July 2015
Patent awarded to K­State preclinical cancer detection test platform
A U.S. patent has been awarded to a Kansas State University technology that quickly detects the early stages of
cancer before physical symptoms ever appear. K­State's Stefan Bossmann, professor of chemistry; Deryl Troyer, professor anatomy and physiology; and Matthew
Basel, postdoctoral fellow in anatomy and physiology, developed a nanoplatform technology to detect human cancer
cells and tumors in the beginning stages.
"Early detection of cancer increase the chances of successful therapy," Troyer said. "This is because in most
cases treatment can be initiated before metastases occur. Early detection also is advantageous because therapies
that do not have devastating side effects are more likely to be successful."
The technology was recently awarded U.S. Patent 8,969,027, titled "Fluorescence Assays for Serine Proteases." It
was issued to the Kansas State University Research Foundation, a nonprofit corporation responsible for managing
technology transfer activities at the university. Patents also have been awarded in Australia, Canada, France,
Germany and the U.K.
The researchers' technology consists of iron/ironoxide core/shell nanoparticles coated with amino acids and a
fluorescent dye. The amino acids and dye interact with enzymes in a blood sample and make it possible to diagnose
a cancer type even if a patient is not showing physical symptoms associated with cancer. A sample of a patient's blood is converted into a blood serum. The serum is used to perform tests with enzymes ­
mainly proteases ­ that are in the bloodstream and that are expressed at different levels in cancer patients and
healthy adults. Each enzyme is analyzed and compared to the enzyme pattern of different tumor types. Each type of
cancer has a unique protease signature, similar to a genetic fingerprint registered in a database. Results are produced in about 30 minutes, with the technology having a 95 percent success rate at detecting cancer
at stage 1 and beyond. The researchers received support to develop the test through the Kansas Department of Commerce; the Johnson
Cancer Research Center at Kansas State University; the National Science Foundation; and the National Institutes of
Health. K­State Salina expands unmanned aircraft systems program
With the unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, industry growing at a rapid pace, Kansas State University Salina is
meeting career demands with the addition of a new bachelor's degree and minor beginning this fall.
Combining UAS technology with coursework in computer science, electronic engineering and mechanical
engineering, K­State Salina is offering a Bachelor of Science in engineering technology with an unmanned aircraft
systems option. The new course of study complements the already existing aeronautical technology bachelor's
degree in UAS, which is centered around piloting and field operations, by concentrating on the design and
implementation of unmanned systems. The university also is adding a UAS minor with both a flight operations focus
and a data acquisition and management focus. "K­State Salina is known for being at the forefront of unmanned aircraft systems education and research, and our
innovative engineering technology reputation spans 50 years, starting with the creation of our campus," said Verna
Fitzsimmons, K­State Salina's dean and CEO. "This hybrid degree, which incorporated principles from both
programs, is a practical addition to our academic offerings and an essential addition for the UAS industry." Students enrolling in the engineering technology with an unmanned aircraft systems option degree will not have the
requirement of flight ratings. Instead, they will explore the intricacies of how UAS function, such as their software and
data, sensors and actuators, and camera systems and other payloads that are critical to accomplishing any task
during missions. Additionally, K­State Salina has created an unmanned aircraft systems minor for students outside of the UAS
program and from other universities who are looking to supplement their education. K­State Salina is one of the first universities in the nation to offer a bachelor's degree in UAS. Launched in 2011, the
program has nearly doubled its enrollment every year. NBAF Summit convenes,
focuses on serving animal
health and food safety Launch a Business Program
awards grand prize honors Two companies were named grand prizewinners
in Kansas State University's second Launch a
Business (LAB) program. Out of 14 high­potential
On June 23­24, 2015, 150 key stakeholders met in
Manhattan, KS to discuss the future research
activities and operations of the National Bio and Agro­
defense Facility (NBAF). "Pioneering Partnerships with NBAF: A summit with
startup ventures, Liquid Art Winery & Estates in
livestock producers and the animal health industry
