Washington University School of Medicine Digital Commons@Becker Washington University Record Washington University Publications 9-1-2000 Washington University Record, September 1, 2000 Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record Recommended Citation "Washington University Record, September 1, 2000" (2000). Washington University Record. Book 870. http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record/870 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]. Inside: "REEL LIVES" film series Medical News: Battle against Washington People: Robert Thompson, marks social work school's 75th year STD/HIV reaches beyond clinic walls M.D., works to prevent aortic aneurysms 8 Sept. 1,2000 Volume 25 No. 1 Washington University in St Louis Find holds hope in war on infectious scourge BY DAVID LINZEE investigated whether LPG Researchers have clarified the plays an role a vital molecule plays in equally a parasite's infection of crucial role in human beings in a discovery that survival of could lead to improved treatment the parasite in for leishmaniasis, a scourge of the human developing countries. host. The microscopic protozoan Implanted parasite Leishmania infects more in the skin by Beverley: Battling than 10 million people in tropical the sand fly's persistent parasite lands. Transmitted by biting sand bite, the flies, the organism causes massive protozoans are taken in by ulceration of the skin, mucous macrophages, the white biood cells membranes and internal organs. that normally kill harmful The disease is often fatal. No microbes. Because LPG covers satisfactory vaccines or chemothera- much of the parasite's surface and pies exist, so scientists are using protrudes from it, scientists genetic approaches as they search for speculated that it might play a key more effective treatments. role in helping the parasite "Anything we can find about survive, possibly by shielding it Mongolian sheepherders and their children welcome Eddie F. Brown, D.S.W., associate dean for how it survives may be useful in from toxins produced by the community affairs at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work and director of the Kathryn M. combating it," said Stephen M. macrophage or by turning off Buder Center for American Indian Studies, during his visit to their country as part of an election- Beverley, Ph.D., the Marvin A. genes in the host that would monitoring project. Brennecke Professor of Molecular otherwise direct the parasite's Microbiology at the School of destruction. But there are other Medicine. Beverley and his surface or secreted molecules Monitoring Mongolian elections colleagues havefocused on whose structures resemble lipophosphoglycan (LPG), a portions of LPG, making it molecule that coats the parasite. difficult to discern the precise role Eddie F. Brown heads up international delegation In a previous study, they showed LPG plays. that LPG protects the parasite in Using gene-altering techniques BY ANN NICHOLSON ment about having a say in the experience with American Indian the early phase of its life cycle, that Beverley pioneered, the political process." tribal self-governance, institute while it is in the sand fly. In the researchers made a mutant of ^heepherders emerging from The nonpartisan International officials asked him to lead the present study, reported in the Leishmania that did not produce Otheir desert tents ... urban Republican Institute organized delegation to Mongolia. Proceedings of the National LPG. When mice were injected dwellers waiting patiently in long the delegation to monitor the During last month'is poll- Academy of Sciences, they See Scourge, page 7 lines at the polls ... voters traveling election process. The federally- watching effort, U.S. and Mongo- as much as 50 miles by horse — funded U.S. institute is dedicated lian volunteers observed all the abundant evidence of the to advancing democracy and aspects of the electoral process, Mongolian people's enthusiasm for strengthening free markets from the opening of the polls to Phillip E. Cryer new chair democracy was an inspiration for throughout the world. Among its the counting and reconciling of Eddie F. Brown, D.S.W, who led a services, the organization assists ballots. Although the institute did 19-member delegation last month emerging democracies with not observe any instances of of Faculty Senate Council to observe the Asian nation's campaign and parliamentary systematic fraud or widespread parliamentary election. training, judicial reform and voting irregularities, there was Phillip E. Cryer , M.D., has In addition, "It was a moving experience," election monitoring. some concern about the need for been elected chair of the he has served said Brown, associate dean for Brown, who directs the social a more uniform voter registration Faculty Senate Council. Cryer is on numerous community affairs at the George work school's Kathryn M. Buder process, better distribution of the Irene E. and Michael M. Karl national Warren Brown School of Social