University Scientists Make Cell-Altering Breakthrough
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THE CHRONICLE THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1990 © DUKE UNIVERSITY DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA CIRCULATION: 8,000 VOL. 86, NO. S5 University scientists make cell-altering breakthrough By ADRIAN DOLLARD ers Williams, cardiologist and as wand for use on living animal ward by Shockwaves created enable them to produce needed Two University researchers sistant professor of microbiology, cells. when an electric charge causes a insulin or potentially alter mus have helped pioneer a way of ge improved on the work of Cornell The wand injects microscopic pressurized, helium-filled cham cle cells to treat muscular disor netically altering living cells in University Professor John San tungsten balls carrying genetic ber to rupture. ders and even heart disease. mice. If successfully applied to ford and developed a device material into the cells of live ani If certain difficulties can be people, the new technology could known as the "wand." mals. To do this, the DNA-coated overcome, the wand could con However, before the wand correct human genetic disease While Sanford's "biolistic" in balls sit on a small disk that is ceivably be used to replace harm technology can be used to effec and dysfunctions. strument inserted genes into propelled forward into a screen ful or missing genetic material tively treat human genetic disor Stephen Johnston, associate plant cells, Johnston, Williams, that allows only the pellets to with normally functioning genes. ders, researchers must first professor of botany and biomedi Sanford and Sandra McElligott pass through it and onto the liv It could, for example, alter the figure out how to get longer last- cal engineering and Dr. R. Sand of the DuPont Corp. created the ing cells. The disk is driven for pancreatic cells of diabetics and See CELLS on page 10 • Mayor Barry Krzyzewski will remain will not seek Blue Devils' head coach another term By MARK JAFFE Basketball, had previously Following a week of swirling forged a relationship. By RICHARD KEIL Associated Press speculation, Duke head basket Krzyzewski's respect for Gavitt ball coach Mike Krzyzewski de increased his interest in the Celt WASHINGTON — Mayor cided last Thursday night to ics job. Marion Barry, struggling withdraw his name from consid "I knew Dave Gavitt real well against drug possession and eration for the head coaching and I knew that everything perjury charges, said Wednes position of the NBA's Boston would be honest and straight day he would not seek re-elec Celtics. forward," Krzyzewski said. "I tion to a fourth term. "Now is "I think it was evident after we knew it would be handled proper- a time for healing," the embat went through fthe interviewsl, tled mayor said. iy." that we, as a family, wanted to Barry hastily summoned Boston promoted former Celtic coach in college," Krzyzewski player and long-time assistant his cabinet to reveal his said. "We had the opportunity to decision shortly before he told coach Chris Ford to the head job look into one of the class organi Tuesday. his constituents via a tele zations. ... It had been on my vised announcement. "You can't have a man the mind the last couple of years that magnitude of coach Krzyzewski His move was apparently I might want to do something in part of an effort to rekindle and not be concerned at a time the NBA. With the Celtics and like that," said Athletic Director plea bargain talks that broke Dave Gavitt (Boston's director of down over a week ago. Tom Butters. "It was a legitimate operations), it was the ap- look he took to a legitimate orga Barry has pleaded innocent MATT SCLAFANI /THE CHRONICLE propiate time to check things to 10 misdemeanor cocaine nization. Obviously, we're very out." pleased he made the decision possession charges, one mis Duke appreciates me? Krzyzewski, as head coach of demeanor cocaine conspiracy that he did, and not just because This little guy was feeling a little queasy on the Moonwalk at the U.S. basketball team, and we were able to retain a coach. charge, and three felony the Duke employee family day carnival. Gavitt, as the director of USA counts of lying to a grand jury See KRZYZEWSKI on page 21 !