Washington University Record, October 11, 1990
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Washington University School of Medicine Digital Commons@Becker Washington University Record Washington University Publications 10-11-1990 Washington University Record, October 11, 1990 Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record Recommended Citation "Washington University Record, October 11, 1990" (1990). Washington University Record. Book 527. http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record/527 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington University Publications at Digital Commons@Becker. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Record by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Becker. For more information, please contact [email protected]. gNJCMiington WASHINGTON ■ UNIVERSITY- IN ■ ST' LOUIS *W8e»j —s l&CORD Vol. 15 No.7/Oct. 11, 1990 Key role University is named one of four centers to map human genome The School of Medicine has been tists will lead this national effort." designated one of the Public Health Among the biggest scientific Service's first four centers of investiga- undertakings in history, the Human tion for the federally funded human Genome Project will decipher the genome initiative — a project with the genetic messages locked away in each goal of deciphering the complete of the body's cells. The complete set genetic message of human beings at of messages, or genome, is inscribed the molecular level. The designation in the 100,000 or so genes on 23 pairs brings with it a five-year grant with a of chromosomes. One of the project's first-year award of $2.3 million from five-year goals is the development of the National Institutes of Health to maps showing the location of the establish a new Human Genome genes on each of the chromosomes. A Center at Washington University. later goal is the exact sequencing of "This is wonderful recognition of the molecular "base pairs" that the strengths this institution has constitute the chromosomes and amassed in the area of genetics provide a code for protein production. research," says Chancellor William H. The Washington University Danforth. "The diligence and creativity project has three parts, each based on of our fine faculty have once again the power of Yeast Artificial Chromo- secured for us a key role in an some (YAC) technology. YACs were important national research initiative." developed in the Washington Univer- The results of the highly competi- sity laboratory of Maynard V. Olson, tive national selection process will be Ph.D., professor of genetics, and have formally announced in Washington, increased the capabilities of the D.C., through the National Center for molecular geneticist's lab by a full Human Genome Research, a compo- order of magnitude over conventional nent of NIH established to oversee its techniques. Through YAC technology, part of the Human Genome Project. large portions of the human genome "It's a huge task, but it's more of are introduced into yeast chromo- an investment than an expense," says somes that are adopted and then David Schlessinger, Ph.D., professor of cloned by the plant. Because of their Student-athlete Chris Warlick at work in a genetics laboratory at the School of Medicine. genetics, who will direct the new size, the clones can hold even large genome center at Washington Univer- genes intact and can be overlapped to Has to pass on football game sity. Schlessinger adds that when the reconstruct maps of large parts of the genome is adequately mapped, human genome. Student-athlete will present "scientists can efficiently work out all The St. Louis center aims to of human biology at the molecular continue the development of technol- level. This is the best route to under- ogy for genome analysis while gene discovery at conference standing most, if not all, of the 4,000 reaching its three goals. The first is to When you refer to Chris Warlick as a the country in an attempt to further inherited diseases." locate a number of genes of special student-athlete, you'd better put map the human gene structure. "This is a great opportunity; medical or research interest in YACs. "student" in boldface — maybe an Warlick's main focus was an area understanding the human genome will "For example," Schlessinger says, "we exclamation mark or two. of a chromosome near the disease yield enormous benefits to mankind," know that genes in a particular region On Oct. 20, Warlick, the Bears' familial hypertrophic cardiomyo- says William A. Peck, M.D., vice of about 4 million base pairs are top-notch wide receiver, won't be on pathy — a genetic heart ailment that chancellor for medical affairs and responsible for the rejection of the field when his fellow teammates often affects young people. It's a dean of the School of Medicine. transplanted tissues. Using YAC take on Colorado College. Instead, he disease with no outward symptoms, a "Washington