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Kansas bioscience honors research by K-State graduate studentsKansas Their search for chemistry solutions to alternative energy production and to targeted cancer drug delivery brought Kansas BIO accolades recently to two Kansas State University graduate students. The Kansas BioScience Organization selected the poster presentations by Pubudu Siyambalagoda Gamage and Matthew Basel for recognition during the Capitol Graduate Research Summit at the Kansas statehouse March 13. Both chemistry doctoral students are conducting their research with chemistry Professor Stefan Bossmann as adviser. K-State Professor Deryl Troyer, anatomy and physiology, is co-adviser to Basel's studies. --Siyambalagoda Gamage's work is directed at developing new catalysts for alternative energy sources. He explains in his abstract that measurements from the experiments show it is possible to thermodynamically oxidize water and reduce carbon dioxide by using chemical complexes with superior reactivity as sensitizer-relay-assemblies. "The ultimate goal of the project is to generate highly efficient and long-term stable photo-electro catalytic cells for making either hydrogen or combined production of hydrogen and methane," he writes. --Matthew Basel's research is on developing very potent and highly selective chemotherapy agents that also have lower toxicity. He is investigating a new method for targeting cancer cells selectively combined with an incredibly potent toxin found in mycobacteria. In lab studies using breast cancer cell tissue, he determined that very low concentrations of the new agent disrupted vital cell membrane gradients and thus caused total cell death. "The modified peptide appears to be a very potent and selective chemotherapeutic agent, as the toxicity will only be activated at the cancer site," Basel writes in his poster abstract. Annually in March the research summit convenes for a day in Topeka. The forum is designed for the interested public, legislators and state officials and showcases current research from graduate students enrolled at K-State, the University of Kansas, KU Medical Center and Wichita State University. Kansas BIO recognized the top poster presentations from each university. 4/7/08 Date: 4/3/08
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