Small-molecule screening collaboration opportunities for consortium researchers

Brief

Generous private donations will enable members of the Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium to conduct small-molecule screens in collaboration with Dr. Julian Simon of the Clinical Research and Human Biology divisions.

Small-molecule screens to identify chemicals that may serve as useful research tools or potential drugs-an approach also known as chemical genetics-already is used in Simon's lab, which has engaged in informal collaborations with other center researchers.

The $100,000 grant was awarded from the $2 million Hartwell Innovation Fund, which was established in 2001 with a $1 million donation from board member Craig Mundie and his wife Marie, and $1 million donated by attendees of the 2001 Hutch Holiday Gala.

With the funding, more researchers will have the opportunity to use chemical genetics to benefit their research. The grant will be used to purchase a small-molecule chemical library and to pay for miscellaneous laboratory costs associated with the research.

Chemical genetics allows scientists to rapidly identify chemicals that impair or alter the function of a protein of interest-such as one involved in cancer-in a way that is analogous to the result of a mutation in a gene. While both approaches help scientists understand how proteins work, chemical genetics has the advantage of yielding drugs that are easily added or removed at will to cause a particular effect in a cell or animal.

For more information, contact Simon at jsimon@fhcrc.org or 206-667-6241.

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