Biologists engineer algae to make complex anti-cancer 'designer' drug

Dec. 10, 2012 ? Biologists at UC San Diego have succeeded in genetically engineering algae to produce a complex and expensive human therapeutic drug used to treat cancer.

Their achievement, detailed in a paper in this week's early online issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, opens the door for making these and other "designer" proteins in larger quantities and much more cheaply than can now be made from mammalian cells.

"Because we can make the exact same drug in algae, we have the opportunity to drive down the price down dramatically," said Stephen Mayfield, a professor of biology at UC San Diego and director of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology or SD-CAB, a consortium of research institutions that is also working to develop new biofuels from algae.

Their method could even be used to make novel complex designer drugs that can't be produced in any other systems--drugs that could be used to treat cancer or other human diseases in new ways.

"You can't make these drugs in bacteria, because bacteria are incapable of folding these proteins into these complex, three-dimensional shapes," said Mayfield. "And you can't make these proteins in mammalian cells because the toxin would kill them."

The advance is the culmination of seven years of work in Mayfield's laboratory to demonstrate that Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a green alga used widely in biology laboratories as a genetic model organism can produce a wide range of human therapeutic proteins in greater quantity and more cheaply than bacteria or mammalian cells.

Mayfield and his colleagues achieved their first breakthrough five years ago when they demonstrated they could produce a mammalian serum amyloid protein in algae. The following year, they succeeded in getting algae to produce a human antibody protein. In 2010, they demonstrated that more complex proteins -- human therapeutic drugs, such as human vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, used to treat patients suffering from pulmonary emphysema -- could be produced in algae.

Then in May of this year, Mayfield's group working with another team headed by Joseph Vinetz from UC San Diego's School of Medicine, engineered algae to produce an even more complex protein -- a new kind of vaccine that, preliminary experiments suggest, could protect billions of people from malaria, one of the world's most prevalent and debilitating diseases.

"What the development of the malarial vaccine showed us was that algae could produce proteins that were really complex structures, containing lots of disulfide bonds that would still fold into the correct three-dimensional structures," said Mayfield. "Antibodies were the first sophisticated proteins we made. But the malarial vaccine is complex, with disulfide bonds that are pretty unusual. So once we made that, we were convinced we could make just about anything in algae."

In their latest development, the scientists genetically engineered algae to produce a complex, three-dimensional protein with two "domains" -- one of which contains an antibody, which can home in on and attach to a cancer cell and another domain that contains a toxin that kills the bound cancer cells. Such "fusion proteins" are presently created by pharmaceutical companies in a complex, two-step process by first developing the antibody domain in a Chinese hamster, or CHO, cell. The antibody is purified, then chemically attached to a toxin outside of the cell. Then the final protein is re-purified.

"We have a two-fold advantage over that process," said Mayfield. "First, we make this as a single protein with the antibody and toxin domains fused together in a single gene, so we only have to purify it one time. And second, because we make this in algae rather than CHO cells, we get an enormous cost advantage on the production of the protein."

The fusion protein the researchers in his laboratory produced from algae is identical to one that is under development by pharmaceutical companies with a proposed cost of more than $100,000. This same protein could be produced in algae for a fraction of that price, they report in their paper. And the UCSD researchers -- Miller Tran, Christina Van, Dan Barrera and Jack Bui, at the UC San Diego Medical School -- confirmed that the compound worked like the more expensive treatment: it homed in on cancer cells and inhibited the development of tumors in laboratory mice.

Mayfield said such a fusion protein could not have been produced in a mammalian CHO cell, because the toxin would have killed it. But because the protein was produced in the algae's chloroplasts -- the part of algal and plant cells where photosynthesis takes place -- it did not kill the algae.

"The protein was sequestered inside the chloroplast," Mayfield said. "And the chloroplast has different proteins from the rest of the cell, and these are not affected by the toxin. If the protein we made were to leak out of the chloroplast, it would have killed the cell. So it's amazing to think that not one molecule leaked out of the chloroplasts. There are literally thousands of copies of that protein inside the chloroplasts and not one of them leaked out."

