World-Renowned Researcher Named Colorado State University Distinguished Professor
Thursday, April 24, 1997
FORT COLLINS--Patrick Brennan, a Colorado State professor
known worldwide for his research on tuberculosis and leprosy, was
selected today as a University Distinguished Professor--the
highest honor given to faculty members.
Brennan is one of only 12 professors universitywide selected
for the honor, which is reserved for those considered to be among
the finest scholars to teach and conduct research at Colorado
State.
"I can think of no higher calling than to seek out effective
treatments for tuberculosis and leprosy, which inflict millions
of people worldwide," said Colorado State President Albert Yates.
"By recognizing Dr. Brennan with this honor, we applaud his work,
his tireless commitment and the dedication he brings into the
laboratory and the classroom."
Yates made the announcement at a university honors luncheon,
held annually as part of Celebrate Colorado State! week. The
event recognizes student, faculty, staff and alumni achievements.
Brennan, a professor in the department of microbiology and
head of the Mycobacteria Research Laboratory, said he shares the
honor with the other professors, research associates and
postdoctoral fellows involved in the laboratory's research
efforts.
"I regard this as an honor for the entire research group,
the department of microbiology and the College of Veterinary
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, which have been extremely
supportive of our work," Brennan said. "We are able to tackle
these diseases from every angle--chemistry, genetics,
microbiology and immunology. Through the collaboration with my
colleagues, we've been able to accomplish a great deal."
A native of Ireland, Brennan joined Colorado State in 1980
to investigate the infectious agents and the body's immune
response to tuberculosis, a progressive, infectious disease that
annually spawns 8 million new cases and causes 3 million deaths.
Although new cases of TB have dropped in the United States to
about 25,000 per year, the disease remains prevalent in many
undeveloped countries.
Brennan's research unraveled some of the mysteries
surrounding the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, which is
characterized by a tough, waxy cell wall that acts as a
protective covering. Antibiotics used to treat TB prevent these
bacteria from spreading to normal human cells, but the long-term
drug treatments needed to cure the disease give the bacteria
enough time to mutate into new, resistant forms.
Under Brennan's direction, the laboratory's research group
was the first to create a model of the bacterium's cell wall and
define which parts are responsible for interacting with normal
human cells and causing the disease. Using that model, the
laboratory focuses on three main areas: developing new drug
treatments that do not develop resistance, creating vaccines that
inhibit parts of the bacterium's cell wall from reaching normal
human cells, and improving tests that detect the disease at an
earlier stage.
Brennan also led the laboratory's efforts to create a skin
test for early detection of leprosy and TB that does not cause
false-positive test results. The laboratory is analyzing both
these tests on animals before requesting permission from the
federal government to begin human trials. Brennan and his
research team also were the first to identify a molecule present
in people with leprosy, a finding that led to a new blood test
that detects the disease at a much earlier stage.
"Professor Brennan has been and continues to be a bright
light in our tuberculosis and leprosy research programs," said
James Voss, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences. "Through his efforts and collaborations with
other researchers worldwide, we are making real progress in the
battle against these deadly diseases."
Brennan received bachelor's and master's degrees from the
National University of Ireland. He has a second master's and a
doctorate from Trinity College in Ireland. Over the course of his
30-year career, Brennan earned numerous academic and scientific
awards, including Researcher of the Year Award in 1992 from
Colorado State, the Alumni Honor Faculty Award in 1984 and the
Society of Sigma Xi Honored Scientist Award in 1985.
Brennan is active in the World Health Organization and
chaired its steering committees on the immunology of leprosy and
leprosy therapy. Recently, he was named to the organization's
Leprosy Elimination Advisory Group and is chairman of the U.S.-
Japan Cooperative Medical Science Leprosy and Tuberculosis
Program.
He also serves as a consultant to the National Jewish Center
for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine in Denver and sits on the
scientific advisory boards for Leonard Wood Memorial and the
Heiser Foundation.
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