The Genomics Education Partnership: First findings on genomics research in community colleges.

The Genomics Education Partnership (GEP), a consortium of diverse colleges/universities, provides support for integrating genomics research into undergraduate curricula. To increase research opportunities for underrepresented students, GEP is expanding to more community colleges (CC). Genomics research, requiring only a computer with internet access, may be particularly accessible for 2-year institutions with limited research capacity and significant budget constraints. To understand how GEP supports student research at CCs, we analyzed student knowledge and self-reported outcomes. We found that CC student gains are comparable to non-CC student gains, with improvements in attitudes toward science and thriving in science. Our early findings suggest that the GEP model of centralized support with flexible CURE implementation benefits CC students and may help mitigate barriers to implementing research at CCs.

Inhibition of post-transcriptional steps in ribosome biogenesis confers cytoprotection against chemotherapeutic agents in a p53-dependent manner.

The p53-mediated nucleolar stress response associated with inhibition of ribosomal RNA transcription was previously shown to potentiate killing of tumor cells. Here, we asked whether targeting of ribosome biogenesis can be used as the basis for selective p53-dependent cytoprotection of nonmalignant cells. Temporary functional inactivation of the 60S ribosome assembly factor Bop1 in a 3T3 cell model markedly increased cell recovery after exposure to camptothecin or methotrexate. This was due, at least in part, to reversible pausing of the cell cycle preventing S phase associated DNA damage. Similar cytoprotective effects were observed after transient shRNA-mediated silencing of Rps19, but not several other tested ribosomal proteins, indicating distinct cellular responses to the inhibition of different steps in ribosome biogenesis. By temporarily inactivating Bop1 function, we further demonstrate selective killing of p53-deficient cells with camptothecin while sparing isogenic p53-positive cells. Thus, combining cytotoxic treatments with inhibition of select post-transcriptional steps of ribosome biogenesis holds potential for therapeutic targeting of cells that have lost p53.

BIBW-2992, a dual receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of solid tumors.

The anilino-quinazoline derivative BIBW-2992, which is being developed by Boehringer Ingelheim Corp for the potential treatment of solid tumors, is an oral dual receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor of human EGF receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)/neu. EGFR and HER-2/neu activate numerous signaling pathways leading to cancer cell proliferation, survival and migration. In vitro, BIBW-2992 effectively and selectively inhibited EGFR and HER-2/neu and inhibited EGFR and HER-2/neu total tyrosine phosphorylation and tumor cell proliferation in vivo. Importantly, BIBW-2992 was active against tumors overexpressing EGFR with the secondary Thr790Met point mutation, which confers resistance to the first-generation EGFR inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib. In phase I/II trials, BIBW-2992 was effective in patients with solid tumors, including those with NSCLC tumors activating mutations in the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain. BIBW-2992 was generally well tolerated with the main adverse effects being gastrointestinal or cutaneous disorders. At the time of publication, BIBW-2992 was undergoing phase II trials for NSCLC, breast and prostate cancers, head and neck carcinoma, as well as glioma. BIBW-2992 was granted Fast-Track status by the FDA for NSCLC and was investigated in phase III trials for this indication.

Bex, the Bacillus subtilis homolog of the essential Escherichia coli GTPase Era, is required for normal cell division and spore formation.

The Bacillus subtilis bex gene complemented the defect in an Escherichia coli era mutant. The Bex protein showed 39 percent identity and 67 percent similarity to the E. coli Era GTPase. In contrast to era, bex was not essential in all strains. bex mutant cells were elongated and filled with diffuse nucleoid material. They grew slowly and exhibited severely impaired spore formation.