Mayfield said producing this particular fusion protein was fairly straightforward because it involved fusing two domains -- one to recognize and bind to cancer cells and another to kill them. But in the future, he suspects this same method could be used to engineer algae to produce more complex proteins with multiple domains.

"Can we string together four or five domains and produce a designer protein in algae with multiple functions that doesn't exist in nature? I think we can?" he added. "Suppose I want to couple a receptor protein with a series of activator proteins so that I could stimulate bone production or the production of neurons? At some point you can start thinking about medicine the same way we think about assembling a computer, combining different modules with specific purposes. We can produce a protein that has one domain that targets the kind of cell you want to impact, and another domain that specifies what you want the cell to do."

The research project was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and The Skaggs Family Foundation.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of California - San Diego. The original article was written by Kim McDonald.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Miller Tran, Christina Van, Daniel J. Barrera, P?r L. Pettersson, Carlos D. Peinado, Jack Bui, and Stephen P. Mayfield. PNAS Plus: Production of unique immunotoxin cancer therapeutics in algal chloroplasts. PNAS, 2012 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1214638110

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/IVdjVhcyvRk/121210160846.htm

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The Mayans and 2012 ~ Carol E. Parrish 12/18 by Inner Guide ...

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    Tim Cook: Why I Promoted Jony Ive - Business Insider

    Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed why he decided to give Jony Ive responsibility for much of the future success of Apple in his interview with Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

    Ive had only been in charge of Apple's hardware design until Cook pushed Scott Forstall out of the company. Ive was then promoted to lead the look and feel of Apple's software in addition to the look and feel of its hardware.

    This effectively makes Ive the most important executive at Apple. He's the new Steve Jobs, the person responsible for all future Apple products.

    When Cook was asked directly about the management changes, he cited two factors: Collaboration and consistency.

    Cook said, "the changes that we made get us to a whole new level of collaboration."

    Forstall was reportedly not good at working with Apple's other executives. He was also said to be a political operator in the company, managing up, taking credit for other people's work, and shutting out other divisions.

    By removing Forstall, Cook is removing an obstacle to collaboration.

    As for the other part, Cook explained the promotion of Ive:

    Jony, who I think has the best taste of anyone in the world and the best design skills, now has responsibility for the human interface. I mean, look at our products. (Cook reaches for his iPhone.) The face of this is the software, right? And the face of this iPad is the software. So it?s saying, Jony has done a remarkable job leading our hardware design, so let?s also have Jony responsible for the software and the look and feel of the software, not the underlying architecture and so forth, but the look and feel.

    Got that? Ive made the best looking hardware product in the world. Now let's let him add to overall feel of the product.

    There's another reason Ive won over Forstall, according to Gene Munster, analyst at Piper Jaffray. Speaking at our IGNITION conference, Munster pointed out that Apple is a hardware company.

    As good as Apple's software is, it's the hardware that really makes Apple special. Most of the features of iOS have been copied by competitors, and in some cases enhanced.

    So, if Cook had to pick between Ive and Forstall, it's a no brainer to go with Ive.

    Don't Miss: Here's The Real Story Of How Apple Blew It In The 80s

    Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-why-i-promoted-jony-ive-2012-12

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    Apple and Google joining forces to mop up Kodak patents?

    Plan Your Holiday With A Good Accommodation

    Life in the city is fast paced. Schedules for work can be hectic and the responsibilities can be a lot. Getting a vacation will ease your mind. A trip away from the city will help you relax. There are several places to go to where holiday rental are popular in the area. There is an accommodation that could provide a place to rest. Many people think that only the rich can afford a vacation. There are lodging places that are affordable. These are appropriate for group of friends and large families.

    There are houses that are already furnished like in the kitchen, dining, bathroom area and several bedrooms. You can save money because the rates are reasonable and most of what you will need is already provided. This kind of housing is usually located near the beach or in a wonderful countryside. This is popular among the tourists and even the locals. There are different holiday rentals in the area. You can rent a cottage, a villa, apartments, beach houses and condo units. It's time to splurge and treat yourself. You can now relax and enjoy the scenery.

