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Dr. Michels
research is in two main areas: bone cancer (osteosarcoma) and light hydrocarbons
in rocks and in near surface soils and sediments.
BONE CANCER: The working hypotheses are that uncontrolled growth in osteocarcoma
is due to (1) exploitation of growth factor stores in the bone matrix
or (2) uncontrolled growth factor production by osteocarcoma cells. Research
is carried out in vitro using five osteocarcoma cell lines. The response
of these cell lines to different growth factors found in bone is being
measured. They are working to identify the growth factors produced by
osteocarcoma cells. SURFACE LIGHT HYDROCARBONS: The working hypothesis
is that trace quantities of light hydrocarbons (methane-butane) in surface
samples can be used to locate subsurface petroleum accumulations and determine
the type of fluid likely to be found (i.e., gas, condensate, or oil).
Research is presently centered on developing gas chromatographic methods
for the analysis of light hydrocarbons in the parts per million range.
An extraction system for quantitatively removing absorbed and/or entrapped
hydrocarbons from soils will be developed.
Selected
recent publications:
1. Mattson, B.M.; Snipp, R.L.; Michels, G.D. "Spectacular Classroom
Demonstration of the Flame Test for Metal Ions," J. Chem. Educ.
1991, 67, 791.
2. Estes, K.; Michels, G.D.; Lloyd, B.A.; McGuire, M.H. "Production
of TGFB1 by Human Osteosarcoma-Derived Cell Lines," Frontiers
of Osteosarcoma
Research, Hogrefe & Huber: Seattle, 1993, 515.
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