E-News, University of Minnesota

October 31, 2002

1. Memorials to honor Lapic and McEvoy
2. Gene wars-- the struggle between crop plants and pests
3. Midlife minus the crisis
4. Vigilant about cancer
5. Cast a Vote for the U
6. UMD Arts Triangle--final piece in place
7. New Web course on college drinking
8. U of M Happenings
9. Links

U IN THE NEWS

Memorials to honor Lapic and McEvoy

In Memoriam

Memorial funds have been created at the University of Minnesota for two with U connections who perished in the plane crash that killed Sen. Paul Wellstone; his wife, Sheila; and daughter, Marcia; and five others. More than 20,000 people came to Williams Arena on the Twin Cities campus Tuesday evening to celebrate the lives of those who died in the private plane over Eveleth, MN, Oct. 25.

For Tom Lapic, the husband of Trudy Lapic, a senior accountant in the U's English department: the Tom Lapic Memorial Fund to Support Academic and Life Achievements in Philosophy and Ethics.

For U professor Mary McEvoy, former chair of the Department of Educational Psychology and former director of the Center for Early Education and Development: the Department of Education Psychology has established The Mary McEvoy Fund.

Gifts to one or both funds may be sent to the University of Minnesota Foundation, Suite 500, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, or donated online at https://www.foundation.umn.edu/pls/dmsn/make_gift.start_null.

In addition to the memorials created for Lapic and McEvoy, Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation will establish an endowment in honor of Will McLaughlin, a U political science major and past president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Gifts may be sent to Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation at 310 So. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220. (More information about the William McLaughlin Foundation can be obtained by writing to that address.)

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Gene wars--the struggle between crop plants and pests
If you think the world's energy resources are being gobbled up too fast, ask University of Minnesota researcher Georgiana May what's happening to our genetic resources. The genes that allow crops to resist pests also challenge the pests to evolve new means to pull an end run around the resistance mechanism. The result: a constant cycle of "gene warfare" in which crop breeders must run to stay one step ahead of whatever bug is breathing down their necks.

Georgiana May helps crop plants stay one gene ahead of pests. (Photo by Richard Anderson)

"Most major resistance traits last about five years," says May, an associate professor of ecology, evolution, and behavior and plant biology. "After that, scientists have to scour the wild and cultivated relatives of crop plants to find new genes that confer resistance." Overuse or misuse of different forms of pest control leads not only to vulnerable crops, but to vulnerable people, says May. Antibiotics used inappropriately to treat human infections or in livestock feed have been implicated in the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, some of which have wreaked deadly havoc. The cycle is bound to continue, but May is out to slow it down. She is using her skills as an evolutionary biologist to find genes that will protect plants while evoking milder or slower counter-evolution of resistance in the pests and pathogens that afflict them.

As part of two efforts funded by the National Science Foundation's Plant Genome Project, May looks for promising genetic material in several major crop species. One project focuses on the plant family that includes potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, tobacco, and peppers. She has studied resistance genes and the molecular mechanisms by which the plants have evolved many and varied copies of the genes. Now, May is drawing on her knowledge of those evolutionary mechanisms to predict which genes will protect the crops against future threats in a more sustainable manner. "We look for DNA sequences that are similar to known resistance genes but occur in different species," she says. "These are genes that have already been hanging around for a long time."

In contrast to crops and pathogens at war with each other, corn and the fungal pathogen known as corn smut seem to have declared a truce of sorts, and this forms the basis of a second project. Working with Ron Phillips, regents professor in agronomy and plant genetics, May is investigating why the smut isn't a serious problem for corn, even though the crop is usually planted in large monocultures—the classic "sitting duck" for any pathogen that comes along.

"We're trying to understand why certain pathogens haven't evolved hypervirulence," May says. "Corn breeders early in the century must have done something right." Because the genetic makeup of smut is part of this equation, May and Phillips are examining its genome, too. As efforts to protect both valuable plants and nature's reserves of genetic resources continue, May regards her evolutionary approach as the best because it gives a big picture of what's going on. "I see myself as providing evolutionary information that will help people manage genetic resources to provide more durable resistance for crops and develop more ecologically sustainable systems," she says.

