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Show Black Student Union holds first social in years Upcoming conference to advise, support high-school students Jade Gray Vie Daily Utah Chronicle The Black Student Union held its first social event in years Friday to bring together students, the local African-American community, faculty and staff. Steve Bell, professor in the parks, recreation and tourism department, said the event was fairly monumental. "I'm happy about this event because the black student community hasn't had social events for a while," he said. The Black Student Union hasn't held a social event in years, and students from surrounding schools such as Utah State and Salt Lake Community College turned out to build community connections. Sam Magadla, a med student, said the social was significant to students in many ways. "It allows for different cultures to come together and for everyone to relax and have fun," he said. The social kicked off the Black Student Union's scheduled activities for this year. One of the first events will be a conference Nov. 8 for high-school students regarding college issues. Scientist mimics African frog's ability to kill bacteria orally. Peptoids, Barron said, display similar molecular backAnnelise Barron, professor bones to peptides. However, of chemical and biological the functional side chains, engineering at Northwest- which differentiate the 20 ern University, hopes her essential amino acids, are atinvestigation will combat in- tached to the nitrogen atom fections caused by bacteria rather than the adjacent carresistant to current antibiot- bon. ics. Barron said she chose And to bring that informa- these molecules for a numtion to the U, she presented ber of reasons, one of which her lab's investigation into involves the ability to choose the development of new an- any type of side chain rather tibacterial compounds at the than just the 20 seen for natdepartment of bioengineer- ural amino acids. ing's seminar last week. Her lab screened a library Barron said being "fasci- of peptoid compounds with nated by the beauty of natu- modifications in hydrophoral systems" inspired her de- bicity and the number and velopment of molecules that placement of positive chargmimic a family of peptides es. They discovered one molecule that exhibited simtermed magainins. . These peptides are secret- ilar widespread antibacterial ed from the skin of the Af- potency and low toxicity to rican clawed frog Xenopus human cells compared with laevis as part of the frog's magainins. natural protection against Greg Harbers, a post-docbacterial infection. toral student in the departShe said these peptides ment of pharmaceutics and display both hydrophobic, pharmaceutical chemistry, or greasy, characteristics, as said he feels that Barron "is well as positive charges in a very enthusiastic about her helical formation similar to research. Peptoids have been investigated for various drug DNA. She described how the ba- applications, and it will be sic antibacterial properties interesting to see their utiliinvolve preferential interac- zation as antibiotics." tion of the positive charges Future work for her lab inwith the negatively charged volves improving the potenbacterial cell membranes cy of the antibacterial proprather than mammalian cell erties and decreasing their membranes, which display toxicity toward mammalian both positive and negative cells. Barron described how charges, although the exact her work may be useful in mechanism is unknown. treating tuberculosis and her Current technologies are hope that these molecules not capable of delivering that may target cancer cells. j.jay@ peptides orally because of chronicle.utah.edu digestion in the stomach, Barron said. So her research group chose to mimic these peptides with non-natural molecules, termed peptoids, which are not recognized by mammalian enzymes and could therefore be delivered Julie Jay . 77ie Daily Utah Chronicle ftf/jf/fAf/t "One of our goals is to increase the number of black students at the U; another is student retention," said Simonc Fritz, adviser to the Black Student Union. "We want to start a conversation with high-school students to make them aware of their options," she said. The meeting will include several speakers from both U faculty and students involved in the Black Student Union, and will also include panels to answer potential U students' questions. Community members and professionals will also be present to.offer support and give advice on how to be successful at the college level. They will also discuss the various options available in the workforce and what it takes to work in careers such as law, medicine, humanities and other disciplines. Finances are a pressing issue to potential students, and panels will talk about applying for financial aid, diversity scholarships offered through the U and the college application process. The seminar will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Union Ballroom. j.gray@ chronicle.utah.edu KORTEN URGES SOCIETAL CHANGE PHOTO COURTESY KIRK JOWERS Hinckley Institute of Politics, recently traveled to Hong Kong to gain funding for international internship opportunities. continued from Page I outcomes, and how we as a community can have a positive outlook on the environment," she said. Korten emphasized activism to bring about change. After the lecture, SEED (Sustainable Environments of Ecological Design), a student group in conjunction with the Associated Students of the University of Utah and the Bennion Center, promoted its goal to change the U into a sustainable campus. Viewing the university as a microcosm of society, SEED hopes to nake teaching, energy, landscape and water use more efficient and sustainable through BOARDING VIDEO MAKES PREMIERE continued from Page I Welch will be available to sign autographs. Kacee Kniazeva, president of the U snowboard association, said that there U BUILDS CONNECTIONS WITH ASIA continued jrom Page 1 Author David Korten emphasizes an environmental need for change in society during a lecture in the Old Fine Arts Auditorium on Monday. education, forums and volunteer opportunities. SEED director Lindsay Clark said that tomorrow is Campus Sustainability Day, during which members of SEED will "focus on educating people on why sustainability is important," she said. SEED'S first forum will be held Nov. 13 in the Union Theatre from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. r.mcconkie@ chronicle.utah.edu will also be a few giveaways, including a Forum snowboard, Snowbird season passes and a Boost Mobile phone. The premiere is free. There will also be a Technique Boardshop after a party for those 21 and older at The Broken Record, located at 1051 S. 300 West. For additional informa- tion about the tour and the event, go to: www.forumsnowboards.com. c.chaney@ chronicle.utah.edu "There are a lot of untapped opportunities all over Asia, and right now we are taking advantage of those opportunities," she said. Theiss said Utah has an inherent "internationality" that many students overlook. She said the U student body has a high percentage of students who speak foreign languages—many of whom, like Reid, are returned missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Theiss said the College of Humanities plans to open an Asia Center next year that will facilitate connections with the continent. d.gardiner@ chronicle.utah.edu ROSE LAUNDRY GIANT WASHERS FOR •QUILTS, ULANKETS, & SLEEPING DAGS •CONVENIENT LOCATION •NEARUOFU •OPEN 7:30 -12 MIDNIGHT 900 East 300 South Phone: 556-5334 nut fi>/j<?/M0<&<? L*sf /r/Cf/r/C/ (sfff L*J§if&frfO€&& Find Out More About Peace Corps Info. Meeting and Video Saturday October 28 3 - 4:30 pm Sweet Branch Public Library 455 F Street Salt Lake City peacecorps.gov THF. HATTY UTAH ^Prizes, 400 South 700 East food & c>Wu$ic! Receive a SONY DVD PLAYER when you st 100flushots free to students! open a checking account with direct deposit. Membership open to any Utah Resident. QC\ 1 /O A H °7Af\r\ OU I / / O U . / O U U Accounts dosed before six months will be chamed $50. CYPRUS C R E D I T U N I O N www.cypruscLi.com Ortnhpr ?4 Centsr |