E TNOMETODOLOGÍA DE LA CIENCIA Y EL P ROGRAMA C ONSTRUCTIVISTA

The SAB will meet on an annual basis, nominally at the IBT, to review scientific progress and provide guidance to enhance and maximize the full potential of the new CEDP. These half-day “retreats” have served Dr. Dashwood well during multiple years as program director on P01- type applications, and they help to prioritize new research leads and directions for sustained success.

The annual SAB meetings will include all CEDP faculty members and collaborating scientists, as well as staff, students, postdoctoral scholars, and visiting scientists. A rotating chair will be selected from among the SAB members to coordinate the Annual Report, which will be submitted to the CEDP director within one month following the annual meeting.

A more thorough review will be performed by the SAB every five years. Based on the prior five annual reports, the SAB will confirm that the CEDP remains true to its mission and, should it not, the SAB can recommend new directions, personnel changes, or discontinuation of the center. The SAB will generate a formal report based on this five-year review for submission following the standard administrative procedure for the evaluation of Centers and Institutes (TAMU, SAP 11.02.99.M0.01).

The initial members of the SAB will be:

 Dr. Sharon Dent, Professor/Chair, Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, MD Anderson Cancer Center Smithville, co-director, Center for Cancer Epigenetics;

 Dr. David Threadgill, CRI recipient, Director Whole Systems Genome Initiative, Professor of VTPB, Texas A&M;

DEQIANG SUN Assistant Professor

TBD Associate Professor YUN (NANCY) HUANG

Assistant Professor TBD Assistant Professor BRETT GIROIR CEO, TAMHSC CHERYL WALKER Director, IBT

MANAGEMENT TEAM RODERICK DASHWOOD

Center Director, CEDP

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD (SAB)

CEDP FACULTY

PRAVEEN RAJENDRAN Assistant Professor

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 Dr. Janet Braam, Head, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University;  Dr. Peter Davies, Alkek Chair and Director, CTCR, and Executive Associate Director of the

IBT.

Potential faculty members and summary of research activities.

 Roderick H. Dashwood, Ph.D., John S. Dunn Endowed Chair, Professor at IBT, and CEDP Director. Dr. Dashwood’s research focuses on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in cancer development. He has shown that dietary compounds in cooked meat called heterocyclic amines, when fed to rats, produce tumors in the colon and in other target tissues. These tumors are characterized by genetic changes in oncogenes and tumor suppressors (e.g., β-catenin, K-ras, and APC mutations). He has also demonstrated that dietary chemoprotective agents can suppress the development of these tumors via epigenetic mechanisms. The epigenetic aspects include changes in histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and protein acetylation. Sulforaphane from broccoli, garlic organosulfur and organoselenium compounds, and a short-chain fatty acid derived from gut fermentation of dietary fiber (butyrate) were shown by Dr. Dashwood to inhibit HDAC activity in human cancer cells and to trigger growth arrest or apoptosis. Dr. Dashwood is now translating this work to humans, examining HDAC and protein acetylation changes in volunteers undergoing screening colonoscopy exams, as part of a multi-investigator P01 grant funded by the NCI (see below).

 Yun (Nancy) Huang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at IBT. Dr. Huang’s research interests are directed towards understanding how DNA methylation/demethylation balance is maintained in mammals and how aberrant DNA methylation and its oxidation products contribute to human cancer. Dr. Huang’s ongoing research includes using high-throughput sequencing to study the DNA modifications in human cancer, elucidating the role of DNA modification enzymes in mouse models, and exploring novel anti-cancer or preventive strategies by targeting key epigenetic pathways. Dr. Huang has contributed seminal findings towards the functional characterization of ten eleven translocation (TET) enzymes in hematological malignancies. Dr. Huang pioneered the use of innovative tools to probe the “sixth DNA base”, 5- hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), in the human genome and was among the first to profile the hydroxylmethylome in mouse embryonic stem cells. Her recent studies related to TET enzymes and 5hmC have appeared in the top scientific journals and are highly cited. She was recruited to the TAMHSC, IBT, on a highly competitive CPRIT scholar award in 2014.

