The varied roles of vitamin A is the focus of the next Frontiers of Science Lecture at Syracuse University

The varied roles of vitamin A is the focus of the next Frontiers of Science Lecture at Syracuse UniversityNovember 04, 2001Judy Holmesjlholmes@syr.edu

“Let there be light! And then came vitamin A” is the topic of the next Frontiers of Science Lecture to be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in Syracuse University’s Gifford Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Mark Braiman, SU professor of chemistry, will talk about the many roles vitamin A plays in the human body-from maintaining eyesight to preventing skin wrinkles. In addition, recent research has demonstrated that vitamin A most likely played a central role in solar energy storage on earth for millions of years before the evolution of chlorophyll-based photosynthesis.

Braiman’s talk will include information about new research efforts that may ultimately help people make better decisions about how much vitamin A to include in their diets and to rub on their skin.

The Frontiers of Science Lecture Series is sponsored by SU’s departments of Science Teaching, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematics and Physics in The College of Arts and Sciences, the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science, the School of Education, the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and several community organizations. The series is designed to increase public awareness of advances in science and to stimulate thought and discussion about the moral, ethical and societal implications of the advances.