• about his alleged drug use. AJS jury selection crawled along, U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson said he Monk program brings jazz legends to schools hoped to seat a jury on Mon day. By BEAU DURE Heath and Thelonious Monk Jr. as the native home of many of The program's directors also "Now is a time for healing, The cool sounds of jazz will are some of the musicians who jazz music's musicians, singers hope to increase public aware healing for me personally and sound through a number of have agreed to take part in the and composers," according to a ness and understanding of the for you politically," Barry North Carolina schools through a program. draft ofthe institute's proposal. Monk Institute and its involve said. new program of the Thelonious The purpose of the program is The proposal also says "jazz is ment in local schools and arts Barry said public opinion Monk Institute. to "broaden student awareness America's major contribution to councils, said Doug Moore, asso polls indicated he could win Students will hear lectures by and understanding of jazz music the music world, and there is a ciate director ofthe institute. another term, but he added, jazz legends and participate in as an uniquely American art current void in the education of Each participating school dis "What good does it do to win lessons. Branford Marsalis, Art form, and familiarize students this music with the American trict will offer the program to one See BARRY on page 8 • Blakey, Clark Terry, Jimmy with North Carolina's heritage school system." See JAZZ on page 17 ^ Supercomputer center dedicated By LEIGH DYER academic institutions including formally dedicated, the number A center containing the only Duke. of users is expected to grow, al supercomputer in the southeast The 32,000-square-foot North lowing for further scientific re was dedicated Monday in Re Carolina Supercomputing Center search and economic develop search Triangle Park. (NCSC) has housed a Cray-YMP ment in the state. The supercomputer is expected supercomputer since last August. The facility houses one of fewer to bring numerous benefits to The center accommodates 445 than 20 state or regionally owned North Carolina's industries and users. Now that NCSC has been supercomputers in the country. It is under the direction of the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC), a Triangle re Inside Weather search consortium involving universities, research institutes Spring: Appalachian, that Summer: Hot, that is. and industry. is, as Martha Graham's com Mostly sunny with highs in The University has many ties SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE pany visits ADF. See page 4. the 80s for the next two days. See COMPUTER on page 18 • North Carolina Supercomputing Center PAGE 2 THE CHRONICLE THURSDAY, JUNE 14,1990 World & National Newsfile Captain says supertanker explosion a mystery Associated Press By CHIP BROWN Durenberger apologizes: Sen. Associated Press Dave Durenberger apologized Wednes GALVESTON, Texas —• At least 3 day to his colleagues and constituents, million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf saying he takes "full responsibility" for of Mexico from the Mega Borg, officials ethical lapses even though he never set said Wednesday, and the captain said the out to break the rules. explosions that ripped through the super tanker came without warning. "I was in the radio room, alone, and Sales fall: Retail sales fell again in suddenly the door swung open, the lights May, posting their first consecutive went out, and glass was crashing down," three-month decline since the last Capt. CM. Mahidhara told a panel ques recession, the government said tioning the Norwegian vessel's crew. Wednesday. Fires sparked by the blasts Saturday were under control but continued to burn Wednesday. Crews have found a hole in AP/Martha P. Hernandez Baker upset at Mideast: The the center tank of the 886-foot ship, said United States will stop its efforts to set Coast Guard Capt. Thomas Greene. ship's 38 million gallon cargo had leaked. The crew is being questioned by Erik up Mideast peace talks unless Israel "A minimum of 3 million gallons has The Norwegian government convened a Leikvang, general consul of Norway, and agrees to proceed without delay, Secre left the cargo tanks and I'm presuming board of inquiry Wednesday at a Galves Ole Leithe, a Norwegian maritime inves tary of State James Baker III said that most of that has gone into the water," ton hotel to question the crew. The cap tigator. They are trying to determine the Wednesday. See related story page 9. Greene said. "I don't see any risk of losing tain said he noticed nothing wrong before ship's seaworthiness and whether there is cargo from the other tanks." the explosions, which occurred during the any criminal liability stemming from the Most of the spilled light crude oil has weekend as oil was being transferred to a explosions and leak. The Coast Guard Terrorist Caught: German officials burned or evaporated, authorities said. smaller tanker 57 miles southeast of Gal also is participating in the hearing. in the East and West teamed up to cap Greene said between 12,000 gallons and veston. ture the second top leftist terrorist sus 40,000 gallons remained in the water. "As far as I could see, everything was in Mahidhara said the crew went over a pect in a week, and news reports on The Coast Guard had initially esti good order," said Mahidhara, a sailor for safety checklist before transferring the Wednesday said more such arrests mated that up to 100,000 gallons of the 17 years and a captain for nine.