Nobel Laureate to Talk on "Waste Disposal in the Human Body

through the Ubiquitin’s ‘Kiss of Death’” on KK! Talk Show,

DZRH-AM radio on April 16, Wed., 7:30 p.m. (Manila time)

Do you know that, aside from garbage, human waste and other types of waste, we also generate waste within our bodies? The human body, like all other living things, consists of proteins, which continuously go through a cyclical process of build-up and degradation. Many research scientists had studied the build-up process well, but few were interested in the degradation on which Drs. Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hersko and Irwin Rose focused their research.  Consequently, they discovered that protein degradation goes on in the body in a controlled way, with a particular protein-- the ubiquitin-- giving other proteins that must be destroyed a “kiss of death” before they are fed into the cells’ waste disposers.  This discovery earned them the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The ubiquitin, as they found out, serves as the label that sticks to the protein to be destroyed. But before the protein is destroyed in the waste disposers, the ubiquitin disconnects from it for reuse. When this protein degradation process does not work correctly, the body can get sick of cancer and other diseases.

This discovery has since led to the development of one drug against cancer and many more drugs based on it are now being developed against cancer and other diseases. From it, we also learn that, for us to stay healthy, we must have proper degradation, waste disposal and recycling in our human bodies. And we say--in our planet, too!

They discovered that protein degrades in the body in a controlled way, with a particular protein-- the ubiquitin-- giving other proteins that must be destroyed a “kiss of death” before they are fed into the cells’ waste disposers.

Hear more about this discovery and learn also how a person from a modest background became a Nobel Laureate. Tune in Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!), DZRH-AM radio, on April 16, Wed., 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,  for a special episode featuring 2004 Nobel Prize winner Prof. Aaron  Ciechanover. Joining the program to give further comments in conversational Tagalog are Dr. Fabian Dayrit (on ubiquitin), TOYM Awardee on Chemistry, Dean of the Ateneo School of Science and Engineering, and EARTH Trustee and  Dr. Marvie Abesamis (on cancer), TOWNS Awardee on Medicine and 2007 Most Outstanding Oncologist. Dr. Cora Claudio, TOWNS Awardee for Science and Technology and President, EARTH Institute Asia, hosts the weekly radio program.

You will also hear more about the Malunggay Para sa KK, 2M Puno Para sa KK and other projects of EARTH/KK! in partnership with various public and private organizations. The contests offer cash prizes and the projects provide livelihood while protecting/enhancing the environment. You may join all of them by being a registered KK! listener. To register, text 2299: earth<space>REG < name, age, sex, address, email address, and name of who invited you to tune in>.

KK! is co-produced by EARTH Institute Asia, Inc. and DZRH, with the cooperation of MAP, GREEN Army, PFST, TOWNS, PBE, AIJC, PEIA, DENR, and others. It is at 666 khz in Metro Manila and at other khzs in other areas nationwide.  It is globally accessible through www.eradioportal.com or www.mabuhayradio.com and/or http://dzrh.prepys.com

You and your contacts are also invited to join KK!’s roster of partners-sponsors. For the 2nd quarter of 2008, they are Unilever, Shell, Unilab, Petron, and Toby's Sports. Providing in-kind support are Delbros Supply Chain Solutions, Mgt. Assoc. of the Phil., Figaro Coffee, Brahma Kumaris, Arch, Paulo Alcazaren, and Science Centrum.

Inquiries: 671-3266, 0917-829-1718, or email . # # #

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