>,vVk •r": •. v * THE \UNIVEKSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA T TBC REPORTS Life of research rewarded UBC scientist Michael Smith wins Nobel Prize in chemistry by Connie Filletti mutagenesis which enables scientists to reprogram the genetic code. Staff writer The method, which has hastened the Until he won the Nobel Prize development of protein engineering, is used by scientists in laboratories through­ in chemistry earlier this month, out the world in their quest to under­ Biochemistry Professor Michael stand how cancer and virus genes work. Smith spent his life, figura­ Applications which may result from Smith's research include a biotechnically tively, behind a microscope. produced hemoglobin to replace blood, Now he finds himself in front of new antibodies to attack cancer cells and one. faster-growing crop strains. "Site-directed mutagenesis has with­ The media have been quick to focus on out a doubt revolutionized basic research Smith's back-to-ba- and entirely changed sics fashion sense, •^^•^^MMBBB researchers' vvavs of right down to his pref­ performing their ex­ erence forBirkenstock "Site-directed periments." the Royal footwear. mutagenesis has Swedish Academy of Sciences said in an­ And even the coun­ without a doubt nouncing the award. try's national newspa­ Smith hopes that per couldn't resist re­ revolutionized basic his Nobel Prize, which porting that Smith research and entirely he shares with Ameri­ was "stark naked" the changed researchers' can KaryMullis. alerts moment he first heard government to the the news about his ways of performing importance of funding achievement. their experiments." b;!sic. euriositv-drivon Despite the inordi­ research. nate attention to his - The Royal Swedish state of dress and un­ "What I did was dress, Smith accepts Academy of Sciences never planned." the media ballyhoo as Smith said. "If you part and parcel of be­ asked me when we coming an instant celebrity. And in typi­ started in 1969 to design a specific cal fashion, he's not far behind in poking mutagenic method. 1 wouldn't have a bit of fun at himself. known what to do. I think people have to "The instruction I have from the Nobel know that." Martin Dee photo Foundation is that I've got to wear white Smith sees a tendency in government Biochemistry Prof. Michael Smith meets the world at a hastily organized tie and tails for the ceremony. Then they to make academic research more strate­ news conference introducing UBC's first Nobel laureate. Smith, recipient say I can have an advance on my prize money gic and he says that's a mistake. He ofthe 1993 Nobel Prize in chemistry, pioneered a method for reprogramming if I want I presume there are some people defines the trend as a misanaiysis of how the genetic code, providing scientists with a clearer understanding of how who are wanting to buy a suit of clothes and society best exploits the intellectual prop­ biological systems function. are needing the money to pay for it" erty it develops. Although he may be an unlikely candi­ "I believe that what we need to do is date to grace the cover of a fashion maga­ find the very best people who are good at zine, Smith, 61, was an obvious choice to research, whatever it is. and let them do Computer Science shows receive a Nobel Prize. the best things they can, the things they The award recognizes his discovery of are most excited about." off new high-tech centre a technique called site-directed See NOBEL Page 5 by Gavin Wilson said the building represents another step Remembrance Day Service towards the department's ultimate goal Stqf/ writer of becoming "one of the best computer UBC's annual Remembrance Day service will be held in the foyer of When UBC bought a computer in 1957, science departments in the world." the War Memorial Gymnasium on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. people also called it a mechanical brain. Designed by the architectural firm President David Strangway will inspect the troops beginning at 10:15 It had 32K of memory and was big enough Chernoff Thompson and funded by the a.m. All members ofthe community are invited to attend both events. to fill the back of a pickup truck. provincial government, the building fea­ Refreshments will be served following the service. Senator Pat Carney, then a Province tures new laboratories for study in fields reporter, challenged the computer to a such as scientific computation, robotics, game of tick-tack-toe, and won. remote sensing and real-time systems. It's a far cry from the computer wiz­ It provides space for the entire Depart­ Inside ardry on display recently at a three-day ment of Computer Science as well as for open house held to mark the 25th anni­ CICSR-related research in Electrical and versary of the Computer Science Dept. Mechanical engineering. Its labs house Hello, Operator and the opening of the Centre for Inte­ interdisciplinary projects and industrial grated Computer Systems Research and collaborations