 Deqiang Sun, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at IBT. Dr. Sun specializes in the development of statistical methods and bioinformatics software, and the performance of computational analysis on high-throughput sequencing data, such as Bisulfite-Seq, ChIP-Seq, and RNA-Seq, to extract biological insights especially in transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in development and disease. Dr. Sun’s primary research lies in bioinformatics, a growing research area where computational, mathematical, and statistical methods are applied to solve biological problems. Biology is digital by nature, demonstrated by the fact that all living organisms store their genetic information in DNA using 4 nucleotides. The detection of 5th and 6th nucleotides, 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine as epigenetic modification to nucleotide C, also becomes

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digital through popular bisulfite sequencing and promising single molecule direct sequencing. In addition to DNA methylation, other major epigenetic mechanisms affect histone modifications and nucleosome positioning. Long non-coding RNA and other non-coding RNAs also have gained much attention in the past several years. Using state-of-the-art technology, the interface of Epigenomics, Genomics, and Transcriptomics is approached systematically using computation and “big data” on a genome-wide scale.

 Praveen Rajendran, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at IBT. Among the different epigenetic mechanisms that affect cancer development, modulators of HDAC activity have shown promise in the clinic, both as cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic agents. Studies conducted by Dr. Rajendran and colleagues have focused on HDAC inhibition and HDAC protein turnover in human colon cancer cells treated with dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs). Recent work has shown that acetylation of non-histone proteins, for example DNA repair proteins, influences DNA damage and repair pathways, specifically in cancer cells but not normal cells. Current research is directed towards clarifying these emerging concepts and the potential of dietary agents to act as chemo- and/or radio-sensitizers. The findings are being corroborated in preclinical models of GI cancer, including diseases that have unmet needs. These studies have the potential to contribute to the new field of Nutriepigenomics and to a better understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in cancer prevention and treatment.

 Cheryl Walker, Ph.D., Welch Chair and Director of the IBT. Dr. Walker’s lab explores how cancer happens on the molecular level, including gene environment interactions that can promote development of this disease. Studies being conducted in her laboratory are identifying the mechanisms responsible for the development of cancers of the male genitourinary tract (kidney and prostate) and female reproductive tract (uterus) with the goal of utilizing this information to develop new targeted therapies for these diseases.

 Peter Davies, Ph.D., Alkek Chair and Director, (CTCR), and Executive Associate Director of the IBT. Dr. Davies’ focus is to promote the translation discoveries in cancer cell biology into interventions of value in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

 Clifford Stephan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the CTCR at the IBT. Aligning with the mission of CTCR, Dr. Stephan’s research interests include drug discovery, high- throughput drug screening and combinatorial drug screening.

 Robin Fuchs-Young, Ph.D., Professor at the IBT and TAMHSC College of Medicine (COM). Dr. Fuchs-Young’s laboratory studies the basic mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis, including the cross-talk between the estrogen receptor alpha (ER), IGF-1 and p53 signaling cascades. Her research utilizes a variety of unique in vivo and in vitro models, including transgenic and humanized mice. An underlying theme is the discovery of bio-physiological determinants of disparities in breast cancer incidence and outcome.

 Stephen Safe, Ph.D., Professor at the IBT, and Director of the Center for Translational Environmental Health Research (CTEHR). Dr. Safe's research is

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focused on the molecular biology of cancer cell growth and development of new mechanism-based anticancer drugs, with emphasis in the areas of molecular biology of endocrine disruption chemicals, mechanisms of toxicity, breast cancer including mechanisms and therapeutics, pancreatic, prostate, colon, and bladder cancer including mechanisms of growth and effects of PPAR agonists.

 Susanne Talcott, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the TAMHSC Department of Nutrition and Food Science. Dr. Talcott’s research focuses on translational pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of botanical compounds and their physiological metabolites related to inflammation, cancer prevention, and intestinal health with a focus on human clinical trials.

 Mahua Choudhury, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy. Dr. Choudhury’s research interests include the prediction of disease risk, genes and the environment, pathology, principles of drug action, and endocrinology.

