AZBio Expo 2012 Program

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May 17, 2012 Grand Canyon University Arena

2012

How fast time flies. It seems like yesterday that we came together to build a world class bioscience industry in Arizona. 2012 marks year 10 of the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap a collaborative effort of leaders from across our state to build a thriving bioscience industry in the desert. It’s been quite a journey, starting with 100 meetings in 100 days for $100 million as the TGen legend goes. Leaders from across the state came together working in partnership with the Flinn Foundation to form a Steering Committee that would map out the growth path and track the progress we are making towards our stated goals.

Today, we celebrate the progress we have made and look forward to a new decade, one of even greater collaboration, innovation and commercialization. We’ve built the infrastructure, attracted world-class talent, inspired entrepreneurs and have had some noteworthy exits for investors the largest of which was Ventana’s acquisition by Roche for $3.4 Billion.

Arizona is gaining global recognition in the fields of personalized medicine, medical devices, algal and industrial bioscience, proteomics, Alzheimer’s research, ALS, diabetes, cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, vaccines, and so much more. Over the last decade, new research institutions were formed and expanded including The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, BIO5 at the University of Arizona, The CORE Institute, The International Genomics Consortium, and TGen. Mayo has continued to expand, Cancer Centers of America built a home in Goodyear and in 2012 we welcomed Banner/MD Anderson to Gilbert. The University of Arizona has expanded its College of Medicine to include a Phoenix Campus and the UA Cancer Center has partnered with St. Joseph’s Hospital (Dignity Health) as it too expands into the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. A collaboration been ASU and Mayo will be adding yet another medical school to Arizona soon while Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong’s new CSS Institute is laying the ground work for changing the way we look at and exchange information.

This has been a decade driven by collaboration and we are seeing the results in our bioeconomy. Turn the page to see what a decade of investment has created...

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Welcome to the 2012 AZBio Expo

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20112012

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Building the Arizona Bioeconomy Jobs up 41% form 2002-2010 (compared to a U.S. gain of 11%)

Firms up 27% (compared to a U.S. gain of 20%)

Wages up 27% and 29% higher that the average Arizona wage

NIH Funding up 25% ($184M in 2011) besting the 20% rate of the top-10 states.

Venture Capital totaled $69M in 2011

Add it all up, Arizona’s bioscience sector generates a total of $28.88 Billion in annual revenue and $1.1 Billion in state and local taxes based on 2009 data.

Building Infrastructure/Building Businesses Over the last decade we have made the investments in infrastructure, attracted world class talent and learned to work together to create a collaborative environment that differentiates Arizona and creates a measurable competitive advantage. Now is the time to pull it all together and move forward faster on the commercialization path. We have a amassed a wealth of discoveries and inventions; now we enter our decade of application and advancement. A time when we deliver products and services, grow companies and make a lasting difference for the better. The Arizona Bioscience Industry is moving forward faster and YOU are the engine.

AZBio is committed to doing its part. As Arizona’s statewide industry Association, AZBio is committed to working with our members across Arizona to support our industry as together we move forward faster.

We are committed to building the biosciences industry in Arizona by providing access to the key resources, connections and information in our biosciences community.

This provides the foundation so YOU can Connect, Collaborate, Innovate and Succeed; thus supporting the growth of a thriving economic environment for Arizona’s Bioscience Industry today and in the future.

So, Welcome to the AZBio Expo 2012. It’s been a decade of growth but snap on your seat belts. We’re ready to step up the pace. Arizona’s bioscience sector is revving its engines and we are ready to move forward … faster.

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Building the Arizona Bioeconomy Jobs up 41% form 2002-2010 (compared to a U.S. gain of 11%)

Firms up 27% (compared to a U.S. gain of 20%)

Wages up 27% and 29% higher that the average Arizona wage

NIH Funding up 25% ($184M in 2011) besting the 20% rate of the top-10 states.

Venture Capital totaled $69M in 2011

Add it all up, Arizona’s bioscience sector generates a total of $28.88 Billion in annual revenue and $1.1 Billion in state and local taxes based on 2009 data.

Building Infrastructure/Building Businesses Over the last decade we have made the investments in infrastructure, attracted world class talent and learned to work together to create a collaborative environment that differentiates Arizona and creates a measurable competitive advantage. Now is the time to pull it all together and move forward faster on the commercialization path. We have a amassed a wealth of discoveries and inventions; now we enter our decade of application and advancement. A time when we deliver products and services, grow companies and make a lasting difference for the better. The Arizona Bioscience Industry is moving forward faster and YOU are the engine.

AZBio is committed to doing its part. As Arizona’s statewide industry Association, AZBio is committed to working with our members across Arizona to support our industry as together we move forward faster.

We are committed to building the biosciences industry in Arizona by providing access to the key resources, connections and information in our biosciences community.

This provides the foundation so YOU can Connect, Collaborate, Innovate and Succeed; thus supporting the growth of a thriving economic environment for Arizona’s Bioscience Industry today and in the future.

So, Welcome to the AZBio Expo 2012. It’s been a decade of growth but snap on your seat belts. We’re ready to step up the pace. Arizona’s bioscience sector is revving its engines and we are ready to move forward … faster.

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Welcome! 1

AZBio Board of Directors 7

AZBio Expo Agenda 8

Speaker Bio Sketches 13

Advocacy in Action 25

About AZBio 28

Thank You Sponsors and Exhibitors 29

Volunteer Recognition 33

Student Poster Abstracts 37

Future Events 53

Table of Contents

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Table of Contents

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Arizona’s moving forward faster.

These days tales of economic vitality are few and far between making Arizona’s bioscience sector an inspiration to all as the nation focuses on jobs and economic recovery.

Thanks to a coordinated plan developed in 2002 and supported by leaders from Arizona’s healthcare industry, corporations, government, and universities that has been led by the Flinn Foundation with support from Battelle, Arizona is moving forward faster in economic development, job creation and bioscience research.

From 2002 until today, Bio jobs in Arizona have grown 32%, the number of Bio firms including research, manufacturing, testing, medical labs, and healthcare delivery systems have grown 28% and research partnerships with the National Institutes for Heath has increased 65%.

Arizona bioscience organizations now generate $21 Billion in annual revenues and $765 Million in state and local taxes.

Fueling Growth

Arizona’s impressive progress is not the result of short term thinking, one-time investments, or partisan politics. It is the result a community committed to working together to build a world-class research base, support commercializa-tion efforts, and migrate the latest discoveries from the bench to the bedside in a manner that is both translational and transformational not just for our indus-try but for our community as a whole called the Arizona Bioscience Road Map.

Community investments statewide include 7 new bioscience incubators and accelerators, 14 new research institutes, 16 new bioscience schools and educa-tional programs and the attraction of investments from global leaders in healthcare and the biosciences who have elected to locate or expand opera-tions here and now call Arizona home.

With each new addition Arizona picks up more speed.

Fueling the progress is Arizona’s ‘collaborative gene’ an attitude and a commitment to working collaboratively to initiate new programs, overcome challenges and achieve shared goals.

When we come together to connect and engage, as we have today, we lay the foundation for new collaborations. And, when we collaborate, we win.

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AZBio Board of Directors

Chairman: Glen Galster, Algae Biosciences Incorporated

Vice Chair: Phillip Miller, Ph.D. Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.

Secretary: Halina Janus, Halina Janus Associates, Inc.

President and CEO: Joan Koerber-Walker, MBA

Treasurer: Phil Howard, Ernst & Young

Directors Peter N. Allison, IDM Technologies

Robert T. Bosserman, J.D., Medelis, Inc.

Lee Cheatham, Ph.D., The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University

Joseph “Jay” Ennesser, IBM

Gregorio M. Garcia, Esq., Invoy Technologies, LLC

William Gartner, Provista Diagnostics

Jim Harris, MBA, Translational Genomics Institute (TGen)

Laura Huenneke, Ph.D., Northern Arizona University

Don Isaacs, SynCardia Systems, Inc.

Robert E. Kennedy, Matchpoint Associates , LLC

Margo Lunsford, J.D, MBA, Calimmune, Inc.

Mario Martinez, II, 360 Vantage

Jon McGarity, EthiX Associates

Michael Mobley, Ph.D., M.J. Mobley Consulting and eHealth Nexus

Randall Schulhauser, Medtronic, Inc.

Joan Rankin Shapiro, M.D., Ph.D., University of Arizona College of Medicine

Virginia Rybski, Regenesis Biomedical, Inc.

Janet A. Spear, Celgene Corporation

Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority

Russ Yelton, Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology

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AZBio Board of Directors

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Time Session

7:30 AM — 8:30 AM GCU Arena

Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall

8:30 AM—10:00 AM Ethington Theatre

General Session One “Moving Forward Faster”

Arizona’s Bioscience Road Map – Moving Forward Faster in the Next 10 Years. Joan Koerber-Walker, President and CEO, AZBio

Arizona’s Universities - Paving the Way for Acceleration

Laura Huenneke. PhD, Provost, Northern Arizona University

Lee Cheatham, PhD, Deputy Director The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University,

Jennifer Barton, PhD, Assistant Director, BIO5 Institute, Pro-fessor and Head, Department of Biomedical Engineering)

Regulatory Affairs and the FDA Michelle Wells, RAC, W.L. Gore and Associates,

William Mulholland, Esq. Snell & Wilmer

10:00 AM-10:30 AM GCU Arena

Networking Break @ the Expo

AZBio Expo Agenda

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Time Session

10:30 AM- 11:30 AM Ethington Theatre

General Session Two More than health care – the greener side of BIO

How ARID and Arizona’s Collaborative Gene are Heating Things Up on the Algae Biofuels Scene.

Randy Ryan, Assistant Director, Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona shares a look at how new technology and Arizona’s unique combination of natural resources and collaborative spirit can give birth to a new age of agal innovation.

Innovation In Action: Industrial BIO Panel Glen Galster – Moderator (Algae Biosciences), Ben Cloud (PhyCo), Josh Hottenstein (CleanTech Open), (Yulex)

An IPO, new techniques for cost competiveness, a global clean-tech initiative and a desert plant that creates a commercially viable alternative to Latex.

There’s lots happening on the Arizona ag and industrial biotech scene.

11:30 AM-12:30:PM GCU Arena

Lunch in the Bio Bistro

No Keynotes, Announcements or other interruptions. Enjoy your lunch, make a connection, share key take-aways and connect with your community.

