We are excited to announce that Professor Jill Zeilstra-Ryalls at Bowling Green State University has won our 2021 Grant Competition! Zeilstra-Ryalls is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and her research proposal entitled “Engineering a non-pathogenic photosynthetic bacterial vector for intratumoral delivery of a prodrug for photodynamic therapy” taps new innovative pathways for cancer treatment and pushes the envelope for drug deliveries.
Prof Zeilstra-Ryalls shared her unique approaches in the laboratory: “My research ranges from the basic to the applied. In the basic arena, I am investigating gene regulation and protein structure-function relationships in the remarkable bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. This organism is able to obtain energy by aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and by photosynthesis, and it possesses regulatory networks that suitably coordinate gene expression in order to achieve this metabolic flexibility. With respect to applied research, I am currently exploring the potential of this organism to bioremediate environmental pollutants, as well as to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms of toxicity of pollutants. My applied research also includes developing R. sphaeroides as a bacterial drone, or “bactodrone”: a tumor-targeting, remotely (light) controlled weapon for cancer therapy.” Beyond the lab, Zeilstra-Ryalls instructs a grant writing course for graduate students to foster the growth of diverse skill sets.
Congratulations Professor Zeilstra-Ryalls! We look forward to seeing advances in your laboratory. Thank you for making a difference through innovative research!