Agenda Item No. AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING Submitted by: Mark A. Hussey, Interim President

Texas A&M University

Subject: Authorization to Establish a Quasi-Endowment Entitled the “Harry G. Burkhart Quasi-Endowment for Cattle Research”

Proposed Board Action:

Authorize the president of Texas A&M University (Texas A&M) to establish a quasi-endowment entitled the “Harry G. Burkhart Quasi-Endowment for Cattle Research” to provide support for cattle research.

Background Information:

Mr. Harry G. Burkhart, III made a bequest of land to Texas A&M in his will to be used for conducting cattle research. After Mr. Burkhart’s death, the will was contested and, as part of the settlement of the will contest, Texas A&M agreed that when the land was sold, 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the land would be paid to MD Anderson. The land has been sold for a total of $6,171,928.95 and the agreed upon payment to MD Anderson has been made from the proceeds.

It is recommended by Dr. William A. Dugas, Acting Vice Chancellor and Acting Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, that a quasi-endowment in the amount of $5,000,000 be established from the proceeds from the sale of the land. The remaining funds will be used for current expenses in cattle research.

A&M System Funding or Other Financial Implications:

Income generated from this quasi-endowment will be used to provide support for cattle research.

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Agenda Item No.

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Office of the President

February 24, 2015 Members, Board of Regents

The Texas A&M University System

Subject: Authorization to Establish a Quasi-Endowment Entitled the “Harry G. Burkhart Quasi-Endowment for Cattle Research”

I recommend adoption of the following minute order:

“The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System authorizes the president of Texas A&M University to establish a quasi- endowment in the amount of $5,000,000 to be entitled the ‘Harry G. Burkhart Quasi-Endowment for Cattle Research.’ The account will be created with funds received from the sale of land bequeathed by the estate of Mr. Harry G. Burkhart, III. Endowment earnings from the quasi- endowment will be used to provide support for cattle research.”

Respectfully submitted,

Mark A. Hussey Interim President

Approval Recommended: Approved for Legal Sufficiency:

________________________ ________________________

John Sharp Ray Bonilla

Chancellor General Counsel

Billy Hamilton

Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer

________________________ Maria L. Robinson

Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer

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[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]

[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY] [ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]

[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]

Page 1 of 2 Agenda Item No. AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING Submitted by: Mark A. Hussey, Interim President

Texas A&M University

M. Katherine Banks, Vice Chancellor and Dean

Director, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station

Subject: Approval for System Employees to Serve as Members of the Board of Directors and/or Officers of an Entity Commercializing Technology Owned by The Texas A&M University System

Proposed Board Action:

Approval for LauraLee Hughes, MBIOT, Director, Office of Technology Translation, a Texas A&M University (Texas A&M) employee within the Health Science Center (TAMHSC), to serve on behalf of The Texas A&M University System (A&M System) as a member of the board of directors and/or officer of Fortis Biosciences, Inc., and for Dr. Robert C. Alaniz, a faculty member in the TAMHSC at Texas A&M, and Dr. Arul Jayaraman, a faculty member in the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M, to each serve in their individual capacities as a member of the board of directors and/or officer of Fortis Biosciences, Inc., an entity that is commercializing technology developed by Dr. Alaniz and Dr. Jayaraman and owned by the A&M System.

Background Information:

Fortis Biosciences, Inc. (Fortis) is an early stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel biopharmaceutical products based on metabolites derived from the microbiota naturally found in humans, with a focus on utilizing these metabolites for the treatment of an array of inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases. Fortis previously entered into an agreement with the A&M System that provides the company with an exclusive option to negotiate a license for the relevant technologies. This agreement expires August 27, 2015, and the A&M System, TAMHSC, and Fortis are currently in the process of reviewing the company’s commercialization plans and developing multiple applications for Phase I SBIR awards to obtain the funding needed to advance the technology and development of specific products.