    Deciding for your great escape requires some consideration. You have to take into account the number of people who will join you. Choosing the type of place where you will stay will depend on it. Do a research or ask around on who knows the best place. You can also check the internet for accommodations that offer packages that could help lessen your expenses. You can divide the total costs to everyone to make it cheaper. Though this may not be fancy as staying in a hotel, your stay will definitely be fun altogether for you are with your friends.

    The key to a successful trip is careful planning. Look for an ideal month and location ahead of your target travel date. It can be costly to take a vacation on peak seasons or on short notice. The charges can be overpriced and reservation can be hard. Research all possible properties and compare them before making a decision. Read reviews or blogs that define the location, the environment and the amenities that are included. Learn how to get to the area. Know the available transportation services and make sure the area is safe and secure.

    The cost of the accommodation must be thought about. Find out about the rates like the booking requirements, security deposits, water charges, electricity, web connection, phone, cable, cleaning, garden, and pool services. Some inns already include all or some of these in their packages. Once you have decided on where to stay, ask for a contract. Study it well and make sure you understand everything in it. To make sure that the deal is legal and safe, you can ask a lawyer or a real estate agent to help you for they understand this more than you do.

    The author writes for http://www.ameliasholidayrentals.com.au/ which provides information regarding Moonta bay accommodation.

    Source: http://articles.submityourarticle.com/plan-your-holiday-with-a-good-accommodation-306774

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    Steps taken to meet increasing demand for doctors in India

    by Anil Kumar

    Steps taken to meet increasing demand for doctors in India

    Various steps have been taken to liberalise norms for opening new medical colleges, besides amending relevant MCI regulations to meet the increasing demand for doctors in India.

    In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Land requirement has been relaxed from 25 acres to 20 acres throughout the country (for setting up of hospitals)."

    He also informed that permission has been given to set up medical colleges in two plots in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal for a period of five years with certain provisions.

    Azad further said postgraduate and graduate medical degrees of five countries - the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - have been recognised for practice in India.

    Government has also revised the teacher-student ratio depending upon discipline and availability of faculty.

    Replying to a separate question on setting up AIIMS-like institutions, Azad said, "Central government is setting up six AIIMS-like institutions at Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh in the first phase of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna at an estimated cost of Rs 840 crore each."

    Academic session for 50 MBBS students at each of the six new AIIMS has commenced from September, he said.


    (Anil Kumar -- sub-editor compiled and published Steps taken to meet increasing demand for doctors in India at HealthNewsTrack on December 6, 2012 sourced from DD News - http://www.ddinews.gov.in/)

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    Tulisa say X Factor spats, her tempestuous love life and vitriolic Twitter rants have hurt her

    By Dan Wootton

    |

    Tulisa?s make-up-free face is shrouded by large black designer sunglasses and a tight blue hooded sweater.

    ?I haven?t been able to sleep all week, I?ve got terrible insomnia,? she says. Perhaps it?s no surprise.

    For the past month the 24-year-old X Factor judge has been the target of countless negative stories about her relationship with Newcastle United footballer Danny Simpson.

    Scroll down for video

    Hurt: Tulisa has been through a lot this year and she admits it has hurt her, but she isn't called the Female Boss for nothing

    Hurt: Tulisa has been through a lot this year and she admits it has hurt her, but she isn't called the Female Boss for nothing

    There are also untrue rumours that? X Factor producers have been unhappy with her performance this year. And she?s had to cope during the past three weeks with the indignity of having no acts left on the show, which reaches its final this weekend, after the shock elimination of favourite Ella Henderson, whom she mentored.

    Tulisa sums up 2012 bluntly. ?This has been the worst year of my life. It?s been horrid,? she says. Which is in stark contrast to just 12 months ago, when Tulisa, whose real name is Tula Paulinea Contostavlos, was heralded Britain?s brightest new star as the girl band she mentored, Little Mix, won The X Factor.

