Author: Chris Amelung

The proper timing of pregnancies, Washington University researchers say, can decrease a woman’s risk of having a baby born prematurely with a host of health problems.

The School of Medicine’s commencement recognized the achievements of 117 students who were awarded degrees: 88 students earned the doctor of medicine degree; 27 earned a dual doctor of medicine/doctor of philosophy degree (M.D./Ph.D.); and two earned the doctor of medicine/master of arts degree (M.D./M.A). Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was the commencement speaker.

Photo courtesy of Scott Hultgren, John Heuser and Robyn RothA micrograph reveals an *E. coli* bacterium (in green) that is part of a community of bacteria known as a biofilm.Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis this week held opening ceremonies for a new center to study infectious diseases that preferentially affect women. The center for Women’s Infectious Disease Research (cWIDR) will focus on issues such as microorganisms that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), infections that lead to premature delivery, and potential contributing roles for microorganisms in life-threatening conditions such as cancer.

In early January, two patients undergoing kidney dialysis at St. Louis Children’s Hospital had sudden life-threatening allergic reactions that caused their eyes, lips and tongues to swell, raised their heart rates and dropped their blood pressures dangerously low. After the dialysis staff treated the children with medication that relieved the symptoms, they called infectious diseases specialist Alexis Elward, who sprung into action to help determine the cause. Little did she know it would spark an international investigation into a common blood thinner and a recall of the drug from the market.

Photo by Robert BostonTeefey and colleague Bill Middleton look at ultrasound images.Sherry Teefey, professor of radiology, enjoys both her professional time with patients and colleagues and personal time spent not only hiking in mountain ranges around the world but also in medical education efforts in countries in Africa, Asia and South America.

National DNA Day is April 25. The day celebrates a most remarkable molecule, one that holds the instructions for life: DNA. DNA Day was created in 2003 to commemorate the completion of the Human Genome Project and the 50th anniversary of James Watson’s and Francis Crick’s discovery of DNA’s double helical structure. Washington University played a key role in the Human Genome Project, an international effort to assemble in order the 3 billion letters that make up the genetic code.

Washington University’s Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) celebrated two milestones May 1-2: its 35th anniversary and the graduation of its 1,000th student. The Division spans both the University’s Danforth and Medical campuses to provide Ph.D. training programs in biology and the biomedical sciences. Established in 1973, the Division has become the national model for graduate education in biology and biomedical sciences because of its collaborative, interdisciplinary approach.

Despite a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease years ago, Wilfried Ute regularly dances the Argentine tango with his wife Adelt. Dancing has always been an integral part of their lives, and the couple jumped at the chance to participate in a Washington University study evaluating the therapeutic benefits of the tango for Parkinson’s patients.

Every so often we read a news report in which a young athlete collapses and dies during a competition — it’s rare, but it happens. And when it does, often the cause is a silent heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic at the School of Medicine is devoted to diagnosis and treatment of HCM.

Viagra, the breakthrough drug for battling male sexual dysfunction, hit the market 10 years ago. Now, physicians have now found an additional benefit for this type of drug. Many men are reluctant to visit the doctor but are eager to get the benefits of “the little blue pill.” Their trips to the doctor to get a prescription may reveal underlying conditions including high blood pressure, undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes, heart disease or high cholesterol.