Osteoporosis is the topic for the next Frontiers of Science Lecture at Syracuse University

Osteoporosis is the topic for the next Frontiers of Science Lecture at Syracuse UniversityFebruary 16, 2002Judy Holmesjlholmes@syr.edu

Gerda E. Breitwieser, associate professor biology at Syracuse University, will present “Calcium: Bones and so much more” at 7:30 p.m. March 6 in Syracuse University’s Grant Auditorium. The lecture, part of the continuing Frontiers of Science Lecture Series, is free and open to the public.

Osteoporosis is a serious and widespread disease that carries a significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Each year, more than 400,000 people are hospitalized with osteoporosis-related injuries or illnesses. Osteoporosis occurs when the balance of calcium deposition and resorption is disturbed, resulting in bone loss. During the last 10 years, scientists have made significant advances in the understanding of the diverse roles calcium plays in organisms.

Breitwieser’s research uses a variety of cellular and molecular approaches to characterize the calcium-sensing receptor that has been identified during the past 10 years. The goal is to learn to regulate the receptor’s activity. The receptor represents a critical locus for the development of treatment paradigms capable of ameliorating a variety of calcium-handling disorders, including parathyroid diseases and osteoporosis.

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.