    But in January, dark clouds began to gather when she split from her childhood sweetheart, Fazer Rawson, who was a member of her band N-Dubz. In March she found solace with actor Jack O?Connell, who starred in the E4 drama Skins, but the relationship lasted only three months.

    ?

    ?After Jack I was alone for six months, which is pretty good for a 24-year-old girl who likes going out and partying,? she says.

    A short spell dating Jody Latham from Channel 4?s Shameless came to nothing. ?He got very intense too quickly. I realised it wasn?t right, so I ended the relationship.?

    In the same week, a mutual friend set her up on a date in Manchester with footballer Danny and, she tells me, ?My world turned upside down. It was instant for both of us.?

    Bad year: Tulisa sums up 2012 as the worst year of her life

    Bad year: Tulisa sums up 2012 as the worst year of her life

    But when their romance went public, Danny?s former girlfriend Stephanie Ward ? the mother of his one-year-old daughter ? gave interviews revealing she was pregnant with another baby of Danny?s. She branded Tulisa a home-wrecker in the process.

    That accusation infuriated Tulisa, who is well aware of the impact of a broken home. Her father Steve left her mother Anne, who suffers from schizophrenia, when she was 14.

    ?I?d finally found happiness and fallen head over heels for someone, and then an ex-girlfriend comes out and says I shouldn?t be happy,? Tulisa says.

    ?I?ve spent years trying to build my career, and with one headline this girl made the public think something of me that isn?t true. I don?t believe in sitting back and letting people lie about you. I have every right to defend myself.

    ?I knew Danny hadn?t been in a relationship with her for months. He showed me their text messages. He called her as a courtesy to let her know he was with me ? I heard the call because he put it on speakerphone. It was only then that she told him she was pregnant.

    'He had no idea. I heard everything. It?s preposterous that people think I can be branded a home-wrecker and I should still rise above it. That would make me a robot like every other celebrity.?

    It?s obvious Tulisa?s relationship with Danny is serious. He?s flown down from Newcastle to be at our photo shoot.

    By now, she?s had her hair and make-up done and been transformed into the glamorous pop star we?re used to seeing. He stands in the corner of the studio watching her pose. ?You look beautiful,? he reassures her.

    She?s the first to concede that Danny ?hasn?t been an angel? in his past, but says he?s always been honest with her. ?He told me everything, including that there was a mother of his child who?d try and rip us apart.

    Glam: She has been transformed into a glamorous pop star and was even voted FHM's sexiest woman of the year

    Glam: She has been transformed into a glamorous pop star and was even voted FHM's sexiest woman of the year

    'For me, nothing is ever good unless I have to go through pain, so it made sense to me. If we didn?t have any problems, I?d think it was too good to be true because that?s how my life works. Danny?s not a bad person. Every man has it in them to be a good person if he?s with the right woman.?

    So how does she really feel about the criticism that?s been thrown at her? ?I?m devastated,? she admits softly. ?People only see me ranting and defending myself. They don?t see me crying my eyes out over what?s been said. I do feel very vulnerable at the moment.?

    I?ve known Tulisa for five years, long before she was on magazine covers, and while the public tends to see the feisty side she developed during a difficult upbringing in Camden, north London, she?s actually very sensitive. ?I don?t feel safe enough to show my vulnerable side in public,? she explains.

    ?The people who hate me want me to break down on TV or go mad and shave my hair off. But if I cry my enemies will think they?ve won.?

    Devastated: She is devastated at the criticism thrown at her over her relationship with Danny Simpson

    Devastated: She is devastated at the criticism thrown at her over her relationship with Danny Simpson

    Much of the disapproval towards her has been sparked by her use of the social networking website Twitter, where she?s responded to attacks on her in the strongest possible way.

    For example, when Lord Sugar called on Simon Cowell to replace her on the X Factor panel next year, she called him an ?ugly hobbit? and ?a miserable old man?. Tulisa is unapologetic and believes she?s targeted for criticism because of her working-class background.

