The peace conference this year will be from Sept 19-23 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Kambiz Shekdar will be presenting Automated cell engineering: Production of cell based assays that are accurate in vitro correlates of in vivo target activity and faster biologics production on Sunday, September 20th.
The Chromovert drug discovery platform uses transient fluorogenic nucleic acid probes to scan millions of clones for accelerated isolation of rare, optimal cell lines even for targets that had eluded prior reduction to cell based assays. Within three months, cell based assays that represent accurate in vitro correlates of in vivo target activity “IVC” can be produced for any target regardless of its sequence or biology. Data across a diverse set of challenging targets is presented and compared to traditional production methods (e.g., addition of tags or reliance on truncated or modified receptors) and targets lacking all or accessory subunits.
Location: Hunter College of the City University of New York Department of Biological Sciences Fall 2009 Seminar Series
On September 15th, Kambiz Shekdar will be presenting Chromovert Technology: Rapid Cell Engineering for Systems Biology Applications.
For the first time, it is possible to accurately model complex ion channels and receptors as they exist in vivo with the scalability to effectively navigate systems biology applications. Many ion channels and receptors are expressed in specialized differentiated cells (e.g., neurons, epithelial cells) and have been difficult to reliably model in heterologous cell based assays (e.g., CHO, 293). Chromovert technology uses transient fluorogenic nucleic acid probes to scan millions of individual cells for accelerated isolation of rare, optimal cell lines even for heteromultimeric ion channels and receptors that had eluded prior reduction to cell based assays. Within three months, cell based assays that represent accurate in vitro correlates of in vivo target activity can be produced for any target regardless of its sequence or biology.
Title & Topics:
Non-Academic Options for Biology PhDs: Challenging Science and Business Opportunities in Industry.
From widget making to exploiting opportunities of unprecedented scale: the emergence of high caliber
industry science
Starting a company right after grad school
Establishing a creative setting for scientists
Setting and meeting goals: Unique requirements and challenges to securing positions and excelling in industry
Date: Thursday, 06/25/2009 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (UMDNJ Campus),
Dean’s Conference Room (Rm-123)
675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Dr. Kambiz Shekdar received his B.A. from Rutgers University in 1995 and his Ph.D. from the lab of Nobel Laureate Gunter Blobel at The Rockefeller University in 2003. Right after graduate school, Dr. Shekdar co-founded Chromocell Corporation to commercialize the Chromovert technology invented from the lab. The company is focused on several drug discovery programs in pain relief, anxiety treatment and respiratory disorders and also engaged in research and development for Chromovert technology applications in cell therapy, stem cells and other fields.
Please also find the attached flyer for details of this event. Although this is an open invitation and we encourage all to extend the invitation to any interested parties, we ask that ALL attendees please RSVP at the following e-mail address: secretary@rubiotech.org
About IESS: The Industry Expert Seminar Series (IESS) is intended to educate graduate, medical and post-doctoral students in the Rutgers University and UMDNJ community of the opportunities of advanced degree holders within industry, and to expose them to the non-academic career track. It is the hope of the Biotech & Pharma Association at Rutgers and UMDNJ (RUBiotech) that the IESS will not only facilitate awareness of strategies to prepare for positions in industry, but also foster dialogue and networking with current industry leaders.
North Brunswick, NJ –New Jersey Network featured Chromocell’s Intership Program on their Wednesday news section.
Courtesy of NJN
March 28th, 2009
North Brunswick, NJ - New Jersey Network featured Chromocell’s Ribbon Cutting and new research facility on their Friday news section. Courtesy of NJN
March 25th, 2009
North Brunswick, NJ – Ribbon cutting ceremony for new research facility in North Brunswick, NJ [read the press release] Photo by Arthur Paxton
March 19th, 2009
North Brunswick, N.J. – The founders of Chromocell along with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will be celebrating the opening of the new research facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wed. March 25, 2009, 2 – 3 pm. For more information, please contact info@chromocell.com.
February 17th, 2009
North Brunswick, N.J. – Chromocell presented some exciting results at cell based drug discovery conference on March 2, 2009 in Berlin, with a panel discussion to follow. In summary, high throughput screening is promising but high attrition rates have remained a problem. Our results show that drug discovery that relies on altered targets (i.e. adding protein tags or markers) or lacking all subunits for heteromultimeric targets is more akin to artifact discovery of mutant targets. We have enabled the reduction of previously inaccessible native (no amino acid modifications) and intact (comprising all subunits) targets for more effective drug discovery.
Cell Line Development and Engineering: Implementing Successful Cell Line Strategies
March 2, 2009 Berlin [link]
Parallel HTS of panels of native, intact targets to reduce high attrition rates of HTS
Chromovert was used to implement panels of GPCRs comprising native sequences. Compounds were tested against the panel for hits with minimal off-target activity. The results obtained directly in HTS were confirmed in humans. Initial data for a combinatorial panel of over 300 subunit combinations for GABA ion channels is also presented. Parallel implementation and screening of targets generates a greater level of data for prioritisation of HTS results. The recent availability of combinatorial cell panel approaches allows effective access to systems biology applications. Dr Kambiz Shekdar,Chief Scientific Officer,Chromocell Corporation, USA
Achieving cell based HTS assays with increased physiological relevance
The ion channel ENaC undergoes proteolysis for maturation. Limited proteolysis of a stable ENaC cell line produced using Chromovert led to the functional definition of multiple proteolyzed targets, some with diminished sensitivity to the ENaC blocker Amiloride. The role of these Amiloride-insensitive targets in indications such as COPD and CF where Amiloride has not been as effective as expected was investigated using corresponding modulators. Dr Kambiz Shekdar,Chief Scientific Officer,Chromocell Corporation, USA
December 29th, 2008
North Brunswick, N.J. – Chromocell has moved its offices and laboratory facilities to the Biotechnology Development Center (BDC) at 685 US Highway One. At the BDC, Chromocell is leasing 15,000 feet of newly built laboratory and office space. The move was prompted by Chromocell’s expansive growth over the past few years. Chromocell currently numbers greater than 70 employees, including a thriving internship program. The BDC is located on the campus of the Technology Centre of New Jersey in North Brunswick, NJ, a facility run by the New Jersey Economic Development Association. For more details see: http://www.njeda.com/newsletter/techtalk/vol7/a5.html
about chromovert