University School of technology we have been locating and will be in Cincinnati, Ohio, attending disease that can strike quickly and Medicine is proud to be among the cloning these genes," in work led by the national convention of the Ameri- fatally. In the process, he discovered institutions whose outstanding scien- Continued on p. 4 can Society of Human Geneticists. two markers that will make the whole More than 100 presentations will be region much more useful toward made at this annual conference, which further research, says Donis-Keller. Czech composer Martinu is focus of attracts more than 5,000 top medical Warlick's discoveries will soon specialists. Only one of those presen- become a permanent fixture on the international conference and festival tations will be made by an under- updated human genetic map, and will In honor of the 100th anniversary of "Martinu and 20th-century Music," graduate student — Chris Warlick. bear his initials — CW1 and CW2. Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu's which is joindy sponsored by the Last spring, Warlick, a senior "They actually had names like birth, the University will host an International Research and Exchanges biology major, uncovered two markers G8I1 and G8B4," says Warlick, who is international conference and festival, Board (IREX) and Washington on the map of the human gene from Williamsville, N.Y. "But my titled "Martinu and 20th-century University's Department of Music, was structure. These markers will help doctor said those names were too Music." The festival will be held Oct. organized by Michael Beckerman, scientists isolate the cause of a heart messy. She said, 'Let's just call them 21-28 and the scholarly conference Ph.D., associate professor of music, ailment that often afflicts young CW1 and CW2. I thought that was will run Oct. 24-27. and will feature 30 scholars and people. kind of nice." Washington University's event musicians from Czechoslovakia, "Chris Warlick? Oh, you mean our Warlick, who just began playing culminates a year-long series of Russia, England, Germany, Switzer- next Nobel laureate?!" quips Helen college football last fall, is very celebrations that included Martinu land and Cuba. Donis-Keller, Ph.D., perhaps only half- disappointed that he will miss the festivals in Prague, London, Barcelona, Because there has been a ten- jokingly. "I'd say it's absolutely Colorado College contest. Paris and Konstanz, Switzerland. dency to view Martinu as a Czech unheard of for an undergraduate to "It's a concern because I've only Martinu (1890-1959) was a phenomenon, the Washington Univer- give a presentation at the national been playing two years — just 19 contemporary of Bartok and sity symposium will explore the meeting. I don't know of a single games," he says. "It's l/19th of my Stravinsky, and, like them, spent part composer's relationship within the instance when it's happened. Most career that I'm missing. But this is an of his life as an exile in the United larger 20th-century artistic climate and, postdoctorates consider it quite an option that I really can't pass up." States, as well as in France, Switzer- more specifically, with other compos- honor to give a talk at the meeting," His father played the game land and Italy. His many travels, ers of his time, including Schoenberg, adds Donis-Keller, a professor of professionally. A tight end, Ernie however, did not stop him from Sibelius and Prokofiev, as well as genetics at the School of Medicine Warlick was a member of the Buffalo composing. Martinu was one of the Bartok and Stravinsky. who oversaw Warlick's research. Bills from 1962-65. According to Chris, most prolific composers of the 20th "Martinu has a very curious The tide of his work is "Isolation his father never goaded him into century, writing more than 400 relationship with the 20th century," of a Yeast Artificial Chromosome playing. compositions, including 12 ballets, 13 says Beckerman. "Although an exile Clone From D14S26 Near a Gene for "Quite the opposite in fact," he operas, six symphonies, 25 concertos for much of his life, his music harkens Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy recalls. "My dad is anything but the and more than 75 chamber works. His back very strongly to his Czech roots. and Identification of Two New stereotypical football father. When I musical style is considered eclectic — There are striking juxtapositions of Restriction Fragment Length Polymor- was eight and told him that I wanted incorporating elements of jazz, beautiful harmonious strains and phism Probes at this Locus." to play football, he said 'Are you sure impressionism and Czech folk music powerful dissonances in Martinu's Warlick began working in a you want calcium deposits in your — yet distinctive and powerful. music that aren't always appreciated genetics lab at the Washington ankles? Are you sure about this?' He In homage to Martinu's own for their complexity and impact.