NEW THERAPIES EXPECTED FROM BETTER UNDERSTANDING
OF RNA, SAYS UH PROF
George Fox to Give Lecture, Receive Honor at Sigma Xi Scientific
Research Society Event
One professor’s research in RNA with immediate application
in monitoring bacteria in the environment and potentially allowing
for advances in biotechnology will be discussed at the annual University
of Houston Sigma Xi lecture at 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10. The event
is open to the public.
As the 2005 recipient of the Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award, George
E. Fox, UH professor of biology and biochemistry and professor of
chemical engineering, will present a lecture on his explorations
in a local region of RNA sequence space. He will describe studies
that provide a better understanding of what is possible and what
is not when modifying a naturally occurring RNA. This work furthers
efforts to develop general design principles for RNA that can be
used in emerging biotechnology applications. This is especially
significant now because RNA has recently been discovered to be unexpectedly
involved in the regulation of gene expression in mammalian cells.
Hence, the ability to design novel RNAs is expected to facilitate
research leading to new therapies for a variety of human ailments.
The Scientific Research Society of Sigma Xi is the global honor
society of scientists and engineers that promotes scientific achievement
with chapters in every college and university in the United States.
Some 180 Sigma Xi members are Nobel laureates and many more have
been elected to the National Academies of Science and Engineering.
The UH chapter of Sigma Xi is honoring Fox with the award “for
distinguished contributions to scientific knowledge and its applications.”
The honor also includes a cash prize of $2,000.
Since coming to UH in 1977, Fox has held numerous positions including
vice chair of the Department of Biology and Biochemistry from 1998
to 2000 and director of the Institute for Molecular Biology from
1988 to 2001. He is the author or co-author of more than 110 peer
review publications and has received numerous honors and awards
for his research. Fox is an elected fellow of the American Academy
of Microbiology, the American Association for the Advancement of
Science and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering.
He earned his bachelor’s degree and his doctorate in chemical
engineering from Syracuse University.
WHO: |
George E. Fox, UH Sigma Xi Faculty
Research Award 2005 Recipient
Professor of Biology and Biochemistry and Professor of Chemical
Engineering |
WHAT: |
Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award Lecture and Reception
“Explorations in a Local Region of RNA Sequence Space” |
WHEN: |
4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10 |
WHERE: |
University of Houston
M.D. Anderson Memorial Library
Rockwell Pavilion |
For more information about the College of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics, visit http://nsm.uh.edu/.
For information about Sigma Xi, visit www.uh.edu/sigmaxi.
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For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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