University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) Researcher shows tool can diagnose cataracts, glaucoma
The Birmingham News
By JOHN GEROM
News staff writer
May20, 1999
Alireza Arabshahi is a wizard with a laser who hopes his experiment with
light will lead to a medical breakthrough.
Arabshahi, a 33-year-old researcher at UAB's Center for Macromolecular
Crystallography, specializes in an area of biophysical chemistry called
"laser Light Scattering". The idea is to diffuse a laser beam to measure the
growth of protein molecules responsible for eye disease. The structure of
the molecules could help ophthalmologists detect the early stages of
glaucoma and cataracts, he said, and aid pharmaceutical companies' search
for improved drugs. The procedure must gain approval from the Center for
Disease Control and prevention and the Food and drug administration before
commercial use can begin. Laser have been used in medicine for years to
destroy or separate tissue, but Arabshahi said he and five colleagues are
the first to show that lasers also can help diagnose cataracts and glaucoma.
Their research was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA). For their work, Arabshahi and his co-authors recently
recieved NASA's Outstandind Technical Innovation Award, given by the
NASA-Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Among the co-authors are Terry Bray
and Larry DeLucas, also scientists at UAB's center for Macromolecular
Crystallography.
If the procedure is cleared for commercial use, the benefit to
ophthalmologist and patients will be substantial, Arabshahi predicted. "This
is a non-invasive probe. It comes close to the human eye but never physically
touches the eye." Arabshahi, a student at Mississippi State University
during much of his investigation into light Scattering, plans to earn
a doctorate at UAB and pusue a career as an astronaut. He wants to study
protein crystals in space, where thay are unaffected by gravity and can
provide important clues about eye diseases and other illnesses.
He already has a hand in space study, as the Center for Macromolecular
Crystallography has developed a device for the International Space Station to
preserve and analyze high-quality protein crystals.
The Committee has also recognized Dr. Malekeh
Taleghani as the Community's most exemplary volunteer
activist.
The awards will be presented during the
Asian/Pacific-American Heritage Month
Scholarship - Awards Banquet, to be held on Friday
May 28, 1999 at the Legin Restaurant, 8001 SE
Division St. in Portland, at 6:30 pm.
United States Congressman David Wu and State Senator
John Lim will be presenting the awards.
15 other organizations including; Fillipino American
National Historical Society, Vietnamese Language
School, Oregon Commission on Asian affairs, Oregon
State University, Asian American Foundation of
Northwest, Muslim Educational Trust, and Indian
Cultural Association are also recognized.
Andisheh Center is a year and a half old not for
profit cultural/social organization for Iranians of
the greater Portland Metropolitan. For more
information on the center's charter and activities
please visit: http://andisheh.org
To attend the awrd ceremony and for more information
on the event, please contact The Asian Reporeter at
503-283-4440
The Asian Reporter Scholarship and Awards Selection
Committee has unanimously selected the Andisheh Center
for its contribution and tireless effort on behalf of
the Iranian community, as one of the community's Most
Exemplary Volunteer Organizations in Oregon.
