EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 2013

EVENT: The Detroit Public Television series “Detroit Performs” will spotlight two University of Michigan researchers in a segment featuring a unique project that merges science and art to explain a process that goes on in our bodies every day.

U-M cell biologist Dan Klionsky and U-M choreographer Peter Sparling team up with composer Wendy Lee of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and science illustrator David Goodsell—all tops in their fields—to create a work that explains the complicated science of autophagy, or self-eating.

“Autophagy is a process in which our cells break down parts of themselves and then reuse those resulting macromolecules to keep essential processes going,” said Dan Klionsky, the Arthur G. Ruthven Professor of Life Sciences.

Autophagy occurs when the cell disposes of that which no longer is needed while recycling essential parts worth keeping. The process, which scientists have come to better understand in the last decade, is very intricate and essential, but also can go wrong.

“Defects in autophagy can contribute to cancer, some types of neurodegeneration, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, various muscle diseases, you name it,” Klionsky said. “Almost every month, there’s a new connection being discovered between autophagy and some aspect of human health and disease.”

The video, produced by U-M’s Michigan Media, highlights the making of an artistic work in which illustration, music and dance combined to portray the biological process. The creators used some of the video in a multimedia presentation for a dance performance over the summer, and also made a piece to share with various audiences.

Klionsky, who always looks for new ways to explain complicated science to students and lay audiences, orchestrated the collaboration. Sparling, the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Dance, served as choreographer, dance film artist and production manager.

PLACE: WTVS Detroit Public Television. Audience members outside the greater Detroit area can watch the show online at http://www.detroitperforms.org. The segment also will be available on the website following the debut.

MEDIA: To preview the video, contact Laurel Thomas Gnagey at (734) 647-1841 or ltgnagey@umich.edu.

INFORMATION: “Detroit Performs” features stories and conversations about making art in greater Detroit. Each 30-minute episode tells stories of artists working in a variety of disciplines to reveal the artistic process and how it might inspire others to pick up a paint brush, go see a performance or discover their personal muse.

Related Links:

• Dan Klionsky: www.lsi.umich.edu/labs/daniel-klionsky-lab
• Peter Sparling: http://www.petersparling.com