HAIB News
THE SCIENCE OF PROGRESS
Wed, 01/01/2025 - 1:00amAt HudsonAlpha we engage the power of biotechnology to improve life. Implementing a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach, HudsonAlpha creates the environment and conditions to nurture life-affirming "Eureka!" moments in the lab, marketplace and classroom.
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HudsonAlpha Seminar Series
Wed, 05/16/2012 - 1:50pmMay 30 at noon in the HudsonAlpha auditorium
James Galagan, Ph.D.
associate director, microbial genome analysis, Broad Institute
Galagan's research is focused on systems biology of microbial organisms, specifically Mycobacterium tuberculosis - the causative agent of tuberculosis- and the fungus Neurospora crassa. The Galagan lab is an interdisciplinary group that combines computational biology, genomics and experimental lab work.
More information on the series.
Categories: Institute News
Relative reference: Foxtail millet offers clues for assembling the switchgrass genome
Mon, 05/14/2012 - 3:40pmNews Outlet: U.S. Dept. of Energy Joint Genome Institute Date published: May 14, 2012
Arranging DNA fragments into a genome sequence that scientists can interpret is a challenge often compared to assembling a puzzle, except there is no box to provide an idea of what the picture is even supposed to be. Sometimes there's guidance in the form of other publicly-available DNA sequences from related organisms that can be used to guide the assembly process, but its usefulness depends on how closely related any two sequences are to one another. For example, a reference genome might be so distantly related from the one being assembled, it would be akin to comparing a Model-T to a contemporary hybrid car.
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The beads and string of DNA
Fri, 05/04/2012 - 9:27amYou may have heard the analogy “beads on a string” to describe genetic code. Two new papers from the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology report that both the beads and string contribute to how genetic code relates to human health.
Envision DNA as a very long string, wrapped around millions of beads made of proteins. To regulate genes, cells use thousands of different proteins. Imagine the beads are made of thousands of combinations of different colors and designs. The technique used in these papers, chromatin immunoprecipitation or ChIP-seq, allows researchers to go in and pick out the specific protein-DNA complexes, or individual beads from this huge jumble, that they want to study.
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Dr. Neil Lamb testifies before a congressional hearing on STEM education
Tue, 05/01/2012 - 2:52pmNews Outlet: The Huntsville Times Date published: April 30, 2012
Huntsville may be ahead of the curve when it comes to science education, but plenty of work remains to ensure that the education system adequately fills an increasingly technology-based workforce. That was the gist of a congressional hearing held Monday morning at Bob Jones High School to discuss the future of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the Rocket City and beyond. To read the rest of the story and Lamb's comments, click here.
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Alabama students and teachers celebrate DNA Day
Fri, 04/27/2012 - 3:29pmHudsonAlpha team travels around the state to offer encouragement and guidance
As part of DNA Day celebrations, more than 2,500 Alabama students participated in multiple DNA walks and a GenomeCacheTM exercise this week.
GenomeCacheTM is a free app developed by the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology education team. Along with its accompanying website, this app helps teachers assemble a “Genome Walk,” a physical representation of the human genome that includes information on over 150 genes of interest. The GenomeCacheTM app uses the Genome Walk as the setting for a genomic scavenger hunt, similar to the way geocacheing uses GPS coordinates in the search for treasures.
Release Date: April 27, 2012 - 1:00am Contact Name: Holly Ralston Contact Email: hralston@hudsonalpha.org Contact Phone: 256.508.8954 Organization Background: The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent ‐ science, education and business professionals ‐ that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non‐profit institute is housed in a state‐of‐the‐art, 270,000 square‐ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three‐fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.Categories: Institute News
UAB researcher receives HudsonAlpha Prize
Fri, 04/27/2012 - 10:49amTim Townes honored for work on sickle cell and related blood disorders
HUNTSVILLE, Ala -- Tim Townes, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham, was awarded the HudsonAlpha Prize for his work on sickle cell and related blood disorders. The $20,000 monetary award acknowledges exceptional talent, dedication and discovery by Alabama’s best and brightest researchers.
The prize was announced at the HudsonAlpha Spring Benefit held April 26. “In research you never speak lightly of curing a disease, but if anyone is going to cure sickle cell, it will be Tim,” said Rick Myers, Ph.D., director and president of the HudsonAlpha Institute.
