SBU Center for Healthy Aging Seminar Series

Established in April 2023, Stony Brook University’s Center for Healthy Aging aims to promote healthy aging and extend physical and mental well-being through innovative research solutions. Please join them for our inaugural virtual seminar series.

Dr. Payel Sen, Stadtman Investigator, NIH
Epigenetic mechanisms of tissue aging
September 25th at 11 am
https://stonybrook.zoom.us/j/98037022918?pwd=XT2p35EKbehaazZpb0aLJtOW3a8gE1.1
Meeting ID: 980 3702 2918
Passcode: 426599

As we age, changes in our “epigenome” alter how our genes are regulated, ultimately impacting organ function. Our research focuses on understanding epigenomic changes in different organs. In this presentation, I will focus on skeletal muscle, which makes up 40% of our body weight and plays a key role in metabolism. As we age, our muscles tend to weaken, partly because the stem cells in our muscles that help repair and grow reduce in number and function. In our study, we looked at muscle stem cells from young, old, and geriatric mice and uncovered that as these cells age, they show signs of increased immune activity and start to lose their ability to stay dormant, which is vital for their function. We also identified specific areas of the genome that might be responsible for these changes. By targeting these areas, we could potentially restore the function of these stem cells and help maintain muscle health as we age.

Upcoming Topics & Dates:

  • October 30th, 11 am: Samantha Rossano, PhD, Medical Science Liaison, Life Molecular Imaging, Inc., Brain imaging biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease
  • November 20th, 11 am: Gregorio Valdez, PhD, GLF Translational Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Slowing muscle degeneration
  • February 26th, 11 am: Christopher Barrett Bowling, MD, MSPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences, Senior Fellow of the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, Geriatricizing chronic disease research
  • March 26th, 11 am: Dr. Frank Lin, MD, PhD, Director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Professor of Otolaryngology, Medicine, Mental Health, and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Team, Baltimore HEARS and the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
  • April 30th, 11 am: Dennis Selkoe, MD, Vincent and Stella Coates Professor of Neurologic Diseases, Harvard University, Role of soluble oligomers of amyloid beta in synaptic injury

LIHTI Venture Champion Fellowship

The Long Island High Technology Incubator (LIHTI) is inviting innovative and entrepreneurial individuals, with advanced training in STEMM disciplines, to join our team to support our Venture Champions Initiative. The VC Fellowship is powered by the LIHTI team, working collaboratively with a wide network of mentors and industry partners. In the long term, this fellowship aims to generate a pipeline of trained, entrepreneurially-minded fellows as well as a pool of commercially viable technologies for the Long Island Innovation ecosystem. Apply here to chart your commercialization career in hard tech.

Small Manufacturer Modernization Grant

The Long Island Manufacturing Extension Partnership (LIMEP) has a new Manufacturing Grant Opportunity for modernization and equipment needs.

Empire State Development (ESD) has a new grant opportunity to expand manufacturing businesses. Applications are due July 31st by 4PM for the ESD Manufacturing Grant program. Assisting small Long Island manufacturing companies is a top priority of ESD and the regional MEP. Those interested in applying are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the team at LIMEP: https://www.stonybrook.edu/mtrc/

Additional information about the Small Manufacturer Modernization Grant Program can be found on the ESD website: https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/long-island

CFB Client Envisagenics Secures $25 Million Series B Funding to Advance RNA Splicing Therapeutics

Envisagenics, an AI-enabled biotechnology firm specializing in RNA splicing therapeutics, has announced the completion of its Series B funding round. This round included investments from existing supporters Third Kind Venture Capital, Empire State Development, and Red Cell Partners, as well as new strategic investor Bristol Myers Squibb, which has been collaborating with Envisagenics on oncology research since 2022.

Read more about Envisagenics Series B award here.

Dr. Carol A. Carter Elected to U.S. National Academy of Sciences

Congratulations to Dr. Carol A. Carter, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM), who was recently elected aa a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS.

The NAS is made up of the country’s leading researchers, who are elected in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive.

Dr. Carter is best known as an early pioneer in HIV research. At the onset of the AIDS pandemic, she advanced understanding of the viral-encoded protease and purified the viral capsid protein for structural and biochemical studies. She has also conducted research on Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Virus-2 (SARS CoV-2), pathogens causing organ transplant rejection and COVID-19, respectively.

The Center for Biotechnology has had supported Dr. Carter’s interests in exploring the potential commercial applications of her research through our NIH-REACH program and Long Island Bioscience Hub (LIBH).

Read more about Dr. Carter’s work and her recent nomination here.