WATERLOO - Peter Walter, a noted cell and protein researcher, will share his passion for science with local high school students at a talk hosted by the University of Waterloo on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Walter, a molecular biologist and biochemist, will give a morning lecture entitled Adventure Cell Biology: A Journey Through the Building Blocks of The Cell. He will also deliver an afternoon public lecture, entitled Intracellular Signaling and Protein Quality Control.

"We are pleased to have a noted scientist like Dr. Walter help us generate excitement in the sciences with his lecture on cells and proteins," said George Dixon, professor and vice-president of university research. "His talk will certainly engage young minds with his knowledge of science."

Protein folding and targeting is the basis of Walter's research. All living things are made up of cells, essentially masses of molecules, which carry out all the functions of life. In order for cells to work properly, the molecules have to be organized and localized correctly like the components of a machine. Cells can also recycle themselves. Many of the chemicals that make up the components are used again, even when a particular component wears out.

Walter's laboratory at the University of California in San Francisco aims to understand how proteins, the key molecular components, become properly localized within a cell - a process that is essential for maintaining order and compartmentalization in all living cells.

Primary sponsor for both talks is the Gairdner Foundation, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The foundation was created to recognize and reward the achievements of medical researchers whose work contributes to significantly improving the quality of human life. Out of the 298 individuals from 13 countries who have received the Gairdner Award, 76 have subsequently gone on to win the Nobel Prize, including three in 2009. Walter will receive the Canada Gairdner International Award for 2009 at a formal celebration next week.

Additional sponsors for the high school talk include the Government of Ontario, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Life, Great-West Life, London Life, Sanofi Aventis/Sanofi Pasteur and the University of Waterloo. The afternoon lecture is sponsored by the Government of Ontario, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, GE Healthcare, Merck Frosst, Burroughs Welcome Fund and the University of Waterloo.

Walter's talk for high school students begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Humanities Theatre, located in the J.G. Hagey Hall of the Humanities. His public lecture will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre.

Both lectures are organized by Waterloo's faculty of science. Admission is free. For more information and to register, please contact mailto:scienceevents@uwaterloo.ca.