Moctty Sumiy HigfeSS BREEZE <* ;Lew: 33' Id/. 82, l->uc -Ji ► Moiul.ni, \hmli 27, 2W/1 ISAT takes on the eye JMU-U.Va. team aims to cure syndrome with obscure protein BY SARAH SHAHMORADIAN the recombinant purified protein bacteria and make enough of it for staff writer and then sending it to them for his studies, and no one at U.Va. biological activity analysis. did that, so we jumped in on the Three JMU Integrated Science Junior Brooke Buddand's part opportunity to collaborate." and Technology students and of the research involves fusing a Their collaboration recently their professor are manufacturing green fluorescent protein with the expanded with a third partner. a protein that may help over 35 lacritin protein to make it glow for Dr. Patricia Williams from Eastern million Americans deal with dry- identification and analysis. Seniors Virginia Medical School. eye syndrome, a condition ranging Kriaten Bloom and Stab Johnson McKown said, "We make the in severity from reduced vision to work on other aspects of the rewaid i protein here, and now [EVMS| are blindness. such as mutatkmal analysis. doing animal studies to measure The protein lacritin, which The U.Va.-JMU collaborafion increased tear production in comes from a "small, obscure began when Laurie came to rabbits." little gland" behind the eye, had recruit students for the U.Va. Buddand said. It's exciting previously escaped the attention Biotechnology Ph.D. program. to see more people get involved of scientists, said project head "Dr. Laurie thought that BAT in this" He originally started Robert McKown. students like us could be good for working in the lab doing dishes McKown said lacritin might their program, and when he started but became more involved, finding play a role in stimulating new tear talking about his work with Dr. the ueian.li interesting enough for production, which "may form the McKown, they realized we could a senior thesis project. basis of a revolutionary treatment work together," Bloom said. She Manufacturing this rare for dry-eye syndrome." works on one aspect of the project protein will likely "bring more Lacritin was isolated at along with Buddand and Johnson. attention to JMU, but ultimately the University of Virginia by "They do the cell biology there, our teamwork with U.Va. and pfcxo corny oflMV PHOTO SERVICES Gordon Laurie's team in 2001. and we do the biochemistry here," EVMS in future scientific ventures Project hMd Robert McKown work* with junior Lindsay Caktwell. McKown's work Since then, JMU has been McKown said. "Laurie originally will prove very valuable," may help the vision of millions of Americans. working with them by creating wanted to done [lacritin] in McKown said. Students protest labor-related injustices Class BY KIM GOWER Burger Kings in Harrisonburg, the responses, [we're] making people contributing writer group protested there. more aware of these issues," said of'07 "We are trying to gain sup- freshman Claire Moore. The JMU chapter of the port for workers ... and to raise The protest is an international International Justice Mission held support and awareness about event and several protests already reveals a petition and protest this past this issue," Mayhew said. have occurred throughout the United week to seek justice for 27 fired At the protest on Friday, IJM States. IJM and the Association For A workers in Honduras. gave the management at this Burger More Just Society sponsored the pro- Last Wednesday and Thursday King a letter "explaining why [they test AJS includes lawyers and jour- ring members of IJM worked on the were protesting] and asking them to nalists who advocate through cam- commons collecting signatures call the headquarters and let them paigns for people who don't have advocating the rights of these know that they are losing business the resources to defend themselves BY MARIA NOSAI. workers! On Friday the group and money," Mayhew said. Mariano is a strong supporter of —- contributing writer protested at the Burger King on Junior Jennifer Mariano, vicepres- this protest She said she teds a con- Route 33 in Harrisonburg ident of IJM, said, "Within 30 min- nection to Honduras because she has The Sophomore Class "We are laboring to hold Burger utes, [the local Burger Kmg| called been to Nicaragua and is aware of the Council will be sponsoring a King accountable for labor rights the owner of the franchise and they living conditions and environment ring premiere event Wednesday abuses in Honduras," said senior also want us to call [the owners). It there. She is concerned for the fired in the College Center Grand Linsey Mayhew. IJM president. was a really quick reaction ... which workers' living conditions. 