Information and News covering Fort Myers Beaches to the River District Downtown Fort Myers.

In a paper published in Biomaterials Journal this month, Dr. Steven Curley of the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston and lead researcher for the John Kanzius radio frequency cancer treatment, proved that carbon nanoparticles can be delivered into the nucleus of cancer cells.
Researchers were able to move nanoparticles into the fluid environment around the nucleus (cytoplasm) in prior studies, but never before could they reach the actual nucleus where the DNA of cells is located. "The carbon nanoparticles are fascinating because they are the smallest particles we have used. It is also possible to attach chemotherapy drugs or other agents to the carbon nanoparticles and have the nanoparticles carry these into the nucleus with them," Curley said. He also stated that he believes "this will further enhance treatment in the Kanzius radiofrequency field to produce heating of the cancer cell and ultimately, cancer cell death.
" The Kanzius technology works by emitting radio waves that heat and kill cancer cells targeted with nanoparticles, microscopic pieces of metal that are injected into the bloodstream. The device has been proven to kill pancreatic cancer cells in live mice without harming healthy tissue.
The goal is to produce an effective, noninvasive cancer treatment in humans that doesn't have the harsh sideeffects associated with current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Curley's research is funded by the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation. For more information go to www.kanziuscancerresearch. org.

The next monthly Fort Myers Art Walk will take place this Friday, February 3 with local art galleries and art stops featuring new exhibits and shows. This regular cultural event draws between 1,500 and 2,500 people each month to the downtown Fort Myers River District. Then on Saturday, February 4, the organizers of Art Walk present the seasonal Saturday Art Fair. This juried art event showcases individual local artists at tables along the sidewalks of First Street. The Saturday Art Fair runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend. Forty artists and art vendors are scheduled to be at February's Saturday Art Fair. The monthly Art Walk runs from 6 to 10 p.m. on the first Fridays of every month. The February Art Walk will include numerous art galleries and art stops and will feature new art shows, live music and the traditional after party. Some art highlights of the Friday, Feb. 3 Art Walk:
• Art of the Olympians: Opening new exhibit Klouchi: A Spirit Unleashed features artwork by French Olympian artist Kader Klouchi
• Art League of Fort Myers: Opening reception for Feb Fest exhibit.
• Arts for ACT Gallery: Opening reception for Mojo Hands exhibit featuring artists Lennie Jones and George Mitchell. Also exhibiting is Dr. Kyra Belan and a special exhibit by kids with cancer by the Young Artists Awards program. Young Artists Awards vocalists Callie Atkinson and Sam Bostic will be performing.
• Coloring the World: The gallery featuring the art of Stephen Gray Blancett celebrates its second year in business
• daas Gallery: Opening reception for Epiphany show by sculptor Kenneth D. Rowe.
• Gallery Showcase and Information Center at IberiaBank (Bayview Court at First Street). Art Walk t-shirts are available at this location as well as buttons, maps and brochures.
• HOWL Gallery: Opening of Deep Within group show featuring Cesar Aguilera, Nancy Iannitelli and Heather Nigro.
• In One Instant: Opening for An Alternative View: Rebecca Sexton Larson & Matt Larson.
• Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center: New exhibits featuring the work of popular artists Ikki and Polly Matsumoto, along with the equestrian art of Sherry Rohl.
• Space 39 Gallery: Bi-God! exhibit featuring photographers Valerie Roche and Stephanie Davis. Held the first Friday of every month, Art Walk features local and national artwork in the downtown art galleries and several art stops in the Fort Myers River District. The evening culminates with an after party at 10 p.m. The after party will be held at Spirits of Bacchus on Hendry Street. A free shuttle service courtesy of Select Transportation Inc., with stops planned near the art venues, and parking at the Harborside Event Center will be available for Art Walk patrons. Shuttle stops include The Oasis Condominiums, Art of the Olympians and the Patio de Leon entrance at First Street. A map of Art Walk, showing transportation and parking will be distributed by participating galleries. Art Walk is a rain or shine event. For more information on Art Walk, participating galleries and links to gallery websites, visit www.fortmyersartwalk. com.

French Olympian Kader Klouchi will join Art of the Olympians Museum and Gallery (AOTO) in honoring the spirit of the Olympics and celebrating the 2012 Olympic Games. During his two-week visit to Southwest Florida, Klouchi will visit with students in Lee County schools and will participate in both art and cultural programs through the museum and community events like Art Fest Fort Myers. At its core, AOTO is a global learning center founded and supported by Olympians dedicated to promoting Olympic ideals and a spirit of corporation to inspire individuals to achieve personal excellence. From an early age, Klouchi had a passion for sport.
Virtually self-taught in the field of athletics, Klouchi found himself gravitating to the sport of long jump. In 1992, he participated in the Olympic Games for Algeria in long jump. Klouchi is a two-time French national record holder and a three-time world champion. Like many Olympian athletes, Klouchi transitioned his love of sport into a passion for the arts, particularly focused on the artistic beauty of action. With each stroke of acrylic on canvas, Klouchi captures his personal passion for sport and draws on his appreciation of the body's movement as a work of art in all of its grace and beauty. Klouchi's artwork will be on display through March. The exhibit features several new pieces and originals are available for sale. The public is invited to attend a special reception on Friday, February 3 beginning at 6 p.m. to view A Spirit Unleashed in the Olympian Art Gallery at the Art of the Olympians Museum and Gallery at the Al Oerter Center for Excellence, 1300 Hendry Street in Fort Myers.
Guests will have an opportunity to hear from the artist himself at 7 p.m. Admission to the reception is free. The bold colors and long strokes provide a kinetic quality to Klouchi's work is evidenced by the way the movement of each figure is captured to reveal the spirit of athleticism and a moment in which the authentic beauty of the effort and strength are reunited. Museum-goers who are interested in learning more about Klouchi's Olympic journey will have an opportunity to hear his views on the Olympics, community and culture during the launch of AOTO's Cultural Connections seminar series on Thursday, February 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Seating is limited. For more information, call 332-5055. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Gallery is closed to on Sundays, Mondays and holidays. For general museum information, visit www.artoftheolympians.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/artofolympians, fan us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/artoftheolympians or call 332-5055.