Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Cell signaling consists of the set of biochemical interactions that mediate physiological changes within and between living cells. When a ligand binds to a receptor, for example, the interaction causes a biochemical response within the cell. Many diseases are associated with signaling pathways that have gone awry -- cancer, allergy, asthma, and acute inflammation are all examples of cellular responses unchecked by normally self regulating pathways. The absence of a single protein or lipid can result in the disruption of a pathway that may be crucial for cellular function. The CCS Faculty seeks to understand these fundamental signaling pathways. By identifying technologies to manipulate the signaling processes, highly selective pharmaceutical agents can be developed to treat cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

• New technology from
  CCS has also been developed and licensed by Echelon to create a molecular sensor for directly monitoring heparin levels in blood.
• A microbiological assay platform invented by Dr. C. D. Poulter for identification of selective
  anti-anthrax agents was also optioned by Echelon.
• The discovery in 2002 of a natural ligand for the nuclear protein target
  of the $3 B/yr diabetes drug rosiglitazone
  emerged from collaboration by Dr's.
  McIntyre, Prestwich, and Zimmerman.

• Echelon Biosciences, Inc.

• ComGenex
• Molecular Probes,
  Inc. - acquired by Invitrogen, Inc.
• Salus Therapeutics - acquired by Genta Inc.