in fields such as computer Offbeat: The Nobel people get a wrong number Computer Science (CICSR/CS) building. imaging, animation, robotics, artificial Soccer-playing trucks, fish tank vir­ intelligence, computer communications Campus Crusaders 18 and educational video games. tual reality and machines that see were The Ubyssey marks 75 years among the high-tech marvels on display As well as labs, the 64,000 sq. ft. atthe opening of the $17.5-million, four- building has offices, a reading room and storey building. space for seminars, graduate students Copy Cats 20 'This building signifies a lot to us," and visiting researchers — all with state- The Faculty of Arts targets plagiarism said CICSR Director Jim Varah. "It stands of-the-art communications system capa­ for the coming of age of computer engi­ bilities. neering and computer science at UBC." The building's opening ceremony was Climate Control 20 Computer Science Head Maria Klawe See COMPUTER Page 2 Forum: Campus women feel a chill 2 UBC Reports • October 28,1993 Theorem With Letters at least 60 seconds of silence A Twist Hats off to huts to pause and reflect. Where Take 30 aluminum pipes, a few bolts Editor: would UBC stand on the and a mathematical theorem and universities national rating what do you get? Why, a twisted Destruction of campus scale if it weren't for those triacontahedron, of course. Jack heritage buildings is occurring unsung heroes of our heritage Snoeyink, assistant prof, of at an unparalleled rate. But - the huts! Computer Science, used his where are the protests, the In fond farewell. computer to design and visualize the preservation/historical socie­ Lucille Hoover construction. The pipes are painted ties — the uproar? Surely 50- Psychology Dept. in five colors, corresponding to five plus years of serving the needs of faculty and students, being different tetrahedron groups that fit Correction versatile, and accommodating An article in the October together to make the sculpture, the changing demands of our which illustrates a theorem about 14 issue of UBC Reports in­ ever-growing center of aca­ correctly reported the number the difficulty of geometric assembly demic excellence, warrants using robot arms. Fortunately for of graduate students enrolled some accolades? in the School of Family and Snoeyink, he didn't have to rely on Nutritional Sciences. The robots. Eighteen graduate students The huts have served, since correct number of graduate lent their arms for the final assembly. at least the 1940s, as class­ students is 44. They plan to suspend the 450-pound rooms, offices, research labs, model in the atrium of the new storage facilities and probably CICSR/Computer Science building. a variety of other less official E§ Project needs. Why are our beloved Gavin Wilson photo Information huts being demolished (six within two days, near the Meetings Kenny Building) without some recognition and appreciation for the crucial, yes, crucial role they have played in UBC's Nov. 1,1993 development? 12:30-1:30pm Ahhh - the memories. I propose we alumni all observe STUDENT UNION BLDG (SUB) COLOUR RM212 LASERS! Topic S1.451'Copy .95 each additional Student Recreation Centre A brief slide presentation will be UNIVERSITYVILLAGE ai followed by a question 2 Floor 2174 Western Parkway and answer period. Vancouver. B.C. •s 224-6225 For additional information FAX 224-4492 contact: Campus Planning & OPEN EVERY DAY MON-FRI 8-9 Development, 822-8228 or Martin Dee photo SAT-SUN 10-6 Community Relations, 822-3131 Computer Science graduate student Rob Scharein demonstrates fish tank virtual reality to a goggle-wearing Chancellor Bob Lee while Dan Birch, vice-president, Academic, and Jim Varah, at right, director ofthe Centre for Integrated Computer Systems Research, look on. The demonstration in the Graphics and Film in Computing lab was part of the opening Berkowitz & Associates ceremonies for the new CICSR/Computer Science building. Statistics and Mathematics Consulting Computer • research design • data analysis • sampling • forecasting Continued from Page 1 Jonathan Berkowitz, Ph.D held in the BC Tel Atrium, named to recognize the telecommunica­ Congratulations 4160 Staulo Crescent, Vancouver, B.C., V6N 3S2 tions company's major contri­ Office: (604) 263-1508 Home: (604) 263-5394 bution to UBC's World of Oppor­ to tunity capital campaign. k- BC Tel was represented by Roy Osing, vice-president of the company's Business Division Dr. Michael and one ofthe very first graduates IJBC REPORTS of UBC's Computer Science Dept. Smith "Our future is directly related to yours," Osing said. "I'm sure that technological advances de­ UBC Reports is published twice monthly (monthly in veloped here will no doubt help 'Winner of the December, June, July and August) for the entire BC Tel and BC Tel customers university community by the UBC Community down the road." 9{gbel Prize Relations Office, 207-6328 Memorial Rd., Vancouver Darlene Marzari, minister of B.C..V6T1Z2.