Author: Chris Amelung

On February 17, Anderson speaks on “Education in imaging sciences: The next frontier.” The presentation is part of a session called “Frontiers in biological imaging: From cells to humans.” The session runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Carolyn Anderson, associate professor of radiology and of molecular biology and pharmacology, is implementing the first U.S. […]

(On February 18, Wagenseil speaks on “Imaging of extracellular matrix dynamics in living cells: new insights into structure and function.” The presentation is part of a session called “Elastic fiber formation: a dynamic view.” The session runs from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.) While much of what goes wrong in human disease takes place inside […]

Cynthia Wichelman, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will be one of three speakers at a lecture, “Public Science Education: Café, clinic, car or couch?” from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. February 18. The other speakers are John Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Colorado, […]

mp3 fileIn studies of autism and ADHD, it appears genes influence symptoms along a spectrum from very mild symptoms that “normal” people may have to very severe symptoms that highly impaired people will have. In other words, genes seem to determine whether “normal” behaviors can become disease pathologies. mp3 fileSeverely affected autistic people don’t generally […]

mp3 fileThere are two primary sub-types of ADHD. One involves severe inattention. The other form includes both attention problems and hyperactivity. But all of the various subtypes of ADHD have a strong genetic component. mp3 fileAlthough the syndrome is always referred to as ADHD, Todd says several genes may be involved, and those various genetic […]

mp3 fileImai discovered the enzymatic acitivity of Sir2 (silent information regulator 2) and demonstrated its role in cellular metabolism and its importance to the regulation of longevity in organisms such as yeast and roundworms. Increasing Sir2 activity lengthens lifespan in those organisms. Now, he is studying the roles of Sir2 in mammals. Because mammals are […]

Mice with Tax-induced leukemia/lymphoma develop large tumors and many areas of bone destruction, as shown in this X-ray.Defeating cancerous tumors by attacking healthy cells seems like an unusual strategy, but researchers at the School of Medicine have shown the strategy to be effective against leukemia/lymphoma in mice. The research group found that inhibiting normal bone-maintenance cells called osteoclasts not only prevented the mice’s cancer from spreading to their bones, it also slowed the growth of tumors in the body’s soft tissues.

Bright areas in this image highlight the junctions between heart muscle cells.Failing hearts develop interference in their communication channels, according to research conducted at the School of Medicine. The problem involves a subtle change in the pores that connect heart muscle cells. When the scientists duplicated this change in mice, the mice became susceptible to ventricular tachycardia, a dangerous heart rhythm disorder that can lead to sudden cardiac death.

Listed below are this month’s featured news stories. • Warfarin increases risk of fractures (week of Feb. 1) • Older adults can control health (week of Feb. 8) • New cancer strategy (week of Feb. 15) • Enzyme affects aging process (week of Feb. 22)

Robert BostonJoe Buck, Jonathan Gitlin, Lee Fetter and Larry Shapiro (L-R) join a group of children to launch the Children’s Discovery Institute.Scientists from the School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital have teamed up to search for cures for childhood diseases in four areas: heart disease, brain cancer, lung disease, and musculoskeletal defects. The Children’s Discovery Institute is a new $120 million endeavor by the two partners aimed at reaping the rewards of a sequenced human genome.