Life Sciences Week honors IU scientists, research

Sixty years ago, IU zoology professor Hermann Muller looked at a fruit fly and saw possibilities beyond its size. He used this insect to study radiation-induced mutations. \nMuller's research revealed that over exposure to radiation causes the chemical make-up of a body to break down, resulting in premature aging and shortened life spans. \nBefore Muller retired from IU in 1964, his work with these fruit flies earned him the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1946.\n"Muller's work helped keep people safe from radiation in the 1950s and '60s," said Rebecca Cape of the Lilly Library. "Without his work, they would have been ignorant of what they were dealing with."\nMuller is just one of the many scientists highlighted during IU's Life Sciences Week, a state-wide campaign to raise awareness about the university's role in building a life sciences economy in Indiana. In light of this goal, yesterday IU began hosting life sciences exhibits, tours and lectures at five of its campuses. The university also launched a permanent IU Life Sciences Web site. \n"The Web site is essentially an effort to bring all the life sciences work across (all campuses) of the university under one umbrella," said Lisa Townsend, executive director of the IU Office of Communications and Marketing.\nBeyond hosting exhibits, IU campuses of Gary, Kokomo, Indianapolis, Richmond and Bloomington will contribute to the new Web site, Townsend said. The site will contain news of IU-related life sciences research along with several stories of people affected by these studies. These accounts will include patients' success stories and profiles of IU researchers. \nTownsend said the site will serve as a resource primarily for researchers and businesspeople. However, she said soon the site will include a component for students. \nThis addition to the life sciences community, along with the events IU is holding during the week, has some students, such as sophomore life sciences major Tariq Horani, hoping for more widespread recognition of IU scientists' research.\n"It seems like (Life Sciences Week) would be an excellent opportunity to display IU's contributions to the forefront of science," Horani said.\nIU's Life Sciences Week will end Friday. However, the Lilly Library will hold its exhibit dedicated to Muller, which is held in conjunction with Life Sciences week, until January 31. \nFor more information, check out the new Life Sciences Web site at www.lifesciences.iu.edu.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Jeff Alstott at jalstott@indiana.edu.