Kathryn Uhrich
Kathryn Uhrich, April 2008
Born1965 (age 58–59)
NationalityAmerican
EducationGrand Forks Central High School
Alma materUniversity of North Dakota,
Cornell University
Known forPrevention of biofilm formation
Scientific career
FieldsCardiology
InstitutionsRutgers University,
Polymerix Corporation

Kathryn Uhrich (born 1965) is Dean of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, at The University of California, Riverside,[1] and founder of Polymerix Corporation.[2] She has received many awards for her research and work including the ACS Buck-Whitney Award and the Sioux Award. She was a fellow at both the National Academy of Inventors and the American Chemical Society in 2014.

Research

Her research mainly focuses on biodegradable polymers for use in dental and medical applications. These polymers consist of esters, amides and anhydrides, all of which are susceptible to hydrolysis, thus ensuring the breakdown of the polymer in the body's watery milieu.[3]

The oldest version of aspirin came from Hippocrates in the fifth century BC,[4] while the latest version, PolyAspirin, comes from Uhrich's lab at Rutgers University.[5] Polyaspirine consists of anhydrides and esters that hydrolytically degrade into the active ingredient in aspirin (salicylic acid). Her research was highlighted in "Aspirin: The Remarkable Story of a Wonder Drug" by Diarmuid Jeffreys.[6] Although the polymer was originally designed for biodegradable sutures, PolyAspirin is now undergoing clinical trials as a material for a new type of cardiac stent. This biodegradable stent controls the inflammation effects occurring after angioplasty, called restenosis and disappears when no longer needed.[7][8]

Kathryn Uhrich at Rutgers

Uhrich has collaborated with Professor Michael Tchikindas in the Rutgers Food Science department to investigate PolyAspirin and other plant-based polymers as a method for prevention of biofilm formation by microbes such as E. coli and Salmonella in food.[9][10]

In 1997, Uhrich first patented PolyAspirin.[11] All of Uhrich's inventions were originally licensed to Polymerix Corporation in 2000, to develop biodegradable polymerized drugs, and now being licensed through Rutgers. The technology includes more efficient delivery to targeted areas such as orthopedic implants, coronary stents and arthritic joints. Uhrich has at least 16 patents in the US and 160 patent applications pending worldwide, all of which are coordinated by Rutgers OCLTT.[12]

Uhrich's second research line is on polymeric micelles. Like soap, these polymers have a hydrophilic 'head' and a hydrophobic 'tail'. These molecules form a spherical particle in which you can pack a hydrophobic drug molecule. Uhrich's research group investigates two general classes of nanoscale polymeric micelles: amphiphilic star-like macromolecules (ASMs) and amphiphilic scorpion-like macromolecules (AScMs); both systems facilitate drug transport. ASMs behave as unimolecular micelles, where four polymer particles are covalently bound. AScMs consist of part of the star like macromolecules, and must first aggregate to form micellar structures. Because AScMs are easier to synthesize and have similar properties, the polymers are undergoing further proof of principle research in gene delivery of siRNA and plasmid DNA with Professor Charlie Roth.[13]

Also, the anionic (negatively charged) scorpion-like molecules inhibit cellular uptake of oxidized LDL, the 'bad' cholesterol in the body. This type of LDL is usually incorporated in macrophages, resulting in foam cell formation and formation of an atherosclerotic plaque which narrows or blocks the arteries.[14] Contrary to most anti-atherosclerotic drugs, the anionic polymer only targets LDL particles and not HDL particles. The delivery of these polymeric particles is now undergoing investigation with Professor Prabhas Moghe.[15][16]

Thirdly, her group is interested in micro-sized striped patterns of protein (such as serum albumin, immunoglobulin G, laminin and other growth factors) on biocompatible polymeric substrates (such as poly(methylmethacrylate) or PMMA). These proteins promote neuron cell growth, but are not always large enough to bridge the gap caused by injury and restore function to the nerve. Thus, Uhrich investigates the optimal dimensions for promoting neuronal growth in conjugation with Professors Helen Buettner,[17] Martin Grumet[18] and David Shreiber,[19] and the most effective patterning method to generate protein gradients. More recently, Uhrich's group is collaborating with Professor Sally Meiners of UMDNJ to create nerve guidance conduits from biodegradable polymers.[20]

