for cancer cell research
Tim Corson, a Yale postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental
Biology, received two top fellowship honors from the Canadian Institutes of
Health Research (CIHR) in Ottawa on Nov. 20 for his proposal of a research
project to target and destroy a protein commonly active in cancer. — By Janet Rettig Emanuel
T H I S
Corson received the Jean-François St-Denis Fellowship in Cancer Research for the top-ranked proposal in the field
of cancer research in the 2006-2007 competition, and a Bisby Fellowship for
submitting the overall top-ranked post-Ph.D. proposal in February 2007 competitions.
“One of the most common features of cancer cells is excessive activation
of a protein called Ras that acts as a molecular switch,” explains Corson. “In
its active form Ras stimulates cells to grow, while in its inactive form, Ras
does not have this effect. We are targeting the active form of Ras for destruction
as a powerful way to turn off the growth of cancer cells.”
Corson is engineering a way to target specifically the active Ras cancer protein
for destruction. He will use PROTACS (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeric moleculeS),
a technique developed in the laboratory of his mentor, Professor Craig Crews
of Yale. PROTACS permits the specific destruction of almost any protein by
linking it to a molecule that directs it to the cell’s protein recycling
system — ubiquitin-proteasome pathway — creating a signal for the
protein to be digested by an enzyme complex known as the 26s proteasome.
“PROTACS acts as a chemical bridge between the targeted protein and another
protein that marks the first for destruction by the cell’s recycling mechanism,” says
Corson.
Corson will use PROTACS to recognize and attack the active Ras protein using
a small molecule called nadazole, which he designed in collaboration with Professor
Bill Jorgensen in Yale’s Department of Chemistry. He also proposes to
develop a way to rapidly screen many thousands of chemicals for their ability
to associate only with active Ras for further use with PROTACS targeting.
“This project will develop an important new tool for targeting a specific
individual form of a protein,” says Crews. “Destroying activated
Ras by PROTACS will be an exciting first step in developing drugs that have the
same effect. Such Ras-targeting drugs would likely be effective against multiple
cancer types.”
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Now anyone can ‘audit’ popular Yale courses via Internet
Two seniors receive prestigious Marshall Scholarships
Yalies win international debate competition in Chinese language
True-blue tales of holiday giving
Custodian brings brand-new bikes to needy youths
Athletes hope to light the smiles of city youngsters
Rededication ceremony held for Silliman College
Reconstruction of Bass Library celebrated
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Yale receives $12.4 million grant to oversee study . . .
Research to examine causes of heart attacks in young women
Project will assess impact of vaccine against virus . . .
Yale scientists discover biomarker linked to . . .
Work in Ob/Gyn is recognized with grants, honors
Two Divinity School professors earn special honors
Graduate students boost social skills in networking workshop
Research reveals that children tend to ‘over-imitate’ actions of adults
Yale bioengineers have developed a more effective method . . .
Postdoctoral fellow wins fellowships for cancer cell research
Exhibit of original menorahs celebrates the Festival of Light
Alumna intern discovers firsthand the positive impact of United Way
A ‘thank you’ from United Way
Social anthropologist will examine ‘Why Creationism Isn’t Science’
IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Barry Goldberg, devoted career to the safety of athletes
Dr. James Kenney, was the ‘doctor’s doctor’ to many
Dr. Nicholas Spinelli, was active in alumni affairs
Longtime professor Stanton Wheeler dies on Dec. 7
Memorial service for Eugene Waith
Stately affairs
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home