12:00 PM—12:30 PM GCU Arena

Exhibits Open

AZBio Expo Agenda

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Time Session

7:30 AM — 8:30 AM GCU Arena

Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall

8:30 AM—10:00 AM Ethington Theatre

General Session One “Moving Forward Faster”

Arizona’s Bioscience Road Map – Moving Forward Faster in the Next 10 Years. Joan Koerber-Walker, President and CEO, AZBio

Arizona’s Universities - Paving the Way for Acceleration

Laura Huenneke. PhD, Provost, Northern Arizona University

Lee Cheatham, PhD, Deputy Director The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University,

Jennifer Barton, PhD, Assistant Director, BIO5 Institute, Pro-fessor and Head, Department of Biomedical Engineering)

Regulatory Affairs and the FDA Michelle Wells, RAC, W.L. Gore and Associates,


10:00 AM-10:30 AM GCU Arena


Leif P. Christofferson (Yulex Corporation)

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Time Session

12:30 PM– 2:00 PM

Ethington Theatre

General Session Three Fueling Up – Access to Capital and Strategic Partnering in the New Economy

The Missing Piece – Access to Capital Peter N. Allison, IDM Technologies

Jock Holliman, Valley Ventures

Strategic Partnering in the New Age of R&D Paul August, PhD, US Head, Early to Candidate Unit,

SANOFI


Babak Nemati, PhD, Strategic Intelligence, Inc, and consulting member of the Emerging Technologies Group of the Corporate Office of Science and Technology at Johnson & Johnson.

Tying it all together

Alan Nelson, PhD, understands what it takes to move from invention to innovation. A researcher, executive, and serial entrepreneur, Alan holds dual leadership positions at Arizona State University and as the founder and chairman of VisionGate, one of Arizona’s most exciting new diagnostic companies.

Alan and his team are on a quest to catch cancer early and they are pulling together all the pieces needed to make it happen.



Digital Holography for Biological Imaging

Kristen Milligan, Khalid Wabli and Luke Contreras, Northern Arizona University

We report a technique for obtaining quantitative three dimensional refractive index measure-ments of biological cells with nanometer precision using digital holography. Digital holographic reconstruction procedures have been implemented on samples such as cancer cells and blood cells that have allowed for the 3D rendering of the sample. Such procedures include an auto-focusing program based on a focus metric designed to fit the characteristics of our pure-phase samples, as well as aberration corrections due to different optical components through the application of Zernike polynomials. Our results provide quantitative information about changes in refractive index or morphology of the cell that could be caused by biological processes, disease progression, or drug delivery.

RNF216 (TRIAD3) is a candidate tumor suppressor in advanced tumors

Christopher Murray, Translational Genomics Research Institute

RNF216 (RING finger protein 216) is a gene that maps to chromosome 7p and encodes TRI-AD3, which suppresses NF-ÎºB activation. Using next-generation sequencing, two missense mu-tations were identified in RNF216 in two advanced chemoresistant tumors; one pancreatic and

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Student Discovery Session Abstracts

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Time Session

3:00 PM– 4:30 PM

Ethington Theatre

General Session Four Gaining Momentum - Innovators and Thought Leaders

The Convergence of Business and Innovation Greg Yap, AB, MBA, Ventana Medical Systems is Senior Vice President and Lifecycle Leader, Advanced Staining Assays at Ventana Medical Systems, a member of the Roche Group. In this role, Greg is responsible for Ventana’s entire market lead-ing portfolio of cancer assays, ranging from standard-of-care diagnostics for all major cancers to novel multiplex tests and companion diagnostics. Greg’s career has been focused at the intersection of business, medicine, and novel technologies. His experience spans personalized medicine, translational re-search, and genomics as well as high growth companies both large and small

Welcoming A New Leader in The Fight Against ALS Robert Bowser, PhD is the Director of the Barrow ALS and Neuromuscular Research Center, at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He may be new to town but he is not new to the fight.

Bob’s groundbreaking research has lead to new companies and new advancements in neuromuscular disease and he is ramp-ing things up to do it again.

Cancer Genomics: The Future of Personalized Medicine Robert Penny, MD, PhD, founder of the International Ge-nomics Consortium – 2011 Jon W. McGarity Bioscience Lead-er of the Year and 2005 Bioscience Executive of the Year is a man of firsts. It started with being the first dual M.D./Ph.D. grad-uate from the UA in 1984 and Bob’s career has progressed to include IGC’s first spin outs (TGen and MPI), research break-throughs and more.

So of course, we have him speaking LAST! Join us for a glimpse of the future of personalized medicine.


Closing Reception—Presentations in the Poster Gallery, Connect with Exhibitors, Networking,

AZBio Expo Agenda

Keynote Speaker Bio Sketches

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Time Session

3:00 PM– 4:30 PM

Ethington Theatre

General Session Four Gaining Momentum - Innovators and Thought Leaders

The Convergence of Business and Innovation Greg Yap, AB, MBA, Ventana Medical Systems is Senior Vice President and Lifecycle Leader, Advanced Staining Assays at Ventana Medical Systems, a member of the Roche Group. In this role, Greg is responsible for Ventana’s entire market lead-ing portfolio of cancer assays, ranging from standard-of-care diagnostics for all major cancers to novel multiplex tests and companion diagnostics. Greg’s career has been focused at the intersection of business, medicine, and novel technologies. His experience spans personalized medicine, translational re-search, and genomics as well as high growth companies both large and small

Welcoming A New Leader in The Fight Against ALS Robert Bowser, PhD is the Director of the Barrow ALS and Neuromuscular Research Center, at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He may be new to town but he is not new to the fight.

Bob’s groundbreaking research has lead to new companies and new advancements in neuromuscular disease and he is ramp-ing things up to do it again.

Cancer Genomics: The Future of Personalized Medicine Robert Penny, MD, PhD, founder of the International Ge-nomics Consortium – 2011 Jon W. McGarity Bioscience Lead-er of the Year and 2005 Bioscience Executive of the Year is a man of firsts. It started with being the first dual M.D./Ph.D. grad-uate from the UA in 1984 and Bob’s career has progressed to include IGC’s first spin outs (TGen and MPI), research break-throughs and more.

So of course, we have him speaking LAST! Join us for a glimpse of the future of personalized medicine.


Closing Reception—Presentations in the Poster Gallery, Connect with Exhibitors, Networking,

AZBio Expo Agenda

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Randy Ryan, Assistant Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona

Randy Ryan’s research focuses on developing agricultural energy production crops and technologies for the use in the ARID Southwest. One current research endeavor focuses on the development and deployment of algae production in the novel Aquaculture Raceway Integrated Design (ARID) (patent pending). ARID is a low cost (CAPEX), Low Energy (OPEX) sustainable agriculture adapted production platform that has high output of algae year around. A native of Arizona, with a BS in micro-biology and MS in Molecular Biology (Botany) from Arizona State University, Ryan has been it the UA 23 years and has worked on numerous plant and microbial genetic engineering projects over the past 28 years as well as teaching numerous classes and workshops on Plant Tissue Culture and Molecular Biotechnology. In his service capacity to the UA, Ryan has built out over $400 million in research facilities worldwide.

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Alan Nelson, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO, VisionGate

Dr. Alan Nelson, Founder, Chairman and CEO of VisionGate, has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and long-term vision of the company. Dr. Nelson, prior Executive Direc-tor, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, is now leading the Predictive Health Analytics Initiative (PHAIT3). Dr. Nelson has also been appointed in two faculty positions; Profes-sor of Bioengineering and Professor of Physics at Arizona State University.

Prior to VisionGate, Dr. Nelson was the founder, President and CEO of NeoPath where he developed the world’s first automat-ed cytology platform. Neopath won landmark FDA approval in 1995 and introduced the AutoPap, a fully automated instrument for primary screening of Pap smears. After a successful Initial Public Offering in 1996, Neopath was sold to Becton Dickinson in 2000.

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Randy Ryan, Assistant Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona

Randy Ryan’s research focuses on developing agricultural energy production crops and technologies for the use in the ARID Southwest. One current research endeavor focuses on the development and deployment of algae production in the novel Aquaculture Raceway Integrated Design (ARID) (patent pending). ARID is a low cost (CAPEX), Low Energy (OPEX) sustainable agriculture adapted production platform that has high output of algae year around. A native of Arizona, with a BS in micro-biology and MS in Molecular Biology (Botany) from Arizona State University, Ryan has been it the UA 23 years and has worked on numerous plant and microbial genetic engineering projects over the past 28 years as well as teaching numerous classes and workshops on Plant Tissue Culture and Molecular Biotechnology. In his service capacity to the UA, Ryan has built out over $400 million in research facilities worldwide.

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Alan Nelson, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO, VisionGate

Dr. Alan Nelson, Founder, Chairman and CEO of VisionGate, has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and long-term vision of the company. Dr. Nelson, prior Executive Direc-tor, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, is now leading the Predictive Health Analytics Initiative (PHAIT3). Dr. Nelson has also been appointed in two faculty positions; Profes-sor of Bioengineering and Professor of Physics at Arizona State University.

Prior to VisionGate, Dr. Nelson was the founder, President and CEO of NeoPath where he developed the world’s first automat-ed cytology platform. Neopath won landmark FDA approval in 1995 and introduced the AutoPap, a fully automated instrument for primary screening of Pap smears. After a successful Initial Public Offering in 1996, Neopath was sold to Becton Dickinson in 2000.

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Before coming to ASU, Dr. Nelson was also a tenured Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Imaging Systems Optimization and the Medical Imaging Graduate Program at the University of Washington. Additionally, he was an Associate Professor with joint appointments at MIT and Harvard where he held the W.M. Keck Foundation endowed chair and directed the Radiological Sciences Program.

Dr. Nelson holds over thirty US patents and has over 100 peer reviewed publications in the field of biomedical imaging. He received his PhD in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley.

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Greg Yap, AB, MBA, Senior Vice President and Lifecycle Leader, Advanced Stain-ing Assays at Ventana Medical Systems, a member of the Roche Group

Greg is currently Senior Vice President and Lifecycle Leader, Advanced Staining Assays at Ventana Medical Systems, a member of the Roche Group. In this role, Greg is responsible for Ventana’s entire market leading portfolio of cancer assays, ranging from standard-of-care diagnostics for all major cancers to novel multiplex tests and companion diagnostics. These assays are used to inform treatment of more than half of all cancer patients in the US and almost half of all cancer patients world-wide.

Greg’s career has been focused at the intersection of business, medicine, and novel technologies. His experi-ence spans personalized medicine, translational research, and genomics as well as high growth companies both large and small. Previously, he was Chief Operating Officer of CELLective DX / Cellpoint Diagnostics, a startup cancer molecular diagnostics company develop-ing a novel platform for analyzing circulating tumor cells to predict and monitor treatment effica-cy. Greg has also held multiple senior operating and general management roles at Affymetrix, the pioneer of DNA microarrays. His responsibilities there included VP Molecular Diagnostics, where he was responsible for products, partnerships, and business, and VP DNA Products, where he started and built the genetics business from zero to $100 million in revenue. Greg has consulted to and advised numerous health care startups, and previously worked in venture capital with Bay City Capital and in management consulting with McKinsey & Company.

Greg received his MBA from Stanford University and his AB in molecular biology, summa cum laude, from Princeton University. His spare time is mostly spent with his family, chasing his two small children.

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Before coming to ASU, Dr. Nelson was also a tenured Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Imaging Systems Optimization and the Medical Imaging Graduate Program at the University of Washington. Additionally, he was an Associate Professor with joint appointments at MIT and Harvard where he held the W.M. Keck Foundation endowed chair and directed the Radiological Sciences Program.

Dr. Nelson holds over thirty US patents and has over 100 peer reviewed publications in the field of biomedical imaging. He received his PhD in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley.

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Greg Yap, AB, MBA, Senior Vice President and Lifecycle Leader, Advanced Stain-ing Assays at Ventana Medical Systems, a member of the Roche Group

Greg is currently Senior Vice President and Lifecycle Leader, Advanced Staining Assays at Ventana Medical Systems, a member of the Roche Group. In this role, Greg is responsible for Ventana’s entire market leading portfolio of cancer assays, ranging from standard-of-care diagnostics for all major cancers to novel multiplex tests and companion diagnostics. These assays are used to inform treatment of more than half of all cancer patients in the US and almost half of all cancer patients world-wide.

Greg’s career has been focused at the intersection of business, medicine, and novel technologies. His experi-ence spans personalized medicine, translational research, and genomics as well as high growth companies both large and small. Previously, he was Chief Operating Officer of CELLective DX / Cellpoint Diagnostics, a startup cancer molecular diagnostics company develop-ing a novel platform for analyzing circulating tumor cells to predict and monitor treatment effica-cy. Greg has also held multiple senior operating and general management roles at Affymetrix, the pioneer of DNA microarrays. His responsibilities there included VP Molecular Diagnostics, where he was responsible for products, partnerships, and business, and VP DNA Products, where he started and built the genetics business from zero to $100 million in revenue. Greg has consulted to and advised numerous health care startups, and previously worked in venture capital with Bay City Capital and in management consulting with McKinsey & Company.

Greg received his MBA from Stanford University and his AB in molecular biology, summa cum laude, from Princeton University. His spare time is mostly spent with his family, chasing his two small children.

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Robert Bowser, Ph.D, Director Gregory W. Fulton ALS and Neuromuscular Research Center, Barrow Neurlogical Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center (a Dignity Health Member)

Dr. Robert Bowser is an internationally-recognized leader in ALS research. He has contributed to pioneer-ing efforts to discover and validate biomarkers for ALS. These biomarkers can be useful as diagnostic indicators of disease, predictors of disease progression, and also in determining the effectiveness of drugs in clinical trials. Dr. Bowser has extensive experience in the translation of basic science discoveries to the clinic to impact patient care. (continued)

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As Director of the ALS Research Center, Dr. Bowser directs research to determine the under-lying mechanisms of ALS, identify new targets for drug treatment, develop improved therapies for ALS, and lead clinical research studies performed in numerous medical centers throughout North America.

Dr. Bowser is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and obtained his PhD from Yale Univer-sity. He performed fellowship training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and was a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh from 1994 to 2011, rising through the ranks to full Professor. He joined the faculty at Barrow in 2011.

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Robert J. Penny, M.D., Ph.D.

CEO – International Genomics Consortium

Executive Director, expO (The Expression Project for Oncology)

Principal Investigator, Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR) -The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Project

Principal Investigator, Tissue Source Site Network – The Cancer Genome Atlas Pro-ject

Member of the Board of Directors, IGC

Dr. Penny is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the International Genomics Consortium (IGC). Dr. Penny was awarded recently the Principal Investigator for the Biospecimen Core Resource for the full The Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) and a separate award for TCGA’s Tissue Source Site network.

While at the IGC, he founded the Molecular Profiling Institute and served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The Molecular Profiling Institute is the first company to commercially introduce gene expression analysis into oncology in the U.S. He developed the

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As Director of the ALS Research Center, Dr. Bowser directs research to determine the under-lying mechanisms of ALS, identify new targets for drug treatment, develop improved therapies for ALS, and lead clinical research studies performed in numerous medical centers throughout North America.

Dr. Bowser is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and obtained his PhD from Yale Univer-sity. He performed fellowship training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and was a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh from 1994 to 2011, rising through the ranks to full Professor. He joined the faculty at Barrow in 2011.

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Robert J. Penny, M.D., Ph.D.

CEO – International Genomics Consortium

Executive Director, expO (The Expression Project for Oncology)

Principal Investigator, Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR) -The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Project

Principal Investigator, Tissue Source Site Network – The Cancer Genome Atlas Pro-ject

Member of the Board of Directors, IGC

Dr. Penny is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the International Genomics Consortium (IGC). Dr. Penny was awarded recently the Principal Investigator for the Biospecimen Core Resource for the full The Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) and a separate award for TCGA’s Tissue Source Site network.

While at the IGC, he founded the Molecular Profiling Institute and served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The Molecular Profiling Institute is the first company to commercially introduce gene expression analysis into oncology in the U.S. He developed the

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Molecular Profiling Institute’s portfolio of molecular testing and pharmaceutical services which includes his successful commercially available holistic genomic analysis of cancer with its award-winning surgical oncology report (Target Now) that matches molecular mechanisms with associ-ated oncology therapies. He led the successful merger of the Molecular Profiling Institute to Caris Life Sciences.

Dr. Penny is a recognized expert in the translation of diagnostics into patient care as well as in biorepositories. He has established two national esoteric reference medical laboratories, a nation-al tissue bank and analysis center, and a national genomics program. He has helped bring cellular and molecular diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic testing to patient care throughout the na-tion with leukemia, lymphoma and solid tumors. He has headed up genomic strategies for the nation’s largest medical diagnostic corporations and chaired committees for TCGA leadership.

In 2011, AZBio honored Dr. Penny with the Jon W. McGarity Leadership Award for his vision in advancing cancer personalized medicine and success in leading the industry. AZBio also pre-sented the IGC with a 2011 Fast Lane Award. In 2005, Dr. Penny won the AZBio’s Lifescience Executive of the Year Award for Excellence in the BioIndustry.

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Peter N. Allison, J.D.,

Chairman, IDM Technologies | Founder & CEO, IDM Lab Track.

With more than 30 years of business management, venture capital, and equity placement experience, Peter is a serial entrepreneur and investor. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Washington and a Ju-ris Doctorate from Seattle University.

Paul R. August, PhD

US Head, Early to Candidate Unit, SANOFI

Business Focus: Discovery of novel therapeutics that enhance tissue repair and the identification of innova-tive, early stage, therapeutic assets for partnering

Professional Background: Paul has more than 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical discovery and the management of global, collaborative research projects. He recently established a team at the new, sanofi-aventis site in Oro Valley, Arizona, which is focused on building a strong posi-tion in the field of human regenerative medicine and dedicated to the identifi-cation of both local and national external partnering opportunities.

For the past 3 years, Paul and his team have been representing an entrepre-neurial business unit in Sanofi research and development called the Early to Candidate Unit. Their focus is to seek out and develop innovative new thera-peutics for multiple therapeutic areas in alignment with Strategic Sanofi ob-jectives. The US E2C research team is focused on identifying therapeutics that stimulate endogenous tissue repair in indications such as muscle diseases, multiple sclerosis and Sensory hearing loss. Applying state of the art stem cell technology, they are leveraging the high throughput chemical biology availa-ble from the Lead Generation team that they are co-located with in at the Sanofi R&D site in Tucson.

In addition to scientific innovations, Paul is focused on developing new ap-proaches to scientific and business partnerships with external collaborators. Working with prestigious academic institutions and biotechnology companies across the US, Paul and his team are exploring new models of in-kind partner-

Selected Panelist Bio Sketches

Panelist Bio Sketches

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Peter N. Allison, J.D.,

Chairman, IDM Technologies | Founder & CEO, IDM Lab Track.

With more than 30 years of business management, venture capital, and equity placement experience, Peter is a serial entrepreneur and investor. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Washington and a Ju-ris Doctorate from Seattle University.

Paul R. August, PhD

US Head, Early to Candidate Unit, SANOFI

Business Focus: Discovery of novel therapeutics that enhance tissue repair and the identification of innova-tive, early stage, therapeutic assets for partnering

Professional Background: Paul has more than 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical discovery and the management of global, collaborative research projects. He recently established a team at the new, sanofi-aventis site in Oro Valley, Arizona, which is focused on building a strong posi-tion in the field of human regenerative medicine and dedicated to the identifi-cation of both local and national external partnering opportunities.

For the past 3 years, Paul and his team have been representing an entrepre-neurial business unit in Sanofi research and development called the Early to Candidate Unit. Their focus is to seek out and develop innovative new thera-peutics for multiple therapeutic areas in alignment with Strategic Sanofi ob-jectives. The US E2C research team is focused on identifying therapeutics that stimulate endogenous tissue repair in indications such as muscle diseases, multiple sclerosis and Sensory hearing loss. Applying state of the art stem cell technology, they are leveraging the high throughput chemical biology availa-ble from the Lead Generation team that they are co-located with in at the Sanofi R&D site in Tucson.

In addition to scientific innovations, Paul is focused on developing new ap-proaches to scientific and business partnerships with external collaborators. Working with prestigious academic institutions and biotechnology companies across the US, Paul and his team are exploring new models of in-kind partner-


Peter N. Allison, J.D., Chairman, IDM Technologies | Founder & CEO, IDM Lab Track. With more than 30 years of business management, venture capital, and equity placement experience, Peter is a serial entrepreneur and investor. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Washington and a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University.

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ing to advance projects to specific milestones in collaboration. This model is presently called the Sanofi “Access Platform”.

Jennifer Barton, PhD

Professor and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arizona, Assistant Director, The BIO5 Institute.

Dr. Jennifer Barton develops miniature endoscopes that combine two novel imaging techniques: optical coher-ence tomography and fluorescence spectroscopy. She also evaluates the suitability of these optical techniques for detecting early cancer development in patients and preclinical models.

Her research into light-tissue interaction and dynamic optical properties of blood laid the groundwork for a novel therapeutic laser to treat cutaneous vas-cular disorders. She has published more than 60 peer-reviewed journal papers in these research areas.

Barton is assistant director of the BIO5 Institute, a collaborative research insti-tute dedicated to solving complex biology-based problems affecting humanity. She is chair of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Interdisciplinary Program and head of the department of biomedical engineering.

She is a fellow and leader of SPIE — the International Optics Society, a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and a fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Lee Cheatham, PhD, Deputy Director

Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, General Manager at the Biodesign Impact Accel-erator.

Lee Cheatham is the deputy director of the Biodesign Institute. In addition he serves as the general manager of the Biodesign Impact Accelerator, a new initiative focused on dramatically streamlining and improving the commercial translation of scientific innovations and dis-

coveries generated by the institute.

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21

ing to advance projects to specific milestones in collaboration. This model is presently called the Sanofi “Access Platform”.

Jennifer Barton, PhD

Professor and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arizona, Assistant Director, The BIO5 Institute.

Dr. Jennifer Barton develops miniature endoscopes that combine two novel imaging techniques: optical coher-ence tomography and fluorescence spectroscopy. She also evaluates the suitability of these optical techniques for detecting early cancer development in patients and preclinical models.

