Colloquium to Focus on Research Into Surgery

Dr. Michael W. Berns, director of UC Irvine’s Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic and a pioneer in microsurgery, will be host to a public colloquium at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in the institute’s library.

Described as a conversation rather than a lecture, the colloquium will focus on research being conducted at the institute into surgery so precise it can alter genes within single cells.

Berns, a professor of surgery and cell biology at UCI, and others at the institute have been investigating use of a dye that colors only cancer cells and is activated by a laser, perhaps allowing cancer cells to be completed removed from a patient.

He also has been involved in using lasers rather than extensive surgery to destroy blockages in arteries, thereby saving time and expense and preventing considerable pain.

The institute also is experimenting with lasers to create new plants and to study cells by removing or inserting sections of genes.

Tickets for the colloquium are $3 ($2 for UCI students) and are available at the campus Fire Arts Box Office.