2:25 p.m., May 4, 2009----Daniel Oristian, a recent master's graduate of the University of Delaware in biological sciences, has won the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools' Master's Thesis Award for his research which identified a potential new pathway involved in bone and connective tissue regrowth.

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The award, sponsored by ProQuest UMI Dissertation Publishing, carries a $1,000 prize. It was presented April 3 during the association's 34th conference, which the University of Delaware hosted.

Oristian characterized the bone properties and studied the skeletal defects in genetically engineered mice lacking the ribosomal protein HIP/RPL29, which is a component of the cell's protein factory, the ribosome.

His data showed that the amount of total bone tissue is decreased in mice lacking this regulatory component of the ribosome, supporting the idea that high volume protein synthesis is essential for bone matrix production during bone growth, predominantly during development.

Further examination and understanding of these cellular pathways may help advance new therapies to treat patients with severe trauma or degenerative diseases of the bone.

“Dan's hard work and dedication led to the discovery that the rate of protein synthesis dictates bone health and is determined at the genetic level,” said his graduate adviser, Catherine Kirn-Safran, UD associate professor of biological sciences. “I am proud of his accomplishments and hope that this award will influence his decision to pursue a career as an independent research scientist.”

Oristian completed his bachelor's degree in biological sciences at the University of Delaware in 2005 and his master's degree in molecular biology and genetics in August 2007. He currently is a research assistant at Rockefeller University in New York City, working on a study of stem cells responsible for skin and hair follicle development.

Article by Tracey Bryant