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UK nano-tech process wins patent
U.S. patent 7,153,525 has been awarded to a process developed by researchers at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy for manufacturing nanoparticles for use in pharmaceuticals and other purposes.
The process, called 'Nanotemplate Engineering,' was developed by researchers Russell Mumper and Michael Jay and has been licensed to NanoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a start-up company founded in 2000 by Mumper and Jay with R&D operations located in UK's Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Nanotemplate Engineering involves manufacturing nanoparticles that deliver proteins, diagnostic agents and other materials to specific tissues, cells and tumors. As a drug delivery technology, Nanotemplate Engineering can provide a sustained release of drugs in tissues, which may reduce dosage frequency, peripheral toxicity and adverse effects. The process also may enhance efficacy and expand the indications for which a drug may be prescribed.
"Nanotemplate Engineering may have a special appeal to pharmaceutical manufacturers because it can provide new patent protection for current or soon-to-be off-patent drugs," said Stephen Benoit, president and CEO of NanoMed Pharmaceuticals, an early-stage specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing improved therapeutic and diagnostic products to treat or detect cancer and other serious diseases.
Mumper and Jay are conducting NIH-funded research involving the use of Nanotemplate Engineering to facilitate the development of potential treatments for resistant metastatic breast cancer, a therapeutic vaccine for HIV/AIDS, enhanced molecular imaging agents for the diagnosis of tumors, and so-called "clean tech" applications in radiation sensing and detection.
Cheapside gets a makeover
A downtown landmark, Cheapside Bar, has closed, but only temporarily. Owner Robin Campbell says after a 21-year run, Cheapside was ready for a total makeover. The work is now underway and Campbell is planning a grand re-opening at the end of January.
Campbell wants to create a special scrapbook to display at the re-opening and is asking customers to send or drop off photos of themselves and their friends partying at Cheapside over the years. Names and addresses of the photo owners should be provided on the back of the pictures so they can be returned.
Carl Meyers
Carl Meyers, the store, is closing. Carl Meyers, the designer, is transcending. And as a result, neither New York nor Lexington will ever be the same.
A retail legacy in Lexington, Meyers' grandfather, father and Carl himself have sold luxury riding apparel and designer clothing in Lexington for over 80 years. Carl will retire from retail to focus on his custom clothing factory, Traguardo 11, where he manufactures men's and women's suiting of his own design.
As a parting gift to his customers, Meyers is selling all remaining merchandise in his Romany Road store at 50-75% off until it's all gone.
Reports that the Romany Road property has been sold were not confirmed at press time.
EKU "Try Teaching" program enters second year
After a successful first year, Eastern Kentucky University's "Try Teaching" program is again accepting applications from mid- and second-career professionals who are intrigued about their potential in front of a classroom.
The nationally innovative program is geared to those who have doubts about leaving their current job behind to return to college for a second degree. It allows participants to gauge their comfort level as a classroom teacher before making a life-changing career move.
The program, funded by a $175,000 grant from Ashland Inc., attracted 10 participants in 2006. Each spent two weeks in a K-12 classroom, gaining first-hand experience as they assisted in the preparation and execution of lesson plans while learning successful educational practices from their teaching mentors.
Several from the inaugural group have decided to enter EKU's Master's in Teaching program, which prepares and certifies individuals who hold non-teaching baccalaureate degrees, according to Dr. Cynthia Resor, coordinator of the MAT program and director of the "Try Teaching" program. Resor said one significant change in the program this year is that participants will have the option of one- or two-week placements. Participants are placed in elementary, middle and high schools throughout central and southeastern Kentucky, as close to home as possible.
In addition to classroom time with their mentoring teacher, "Try Teaching" participants will spend time with a university-level educator to learn more about certification procedures, the teaching profession and career benefits.
A preliminary screening will pre-qualify participants and reduce the risk that a participant would be ineligible for the MAT program. Those interested in the "Try Teaching" program will be asked to assemble educational transcripts, a professional resume and letters of recommendation, and will be interviewed to assess their overall disposition to teach. Also, before introducing anyone into a classroom setting, EKU will complete "stringent" state and federal background checks on all program candidates.
The application deadline this year is May 15. Because the number of participants will be limited, Resor suggested that interested individuals contact her as soon as possible at (859) 622-2165 or at Cynthia.resor@eku.edu. More information is available at www.tryteaching.eku.edu.
BCTC nursing division scores $1.4 million grant
Bluegrass Community & Technical College (BCTC) will receive a $1.4 million President's Community Based Job Training Grant. The grant, announced by the U.S. Department of Labor, will fund the Bluegrass Regional Advancements and Innovations in Nursing (BRAIN) project, designed to meet the current and future workforce demand for nurses in Kentucky.
The BRAIN project will expand the training capacity of BCTC's nursing program adding facility space, lab equipment, and instruction. The grant also allows for the development of a Nursing Student Referral Center that will identify high risk students for tutoring as well as $235,000 per year in student scholarships. Collaborative efforts with secondary schools, workforce investment board, adult education providers, and industry partners will develop a pipeline for students to enter nursing education programs.
The highly competitive grant process reviewed 429 entries and awarded $125 million to 72 community college partnerships in 34 states.
BCTC offers Medicaid Nurse Aid Training, Licensed Practical Nursing, and Registered Nursing Programs at the Lexington, Lawrenceburg, and Danville campuses.
Lexmark changes bylaws for board elections
Lexmark's board of directors has adopted a majority vote standard for the election of directors in uncontested elections.
Entered into the company bylaws, the new standard requires each director to receive a majority of the votes cast for that seat on the board.
In the past, candidates receiving the most votes were elected. A majority was not required.
A Lexmark statement explained that contested elections with more nominees than directors to be elected will continue to use the plurality standard.
WoodSongs leaves the planet (and returns)
Now in its 8th year, Michael Johnathan's "WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour" has a new deal involving space travel — to and from the XM Radio satellite, that is. The weekly hour-long radio show, originating from the stage of the Kentucky Theater in downtown Lexington, will be broadcast via satellite on XM-15 The Village Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4 p.m., Saturdays at 4 a.m. and 10 p.m. (all times EST).
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