Jon SCHNIEDER CoLuMNisT He has an entire degree made up for him, organizes the Fri- day drop-in squash (4-7p.m.), says really smart things, and the list goes on. Who is he? He’s Aaron Shapiro, a M.Sc. Inter- disciplinary Studies candidate and the victim of this week’s Scientific Edge. Every issue of Over the Edge I will be profil- ing a graduate student in the sciences, giving you a closer look at what your TA is doing when not marking your labs unfairly (hah, I crack myself up). All joking aside, continue reading and you can discover who Aaron is and what he does in the lab. Aaron went to the University of Guelph for his B.Sc. in Biomedical Toxicology (because “it sounded cool”). His de- gree landed him at a research facility in Montreal. It was in Montreal at McGill University that he met current supervisor Dr. Laurie Chan. Chan was able to procure Aaron a spot at UNBC working on the “Characterization of methyl-mercury demethylation in the central nervous system”. At this point I am going to stop and point out that this really does sound cool. It is no wonder Aaron enjoys what he does and will soon be leaving UNBC for the University of Toronto to continue his studies on route to a Ph.D. With a fancy sounding project like Aaron’s, I hope you are all itching to ask me what it means; but, a little back-story never hurt anyone. There are two types of mercury commonly found in the environment: inorganic and organic. Inorganic mercury has a +2 charge and more readily binds with other atoms. This is why organic mercury, with a charge of +1, bonds less readily. Where is the downside? Well, organic mercury is fat soluble, so all tissues (like brain matter) absorb it readily. The more there is, the more that can be absorbed. Once inside your brain tissue, it is converted (demethylated) into inorganic mercury by free radicals (ionized oxygen). But inorganic mercury does not leave the tissue; it stays there and accumulates over time, eventually leading to mercury poisoning and related diseases. Suppression of these free radicals is imperative to stopping the demethylation. So who cares right? Consider that organic mercury is a by- product of many industrial processes like mining. As we mine, mercury is entering the rivers and lakes. In turn it is being ab- sorbed by fish and animals. And guess what, we eat those fish and animals. It is to the point now that some Native American groups claim to be able to taste the difference in the fish they are eating now when compared to that of previous years. I am not saying to stop eating fish. After all, the benefit of the can- cer-fighting Omega-3 fatty acids far outweighs the health risks associated with eliminating fish from the diet (especially since it is often replaced by McDonalds, and I don’t think I need to Wolfville, Nova Scotia OVER THE EDGE December 5, 2007-January 9, 2008 elaborate on the health risks there). It is Aaron’s job to probe this reaction so that he can under- stand how it works. He is currently refining the techniques of setting up a biological system to demethylate organic mer- cury into the inorganic form. This process is the same one our brains undertake. He is perfecting the technique in cell lines so that when it comes time to do in vivo (inside or on living tissue) testing on animals, it can be done as humanely as pos- sible. It is one small step on a road that could lead to discover- ies that save lives. Where does this leave us? Don’t worry, we aren’t all going to die from mercury poisoning, but it is a growing concern for populations living off the afflicted fish and animals. Fortun- ately, Aaron believes it may one day be possible to design an anti-oxidant that can target specific tissues and prevent dem- ethylation in the brain. Science is a slow process, driven by people like Aaron, my- self and all the other graduate students at UNBC. I recommend you look for the next issue of Over the Edge to get a glimpse into the research, life and future of another brilliant student. You never know what you will learn or when it may be useful, so learn as much as you can (that is why you came to univer- sity in the first place... right?). UBC DAP The gateway to accounting Toughens Anti-Smoking Laws Aecalerate your future with the Dipfoma In Accounting bid just under $16.2 held in an attempt t million dollars almost help boost fallen stock breaking the record ¢ Yo for the New York f $16.5 million for a based, Sotheby’s, as a 100.1 carat. The jewel itself is he largest top quality hite diamond to be pressionist and Mode Art auction held earlie in the year. . smoke, Siare Writer In the hopes to prevent result of a failed Im-fldisease from second-hand Wolfville, Scotia has become the first jurisdiction in Canada to ban tion in 2001 and made head- lines in 2006 with the ban of smoking on outdoor patios of restaurants and bars. The Nova Scotian government de- cided to intervene after public pressure and alarming health care statistics: lung cancer is the leading cause of death for Nova Scotians, with 85% of Nova Program (DAP) at the Untversity of British Columbia. DAP prepares university graduates with lnited or ae training in accounting for entry inte apiofessional AcnoUnting designation (0A, CGA, OMA of CPA in the US), APPLICATION DEADLINES cases caused by tobacco ex- posure. As well, second hand smoke is the leading cause of workplace deaths, and smok- ing-related health problems cost Nova Scotians approxi- mately $180 million each year. The implementation of smoking prevention and ces- sation campaigns has had a positive effect: since 2001, smoking rates have declined 10% across the province. Wolfville hopes its new ban will decrease the number of smokers even further. In addition to the new vehicle-smoking ban, Wolf- ville plans on implement- ing an education campaign for residents. Signs warning motorists of the new law will also be posted. The new bylaw, which was received with much support from community members, is to be effected on June 1, 2008. Mey ster: = Mar 1 (international applicants) Apr’ (Canadian applicants) Jul] {international applicants) Aug 1 (Canadian applicants) Sep start: the first municipality in the province to ban smok- ing in indoor public places, Find out how DAP can accealerstes your future. Visi www.sauderube.casdap ical Association, smoking in vehicles is over 20 times more toxic than smoking in the home. The town council, who voted unanimously for the new bylaw to take effect, is hoping other communities across Canada take notice eS oS — oe and effect similar laws. Amy Thommasen, (NUGSS Women’s Rep) This new legislation is so- and Doug Bell (NUGSS Member at Large), lidifying Nova Scotia’s repu- pass out ribbons and promote a nation- tation as the toughest prov- al day of remembrance on Dec 6 for Men ince carrying anti-smoking Against Violence Against Women. laws. Nova Scotia introduced -Paoro Courtesy or Mircea Grant second-hand smoke legisla- THE UAT ERT Y OF ATG LL) ee