University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

CSUN’s Center for Cancer and Developmental
Biology Joins International Consortium Studying Cancer

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., March 26, 2007) — Cal State Northridge’s Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology has been asked by the National Institute for Health to join in a global effort to fight cancer, in particular an international consortium that is trying to understand how cancer cells spread throughout the body.

The Consortium for Functional Glycomics is a $41 million research initiative by the NIH to study cancer cells and the role sugar biology plays in spreading deadly viruses and bacteria. The NIH has awarded Northridge $400,000 over four years to be part of the effort.

"The grant will help us develop inhibitors of virus/bacteria binding to human cells and new approaches to stop cancer spread," said biology professor Steven Oppenheimer, director of the center. His appointment as an investigator for the consortium places the center at the forefront of what he referred to as "big science."

Although highly critical in uncovering disease processes, sugar biology has until recently been overlooked in studies, due to its complexity in comparison with gene and protein studies, said Oppenheimer.

"This is a pioneering effort by the NIH in understanding the role of sugars in health and disease," he said.

Initially, Oppenheimer said he was surprised when his lab was asked to apply. "I didn’t think our research fit in with the consortium because it’s based on sea urchins."

The CSUN Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology focuses on the manner in which cells attach to one another at a molecular level. Using a simple specimen, the sea urchin, as a model, Oppenheimer hopes his research will reveal how cells, such as cancer cells, react to one another.

"If we find out how cancer cells spread from a simple model, the knowledge can be transferred over to human study," he said.

Oppenheimer pointed out that students are involved in all aspects of research in his lab, even accompanying him to consortium meetings. Oppenheimer described CSUN’s Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology as a research intensive environment. He said Cal State Northridge is known for giving undergraduate students the advantage of scholarly research; an attractive highlight for the prospective graduate student.

"In my opinion, as undergrads, students are much better off here than they are at bigger named schools," he said. "Research and publication makes all the difference, and we offer that invaluable experience to all interested."

This close collaboration between professor and students has resulted in 297 published peer reviewed papers and abstracts, which have been co-authored by over 600 students.

The bottom line is, according to Oppenheimer, "mine publish and go on to top graduate and doctorate programs."

California State University, Northridge has 34,500 full- and part-time students and offers 62 bachelor’s and 50 master’s degrees as well as 28 teaching credential programs. Founded in 1958, CSUN is among the largest single-campus universities in the nation and the only four-year public university in the San Fernando Valley. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.