CHEN'S CRACK AT CRAB CHUM-TO-CHITOSAN NETS RESEARCH GIFT

COLLEGE PARK, Md.-Polymer chemist Tianhong Chen, whose innovative laboratory work is helping open new markets for crab shells, has been named the first Industrial Research Scholar of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute's Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, CAB.

The position, partly funded by a gift from Venture Chemicals Inc., will allow Chen to expand her research in developing products from chitosan, a compound derived from crab shell chitin. At UMBI, Chen has pioneered the use of enzymes to alter the composition of the large chitosan molecules.

Chen's work has so far helped a research partnership of CAB scientists, the Louisiana-based Venture Chemicals, and a crab shell-processing company Chitin Works America Inc. in Cambridge, Md. to produce large amounts of an altered chitosan as an additive in high-performance oil drilling. The new chitosan can be produced less expensively than current, high-priced chitosan now on the market for medical applications such as in slow release drugs, weight loss, and bandages.

Maryland generates about ten million pounds of crab shells annually from pick 'n pack companies alone. Much of the waste or chum is processed by Chitin Works in Dorchester County, Maryland's leader in producing crab shells. After chitin in the shells is converted to chitosan at the Chitin Works plant, says Chen, there are many changes that can be made with natural enzymes. Other potential uses of the cheaper forms include water-resistant adhesives, lubricants, thickeners for cosmetics and other consumer products.

"We are really applying green chemistry by using our enzymes to create chitosan derivatives with entirely new properties. We study the fundamental theories in the lab, and have learned a lot from Venture about what properties are most important for commercial applications. It's great fun and very worthwhile," says Chen.

Since arriving at CAB from the Institute of Polymer Chemistry, NanKai University in China three years ago, Chen has become a leader in new chitosan chemistry, says Greg Payne, CAB professor. "Tianhong has been critically important to our chitosan work, not only because she is an excellent hands-on laboratory scientist, but she has wonderful people skills and looks for customer uses for our new compounds," says Payne, who was instrumental in building the partnership. He adds that Chen is lead author of very diverse research papers in the field.

Research on chitosan in Payne's laboratory evolved from state efforts in the late 1990's to reduce nutrient loading of such waste into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. New regulations limit direct dumping of crab shell waste, or chum, into waterways. Farmers need permits to spread chum as a fertilizer and landfill disposal is expensive.

"I am delighted that Dr. Chen has received due recognition for outstanding work and will continue her efforts at CAB in this new capacity," says CAB Director Donald Nuss. "UMBI's Industrial Research Scholars program provides formal recognition for one of the most visible of the many longstanding and productive interactions between CAB faculty and industrials partners in the state of Maryland," Nuss adds.

Chen's new position represents a new stage in advancing Venture Chemical's partnership with CAB, says Jack Cowan, company president. "This is really just on the cusp of work which is really paying off now. I can't say enough positive things about our relationship with Greg's group," he says. Cowan says the company is planning "a presence" in Maryland, with a laboratory and manufacturing facility.

For information on licensing technology, please contact Rita Khanna, Director of Technology Transfer at khannar@umbi.umd.edu or 410-385-6324.

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The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute was mandated by the state of Maryland legislature in 1985 as "a new paradigm of state economic development in biotech-related sciences." With five major research and education centers across Maryland, UMBI is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of biotechnology. The centers are the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology in Rockville; CAB; and Center of Marine Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology Center, and the Institute of Human Virology, all in Baltimore.