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Midlife as opportunity, not crisis
Stroll down the self-help aisle of any

bookstore and you'll see a glut of books on midlife. From reviving to recreating, reclaiming to awakening, the titles speak of a yearning for more in midlife. This is no surprise really, with 76 million baby boomers pushing 40 on the lower end and inching toward 60 on the upper end—prime time for midlife reflection. And true to form, the boomers are redefining midlife, expanding the boundaries, and challenging assumptions.

Actually, the concept of midlife is relatively new. Past generations did not wonder how to spend their golden years because they usually didn't live long enough. Life expectancy in 1886 was just 40 years. By the 1920s, life expectancy extended to the early 50s. Today, with improved nutrition and health care, we can expect to live well into our 70s, 80s, and beyond. We've added more than a quarter of a century of living to our lives and created an interesting enigma—the luxury of time.

Author Gail Sheehy describes the "deadline decade" of midlife as a time when our perceptions change. We recognize that time is limited, and we question how to spend the remaining stages of our lives. We focus on the gap between our vision of ourselves and the reality of our lives. We wonder if it is too late to start something new, and we feel driven to reconnect with our authentic selves.

While reevaluation is typical of midlife, this phase can occur at any age. Throughout our lives, we undergo major life shifts that provide opportunities to take stock and reevaluate. Some of these life shifts are welcome—a new career opportunity, the birth of a baby. Others are heartbreaking—a layoff from a job, a divorce, a debilitating illness. Buoyed by external or internal events, we can feel the need for change at any age.

If you recognize signs of unrest, start with an inner exploration, says Kate Schaefers in the U's Center for Human Resource Development. To make sound life choices, you must first truly understand what it is that makes you happy and where your life purpose lies. This calls for time and space to reconnect with yourself, to reflect on your life, to heal the inevitable wounds, and to imagine your future. Although teasing out what is true for you may be challenging, you can use this process to uncover your internal compass and chart a life path that honors your authentic self.

Working through this phase takes some serious alone time, says Schaefers. Clear vision rarely occurs amidst the craziness of daily life. You need to build reflection time into your life to make this happen, whether through writing in a journal, walking in the woods, reading, or praying. Many books can kindle inner exploration and reflection. For a list compiled by the University Employee Career Enrichment Program, see www.umn.edu/ohr/ecep/exploreyou.htm.

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Vigilant about cancer
Even though breast cancer awareness month (October) is all but over, there needs to be vigilance. The University of Minnesota Cancer Center researchers are doing their part to fight breast cancer. Top medical and scientific minds are involved in a range of innovative studies--from improving early detection methods to killing breast cancer cells with proteins from tumor cells.

Improving early detection
Michael Garwood and Doug Yee are among a handful of researchers worldwide using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to find and accurately diagnose malignant breast tumors. The MRI detects breast

Photo by Tom Foley

lumps and MRS measures specific molecules that are known to accumulate in cancer cells. Garwood and Yee first use the MRI to find the tumor and then apply MRS to determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant. They are also working to develop an MRS technique that can accurately measure cancer-related compounds in tumors. Unlike the traditional biopsy approach to detecting and diagnosing cancer, this new technique is noninvasive, and significantly improves the ability to distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous tumors.

Evaluating a potential breast cancer vaccine
Researchers Elena Chiorean and Jeffrey Miller are trying to find out if we can destroy breast cancer cells can be destroyed with proteins from those tumor cells. In one study, they're using a patient's own tumor cells to make a vaccine (consisting of proteins attached to microscopic beads). For studies involving patients with advanced disease, Chiorean and Miller are developing vaccines from breast cancer cells from other women because these patients with advanced stages of breast cancer may not have tumors with the appropriate size and condition to make a vaccine. The researchers are also studying whether Herceptin--an antibody--and Interleukin-2 (IL-2)--a naturally occurring protein--can help enhance the destruction of breast cancer cells in patients who have not responded to standard therapies. Their work has led to a new nationwide study involving 10 medical centers.

Cancer Center resources
For information about breast cancer or other types of cancer, you can call the Cancer Center information line at 1-888-CANCER MN or 612-624-2620, or visit the Familial Cancer Clinic at the Fairview-University Medical Center. The clinic develops individualized programs for screening and prevention and has counselors to discuss genetic testing. It also offers an online Q&A that offers answers to key questions about genetic testing; see www.peds.umn.edu/fcc/Genetic_Testing.

