“Right now,” says Serrine Lau, professor at UA’s College of Pharmacy and member of the BIO5 Institute, "current indicators – biomarkers – of type 2 diabetes are not well defined and most such markers are reliably detected only in people who have already been diagnosed with the disease. But type 2 diabetes is a genetic disease, so there are likely to be biochemical indicators in the bodies of individuals who have yet to show clinical signs of diabetes, but who will do so in the future. If we can detect those indicators now, we will know whether or not a person is likely to develop the disease. Finding that clue, which will allow for the early treatment and possible avoidance of the complications associated with the disease, is the goal of our research.”

From left: George Tsaprailis, Craig Stump and Serrine Lau in the proteomics lab at the Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch Building.

Their project, “Proteomic and Metabolomic Biomarker Investigation of Type 2 Diabetes,” is an investigation using cutting-edge technologies to discover and validate new biomarkers to accurately detect pre-type 2 diabetes. It is a collaborative effort between UA’s BIO5 Institute and ASU’s Biodesign Institute supported by the Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF). TRIF is a special investment in higher education made possible by passage of state Proposition 301 in November 2000.

BIO5 members who are participating in the study are Lau, who is also director of the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center; George Tsaprailis, director of the Arizona Proteomics Consortium, of the College of Pharmacy; and Craig Stump, associate professor, College of Medicine.

“Our project is unique in the country,” says Lau. “First, collaborations between our two groups of experts enable us to combine exceptional intellectual and technological resources to address the problem. Second, we are conducting a highly targeted discovery investigation, which is guided by very well-defined clinical protocol. Third, we have a broader patient sample. Similar projects elsewhere are investigating patients who have already been diagnosed with diabetes, but we are looking at a more random sample of the population, and trying to learn how to predict who will develop diabetes.”

Proteomics and metabolomics are two fields in the science of biology. Metabolomics is the study of a collection of small biomolecules, such as sugars, fatty acids, and drug/chemical metabolites. Diabetes is a metabolic disease, so the team is interested in studying metabolic abnormality.

Proteomics is the study of a collection of proteins. It is the next step in bioscience after the mapping of the human genome. It is proteins that exert the most influence over cellular functions in the body. “With the completion of the human genome project,” says Lau, “we now understand that genomics alone is insufficient to fully understand cellular biochemistry. It is the proteins which are the workhorses in regulating biological events.”

“For many years we had the technical capability to study only a single or at best a handful of proteins. We now have the technology to simultaneously study hundreds, perhaps over a thousand proteins. Moreover, we now also realize that subtle modifications to a protein following its initial synthesis, and proteins’ ability to interact with each other, together contribute to their specific biological function. We therefore need state-of-the-art technology to study changes in both the expression and structure of proteins in order to determine their contribution to the disease process.”

This state-of-the-art technology includes protein sequencing by mass spectrometer, an instrument used to determine the composition of a physical sample by generating a spectrum representing the masses of sample components. The BIO5/Biodesign team uses the mass spectrometer not only to identify proteins and their functional states, but also to measure the quantity of particular proteins. For example, someone with a disease may be producing too much of a given protein that would normally be present in lower amounts in a healthy individual.

“The investigation is challenging, overarching and sometimes it can be intimidating,” continues Lau. “But we now realize that it is the path we have to take. It is essential that we approach this in a cooperative and global manner.”

Learn that medical terminology!
The COP chapter of Kappa Epsilon has developed a creative way to raise money for breast cancer research and help first-year PharmD students memorize medical terminology at the same time: flash cards.

From left: Courtney Weiser, Laura Adams and Brittany Traylor stack flash cards.

"We developed a set of flash cards for ourselves, then realized what a great service this would be to both first-year students and the breast cancer awareness fund." KE gave away flash cards for the first set of terms to all members of the Class of 2011. The second two sets of cards are for sale for $15. Next semester, first-year students will be required to learn 10 sets of terms. Flash cards for these terms will be sold for $75 for all 10 sets if purchased before Jan. 1, 2008. After Jan. 1, the 10 sets will cost $100. Contact Laura Adams or Brittany Traylor for more information or to purchase sets of flash cards.

The program pairs second- and third-year PharmD students with first-year PharmD students. The goal is to have the mentors answer questions and provide support to the incoming students. "It wasn't that long ago that we were all about to start our first year," says Lisa Sexton, SSHP treasurer. "Many people feel nervous or overwhelmed."

To date, 54 student pharmacists from the Classes of 2009 and 2010 have signed up to mentor the 90 students of the first-year PharmD class.

Fourth-year PharmD students joined Jamie Foster Joy, director of experiential education-Phoenix, in a "Fun with Food" event at Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix Aug. 14. The program, which was open to the public, targeted elementary school-age children and their parents. The purposes of the event were to discuss making healthy choices about food, explain the food pyramid, teach people how to read a food label and give nutrition suggestions.

Jamie Foster Joy, left, and Andrew Sterling discuss nutrition with a family. Photo: John E. Joy.

Rayna Carpio.

Before PharmCamp, Carpio did not know what she wanted to be when she grew up. But after that first summer's experience, when it came time to sign up for a second summer camp and PharmCamp wasn't on the list, she wrote it in. "Before the first PharmCamp, I didn't even know what a pharmacist was," says Carpio. "After the second camp, I knew I wanted to be one." Carpio pursued her dream by volunteering at pharmacies while she attended Desert View High School and Pima Community College in Tucson. After graduation, she wanted to get out of her home town and see new things -- so she applied to and was accepted by the pharmacy program at the University of Southern Nevada.

