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NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document News and Events: Synchrotron Research Assists In Wake of Sept 11 http;//www.usask.ca/eveiits/news/articles/20011102-2Jitinl

At UC Davis, an electron microscope and a mass spectrometer will be used to scan the air samples for asbestos, carcinogenic organic compounds and other toxins produced when plastic burns. At the ALS, the X-ray microprobe beamline will be used to analyze the samples for the presence of elements sodium through uranium, but especially for toxic metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. (For more information, see http://www-als.lbl.gOv/als/als_news/#3 ) Battling Bioterrorism Synchrotron science is also coming to the aid of medical scientists seeking ways to battle the bacterium responsible for anthrax disease. Bacillus anthracis secretes a toxin made up of three proteins. Recently, Nature magazine took the unusual step of publishing on the Internet an important paper that describes the crystal structure of one of these proteins — "lethal factor" or LF, the crucial pathogenic enzyme of anthrax toxin. (See http://www.nature.com/nature/anthrax ) The work was done with the help of five American and European synchrotrons (light sources at Stanford, Cal.; Daresbury, U.K.; Grenoble, France; Chicago, Ill.; and Long Island, N.Y.). Scientists now have a picture of how the lethal factor enzyme attacks cells. Now drug companies can search for chemicals that will block this activity, paving the way for potential new anti-anthrax drugs. Probing the structure of proteins to come up with drugs against various toxins and safe, effective vaccines is exactly the kind of work that will be done on a planned protein crystallography beamline at the CLS. The synchrotron is the tool of choice for this type of work because it's faster and more precise than conventional technology. Scientists from across Canada will use the GLS in the search for new vaccines and drugs. VIDO (Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization), a U of S-based global leader in infectious disease research, recently turned the sod for a $14.3-million expansion next door to the CLS, enabling researchers to decode proteins manufactured by genes and combat infectious diseases in both animals and humans. -30-

For more information, or to arrange interviews with synchrotron scientists, contact: Kathryn Warden Research Communications Officer Office of the Vice-President (Research) University of Saskatchewan (306) 966-2506 ht tp://WWW.usas k.ca/research "Investing in Ideas" — U of S Research Canadian Light Source http;//www.cis.usask.ca

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