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The schematic in the center shows how a drug molecule (in the circle) prevents UTIs by stopping pili formation.A different approach to treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) could defeat the bacteria that cause the infections without directly killing them, a strategy that could help slow the growth of antibiotic-resistant infections. Instead of trying to wipe out bacteria, researchers at the School of Medicine have been working to create pharmaceuticals that essentially “defang” the bacteria by preventing them from assembling pili, microscopic hairs that enable the bacteria to invade host cells and defend themselves against the host’s immune system.

Right now there’s no rapid way to diagnose sepsis, a fast-moving blood infection that is a leading cause of death in hospital intensive care units. Doctors who suspect sepsis typically rush to prescribe powerful antibiotics, but this can lead to the inappropriate treatment of patients with uncontrollable inflammation without an underlying infection. New research at the School of Medicine suggests that doctors one day could quickly distinguish sepsis from widespread non-infectious inflammation based on genetic profiles of patients’ blood.

As part of Washington University’s celebration of the Danforth Campus dedication, and to underscore the important role of higher education in society, a lecture series will debut on October 3 with succeeding events on October 16 and November 13 – all being held in Graham Chapel at 4 p.m. Titled “A Higher Sense of Purpose,” its speakers will cover some of the more cogent topics being discussed today, with the goal of generating new ideas and creating a dialogue to move the conversations forward. All three programs are free and open to the public.

This is the final issue of the Record this calendar year. The Record will resume publication Jan. 18, 2007. We wish everyone happy holidays!

This is the last official Record Monday of the calendar year. We will resume regular publication on Jan. 22, 2007. In the event of urgent announcements or breaking news, the electronic Record may be e-mailed periodically during the break. The Record staff wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

WUSTL continues to analyze various strategies to lessen the impact of the Interstate 64/Highway 40 reconstruction project on students, employees and patients.

The Dec. 1 board meeting included reports and updates on campus activities and the election of Gordon W. Philpott, emeritus professor of surgery, to the board.

Patricia Flynn in the Department of Psychiatry has been named Nurse of the Year by the Missouri Nurses Association’s Third District

Jeffrey Marlow is among the 43 young Americans to receive a 2007 Marshall Scholarship, which provides full support for two or three years of study at any British university toward a second bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree. Marlow, a senior in earth and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences, is WUSTL’s first Marshall Scholar since 1993.

The men’s basketball team shot 74.1 percent in the second half to claim the 23rd Annual Lopata Classic with an 81-65 win against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Dec. 2 at the Field House.