Her research into light-tissue interaction and dynamic optical properties of blood laid the groundwork for a novel therapeutic laser to treat cutaneous vas-cular disorders. She has published more than 60 peer-reviewed journal papers in these research areas.

Barton is assistant director of the BIO5 Institute, a collaborative research insti-tute dedicated to solving complex biology-based problems affecting humanity. She is chair of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Interdisciplinary Program and head of the department of biomedical engineering.

She is a fellow and leader of SPIE — the International Optics Society, a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and a fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Lee Cheatham, PhD, Deputy Director

Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, General Manager at the Biodesign Impact Accel-erator.

Lee Cheatham is the deputy director of the Biodesign Institute. In addition he serves as the general manager of the Biodesign Impact Accelerator, a new initiative focused on dramatically streamlining and improving the commercial translation of scientific innovations and dis-

coveries generated by the institute.

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In his role as deputy director, Lee oversees all day-to-day aspects of the Insti-tute’s strategy, business growth and administrative functions. In his role as general manager of the Biodesign Impact Accelerator, he will be responsible for program development and oversight of all operations.

He has been a frequent speaker on technology, policy and economic develop-ment issues and serves on AZBio’s Board of Directors. Lee received his PhD in electrical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1984.

Ben Cloud, President and CEO

Phyco Biosciences, Inc.

Ben brings over 30 years of experience as a farmer and farmland developer with operations in Arizona and Southern California. His significant experience in production agriculture including drip-micro irrigation systems and design, cropping systems, processing and marketing have contributed to the development of the Phyco production platform and business approach

John M. “Jock” Holliman, III

Valley Ventures

Jock Holliman has more than 29 years of experience in the venture capital industry with emerging companies in the southwestern United States. Following a career in corporate commercial banking with Bank of America and Chemical New York, Mr. Holliman joined Alliance Business Investment Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1982. Three years later, Mr. Holliman accepted the newly created position as managing director of Valley National Bank of Arizona’s venture capital program. From a $22 million capital base, Holliman oversaw 22 direct and three indirect investments in creating a successful portfolio. In early 1993, Holliman formed Valley Ventures, L.P., a $10 million institutional secondary partnership, to purchase all venture capital assets from Valley Bank. Successive partnerships include Valley Ventures II, L.P. (1998 - $29.4 million), Valley Ventures III, L.P. (2002 - $44.5 million) and Valley Ventures III Annex, L.P. (2007 - $11 million).

___________


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Laura Huenneke, PhD

Provost and Vice President Academic Affairs, Northern Arizona University

Dr. Laura Huenneke is Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northern Arizona University. She came to the university as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences in 2003, and then served three years as Dean of Engineering & Natural Sciences before becoming Vice President of

Research in 2006. Dr. Huenneke was named as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2012.

Joan Koerber-Walker, MBA, President and CEO Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio)

Joan leads Arizona’s statewide bioscience organization and connects, engages and advocates on behalf of Arizona’s Bioscience Industry. Joan’s career includes 20 years with high tech distributor Avnet, Inc., entrepreneurial ventures, angel investing, and leader-ship of a number of non-profit organizations.

William F. Mulholland,II, Esq.

Snell & Wilmer

Bill Mulholland’s practice is concentrated in intellectual property law, including patent procurement, licensing and litigation, particularly in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical arts.

Bill’s technical background includes an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Arizona

and a master’s degree in molecular biology from Brown University. Past experi-ence includes serving as in-house counsel in pharmaceutical and agribusiness-based industries. Bill is now in his 14th year of practice as a patent attorney and a substantial portion of his work involves significant strategic counseling, lifecycle management, and transactional support for these industries.

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Laura Huenneke, PhD

Provost and Vice President Academic Affairs, Northern Arizona University

Dr. Laura Huenneke is Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northern Arizona University. She came to the university as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences in 2003, and then served three years as Dean of Engineering & Natural Sciences before becoming Vice President of

Research in 2006. Dr. Huenneke was named as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2012.

Joan Koerber-Walker, MBA, President and CEO Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio)

Joan leads Arizona’s statewide bioscience organization and connects, engages and advocates on behalf of Arizona’s Bioscience Industry. Joan’s career includes 20 years with high tech distributor Avnet, Inc., entrepreneurial ventures, angel investing, and leader-ship of a number of non-profit organizations.

William F. Mulholland,II, Esq.

Snell & Wilmer

Bill Mulholland’s practice is concentrated in intellectual property law, including patent procurement, licensing and litigation, particularly in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical arts.

Bill’s technical background includes an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Arizona

and a master’s degree in molecular biology from Brown University. Past experi-ence includes serving as in-house counsel in pharmaceutical and agribusiness-based industries. Bill is now in his 14th year of practice as a patent attorney and a substantial portion of his work involves significant strategic counseling, lifecycle management, and transactional support for these industries.

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Babak Namati, PhD, President & CEO

STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, INC. and Consult-ing Member of the Emerging Technologies Group, Corporate Office of Science & Technol-ogy, Johnson & Johnson

Babak Nemati, Ph.D. is a 20+ year veteran of the healthcare industry, serving in executive roles at leading corporations, such as Johnson & Johnson. He currently leads Strategic Intelligence, Inc., a comprehensive strategy consulting firm focused on the commercial develop-ment of new and emerging technologies in the medical device industry. Babak is a frequent advisor to venture capital, private equity, and strategic venture funds. Currently, Babak also serves as a consulting member of the Emerging Technologies Group of the Corporate Office of Science and Technology at Johnson & Johnson.

Babak started his career in the medical laser industry, and then joined J&J in corporate development roles. While at J&J, he served as the Director of Surgi-cal Oncology for Ethicon and Ethicon Endo-surgery, and Chair of Medical Optics for the Corporate Office of Science and Technology. In these roles, he was re-sponsible for strategic planning for new franchises within the Corporation, as-sessment of new and emerging technologies (sourced globally) for their strate-gic fit, technical merit, and commercial viability, and leading or contributing to licensing and acquisition negotiations with emerging companies.

Michelle Wells, RAC

Regulatory Affairs at W.L. Gore and Associates

Michelle is responsible for coordinating approvals for stroke, venous and peripheral products. Michelle has more than 20 years of experience in drugs and devic-es, including inhalation drugs and devices (aerosol & powder), vascular grafts, catheter based vascular therapies, suspensions, solutions/injections, creams, ointments, shampoos, nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, diagnostic drugs, wound healing, topical and aesthetic products, and orphan drugs and devices. Michelle’s forte is in early negotiations with FDA, particularly pre-IND and pre-IDE meetings to secure agreement early on in development programs to ensure smooth submissions and subsequent approvals.

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In an era where state and university budgets are continually stretched, Arizona Governor Janice K. Brewer signed into law House Bill 2272 and opened the door to increased partnerships be-tween industry and Arizona’s public universities. Signed on March 29, 2012, the law took effect immediately.

This legislation is the result of a cooperative effort by a wide range of stakeholders. The Arizona Bioscience Industry Association (AZBio) came together with its bioscience company members and partner organizations, the Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s public universities, and the media to find a solution that met everyone’s needs. Thanks to this process and the leadership of the bill’s sponsor, Representative Vic Williams, and the support of Senator Al Melvin who shepherded this bill through the Senate, HB2272 received unanimous support during each step in the legislative process.

While we often read about the frustrations of working within the legislative process, the story of HB 2722 is a great example of how the process can work. A collaborative spirit is a hallmark of Arizona’s bioscience community. This so –called “collaborative gene” is at the root of great re-search collaborations and bioindustry partnerships across the state. By applying it to the legisla-tive process, a solution was crafted to address concerns raised by industry relating to sponsored research and Arizona’s Open Records laws. These concerns were limiting partnering opportuni-ties and threatened to slow down the state’s rapid bioscience industry growth. When a cross section of committed industry stakeholders and legislators applied their efforts to addressing the concern, the result was a mutually agreed solution that became a bill and then a law in just 45 days.

“Arizona’s bioscience industry is in the business of cures,” shared AZBio CEO, Joan Koerber-Walker. “From groundbreaking research to the launch and growth of innovative companies, we are addressing the challenges of our time: feeding the world, alternative energy sources, and sustainable and affordable health solutions. Here in the desert we understand that you cannot succeed alone. We move forward faster when we work together not just in the lab but in the halls of government too.”

Arizona’s bioscience industry creates advantages for Arizona in the form of a vibrant economy and high quality, high paying jobs. At the heart of our success and growth is the ability for Arizo-na to attract sponsored research in the form of clinical trials, industry/university research collab-orations and other partnerships that attract industry investment into our universities, create new jobs, and lead to further innovations that can be launched and grown here.”

“Arizona’s public universities are leading research institutions with world-renowned research teams, shared Representative Williams, the bill’s sponsor “HB2272 ensures an appropriate level of protection for confidential data collected through contractual, university-based research on behalf of a private third party. This is key to supporting the significant bioscience and technology industry partners we have here in Arizona. Our goal with HB2272 was to support Arizona’s in-novation community by creating a legislative environment that supports research partnerships between our universities and these companies and welcomes new innovation partners as well. We achieved our goal.”

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Advocacy in Action

Advocacy in Action

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In an era where state and university budgets are continually stretched, Arizona Governor Janice K. Brewer signed into law House Bill 2272 and opened the door to increased partnerships be-tween industry and Arizona’s public universities. Signed on March 29, 2012, the law took effect immediately.

This legislation is the result of a cooperative effort by a wide range of stakeholders. The Arizona Bioscience Industry Association (AZBio) came together with its bioscience company members and partner organizations, the Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s public universities, and the media to find a solution that met everyone’s needs. Thanks to this process and the leadership of the bill’s sponsor, Representative Vic Williams, and the support of Senator Al Melvin who shepherded this bill through the Senate, HB2272 received unanimous support during each step in the legislative process.

While we often read about the frustrations of working within the legislative process, the story of HB 2722 is a great example of how the process can work. A collaborative spirit is a hallmark of Arizona’s bioscience community. This so –called “collaborative gene” is at the root of great re-search collaborations and bioindustry partnerships across the state. By applying it to the legisla-tive process, a solution was crafted to address concerns raised by industry relating to sponsored research and Arizona’s Open Records laws. These concerns were limiting partnering opportuni-ties and threatened to slow down the state’s rapid bioscience industry growth. When a cross section of committed industry stakeholders and legislators applied their efforts to addressing the concern, the result was a mutually agreed solution that became a bill and then a law in just 45 days.

“Arizona’s bioscience industry is in the business of cures,” shared AZBio CEO, Joan Koerber-Walker. “From groundbreaking research to the launch and growth of innovative companies, we are addressing the challenges of our time: feeding the world, alternative energy sources, and sustainable and affordable health solutions. Here in the desert we understand that you cannot succeed alone. We move forward faster when we work together not just in the lab but in the halls of government too.”