The Texas A&M employees proposed as members of the board of directors and/or officers for Fortis have the requisite expertise and experience to manage and provide strategic direction for the company’s development activities. Ms. Hughes currently manages commercialization activities for the TAMHSC and has significant programmatic experience, including previously serving as a manager for several of A&M System key biodefense programs, such as the DARPA Blue Angel Program (which resulted in the plant-based biopharmaceutical production facility operated by Caliber Biotherapeutics) and more recently, the Texas A&M Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM). Dr. Alaniz is a co-inventor of the technology being commercialized by Fortis. He has extensive expertise in cellular immunology and has been exploring mucosal microbiology and immunology and the pathogenesis of mucosal pathogens for his entire professional career. Dr. Jayaraman, whose research is administered by the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, is also a co-inventor and has extensive

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Agenda Item No. Agenda Item Briefing

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experience with the identification of microbiota metabolites and their role in host inflammation. Drs. Jayaraman and Alaniz have an on-going collaboration that has resulted in a funded NIH R21 grant, and multiple co-authored publications. Additionally, Drs. Jayaraman and Alaniz are participants in an NIEHS-funded Center for Environmental and Translational Health Research, in which the microbiome and metabolomics are both core themes.

Pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.912, Section 4.6 of System Policy 17.01, Intellectual Property Management and Commercialization, and Section 1.2 of System Regulation 31.05.04, Outside Activities – Business Entities Having an Agreement with the System, Board of Regents approval is required for Dr. Alaniz and Dr. Jayaraman to each serve as a member of the board of directors and/or officer of Fortis Biosciences, Inc. Any potential future conflicts of interest will be evaluated under System Regulation 15.01.03, Financial Conflicts of Interest in Sponsored Research. An approved conflict of interest plan will be in place no later than the date of the signing of the license agreement.

A&M System Funding or Other Financial Implications:

TAMHSC has reimbursed Texas A&M System Technology Commercialization for the cost of attorney expenses for the creation of the corporate documents and the A&M System, on behalf of TAMHSC, retains 35% equity in the company.

Agenda Item No.

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

TEXAS A&M ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION March 6, 2015

Members, Board of Regents

The Texas A&M University System

Subject: Approval for System Employees to Serve as Members of the Board of Directors and/or Officers of an Entity Commercializing Technology Owned by The Texas A&M University System

I recommend adoption of the following minute order:

“The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System hereby approves for LauraLee Hughes, a Texas A&M University employee within the Texas A&M Health Science Center, to serve on behalf of The Texas A&M University System as a member of the board of directors and/or officer of Fortis Biosciences, Inc., and for Robert C. Alaniz and Arul Jayaraman, employees of Texas A&M University, to each serve in their individual capacities as a member of the board of directors and/or officer of Fortis Biosciences, Inc., an entity commercializing technology developed by Dr. Alaniz and Dr. Jayaraman and owned by The Texas A&M University System.”

Respectfully submitted,

Mark A. Hussey M. Katherine Banks

Interim President Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering

Director, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Submission Recommended:

Brett P. Giroir

Executive Vice President and CEO

Approval Recommended: Approved for Legal Sufficiency:

John Sharp Ray Bonilla

Chancellor General Counsel

Billy Hamilton

Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer

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[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY] [ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]

[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]

[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]

[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]

Agenda Item No.

AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING Submitted by: Mark A. Hussey, Interim President

Texas A&M University

Subject: Approval for Mr. Andre Thomas, a System Employee, to Serve as an Officer, a Member of the Board of Directors and an Employee of an Entity that Proposes to License Technology from The Texas A&M University System

Proposed Board Action:

Approval for Mr. Andre Thomas, a faculty member in the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University (Texas A&M), to serve in his individual capacity as an officer, member of the board of directors and employee of Triseum LLC, an entity that desires to enter into a license with The Texas A&M University System (A&M System) for technology developed by Mr. Thomas.

Background Information:

Mr. Andre Thomas has spent nearly 20 years in CGI production and was formerly the Head of Graphics – Football for EA Sports Football games (NCAA, Madden, Head Coach, NFL Tour). Mr. Thomas joined the faculty of the Visualization department in the College of Architecture at Texas A&M in January 2014 where he is currently teaching Game Design, Game Development and interactive graphics techniques, and is in the process of establishing the Learning Interactive Visualization Experience Lab – LIVE. Since joining A&M’s Viz Lab, Mr. Thomas has led the software development and designed an interactive, online game for art history classes; the previous version of that game was used in the classroom in the spring 2014 semester by around 500 students. The team is expected to test the new version of this game later this fall semester in the classroom at

In document Intervención y efectos en Ian Hacking (página 43-46)