May 2019
Success
Planting the Seed of Innovation

Texas Biomed's visionary plan to transform the Institute into the world leader in infectious disease research is off to a great start! A tree-planting ceremony on May 23rd celebrated the opening of three new facilities: a renovated building to serve as home to our marmoset colony, a new Biosafety Level 3 laboratory where scientists work with communicable diseases like tuberculosis, and an annex to our Biosafety Level 4 laboratory where researchers handle dangerous pathogens like Ebola. Supporters, donors, employees and dignitaries took tours of the newest parts of the campus.
Innovation
Deepak Kaushal, Ph.D.
SNPRC Director Records National Podcast

Infectious Diseases Consultant is an information channel that caters to specialists in the field. This month, Dr. Deepak Kaushal talked about new treatments for HIV, how they will change the way we treat HIV, and other medications for HIV on the horizon. Dr. Kaushal is a renowned tuberculosis and HIV researcher. He is often tapped to be interviewed as an expert in the field of infectious diseases.  Click here to listen!

Collaboration 
Ruth Ruprecht, M.D.,Ph.D.
Texas Biomed Teams up with Swiss company to test promising HIV Vaccine

Dr. Ruth Ruprecht is principal investigator of an $8 million NIH grant to study a novel investigational HIV vaccine.The vaccine is created to induce protective mucosal antibodies acting a as frontline defense against sexual HIV transmission. The formulation could be delivered through the nose, taking away the need for needles and syringes. Plus, the drug does not need to be refrigerated which is a plus in certain remote parts of the world where millions of people suffer from HIV/AIDS.  Click here to read the full story on this exciting collaboration.
Education

Girls, Inc. Rocket into the Future Science Festival a Success!
 
More than 400 children and their families visited the Texas Biomed booth at the 13th Annual Rocket into the Future Science Festival May 11th at Mission County Park. Young students got to peer into microscopes at malaria slides, create microbes out of Play-Doh, conduct a dry ice experiment, and see a scientist's biosafety suit.  This free event  featured more than 35 exhibitors offering a wide array of activities engaging young minds in STEM fields. Girls, Inc. wants to encourage girls to explore a variety of STEM-related fields and topics. 


Special Thanks
Texas Biomedical Forum Gala a Huge Success!



A new board has taken the reins of the Forum. We look forward to what this talented group of volunteers will accomplish in the coming year! 








Congratulations to all of the members who made the early May Gala a big success. The theme was "The Night They Invented Champagne." Proceeds from ticket and table sales and auction items will fund important pilot grants for scientists at Texas Biomed. The Forum truly fuels the future of biomedical research. Way to go, ladies!

Contact:
Wendy Rigby
Media and Communications Specialist
8715 W. Military Dr., San Antonio, TX 78227
wrigby@txbiomed.org