North Carolina State University - Agromeck Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

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Lab technician Casey Kopczynski isolates DNA, the cell ' s mechanism for recording genetic characteristics. Qenetic research provides disease-fighting tool 5tUnning advances hawe been made by researchers at 5tate and other universities in the manipulation of genetic traits of plants and animals In December 1 982 scientists had succeeded in transferring a genetic trait of rats into mice, fter transplanting a regulatory gene (one which regulates rat growth) into fertilized mouse eggs, the growth trait of the rat was passed on to some of the mice. By manipulating regulatory genes, scientists may one day be able to produce crops and liwestoch with ideal traits such as faster growth, higher yields and more resistance to parasites or adverse climates, according to Dr. John Q 5candalios, head of the Genetics Department at5tate The transfer of the rat growth hormone gene points out a critical issue in genetic engineering, he said. The desirable growth trait of the rat did appear in some of the mice, but the scientists could not predict or control the growth rate of the mice. Putting a useful gene into an organism does not guarantee a useful change, he said With regard to plants, much noise has been made about transferring genes to malie corn that needs no fertilizer, 5candali05 said. But will that trait be expressed at the proper time, in the proper place In order to regulate growth and other traits, we have to understand how the cell ' s genetic activity is regulated In his studies with corn, 5candalios began with the basic questions: how does a plant cell know whether to become a leaf cell or a root cell? how does the simple plant cell hnow when to tjecome a more complex root cell? f nd what determines the number of root cells produced? 5candalios believes that regulatory genes send signals to other genes, which recognize the signals and respond, triggering changes in the cells. But if these precise cell changes are disrupted, the wrong signals are given or the right signals are misinterpreted, birth defects, cancer, abortion or any number of genetic disorders can result in humans and animals; in plants, abnormal plant or seed growth or premature aging may occur If scientists can eliminate or correct these abnormalities at a genetic level, they will be dealing with abnormalities at their source, not just treating the symptoms From the development of hybrid corn to modern techniques for detecting diseases, genetics has affected human society more than any other science, 5candalios said We are progressing so rapidly, there ' s no telling what we may discover in the next five to 10 years. — Susan Talanda Opening 7

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students worKed under a strict military system and plotted elabo- rate practical jokes. We now come to the not-so-distant past of five years ago as most seniors had not become part of the State community, here is where we look to understand a little about North Carolina 5tate University as it is today. 1978. The university in West F aleigh was still seeking something more than a fleeting identity. Mention of h.C. State reached to regional boundaries at best, in academics and research State played second fiddle to just about every so-called ' big-name university in the country, from UCLA and Texas to Illinois and Florida. And without David Thompson and the national basketball championship team of 1974, State ' s national visibility was always brief. Yet State wasn ' t looking for national coverage in news or Football season brings memories of lining up two days for Carolina tickets (right): of course we lost, but we had a great time waiting. A disappointing season turned most eyes away from tfie playing field and toward the grassy hill (below) where hundreds of fans would fight to get a piece of that ball after a field goal. CARTER- FINLI - STADIUM

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)f ' - ' - ' ' 5port5 for their own sake. From a campus perspective it quietly flourished. Erirollment up to 1978 had increased at a modest pace. The University possessed a good base for academics, especially in the scientific and technical fields. In the areas which determine national prominence in an aca- demic program — research grants and respected faculty — many engineering and life science departments already qualified. The collections of D.hl. hill Library were improving markedly. In student entertainment, singer Mike Cross was gaining a devoted following with packed shows at Stewart Theatre. Furthermore, students and faculty dared to drive once again across the It was always tough making that trek across campus to class at eight o ' clock, but it always felt so good when you got out (above). You felt like just making the effort was all worth it, and you always felt more comfortable asking someone for help knowing that you had always been there (right). 8 Opening