Arizona’s bioscience industry creates advantages for Arizona in the form of a vibrant economy and high quality, high paying jobs. At the heart of our success and growth is the ability for Arizo-na to attract sponsored research in the form of clinical trials, industry/university research collab-orations and other partnerships that attract industry investment into our universities, create new jobs, and lead to further innovations that can be launched and grown here.”

“Arizona’s public universities are leading research institutions with world-renowned research teams, shared Representative Williams, the bill’s sponsor “HB2272 ensures an appropriate level of protection for confidential data collected through contractual, university-based research on behalf of a private third party. This is key to supporting the significant bioscience and technology industry partners we have here in Arizona. Our goal with HB2272 was to support Arizona’s in-novation community by creating a legislative environment that supports research partnerships between our universities and these companies and welcomes new innovation partners as well. We achieved our goal.”

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Advocacy in Action

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With this new law, Arizona

Clearly defines the terms of confidential exemptions from the open records law.

Maintains the sanctity of Arizona’s well-established open records laws.

Protects the universities’ ability to publish academic conclusions from public/private re-search.

Allows Arizona to compete for private/public research contracts against other states with tighter open records laws.

Protects against the loss of current research contracts or the possibility of missed opportuni-ties due to concerns over Arizona’s previous open records law.

HB2272 makes important clarifications to our existing statutes. Already supported by case law, these changes now clearly state in statute how the process will work and how private IP can be protected. With the signing of HB2272, Arizona opens the door to new research investments in our state today as well as higher levels of industry sponsored research in the future. This will create more jobs and more opportunities for our universities and for the people of Arizona.

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Silver Level Supporters

31

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AZBio - The Arizona BioIndustry Association

Business + BioScience for a Better Arizona

AZBio is comprised of member organizations in business, research, govern-ment, and other professions involved in biosciences. The Mission of AZBio isto serve our Members, both as organizations and as individuals, by providing access to the key resources, connections, and information that support their ability to Connect, Collaborate, Innovate and Succeed thus supporting the growth of a thriving economic ecosystem for Arizona's Bioscience Industry.

To execute on our mission, AZBio relies on the support of our bioscience and business communities. Through membership dues and contributions of time, treasury and talent, our community comes together to support our efforts to … Advance the common goals and concerns of our members.

Build infrastructure and create joint activities that serve the needs of the bioscience industry through programs, advocacy and services.

Create a favorable business climate in which the regulatory, legislative and public sectors recognize and support the social and economic benefits of the biosciences in Arizona.

Provide educational and informational activities to aid local, state and fed-eral officials and the general public in making informed decisions about issues concerning the biosciences.

Promote science education at all levels and workforce development.

Persuade investors that Arizona bioscience companies are a good invest-ment.

Develop collaborations between Arizona's large institutions and the bioscience industry.

Join us in supporting the growth of Arizona’s Bioscience Industry.

Learn more at AZBio.org

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AZBio Supporting Organizations

Legacy Level Supporters

Leadership Level Supporters

Chairman’s Level Supporters

Upstream Consulting, Inc. is led by an experienced team of seasoned Washington government relations professionals who bring widely diverse backgrounds, relationships with decision makers in the government, and the communications skills needed to support the objectives of our clients.

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2012

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Gold Level Supporters

Association and Event Management

Katherine Christensen and Associates

107 S. Southgate Drive

Chandler, AZ 85226

KC-A.com

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31

Silver Level Supporters

31

2012 Thank You Exhibitors!

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Copper Level Supporting Organizations

Alliant Insurance

ArizonaExperience.org

Arizona Public Radio

AZ Webcasting

Bottom Line Media Consulting

BioInspire/Peoria

Cassidy Turley/BRE Commercial (Phoenix Biomedical Campus)

CEI/GateWay

ECoNA

IDM LabTrack, Inc.

Innovations Incubator/Chandler

International Research Center

Knobbe Martens Olson and Bear

Medtronic Tempe Campus

MNX

PhRMA

ProvistaDx

Regenesis Biomedical

SynCardia Systems, Inc.

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Copper Level Supporting Organizations

Alliant Insurance


Arizona Public Radio

AZ Webcasting

Bottom Line Media Consulting

BioInspire/Peoria


CEI/GateWay

ECoNA

IDM LabTrack, Inc.


International Research Center


Medtronic Tempe Campus

MNX

PhRMA

ProvistaDx


SynCardia Systems, Inc. The Luther Law Firm

Thank You Exhibitors!

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Thank You Exhibitors!

Exhibiting Companies

360 Vantage

Affordable Image

Alliant Insurance


Arizona Commerce Authority

Arizona Technology Council

ATOM Design

AZBIO2

AZBio Resource Network

The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University

BioInspire/Peoria

The Business Journal


Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation at GateWay

City of Phoenix

ECoNA

IDM LabTrack, Inc.



Luther Law Firm

MNX

NACET

New Angle Media

Northern Arizona University

Phoenix Public Radio/ KJZZ/KBAQ


SynCardia Systems, Inc.

Translational Genomics Institute (TGen)

VWR

Moving Forward Faster Takes A Team. When it comes to moving forward faster, it takes a team to make it all come together and stay on track. On behalf of our AZBio team, a big THANK YOU to our volunteers and committee members:

AZBio Board Advisors: Halina Janus, Joan Koerber-Walker, Mike Mobley

AZBio Expo Event Chair: Yu Chai, Polsinelli Shughart

Event & Education Committee: Sara Duncan, Halina Janus, Joan Koerber-Walker, Kate Jones, Nicole Johnson, Julie Kurth, Charles Loew, Patrick Marcus, Rachel Myer, Hal Siegel, Megan Sopko

Marketing Committee: Frank Avilla, Al Bravo, Greg Giczi, Don Isaacs,Halina Janus, Julie Kurth, Patrick Marcus, Mario Martinez, Rachel Myer, Lisa Minzey, Steve Roberts, Andrew Tamala

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353

Cardiac MRI in Non-STEMI patients: Quantitative T2 mapping with high tem-poral and spatial resolution

Tomoe Barr, The University of Arizona

Our goal is to provide more accurate non-invasive MRI methods for diagnosing cardiac patholo-gies. The methods proposed can replace the more costly and morbid invasive procedures cur-rently used in the clinic. Current gold-standard technique in MRI uses a contrast agent injection which can only detect the end results of a myocardial infarction (MI) or a 'heart attack'. Recent-ly, we have developed techniques that can detect edema, which is a sign of tissue injury, in an earlier stage toward heart diseases. Unlike current techniques used in clinic, our techniques do not use any contrast agent, and are faster and more robust to motion. One breath-hold acquisi-tion can generate images with significantly less artifacts with higher spatial resolution:16 time-varying images and a parametric map, which can indicate the regions of inflammation or injury. Thus, our technique can be used for the consideration of early interventional treatment for the patients.

Sex Differences in the Development of Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-An Energetics Perspective

Camille Birch, University of Arizona

The R403Q mutation located in the Î±- myosin heavy chain is responsible for familial hyper-trophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). It is a primary disease of the sarcomere and is the most com-monly identified cause of sudden cardiac death in young populations. FHC male mice possessing the R403Q mutation develop left ventricular dilation and eventual cardiac dysfunction. Howev-er, female R403Q mice only show left ventricular hypertrophy without dilation or dysfunction. Adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) is a known regulator of cellular energetics and subsequently AMPK is activated in the hypertrophic state. This leads to a shift in metabolic processes which affects the efficiency of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. It is predicted that female R403Q mice will have an increased efficiency of ATP hydrolysis compared to males in order to compensate for the energetically unfavorable conditions experienced by R403Q hearts.

NHERF-1 Functions as a Molecular Switch between Cell Migration and Prolifera-tion in Glioblastoma

Ashley Chavez, The Translational Genomics Research Institute

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal of the advanced glial tumors. While chemo-therapeutic agents have been developed to treat it, they have been ineffective in targeting the invading cells. This may be attributed to the overexpression and amplification of EGFR in glio-blastoma. (>50 percent of the cases). In previous work,Â it has been established that the Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF-1) gene was significantly overexpressed in the in-vading rim of the tumor specimens when compared to matched, more proliferative core regions (Kislin 2009). In this study, we demonstrated that NHERF-1 functions as a critical "switch" for GBM cells in the differential adoption of a migratory versus proliferative phenotype, potentially

regulating the EGFR signaling pathway.



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353

Cardiac MRI in Non-STEMI patients: Quantitative T2 mapping with high tem-poral and spatial resolution

Tomoe Barr, The University of Arizona

Our goal is to provide more accurate non-invasive MRI methods for diagnosing cardiac patholo-gies. The methods proposed can replace the more costly and morbid invasive procedures cur-rently used in the clinic. Current gold-standard technique in MRI uses a contrast agent injection which can only detect the end results of a myocardial infarction (MI) or a 'heart attack'. Recent-ly, we have developed techniques that can detect edema, which is a sign of tissue injury, in an earlier stage toward heart diseases. Unlike current techniques used in clinic, our techniques do not use any contrast agent, and are faster and more robust to motion. One breath-hold acquisi-tion can generate images with significantly less artifacts with higher spatial resolution:16 time-varying images and a parametric map, which can indicate the regions of inflammation or injury. Thus, our technique can be used for the consideration of early interventional treatment for the patients.

Sex Differences in the Development of Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-An Energetics Perspective

Camille Birch, University of Arizona

The R403Q mutation located in the Î±- myosin heavy chain is responsible for familial hyper-trophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). It is a primary disease of the sarcomere and is the most com-monly identified cause of sudden cardiac death in young populations. FHC male mice possessing the R403Q mutation develop left ventricular dilation and eventual cardiac dysfunction. Howev-er, female R403Q mice only show left ventricular hypertrophy without dilation or dysfunction. Adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) is a known regulator of cellular energetics and subsequently AMPK is activated in the hypertrophic state. This leads to a shift in metabolic processes which affects the efficiency of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. It is predicted that female R403Q mice will have an increased efficiency of ATP hydrolysis compared to males in order to compensate for the energetically unfavorable conditions experienced by R403Q hearts.

NHERF-1 Functions as a Molecular Switch between Cell Migration and Prolifera-tion in Glioblastoma

Ashley Chavez, The Translational Genomics Research Institute

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal of the advanced glial tumors. While chemo-therapeutic agents have been developed to treat it, they have been ineffective in targeting the invading cells. This may be attributed to the overexpression and amplification of EGFR in glio-blastoma. (>50 percent of the cases). In previous work,Â it has been established that the Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF-1) gene was significantly overexpressed in the in-vading rim of the tumor specimens when compared to matched, more proliferative core regions (Kislin 2009). In this study, we demonstrated that NHERF-1 functions as a critical "switch" for GBM cells in the differential adoption of a migratory versus proliferative phenotype, potentially

regulating the EGFR signaling pathway.



