The Nebraska Drug Discovery and Development Pipeline (ND3P) recently engaged more than 220 University of Nebraska (NU) researchers at its second annual ND3P Symposium. Two days of presentations provided information about new tools and approaches as well as updates on strategies used by NU investigators to advance drug development.
ND3P builds upon the collaborative relationship between the NU System and the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska. As a University Affiliated Research Center designated by the Department of Defense (DOD) and sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command, NSRI provides a direct relationship between the ND3P and numerous potential DOD customers for research topics related to pharmaceutical development.
"This year’s symposium was a testament to the active interest of university researchers to contribute their time, talent and expertise across the drug discovery and development pipeline, specifically for the DOD," said Dr. Ken Bayles, ND3P co-director and associate vice chancellor for basic science research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. "I am grateful to all of the presenters and moderators for bringing forward their perspectives to keep our campuses on the cutting edge of research in this area.”
David Berkowitz, Willa Cather Professor of Chemistry at UNL and co-lead of the ND3P noted that "this year's ND3P Symposium builds on the high bar established by the inaugural symposium in 2021, through which scientific leaders from across the Nation exchange ideas on frontier science topics relevant to drug development. DNA-encoded libraries (DELs), computational de novo protein design and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) were among the most exciting themes of the highly interactive two-day symposium this year."
Presenters included:
David Baker, Ph.D.
"RosettaFold Opens Up New Vistas for Protein Structure Prediction and Protein Therapeutics Design"
Head of the Institute for Protein Design
University of Washington | Seattle, WA
Stephanie Berger, Ph.D.
"High-Affinity Miniprotein Inhibitors for IL-23R and IL-17A and F for Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases"
Senior Research Associate
Institute for Protein Design
University of Washington | Seattle, WA
David Hage, Ph.D.
"Advancing Drug Development and Characterization through Innovative Uses of Immunoaffinity Chromatography"
James Hewett University Professor of Chemistry
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE
Lisa Marcaurelle, Ph.D.
"DNA-Encoded Libraries as a Powerful Tool in Drug Discovery"
Senior Scientific Director
GlaxoSmithKline | Cambridge, MA
R. Lee Mosley, Ph.D.
"Transformative Immunity"
Professor and Director of the Movement Disorders Program in the Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders and the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience
University of Nebraska Medical Center | Omaha, NE
Bryan Roth, MD, Ph.D.
"Structure-Guided Discovery of New Ligands for G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)"
Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor
Department of Pharmacology
The University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, NC
ND3P also welcomed several industry presenters, including:
- Chris Connelly, Streck
- Brad Hunsley, Streck
- Ben Kuspa, Nebraska State Department of Economic Development
- Peggy Ruhn, Celerion
- Arpi Siyahian, Ph.D., NUtech Ventures
- Gyantri Varma, Ph.D., AstraZeneca
ND3P is one of the ‘Big Ideas’ chosen by the NU System and the NU Foundation to foster collaborative research in cutting-edge research areas across the campus. ND3P draws upon strengths in fundamental science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) in Lincoln, Nebraska, and biomedical science from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha, Nebraska.
As an example, one major ND3P project is directed at the development of pharmaceutical agents of value for protection both before and after exposure to radiological agents, specifically protective agents for acute radiation syndrome. This project utilizes complementary tools of organic synthesis, radiation biology, metabolomics, pharmacokinetics and dynamics and systems biology from experts at both UNL and UNMC in a highly collaborative endeavor.
Learn more about ND3P at nsri.nebraska.edu/nd3p.
###
About the National Strategic Research Institute
Through the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska leading scientists deliver innovative national security research, technology, product and strategy development, training and exercises, and subject matter expertise to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. One of only 14 DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Centers in the country, NSRI is sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command and works to ensure the United States’ safety and preparedness against increasingly sophisticated threats. Read about our mission.
