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Page 2 • The BATTALION
Monday • March 27,
Researchers probe into function of internal clock
seek to enhance areas of agriculture, medicine
Q Scientists study circadian
rhythms of plants and animals
in hopes of finding ways to
manipulate them.
By Brad Dressier
The Battalion
Determining how organisms’ internal
clocks work and interact with life functions
may hold benefits for many areas, including
medicine and agriculture.
Most known organisms, from bacteria to
humans, have an internal biological clock
that regulates many life processes. The
clock, often referred to as circadian rhythms,
influences digestion, hormones, alertness
and other biological functions.
Most organisms have a biological clock
that resets itself every 24 hours.
Biological clocks are influenced by bright
light, particularly sunlight. The presence or
absence of light can determine when the
clock will reset itself. Mutants who either
lack a biological clock or have clocks that
run more or less than 24 hours do exist.
Nicholas Tsinoremas, a post-doctoral re
search scientist in molecular biology, said
that studying a simple organism is one of
the most logical ways to determine specific
details about how a biological clock works.
Texas A&M has been a leader in the stud
ies of bacteria in relation to bio
logical clocks for more than two
years. The projects generally
study cyanobacteria, commonly
known as blue-green algae.
“We have isolated a few
genes in the mutant
cyanobacteria,” Tsinoremas
said. “We hope to be able to
track the abnormal genes
back to the original
source, the main compo
nent of the biologi
cal clock.”
Since all nor
mal organisms
have similar bio
logical clocks, scientists hope that studies of
bacteria will teach them about other organ
isms’ internal clocks.
Paul Hardin, an assistant professor in biol
ogy, studies biological clocks in Drosophila
malanogaster, common fruit flies.
Fruit fly studies generally deal with the
study of genes.
“We can get much further, more quicld
with the study of lower organisms in which
can manipulate the genetics,” Hardin said.
Studies have uncovered a period gene Hi;
regulates the fruit fly’s biological clock.
“We hope to eventually find out how
gene is regulated,” Hardin said. “Why is the
an approximately 24-hour time period?”
Dr. Vincent Casson, a professor in
gy, has been studying biological clocks
higher organisms such as birds and ma:
mals. He said that people can bene!
greatly from understanding more ahi
how things influence the biological clock
Currently, experiments are done usii
the drug melatonin to influence a partofll
clock in birds.
When more details are learned from
the studies, they might benefit the agrit
ture industry.
Influencing plants’ biological clot!
could increase crops’ outputs. By manip
lating insects, many pests might be elii
nated, he said.
Studies can also benefit medicine,
tors could gain a great deal of knowled
by understanding the biological clock ai
how it interacts with humans’ life proces
es, he said.
D
Engineering department accelerates into actio
ioe
to construct ideal electric motor automobile
â–¡ Faculty and students
collaborate their efforts
to design a car for
national competition.
By Brad Dressier
The Baitalion
Texas A&M University facul
ty and students are putting their
skills and knowledge to use by
designing a hybrid electric vehi
cle for a national competition.
A hybrid electric vehicle com
bines different technologies and
power sources to make a more
fuel efficient car that emits fewer
exhaust fumes.
Texas A&M is one of 12
schools nationwide competing in
the hybrid electric vehicle com
petition sponsored by the
Chrysler Corporation.
Faculty and students from the
departments of electrical engi
neering, engineering technology,
nuclear engineering, mechanical
engineering and management
have been working together to
design and build the vehicle, the
Electrically Peaking Hybrid.
The ELPH combines the ad
vantages of an individual conven
tional engine and an electric en
gine. The electric motor is used
for quicker, more efficient acceler
ation. The conventional engine
has two purposes, cruising and
recharging the batteries.
Dr. Mehrdad Ehsani, a profes
sor in electrical engineering, is
the director of the ELPH project.
Ehsani said the students involved
gain practical experience while
working toward their goals.
“The students gain much in
working toward their goals,” he
said. “We all work together and
hope to develop a new technology
for conventional automobiles.”
Lewis Callaway, a graduate
student in electrical engineering,
is the student coordinator of the
ELPH project. He said the pro
ject has taught him and others
much about the world outside of
the university.