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37

Synergistic Toxicity of Depleted Uranium and UVB Light in Human Skin Cells

Bret Clawson. Northern Arizona University

The flea Oropsylla hirsuta is a known vector of plague among prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) in the western United States. Plague was introduced to San Francisco in 1900, and spread to ultimately occupy the entire western United States. As O. hirsuta is involved in the regional maintenance of plague, it is valuable to fill gaps of knowledge about the ecological role and gene flow patterns in this flea vector. To support this research, we generated the first partial genome sequence available for O.hirsuta. Using this sequence we isolated and characterized 9 unique microsatel-lite loci, which contained polymorphic dinucleotide repeats. Using these variable repeat regions as DNA fingerprints we can discern between individuals (as in human forensics) and also gain information about populations. We will use these markers to determine the genetic population structure of O. hirsuta populations. Investigating flea population structure will provide dispersal information that complements other research on the spread of plague in the United States.

Engineering CSS-coated PCL electrospun scaffolds for antibody immobilization and cell capture

Celine Cohn, University of Arizona

Engineered tissue scaffolds can prove more effective if they are able to capture specific cell types. One method by which to engineer tissue scaffolds is electrospinning. Electrospinning Polycaprolactone (PCL) has become a popular choice for scaffold development as it is low-cost and FDA approved. Ideally, electrospun PCL scaffolds would be able to promote the capture of specific cell types. One possible solution is to coat the electrospun PCL with a novel material, cholesterol-succinyl silane (CSS). CSS is a highly stable, polymerizable material that allows for the functional immobilization of antibodies. Three scaffolds were produced: untreated PCL, plasma treated PCL, and PCL with a CSS coating. After scaffold synthesis, it was attempted to functionally immobilize Anti-CD20 and capture Granta-22 cells. Both plasma-treated and CSS-coated PCL scaffolds were able to functionally immobilize antibodies and capture Granta-22 cells.

A Statistical Package for the Biogeographical Analysis of Microbial Communities from "Next Generation" Sequencing Data

Damien Coy and Logan Knecht, Northern Arizona University

With the cost of DNA sequencing data rapidly decreasing, microbial ecology studies are increas-ing in scope and complexity; more samples are being taken across varying environmental gradi-ents such as time, space (biogeography), pH, or temperature, making analysis even more diffi-cult than in the past. Â Many gradient-analysis statistical methods have been used in traditional macro-scale ecology for years to address these types of data, however, they have not been properly evaluated on micro-scale ecological data to verify that biologically-meaningful results are obtained. To this end, we are developing MiCOS (Microbial Community Observation Statis-tics), a software package containing statistical tools for the analysis of microbial communities, particularly as applied to the analysis of community composition across gradients. Consolidating many statistical analyses in a single package removes the considerable barrier of moving data


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37

Synergistic Toxicity of Depleted Uranium and UVB Light in Human Skin Cells

Bret Clawson. Northern Arizona University

The flea Oropsylla hirsuta is a known vector of plague among prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) in the western United States. Plague was introduced to San Francisco in 1900, and spread to ultimately occupy the entire western United States. As O. hirsuta is involved in the regional maintenance of plague, it is valuable to fill gaps of knowledge about the ecological role and gene flow patterns in this flea vector. To support this research, we generated the first partial genome sequence available for O.hirsuta. Using this sequence we isolated and characterized 9 unique microsatel-lite loci, which contained polymorphic dinucleotide repeats. Using these variable repeat regions as DNA fingerprints we can discern between individuals (as in human forensics) and also gain information about populations. We will use these markers to determine the genetic population structure of O. hirsuta populations. Investigating flea population structure will provide dispersal information that complements other research on the spread of plague in the United States.

Engineering CSS-coated PCL electrospun scaffolds for antibody immobilization and cell capture

Celine Cohn, University of Arizona

Engineered tissue scaffolds can prove more effective if they are able to capture specific cell types. One method by which to engineer tissue scaffolds is electrospinning. Electrospinning Polycaprolactone (PCL) has become a popular choice for scaffold development as it is low-cost and FDA approved. Ideally, electrospun PCL scaffolds would be able to promote the capture of specific cell types. One possible solution is to coat the electrospun PCL with a novel material, cholesterol-succinyl silane (CSS). CSS is a highly stable, polymerizable material that allows for the functional immobilization of antibodies. Three scaffolds were produced: untreated PCL, plasma treated PCL, and PCL with a CSS coating. After scaffold synthesis, it was attempted to functionally immobilize Anti-CD20 and capture Granta-22 cells. Both plasma-treated and CSS-coated PCL scaffolds were able to functionally immobilize antibodies and capture Granta-22 cells.

A Statistical Package for the Biogeographical Analysis of Microbial Communities from "Next Generation" Sequencing Data

Damien Coy and Logan Knecht, Northern Arizona University

With the cost of DNA sequencing data rapidly decreasing, microbial ecology studies are increas-ing in scope and complexity; more samples are being taken across varying environmental gradi-ents such as time, space (biogeography), pH, or temperature, making analysis even more diffi-cult than in the past. Â Many gradient-analysis statistical methods have been used in traditional macro-scale ecology for years to address these types of data, however, they have not been properly evaluated on micro-scale ecological data to verify that biologically-meaningful results are obtained. To this end, we are developing MiCOS (Microbial Community Observation Statis-tics), a software package containing statistical tools for the analysis of microbial communities, particularly as applied to the analysis of community composition across gradients. Consolidating many statistical analyses in a single package removes the considerable barrier of moving data


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between different software packages, which may require different file formats or run only on different operating systems, thereby facilitating a direct comparison of these tools on positive and negative control data. We will present preliminary findings on our analysis of approximately twenty statistical methods on real and simulated test data. The MiCOS software package is open source and will soon be integrated into the popular Quantitiative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) software package, making these methods easily accessible to the community as a whole.

The Dynamic Human Microbiome in College Students from Three Campuses

Daniel Domogala, Northern Arizona University

Studies of the human microbiome to date have looked at the microbial ecology across many body sites or time points from a few individuals, or a few body sites from many individuals at a single time point. Here we present preliminary data (the first time point) from a large-scale study of microbial communities from five different body sites of 106 college students at three universities across 10 weekly time points. These data are compiled with rich metadata, obtained through an initial 50 question questionnaire, to support an investigation into factors which may affect the human microbiome over time. An additional questionnaire is completed on a weekly basis to identify any changes in health or lifestyle that may have affected a student's microbiome in the preceding week. Students began sampling themselves on a weekly basis at five different body

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between different software packages, which may require different file formats or run only on different operating systems, thereby facilitating a direct comparison of these tools on positive and negative control data. We will present preliminary findings on our analysis of approximately twenty statistical methods on real and simulated test data. The MiCOS software package is open source and will soon be integrated into the popular Quantitiative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) software package, making these methods easily accessible to the community as a whole.

The Dynamic Human Microbiome in College Students from Three Campuses

Daniel Domogala, Northern Arizona University

Studies of the human microbiome to date have looked at the microbial ecology across many body sites or time points from a few individuals, or a few body sites from many individuals at a single time point. Here we present preliminary data (the first time point) from a large-scale study of microbial communities from five different body sites of 106 college students at three universities across 10 weekly time points. These data are compiled with rich metadata, obtained through an initial 50 question questionnaire, to support an investigation into factors which may affect the human microbiome over time. An additional questionnaire is completed on a weekly basis to identify any changes in health or lifestyle that may have affected a student's microbiome in the preceding week. Students began sampling themselves on a weekly basis at five different body

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sites (forehead, tongue, palm of dominant hand, gut, and armpit) in January/February of 2012. Ten weeks of samples have been collected, and partial 16S rRNA gene sequences have been ob-tained from the first time point of 106 individuals using an Illumina HiSeq2000 instrument to a median depth of 54,352 sequences/sample. Sequencing targeted the V4/V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene (515F/806R), and data analysis was performed using QIIME 1.4.0-dev. These initial data confirm previous results showing that community composition is primarily determined by body habitat, with gut, tongue, and skin samples clustering independently of one another in UniFrac PCoA plots. Other observations suggest differences correlated with gender and lifestyle choices. Â Including data from additional time points will help identify broader trends in the data.

Assessing Protein Folding in the Presence of Various Crowding Agents

Amber Enriquez, Northern Arizona University

There is a growing appreciation of the role of non-specific macromolecular interactions in cellu-lar processes. Their impact has been difficult to assess for protein folding due to high background signals given off from bulky agents. This study sheds light on the importance of non-specific interactions during folding using a variety of crowding agent solutions including Lysozyme, Oval-bumin, and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as bulk proteins and the polymers glycerol, Ficoll 70, and sucrose to mimic cellular conditions. There has not been a carefully controlled study com-paring the impact of all of these. We assessed the folding of Î²-galactosidase in the presence of various crowding solutions to determine the impact of different conditions on refolding yields. Results have shown that protein concentrations of Ovalbumin and BSA at 27.5mg/mL with glycerol enhance refolding while solutions containing only polymers have a minimal impact on refolding yields.

Characterizing the Mechanical Properties of Human Tropoelastin Scaffolds

Audrey Ford, Northern Arizona University

Any material that interfaces with living tissue is considered a biomaterial. In order to be effec-tive, biomaterials, especially biomaterials that are implanted into living tissue must be biocom-patible. Biocompatibility is routinely characterized by immune and inflammatory responses by the body, but mechanical properties, like strength and elasticity, of the material are equally im-portant to the function of the material within the surrounding tissues. Human tropoelastin is a versatile and novel biomaterial that has broad potential application as an implantable biomaterial. Tropoelastin can be manipulated by blending it with other proteins or by varying the degree of crosslinking or the type of cross linker used on the scaffold.Â This study aims to characterize the mechanical properties of a range of tropoelastin scaffolds to develop a comprehensive knowledge of its mechanical potential. Understanding the mechanical spectrum of tropoelastin allows it to be used as a customizable biomaterial.

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Distribution of Natural Killer Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE)

Soha Ghanian, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute (High School Student presenter)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous sys-tem (CNS), which is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MS is currently be-lieved to be an immune-mediated disorder caused by the patient's own immune cells gaining entry into CNS via the impaired blood-brain barrier. This leads to demyelination and scarring of CNS tissue. Natural killer (NK) cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of MS, but their role remains undefined. By using a unique NK1.1-td-Tomato transgenic mouse, the physical infiltra-tion of NK cells in the CNS of EAE, a mouse model of MS, was observed. This study provides support for a potential role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of MS, since NK1.1-td-Tomato is a good model for the study of NK cells in MS.

Electrospun Coaxial Polyvinyl Alcohol - Gelatin Nanofibers: Fabrication & Materi-al Properties

Valerie Gyurko, University of Arizona

Electrospinning has been used to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds from a variety of synthetic and natural materials, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin. Although PVA possesses appeal-ing mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications, it lacks adequate cellular recogni-tion sites, thereby limiting it's bioactivity. In contrast, gelatin has desirable bioactivity but lacks adequate mechanical properties and is difficult to handle. We employed coaxial electrospinning to create nanofibers from these materials in a core/shell structure with gelatin forming the shell and PVA forming the core of the fibers. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), mechanical testing, and cellular studies were utilized to evaluate the morphology and material properties of these fibers. This study yields insight into the potential of combining synthetic and natural polymers together in the engineering composite nanofibers.

