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This week: Dr. David de Kretser, Governor of Victoria
Who could not have been impressed with the pleasant person to person manner of Professor de Kretser as he addressed us on Tuesday night? His qualifications included first graduating in medicine from University of Melbourne, then in endocrinology. He then occupied a Chair with many responsibilities in Monash University which included both teaching and research responsibilites. He carried his qualifications with a light manner that astonished.
Professor de Kretser launched into his favourite topic of endrocinology. Many were intrigued and bewildered at the complexity and promise of molecular biology.
“Let’s take an example, this time in biology,'' he said. ``Agriculture plays an important role in the Australian economy. Many of the breeds of sheep and cattle that are in use today have arisen by painstaking genetic selection and breeding designed to ensure that the desirable traits are passed on to the next generation, preferably with the trait that was selected being augmented.
``Another example is data from humans aiding in the identification of novel sheep genes that affect fertility and the gene that is modified to give the increased muscle mass of the Belgian blue breed of cattle. Underpinning what I have been discussing is the science of genetics that arose from the observations and simple experiments of Gregor Mendel, a monk, who published his work in 1866.
``It was only in 1953 that Watson and Crick successfully determined the structure of DNA, the molecule that is responsible for transmitting genetic material from one generation to another, the molecular basis of inheritance. It took until 2003 for the human genome to be sequenced which resulted in the identification of the structure of the approximately 30,000 genes that comprise the human genetic code.
``This landmark study would not have been possible without parallel developments in chemical technology to create the machinery that enabled the identification of the code and, without the power of modern computers, it would not have been possible to store the information, analyse it or interpret it. What does this mean for mankind? It means we can define the genetic basis of disease, the changes in the DNA code of individuals which cause a specific disease that is inherited,'' he said.
Several questions from the floor related to the identification of disease, and whether these new discoveries in molecular biology can promise cures in the future.
Professor de Kretser continued: “The identification of the DNA sequence of genes for hormones such as insulin enables biological factories to be created that produce human insulin which is critical to managing blood sugar levels in diabetics. Insulin used to be purified from the pancreas of pigs or cattle but now bacteria or mammalian cells in culture can be genetically programmed to produce human insulin which is then purified to give to patients with diabetes.''
Our heartfelt thanks are due to Professor de Kretser who made time to speak at our Cluster Meeting, particularly since he was on his way to China the next morning!
Our special thanks are due to the team David Jones and Anthea Rutter, no doubt with the support of Hugh, for convening a splendid meeting of the EastSide Cluster of Clubs. It was good fellowship as different Club members mingled at the tables. Philip Lambers and his staff did a splendid job of preparing the venue and tables at the elegant Royal South Yarra Tennis Club for the occasion
Owen Tassicker.
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