NATO-Sponsored Conference on Pollution Detection Hosted by WIU
Newswise
June 22 2004
More than 30 scientists from 14 world nations will participate in the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Advanced Study Institute Tuesday,
July 6 through Friday, July 16 at Western Illinois University.
Newswise — More than 30 scientists from 14 world nations will
participate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Advanced
Study Institute (ASI) Tuesday, July 6 through Friday, July 16 at
Western Illinois University.
This institute, “Plant Bioassay on the Genotoxicity of Contaminated
Water, Air and Soil,” is a subdivision of the NATO Environmental
and Earth Science and Technology (EST) Program that deals with the
detection of genetic damage from common pollutants, radioactive
pollutants and the contaminants from warfare in water, air and soil.
The focus of the institute will be on the eastern European area.
The NATO/EST Advanced Study Institute will introduce participants
to the principles and technical skills of three biological tests
(Allium-micronucleus, Tradescantia-micronucleus, Tradescantia-Stamen
Hair Mutation) using the genetic material of plants – – onions
(Allium) and spiderworts (Tradescantia) – – through tutorial
instruction and hands-on exercise. The participants, mostly from
the eastern European area, will then complete follow-up studies to
monitor and detect genetic damage of environmental pollutants in
each of their home territories, explained Te-Hsiu Ma (say Tee Mah),
Western Illinois University biological sciences professor emeritus,
who serves as co-director of the institute along with Professor Rouben
Aroutiounian from Armenia, under the directorship of Dr. Alain Jubier,
NATO Science Affairs Division.
“Special emphasis will be aimed at radioactive and warfare contaminants
in the environment in the eastern European area, and reports of the
follow-up studies will be published to show the status of pollution
level in these countries and the potential genetic damage to the
ecosystem and human health,” Ma said. “In the long run, this monitoring
program could contribute to homeland security of this area.”
A common plant, the Spiderwort (Tradescantia species) is used in two
(Stamen-hair- mutation, and Micronucleus) of the three tests. The
Stamen-hair-mutation (Trad-SHM) test, developed by the late Dr.
Arnold Sparrow of Brookhaven National Laboratory (NY), detects gene
mutation. The micronucleus (Trad-MCN) test, developed in 1976 by
Ma during a six-month sabbatical leave at the Brookhaven National
Laboratory, detects chromosome (DNA) damage from chemical and physical
pollutants, including radiation.
Genetic materials in plant cells are more sensitive to pollutants
than those of animal cells because there is less protection in plant
tissues from the impact of pollutants, Ma explained. These genetic
tests which are highly sensitive, simple and economical have been
used in more than 40 countries across five continents for more than
30 years. Test results of the Trad-MCN test and Allium-micronucleus
test can be obtained within 24 to 48 hours, while results of the
Trad-SHM test require at least seven days.
Institute participants will receive instruction and have hands-on
experiment exercises during daily laboratory sessions in Western’s
Radiation biology lab, which is equipped with X-ray and Gamma ray
facilities; the Cytogenetic lab; as well as the Nuclear Physics
laboratories in the physics department. Assisting with the physics
lab work will be WIU physics Professor Keh-Chang Chu and Assistant
Professor Brian Davies.
Ten international scientists will join Ma in presenting specialized
lectures, including radioactive pollution from the Chernobyl nuclear
power plant accident; plant bioassay in carcinogen screening;
contaminated soil from ammunition testing grounds; genetic toxicity
of common poison, cyanide and arsenics; epidemiology of respiratory
patients and on-site genetic toxicity monitoring; remote sensing of
environmental pollution; ecology and ecosystem change as well as the
variation of background radiation around a nuclear power plant.
Opening ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 6 in Morgan
Hall 109, followed by an address by Ma on the timetable, DNA damage
from chemical and physical pollutants and the mission of the Advanced
Study Institute.
Ma joined Western’s biology faculty in 1964. He retired in 1997;
however, he has maintained his laboratory and has increased his
international activities. Since developing the Trad-MCN bioassay
in 1976, Ma has conducted 89 workshops around the world, training
scientists on the three simple and effective genetic tests, under
the auspices of the International Program on Plant Bioassays.
Opening ceremonies and lecture sessions during the NATO/EST/ASI
program are open to any individuals who are interested in the topics,
according to Ma.
Additional support for this ASI is provided by Western’s College of
Arts and Sciences and the department of biological sciences.
Media representatives are invited to attend the 10 a.m. July 6 opening
ceremony in Morgan Hall 109 and any of the lectures. Media may also
make arrangements to film or photograph participants during afternoon
laboratory sessions. Additional film/photo opportunities include a
Saturday, July 10 banquet/reception at 6 p.m. in the University Union
and a Sunday, July 11 field trip for participants to Mark Twain’
s Cave in Hannibal, MO, followed by a tour and dinner at Western’s
Alice Kibbe Life Sciences Station in Warsaw.