Medicine & Health

Discovering ways to honor the dignity of individuals coping with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is the goal of an interdisciplinary symposium on “Finding Humanity in Advanced Dementia” to be held in Wilson Hall on the Danforth Campus of Washington University in St Louis on Saturday, April 27.

Performances of Lucky Stiff, a musical starring and directed and produced by students on the Washington University Medical Campus will be April 25, 26 and 27 in Whelpley Auditorium on the St. Louis College of Pharmacy campus. Shown is Greg Bligard, a third-year MD/PhD student, rehearsing a scene from the show.

The Irving Boime Symposium will be held Thursday, April 18, at the Eric P. Newman Education Center, Seminar Room B, on the Washington University Medical Campus. Shown is Irving Boime, PhD, the namesake and one of the speakers.

Scientists have decoded the genome of the platyfish, a cousin of the guppy and a popular choice for home aquariums. Scientists are interested in the fish because they tend to develop melanomas along the tail and fin.

Michael M. Awad, MD, PhD, has been named associate dean for medical student education at the School of Medicine, effective June 1. Awad is an assistant professor of surgery, program director of the university’s general surgery residency and director of the university’s Institute for Surgical Education.

After the morning rush April 18, the Missouri Department of Transportation will close the Jefferson Avenue bridge over Interstate 64/Highway 40 to prepare for its removal.

Richard K. Wilson, PhD, and colleagues have identified mutations responsible for the most common type of childhood brain cancer and shown that the tumors are susceptible to drugs already in development.

St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday and his mom, Kathy, have teamed up with the Siteman Cancer Center to spread the word about the importance of colon cancer screening.

On April 15, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, a case that could answer the question, “Under what conditions, if any, are isolated human genes patentable?” Kevin Emerson Collins, JD, patent law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, believes that layered uncertainties make this case an unusually difficult case in which to predict the outcome.

Using a miniature electronic device implanted in the brain, scientists have tapped into the internal reward system of mice, prodding neurons to release dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure. This LED light can activate brain cells and may lead to the mapping of circuits involved in sleep, depression and addiction.