Release Date: April 27, 2012 - 1:00am Contact Name: Holly Ralston Contact Email: hralston@hudsonalpha.org Contact Phone: 256.508.8954 Organization Background: The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.Categories: Institute News
HudsonAlpha DNA Day featured activity
Thu, 04/19/2012 - 7:55pmDavid Altshuler to speak on diabetes research
David Altshuler, M.D., Ph.D., a clinical endocrinologist, human geneticist and founding core member of the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Mass., will discuss diabetes research at the Jackson Center, adjacent to HudsonAlpha, on April 27 at 9 a.m. This presentation is free but seating is limited and registration is required. Registration is available here.
Categories: Institute News
Inaugural Double Helix Dash is a huge success
Wed, 04/11/2012 - 9:01amNews Outlet: The Huntsville Times Date published: April 10, 2012
HudsonAlpha's inaugural Double Helix Dash was a huge success Tuesday as more than 500 people participated in the 5K and 1-mile twilight run at McMillian Park. Huntsville Times photographer Bob Gathany posted a gallery of photos on al.com. Check out the photos by clicking this link. Be sure to check the HudsonAlpha Facebook page for more photos as well as the Twitter feed @HudsonAlpha.
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Genomic variations play complex role in autism spectrum disorder
Fri, 04/06/2012 - 10:04amHUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Because autism spectrum disorders are so diverse, scientists have only found a few genetic factors that clearly contribute a risk of developing the condition. New work from HudsonAlpha, along with colleagues from Vanderbilt University, the Broad Institute and 11 other groups, has examined genome mutations in autism and concludes that the picture is still complex. Scientists can now use genome sequencing to compare the genetic codes of parents and children, and look for new mutations in the children and not in the parents. These are called de novo mutations. In the case of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the new study compared 175 children with their parents, and found that de novo mutations only occurred slightly more than by chance. Release Date: April 3, 2012 - 1:00am Contact Name: Holly Ralston Contact Email: hralston@hudsonalpha.org Contact Phone: 256.508.8954 Organization Background: The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach. File Attachment: nature11011.pdf
Categories: Institute News
Why we have plenty of fish in the sea
Fri, 04/06/2012 - 10:00amHUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- New work from the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, with collaborators at Stanford University and five other groups, has pinpointed evolution in action. By determining genomic sequence from many groups of stickleback fish, the scientists were able to show specific genomic changes leading to the ability of different fish populations to adapt to new environments. “We were pleased with the ability of genomics to show us what molecular changes are important in evolutionary processes,” said Richard Myers, Ph.D., president and director of HudsonAlpha. Release Date: April 3, 2012 - 1:00am Contact Name: Holly Ralston Contact Email: hralston@hudsonalpha.org Contact Phone: 256.508.854 Organization Background: The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach. File Attachment: nature10944.pdf
Categories: Institute News
Why we have plenty of fish in the sea
Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:10pmNews Outlet: Nature Date published: April 3, 2012 Download PDF: news and views stickleback Apr2012.pdf
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- New work from the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, with collaborators at Stanford University and five other groups, has pinpointed evolution in action. By determining genomic sequence from many groups of stickleback fish, the scientists were able to show specific genomic changes leading to the ability of different fish populations to adapt to new environments. “We were pleased with the ability of genomics to show us what molecular changes are important in evolutionary processes,” said Richard Myers, Ph.D., president and director of HudsonAlpha.
Categories: Institute News
Genomic variations play complex role in autism spectrum disorder
Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:03pmNews Outlet: Nature Date published: April 3, 2012 Download PDF: nature11011.pdf
Because autism spectrum disorders are so diverse, scientists have only found a few genetic factors that clearly contribute a risk of developing the condition. New work from HudsonAlpha, along with colleagues from Vanderbilt University, the Broad Institute and 11 other groups, has examined genome mutations in autism and concludes that the picture is still complex. Scientists can now use genome sequencing to compare the genetic codes of parents and children, and look for new mutations in the children and not in the parents. These are called de novo mutations. In the case of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the new study compared 175 children with their parents, and found that de novo mutations only occurred slightly more than by chance.
