New York, NY (March 13, 2003) -- The guilty gene responsible for initiating oncogenesis in Kaposi's Sarcoma has been identified -- at last -- by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College. As reported in the latest issue of Cancer Cell, Kaposi's Sarcoma associated Herpes Virus (KSHV), which is consistently detected within this highly vascularized cancer, carries the gene, vGPCR. The vGPCR (viral G-Protein Coupled Receptor) gene has been a suspect for a long time. However, scientists have been faced with the conundrum that vGPCR is not expressed either long enough or in enough of the cells within the KS tumor to be "pinned"down.Now, Dr. Enrique Mesri of Weill Cornell and colleagues propose a new scenario and a new mechanism -- namely, a "hit and run" type of crime, where vGPCR is expressed just long enough to cause the initial damage, but then retreats so as not to be caught. These findings, generally, reveal a new way to look at the role of viruses in disease and to determine which genes may be important targets for treatments. Specifically, this research offers the promise for alternative treatments of Kaposi's Sarcoma by blocking the actions of the vGPCR protein itself.
Jessica Weeks, assistant professor of government, won a Junior Faculty Research Grant from the Smith Richardson Foundation for her book project 'Dictators at War.' (Nov. 30, 2010)
Winters are getting warmer and some crops are starting to bloom earlier. Climate change is already upon us, but changes are not uniform across regions or species.
President David Skorton announced the naming of the Carolyn 'Biddy' Martin Room at Martin's farewell reception on Bailey Plaza, Sept. 2. (Sept. 3, 2008)
Ritch Savin-Williams, professor of developmental psychology and director of Cornell's Sex and Gender Lab, talked with media members about the dangerous myth of 'fragile' gay youth. (Nov. 10, 2010)
Five Cornellians with careers from medicine to forensic science to art preservation will return to campus April 11 for "The Places You Will Go: How Chemistry Impacted my Life – Cornell and Beyond."
Tatiana Homonoff, assistant professor of policy analysis and management, won the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Government Finance and Taxation award for her dissertation scholarship.
Educator Maire Ullrich, who consults on vegetable crops for Cornell Cooperative Extension, and farmer Jeff Kubecka of Kirkville, N.Y., have both won Excellence in IPM Awards from the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM…
Alumni recently elected Gregory Galvin, M.S. '82, Ph.D. '84, MBA '93, and Rana Glasgal '87, M.Eng. '92, as alumni trustees. Their terms will begin July 1. (April 11, 2011)
A large, cheerful crowd of students, faculty, alumni, staff, local residents and campus visitors got a taste of the Cornell community spirit at the Street Fair on the Arts Quad Aug. 25. The event followed the installation of Martha E. Pollack as Cornell’s 14th president.