UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, April 16, 1997
5A
Computer lab open
Fraser Hall adds machines and user availability
Geoff Krieger / KANSAN
By Mark McMaster Kansan staff writer
After months of waiting, the computer center at Fraser Hall is open to the public.
The lab, located in room four in the hall's basement, is operated by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Although the lab is used by by the college for its classes, the remainder of the time it is open for public use.
The lab has 25 Pentium-processor computers, 24 of which are for student use.
They are equipped with Windows 95 operating software and a range of applications, including Microsoft Office and Word-Perfect.
Joe Van Zandt, the computing coordinator for the college, said the lab cost about $100,000 to complete, with $50,000 spent on the computers themselves.
He estimated that the lab would cost $17,000 per year to operate, including salaries for lab monitors and printing expenses.
Muhamad Alrahidi, Kuwait non-degree seeking student, works at one of the new computers in the basement of Fraser Hall. The lab, which is operated by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, houses 25 Pentium-processor computers, 24 of which are for student use.
Van Zandt said that he saw a need for additional computers on campus.
"We know that we've got fewer computers than we have users," said Van Zandt. "We frequently have lines forming for the computer lab in Strong Hall, so the Fraser lab is bound to help."
Melissa Robinson, Hill City sophomore, agreed that adding more computers was a good idea.
"It's hard to find an available computer when you need one," she said. "The Computer Center is always full. I didn't know the Fraser lab was open yet, or I would have been using it. The more computers we have, the better."
The lab is open to the public
from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
on Saturdays, and noon to 10
p.m. on Sundays, except when it is reserved for class use.
Lab monitor Rebecca Shore,
Union Center, Wis., junior, said
that only five classes reserved
the lab this week.
"Most of the time, it's open to students, and it's posted on the door in advance if it's going to be closed," she said.
Shore said that few students were using the lab and that she had never seen it completely filled.
The lab opened for class use in November, but it was closed for public use until the end of spring break because of delays in installing security equipment.
KU to aid fight against cancer
By Gerry Doyle Special to the Kansan
Researchers in the School of Pharmacy want to strike the next blow against cancer by turning natural substances into powerful anti-cancer weapons.
The research, led by Gunda Georg, professor of medicinal chemistry, is sponsored by a contract from the National Cancer Institute.
The idea centers around adding pieces to the molecules of natural compounds and synthesizing the compound with no toxic or extra features.
Compounds sent to the group are analyzed using a process called nuclear magnetic resonance.
"It's a very interesting scientific challenge," said Georg. "We're developing anti-cancer agents to benefit people in the United States and the world."
The process identifies what is in a molecule based on its unique magnetic signature, said Craig Mossman, post doctoral research fellow of medicinal chemistry and a member of the research team.
Then, the harmful or useless properties must be eliminated, and the compound is synthesized in a form which can be administered to cancer patients.
Although the tools and methods used are state-of-the-art, the desired
results often are not easily obtained, Mossman said.
One example is macrolite, a compound found in a sponge from Australia.
The substance shows wide antitumor properties but cannot be isolated in large quantities from the sponge because each sponge contains only small amounts.
To obtain just 35 percent of an ounce of macrolite — about the same mass as a tube of lip balm — 100 pounds of dry sponge would have to be processed.
Since the sponge lives on the underside of rocky overcropings about a mile off the coast of western Australia, large quantities of the sponge are difficult to come by.
The structure of the molecule is identified through nuclear magnetic resonance, and then changes are made to pieces of the molecule.
The new compound is sent back to the lab to see if the desired change was made. If it is successful, researchers focus on another aspect of the molecule.
If not, a new strategy must be pursued. Successfully synthesizing a single compound can take more than a year. Mossman said.
Prodrugs must solve some of the other problems, said Valentino Stella, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry and team member.
cule to give it properties the original compound didn't have. For example, if a compound is to be administered by injection, it must be soluble.
Prodrugs are additions to a mole-
It also must be made to the drug that will make it soluble so that it will fall off or be dissolved once inside the body, said Stella, prodrug chemistry specialist.
"It's an art and a skill," he said. "You try to mimic the body's functions."
The National Cancer Institute sends the researchers substances that have been submitted either to it or the National Institutes of Health.
The National Cancer Institute receives more than 10,000 compounds per year that might have useful anti-cancer properties.
Researchers at learning institutions are awarded contracts to explore all of the compounds.
Because of facilities, personnel and reputation, the University of Kansas was chosen as one of four laboratories out of 300 applicants, Georg said.
"We have an excellent Nuclear Magnetic Resonance laboratory and department of medicinal chemistry," she said. "These things, when combined with the researchers involved and the reputation of KU, made our proposal outstanding."
KU's contract is for $223,363 each year for five years with a two to four percent increase per year.
Red Lyon Tavern
944 Mass. 832-8228
Slots are being filled for the annual Spring Coffee House before the SUA Student Film Expo in Woodruff Auditorium of the Kansas Union. Call the SUA Fine Arts Committee at 864-3477 for all the information!
Reserved seat tickets are on sale in the KU box offices:
Murphy Hall, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS, SUA Office:
864-3477, or by calling Ticketmaster at (913) 234-4545 or
(816) 931-3330; public $15 & $13, students and senior citizens $13 & $11; both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders.
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 19,1997
Lied Center
www.
whats.
edu\
~saw
A Tribute to Dick Wright with
Gary Foster, saxophone
Bobby Shew, trumpet
Carl Fontana, trombone
KU Jazz Ensemble I
7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, 1997
Lied Center
The University of Kansas
The University of Kansas Natural History Museum
Dyche Hall
1 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat
Noon-5 p.m. Sun.
Show your KUID for
10-percent discount.
The Sixth Main*13
Selena*13
Anaconda*13
Double Team*14
Turbo, Power Rangers*15
Liar, Liar*15
Devil's Own*16
4:10, 7:10, 9:30
7:00, 9:40
4:00, 7:00, 9:50
4:30, 7:20, 9:50
4:30, 7:20, 9:50
4:20
4:00, 7:00, 9:50
4:10, 7:10, 9:40
4:10, 7:10, 9:40
$3 50 Adult Before + Healing + Baby
10 A.M. P.M. Inspired Sleep
NONTRADITIONAL AWARENESS DAYS
Wed. 4/16 & Thurs. 4/17,
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Come visit the table in the Kansas Union for info & to vote for next year's officers of the Organization of Adult Knowledge Seekers.
B. O.C.O
Board of Class Officers is now taking Applications for 1997-98 Senior, Junior, Sophomore Class Officers
Applications can be picked up in the OAC in Kansas Union Due: Friday, April 18th at Mandatory Info Meeting 5:00 p.m. Walnut Room, Kansas Union w/$5 election fee
Elections: April 30th & May 1st 9:30a.m.-2p.m.
Any Questions: call Fred Coulson 331-2476
CPAI, ICCR
INDIA
STUDENT
SENATE
At 6:30 pm on April 20th, KU Cultural India Club will present their annual Spring music festival at the Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union
This year, we have invited the renowned santoor maestro, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, for a music concert. This will be followed by a lecture-demonstration at 3:30 pm on April 21st at the same venue.
For information and tickets, contact Balaji @ 841-3555 Preeti @ 841-6883 Tickets will also be available at the SUA from Friday, April 4th. Tickets are priced at $5 for KUCIC members, $7 for others.