Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently welcomed Vanderbilt University colleagues for a symposium on basic science research, with a focus on potential collaborations in the biomedical and biotechnology spaces.
The meeting on March 6 convened researchers from the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences focused on pharmacology, molecular physiology, and protein dynamics and biochemistry, alongside ORNL scientists engaged in exascale artificial intelligence, microbial science, molecular biophysics, neutron science, advanced mass spectrometry, and medical isotopes research and development.
ORNL's Paul Langan, associate laboratory director for Biological and Environmental Systems Science, said in welcoming remarks, "Vanderbilt is one of ORNL's core universities, and has been instrumental in helping support the lab's science mission throughout its history. We have many areas of mutual interest that can benefit from continued research engagements."
The symposium featured presentations on areas of potential partnership, including virtual high-throughput screening, health systems biology, discoveries in plants that can translate to human health, and the development of new radiopharmaceutical treatments.
One area discussed for potential cooperation is the development of new pathways to deliver targeted doses of medical isotopes such as the actinium-225 ORNL produces and sells under the DOE Isotope Program. Ac-225 has demonstrated success as a highly effective therapy for certain types of metastatic cancer. Both institutions are also working on developing AI to accelerate breakthroughs for human health, ranging from predicting the success of drug delivery and efficacy at the molecular level, to identifying the genes that could lead to better treatment for addiction and other disorders.
"This was a really wonderful day of stimulating science and collegial discussions. Given the high level of engagement on both sides, I am optimistic that exciting research programs will be nurtured and bear fruit," said John Kuriyan, dean of the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences and meeting co-host. "I look forward to learning more about potential individual and group plans for joint ventures."
"Participants are already exploring ideas and concepts in the areas identified for collaboration at the symposium," Langan added. "There's a great deal of excitement about how the expertise and capabilities of Vanderbilt and ORNL can be leveraged for innovative research."
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science . - Stephanie Seay
