Biotechnology Institute News room

Winnipeg High School Student Wins Biotechnology Research Competition

    Boston, MA (May 7, 2007)--Ted Paranjothy, 17, a senior at Fort Richmond Collegiate in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has won the 2007 sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge, an annual competition for high school students who demonstrate an exemplary understanding of biotechnology through science research projects.

Ted's project, "Novel Tumour-Specific Apoptosis-Inducing Derivatives of Apoptin," demonstrated that peptide derivatives of apoptin, a small amino acid protein extracted from the chicken anemia virus, can be used to induce programmed cell death in cancer cells without harming healthy, normal cells. He demonstrated that smaller peptide fragments of apoptin can be effective, thus opening the door to future research with this anti-cancer agent.

The announcement was made May 7 before an estimated 2,500 attendees at the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) International Convention in Boston.

"We in the sanofi-aventis Group also firmly believe that tomorrow’s discoveries are dependent upon the development of scientists today," said Allan Jarvis, Vice President, Corporate Development, sanofi pasteur. "Supporting young scientists is one of the best investments a company can make to realize the promise of biotechnology in solving today’s health, food and environmental challenges."

At the regional and international competition, students are not only evaluated on the quality of their research and display, but also on their responses to questions relating to their scientific knowledge and potential commercial applications of their research.

"These students are the future leaders of biotechnology," says Paul A. Hanle, president of the Biotechnology Institute. "The quality of their projects is astounding to even the most experienced researcher."

The other top finishers were:
* Tracy Fuad, The Breck School, Golden Valley, MN (second place)
* Tejal Naik, The Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE (third place)
* Rachel Ginn, Hamilton High School, Chandler, AZ (honorable mention)

The winners are chosen by an expert panel of judges selected from among 14 finalists, two representing each of the six regions and Canada. The first place winner received an award of $7,500; second place receives $5,000; $2,500 is awarded to third place, and honorary mention award is $1,000. Each remaining participant receives an honorable mention award and $500. All cash awards are shared equally between the school and each of the members of the winning teams

All competitors displayed their research for the estimated 20,000 BIO International Convention attendees.

Sanofi-aventis, one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, has supported the BioGENEius Challenge since its inception in 1994. Additional support for the BioGENEius Challenge is provided by National Sponsor Sangamo BioSciences.

About the Biotechnology Institute
The Biotechnology Institute is an independent, national nonprofit organization dedicated to education about the present and future impact of biotechnology. Its mission is to engage, excite and educate the public, particularly students and teachers, about biotechnology and its immense potential for solving human health, food and environmental problems. For more information, visit www.biotechinstitute.org.

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Jeff Ghannam
Communications Director
703-248-8681
jghannam@biotechinstitute.org