At a meeting Carpio attended during her rotation at El Rio Clinic, Carpio ran into the COP associate dean in an elevator. "I recognized Dr. Tong immediately," says Carpio. "He looks exactly the same. He didn't remember me, but I told him I still have the poster I made in ninth grade after PharmCamp describing my decision to become a pharmacist."

After graduation in June 2008, Carpio plans to return to Tucson to work and live. "I want to come back here and show people I grew up with that they can overcome obstacles," Carpio says. "I would love to help teach PharmCamp. It is so powerful to be able to give back to your community."

“Continue your excellent contributions, both individually and as a team, to the current growth and future achievements of our department,” Chisholm-Burns said, adding “thank you is a phrase that I don’t think we can say enough.”

Following the meal, Chisholm-Burns led her guests in a trivia game that brought swells of laughter and groans of humiliation as teams struggled not to be eliminated.
 
The department head told the group that she hopes to make the appreciation luncheon an annual event.

The COP chapter of Phi Delta Chi won an Achievement Award at the Grand Council in early August. Phi Delta Chi's Achievement Award program is a non-competitive plan that recognizes chapters that consistently keep the lines of communication open throughout the year. It also honors consistent participation in the national fraternity. The COP chapter was presented with an engraved Efficiency Cup at the awards banquet for their achievement.

From left: Kristin Smith, Jessica Collins and Courtney Clark.

Employees must re-enroll by Sept. 10
Open enrollment for State of Arizona employee benefits began Aug. 13 and will end Sept. 10. There is a benefit fair in Memorial Student Union Monday, Aug. 27. All benefit-eligible employees must re-enroll in the insurance programs they wish to continue. To re-enroll, go to the open enrollment Web site.


Expert on pharmacogenomics to speak
A recognized leader in the field of pharmacogenomics and an alumnus of UA COP, Mary Relling, Class of '82, will present two lectures at the college in November. Relling is head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.

She will give a public talk, "Customized Medicine: Using Genetic Information to Tailor Drugs to the Individual" on Thursday, Nov. 1, 4:30-6 p.m. in Drachman B111.

Relling will present a continuing education program, "The Future of Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacy Practice" on Friday, Nov. 2, 3-5 p.m. in Drachman B111. Information about registration will be provided soon.


Help foster women inventors
How can we, as a community, foster the next generation of women inventors? Discuss the challenges and barriers for women pursuing careers in science and technology with women who are making headlines in these fields over lunch Friday, Sept. 28, 11:30 a.m. in Room 103 of the Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch Building. Cost is $10. Sign up at the Arizona Technology Web site.


Purdue professor to visit
Kenneth Morris, professor and associate head, Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, will present "Quality by Design Concepts in Pharmaceutical Development" Thursday, Aug. 30, 1-2 p.m. in Drachman A118. Sandwiches and beverages will be served. All COP members are invited to attend. RSVP by noon Aug. 27 to Julie Stefanic, 626-4289.


SWEHSC announces award availability
The Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center announces the availability of awards up to $40,000 for pilot projects involving research related to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the center. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22. Contact Susanna Brodie-Herndon for application materials. Address research related questions to Clark Lantz.


Nucleus café opens
The café in the new Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch Building (home of the BIO5 Institute), southwest of Drachman Hall, opened Aug. 20. A Student Union facility, it opens at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and features packaged sandwiches and salads, candy, coffee, espresso, chai, soft drinks and made-to-order smoothies. The café is on the ground floor, just off the main lobby.


60 years ago, when COP began...

• The first case of a computer "bug" was found -- a moth lodged in a relay of a computer at Harvard.
• The United Nations General Assembly voted to partition Palestine between Arabs and Jews.
• Nolan Ryan, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher who holds the record for most career strikeouts, was born.

COP in the News

College admits biggest class yet: Fox11

College expansion to Phoenix, preliminary budget presented to Arizona Board of Regents:
Tucson Citizen

Pain medication usage up, Michael Katz:
Arizona Daily Star; Tucson Citizen



COMING UP

Aug. 25—Liz Barta from the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center will share safety information about venomous Southwestern animals at the Tucson Children's Museum at 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 30—Fourth-year PharmD students in Phoenix will provide blood pressure education and screenings to seniors in Maricopa County, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Phoenix's Senior Services East Center.

Aug. 31—Art Aloud: essay, short story, monologue, poetry and verse reading by Medical Humanities from noon to 1 p.m. at Java City Café by the Arizona Health Sciences Library. For more information, contact Nancy Coleman.

Sept. 1—Katy the Kangaroo and COP PharmD students will teach children about medicine safety at the Tucson Children's Museum at 11:30 a.m.

Sept. 3—Labor Day holiday: university offices close; no classes.

Sept. 3-7—Venom Week conference at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and El Conquistador Resort.

Sept. 11—Presentation on ovarian cancer by Setsuko Chambers, College of Medicine, and Bernard Futscher, Pharmacology and Toxicology professor. Kiewit Auditorium, 1 p.m.

Oct. 1—Deadline, by 5 p.m., for applying for cancer research funds available through an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant and the Arizona Cancer Center Support Grant. For questions on eligibility, budgets or scientific proposals, contact Jesse Martinez. To obtain a copy of the application, contact Gisela Aaron.

Nov. 2-4—Homecoming. For more information, contact Liz Mellor.


Continuing Education

Click on the Continuing Education link above or contact Lynne Mascarella for more information about any of the following programs.

Sept. 24-27—Health Outcomes and Pharmacoeconomic Research Training Program at the Marriot University Park Hotel.

Add your group's event in the next issue. E-mail editor Ginny Geib.



FROM THE EDITOR

The College of Pharmacy Bulletin publishes approximately every two weeks during the academic year. E-mail editor Ginny Geib to submit a story. Writers are Courtney Johnson, a UA journalism student, and Karin Lorentzen, communications coordinator.