Flipping the Switch: Can You Turn Genes “On” and “Off?” EngenuitySC’s Science Café with Cancer Drug Researcher Dr. Patrick Woster, March 10, 2015

COLUMBIA, SC –  What if scientists could turn genes “on” and “off?” On Tuesday, March 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., SmartState® Endowed Chair and professor Dr. Patrick Woster – a holder of eight patents – will explain his most recent research on this practice, epigenetic modulation, and treatments of parasitic illnesses at EngenuitySC’s Science Café, held at Speakeasy lounge in Columbia, S.C.

One of the nation’s leading cancer drug researchers, Dr. Woster is Professor of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences at the South Carolina College of Pharmacy, and serves as the SmartState® Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). His chair is supported by the Cancer Drug Discovery Center at MUSC, an entity that’s created a key marriage between academics and the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries.

Dr. Woster is also the Director of MUSC Drug Design and Synthesis Care. His recent research includes developing drugs that turn specific genes on or off in tumor cells, a process known as epigenetic modulation, that can make anti-tumor medications more effective. His interest in cancer drug research initially began during a clinical rotation in a hospital oncology unit while in pharmacy.

“The discovery of successful, improved agents for the treatment of cancer would have a significant impact on the lives of patients in South Carolina and beyond,” Dr. Woster explains. “We hope to increase the scope of our research efforts to include many aspects of the drug development process that will ultimately lead to early and late human clinical trials.”

Dr. Woster’s work could have notable, positive impact on S.C. not only through cancer patients’ quality of life, but by also improving the economic health of the state through the creation of new companies and job opportunities, stemming from this research.

“Dr. Woster’s work has great potential to touch many lives in this state and to advance the biosciences industry in South Carolina,” said SmartState® Review Board Chairwoman and President of AT&T South Carolina, Pamela P. Lackey. Dr. Woster and his team are also working to discover new treatments for malaria and other parasitic illnesses.

To date, Dr. Woster holds eight patents based on compounds he has synthesized. “We have a goal of developing a world-class drug discovery program at MUSC by providing core facility for drug synthesis and compound development, and by teaming up with existing centers within the university, such as Hollings Cancer Center,” Dr. Woster says.

Dr. Woster received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He later earned his Postdoctoral Associate in Chemistry from
Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute, and his Postdoctoral Associate in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Michigan.

SmartState® Endowed Chairs are the world-class research scientists and engineers who head up SmartState® centers in a variety of research areas. As a SmartState® Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry, Dr. Woster conducts research while leading junior faculty members, research faculty and graduate students to promote and contribute to South Carolina’s well-being.
About Science Café
EngenuitySC hosts Science Café at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month, featuring informal presentations by some of South Carolina’s top leaders in science and technology in a casual atmosphere. Guests enjoy networking and a cash bar with high quality beer, wine and cocktails at Speakeasy in Five Points, a comfortable, pub-style environment with couches and expert mixologists behind the bar. Patrons have the opportunity to discuss the latest knowledge economy topics with leading researchers in a relaxed environment that encourages questions, interruptions and discussion. For more information and to register for free admission (and perks) for the next Science Café, visit http://www.engenuitysc.com/sciencecafe.

About EngenuitySC

Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., EngenuitySC is a public-private partnership focused on enhancing our region’s economic competitiveness and prosperity. Through collaboration with business, government, higher education and community leaders, EngenuitySC builds partnerships and measures success around five indicators of competitive communities: innovative capacity, talent, entrepreneurial/business environment, livability and strong industry clusters. Through our innovative process, unique vision and ability to create a plan and deliver results, EngenuitySC is working to build a more competitive and prosperous Midlands region. For more information, visit http://www.engenuitysc.com.

About the SmartState® Program

The SmartState® Program serves the public interest by creating incentives for the state’s research universities, in cooperation with other institutions of higher education in the state, to raise capital from non-state sources to fund endowments for specialized research professorships. These professorships in turn serve as the nucleus for unique, university-based research centers which cultivate critical, public-private industrial partnerships, expand the state’s knowledge base, create well-paying jobs, and enhance economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for the people of South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.SmartStateSC.org.