27
December
2009
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18:00 PM
America/New_York

Story Ideas for Media 12/28/09

News

Massive computer platform, electric fish net scientists EUREKA grants. Two scientists at Ohio State University have earned specialized grants from the National Institutes of Health that fund unconventional projects that have the potential to significantly advance research.
One project involves taking advantage of the special properties of cells in electric eels and rays to generate and study membrane proteins considered potential drug targets in a variety of human diseases.
The other initiative is the creation of a huge computer-based platform to store and analyze data from a national study of osteoarthritis – a platform that could later be applied the study of other major diseases, as well.
The recipients of the so-called EUREKA grants are Rene Anand, professor of pharmacology, and Metin Gurcan, assistant professor of biomedical informatics, both in the College of Medicine.
EUREKA stands for Exceptional, Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration. The federal grant program, established in 2008, is designed to help investigators test novel hypotheses or tackle major methodological or technical challenges. SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/2009eurekagrants.htm

Events

Marching Band practices final times in Columbus – Dec. 28. In an event open only to media, the Ohio State University Marching Band will prepare for its trip to Pasadena.
By the time the game against the Oregon Ducks arrives on January 1st, the 225-member band, directors and support staff will have spent more than 16 hours in rehearsal and performed six scheduled concerts and pep rallies across Southern California.
The band returned to Columbus on Sunday (12/27) for two intensive days of closed rehearsals at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The band will hold a final practice of the music for the pre-game and halftime shows today from 2 to 6 p.m., with marching and playing in the later in part of the session. Then it's off to the west coast with a 5 a.m. flight on Tuesday.
The band plans to perform the show, The Motown Sound, during the halftime portion of the Rose Bowl. The show features some of pop music's favorite melodies from the 1960s and 70s. CONTACT: David Carwile, (614) 323-4046.

Good deeds in Pasadena and Columbus – Dec. 30. To mirror the university’s Rose Bowl community service project, Ohio State staff and students will work on a project that benefits the Columbus area community. Volunteers will put together “Kids Packs” for the Mid Ohio Food Bank from 9 a.m. to noon at the Recreation and Physical Activities Center Rooms (RPAC). The packs include instant oatmeal, chicken soup, canned pasta, some healthy snacks, beverages, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The packs will be delivered to the food bank at approximately 12:30 p.m. Media are welcome to cover the work at either location: the RPAC, 337 W. 17th Ave – or Mid Ohio Food Bank, 3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City. CONTACT: Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.

Spend New Year’s Eve at the RPAC – Dec. 31. More than 1,000 students, faculty and staff will ring in the new year from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday (12/31) at the RPAC. Events include swimming, badminton, foosball, children’s arts and crafts, international music and the lowering of the Buckeye New Year’s Eve Ball at midnight. The event is open to OSU students, faculty and staff only. CONTACT: Kevin Harty, (614) 209-6336.

The person listed as the CONTACT will have the most current information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story: Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276; Shelly Hoffman, (614) 247-4748; Jim Lynch, (614) 247-4110; or Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.