Another report on the use of nanobees -- tiny particles designed to destroy cancer cells by delivering a synthesized version of toxin called melittin that is found in bees.
Samuel Wickline, director of WUSTL's Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, explains how it works.
Nanobees are one of the latest examples of how nanotechnology may change the way diseases are treated.

References:

1. Aug. 18, 2009 — Ultra-tiny 'bees' target tumors in the CNN International

and 1 others.

In the world of small things, shape, order and orientation are surprisingly important, according to findings from a new study by WUSTL chemistry professor Lev Gelb, graduate student Brian Barnes, and postdoctoral researcher Daniel Siderius.

References:

1. May 4, 2009 — Particles, Molecules Prefer Not To Mix in the ScienceDaily.com

and 7 others.

The 1,000 Genomes Project, an international research effort that includes WUSTL scientists, will sequence the genomes of one thousand people from different parts of the globe. Elaine Mardis, co-director of WUSTL's Genome Sequencing Center, comments.

References:

1. Jan. 28, 2008 — 1,000 Genomes Project in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

WUSTL chemical engineering professor Pratim Biswas has a method that controls the size of the nanoparticles he makes, opening up possibilities for new nanotechnology applications and different techniques.
Biswas described the technique and his work in a recent issue of Nanotechnology.
He is currently collaborating with WUSTL radiology professor Sam Achilefu, who is working to selectively deliver chemotherapy drugs in cancer patients.

References:

1. Dec. 3, 2007 — Technique controls nanoparticle size, creates large numbers in the Nanotechnology Now online

and 2 others.

WUSTL scientists have developed a technique using magnetic resonance imaging and nanoparticles to track cells injected into mice.
Developed in the laboratories of Samuel Wickline and Gregory Lanza, the study suggests fluorine-laced nanoparticles might soon allow physicians to directly track cells involved in medical treatments.
The study's lead author, doctoral student Kathryn Partlow, explains.
Wickline heads WUSTL's Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence.

References:

1. March 27, 2007 — Nanoparticles used to track cells in the United Press International

and 8 others.

Article on the efforts of WUSTL chancellor emeritus William Danforth and civic leader John Dubinsky to reorient the business climate in St. Louis. St. Louis has great research institutiions like WUSTL, but "we have not done so well with the commercialization of that science."
In 2001, Danforth -- along with a number of other business and civic leaders -- founded the Coalition for Plant and Life Sciences, a nonprofit group. The goal was to jump-start St. Louis' nascent biotechnology industry by providing both new and mature companies with increased access to financing and up-to-date facilities.

References:

1. Feb. 7, 2007 — Keeping the Fruits of Research Close to Home in St. Louis in the The New York Times

The creators of robot-assisted surgery hope that the remote-controlled surgeons are a step towards a time when traditional open surgery is a thing of the past.
The devices were invented by a team of engineers and doctors from U. Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, and U. Nebraska in Lincoln.
In 2000, surgeons at the WUSTL School of Medicine conducted the first pilot trial of robot-assisted heart surgery, and a wide range of procedures now use mechanized instruments.

References:

1. Oct. 27, 2005 — Robot surgeons scrub up in the Nature Magazine (UK)

WUSTL is one of seven university consortia selected by the National Cancer Institute to spearhead research hubs called Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, which will bring together academic laboratories and private firms to develop anti-cancer products.
The research involves the use of molecular-scale nanotechnology devices to detect and destroy tumor cells.
From the Post-Dispatch article -- the WUSTL center will be headed by Samuel Wickline.
In April, WUSTL got another grant, worth $12.5 million, for a separate nanotechnology center headed by chemist Karen Wooley.

References:

1. Oct. 4, 2005 — Universities selected for nanotech research in the San Francisco Chronicle
2. Oct. 4, 2005 — WU gets grant to work on anti-cancer particles in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

and 10 others.

Missouri Gov. Blunt has shot back at his Illinois counterpart's effort to attract scientists and institutions involved in embryonic stem cell research to Illinois.
Blunt said in a letter to life sciences companies that he opposes the "prohibition and criminalization" of stem cell research. The letters were sent to U. Missouri, WUSTL and the KC Stowers Institute for Medical Research, among others.

References:

1. Sept. 13, 2005 — Blunt counters Blagojevich's courting of stem cell researchers in the Associated Press

and 4 others.

Article on the outlook for bioscience hotspots focuses on St. Louis.
For years this fading industrial center has poured a fortune into the genetic engineering of plants, ignoring critics of the controversial technology and enduring a long stretch with little to show for its investment.
Now, finally, St. Louis is starting to see a payoff, putting some welcome distance between itself and the many other cities trying to hit it big in biotech.
Comments from John Biggs, Roger Beachy, Peter Raven, and WUSTL chancellor Mark Wrighton.

References:

1. May 1, 2005 — St. Louis waits for Bio-Belt to bloom in the Chicago Tribune

and 12 others.

The U.S. National Cancer Institute announced a new five-year plan to develop the use of tiny tools known as nanotechnology to fight cancer. Some scientists believe that nanotechnology just might provide the edge needed to defeat the disease. School of Medicine researcher Samuel Wickline comments.

References:

1. Sept. 14, 2004 — U.S. cancer institute starts nanotechnology drive in the Hindustan Times (India)

and 11 others.