“I have learned that you just
need to determine what to know,
learn it and apply that knowl
edge,” he said. “But, you must
always keep in mind that how it
"A hybrid electric vehicle, partic
ularly Texas A&M's Electrically
Peaking Hybrid, could feasibly be
mass produced. This competition
could have an impact on the au
tomobile iridustry as we know it."
—Dr. Tim Coppinger,
professor in engineering technology
Mor
works on paper is not always
how it works out.”
Dr. Tim Coppinger, professor
in engineering technology, is
the coordinator of the proje
The competition is unique,
said, because an innovative!
sign could lead to change!
the automobile industry.
“A hybrid electric vehicles
ticularly Texas A&M’s ELF
could feasibly
mass produced,'
said. “This comp
tion could have
impact on the a;
mobile industry a;
know it.
“The autoraol]
industry is lool
to these student'
innovations.
never know wk-S*
the right idea
come from.”
The ELPH sht
be in running
dition in the n
two weeks. i
The national competit
will be held in early Apri
Detroit, Michigan.
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Parking News:
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£2 March 28 - A portion of the University Center will be reserved for con
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ferences during the day.
March 30 - Beginning at 3:30 p.m. the University Center Garage will
be reserved for OPAS.
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Shuttle Bus News: 4*
uj One-ride bus coupons may be purchased from our cashiers at the 3
Koldus Building in Room 118, or purchase coupons with your Aggie CD
Bucks at the new ticket dispenser at the Gig’em bus stop by the ^
Psychology Building. This is a great way to get to and from ^
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Q_
T111 Battalion
MARK SMITH. Editor in chief
JAY ROBBINS, Senior managing editor
HEATHER WINCH, Managing editor
JODY HOLLEY, Night News editor
TIFFANY MOORE, Night News editor
AMANDA FOWLE, City editor
STERLING DAYMAN, Opinion editor
ROB CLARK, Aggielife editor
NICK GEORGANDIS, Sports editor
DAVE WINDER, Sports editor
STEWART MILNE, Photo editor
Staff Members
City desk— Stephanie Dube, Kasie Byers, Eleanor Colvin, Lynn Cook, Brad Dressier, Cheryl Heller.
Lisa Messer, Gretchen Perrenot, Tracy Smith, Wes Swift, and Brian Underwood
News desk—Kristi Baldwin, Michele Chancellor, Kristin De Luca, Kristen De Rocha, Li be Goad,
Randy Goins, Robin Greathouse, Derek Smith and James Vineyard
Photographers—Tim Moog, Amy Browning, Robyn Calloway, Nick Rodnicki, Eddy Wylie, Bart
Mitchell, Roger Hsieh and Rogge Heflin
Aggielife— Michael Landauer, Amber Clark, Amy Collier, Keryl Cryer, Nikki Hopkins and Jay
Knioum
Sports writers— James Anderson, Kristina Buffin, Tom Day, Shelly Hall and Robert Rodriguez
Opinion — Erin Hill, Drew Diener, Laura Frnka, Zack Hall, David Hill, Kyle Littlefield,
Jenny Magee, Jim Pawlikowski, Elizabeth Preston, Gerardo Quezada, David Taylor
and Amy Uptmor
Cartoonists— Greg Argo, Brad Graeber, Alvaro Gutierrez and Quatro Oakley
Office Assistants— Wendy Crockett, Heather Fitch, Adam Hill and Julie Thomas
Graphic Artist — Ines Hilde
Writing Coach— Mark Evans
campus!
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Bus operations will be accepting new driver applications
March 27 - March 31.
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Applications are available at the Bus Ops facility on Agronomy Rd.
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Watch for PTTS updates in the Battalion, each Monday and Thursday!
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I— We’re doing our best to keep you informed of activities and events that could m
impact your parking and transportation needs. For more information, call our ^
parking counselors at 862-PARK or Shuttle Bus Operators at 845-1971.
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The Battalion (USPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring
semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer sessions (except University holidays a 110
exam periods), at Texas A&M University. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77840.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX 77843.
News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the
Division of Student Publication, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices are in 013
Reed McDonald Building. E-mail: BATT@TAMVM1 .TAMU.EDU. Newsroom phone number is 845-
3313. Fax:845-2647.
Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion
For campus, local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call
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Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a singt
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