VCU news

By Anne Buckley

Stem cell research, insects that can detect bioterrorism agents and the potential for humans to live twice as long are among the topics that will be presented at the Maymont-VCU Discovery Institute's 2005 spring lecture series.

This year’s theme, “Unlocking the Secrets of the Life Sciences,” will feature six weekly lectures beginning April 14 as part of the Institute’s annual continuing education effort to provide the general public, undergraduate students and teachers the opportunity to further their studies and training in the life sciences.

"The 2005 lecture series continues the exciting partnership between Maymont and VCU offering the general public a unique educational opportunity," said Geoffrey Platt Jr., executive director of Maymont Foundation.

This is the third year for the series, which debuted in 2003 with a series based on the James River. Last year’s lectures featured speakers who incorporated science into their art work.

“This year’s series showcases some fine experts in the field of life sciences,” said Thomas F. Huff, Ph.D., vice provost for VCU Life Sciences. “The community will have the chance to hear top-notch scientists discuss their work while enjoying the beautiful resources that Maymont has to offer.”

The first lecture of the series," Where is Stem Cell Research Taking Us?" will be held Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m., with a reception at 6 p.m. All lectures are free, open to the public and will take place at Maymont’s Robins Nature and Visitor Center, 2201 Shields Lake Dr. For registration information, call (804) 358-7166, ext. 325.

·         April 14 - "Where is Stem Cell Research Taking Us?" presented by Huff, who is widely recognized for his efforts to promote scientific literacy. Huff has conducted basic research on embryonic and adult stem cells in mice. 

·         April 21 - "Don't Squash that Bug-Insect Sentinels to the Rescue," presented by Karen Kester, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at VCU. Kester is known for her innovative research on insects as biosentinels for detecting bioterrorism agents and for her investigation of the evolutionary ecology of plants, insects and their parasites.

·         April 28 - "Genome Science," presented by Gregory Buck, Ph.D., director of the VCU Life Sciences’ Center for the Study of Biological Complexity. Buck has worked in a number of international research coalitions, most recently sequencing two genomes that led to publications in the journals Nature and Science.

·         May 5 - "Sustainable Aquaculture," presented by Bonnie Brown, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at VCU. Brown uses ecological and aquaculture genetics to aid conservation of fish, shellfish and endangered mammals. She applies genetics to evaluate human effects on wild populations and to probe for diseases, pathogens and parasites.

·         May 12 - "Plants as Self Sufficient Farmers - No Need for Fertilizer," presented by Wan-ling Chiu, Ph.D. Chiu is a research fellow at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital, and has centered her work on plant-cyanobacteria symbiosis, a field with potential for helping countries whose poor agricultural conditions have led to food shortages.

·         May 19 - "Healthy Genes-Living Twice As Long?" presented by Tarynn Witten, Ph.D., associate professor of biological complexity at VCU. Witten is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and holds the inaugural Nathan W. and Margaret Shock New Investigator Research Award from the society. She has served on the Biomarkers of Aging Project and is the author of the upcoming book "Aging by the Numbers."

For more information about the series, visit http://www.vcu.edu/lifesci.