January 6, 2005

Mini Medical School: Of Mice, Men and Frankenstein

INDIANAPOLIS — Did you know that you and the ordinary, pesky fruit fly share 70 percent of the same kinds of genes, that IU scientists think salamanders’ ability to regrow severed limbs might one day be possible for humans, and that a new breed of mice might help mend broken hearts?

Those are among the many issues and topics to be explored during the Indiana University School of Medicine Mini Medical School, Feb. 15 through March 22. This series, which meets 7 p.m. Tuesdays, is designed to tell the public what IU researchers are doing to better understand the human genome and to develop therapies for genetic disorders.

At the first session, participants will have the special opportunity for a guided tour of a nationally touring exhibit at the Indiana State Museum. Genome: The Secret of How Life Works. The exhibit, created by Pfizer Inc. and sponsored locally by IU, its School of Medicine and Clarian Health Partners, will be housed at the museum from Jan. 22 through May 8.

While there, Mini Medical School attendees also can visit Genes and Your Health, housed in “Tomorrow’s Indiana” gallery. The exhibit, developed by IU in partnership with the state museum, gives visitors a look at what IU researchers are doing to solve the problems of alcoholism.

The remaining five sessions of Mini Medical School will be held in the lower-level auditorium at the Riley Outpatient Center on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus.
Among the topics and speakers:

Feb. 15 - Education Coordinator Alicia Stewart of the Indiana State Museum and volunteers will guide visitors through the genome exhibits.

Feb. 22 - You, I and the Fly Thomas C. Kaufman, Ph.D.

March 1 - Genetic Disorders and Aging Tatiana Foroud, Ph.D., and Martin Farlow, M.D.

March 8 - Mending Broken Hearts and A Hello To Arms? Loren Field, Ph.D.,
and David Stocum, Ph.D.

March. 15 - From the Lab to Patients Stephen Trippel, M.D., and Linda Malkas, Ph.D.

March 22 - Growing Issues With Stem Cell Research Eric Meslin, Ph.D.

One of the main goals of the twice-annual Mini Medical School is to introduce and explain to the public – in everyday language – the latest developments and topical issues in health care and research.

Cost to attend the six-week series is $40 per person and advanced registration is required. For information or to register, call 317-278-7600. When registering, refer to Course No. 051N01A00.

IU Mini Medical School is partially sponsored by the IU Medical Group and Indianapolis radio station WIBC-1070 AM and is offered by the IU School of Medicine Faculty Community Relations through the IUPUI Division of Continuing Studies.

# # #

Media Contact: