Recent News

Stem Cell Research: The Promise and Perils Listen to Dr. Kessler Stem cell research has garnered a great deal of hype and controversy. Hear from one of the leading experts in the field, John A. Kessler, MD, chair of the neurology department at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Kessler is the Davee Professor of[…]

Senyei-Supported Study Leads to Progress in Parkinson’s Disease Treatment In 2006, the newly established Drew Senyei, MD, Translational Research Awards supported four projects. The awards were made possible by a $1 million gift from Dr. Senyei, a 1979 medical school alumnus and Northwestern University Board of Trustees member, and exemplify Northwestern University’s commitment to “bench[…]

Connecting Science to You at www.scienceinsociety.northwestern.edu Above is an image of a “gene chip,” a powerful new tool used by researchers and clinicians to look at variation in the human genome Northwestern is excited to launch a new Web site that provides attractive, consolidated, and searchable information on its research and outreach activities, all written[…]

Grant Support in 2007 Advances Lurie Cancer Center Goals Fueled by substantial grant support in 2007, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University sustains its status as a premier resource for patients seeking state-of-the-art care. Notable among recent grant awards was the receipt of a $25.6 million five-year renewal of a Cancer[…]

NUgene Grant Furthers Disease-Specific Genetic Research A $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will carry forward the work of the NUgene project in examining the role of genetics in common diseases, while creating research linkages both between Northwestern and other institutions and among disciplines within the Feinberg School of Medicine. The grant[…]

January 23, 2008 Contact: Marla Paul at (312) 503-8928 or atmarla-paul@northwestern.edu Scleroderma Study at Northwestern Will Test Anticancer Drug CHICAGO—Scleroderma, characterized by hardening of the skin and internal organs, is a chronic disease that is often classified as an autoimmune disorder. Scleroderma affects an estimated 300,000 people in the United States, most frequently young to[…]

Gerbie Honored at Retirement Reception Dr. Mel Gerbie addresses the crowd after receiving a crystal plaque fromDr. Sherman Elias (left), chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Well-wishers attending the reception included many department colleagues, such as Dr. Jeffrey Dungan, who shares a laugh with the person of honor. Friends, family, colleagues, and fellow[…]

January 21, 2008 Contact: Marla Paul at (312) 503-8928 or atmarla-paul@northwestern.edu Broadcast Media: Kris Lathan at (312) 926-2963 or klathan@nmh.org First U.S. Trial Transplants CD34+ Stem Cells to Investigate Prevention of Leg Amputations CHICAGO—A Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine researcher has launched the first U.S. trial in which a purified form of subjects’ own[…]

Northwestern to Observe MLK Jr. Day Northwestern has suspended classes on Monday, Jan. 21, on both campuses for a University-wide, full-day observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The celebration will include a series of events and talks, which are free and open to the public. Theodore M. Shaw, director-counsel and president of the National[…]

January 16, 2008 Contact: Marla Paul at (312) 503-8928 or atmarla-paul@northwestern.edu Broadcast Media: Tamara Kerrill Field at (847) 491-4888 or attlk@northwestern.edu New Drug Lets Kids Feel Good in Their Skin CHICAGO—Maria Anichini, a 20-year-old junior at Columbia College, zipped up a fetching black lace cocktail dress with spaghetti straps to go out with friends the[…]

Spine Surgery Innovator Richard Fessler Appointed to the Feinberg School Richard G. Fessler, MD, PhD, a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery, joined the Feinberg School as professor of neurological surgery on October 1. “Dr. Fessler is internationally recognized for his expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery, which promises to alleviate pain and neurologic symptoms[…]

January 15 Broadcast Nationwide on PBS Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita, a feature length documentary film featuring John A. Kessler, MD, chair of the neurology department, will broadcast nationally on the PBS series, Independent Lens, on January 15, 2008. The film puts a human face on stem cell research through the story of Dr.[…]

Alum Trains for International Space Station Duty Michael R. Barratt, MD, ’85, GME ’88, is in Star City, Russia, training for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. In this e-mail interview, he provides insight into the world of a medical professional who is also a space traveler. Astronaut Dr. Michael Barratt trains for[…]

December 4, 2007 Contact: Marla Paul at (312) 503-8928 or atmarla-paul@northwestern.edu Lurie Cancer Center Receives Highest Rating and $25.6 Million Grant CHICAGO—The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University has been awarded a $25.6 million five-year renewal of its Cancer Center Support Grant by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). With this grant, the[…]

December 11, 2007 Contact: Pat Vaughan Tremmel at 847/491-4892 or atp-tremmel@northwestern.edu Subliminal Smells Bias Perception About a Person’s Likeability EVANSTON, Ill.—Anyone who has bonded with a puppy madly sniffing with affection gets an idea of how scents, most not apparent to humans, are critical to a dog’s appreciation of her two-legged friends. Now new research[…]

November 1, 2007 Contact: Marla Paul at (312) 503-8928 or atmarla-paul@northwestern.edu Broadcast Media: Tamara Kerrill Field at (847) 491-4888 or attlk@northwestern.edu Northwestern Exposing Most Deadly Infectious Diseases in 3-D $31 Million Federal Project Aims to Spur Wave of New Drug Discoveries CHICAGO—A scientist slides on a pair of plastic 3-D glasses and an unearthly blue[…]