Center for American Indian voter identification cards and Professor of Endocrinology and committees Work. "The Mongolian people Studies, served under President tighter controls over mobile ballot Metabolism and director of the and is the took very seriously their right to Bush as assistant secretary of the boxes transported to outlying Division of Endocrinology, former editor vote. At one voting site on the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the areas, Brown said. Diabetes and Metabolism at the of Diabetes, outskirts of the capital, U.S. Department of the Interior. In this voting — Mongolia's School of Medicine. the ADA's Ulaanbaatar, people were lined up He was nominated to the post by third parliamentary election since "I am pleased to have the » leading hours before the polls were U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the 1990 transition from a one- opportunity to work with the scientific Cryer: Specialist scheduled to open. From the who is chairman of the Interna- party communist state — more distinguished members of the journal. in hypoglycemia oldest to the youngest voters, tional Republican Institute. than 75 percent of the eligible Faculty Senate Council to serve our The main there was a tremendous excite-. Aware of Brown's extensive See Elections, page 2 Washington University commu- focus of Cryer's work as a nity," Cryer said after his election. researcher has been to under- The council brings together 15 stand how the body protects representatives from the Univer- itself against hypoglycemia (low sity's eight schools and from the blood sugar) and how those They're here! Class of 2004 arrives Faculty Senate, comprised of all protective mechanisms can fail faculty members. The council in patients with insulin- BY CHRISTINE FARMER student government and active "It is a delight to have such a serves as liaison between the dependent diabetes, leading to participants in extracurricular talented and diverse freshman administration and the faculty on episodes of hypoglycemia, with This fall's incoming freshmen activities and athletics in high class on campus," said Nanette a broad range of issues touching its potentially devastating will graduate from Washing- school. Collectively, the incoming H. Tarbouni, director of virtually all aspects of campus effects in the brain. Having ton University as St. Louis class has received almost 2,200 admissions. "We encourage life. identified the physiological celebrates the 1904 World's Fair special awards and recognitions. everyone to extend a warm Cryer succeeds Arnold W mechanisms that prevent centennial, and, fittingly, this In addition: welcome to them." Strauss, M.D., the Alumni hypoglycemia in healthy World's-Fair class boasts world- • About 980 students are In addition to accumulating Professor of Pediatrics and people, Cryer continues to look class accomplishments. National Honor Society members; impressive statistics during their professor of molecular biology for ways to minimize the The first-year students, who • Almost 200 were senior class high school years, the 1,400 and pharmacology, outgoing frequency of such episodes in hail from all over the world and officers, and 444 were officers in freshmen were chosen from a council chair. people with insulin-dependent represent 25 countries, 50 states, service organizations; record number of applicants — Cryer, who also directs the diabetes. the District of Columbia and • Many served as editors — 107 nearly 19,000. General Clinical Research Center Cryer earned both under- Puerto Rico, arrived Aug. 24 and of yearbooks and 114 of newspa- "We are excited that so- many at the medical school, is a former graduate and medical degrees at have been busy unpacking, pers; students chose to come to national president of the Ameri- Northwestern University. He learning their way around campus • Musically, 342 were members Washington University," Tarbouni can Diabetes Association (ADA) completed his residency at and gearing up for the fall of their school bands or orches- said. "The record-setting number and the 1994 recipient of the Barnes Hospital in St. Louis and semester, which began Wednes- tras and 266 were members of a of applications is up 9 percent ADA's Banting Medal for Scien- a fellowship at Washington day, Aug. 30. choir or chorus; and from last year. That is quite a tific Achievement, which honors University. He also served a tour Many in the select group were • In athletics, 423 students were compliment to the Washington meritorious career achievement of duty in the Medical Corps of academic leaders, officers in team captains. University community." in the field of diabetes research. the United States Navy. 2 RECORD WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS □ Netscape:Washington University in St.Louis Logotype: B3B *«» -..IX Mu 3 §£ Film series examines B** Reload Home Search Netscape Print Security location: ^ |http://togo,yfustl,edu/uni/ufti,html dUTvtwt's Related tough social issues BY ANN NICHOLSON • 8:50 p.m.