Manhattan was chosen as the grand prizewinner in
about science, synergy and security" was an
the global food systems division, while Vigilias
industry­focused, invitation­only summit. It provided a
Telemedicine in Wichita, was named the grand
centralized location for livestock producers, animal
prizewinner in the open division. Each company was
health industry leaders, researchers and policy
awarded a $10,000 cash prize for its win. makers to start discussions about how NBAF will work
with the community and develop a strong working
The awards were the culmination of the five­week LAB
relationship between government and industry before
program, which was sponsored by KS State Bank and
the federal laboratory begins its operations. the College of Business Administration's Center for the
Advancement of Entrepreneurship. The program
Participants shared their ideas, recommendations and
provided the 14 selected startups with much­needed
needs for research and development, collaborations,
resources, including faculty­led courses, hands­on
communications and policy during the summit. student research teams and access to the university's
world­class alumni mentor network. The summit included keynote speeches by Catherine
Woteki, undersecretary for the U.S. Department of
"One of our university's goals is to support economic
Agriculture's Research, Education and Economics
development and growth in the state of Kansas," said
mission area and the department's chief scientist, and
Chad Jackson, director of the Center for the
Christina Murata, chief of staff for the Science and
Advancement of Entrepreneurship. "We developed
Technology Directorate of the Department of
K­State LAB as a way to reach out and support the
Homeland Security. entrepreneurs in the state."
In her keynote, Woteki said many health, food and
More information on the Launch a Business program
natural resource­related issues are coming together to
is available at www.k­state.edu/lab.
create a perfect storm for agriculture, so NBAF will be
a frontline in animal health and food safety.
Shanklin receives Excellence in
Practice for Dietetic Research
Award
The summit also introduced a highly networked
system for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
infectious diseases. The Bio/Agro Security Innovation
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world's
System, or BASIS, is designed to enhance public and
largest organization of food and nutrition
private sector collaboration by leveraging the
professionals, will present Carol Shanklin, dean of
capabilities of government, industry and academic
Kansas State University's Graduate School and
partners in the network. Through the network,
professor of hospitality management and dietetics,
vaccines and other technologies can be introduced
with its 2015 Excellence in Practice Dietetic Research
more quickly into the marketplace, a skilled animal
Award. health workforce can be trained, and the regional
economy can be stimulated. The award recognizes outstanding registered
dietitians and dietetic technicians who have
"There was a clear consensus that it cannot be
demonstrated innovation, creativity and leadership in a
business as usual if BASIS is going to succeed with
specific area of practice and honors those who have
government and industry working together effectively
demonstrated exceptional performance, made
to solve animal health problems," said Ron Trewyn,
contributions to advancement of practice or have been
K­State's NBAF liaison. "To do so, current processes
effective in inspiring leaders in nutrition­related
must be streamlined and communications improved,
organizations. but fortunately everyone at the summit wants it to
work, and significant assets are in place in Manhattan
Shanklin's research has focused on food safety and
and in the region to allow this effort to flourish."
biosecurity in food service operations, the
improvement of food service operations in long­term
The summit is the first in a series designed to bring
care retirement communities, on alternative
together NBAF's key stakeholders.
approaches to waste management and minimization of
solid waste in food services operations. Shanklin will accept the award at the 2015 Food &
Nutrition Conference & Expo in Nashville, Tennessee,
in October. DID YOU KNOW?
K­State is one of only 25 universities in the nation to
have an operating nuclear reactor on campus to help
with education, research, outreach and training.
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K­State Governmental Relations Staff
Sue Peterson, Director of Governmental Relations
Kristin Holt, Assistant to the Director
Ben Brown, Legislative Assistant
Asher Gilliland, Legislative Assistant
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Contact Information
Office of Governmental Relations
110 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506­0112
785­532­6227
www.ksu.edu/govrelations