Northern Arizona University biochemistry professor Ed Lewis has received a $850,000 Small Business Innovative Research Grant from the National Cancer Institute in support of a device that uses a new, faster approach to test potential cancer drugs.

Driving the device is a new approach to testing the drugs, reports the NAU Lumberjack. In contrast to traditional methods, which revolve around examining protein and drug structures, Lewis' method works on the principle of measuring the energy that is released through a reaction between potential cancer cures and cancer-causing DNA and RNA.

The machine, called EnergeneTM, can examine thousands of possible new cancer-fighting drugs per day, whereas current techniques are generally limited to approximately ten.

Lewis founded a startup company, called Energetic Genomics Corporation, in 2001 to help develop and commercialize the product.

---

For more information:

"NAU professor garners [sic] to fight cancer," Lumberjack Online, 03/25/2004