July 13, 2001

(From left) Patricia Collin-Osdoby, Ph.D., research associate professor of biology, Linda Rothe, University research associate, and Philip A. Osdoby, Ph.D., professor of biology, both in Arts & Sciences, and Linda Rothe, University research associate, have shown that blood vessels at inflamed sites create signals that lead to eventual bone destruction.

Blood vessels found to signal chain in bone loss By Tony Fitzpatrick University biologists have discovered a mechanism in blood vessels that opens the door for bone loss in such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease, osteoporosis, tumor-associated bone loss, or artificial implant loosening. Patricia Collin-Osdoby, Ph.D., research associate professor of biology, and Philip A. Osdoby, Ph.D., professor of biology, both in Arts & Sciences, and Linda Rothe, University research associate, have for the first time shown that blood vessels at inflamed sites where bone loss is occurring create signals that set into motion a cascade of events leading to local bone destruction. Click to see entire article

Student illustrators help market Ralston Purina's new dog food By Liam Otten Collaborations between the private sector and higher education are commonplace in the sciences. Corporations often enlist the aid of faculty and students to conduct basic research in biology, chemistry, physics and other fields. Last spring, CheckMark Communications, the creative communications wing of St. Louis-based pet food giant Ralston Purina, enlisted a group of 16 junior illustration majors from the School of Art to help launch its new Beneful brand dog food, which recently began arriving in stores. Though a major media rollout is planned for the fall, the company is currently generating buzz through a grassroots-style "e-campaign." Central to that initiative are a series of multimedia e-mail packages --conceived and developed by the art students --known as Flash animations. Click to see entire article

Rachel Mason's "Dancing Dog" was one of the School of Art's student contributions to a project for CheckMark Communications, the creative communications wing of Ralston Purina.

The University was well-represented at the recent Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis in Forest Park, both on stage and behind the scenes. Seated (left to right) are actors Mike Markham, Eddie Kurtz and Jonathan Reitzes. Behind them (left to right) are festival board member Henry Schvey, prop manager Justin Barisonek, scenic designer Christopher Pickart and set crew member Sam O'Connell.

Shakespeare Festival gets WU boost By Liam Otten Hey, even the greats can't do it alone. Last month, a dedicated group of University faculty, staff and students joined other local arts advocates and a stellar cast of nationally known theater professionals in launching the new Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis. "Romeo and Juliet," the festival's inaugural production, played for two weeks to packed houses --or in this case, hillsides --in Forest Park. Directed by PJ Paparelli, resident assistant director of The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C., the play earned widespread praise from audiences and critics alike. Organizers hope to make the festival an annual event, and planning for next year's run is already under way. Click to see entire article

Coming at you! Junior Nataluie Case tosses a Frisbee in Brookings Quadrangle during a break in the hot weather.