From UTHSCT:

A scientist at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to investigate ways to control the inflammation involved in a life-threatening illness called septic shock.

Jian Fu, Ph.D., a UTHSCT assistant professor of biochemistry, will use the five-year grant from the NIH to investigate the role of an enzyme called Sirt1 in the inflammation process associated with septic shock. Sirt1 and other enzymes regulate the rate of chemical reactions inside a cell.

Dr. Fu thinks that understanding the role Sirt1 plays in inflammation caused by septic shock could lead to better ways to prevent this devastating disease.

About 750,000 cases of septic shock occur each year in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Released by Tyler Museum of Art:

Kimberley Bush Tomio has announced her resignation as Director of the Tyler Museum of Art. She will be leaving the Museum on August 24 to pursue her new position as Director of Museum Services at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

“This decision was very difficult for me, as my twelve-year tenure at the TMA has been a tremendously rewarding experience,” said Mrs. Tomio. “The Museum has grown in scope and vision since my arrival, and has achieved many successes. It has been an honor to be part of the historic changes that took place­­ – and I am confident the Museum will continue to build upon its reputation and the local support from its members, foundations and donors who recognize the importance of maintaining a world-class art institution for this community and the wider east Texas region.”

While under the direction of Mrs.

Released by the City of Tyler:

Please join us for the premier of the SyFy Network’s feature film Arachnoquake, starring Tyler’s own Olivia Hardt. The premier will be at Liberty Hall on Saturday, June 23 at 8 p.m. 

The movie is about a family who must fight off giant spiders in New Orleans.  In “Arachnoquake” Hardt plays the younger sister who is the responsible, strong-willed, good child. She fights off spiders, protects citizens and helps her brother find a way out of the tangled spider webs.

“My character, Petra, is definitely a fighter in this movie,” says Hardt. “I protect everyone, I take care of business, I’m not afraid of anything.”

Hardt did the majority of her own stunts. She is very athletic and wanted to make it believable to all.  With explosions and other special effects, “Arachnoquake” is action-packed and entertaining.