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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, April 16, 1968
Paul Burton gets grant
Cell systems quest of professor
What kinds of systems do individual body cells have for communication, plumbing or skeletal structures?
A KU zoologist, with the aid of an electron microscope, is studying the functions of little-known "microtubular" systems to find the answers.
Paul R. Burton, associate professor of zoology, has been
awarded a five-year research career development grant from the U.S. Public Health Service. He will do research on microtubular systems and on insulin-forming cells of the pancreas.
"For a long time, scientists have disagreed on the function of microtubular systems," Burton said. "Some think their function is contractile — for example, they
THE PROFESSOR AT HIS MICROSCOPE
Paul R. Burton and the electron microscope which he is using in studying cells of the pancreas.
might function to pull chromosomes toward cellular poles during cell division.
"Others think that, in nerve cells, for example, the system serves a plumbing function, carrying water and small molecules through the cell," he continued. "Still others think they are supportive — like little skeletons within the cells — while some think the function is informational, carrying messages from one part of the cell to another."
But Burton contends that microtubular systems have different functions in different cells. He has been able to identify two different substructures, leading him to believe that the construction of the system is related to its function.
"With the electron microscope, I have found that in some cells the microtubules have a helical or spiral substructure." Dr. Burton explained. "In some other cells, their walls appear to be made up of longitudinal subfilaments."
Both biochemists and electron microscopists are interested in the problem of microtubular systems, Dr. Burton said. Both are interested in function, but approach the problem from different directions.
"I am trying to combine the two aspects of the study," Dr. Burton said, "because I feel that the biochemical study is useless except in terms of cell structure, and vice versa."
Most of his microtubule research is done with flagella and cilia of protozoans and sperm cells.
Dr. Burton acquired his interest in electron microscopy while teaching at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., after earning
"I started in light microscopy, but eventually went as far as I could with that," he said.
degrees at Western Carolina College, the University of Miami and the University of North Carolina.
"The difference between an ordinary microscope and an electron microscope is unbelievable." Dr. Burton exclaimed. "It's like seeing a cell for the first time. Instead of a vague, rather limited picture, the electron microscope reveals a fantastic array of structural elements."
His current research is done with an RCA electron microscope provided by the Public Health Service, which magnifies up to 100,000 diameters. The tissue to be studied first is imbedded on a cylinder of hard plastic, resembling a bullet. It is then sliced, using diamond or glass knives, with the aid of a microscope. The slices are captured on a small, circular copper screen about 1/8 inch in diameter.
This copper screen is inserted into the electron microscope, and the image is shown on a phosphorescent screen. Photographic equipment in the microscope can photograph the magnified image.
Official Bulletin
This Is Spring Peace Corps Week.
Special office in Kansas Union and representative in basement of Strong Hall. Examination will be given Wednesday through Friday at 11 a.m. in Room 305 of the Kansas Union.
TODAY
Banquet of Nations will be in the Kansas Union Sunday at 5 p.m. Sponsored by International Club. Will be the time for the Benjamin Speck speech.
Petroleum Marketers Management Institute Day. Through April 18.
UNION
Ph.D. Final Examination. 9 a.m.
Wayne L. Bell Psychology. 8 a.m.
Room 1203 Travel
German Film. 7.30 p.m. "Goetz of Berichlingen." Dyre Audiitorium.
Ph.D. Final Examination, 10 a.m.
Ying-Sang Li, Chemistry Room 234
N. M. Yoon
Jayhawk Rodeo Club. 7.30 p.m.
Kansas Union.
Graduate Recital. 8 p.m. Irma
Jacquelin, pianist. Swarthout
Recital Hall.
Christian Science Organization. 7.30
Testimony Meeting.
Danforth Chapel.
Humanities Lecture. 8 p.m. "Christian Epicureanism; A Seminal Entrance to the University of Bernard Fleischmann, University of Massachusetts. University Theatre."
WEDNESDAY
Peace Corps Placement Test. 11
a.m. 2 and 4 p.m. 305 Kansas Union.
Le Cercle Francais se réuni mercure
le 17 avr. a 14 h. 30 dant le
Fourier, un équipe de recherche
Programme: La musique de France.
Dialog Devotion. 7 p.m. University
Carillon Recital, 7 p.m. Albert Gerken.
Classical Film 7 and 9 p.m. "Noth-
tion Ballroom" U.S.A. 1-94. Kansas
Union Ballroom.
Peace Corps Discussion Hour. 7:30 a.m. McCollum Hall
p.m. McCollum Hall.
Senior Recital. 8 p.m. Charles
Rader, bassoonist. Swarthout Recital
Hall.
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BULL!
At the KU RODEO you can see all the thrill-packed action of Brahma Bull riding to girls' goat tying . . . and that's no bull.
KU INTERCOLLEGIATE RODEO
April 26 - 27 - 28
4-H Fairgrounds (K-10 East) $1.50 a head. Pre-school free.
Intercollegiate Events
MEN'S
- Brahma Bull-Riding
WOMEN'S
- Saddle Bronc Riding
- Bareback Bronc
- Barrel Racing
- Goat Tying
Riding
- Calf-roping
Bull-dogging
Special Event FRATERNITY STEER RIDING (Trophy)
Make your plans now to attend this live action-packed rodeo; April 26-27 at 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Sun., April 28.
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