Biotechnology research helps improve lives
Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK)
April 23, 2006
Author: Brandy McDonnell; Staff Writer
Genetic studies could lead to major advances in future
For centuries, people have used fermenting yeast to make bread and have crossed different varieties of plants or animals to create hardier breeds.
Since ancient times, humans have used biotechnology to make myriad improvements to their lives, said Jerry Malayer, associate dean for research and graduate education at Oklahoma State University's Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. He defines biotechnology as any use of a biological molecule or process to create a treatment, diagnostic or other application that will benefit human, animal or environmental health.
"As we learn more, delve deeper into the processes, the genomic processes, how the DNA codes make up the proteins to make plants and animals ... we should be able to do even more," Malayer said.
In the past decade, Oklahoma's biotech industry has grown significantly, producing numerous medical advancements and boosting the state economy. Those associated with the industry forecast that it will continue to flourish.
Research park filled
At Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park, foundation President Michael Anderson recently announced that the last 1,800 square feet of space - out of about 600,000 square feet - had been taken.
The 10-year-old park has 44 biotech-related companies as its tenants. It boasts more than 1,000 employees making an average $50,000 a year or more, he said.
"Research Park in 20 months has added more than 20 tenants. That's the kind of growth we have ... and we've just begun," Anderson said. "Any one of these companies could grow into a very significant blockbuster. That's what's exciting, is we're just watching the beginning of the beginning."
Although only six of the 10 buildings in the park's master plan have been built, Anderson said land already has been purchased for an expansion. The value of the six buildings and parking garage is about $100 million.
"I do predict that it (the research park) will be a major player in the future of the economy in Oklahoma, because research will be," he said. "The new economy is based on research, and that's what we do here."
The sixth building, housing Cytovance Biologics biopharmaceutical plant, is complete and awaiting FDA approval to start operating.
Several of the park's tenants are spin-off companies started by researchers from OSU, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
An OSU spin-off, Nomadics develops advanced sensors for detecting land mines that also can be applied to the medical industry. Biolytx Pharmaceuticals, based on technology out of OU Health Sciences Center, is developing a novel antibiotic peptide to treat serious hospital-acquired infections.
Retiring OMRF President Dr. J. Donald Capra said the independent research institute has five or six of its spin-off companies in the research park. They include Zapaq, which is working on drugs to target the enzyme thought to cause Alzheimer's disease, and InterGenetics, which is developing genetic tests to predict cancer.
When he joined OMRF in 1997, Capra said the institute had no spin-off companies; now, it spins off companies about every six months; employment is up from 370 to 550.
"If we are going to create more jobs, we need more space," Capra said.
OMRF has purchased land for expansion and is seeking help from the Legislature to build a $30 million to $50 million dollar research tower. With the tower, Capra said OMRF could hire more faculty members.
Additional researchers mean more work toward medical advances. OMRF scientists are working on research into Parkinson's disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and new vaccines and treatments for anthrax.
Research continues
At OU Health Sciences Center, researchers are working on cancer therapies, inhibitors of bacterial toxins, methods for detecting DNA damage and ways to prevent periodontal disease.
Paul DeAngelis, associate professor of biochemistry and microbiology at the Health Sciences Center, is working in glycobiology, which studies how sugars not only fuel the body but act as a signal system in the body.
He is involved in three spin-off companies - Hyalose, Heparinex and Choncept. Hyalose is working on better ways to synthesize hyaluronic acid, which is used to cushion joints and keep organs from sticking together during surgeries. Research is being done to see if it can be used to signal cells to heal more quickly or even make cancer cells commit suicide.
Biotech advances aren't just for humans, Malayer said. At OSU, researchers are developing vaccines to protect cattle from the respiratory disease known as shipping fever and the red blood cell disease anaplasmosis.
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