Event 3 | Chemical Entanglements

This quarter, I attended UCLA’s Chemical Entanglements symposium, specifically Dr. Shahir Masri’s presentation concerning Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance disease (TILT). TILT is a major growing disease, and taking action now may be able to help stop its advancement. Primarily, we must first understand what TILT exactly is and how its symptoms detrimentally affect humans. In his presentation, Dr. Masri discussed how the rise in various chemicals as society industrializes is causing a rise in chemical intolerance. 
Stage II of Tilt - Triggering an intolerance
Picture of me about to enter the event

These chemicals can range from building materials such as 4-phenylcyclohexane in carpets to even everyday fragrances. This insensitivity leads to headaches, memory issues, mood changes, and much more. 

A visual representation of Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (Tiltresearch.org)

This event was a lot harder to connect to what I have learned in lecture directly. However, I still do see an indirect correlation with biological, neuroscience, and nanotech art (Weeks 4, 7, and 9). Primarily, I connected this to BioTech Art because it reminded me of Natale Jeremijenko’s art. Jeremijenko stresses environmental conversation by creating art displays such as “One Trees” and fire-hydrant gardens. Conveying a similar message, Dr. Masri also tackles environment conservationism by examining how the rise of certain industrialized chemicals paired with tragic events is detrimental for both human and ecosystem health. 

An example of a tragedy that increased TILT due to the release of chemicals, from Dr. Masri's slides

Furthermore, Dr. Masri’s talk also emphasized how TILT results in many neurologically related symptoms such as memory loss and headaches. These chemicals reminded me of Week 7 NeuroArt because the brain is extremely sensitive to changes in the environment, especially respiratory changes. When a patient breathes in certain chemicals such as fragrances after developing TILT, it is possible that an fMRI scan of the brain could yield different colors in other areas, creating a new “artwork”. 
Different areas of the brain light up depending on certain chemicals or actions (MayfieldClinic.com)

Overall, I would recommend going to this event if it returns next year! I enjoyed how the speakers addressed current and upcoming issues that could affect our generation's lifestyles, and how numerous panels were available afterwards to answer any question.Perhaps nano-technology could one day alleviate this chemical intolerance since nanobots can enter the bloodstream to tackle chemical particles. But until then, it is best that we take care of our environment in the best way possible. 

 Sources: 
MayfieldClinic.com. "Functional MRI and DTI." Functional MRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging. MayField Clinic, n.d. Web. 28 May 2017.


TiltResearch.org. "How TILT Was Discovered -." What Is TILT? Department of Family and Community Medicine UT, n.d. Web. 28 May 2017.

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