Page 30 - Healthcare News Jan/Feb 2022

NIH Grant Will Support Trailblazing Research in UMass Amherst Lab
AMHERST — Jianhan Chen, a UMass Amherst chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology professor, has received a five-year, $2 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to support research in his computational biophysics lab aimed at better understanding the role of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) in biology and human disease.
The grant falls under the National Institute of General Medical Sciences MIRA program, which stands for Maxi- mizing Investigators’ Research Award. It’s designed to give highly talented research- ers more flexibility and stability to achieve important scientific advances in their labs.
“The MIRA award enables us to con- tinue working on several central problems regarding the study of disordered proteins and dynamic interactions. The flexibility of this funding mechanism also allows us to follow new research directions as they
emerge,” Chen said.
Until relatively recently, it was thought
that proteins needed to adopt a well-de- fined structure to perform their biologi- cal function. But about two decades ago, he explained, IDPs were recognized as a new class of proteins that rely on a lack of stable structures to function. They make up about one-third of proteins that human bodies make, and two-thirds of cancer-associated proteins contain large, disordered segments or domains.
“This disorder seems to provide some unique functional advantage, and that’s why we have so much disorder in certain kinds of proteins,” Chen said. “These IDPs play really important roles in biol- ogy, and when something breaks down, they lead to very serious diseases, like cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.”
In his lab, Chen and colleagues focus on using computer simulations to model
the molecular structure and dynamics of proteins. “IDPs are a mess; it’s difficult to determine the details of their proper- ties because they are not amenable to traditional techniques that are designed to resolve stable protein structures,” he noted.
Because of their chaotic state, IDPs must be described using ensembles of structures, and computer simulations play a crucial role in the quantitative descrip- tion of these disordered ensembles. “Our goal is really trying to combine simulation and experiments in collaboration with other labs to tease out what are the hidden features of these disordered proteins that are crucial to their function,” Chen said. “Then we can look at how these specific features might be perturbed by disease- related mutations or conditions.”
The next step would be to develop ef- fective strategies for targeting disordered
protein states. Toward that end, Chen’s lab will study the molecular basis of how the anti-cancer drug EGCG, an antioxi- dant found in green-tea extract, and its derivatives interact with the p53 gene, a tumor suppressor and the most important protein involved in cancer.
The key, he explained, is knowing how to design drug molecules to bind well enough to IDPs to achieve a therapeutic effect. Traditional, structure-based drug design strategies are faced with significant challenges, he noted, because IDPs do not contain stable, “druggable” pockets.
“We believe that targeting IDPs requires new strategies that explore the dynamic nature of IDP interactions,” he said. “If we can do this, it could really open up a whole class of drugs that were previously thought impossible.”
Bradley International Airport Earns COVID-19 Health Reaccreditation
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — In recognition of its continued health and safety response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bradley International Airport has achieved reaccreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI) World Health Accreditation program.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have increasingly emphasized the implementation of safety protocols at Bradley International Airport to prioritize the well-being of our passengers and employees,” said Kevin Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “We are pleased to have our comprehensive response once again recognized through the rigorous ACI health accreditation process. This is a tremendous recog- nition of our airport-wide commitment to offer the safest
facilities possible for all airport users.”
During the extensive accreditation process, ACI assesses
the airport’s response and safety measures throughout the entire passenger journey in line with industry best practices. This includes evaluation of the airport’s clean- ing and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical-layout modifica- tions, passenger communications, and passenger-facility enhancements.
The Connecticut Airport Authority voluntary initiated the reassessment after receiving its initial health accredita- tion from ACI in December 2020.
In addition to surpassing these high industry safety standards, Bradley International Airport offers contactless
access to the parking garage and surfaces lots through the airport’s free parking-rewards program; an opportunity
to apply for TSA PreCheck at the airport’s enrollment site, which speeds up the screening process and also helps re- duce touchpoints; and contactless meal ordering, allowing passengers to easily purchase food online for pickup on their journey through the airport.
Additionally, the airport is continuing to offer voluntary COVID testing for passengers and airport employees in the main terminal’s baggage claim. Free COVID vaccina- tions and boosters are also available on certain days in the same location. A federal face-covering mandate is also in place for everyone, regardless of their vaccination status.
Petco Love Donates $10,000 to Foundation for TJO Animals
SPRINGFIELD — The Foundation
for TJO Animals received a $10,000 grant investment from Petco Love to support its lifesaving work for animals in Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee.
Petco Love is a nonprofit organiza- tion leading change for pets nationally
by harnessing the power of love to help make communities and families with pets closer, stronger, and healthier. Since its founding in 1999 as the Petco Founda- tion, it has empowered organizations with nearly $300 million invested in adoption
and other lifesaving efforts. Petco Love, in partnership with Petco and more
than 4,000 organizations like Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO) nationwide, have addition- ally helped to find loving homes for more than 6.5 million pets.
“Today, Petco Love announces an investment in TJO and hundreds of other organizations as part of our commit- ment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” said Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love. “Our local
investments are only one component. This month, we will also launch the first of our national tools to empower all animal lovers to drive life-saving change right alongside us.”
The Foundation for TJO Animals is a nonprofit organization supporting the medical services and needs of the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adop- tion Center serving Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee. Since 2007, the Foundation for TJO Animals, with strong community support, has raised much-needed dollars
in support of life-saving medical treatment and care of local animals.
“Nearly 85% of the animals that TJO cares for are found or stray animals,” said Lori Swanson, interim executive direc-
tor of the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. “With this support from Petco Love, we are better equipped to provide the live-saving care the animals of our community deserve. Thank you to our friends at Petco Love for their generous support.”
30 WWW.HEALTHCARENEWS.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022