• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Sept. 5, 2013 Vol. 33, No. 5 InsideFor Faculty and Staff, University of IIllinoisllinois at Urbana-Champaign • http://news.illinois.edu/ii Blind mole-rats are resistant to chemically induced cancers By Diana Yates Band led a previous analysis of gene expres- Life Sciences Editor sion in blind mole-rats living in low-oxygen ike naked mole-rats (Heterocepha- (hypoxic) environments. He found that genes lus gaber), blind mole-rats (of the that respond to hypoxia are known to also play genus Spalax) live underground a role in aging and in suppressing or promot- in low-oxygen environments, ing cancer. Lare long-lived and resistant to cancer. A “We think that these three phenomena are new study demonstrates just how cancer- tied in together: the hypoxia tolerance, the lon- resistant Spalax are, and suggests that the ad- gevity and cancer resistance,” Band said. “We aptations that help these rodents survive in think all result from evolutionary adaptations low-oxygen environments also play a role in to a stressful environment.” their longevity and cancer resistance. Unlike the naked mole-rat, which lives in The findings are reported in the journal colonies in Eastern Africa, the blind mole-rat Biomed Central: Biology. is a solitary rodent found in the Eastern Medi- “We’ve shown that, compared to mice and terranean. Thousands of blind mole-rats have rats, blind mole-rats are highly resistant to been captured and studied for more than 50 carcinogens,” said Mark Band, the director of years at Israel’s University of Haifa, where the functional genomics at the U. of I. Biotech- animal work was conducted. The Haifa scien- nology Center and a co-author on the study. tists observed that none of their blind mole- rats had ever developed cancer, even though Spalax can live more than 20 years. Lab mice and rats have a maximum lifespan of about 3.5 years and yet regularly develop spontaneous cancers. To test the blind mole-rats’ cancer resis- tance, the Haifa team, led by Irena Manov, Aaron Avivi and Imad Shams, exposed the animals to two cancer-causing agents. Only one of the 20 Spalax tested (an animal that was more than 10 years old) developed malignant tumors after exposure to one of the carcino- photo by L. Brian Stauffer Quad’s-eye view Nearly 660 registered student organizations photo courtesy of Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel gens. In contrast, all of the 12 mice and six rats participated in Quad Day on Aug. 25. The annual event gives students the exposed to either agent developed cancerous Evolutionary adaptations Blind mole- opportunity to sign up for extracurricular and social activities. This year’s tumors. rats (genus Spalax) can live more than 20 participants included student and community organizations and academic The team next turned its attention to years, are resistant to cancer and tolerate units. The day also featured more than 20 performances. It’s the 42nd time extremely low-oxygen environments. SEE BLIND MOLE-RAT, PAGE 12 the event has been held. Chancellor Wise says new academic year is one of action By Mike Helenthal meet the recruiting goals in the Assistant Editor NEW LEADERSHIP Strategic Plan. hancellor Phyllis M. See new leaders, page 3. Wise said this fall’s enrollment Wise is delighted that numbers may break records for the the new academic year the hiring plan unveiled at last number of international students. is underway. spring’s town hall meeting, where And average GPA scores also are CPart of the reason is that she Wise and Illesanmi Adesida, the up this year. has spent a lot of time spurring a provost and vice chancellor for “Coming to Illinois is a great campus self-assessment process academic affairs, outlined the plan opportunity to know and be a part leading to the recently unveiled to recruit 500 faculty members in of the global environment,” she Strategic Plan, a three-year plan the next five to seven years. said. “I’m encouraging students requested by university President Hiring that many new faculty to go outside of themselves and Bob Easter. Initiating that plan is members will serve many purpos- reach out to someone who is dif- the next step. es, Wise said. Among them, bring- ferent from them.” “This year you’re going to start ing faculty numbers more in line Wise said she is confident that seeing that this plan is being put with student demand and utilizing this year is a year of action be- into action,” Wise said. “Too many “cluster” hiring to bring teams cause the campus has gotten firm- people (faculty, staff, students and of specialists from emerging and ly behind the principles outlined in photo by L. Brian Stauffer external stakeholders) have spent cross-disciplinary fields. the Strategic Plan. Momentum maker The chancellor’s Listening and Learning too much precious time and effort