Tuesday, May 12, 1998
Community Briefs
Technique developed to sequence DNA
UC Berkeley scientists have invented a new and better technique
for sequencing genetic information and speeding up the studies of
the Human Genome project.
Richard Mathies, a chemistry professor at UC Berkeley since
1976, said that specific research for the improved technique began
in the last five years although he has been studying basic
biophysical science, which led to research in genetic sequencing,
since 1970.
The new device is called capillary array electrophoresis
microplate, where fine tubes filled with gels that contain DNA
replace the traditional slabs of gels used in DNA sequencing.
This innovation speeds up the process from hours to merely
minutes, which is roughly 50 to 100 times faster than previous
methods of DNA sequencing.
DNA sequencing consists of figuring out the patterns and order
of the four genetic bases: adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine
in a strand of DNA.
Mathies said the ultimate goal of the Human Genome Project is to
determine all of the 100,000 genes in humans, which would roughly
measure three meters long. Identifying the nature of the genes
depends on finding out the order of the bases.
"It’s the big project done in biology," Mathies said. "A lot of
us think it’s the most important science project that has ever been
done. Understanding the information means discovering the chemical
elements of life."
Berkeley bill to grant minorities scholarships
In an attempt to allay the effects of a drop in underrepresented
minority admits to UC Berkeley, the Berkeley ASUC Senate passed a
bill last week establishing annual scholarships for minority
students – despite concerns it could be perceived as violating
California’s race-blind laws.
According to the bill’s author, ASUC Executive Vice President
Lee Fink, awarding the scholarships would not conflict with
Proposition 209, the 1996 California initiative that ended race and
gender considerations in state hiring and college admissions.
However, he said it could attract some criticism.
"We are legally a separate entity from the university," Fink
said. "I cannot guarantee that there won’t be someone to challenge
these scholarships, though."
Fink reminded senators that the senate is supposed to be a
charitable organization aimed at supporting the interests of the
student body.
He added that funding for the scholarships will come only from
profits garnered by the ASUC store – not from student activity
fees, which are technically university money given to the Senate to
distribute to student groups.
The $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to a minimum of 10
minority students each year.
Minority students designated to be eligible for the scholarship
include African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos and, by a late
amendment, Asian American students.
Scholarship winners are allowed to renew their scholarships each
year they attend UC Berkeley on the condition that they maintain at
least a 2.3 grade point average, complete a full unit load for the
previous year, and volunteer at least five hours each week for
community service aimed at recruiting minority students to UC
Berkeley.
In addition, the scholarships are given out on the assumption
that recipients will have a moral obligation to "contribute to the
ASUC Diversity Scholarship program after graduation, once they find
themselves in the financial position to be of assistance to the
program."
Compiled from Daily Bruin wire reports.