'I'm a Ballroom starting at 6 p.m. Between Jan. 19 and Feb. 28, is what we wanted them to do" Christian, and I care about their wel- This will be the first time the individuals who worked in Mayhew said they are fare because God cares about their sophomores will have the opportunity to see the class INTUR's franchises in Honduras protesting by "not buying welfare," Mariano said. 'It may be ISABEL PERRY/conenbunagpAmmnaaa were fired without explanation anything from Burger King until only 27 workers, but we should care ring that was designed specifi- and without compensation. [the workers] are compensated." about them." Mariano said. Sophomore Jennifer Vaz takes part In the cally for the dass by the Class International Justice Mission sponsored protest INTUR owns Burger King, Trie members of IJM and protes- Burger King management of 2007 Ring Premiere commit- against Burger King Friday afternoon. TIM group tee made up of members of the Church's Chicken and Little tors were pleased with the support was not able to comment at the protested the unjust firings of 27 Honduran Sophomore Class Coundl. Caesar's, but since there are only "I think we've been getting good time of publication. employees last fall. "The annual ring pre- miere is an event for sopho- mores to come out and view their class ring," Sophomore Review ranks JMU high in community service Class Vice President Emily Watson said. "The night will be full of excitement with BY DARCIE ROBEROE becoming a part of JMU culture," said professor of Integrated Science and recently. Sophomore Tyrone White par- Exit 245, Mozaic, Indian contributing writer Rich Harris, director of Community Technology said, "I like the idea of ticipated in one of the ASB trips offered dancers, the Breakdancing Service-Learning getting beyond the focus on monetary by Community Service-Learning. White Club and a deejay. JMU was ranked among the nation's The National Survey of Student gain by employment. [Service is] an went to Winter Park, Florida, where he "The sophomores can expect bast schools for outstanding commu- Engagement is a national survey of important aspect of education. worked with underprivileged youth In food and free gifts as well." nity involvement by The Princeton college freshmen and seniors based "We often think of education as a school program. "It makes you aware Watson said. "Each sophomore Review and Campus Compact. on their community involvement. classroom oriented, but most of what of how much love and optimism these will be given a bag full of give- Ou t of 33 states survey ed, JMU is the At JMU, the NSSE survey indicates students remember happens outside of kids have to give," White said. aways such as a class shirt and only college in Virginia that will be fea- the freshmen are below the national the classroom." stadium cup. There will be tured in "Colleges with a Conscience: average and the seniors are above An exam- many raffles during the night 81 Great Schools with Outstanding the national average for community ple of one way and some of the prizes are JMU Community Involvement." involvement, Harris said. JMU students George Foreman grills with the The survey was based on college "Something at JMU is encouraging are involved 2007 class logo on them, a TV, admissions practices, scholarships service," Harris said. in community a PlayStation, parking passes rewarding community service, support Harris said that community ser- service is the and many gift certificates." for service-learning programs, student vice is beneficial to the volunteer and Alternative Students were sent invita- participation and voice and the social the recipient. "Everybody learns. Spring Break tions in their local mailboxes. engagement of the student body. You are both a teacher and a learner trips that Students attending are asked to "Ifs exdting to get recognition. at the same time." many students come "dressed to impress." Service-Leaming is definitely Wayne Stephen Teel, assistant returned from "Sophomores should come to ring premiere because it is the one event especially for the Class of 2007, and there will be a lot of entertainment." Community rejects Iraqi war Sophomore Gass Treasurer one big ball Aimee Cipicchio said. BY MEGAN NBAL cipation of Iraq as oppression from such an event. Shannon Representatives from The Senior by the United States. Wheeler of Harrisonburg Balfour will be at the event Class Council staff writer hosts a die Following the protest attended the event and said giving students the oppor- proportioned Saturday marked the was an open forum for any- she wanted to offer aware- tunity to order class ringj soccer game two-year anniversary of trie one that wished to com- ness of global issues and an Gift certificates for purchas- Saturday United States' invasion of ment. Scheduled speaker understanding that Iraqi citi- ing rings also will be raffled aa part of Iraq. Consequently, a coalition and local resident Patrick zens are dying in the war.