Proteintech And Cell, Neuron Announce Winners Of Neuroscience Travel Grants

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eighth paragraph of release dated September 30, 2015 should be removed.

“The ability to detect a singular synaptic transmission could provide a diagnostic tool for neurological disorders at the very onset of disease”

The corrected release reads:

PROTEINTECH AND CELL, NEURON ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF NEUROSCIENCE TRAVEL GRANTS

“Synthetic molecular antibodies” and calcium imaging of cortical activity receive $1,000 stipends

Proteintech, the benchmark in antibodies, in partnership with Cell Press today announced that Markita Landry, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UC-Berkeley, and Jerry Chen, Ph.D., Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, have each been awarded $1,000 travel grant awards to the 2015 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting held October 17-21 in Chicago for their innovative use of antibodies in the field of neuroscience.

“Proteintech’s objective has always been to assist researchers in their scientific endeavors,” said Jason Li, CEO of Proteintech. “Our company began with that goal in mind by raising the standards of quality for antibodies, and we’re proud to continue that tradition by assisting these individuals in their striking work.”

Both prizes were awarded for novel approaches to studying neurons and neurotransmitters, the chemical signals neurons release and absorb to communicate with each other. Neuron-to-neuron communication is the basis of neurological function and remains a key to understanding neurological malfunction.

Landry was chosen for her work in developing novel nanosensors. Neurotransmitter release vesicles are often too small (about 40 nanometers wide) and too fast (occurring in milliseconds) to record in real-time with conventional imaging techniques. Landry has recently developed a platform of “synthetic molecular antibodies,” molecules engineered to fluoresce quickly, and specifically in the presence of certain neurotransmitters.

“The ability to detect a singular synaptic transmission could provide a diagnostic tool for neurological disorders at the very onset of disease,” Landry said of her work.

Chen’s research focuses on imaging multiple areas of the brain simultaneously to better understand the interaction and communication necessary to perform daily functions. A major centerpiece of his work includes the development of a multi-area two photon microscope that uses multiple laser beams to measure activity in individual neurons across different brain areas at once. Previously technology only allowed for viewing of a singular location. Chen will be presenting his work Tuesday, October 20.

“SfN is an amazing experience, where you can learn anything you want to know about neuroscience,” Chen said. “I’m grateful to attend and reconnect with colleagues with so much new science to share.”

About Proteintech Group

Proteintech is the benchmark for manufacturing original antibodies. With an emphasis on developing antibodies from whole proteins, Proteintech provides researchers with unmatched reliability and reproducibility. Founded by scientists in 2001 after their continued frustration with failed experiments due to low-grade antibodies, Proteintech is on a path to foster better science by producing the highest quality antibodies for every known human protein. For more information, please visit www.ptglab.com.

About Cell

The flagship journal of Cell Press, Cell is a bimonthly journal that publishes findings of unusual significance in any area of experimental biology, including but not limited to cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, virology and microbiology, cancer, human genetics, systems biology, signaling, and disease mechanisms and therapeutics. For more information, please visit http://www.cell.com/cell.

About Neuron

Published by Cell Press, Neuron is a bimonthly journal that has established itself as one of the most influential and relied upon journals in the field of neuroscience and one of the premier intellectual forums of the neuroscience community. It publishes interdisciplinary articles that integrate biophysical, cellular, developmental, and molecular approaches with a systems approach to sensory, motor, and higher-order cognitive functions. For more information, please visit http://www.cell.com/neuron.

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