New Insight into Cataract Formation

Adapted from SSRL Headlines

Recent research conducted at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource has revealed a possible path to preventing age-related cataracts.

A person's body experiences a continuous battle against the elements, with a constant barrage of oxidative stress attacking cells and their constituent parts. The body's natural defense mechanisms seek to prevent damage before it starts, but once a weakness in the armor presents itself, it can spread rapidly—and often unnoticed—until significant damage, including cataracts, occurs.

A research team led by Pierre Kennepohl of the University of British Columbia explored the basic photochemical processes of one particular amino acid that may lead to damage in lens proteins. Their studies suggest that controlling the permeability of the eye's crystalline lens towards dioxygen could prevent age-related cataracts.
Learn more in SSRL Headlines...

SLAC Celebrates Juneteenth

SLAC celebrated Juneteenth last Friday. (Photo by Rod Reape.)

by Nicholas Bock

More than 100 people turned out last Friday to mark Juneteenth with a two-hour celebration in front of Building 41. It was the 20th Juneteenth celebration at SLAC, featuring food, music and a performance by the San Jose Mimes Troop.

The R&B Express performed at last Friday's Juneteenth celebration. (Photo by Rod Reape.)

"We try to bring everyone together, just like we try to bring positrons and electrons together," said Juneteenth Committee Chairman Al Baker. "Food's good, music's good and everyone's happy."

Baker also added his thanks to all of the Juneteenth committee members: Wanda Elliott, George Maclin, Hank Gray, Sandra Henderson, Mattie Pace, Sandra Pickrom, Rod Reape, Cliff Rogers, Michelle Smith, Pamela Wright-Brunache and Ellajean Polk.

Colloquium Today: Monte Carlo Particle Transport in Radiotherapy

This afternoon, Stanford Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology Paul Keall and SLAC Research Software Developer Joseph Perl will present a SLAC colloquium: Monte Carlo Particle Transport in Radiotherapy: Mice to Humans.

In radiation therapy, accurate estimation of dose to the tumor and surrounding structures is critical to delivering a useful treatment, with control of the tumor balanced against complications to normal tissues. Several techniques have been used to make these dose estimates, with increasing physics complexity being built into the models. But accurate calculations challenge current computational ability due to large variations of density and materials in human (and animal) anatomy. The most accurate method, Monte Carlo particle transport, has many interesting roots and current development activities at SLAC.

Today's presentation will give a background to Monte Carlo simulation in radiotherapy and describe some of the ongoing projects in small animal radiotherapy, human radiotherapy and design of next-generation treatment systems.

The colloquium will take place at 4:15 p.m. in Panofsky Auditorium. It is free and open to all.

Next Monday, Stanford Professor Shan Wang will present "Nanomagnetic Materials and Devices for Cancer Diagnostics and Efficient Power Delivery."

Events

Today (4:15 p.m.) SLAC Colloquium: Monte Carlo Particle Transport in Radiotherapy
Jun 23 (7:30 p.m.) Public Lecture: Cosmic Accelerators
Jun 24 (12:00 p.m.) WIS Seminar: "Natural Vision Improvement"

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CERN Reports on Progress Towards LHC Restart Interactions.org
UGA Researchers Achieve Breakthrough in Effort to Develop Tiny Biological Fuel Cells EurekAlert
Scientific and Academic Organizations Urge Visa Reforms American Institute of Physics FYI

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View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.

New Insight into Cataract Formation Adapted from SSRL Headlines Recent research conducted at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource has revealed a possible path to preventing age-related cataracts. A person's body experiences a continuous battle against the elements, with a constant barrage of oxidative stress attacking cells and their constituent parts. The body's natural defense mechanisms seek to prevent damage before it starts, but once a weakness in the armor presents itself, it can spread rapidly—and often unnoticed—until significant damage, including cataracts, occurs. A research team led by Pierre Kennepohl of the University of British Columbia explored the basic photochemical processes of one particular amino acid that may lead to damage in lens proteins. Their studies suggest that controlling the permeability of the eye's crystalline lens towards dioxygen could prevent age-related cataracts. Learn more in SSRL Headlines... SLAC Celebrates Juneteenth SLAC celebrated Juneteenth last Friday. (Photo by Rod Reape.) by Nicholas Bock More than 100 people turned out last Friday to mark Juneteenth with a two-hour celebration in front of Building 41. It was the 20th Juneteenth celebration at SLAC, featuring food, music and a performance by the San Jose Mimes Troop. The R&B Express performed at last Friday's Juneteenth celebration. (Photo by Rod Reape.) "We try to bring everyone together, just like we try to bring positrons and electrons together," said Juneteenth Committee Chairman Al Baker. "Food's good, music's good and everyone's happy." Baker also added his thanks to all of the Juneteenth committee members: Wanda Elliott, George Maclin, Hank Gray, Sandra Henderson, Mattie Pace, Sandra Pickrom, Rod Reape, Cliff Rogers, Michelle Smith, Pamela Wright-Brunache and Ellajean Polk. Colloquium Today: Monte Carlo Particle Transport in Radiotherapy This afternoon, Stanford Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology Paul Keall and SLAC Research Software Developer Joseph Perl will present a SLAC colloquium: Monte Carlo Particle Transport in Radiotherapy: Mice to Humans. In radiation therapy, accurate estimation of dose to the tumor and surrounding structures is critical to delivering a useful treatment, with control of the tumor balanced against complications to normal tissues. Several techniques have been used to make these dose estimates, with increasing physics complexity being built into the models. But accurate calculations challenge current computational ability due to large variations of density and materials in human (and animal) anatomy. The most accurate method, Monte Carlo particle transport, has many interesting roots and current development activities at SLAC. Today's presentation will give a background to Monte Carlo simulation in radiotherapy and describe some of the ongoing projects in small animal radiotherapy, human radiotherapy and design of next-generation treatment systems. The colloquium will take place at 4:15 p.m. in Panofsky Auditorium. It is free and open to all. Next Monday, Stanford Professor Shan Wang will present "Nanomagnetic Materials and Devices for Cancer Diagnostics and Efficient Power Delivery."	Events Today (4:15 p.m.) SLAC Colloquium: Monte Carlo Particle Transport in Radiotherapy Jun 23 (7:30 p.m.) Public Lecture: Cosmic Accelerators Jun 24 (12:00 p.m.) WIS Seminar: "Natural Vision Improvement" Access (see all) No Access Notices Today Announcements (see all \| submit) Lab Announcements New Publication: ESH Manual, Chapter 2, Work Planning and Control Deadline Nearing for Cyber Security Basics Course Stanford-targeted Phishing Attack SLAC Town Hall Meetings on Retirement Investment Changes Community Bulletin Board Memorial Services for Paul Staudenmaier Shotokan Karate Class New Noon Cross Training Class SLAC Kid's Day 2009 - Aug 14 Training Lab Training (calendar \| register) Jun 23 (9:00 a.m.) Pressure Safety Jun 23 (1:00 p.m.) Back Safety Upcoming Workshops & Classes Excel for Engineers and Scientists News (submit) CERN Reports on Progress Towards LHC Restart Interactions.org UGA Researchers Achieve Breakthrough in Effort to Develop Tiny Biological Fuel Cells EurekAlert Scientific and Academic Organizations Urge Visa Reforms American Institute of Physics FYI
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