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Scribe Fall 2000 |
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1.
Institute
for Drug Design brings researchers together The Wayne State University School of Medicine has invested in the development of an Institute for Drug Design, a more systematic, thorough, scientifically-based testing center for new drug therapies and pharmacologic agents and techniques. The institute’s goal is to create synergy between scientists with related research interests and to unite their efforts for maximum impact. |
2. Reducing arsenic in water supply will reduce disease, death, doctor says Dr.
Michael Harbut, an assistant professor of internal medicine and expert on
environmental health risks including arsenic and asbestos contamination,
published a peer-reviewed letter in the July/August issue of the Archives
of Environmental Health arguing that the presence of arsenic in urine
should be considered an independent risk factor for the development of
many diseases, much like cholesterol is considered a risk factor for heart
disease. |
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3.
Parents
of anorexic girls dispense food as medicine According
to a study that Dr. Arthur Robin published in the December 1999 issue of
the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
girls with anorexia nervosa have a faster, more effective return to
healthy eating habits when their parents take charge of their diets and
meals. Not only did this report make national headlines, it also won a
Scientific Achievement Award from the academy as the best paper published
on eating disorders last year. |
4.
Ministers
endorse diabetes education programs in churches With the help of the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Morris J. Hood, Jr., Comprehensive Diabetes Center, churches are becoming a place to improve physical and emotional health for people with diabetes and their families. Since 1999, the WSU department of community medicine, in conjunction with the Detroit Medical Center, has established faith-based diabetes intervention programs in approximately 22 churches and institutions in the Detroit area. |
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5.
Examining
long-term consequences of methamphetamine use High
doses of methamphetamine have a clear physiological effect on the brain,
but its long-term effects on people’s ability to function are uncertain.
With more than $1 million from the National Institutes of Health, Dr.
Charles Schuster is using PET imaging and specialized neurocognitive tests
to determine whether or not methamphetamine (MA) causes a deficiency in
brain function. |
6.
Treatment
options studied for adolescent depression |
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7.
Animal
disease model facilitates MS research Only a few
dozen investigators have been able to obtain continuous funding for a
project for a decade or longer, and just a handful have received more than
two decades of uninterrupted funding. One WSU researcher, however, is a
standout. Robert
Swanborg, PhD, professor of immunology and microbiology, and associate
professor in neurology, is in his 33rd year of continuous support for his
project, “Encephalitogenic Nature of Altered Brain Preparation,” and
has just received a renewal that will extend support for his project by
another five years. |
8.
Molecule
encourages corneal wound healing If you get a scratch or abrasion on the surface of your eye, there are no interventions available to jump-start injury recovery. Generally, ophthalmologists can only offer antibiotics that help the eye resist infection while it heals on its own. Through his research at Wayne State University, Gabriel Sosne, MD, believes he has found a new healing agent in thymosin beta 4 (Tß4).
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9.
Upregulation
of the CAD protein complex linked to cancer growth Hedeel Guy-Evans, PhD, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, is stepping up her investigation of the protein complex known as CAD, with a three-year, $600,000 grant from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences and Cancer. She hopes to learn more about how one specific protein triggers pyrimidine biosynthesis and how it is involved in the proliferation of cancer cells. |
10.Single
gene controls many signaling pathways Dr. Gregory Kapatos is studying the gene for the protein GTP cyclohydrolase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the pathway that makes a substance known as tetrahydrobiopterin. “If we can find out how this gene is regulated, then we can develop new tools to control the synthesis of these neurotransmitters,” he said, noting that this could have implications for the understanding and treatment of disorders such as hereditary progressive dystonia and Parkinson’s disease. |
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11.
Glutathione
levels play role in apoptosis, chemical injury A
particular antioxidant is critical to maintaining mitochondria, the
organelles that make most of the energy for cells. Lawrence Lash, PhD,
associate professor in pharmacology, is now embarking on his 11th year of
investigation into that antioxidant. With a four-year, $900,000 grant from
the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, he
hopes to learn more about the carrier proteins that shuttle glutathione
into the mitochondria. |
12.
Eliminating
health care barriers for Hmong communities
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13.
Centralized
care helps cystic fibrosis patients Team-based
care has made all the difference for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, said
Debbie Toder, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics and director of the
Cystic Fibrosis Center at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Without a
centralized treatment center, cystic fibrosis patients may overlook
certain complications or not get the appropriate level of care. The CF
center at WSU/Detroit Medical Center is one of five in the state, and the
only one in metro Detroit. |
14. Dr. Lasker honored by Italian university Gabriel Ward Lasker, PhD, Wayne State University School of Medicine professor emeritus of anatomy, was honored with an honorary degree of Doctor of Natural Sciences from the University of Turin, Italy.
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| 16. Minority researchers awarded | |
| 17. Student fitness center gets new equipment | 18. Rounds |
| 19. Honors | 20. Notes |
| 21. New faculty | 22. Upcoming symposia - CME |
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The
School of Medicine welcomes six alumni to the Medical Alumni Association
Board of Governors. Appointed to join 25 other alums on the board are Drs.
Paul Chuba, Carol Clark, William O’Neill, Earl Rudner, Les Siegel,
Hillary Timmis. |
Gearing
up for annual Telefund
Plans are in place for Telefund 2000. Hoping to surpass the 1999 Telefund record pledge total of $536,000, organizers have set ambitious goals for this year’s campaign, which runs from Oct. 6 to Nov. 8. |
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Depression era memorabilia recall donor’s student days More
than 60 years ago, shortly after Richard Kuhn, MD, ’38, received his
degree, his mother gathered his tuition receipts and tucked them away. Dr.
Kuhn, a family practitioner who continues an active practice, seeing
patients five mornings each week, has shared these “artifacts” with alum
notes. The receipts, most for $94.33, total just over $730. |
Alum
leads clinical endocrinology association In early May, Paul Jellinger, MD, ’69, was named president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) at its Ninth Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress in Atlanta. |
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Lewis
heads university-wide alumni association Taylor
Lewis, MD, ’78, has been named president of the 36,000-member Wayne
State University National Alumni Association. |
In a guide to outstanding primary care physicians in the United States appearing in the August issue of Town & Country magazine, six medical alumni were among 12 individuals cited as exemplary Detroit area practitioners. |
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Skillful
debt management spotlighted The
July issue of Essence magazine
included a description of Dr. Christyne Lawson’s astute approach to
managing her finances. Currently in her fourth year on the staff of
Southfield, Michigan’s Providence Hospital, her education loan balance
has been substantially reduced. |
Patient's
bequest
honors medical pioneer The School of Medicine has received a $100,000 bequest from the estate of Shirley Kyle. Designated for The George Mogill Family Medicine Award Endowment, this generous gift honors Dr. George Mogill’s (MD, ’42) professional accomplishments and personal qualities. |
| Associate
dean honors father with endowment
To honor the memory of his father, Edward Frank, School of Medicine Associate Dean Robert Frank, MD, ‘73, and his wife, Sharon Popp, PhD, assistant professor of family medicine, have established an appropriate tribute--The Physicians for Social Responsibility/Edward Frank Endowed Fund. |
Endowed prize continues family tradition A gift from Drs. Mark Walker and Loriann Zetell, members of the Class of 1990, has established The Frank B. Walker Endowed Memorial Prize in Pathology. |
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Want to
know what your classmates and colleagues are up to? Check here. |
President’s update |
| New planned giving officer welcomed | Lend a hand to students: support the bed and breakfast program |
| Medical Alumni Reunion and Clinic Day Weekend | In memoriam |
| Upcoming events | Medical alumni association survey |
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