Fall 2003 -- Vol. 56, No. 4

RESEARCH

Earlier detection

Clemson has received new support for research that could lead to earlier detection of osteoarthritis, promising more effective treatment of the degenerative joint disease.

With a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health, physicist Huabei Jiang will advance his research into an imaging technique that could allow for quicker diagnosis of the disease that affects millions.

The project should receive approximately $306,000 during the first year of a five-year grant. Based on recommended funding for each of the additional four years, the award could total almost $1.4 million.

Jiang's research, which began two years ago, uses lasers and fiber optics to create three-dimensional images of finger and knee joints. Unlike X-rays, the technique Clemson is studying holds promise for detecting those early changes seen in cartilage, and with quicker diagnosis, treatment could begin sooner.

Good genes

This academic year, S.C. students won't have to go out of state for an undergraduate degree in genetics. Clemson has allowed freshmen to enroll in its new undergraduate genetics program - the first ever offered in-state. With the addition of the bachelor's degree, Clemson becomes one of approximately 10 U.S. universities offering all three degrees (bachelor's, master's and doctorate) in genetics.

"We are preparing students for the 'biological century' when genetics will lead to important breakthroughs," says Richard Hilderman, chairman of the genetics, biochemistry and life science studies department.

Leveraging the funds and genetics expertise, Clemson officials have collaborated with Lander University in Greenwood and the Greenwood Genetic Center, a research facility devoted to investigating inherited human diseases.

Genomics boom

Clemson's Genomics Institute is upgrading its operations, thanks to a $1.3 million federal equipment grant from the National Science Foundation. The money increases the institute's funding total by more than $3.5 million since the spring. Over the past year, it has received more than $7 million in new federal grants and contracts.

The institute is a leading research and training center for discovering and analyzing important genes from plants, animals and microbes. Clemson has an international reputation for building genetic libraries for research.

Healthy choice

Clemson, the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina have joined forces with the S.C. Research Authority to develop the state's Nutrition Research Consortium.

The mission is to foster innovative research in nutrition and its effect on human health, launch outreach programs to promote good nutrition and disease prevention, and attract large-scale research grants by leveraging resources.

Initial research will focus on three areas: nutrition support, childhood obesity and dietary supplementation. For more information, visit the Web at www.SCNutritionResearch.org.

New Coastal REC

For more than 60 years the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Vegetable Laboratory and the University's Coastal Research and Education Center shared a site on the south side of U.S. Highway 17 west of Charleston, growing more cramped with each passing year.

A new facility across the road now offers nearly 54,000 square feet of space. The $19.5 million Vegetable Laboratory has 22 state-of-the-art laboratories and 22 offices for USDA and Clemson scientists.

Having a new facility makes possible more collaboration, grants, learning opportunities for students and scientists and, best of all, more positive results for the state and agriculture industry.

The new building is phase one. Phase two will include head house and greenhouse space, totaling 43,000 square feet. Congress appropriated $1.4 million for design work this year.

Clemson partners to fight cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates that this year approximately 4,000 women will die from cervical cancer and 40,000 from breast cancer. Women in South Carolina now have a better chance of beating these odds thanks to a partnership that Clemson Extension is developing.

The partnership, both local and national, includes the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and The American Cancer Society. The National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are also involved.

To learn more about Clemson Extension Community Health, visit the Web at www.clemson.edu/fyd/community_health.

Textile re$earch

Clemson and seven other universities will share nearly $10 million for textile research. U.S. Sen. Ernest F. Hollings announced in June that the Commerce Department has awarded the National Textile Center with $9.7 million in federal funding to continue research on the domestic textile and apparel industry.

Clemson, the primary member of the National Textile Center, will receive approximately $1.2 million for research to improve global competitiveness. The consortium includes Auburn, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Philadelphia University, Cornell and the University of California-Davis.

Ongoing work at Clemson includes "smart fibers" of electronic and photo optics for sensors and biosensors, research with spider's silk to produce extremely strong fibers, and optical communication fibers for Internet connections and computer circuits. Clemson is also working to streamline processes at textile- and fiber-producing plants.