Categories: Institute News
Tales from the crypt lead researchers to cancer discovery
Fri, 03/30/2012 - 8:11amHUNTSVILLE, Ala – Tales from the crypt are supposed to be scary, but new research from Vanderbilt University, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, and colleagues shows that crypts can be places of renewal too: intestinal crypts, that is. Intestinal crypts are small areas of the intestine where new cells are formed to continuously renew the digestive tract. By focusing on one protein expressed in our intestines called Lrig1, the researchers have identified a special population of intestinal stem cells that respond to damage and help to prevent cancer.
Release Date: March 30, 2012 - 1:00am Contact Name: Holly Ralston Contact Email: hralston@hudsonalpha.org Contact Phone: 256.508.8954 Organization Background: The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent - science, education and business professionals - that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach. File Attachment: Cell Pan-ErbBnegCategories: Institute News
2012 Spring Benefit
Mon, 03/26/2012 - 3:21pmOn Thursday, April 26, 2012, HudsonAlpha will host a benefit to raise funds for HudsonAlpha’s current and planned research on diabetes, obesity and other metabolic conditions. These related disorders present severe health problems that affect many in our community along with thousands of people throughout the state and nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes currently affects 25.8 million children and adults in the U.S. Alarmingly, Alabama ranks third in the U.S. in obesity rates (32 percent of the population) and adults who have diabetes (12 percent of the population).
Categories: Institute News
Diatherix and Microarrays partner to develop diagnostic assays
Fri, 03/23/2012 - 4:00pmDiatherix Laboratories and Microarrays Inc. (MI) jointly announce they have entered a strategic partnership to develop industry leading infectious disease diagnostic assays.
The ever-increasing prevalence of infectious and drug-resistant organisms requires that diagnostic platforms be highly adaptable and progressively more comprehensive.
With this partnership the companies will integrate their proprietary technologies to develop and continually update diagnostic assays, which will achieve the maximum flexibility necessary to better serve the healthcare community.
To read the full release, click here.
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Genetic mutation found in familial chronic diarrhea syndrome
Wed, 03/21/2012 - 1:58pmHudsonAlpha researcher part of international team
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - When the intestines are not able to properly process our diet, a variety of disorders can develop, with chronic diarrhea as a common symptom. Chronic diarrhea can also be inherited, most commonly through conditions with genetic components such as irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers in Norway, India, and at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology have identified one heritable DNA mutation that leads to chronic diarrhea and bowel inflammation.
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Research paper about Biotech 101 featured in Journal of Genetic Counseling
Mon, 03/05/2012 - 3:43pmA research paper focusing on HudsonAlpha's Biotech 101 course has been published in the Journal of Genetic Counselors. Three of the paper's authors, Adam Hott, Ph.D., Neil Lamb, Ph.D. and Kelly East, are part of the educational outreach department.
Biotech 101, a free educational series, is hosted by the educational outreach department each fall. More than 1,500 members of the Huntsville community have participated in HudsonAlpha's Biotech 101 course since its inception in 2008. Class participation is open to everyone, but is filled on a first come basis.
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Through the Microscope - Winter 2012
Tue, 02/28/2012 - 1:10pmFebruary 1, 2012 Winter 2012 Download PDF: winter12.pdf
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Diagnostic process from Diatherix improves patient care and lowers hospital costs
Mon, 02/20/2012 - 11:00amNews Outlet: PRNewswire Date published: February 20, 2012
Kettering Medical Center has realized a positive financial impact of $3.7 million in the past year as the result of a change in standard operating proceures using a new innovative testing technology that diagnoses a wide variety of infectious diseases faster and more accurately than traditional testing.
"This unique diagnostic technology allows us to diagnose patients faster, and the faster we can provide treatment the faster our patients heal," said Carol Quinter, Ph.D., Director of Kettering Laboratory Clinical Services and Technical Director of DIATHERIX Laboratory at Kettering Medical Center. "This technology, developed by DIATHERIX Laboratories, is a game changer for the healthcare industry. Hospital savings are directly tied to reducing patient infection rates, decreasing the days patients need to be kept in isolation and prescribing fewer antibiotics."
To read the rest of the release from PR Newswire, click here.
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