Image: GABA receptor copyright PL Chau used by permission.
Dr Pak Lee Chau of the Pasteur Institute gave a lecture at the AGM of the Cambridge Society for the Application of Research this evening (1st Nov.) In his CSAR lecture Dr. Chau first described the history of anaesthetics research culminating in the effects of pressure on anaesthesia. After that he described his theories relating to the structure of the cell membrane and the chemical mechanisms of Anaesthesia as drugs permete the cell membrane and ions filter through the GABA receptors.
Not much is known about the mechanics of general anaesthesia, which are quite different from those of local anaesthesia. Even Dr. Chau admitted that he had no explanation for what happens when someone gets knocked unconscious.
An interesting aspect of Dr. Chau's research is the use of very complex computer simulations. Whereas scientists often use computers to simulate bonds between molecules, Dr. Chau's programmes are very complex involving many molecules and many variables and their reactions when affected by Newtons laws and time. A computer can run for many months to simulate one nano second of real time. As one scientist explained to me: computers can predict the future but by the time they do the future has already happened.
Dr Chau has co-ordinated a team of scientists across the globe to investigate anaesthesia at cell membrane level using various techniques, conventional and unconventional to test and cross test varying theories.
Although he spoke fast and quietly at first he soon grew more confident and soon had the listeners chuckling at his self deprecating Cambridge humour. Dr. Chau accompanied his talk with beautiful models and bright online graphics and used analagies so perspicuous that even those uninitiated in the complexities of molecular research could follow his lucid arguments.
There were many questions after the talk ranging from topics such as the mysterious anaesthetic properties of the Noble gases, the potential of as yet undiscovered anaesthetics, possible other uses for complex computer simulations, the possibility of anaesthetics working on receptors other than Dr. Chau's preferred suspect, the GABA receptor and, finally, the anaesthetic properties of alcohol.
CSAR are seeking to recruit new members and if this evening's friendly atmosphere of scholarly enquiry is typical of their evenings the organisation is well worth joining.
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