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George Mason U: High-Risk, High-Reward HGH Test Producing Results Two GMU professors have developed the first urine test for human growth hormone, and the revenue potential is enormous. Two George Mason University professors this summer made a major breakthrough in the world of medicine that they hope will have a much more far-reaching impact than the school’s surprising run to the Final Four two years ago. Working at the Manassas, Virginia satellite campus 20 miles outside of GMU’s main campus, Emanuel Petricoin and Lance Liotta, whose primary interest has been cancer research, developed the first urine test for human growth hormone which they hope one day will be able to detect cancer at its earliest stages. A blood test has long existed for HGH, but is extremely expensive and its reliability has been questioned. The breakthrough furthered the school’s desire for future income and higher national prominence through a high-risk, high-reward entrepreneurial outlook. "From the early days at GMU, it’s taken an entrepreneurial spirit," said Alan Merten, the university’s president. "You don’t go from nowhere to a school this large in 36 years without that kind of mind-set. Despite being Virginia’s second largest school in terms of enrollment with over 30,000 students, the school lacks a medical school as Maryland, Georgetown, Howard and George Washington do. "There’s much more of an open, entrepreneurial program here," said Vikas Chandhoke, dean of GMU’s College of Science. "You don’t get that with medical schools. That’s one advantage we have here. There’s not the bureaucracy." GMU, however, hopes the high-risk, high-reward strategy will help the school to continue to provide the best facilities to its students and faculty at all of its campuses. The area around the campus already includes a $63 million crime lab, and construction has begun for a performing arts center. Lawrence Czarda, GMU’s vice president for regional campuses, believes commercial development increasing over the next 10 years and enrollment to double at the Manassas campus. "We are already planning a university town center that will serve not only the campus, but a research park, a hotel, conference center restaurant, retail and so on," said Czarda. "We also hope the corporate development continues, so the next round of computer technology companies, bio companies and life sciences companies come here." More later... This 347-word summary was competently distilled by Clips Assistant Editor Dan DeIuliis from a 2101-word article entitled "Pioneering mind-set at George Mason produces new HGH test" by A.J. Perez from the 12-16-08 edition of USA Today. The source article can be accessed in its entirety at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-12-16-george-mason-hgh-test_N.htm |
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