Alabama State University News September 18, 2014 ASU Awarded Patent for Scientific Discovery to Treat RSV The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent to scientists in Alabama State University's Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR) for their invention of a new nanomaterial to treat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. This is the first patent ASU has received for a discovery that was conceptualized, tested and completed in its CNBR lab. The invention involves gold nanoparticles, which are attached to a specific protein from the RSV. The newly developed nanomaterial can almost completely stop growth of the virus when tested in the laboratory. In the next phases of the studies, this nanomaterial will be further tested and validated for commercialization and potential use for treatment of disease caused by RSV. The invention was led by Dr. Shree Singh, CNBR director, along with Dr. Vida A. Dennis, CNBR associate director, and Pooja M. Tiwari, a graduate student in ASU's Ph.D. program in microbiology. This invention establishes ASU as a national leader in nanobiotechnology research. "This invention is recognition of our strengths and capabilities in nanobiotechnology research at ASU," Singh said.. "Our invention brings us closer to developing a nanobiotechnology product that could be marketed in the near future. These new breakthroughs will attract new talents to ASU." Dennis said it is exciting that ASU's "remarkable" research capabilities are recognized nationally and internationally and that such groundbreaking research opportunities are available for ASU's students and faculty. "This invention is extremely exciting, as it puts ASU at the forefront for potentially curing RSV infections using novel nanomaterials," Dennis said. Tiwari agrees that this invention is important and places the CNBR on par with top research institutes in the world. "This invention is a great achievement of CNBR and could prove vital for RSV treatment," Tiwari said. "I feel proud to be a part of CNBR and ASU. As we ASU Hornets proudly say: 'If you haven't seen ASU lately, you haven't seen ASU.'" For more information, please visit the Center for NanoBiotechnology Research website, www.alasu.edu/crest<http://www.alasu.edu/crest>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!