February 26, 2003

Faculty will discuss genetics, stem cell medicine, nanotechnology

Alumni Association’s Northwestern Explores program makes stops on West Coast, in Washington, D.C.

Three faculty members will deliver lectures as part of the Northwestern Explores program presented by the Northwestern Alumni Association at four locations around the country.

Rex L. Chisholm, Mark Ratner and John A. Kessler will explore how recent developments in genetics, nanotechnology and stem cell medicine may affect the quality of life.

“Genetic Medicine and How It Will Affect Your Health” will be presented by Chisholm, director of the Center for Genetic Medicine. He will discuss how the study of genes and DNA is revolutionizing medicine. Recent advances in gene science, such as the deciphering of the human genome, are leading to new diagnostic tests, drugs and disease therapies.

“Nanoscience, Nanotech-nology, and Why They Matter,” presented by Ratner, the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry, will explore how nanoscientists manipulate atoms and molecules to create materials with astonishing properties and practical benefits. He will also describe some of the nanotechnology research at Northwestern’s new Center for Nanofabrication and Molecular Self-Assembly.

“Stem Cells: What They Are and What They Do,” presented by Kessler, the Benjamin and Virginia T. Boshes Professor of Neurology, will discuss the potential of stem cell therapies to treat diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart attack, spinal cord injury and many other disorders. Kessler will address these questions as well as some of the ethical and political controversies surrounding the use of stem cells.

There will be a question and answer session after each lecture.

The program will travel to Portland, Ore., Orange County, Calif., and San Francisco in March and Washington, D.C. in May.

Northwestern Explores events offer multi-disciplinary perspectives on selected topics. The series is designed to bring alumni and friends an off-campus opportunity to interact with and learn from alumni and faculty speakers.