Cancer cells often overexpress glutaminase enzymes, in particular glutaminase C (GAC), which resides in the mitochondria and catalyzes the hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamate.  High levels of GAC have been observed in aggressive cancers and the inhibition of its enzymatic activity has been shown to reduce their growth and survival, both in vitro and in mouse models.  Numerous GAC inhibitors have been reported, with the most heavily investigated being a class of compounds derived from the small molecule BPTES (bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl sulfide).

What did the scientists do?

What is the discovery?

What is the discovery?

Despite the everyday prevalence of batteries, scientists still have many questions about the chemistry happening inside them. Common techniques to study batteries help to detail the structural phases of materials or the charge state of individual ions, but fail to show the relationship of both as the battery is operating.

When a master chef develops a new cake recipe, she doesn’t try every conceivable combination of ingredients to see which one works best. The chef uses prior baking knowledge and basic principles to more efficiently search for that winning formula.

Materials scientists use a similar method in searching for novel materials with unique properties in fields such as renewable energy and microelectronics. And a new artificial intelligence tool developed by Cornell researchers promises to rapidly explore and identify what it takes to “whip up” new materials.

What is the new work?

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field of engineering, incorporating controlled electronics, mechanical, and computer systems; all to adapt to the ever-evolving and intricate systems of everything in industry; from food processing and car-manufacturing, to sustainability and space exploration. CHESS requires a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, programmers and scientists, and is a perfect case-study for the diverse coursework of the program offered at SUNY Delhi.