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June 30, 2009 Contact: GSU biochemist named Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scholar
ATLANTA – Georgia State University's Associate Professor Aimin Liu has been named a Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholar, receiving an award that will help the biochemistry researcher further explore how metals in cells play a role in biological processes affecting cancer cells. Liu will receive a grant of $100,000 per year for five years to further his research, which explores the interaction of metal ions in enzymes and proteins with other molecules in the body. “I am honored to receive this award,” Liu said. “The award is very essential for my future research in a new direction and dimension in my laboratory. I can predict that in a few years, we will have a very fruitful and very productive research program.” Robin Morris, vice president for research, said the honor reflects highly on the work of Liu, who came to Georgia State in August 2008 from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “Dr. Liu is the most recent in a long line of new faculty in the department to receive the award, and we're very excited about his research here at Georgia State," Morris said. “The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to have Dr. Liu join our faculty, and even more pleased that the Georgia Cancer Coalition has welcomed him with such an honor,” Dean Lauren Adamson said. “The College hosts 10 Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists, and is proud to support their cutting-edge research into this devastating disease.” Liu’s research has several current focuses. For a decade, he has researched the effects of metal ions — first iron, and then other transitional metals, such as zinc, copper and cobalt — and the role they play in generating free radicals, which can cause gene damage and mutation, leading to cancer. If free radicals grow in an uncontrolled manner, they can cause aging and damage in many tissues as well as in metabolic pathways. Liu is seeking how scientists can detect and count free radicals, and also how they respond to medicine. Liu is also working research into the metabolism of tryptophan, which plays a role in generating neurotransmitters such as serotonin. In cancer patients, treatments can trigger elevation of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, causing neurotransmitters to become out of balance, which can lead to psychiatric side effects. Liu’s neurobiochemical studies are supported by a recent four-year generous award from National Science Foundation and a National Institutes of Health subaward from Cornell University. The Georgia Cancer Coalition brings together government agencies, academic institutions, civic groups, corporations and health care organizations to help strengthen cancer prevention, research and treatment with a goal of making Georgia one of the nation’s top states for cancer care. The university is now home to 11 active Distinguished Cancer Scholars. Others include Michael Eriksen, director of the Institute of Public Health; Markus Germann, professor of biophysical chemistry; Susanna Greer, assistant professor of biology; Donald Hamelberg, assistant professor of chemistry; Robert Harrison, professor of computer science; Zhen Huang, professor of chemistry; Zhi-Ren Liu, professor of biology; Binghe Wang, professor of medicinal chemistry; Irene Weber, professor of structural biology; and Yujun Zheng, assistant professor of chemistry. For more about Liu, visit http://chemistry.gsu.edu/Liu.php. For more about the Georgia Cancer Coalition, visit www.georgiacancer.org.
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