All-Trans Retinoic Acid Cytoprotection Against Oxidative Stress

Yurika Isoe, BIO5 Institute Keep Engaging Youth in Science Internship (KEYS)(

High School Student presenter)

It has been hypothesized that all-tran acid (ATRA) has cytoprotective properties in scute kidney injury (AKI). Two stable cell lines PK-1 (porcine kidney) and HK-2 (human kidney) were pre-treated with ATRA for 24 hours. Subsequently, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was administered to the cells for 3 or 4 hours to induce oxidative stress. Cell viability was assessed by an MTT assay as a measurement of mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. Both cell lines showed cytoprotection ranging from 10~40%. These results indicate that H2O2 induced oxidative cytotoxicity is miti-gated by ATRA cytoprotection.

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Distribution of Natural Killer Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE)

Soha Ghanian, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute (High School Student presenter)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous sys-tem (CNS), which is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MS is currently be-lieved to be an immune-mediated disorder caused by the patient's own immune cells gaining entry into CNS via the impaired blood-brain barrier. This leads to demyelination and scarring of CNS tissue. Natural killer (NK) cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of MS, but their role remains undefined. By using a unique NK1.1-td-Tomato transgenic mouse, the physical infiltra-tion of NK cells in the CNS of EAE, a mouse model of MS, was observed. This study provides support for a potential role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of MS, since NK1.1-td-Tomato is a good model for the study of NK cells in MS.

Electrospun Coaxial Polyvinyl Alcohol - Gelatin Nanofibers: Fabrication & Materi-al Properties

Valerie Gyurko, University of Arizona

Electrospinning has been used to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds from a variety of synthetic and natural materials, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin. Although PVA possesses appeal-ing mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications, it lacks adequate cellular recogni-tion sites, thereby limiting it's bioactivity. In contrast, gelatin has desirable bioactivity but lacks adequate mechanical properties and is difficult to handle. We employed coaxial electrospinning to create nanofibers from these materials in a core/shell structure with gelatin forming the shell and PVA forming the core of the fibers. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), mechanical testing, and cellular studies were utilized to evaluate the morphology and material properties of these fibers. This study yields insight into the potential of combining synthetic and natural polymers together in the engineering composite nanofibers.

All-Trans Retinoic Acid Cytoprotection Against Oxidative Stress

Yurika Isoe, BIO5 Institute Keep Engaging Youth in Science Internship (KEYS)(

High School Student presenter)

It has been hypothesized that all-tran acid (ATRA) has cytoprotective properties in scute kidney injury (AKI). Two stable cell lines PK-1 (porcine kidney) and HK-2 (human kidney) were pre-treated with ATRA for 24 hours. Subsequently, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was administered to the cells for 3 or 4 hours to induce oxidative stress. Cell viability was assessed by an MTT assay as a measurement of mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. Both cell lines showed cytoprotection ranging from 10~40%. These results indicate that H2O2 induced oxidative cytotoxicity is miti-gated by ATRA cytoprotection.

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The Use of Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles for Formation of a Temperature Sensitive Coating on Glass

Gihan Joshua, University of Arizona, Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program

The objective of this study was to create a thin film of NaYF4:Er3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles on a glass surface, and observe temperature changes on this glass surface by monitoring temperature dependent emission bands from the nanoparticles. The nanoparticle samples were prepared via thermal decomposition of lanthanide trifluoroacetate precursors at 300oC, and underwent a simple acid treatment process to remove the oleate ligands on their surfaces. Finally the samples were introduced to glass slides that had been functionalized with carboxyl groups, which facilitat-ed binding of the oleate-free nanoparticles to the glass. The nanoparticles on the slides were ex-cited using a 980nm diode laser, and the resulting red and green emission bands were captured using respective filters and a CCD camera. Images were taken at 5oC intervals in the range from 20-65oC, and were used to construct the green-to-red emission ratio, which showed a linear trend with respect to varying temperature.

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The Embryonic Development of the Ascidian Notochord: A Simplified Theory

Russell Latterman, Northern Arizona University

The formation of an elongated cell-structure, called a notochord (primitive spinal chord), during the early embryonic development of the ascidian sea creature has been studied by many biologists and mathematicians in hopes of gaining insight into how more-complex organisms develop. How is it that a fairly random clump of dividing cells can suddenly begin to orient themselves into elongated form while also changing shape? We present a computational simulation to support our simpler, and very-arguably more theoretically-sound explanation, than any of the previous models can viably support. This very significant result may contribute to the way mathematicians and biologists form interdisciplinary theories regarding more advanced biological systems. We construct and implement a stochastic model of convergent extension, using a minimal set of as-sumptions on cell behavior. In addition to the basic assumptions of volume conservation, random cell motion, and cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesion, and a non-standard assumption that cytoskele-tal polymerization generates an internal pressure tending to keep cells convex, we find that we need only two conditions for convergent extension. (1) Each cell type has a particular aspect ratio towards which it regulates its geometry. We do not require that cells align in a specific orienta-tion, e.g., to be oriented mediolaterally. (2) The elongating tissue is composed of cells that pre-fer to be elongated, and these cells must be accompanied by cells which prefer to be round. The latter effectively provide a boundary to capture. In simulations, our model tissue extends and converges to a stacked arrangement of elongated cells one cell wide, an arrangement which is seen in ascidian notochords, but which has not been observed in other models. This arrangement is achieved without any direct mediolateral bias other than that which is provided by the physical edge of the adjacent tissue.

The Effects of Toxoplasma gondii Infection on Mucin Expression in Mouse Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Joshua Mayoral, Northern Arizona University

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite, estimated to infect about one-third of the global population of humans. T. gondii infection in hosts is initiated in the intestines, which is lined with a layer of mucus designed to prevent microbial infiltration. Composing this layer of mucus are proteins called mucins. The purpose of this study is to determine whether T. gondii infection causes significant changes in the genetic expression of various mucins located in the intestines; a relationship that previously has not been studied.Â It is hypothesized that T. gondii will cause significant up-regulation of mucin proteins during infection in mouse intestinal cells. To test this hypothesis, MODE-K cells will be cultured and infected with the parasite, after which the genetic material of the cells will be analyzed. The relevance of this study is primarily medicinal. New therapeutic methods may be developed if a link is found between mucin expres-sion and T. gondii infection.

Digital Digital Holography for Biological Imaging

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The Use of Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles for Formation of a Temperature Sensitive Coating on Glass

Gihan Joshua, University of Arizona, Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program

The objective of this study was to create a thin film of NaYF4:Er3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles on a glass surface, and observe temperature changes on this glass surface by monitoring temperature dependent emission bands from the nanoparticles. The nanoparticle samples were prepared via thermal decomposition of lanthanide trifluoroacetate precursors at 300oC, and underwent a simple acid treatment process to remove the oleate ligands on their surfaces. Finally the samples were introduced to glass slides that had been functionalized with carboxyl groups, which facilitat-ed binding of the oleate-free nanoparticles to the glass. The nanoparticles on the slides were ex-cited using a 980nm diode laser, and the resulting red and green emission bands were captured using respective filters and a CCD camera. Images were taken at 5oC intervals in the range from 20-65oC, and were used to construct the green-to-red emission ratio, which showed a linear trend with respect to varying temperature.

42

The Embryonic Development of the Ascidian Notochord: A Simplified Theory

Russell Latterman, Northern Arizona University

The formation of an elongated cell-structure, called a notochord (primitive spinal chord), during the early embryonic development of the ascidian sea creature has been studied by many biologists and mathematicians in hopes of gaining insight into how more-complex organisms develop. How is it that a fairly random clump of dividing cells can suddenly begin to orient themselves into elongated form while also changing shape? We present a computational simulation to support our simpler, and very-arguably more theoretically-sound explanation, than any of the previous models can viably support. This very significant result may contribute to the way mathematicians and biologists form interdisciplinary theories regarding more advanced biological systems. We construct and implement a stochastic model of convergent extension, using a minimal set of as-sumptions on cell behavior. In addition to the basic assumptions of volume conservation, random cell motion, and cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesion, and a non-standard assumption that cytoskele-tal polymerization generates an internal pressure tending to keep cells convex, we find that we need only two conditions for convergent extension. (1) Each cell type has a particular aspect ratio towards which it regulates its geometry. We do not require that cells align in a specific orienta-tion, e.g., to be oriented mediolaterally. (2) The elongating tissue is composed of cells that pre-fer to be elongated, and these cells must be accompanied by cells which prefer to be round. The latter effectively provide a boundary to capture. In simulations, our model tissue extends and converges to a stacked arrangement of elongated cells one cell wide, an arrangement which is seen in ascidian notochords, but which has not been observed in other models. This arrangement is achieved without any direct mediolateral bias other than that which is provided by the physical edge of the adjacent tissue.




Digital Digital Holography for Biological Imaging

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Digital Holography for Biological Imaging

Kristen Milligan, Khalid Wabli and Luke Contreras, Northern Arizona University

We report a technique for obtaining quantitative three dimensional refractive index measure-ments of biological cells with nanometer precision using digital holography. Digital holographic reconstruction procedures have been implemented on samples such as cancer cells and blood cells that have allowed for the 3D rendering of the sample. Such procedures include an auto-focusing program based on a focus metric designed to fit the characteristics of our pure-phase samples, as well as aberration corrections due to different optical components through the application of Zernike polynomials. Our results provide quantitative information about changes in refractive index or morphology of the cell that could be caused by biological processes, disease progression, or drug delivery.

RNF216 (TRIAD3) is a candidate tumor suppressor in advanced tumors

Christopher Murray, Translational Genomics Research Institute

RNF216 (RING finger protein 216) is a gene that maps to chromosome 7p and encodes TRI-AD3, which suppresses NF-ÎºB activation. Using next-generation sequencing, two missense mu-tations were identified in RNF216 in two advanced chemoresistant tumors; one pancreatic and

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Student Discovery Session Abstracts Student Discovery Session Abstracts

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one esthesioneuroblastoma. These mutations were validated using Sanger sequencing. We hy popothesize that that RNF216 is a tumor suppressor and that mutations lead to TRIAD3's loss of ability to regulate NF-ÎºB activation. This is highly significant as upregulation of NF-ÎºB activation promotes increased cell survival and proliferation. More importantly, it has been shown that myeloma tumors that have activation of NF-kB are sensitive to the drug bortezomib. In order to test this hypothesis, we have devised a series of functional and pharmacogenomic assays to inves-tigate the consequences of RNF216 loss in T47D and MDA-MB-231 cells, and to determine if loss of TRIAD3 will sensitize cells to bortezomib.