Wise said the effort also would “It’s everybody’s strategic tour and the Visioning Future Excellence initiative have been for this to be one of those plans bolster parallel efforts to promote plan,” she said. “So many people completed, the Strategic Plan has been submitted to the president that is not executed.” innovative learning and research helped create it and we hope ev- and Chancellor Phyllis M. Wise is looking forward to the 2013-14 Wise said initiatives for several opportunities for all students, par- eryone embraces it as their own.” academic year as a year of action. Wise said many of the initiatives of the plan’s themes – environ- ticularly undergraduates. She said she and her leadership outlined in the Strategic Plan have already begun. ment and energy, health and well- The chancellor and provost team have gelled in their short ness, social equality and cultural have appointed a faculty com- time working together and she is swer. They’ve been tremendous, they’re able to accomplish. These understanding and economic de- mittee that has conducted its own optimistic about the future. and there are repercussions ev- are very unique times in higher velopment – are being developed “listening and learning” tour in “I am so pleased with the team erywhere across the campus: education and we have to antici- or are already underway. recent months to discuss with around me,” she said. “I’ve been It affects all aspects of the in- pate the need to manage change For example, the recruitment deans and departments efforts to here long enough now where I stitution because of the knowl- as opposed to being managed by process has already begun for improve the search process and know who to turn to for an an- edge they possess and the things changes.” u Preserving history Performance INDEX The University Archives is exhibitions A MINUTE WITH … ™ 13 looking to the future in its Dance performances are BOOK CORNER 11 approach to preserving being featured this month BRIEF NOTES 18 the past. at Krannert Art Museum. PAGE 10 PAGE 14 DEATHS 3 This Issue This ON THE JOB 3 In InsIde IllInoIs onlIne: news.illinois.edu/ii/ • To subscrIbe: go.illinois.edu/iisubscribe PAGE 2 InsideIllinois Sept. 5, 2013 New SEC chair expects busy, productive year By Mike Helenthal tasks set aside for us to consider. A year is the future. ON THE WEB Assistant Editor very short and it would be nice to make a lot He said an ad hoc senate committee had http://senate.illinois.edu he Senate Executive Committee’s of progress.” been working over the summer to address first meeting of the academic year Outside of affecting administrative and salary, benefit and pension issues, the bud- its own role within the shared governance was light on business – but don’t academic direction, Campbell said the dis- get and campus renovation priorities, and structure is important as well, considering expect that to become a trend, said cussion and implementation of the strategic how the senate can affect them. the convergence of so many future-focused Tnew chair Roy Campbell after the Aug. 26 plan represents an opportunity for the sen- Kim Graber, the SEC’s new vice chair, academic issues. And it’s especially pre- meeting. ate to directly affect funding decisions. said the difficulties in deciding some issues scient considering the university admin- Campbell said he expects the 2013- “Good budgeting comes from careful will be compounded by a need to act “nim- istration is simultaneously conducting its 14 year to bring a heavy workload for the planning, and being at the table for these bly” as Chancellor Phyllis M. Wise has put own internal review. Urbana Academic Senate, SEC and its 18 larger discussions is important,” he said. it, when they come up for consideration. He said he sees one of his main roles as committees, as several important campus “You’d like to give everyone the same Graber said SEC members are encour- improving and increasing communication issues likely will come before them for con- amount, but funding will continue to be a aged by recommendations made in the between all of the interested parties, “be- sideration. difficult issue. It will be about identifying Strategic Plan, as well as by the importance cause we’re all dedicated to making this He said the recent submission of the campus priorities.” Wise and Ilesanmi Adesida, the vice chan- university better.” He said he would empha- campus Strategic Plan to university ad- Other issues of import include the ongo- cellor for academic affairs and provost, size the need to make senate meetings and ministrators and the speed at which those ing discussion of how massive open online have indicated they place on the concept of correspondence transparent and meet the strategies are implemented will likely lead courses fit into the land-grant university shared governance.

Load more

  20

Copy Link