UM Graduate Student Discovers, Designs Drugs to Improve Human Health

UM News Service

MISSOULA – Annie Buchholz’s interest in science was originally inspired by her grandmother, a University of Montana alumna, who earned her bachelor’s degree in microbiology in 1947. She was one of a select few women at the time to pursue a career in the sciences. That determination encouraged Buchholz to forge her own path and study chemistry and human health.

When looking at graduate programs, Buchholz was drawn to UM’s Center for Translational Medicine Adjuvant Research Team (CTM-ART) for its focus on transforming basic discoveries into clinical applications that can result in new treatments and therapies for disease.

Buchholz’s first research experience was as an undergraduate student in a virology lab, exploring influenza and Nipah viruses which are transmitted between humans and animals. Her first major was biology, but she later realized her passion for chemistry – specifically drug discovery and design.

“Learning about medicinal chemistry was mind blowing,” Buchholz said. “A single atom can make or break the effectiveness of a drug, and having the opportunity to understand and control that chemistry is deeply fulfilling, especially in the context of improving human health.”

The CTM-ART group combines cutting-edge research with entrepreneurship to prepare its graduates to meet the demands of an ever‑changing healthcare and biotechnology landscape that requires a highly skilled workforce.

The center does this by working as an industry-style academic group, mirroring the drug development and design process found in industry. Research is conducted across immunology, the formulation of safe and effective drugs, and medicinal chemistry. The lab seeks to directly impact public health, which aligns with Buchholz’s future career goals.

Buchholz’s mentor, Dr. Asia Riel, introduced her to the Chateaubriand Fellowship, a grant offered by the Embassy of France to American students pursuing their doctorate degree. Riel encouraged her to apply and had previously earned the same fellowship in 2017.

“Asia was a huge inspiration for me to pursue research abroad,” said Buchholz. “I ended up applying and was selected as a Chateaubriand Fellow, which was a fulfilling experience, as it helped me grow as both a scientist and a person.”

While studying in France, Buchholz worked with Dr. Chirara Zanato, a member of the BioCIS group at CY Cergy Paris Universite, whose disease target is osteoporosis, a medical condition that leads to low bone mass.  It affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men globally. It’s associated with the overexpression of an enzyme called Cathepsin K (CatK).

With the research team at BioCIS, Buchholz helped develop Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) molecules to target and eliminate CatK. Previous drugs targeting osteoporosis were developed to inhibit CatK activity. By contrast, PROTACs offer an alternative approach by eliminating CatK, the protein that is harmful when overexpressed.

Buchholz plans to graduate with her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences and drug design this fall. Her goal: Contribute to a team focused on drug development and discovery.

###

Contact: Annie Buchholz, doctoral student, UM Center for Translational Medicine, annie.buchholz@umontana.edu; Naomi DeMarinis, UM associate director of research development and communications, 406-243-5303, naomi.demarinis@umontana.edu.