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Cast a vote for the U
November 5 is an important day for the University's future. When Minnesota voters go to the polls, they will find open state offices (no incumbents) in 49 legislative districts, most other legislators facing re-election challenges, and a wide-open governor's race. At the federal level, there is a race

for the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the eight Congressional districts and one Senate seat open. The likelihood of a different state political scene is prompting U officials to ask alumni and friends to "think education" when deciding on their votes. Examining a candidate's stand on education before voting can help the state, the University, and higher education in the years to come.

The state of Minnesota faces a large budget shortfall, and education can be part of the solution. Strong education systems have been the underpinning of the state's economic stability and regional power for decades. Higher education translates into higher wages, a stronger business climate, more economic innovation, and even the direct creation of jobs through federal and private research grants, all of which gives the state a better tax base without raising tax rates. Voters in other states should also keep the long-term national benefits of education in mind when they go to the polls.

To keep education prominent in Minnesota, the University's Legislative Network this summer introduced Make the U a Capitol Priority--a three-part legislative advocacy campaign. During the preelection phase--now through election day--the network is giving University alumni and friends a 2002 Election Kit with background information, tips, and links to voter information. (The kit is available online at www.alumni.umn.edu/legislativenetwork.) "I'm Voting for the U" campaign buttons are also widely distributed at University events.

After the election, the Legislative Network--a volunteer group of more than 3,700 friends and alumni--will work on educating new and returning legislators about the University's role in the state's economy and quality of life and about its upcoming budget proposal. Then when the legislative session begins, network volunteers will continue to contact their legislators to voice their support for the University. The network, organized by the alumni association, provides tips on making effective contacts, notifies members about important upcoming votes, and reminds them to thank supportive legislators.

For details on the U's budget proposal, see www.umn.edu/govrel. For more on joining the U's Legislative Network, see www.alumni.umn.edu/legislativenetwork. For information on the ballot changes for the U.S. Senate race, see www.sos.state.mn.us.

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UMD arts triangle--final piece in place
The newest structure in the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD), landscape is hard to miss with its copper dome rising 80 feet. The $9.2 million Weber Music Hall was designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli and completes the arts triangle in the UMD Ordean Court, along with the Tweed Museum of Art and Marshall Performing Arts Center. "It will prove to be the finest small concert hall in America," says Pelli of his creation.

Arial view of UMD Weber Music Hall

The 22,500-square-foot, 350-seat Weber Music Hall is named in honor of Mary Ann and Ron Weber for their generous contribution to the design and completion of the building. The couple, now Twin Cities residents, met while both were students at UMD. The first-floor landing provides a breathtaking view of Lake Superior; the performance area includes a stage that can accommodate 70 musicians and a sliver of a skylight that stretches the length of the copper dome; and a chorus loft behind the stage allows for more 400 people to be seated in the hall, if need be. The hall is equipped with state-of-the-art acoustics, audio-video equipment, and accent lighting.

Weber Music Hall stage

In its inaugural year, Weber Hall will host the annual Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival and Scandinavian Song Festival and more than 50 additional concerts and recitals by UMD music ensembles, faculty, and guest artists. In addition to functioning as a performance and rehearsal space for UMD students, the hall will also be used for practice by area K-12 students.

"With the opening of the Weber Music Hall,… UMD is engaged in a wonderful new era of educational and cultural growth," says School of Fine Arts dean Jack Bowman.

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New online course on college drinking
To fight alcohol abuse and help students make wise choices as they transition from high-school teens to independent adults, University of Minnesota epidemiology instructor Jim Rothenberger and his team created PubH 1003--Alcohol and College Life. The one-credit online course is offered through the School of Public Health in conjunction with the release of a new CD-ROM, "Freshman Survival Skills," distributed to 5,500 incoming freshmen.

Rothenberger was prompted to develop the course by statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:

U of M E-News is a biweekly e-mail newsletter for alumni and friends of the University of Minnesota. The newsletter, a free information source prepared by University Relations, is designed to help alumni and friends stay connected to the University of Minnesota campuses in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Crookston, Morris and Duluth.

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