罗伯特Gourdie

Heart and Reparative Medicine

My re搜索 concerns the connexins, which are proteins key to intercellular communication. This work includes basic mechanisms of cardiac bio-electricity and 翻译al re搜索 on drugs targeting connexin function in heart disease, 伤口愈合, 和肿瘤. My teaching interests are focused on biomedical intellectual property, 翻译, 和商业化.

I am the co-founder of FirstString 研究 Inc. - a clinical-stage biotech company, now in Phase III clinical trials on its lead drug Granexin TM. 先导化合物, alphaCT1 was developed in the Gourdie Lab at the Medical University of South Carolina in 2009. It is the active ingredient in Granexin gel for scar reduction of acute surgical wounds and the treatment of chronic wounds – diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. I have also spun-off two other companies from my Virginia Tech lab. 首先是Acomhal Inc .., which is undertaking preclinical development of novel drug JM2 that targets cancer stem cells, and presently closing on its first venture deal. 第二个, 我最近的一次冒险, 小货运公司, which is focused on exosomal drug delivery technology that will protect therapeutic peptides from breakdown in body fluids, 比如血, as well as shielding these potentially immunogenic peptides from the immune system.

I first discovered a passion for this work ...
Probably from quite a young age I recall being obsessed with observing and drawing things in nature as early as three years old.

我童年的理想 ...
Was to become a scientist.

Something that excites me in my field ...
有几个. First, I think old paradigms of how bioelectricity drives the heartbeat are under challenge. This new understanding may have implications for the brain, including clues on how consciousness might work. A second breakout area I think is important are the discovery of tiny particles released by cells called exosomes. My view is that exosomes could shift paradigms on how cells talk to each other and provide new paths to treat diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

My work impacts society ...
By seeking to understand how cells in the body communicate with each other and using the knowledge gained to treat diseases.

Honor or award I am most proud of ...
I once received a first percentile review for my main National Institutes of Health re搜索 grant, an unexpected honor from my peers, for which I was most grateful. My proudest gifts are my children. They are wonderfully accomplished people.

我希望我能发明 ...
It's a toss up between the toaster and the bicycle. Both seem fundamental to civilization and are likely to be around for some time.

Words of encouragement to an aspiring inventor ...
Be patient, tenacious, learn your craft, and do good work.

我最喜欢的一句话 ....
"You can observe a lot by just watching.——约吉·贝拉

在我空闲的时候 ...
My wife Sherri and I enjoy playing music. We like country music and folk music from Scotland and Ireland.