3D Model of Ovarian Carcinoma Microenvironment for Interrogating Intercellular Communication

Gabriel Orsinger, University of Arizona, Biomedical Engineering

With the ultimate goal of designing sophisticated cancer therapies and diagnostics through better understanding the complex tumor microenvironment, we have developed a three-dimensional tissue construct consisting of ovarian surface epithelium and stromal architecture. This 3D model provides co-culture of multiple cell types in a deliberate volumetric arrangement, facilitating a more physiologically relevant microenvironment than standard 2D cell culture for interrogating intercellular communication pathways involved in initiation, progression and metastasis of ovarian carcinomas. In combination with gold-coated plasmon resonant liposomes, this tissue mimic serves as a powerful tool for initiating and monitoring signaling events between and within

49



one esthesioneuroblastoma. These mutations were validated using Sanger sequencing. We hy popothesize that that RNF216 is a tumor suppressor and that mutations lead to TRIAD3's loss of ability to regulate NF-ÎºB activation. This is highly significant as upregulation of NF-ÎºB activation promotes increased cell survival and proliferation. More importantly, it has been shown that myeloma tumors that have activation of NF-kB are sensitive to the drug bortezomib. In order to test this hypothesis, we have devised a series of functional and pharmacogenomic assays to inves-tigate the consequences of RNF216 loss in T47D and MDA-MB-231 cells, and to determine if loss of TRIAD3 will sensitize cells to bortezomib.

3D Model of Ovarian Carcinoma Microenvironment for Interrogating Intercellular Communication

Gabriel Orsinger, University of Arizona, Biomedical Engineering

With the ultimate goal of designing sophisticated cancer therapies and diagnostics through better understanding the complex tumor microenvironment, we have developed a three-dimensional tissue construct consisting of ovarian surface epithelium and stromal architecture. This 3D model provides co-culture of multiple cell types in a deliberate volumetric arrangement, facilitating a more physiologically relevant microenvironment than standard 2D cell culture for interrogating intercellular communication pathways involved in initiation, progression and metastasis of ovarian carcinomas. In combination with gold-coated plasmon resonant liposomes, this tissue mimic serves as a powerful tool for initiating and monitoring signaling events between and within

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2012

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cancer cell types and for studying pharmocodynamics of liposome-encapsulated and subsequent release of anticancer therapeutics.

An Engineered Design Alternative to Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose

Neil Saez1, Erica Engelschall1, Pankti Shah1, Michelle Abou-Eid1, Stephanie Maxwell1, Teagan Adamson1, Kenneth Lan, B.S.1, Curtiss Cook, M.D.2, Dharmendra Patel, M.D.2, Jeffrey T. La Belle, Ph.D. 1

Affiliations: 1 – School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Harrington Program of Biomedical Engineering, 2 Mayo Clinic Scottsdale AZ

A glucose measuring device and the process used to develop it is presented. The engineering design process provides careful thought, planning, and structure to the creative process of de-signing a new medical device. This design process is akin to the routine a pilot uses before take-off, or a surgeon uses before an operation. Engineering design can be broken down into: identi-fying a need; interpreting needs into specifications; formulating concepts with an eye towards state-of-the-art, regulation, and reimbursement; building and testing a prototype on the bench; iterative steps of improvement; final device testing and verification; and communication of final design to manufacture.

This process was applied to self-monitoring blood glucose (BG) testing. An alternative to finger pricking was chosen as the need. Tear glucose (TG) was selected as the alternative sample, and then designs for tear fluid capture were created. Multiple glucose assays were tested and chal-lenges to each identified. Selection of the most promising technology was made and bench tests were performed. Of course, patents were filed.

Currently, the design is at the pivotal study stage were the chosen device is being tested for cor-relation of TG to BG with funding from a commercial partner. A carefully designed and con-trolled experiment is being run to demonstrate correlation against standards. Improvements in the device have resulted from initial studies. Barring successful testing, a limited human subject study will be run to ascertain and improve ergonomics, comfort, and assess other “human fac-tors” of the design.

A Comparison of Two Common Polycaprolactone-based Biomaterials

P. Daniel Warren, University of Arizona Recently there has been a significant increase in publications regarding the use of polycaprolac-tone as a resorbable biomaterial due to its advantages over other aliphatic polymers. This re-newed interest has resulted in combinations of PCL with other materials (e.g. polyurethane) to make it more suitable for other applications. To this end, two main trends seem to dominate the literature. One such process simply combines the PCL and another material in solvent to make a blend of the two materials. The other process requires slightly more work to actually covalently link PCL to another material to produce a copolymer. In this work, a common blend of PCL and a commercially available linear polyurethane were compared to a poly(ester-urethane-urea)

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Student Discovery Session Abstracts copolymer based on the amino acid lysine. The materials were characterized to better grasp the impact on properties by the material constituents, to best direct future research on fabricating biomaterials for cardiovascular implant devices.

Using Contact Angle and Wettability to Determine Biocompatibility of Biomedical Implant Devices

Jeff Watson, Northern Arizona University

Biomedical implants are used throughout the body to treat various etiologies or replace damaged or compromised tissues or organs. Extensive biocompatibility testing must be performed prior to their clinical use. Biocompatibility is defined as the “ability of a material to perform with an appropriate response in a specific application” (DF Williams, 1987). A major goal of the current study was to determine if a relationship exists between biocompatibility and wettability of bio-materials. It was expected that a biomaterial with a smaller contact angle (e.g. more hydrophilic) will be more biocompatible in an in vivo animal model, and therefore will be a more optimal biomaterial. Contact angle was measured using a digital camera, high resolution optics, and computer software. Contact angle measurements were compared to in vivo biocompatibility data in efforts to establish a relationship between these two parameters.

On-Chip Cell Culture Biosensing with Microuidic Feedback Control David Welch (1) and Jennifer Blain Christen(2)

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering(1) and School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering(2) Arizona State University

We present work towards expanding the capabilities of microuidic cell culture devices through the incorporation of microelectronic sensing systems. A system has been fabricated that includes four sensing regions each consisting of a pH sensor, capacitance sensor, and photodiode. We have demonstrated the incorporation of feedback control systems using computer controlled microuidics for a pH sensor.

Preliminary data for photodiode characterization, pH detection using ISFETs, and capacitance sensing of cell density is presented. Results from this work will be used towards creating a single system that can function as a cell culture platform with programmable control over all of these variables.

Student Discovery Abstracts

cancer cell types and for studying pharmocodynamics of liposome-encapsulated and subsequent release of anticancer therapeutics.

An Engineered Design Alternative to Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose

Neil Saez1, Erica Engelschall1, Pankti Shah1, Michelle Abou-Eid1, Stephanie Maxwell1, Teagan Adamson1, Kenneth Lan, B.S.1, Curtiss Cook, M.D.2, Dharmendra Patel, M.D.2, Jeffrey T. La Belle, Ph.D. 1

Affiliations: 1 – School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Harrington Program of Biomedical Engineering, 2 Mayo Clinic Scottsdale AZ

A glucose measuring device and the process used to develop it is presented. The engineering design process provides careful thought, planning, and structure to the creative process of de-signing a new medical device. This design process is akin to the routine a pilot uses before take-off, or a surgeon uses before an operation. Engineering design can be broken down into: identi-fying a need; interpreting needs into specifications; formulating concepts with an eye towards state-of-the-art, regulation, and reimbursement; building and testing a prototype on the bench; iterative steps of improvement; final device testing and verification; and communication of final design to manufacture.

This process was applied to self-monitoring blood glucose (BG) testing. An alternative to finger pricking was chosen as the need. Tear glucose (TG) was selected as the alternative sample, and then designs for tear fluid capture were created. Multiple glucose assays were tested and chal-lenges to each identified. Selection of the most promising technology was made and bench tests were performed. Of course, patents were filed.

Currently, the design is at the pivotal study stage were the chosen device is being tested for cor-relation of TG to BG with funding from a commercial partner. A carefully designed and con-trolled experiment is being run to demonstrate correlation against standards. Improvements in the device have resulted from initial studies. Barring successful testing, a limited human subject study will be run to ascertain and improve ergonomics, comfort, and assess other “human fac-tors” of the design.

A Comparison of Two Common Polycaprolactone-based Biomaterials

P. Daniel Warren, University of Arizona Recently there has been a significant increase in publications regarding the use of polycaprolac-tone as a resorbable biomaterial due to its advantages over other aliphatic polymers. This re-newed interest has resulted in combinations of PCL with other materials (e.g. polyurethane) to make it more suitable for other applications. To this end, two main trends seem to dominate the literature. One such process simply combines the PCL and another material in solvent to make a blend of the two materials. The other process requires slightly more work to actually covalently link PCL to another material to produce a copolymer. In this work, a common blend of PCL and a commercially available linear polyurethane were compared to a poly(ester-urethane-urea)

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Synergistic Toxicity of Depleted Uranium and UVB Light in Human Skin Cells Mary Zuniga, Northern Arizona University

Most research addresses uranium-induced cancer through its radiological modes of action, ignor-ing its chemical reactivity. Lungs and kidneys are known target organs for uranium toxicity, but its effects in other organs or tissues are less well understood. It is known that uranium(VI) is photoactivated by UVB-light to form uranium(V) and reactive oxygen species. We therefore hypothesize that combined exposure to uranium and UVB-light may be more toxic and mutagen-ic to skin than individual exposures. We are testing this hypothesis by exposing cultured human keratinocyte skin cells to depleted uranium (DU)in the presence and absence of UVB-light. We are measuring the effect of these treatments on cell survival, cell damage, and mutation frequen-cy. Preliminary results show increased cytotoxicity when UVB and DU are combined. Further results from this work may provide data to expand the focus of uranium toxicity and include skin as a target organ for its carcinogenic effects.

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Future Events

A Special AZBio Event @ GateWay Community College

Lawrence C.H. Wang, PhD From Concept to Global Markets David Brown Wilson, PhD To the Wall and Back – Building a Bioscience Business in China Lawrence C.H. Wang, PhD ECO-rehabilitation in the Upper Yangtze River in rural China

Tours of the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation at GateWay Community College will be available following the Keynotes

Learn more at www.AZBio.org/Events

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Ask your VWR Account Specialist for more information on the BIO Business Solutions Program.

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Helps AZBio Members Make Their Dollars Go Farther.

Ask your VWR Account Specialist for more information on the BIO Business Solutions Program.

Future Events Join AZBio and the Arizona Commerce Authority in

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at the BIO International Convention. Showcase Your Company Make a Presentation in the Pavilion Get Connected For more information, email [email protected] or [email protected]

2012

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Future Events

Nominations Open Today for the 2012 AZBio Awards

Visit AZBioAwards.com to nominate your favorites for the: 2012 Bioscience Company of the Year Jon W. McGarity Bioscience Leader of the Year Michael A. Cusanovich Bioscience Educator of the Year 2012 Award For Research Excellence 2012 Award for Public Service 2012 Fast Lane Awards

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