Good morning,

I am sorry that this information is being sent out so late.  I hope that some of you will be able to attend.

Thanks,
Tiffany

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Jeff Solka <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: September 17, 2012 9:42:32 AM EDT
> To: Tiffany C Sandstrum <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: colloquium speaker for 9/18/12
> 
> 
> Here is the information on the talk.
> 
> ******************************
> 
> James D. Willett PhD. Director, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, USA
> 
> Metabolomic Studies of life stage transitions and physiologic state transitions in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. 
> 
>  
> Profiling sets of electrochemically active metabolites obtained from separate cohorts of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection allows a clear distinctive differentiation of the separate life stages each cohort contains.  A separation schema as non-invasive as cold-temperature stress allows separation of active life stage groups and produces profiles across a set of ~ 2000 electrochemically active metabolites which prove characteristic of the life stages involved.  Among the components of this data set are metabolites of the tryptophan, tyrosine and purine pathways, which are critical components of higher level homeostatic controls.  While the quantitatively distinct changes associated with the profiles obtained are significant in identification of each particular state observed, the existences of analytes within these profiles that appear qualitatively distinct are of particular interest.  It was observed in the study of the age specific fractions obtained, that there are present analytes within the difference sets that are present in some and not in the others.  In effect, the profiles present a state specific representation of the organism, at that stage of development, under those environmental conditions.  In other studies involving alteration of the physiologic state of the organism, either employing negative or positive state effectors, this fidelity of pattern recognition to status of state has held.  This includes the observation in all cases of uniquely discrete analytes within the respective groups.  It is observed that such profiles are sufficiently sensitive to distinguish differences in  programmed events within the organisms life cycle as well as alterations within the biochemical system as a whole that are driven through external factors, such as toxicants or nutritional differences. 
> 
> *************************************** 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jeff
> 
> -- 
> 
> Everything is founded on Mind, is made of Mind. To act or speak with a pure mind is happiness.
> 
> THE BUDDHA
> 
> 
>