Awards

Education

Professional career

  • researcher in the division of Lithographic Materials and Chemical Engineering, AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1992–1993[12]
  • researcher in the Corporate Research Laboratories, Eastman Kodak Company, 1990[12]
  • researcher for the Energy Research Center, 1984–1986[12]

References

  1. ↑ Grant, James (October 6, 2015). "Kathryn Uhrich Named Dean of College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences". Inside UCR.
  2. ↑ Trevor, Greg (November 3, 2003). "Polymer chemistry expert wins two major New Jersey awards". Rutgers Focus. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  3. ↑ Acton, Ashton, ed. (2013). Anhydrides—Advances in Research and Application. ISBN 978-1-4816-9716-3.
  4. ↑ Goldberg, Daniel R. (Summer 2009). "Aspirin: Turn of the Century Miracle Drug". Chemical Heritage Magazine. Chemical Heritage Foundation. 27 (2): 26–30. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  5. ↑ "From Willow Bark to PolyAspirin: Discovery and Invention". Program Listing The 37th Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting (May 22–25, 2005) New Brunswick, NJ. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  6. ↑ Jeffreys, Diarmuid (2004). Aspirin. The Remarkable Story of a Wonder Drug. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-59691-816-0.
  7. ↑ "Three Rutgers Profs Honored for Inventions". Rutgers Office of Research and Economic Development. 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  8. ↑ Ono, Miyu (January 25, 2016). "A Way to the Heart with Polymers". Curious Science Writers.
  9. ↑ Rosenberg, L.E.; Carbone, A.L.; Römling, U.; Uhrich, K.E.; Chikindas, M.L. (May 2008). "Salicylic acid-based poly(anhydride esters) for control of biofilm formation in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium". Letters in Applied Microbiology. 46 (5): 593–599. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765X.2008.02356.x. PMID 18373656. S2CID 205628108.
  10. ↑ "Michael L. Chikindas, Ph. D." Rutgers. Department of Food Science. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Polymers vs. Pain". Chemical Heritage Foundation. Archived from the original on June 15, 2010.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "KATHRYN ELIZABETH UHRICH" (PDF). Rutgers University. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Roth, Uhrich and Team Issued Patent". Rutgers School of Engineering. 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  14. ↑ Chnari, Evangelia; Nikitczuk, Jessica S.; Uhrich, Kathryn E.; Moghe, Prabhas V. (February 2006). "Nanoscale Anionic Macromolecules Can Inhibit Cellular Uptake of Differentially Oxidized LDL". Biomacromolecules. 7 (2): 597–603. doi:10.1021/bm0506905. PMID 16471936.
  15. ↑ "Novel nanotherapeutics target plaque formations in the artery, preventing rupture and debilitating heart disease". Translational Nanomedicine for Heart Disease.
  16. ↑ "Prof. Prabhas Moghe". Rutgers. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  17. ↑ Professor Helen Buettner's website Archived May 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ Professor Martin Grumet's website
  19. ↑ David Shreiber's website
  20. ↑ Griffin, Jeremy; Delgado-Rivera, Roberto; Meiners, Sally; Uhrich, Kathryn E. (June 1, 2011). "Salicylic acid-derived poly(anhydride-ester) electrospun fibers designed for regenerating the peripheral nervous system". Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A. 97A (3): 230–242. doi:10.1002/jbm.a.33049. PMC 3096072. PMID 21442724.
  21. ↑ "Professor Kathryn Uhrich Named ACS Fellow". Rutgers. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  22. ↑ Feiner, Fred (February 24, 2014). "Rutgers Chemistry Professors Kohn and Uhrich Named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors". CentralNewJersey.com. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  23. ↑ "The Sioux Award goes to Kathryn Uhrich" (PDF). Chemistry Newsletter. University of North Dakota. Fall 2013. p. 9. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Common Pathways Award". New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Kathryn Uhrich". Blavatnik Awards Young Scientists. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  26. ↑ "The Buck-Whitney Award". Eastern New York Section A Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  27. ↑ "UND Chemistry Department Alumn a and Grand Forks Native Kathryn Uhrich Named Fellow of American Chemical Society" (PDF). University of North Dakota. July 18, 2014.
  28. ↑ "UND Graduate Kathryn Uhrich becomes Dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at Rutgers University". University of North Dakota News and Events Blog. April 21, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Successful Women in Chemistry An Interview with Kathryn E. Uhrich, Rutg ers, the State University of New Jersey" (PDF). Women Chemists. Fall–Winter: 8–9. 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
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