Kathryn Uhrich

Kathryn Uhrich (b. 1965) is an Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, at Rutgers University, and founder of Polymerix Corporation. [ [http://www.njabr.org/njsor/outstanding_women_2004/kathryn_e_uhrich/ Dr. Kathryn Uhrich ] ]

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 are susceptible to hydrolysis, thus ensuring the breakdown of the polymer in the body’s watery milieu.

The oldest version of aspirin came from Hippocrates in the fifth century BC, while the latest version, PolyAspirin, comes from Uhrich's lab at Rutgers University. [ [http://acs.confex.com/acs/marm05/techprogram/P16870.HTM From Willow Bark to PolyAspirin: Discovery and Invention] ] 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 Diarmud Jeffreys.

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. The biodegradable stents are developed by Bioabsorbable Therapeutics Inc. [ [http://www.bioabsorbabletx.com Bioabsorbable Theurapeutics Inc] ]

Uhrich also collaborates with Professor Michael Tchikindas [ [http://foodsci.rutgers.edu/chikindas/index.html|Professor Michael Tchikindas' website] ] 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.In 1997, Uhrich first patented PolyAspirin. [ [http://www.chemheritage.org/educationalservices/pharm/asp/polasp.htm Polymers vs. Pain] ] 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. [Dr. Kathryn Uhrich] Uhrich has 16 patents in the US and 160 patent applications pending worldwide, all of which are coordinated by Rutgers OCLTT [ [http://ocltt.rutgers.edu/default.php Rutgers Office of Coroporate Liaisons and Technology Transfer] ] .

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 [ [http://biomedical.rutgers.edu/faculty.php?id=14 Professor Charlie Roth's website] ] . 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.

Contrary to most anti-atherosclerotic drugs, the anionic polymer only targets the bad cholesterol LDL particles and not the good cholesterol HDL. The delivery of these polymeric particles is now undergoing investigation with Professor Prabhas Moghe [ [http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~moghe/ Professor Prabhas Moghe's website] ] .

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 [ [http://sol.rutgers.edu/staff/buettner.html Professor Helen Buettner's website] ] , Martin Grumet [ [http://lifesci.rutgers.edu/~molbiosci/faculty/grumet.html Professor Martin Grumet's website] ] and David Shreiber [ [http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~shreiber/ David Shreiber's website] ] , 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.

Awards

- Blavatnik Award [ [http://www.nyas.org/about/blavatnik_07.asp Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists | The New York Academy of Sciences ] ] : Finalist, New York Academy of Science, 2007.

- Hall of Fame: Technology (Polymerix), New Jersey Technology Council, 2006

- New Jersey's Top Pharmaceutical Companies (Polymerix), NJBiz, 2005

- ACS Buck-Whitney Award, 2005

- Outstanding Scientist - New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research, 2004

- Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award: Medical/Technology Transfer - New Jersey R&D Council, 2003

- Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, 2003

- National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2000-2004

- Johnson & Johnson Discovery Award, Johnson & Johnson Inc., 1996-1998

Education

- University of North Dakota, B.S. 1986

- Cornell University, M.S. 1989

- Cornell University, Ph.D. 1992

Professional career

- researcher in the division of Lithographic Materials and Chemical Engineering, AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1992–1993

- researcher in the Corporate Research Laboratories, Eastman Kodak Company, 1990

- researcher for the Energy Research Center, 1984–1986.

Resources

[http://sciencewomen.rutgers.edu/ Rutgers Office for the Promotion of Women in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics]

[http://polyaspirin.com/ More information on PolyAspirin, PolyNSAIDs and Dr. Kathryn Uhrich]

References