PHOTO CREDIT: Mayo Clinic

News

  • Researchers at the Broad Institute and MIT Develop Primers to Improve Liquid Biopsy for Cancer Detection and Monitoring

    Scientists from the Gerstner Center for Cancer Diagnostics at the Broad Institute and their colleagues at MIT have developed two agents that could one day be given to patients shortly before a blood draw to allow physicians to better detect tumor DNA using liquid biopsy. Liquid biopsies have the potential to transform how cancers are diagnosed, monitored, and treated by detecting DNA that tumors shed into the blood, but the body presents a significant challenge. Immune cells in the liver and DNA-degrading enzymes in blood remove circulating tumor DNA from the bloodstream within minutes, making this DNA difficult to capture and detect in a blood test. Now, researchers at MIT and the Broad Institute have developed injectable "priming agents" that enhance liquid biopsy accuracy. These agents, using nanoparticles and antibodies, significantly increase the detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream. In mouse trials, these agents boosted ctDNA by over 10 times, improving the detection rate from below 10% to over 75%. This breakthrough could not only transform cancer diagnostics but also holds promise for other health areas. Director of the Gerstner Center for Cancer Diagnostics, Viktor Adalsteinsson shared “Boosting circulating tumor DNA in blood is just the tip of the iceberg… Priming is a new frontier we’re excited to further develop in cancer diagnostics and beyond.”

    Read More at theBroadInstitute.org
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  • Gerstner Philanthropies Commits Over $1 Million to Combat Food Insecurity, Including $50,000+ in Support for Thanksgiving Meal Programs

    November 30, 2023

    Data released this fall from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed food insecurity increased in 2022 for the first time in more than a decade. This November, Gerstner Philanthropies has committed over $1 million to combat food insecurity, including $52,380 to provide food for struggling households over Thanksgiving. Eight organizations received support to continue to implement critical programs in 2024, such as mobile pantries and meal delivery for clients in food deserts and food rescue programs. In addition, three community-focused organizations received support to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need across Boston, Palm Beach County, and Greenwich, three areas in which members of the Gerstner family reside. Over 1,050 households were impacted, ensuring families could access food during the holiday season. This work aligns with Gerstner Philanthropies’ mission to help hard-working individuals who are trying to help themselves and their communities but temporarily lack the resources to accomplish their goals.

  • The Broad Institute Receives an Additional $20M to Support the Gerstner Center for Cancer Diagnostics
    November 13, 2023

    Gerstner Philanthropies has committed an additional $20 million to the Gerstner Center for Cancer Diagnostics at the Broad Institute. This commitment will support the development and optimization of liquid biopsy technology to enable more precise cancer care for millions worldwide. Directed by Dr. Viktor Adalsteinsson, this technology allows physicians to detect cancer cells and cancer recurrence, earlier than ever before. “We always knew that detecting cancer recurrence with a blood test would be an incredible feat, and the scientists in the Gerstner Center have risen to the challenge," said Todd Golub, director of the Broad Institute. This development for early detection is key to measuring patients’ response and assessing treatment options. “I first partnered with the Broad to launch the Gerstner Center in order to impact clinical care for cancer patients, and I’ve been pleased to see that Viktor and his team have created an engine of innovation that could transform not only cancer treatment but possibly other fields as well,” said Gerstner.

    Read More at Broadinstitute.org
  • Brilla Charter Schools Network Unveils Louis V. Gerstner III Seton Teaching Fellows House
    November 1, 2023

    On Thursday, October 26, 2023, Brilla Public Charter Schools and their Charter Management Organization, Seton Education Partners, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the Louis V. Gerstner III Seton Teaching Fellows House in the South Bronx. The Seton Teaching Fellows program is a one to two-year mission opportunity for recent college graduates to serve children in underserved communities in both the classroom, as teacher aides, and by running El Camino, Seton’s after-school faith formation program. The building was named in honor of Louis V. Gerstner III, the late son of Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. and former President of the Gerstner Family Foundation, who was a life-long champion of opportunities to pursue a high-quality education for under-privileged children. In addition to the Seton Teaching Fellows House, Brilla unveiled a newly renovated gym for the students of Brilla College Prep, and dedicated network offices for the organization. Support for the renovations came from Gerstner Philanthropies, the W. E. Simon Foundation and the Robert and Kate Niehaus Foundation.

    Read more about Louis V. Gerstner III

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