University Daily Kansan, December 5, 1980
Page 11
Insulin breakthrough expected
Bv DALE WETZEL
Staff Reporter
Research now being conducted on recombinant DNA could produce high-quality, less expensive insulin for diabetics by 1982, according to Robert F. Weaver, associate professor of biochemistry.
Weaver spoke last night in the Kansas Union as part of a microbiology forum titled "Recent Advances in Genetic Engineering."
The term genetic engineering conjures up images of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World for many people, Weaver said. Nevertheless, it has the potential for great social benefit, of which insulin production is only a part.
Diabetics now use insulin taken mostly from pigs and cows. Because of the subtle differences between animal insulin and human insulin, diabetics often suffer allergic reactions to the animal insulin that are difficult to treat. Weaver said.
PRODUCTION OF HUMAN insulin first involves the cloning of the insulin-producing gene, Weaver said. Genes contain the basic chemical instructions for deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. Only part of the DNA molecule has the coding sequence, so production, so that a fragment of the DNA first has to be isolated.
Considering the complexity of the DNA protein molecule, the task is akin to looking for a needle in a haystack, Weaver said.
Using a complex process, the isolated insulin-producing DNA fragment is isolated from the serum.
where it can reproduce and
it will give insulin in the process.
Waverden, waverden.
Human insulin produced in this fashion will greatly benefit diabetics, Weaver said. The possibility of allergic reactions to human, rather than animal, insulin should be greatly reduced. The same factor favors human insulin. Weaver said, human insulin could be produced in "almost unlimited amounts."
A similar process is used to produce interferon, Weaver said. Interferon, a substance produced by the body as a defense against viruses, appears in cells in minute quantities to interfere with virus replication, be explained.
INTERFERON WAS initially touted as a potent weapon against tumors, Weaver said. As advanced manufacturing methods enabled interferon to be produced in some quantity, more extensive testing of the substance tempered this enthusiasm somewhat, Weaver said.
However, scientists are still optimistic about interferon's tumor-fighting properties, and more sophisticated recombinant-DNA techniques will lead to mass-production substance by 1983. Weaver predicted.
Creating a hybrid of a cancer- and antibody-producing cell is a genetic-engineering project that could have important cancer-fighting implications. Dr. Brassistant professor of microbiology, who also spoke at the forum.
Unlike normal cells, cancer cells are "immortal," Brown said.
"They survive as long as they get the
The Lawrence delegation to the Kansas Legislature will hold strategy sessions during the next two weeks to discuss ideas for the 1981 legislative session.
Two meetings have been scheduled and informal talks are anticipated by three of the five legislators from Rep. Jesse Branson, D-4th District.
"I've already instigated meetings of the entire delegation," Branson said yesterday. "The Lawrence delegation will be working very hard to see that."
Area delegates to discuss '81 session
Branson said that 25 advocacy groups
were scheduled to meet with the
deputy. The dept was assigned to
Desc.15 in the Lawrence Public Library.
"We call them pre-session hearings," Branson said. "These meetings were held last year and were productive and helpful."
As the "immortal" cancer cells reproduce, they gradually crowd out the body's healthy cells and consume them. The immortal normal cells need to live. Brown explained.
Rep. Betty Jo Charlton, D-46th District, said these meetings were first held by Mike Glover, former noministic representative of the 44th District.
necessary nutrients for survival," he said.
THE BODY'S lymphatic cells, which are stored primarily in the lymph nodes, the spleen and in the blood, are needed to combat the onslaught of cancer cells. Brown said. The lymphatic cells manufacture antibodies that specifically attack the invading cancer type.
The pre-session hearings are a tradition started by Mike Glover and continued by Arnold Berman," Charlton said.
Such a cell would be nourished outside the body, he said, with the antibodies it produced being used to combat the cancer.
The ultimate goal of the genetic engineers, Brown said, is to create a hybrid cell incorporating the indestructible characteristics of a cancer cell with the lymphatic cell's abilities to produce cancer-fighting antibodies.
The cell would need to produce antibodies that would "recognize the subtle differences between the cancer cells, if they indeed exist." He said.
