At Michigan State University, researchers are unlocking the power of genuine collaboration to drive discovery and create healthier tomorrows for all.
Spartan engineers are partnering with biological and health scientists to develop innovative solutions to fight diseases and improve treatments.
“Engineers and biological scientists look at problems differently,” says Christina Chan, University Distinguished Professor, George W. Bissell Professor and interim chairperson of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. “The advantage of having different perspectives is that then people come with different backgrounds, and that tends to engender a more creative approach to solving some of these research problems and questions that are raised.”
Through a grant funded by MSU Gran Fondo donations, researchers will study two compounds that could improve treatment for melanoma. The team believes a compound they developed and a second one already approved by the FDA could increase the number of melanoma patients who respond well to a therapeutic called immune checkpoint inhibitors and prevent them from developing resistance to the treatment.
Remember to sign up for this year's MSU Gran Fondo on September 18 in Grand Rapids! Ride solo, as a family or join a team on one of the scenic 80, 40, 25 or 10-mile courses. The ride supports the college's skin cancer awareness, prevention and research.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type diagnosed in the United States in both men and women. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be nearly 150,000 new cases in 2021 and over 50,000 deaths. But CRC is preventable and very treatable if caught early. “Disparities in CRC screening have persisted in the African American community, but we have the tools to do something about it. If Black Lives Matter, then Black health should matter too,” Todd Lucas.