   This week we started a new year, a new semester, and a new page in the life of glycomics and those involved in the field. With that I thought nothing better than to give you an audio blog show. In which I highlighted a few articles. Here are the links and I hope you like them...   As always if you or someone you know is a researcher in the field. We would very much like the opportunity to interview you. Drop us an email and we will set it up.     Proteoglycans: A sweet treat for adenovirus attachment Http://www.functionalglycomics.org/fg/update/2008/081211/full/fg.2008.55.shtml   Glycomics of bone marrow – derived mesenchymal stem cells can be used to evaluate their cellular differentiation stage. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19037724   Modulating immune call development: polysialic acid sticks out. Http://www.functionalglycomics.org/fg/update/2008/081211/full/fg.2008.52.shtml   Systems biology and glycomics applied to study of human inflammatory diseases. http://www.scienceaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028143508.htm   A serum glycomics approach to Breast cancer biomarkers http://www.mcponline.org/cgi/content/abstract/6/1/43   Honda contributes $500000 http://cottontopssandbox.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/honda-foundation-contributes-500000-towards-medical-research/   Methods in molecular biology #2074 Glycomics Methods and protocols http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9781588297747   Chink in the armor of viral tummy bug identified http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/12/23/researchers.find.chink.armor.viral.tummy.bug     Direct download: Impact_of_Glycomics_01142009.MP3 Category: podcasts -- posted at: 2:47 PM Comments[0]