However, the lymphatic cells that manage damage to the short life span may die off, the effect is delayed.
"This is perhaps the most difficult thing to find out, however."
Rubies • Sapphires • Opals Pearls • Emeralds Gemstone rings from
THE FOOD collected at the film will go to the food bank in the Salvation Army building, 949 New Hampshire St. and provide local by social service organizations
where happy decisions are made
843.549 800 Masson
On Sunday afternoon, three groups, including KU's office of minority affairs, will sponsor a film and will charge a can of food for admission.
To aid such families, the Emergency Food Bank of Lawrence will have a special food drive this weekend to replainish its dwindling supplies.
809 Massachusetts
Sorne families, however, do not even care of bountiful meals and special treats.
Visions of roast turkey, bome-baked breads and mountains of other foods accompany many students' thoughts of the holiday season.
The movie, a children's film titled "Captain Nemo and the Underwater City," will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Grand剧院，1020 Massachusetts Williams, assistant director of the office of minority affairs.
All types of food are welcome, but the food bank has a greater need for canned meats which are rarely contributed, he said.
- Audition will read from the script of the play(s) they wish to be composed for
- Open-Call format, registration table in main lobby.
- those auditions for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" may be asked to join
Williams said the program was not
- Advance preparation is not necessary.
* If there are any issues with the equipment, contact the manufacturer.
everyone welcome
Awards and Recognition
* Call backs for finalists; Sunday, December 7, from 2 to 4 PM
Staff Reporter
'Bank' accumulates money for needy
KANSAS UNION - UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS - LAWRENCE, KANSAS 64043 - TEL 712.864.347
Meisner-
Milstead
Liquor
Featuring one of the largest selections of wine in town. We have something to suit every taste. Let us serve you!
25th & Iowa 842 4499 Holiday Plaza
The Student Senate is now accepting applications for the positions:
Senate Positions Available
Student Senate Treasurer Stud-Ex Chairperson Executive Secretary
Applications are due by Monday, Dec. 8
Apply in person in the Student Senate office B105 Kansas Union
or more
on all gift books
in our
SAVE 50%
"That's one of the problems, actually. People are willing to give around the holidays, but they slack off during the rest of the year."
planned specifically for the holiday season.
Christmas Book Selection.
Christmas
Choose from 100 titles!
"The need for food is pretty consistent all year round," he said. "It's just the way the time worked out.
-featuring titles in art, architecture, cookbooks, Shakespeare, antiques, poetry fantasy, chess & games, horses aviation, cars, travel, hobbies collectables, photography & nature, railroads, medicine and novels.
THE OTHER SPONSORS of the event are the East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation (ECKAN) and the Emergency Services Council, a coalition of social service concerned citizens in Douglass County.
Commonwealth Theatres donated the use of the Granada for the showing of the movie *Rocky*.
According to Susan Beers, a caseworker for the Salvation Army, the Emergency Food Bank is stocked primarily by local churches, which are coordinated through Church Women United.
Other organizations and private other contribute to the food bank, she said.
"Right now, we have a declining food bank," Beers said. "KU's minority affairs office, which has a seat on the board of the Emergency Services Agency, is also needed to purchase the film if we would help coordinate the event."
Rent for the film was less than $150,
Williams said.
She said people were most generous during the Christmas season.
Beers said she was confident the food drive would be a success and hoped to get more people involved.
"In the middle of July, one no thinks about people going hungry. We hope to do that this summer."
The goods collected for the food bank are distributed to needy families in Douglas County by organizations such as the American Heart Association, Center and Ballard Center, Beers said.
SNA FILMS
Ralph Bakshi brings to you, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
Presents
Sunday, December 7 2:00 p.m. Woodruff Auditorium----$1.50
OPENINGS FOR SPRING
"I feel that the experience of meeting such a wide variety of people could not be found other than at a residence hall such as Naismith."
Connie Long, Sophomore Overland Park, Kansas
Private baths—Weekly maid service—Comfortable, carpeted rooms—Heated swimming pool—Good food with unlimited seconds—Lighted parking—Color TV—Close to campus—Many other features