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Dr. Luchini conducts research at GMU's CAPMM in Prince William County. Photo Courtesy of George Mason University.
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Prince William County, Virginia – 9/20/2011 – Dr. Alessandra Luchini, a researcher at George Mason University’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM), has been named among the ten top scientists under 40 by Popular Science. The recognition follows groundbreaking work by Luchini and her colleagues in developing technology that uses protein biomarkers in blood and urine as a means of early diagnosis and personalizing treatment of disease.
While the technology pioneered by Luchini and her colleagues is still in the development phase, several clinical tests are delivering promising results, according to the George Mason University.
"Dr. Luchini’s nanoparticles have revolutionary potential to improve the diagnosis of early-stage cancer and infectious disease," says Lance Liotta, co-director of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine at George Mason University (CAPMM). "This could reduce suffering and death for millions."
Prince William-based Ceres Nanosciences, A spin-off company from GMU, has already licensed Luchini’s biomarker discovery under the name Nanotrap. Luchini serves as Ceres’ co-director of science and oversees use of this technology as a means of discovering specific molecules in bodily fluids.
"The nanoparticles that Dr. Luchini developed both solve and overcome many of the technical barriers that have prohibited biomarker discovery," Emanuel Petricoin III, co-director of CAPMM explains. "Armed with this technology, we can envision the next five years being one of explosive growth for the discovery of new biomarkers for early detection of diseases."
"The research underway now being lead by Dr. Luchini and her colleagues at The Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine at GMU’s Prince William Campus holds promise for improvements in disease diagnosis and medical care as well as for future economic growth," said Brent M. Heavner of Prince William County’s Department of Economic Development. "What you are seeing when you look at cutting edge research like this is the technology that will drive job growth for the next generation. We could not be more excited that it is occurring right here in Prince William County."