OCTOBER 14 - PROFESSOR EMERITUS KARL BRANDT

• Einstein bagels were enjoyed by all!

• Club meeting was called to order by Anna Hurlock.

• This week’s announcements:

  • We are now accepting ASBMB dues.  If you’re interested in joining, you can bring $20 to Thursday’s meeting or turn it in to Sherry any time.

  • The October 28^th meeting will be a Halloween celebration – we’re making cell cookies and having a costume contest!

  • On November 11, the Las Vegas magician will be coming to give us interview advice…and entertain us along the way.

  • Outreach’s next event is on November 10^th at Wea Ridge Elementary, from 10:30am-1:00 pm.  If interested, contact Natalie at ntaylor@purdue.edu.

• Dr. Karl Brandt, Biochemistry Professor Emeritus, spoke to us about the intersection of biochemistry, Third World disease, and ethics.  His talk focused on four diseases:

  • Cholera

    • Caused by water infected with bacteria

    • Ironically, the only treatment involves the use of clean water

  • Dracunculiasis

    • Caused by a parasitic roundworm whose larvae reside in water

    • No cure, only prevention

    • Will probably become the 2^nd disease fully-eradicated by humans

  • Onchocerciasis

    • Caused by a parasitic worm, transmitted by flies

    • Treatable with a once-yearly pill provided by Merck

  • Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)

    • Transmitted by mosquitoes

    • No treatment; can only relieve symptoms

  • Whenever Dr. Brandt comes, he likes to recommend books to us.  This year’s selection:

  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, about the development of immortal HELA cancer cells used in laboratory experiments.

 

Our meetings for the rest of the semester:

• Oct 28: We’re having a costume party and decorating cell cookies!
• Nov 11: Mark Brandyberry, the Las Vegas magician, will be giving us a very entertaining talk about good interview skills.

Dr. Karl Brandt speaks to club members about water-borne diseases