Sexual chemistry: The science exposed… The Biochemist April 2002 issue

Gender equity — Dr Colleen Crangle’s story (p.9)

In 1997, Dr Colleen Crangle was fired from her job as a Medical Informatics expert at Stanford University. Her 3-year fight for justice saw her become the first person to take on the University in court for gender discrimination. In this article, Colleen tells her story — the ridiculousness of the work situation, the incredibly difficult battle to prove her case, and her campaign against inequality.
Contact: Dr Colleen Crangle, 60 Kirby Place, Palo Alto, California 94301, USA; fax: +1 (650) 328 6138; e-mail: crangle@converspeech.com

Slugs and snails, or sugar and spice? — Sex determination and sexual differentiation (p.12)

Under normal circumstances the gender of a boy or a girl is determined by the chromosomes in the fertilizing spermatozoon — a Y chromosome acts dominantly to produce a male foetus. However, the genetic steps involved in this process are less clear-cut. In molecular genetic analyses of human individuals with sex reversal, the chromosomes fail to give rise to the appropriate sexual phenotype. The early stage bipotential gonad is fated to develop into the testicular or ovarian genitals. It is only after this, during its differentiation, that the sexual phenotype is determined.
Contact: Dr Neil Hanley, Division of Human Genetics, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD; tel: +44 (0)23 8079 5040; fax: (0)23 8079 4264;
e-mail: n.a.hanley@soton.ac.uk

Male erectile dysfunction — The biochemistry of Viagra™ (p.16)

The chances are you’ve heard of sildenafil — maybe under its trade name Viagra™. Launched in 1998 as a tablet for treating male erectile dysfunction, it has now been used by over 15 million men and has attracted plenty of publicity. This review focuses on the science — how does Viagra™ actually work?
Contact: Dr Peter Stacey, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ; +44 (0)1304 641646; e-mail: peter_stacey@sandwich.pfizer.com

Infertility with a vengeance — Polycystic ovary syndrome (p.19)

Infertility can be very distressing for many women. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) not only causes infertility but may also bring with it obesity, acne, and facial or body hair, causing even more torment. In this condition, an increased number of small fluid-filled cysts are found around the edge of the ovary. Current research using microscopy to analyse the early development of ovarian follicles is unravelling some clues as to the causes of PCOS.
Contact: Pam Pickering, HCC DeFacto plc., No.1 London Wall Buildings, London Wall, London,
EC2M 5PG; tel: +44(0)20 7496 3300; fax: +44(0)20 7496 3355; e-mail: P.Pickering@hccdefacto.com

Product focus

Electrophoresis fast — Clinical automation (p.23)
In UK clinical biochemistry and immunology laboratories, routine protein electrophoresis testing is used for the detection of paraproteins in serum and urine. These methods have remained the same over the past 40 years. The automation of electrophoresis is a major factor in eliminating user variation and ensuring reproducible results. Martin Hurl, product manager, discusses how some clients (Leeds General Infirmary and Kings Mill Centre for Healthcare Services) have benefited from Sebia’s system.
Contact: Catherine Balding, Lewis Associates, 1a Cecil Road, Hale, Cheshire WA15 9NY;
tel: +44(0)161 929 0330; fax: +44(0)161 929 0330; e-mail: catherine.balding@lewis-associates.co.uk

Other articles
>> Meeting reports — Pancreatic Islets and Type II Diabetes; Second Rothamsted International BioMarket; In situ Hybridization. (p. 28)
>> Policy matters — Has the Research Assessment Exercise fulfilled its potential? (p. 31)
>> Learning curve — Aussie rules (p.32)
>> Day in the life … of a Genetic Counsellor. (p. 36)
>> Cyberbiochemist — Point, click and analyse! Jemboss explained (p. 39)
>> Q&A — Tom Owen-Hughes, Colworth Medal winner interviewed (p.43)
>> Past times — Muriel Wheldale Onslow (1880–1932): pioneer plant biochemist (p. 49)

Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)

RSS Feeds

Sexual chemistry: The science exposed… The Biochemist April 2002 issue

Science Research Departments