ENTERPRISE -  A few students from the Enterprise biomed class visited Ablitech, a biotech company in Hattiesburg, which is using the concept of gene therapy for curing cancer. Ablitech’s research involves developing a delivery mechanism of genetic material to turn off cancer cells. After discussing research at Ablitech, students toured the lab, which is currently located in USM’s Polymer Science Building. In a few weeks Ablitech will be moving into 2,000 square feet of space in The Garden, Hattiesburg’s new commercialization park.

Ablitech does research in three different areas: Polymer Science, Medicinal Chemistry, and Molecular Biology/Biochemistry. Since the biomedical students had more experience in DNA manipulation, they only met with the Molecular

Biology/Biochemistry researcher – Dr. Tyler Hodges to discuss possibilities of future collaboration on research topics. Dr. Tyler will visit Enterprise after spring break to explain to the other member of the biomed class how using siRNA can work to turn off cancer cells and the importance of developing a delivery mechanism.

The CEO, Joe Malone, obtained his Ph.D. in Polymer Science from USM. Dr. Malone discussed the business end of starting and developing a biotech business. Haley Wicker commented, ” I didn’t realize that a science background was so important for the CEO of a business”. Dr. Malone stressed the importance of having a strong science background in order to make smart decisions in the business world about a science-based company.

Tyler holds a culture of cancer cells that students later view under a microscope.

Front: Abby Morris, Haley Wicker, Kelly Dunaway.
Back Row: Dr. Ken Malone (CEO Ablitech Industries), Jacquelyn Crotwell, Lacey Orr, Laken Rawls, Dr. Tyler Hodges (VP of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research).

Article and Photos Submitted By Kathy McKone