    ?Someone like Sharon Osbourne can get away with defending herself because she?s a bit older and speaks with a bit of a posh accent,? she says. ?But because I?m a chav, people say, ?She?s got no respect.? Rubbish. On The X Factor I?m very respectful because I know children are watching.?

    She adds, ?I don?t view myself as a role model. I?m an inspirer. I inspire people who were bullied growing up, like I was, to stand up for themselves.?

    Tulisa has previously spoken of the torment she suffered at school, and the depression during her teenage years while she was caring for her mother that caused her to self-harm.

    ?People need to remember I?ve had a rough childhood. I was battered so many times growing up, I had to get aggressive and toughen up. I still have that streak in me. It only comes out when I?m pushed into a corner. That?s when I end up lashing out.?

    Besides, Simon Cowell has always encouraged Tulisa to be outspoken on the show. She recalls, ?I told Simon when I was auditioning for the judge?s job, ?I can tone myself down if you want. I won?t go on Twitter and swear.? He said, ?No. I just want you to be 100 per cent yourself.? And that?s what I?m doing. Simon gets what I?m about. That?s why he hired me. I?ve made my career because I?ll never sit back in a corner and give in.?

    She says no one at ITV has questioned her behaviour. ?They?re pleased with me on the live shows because I?m being feistier than last year. Whether people tune into the show to love me or hate me, they?re still watching.? Her sparring with fellow judge Gary Barlow has certainly made for compelling viewing, especially when he accused her of having ?fag ash breath?.

    '2012 has been the worst year of my life'

    ?That was the real Gary coming out. I?m not saying he?s horrible, but in real life that?s what he would say,? she insists. ?I was angry because I know I don?t have bad breath. But I?d smoked a cigarette in the ad break and he could smell it. He apologised and I?m over it now.?

    There have also been suggestions there?s a feud between Tulisa and The X Factor?s new female judge Nicole Scherzinger, former member of the Pussycat Dolls and girlfriend of Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton.

    But Tulisa insists that?s not the case and whips out her BlackBerry to show me a text message in which Nicole had asked her out for dinner. ?I thought we?d be at loggerheads. But she?s not the person that was described to me,? she says, referring to Nicole?s reputation as a diva.

    ?We?re not best friends. But I class her as a mate. She?s been a great judge and is a girl after my own heart because she?s a Cancerian like me. She snaps if she?s backed into a corner, but she?s not as bad as I am!?

    Good friends: Nicole invites Tulisa for dinner and she says Nicole isn't the diva made her out to be

    Good friends: Nicole invites Tulisa for dinner and she says Nicole isn't the diva made her out to be

    Somewhat unexpectedly, it?s been 60-year-old Louis Walsh to whom Tulisa has become closest. In fact, the pair have become genuine friends.

    ?We?re almost like brother and sister, but I?m the older brother!? Tulisa cackles. ?That?s what it?s like. It?s bizarre. But I don?t know what I?d do without Louis.?

    They often share a bottle of wine in his hotel room after finishing work on The X Factor. ?We?re very much on the same page. He finds me hilarious,? she smiles.

    As the present series comes to a controversial end, Tulisa has a lingering sadness that she was unable to take 16-year-old Ella ? the favourite at the start of the live shows ? to the final.

    ?I really don?t think there was any more I could have done as her mentor. Her song choices and performances were incredible.? But she has no doubt Ella will go on to be a major star. ?She?s been getting record deals thrown at her left, right and centre.?

    There?s speculation Simon Cowell is going to return for the show?s tenth anniversary next year as the ratings have dropped for a second year running. Tulisa has no plans to walk away though.

    Back in the day: Tulisa says recent drama took her back to her N Dubz days

    Back in the day: Tulisa says recent drama took her back to her N Dubz days

    ?I wouldn?t want to lose Gary or Louis to work with Simon. But I would love to be able to have him on the panel as well,? she says diplomatically.

    She admits she did ?sugar-coat? herself during her X Factor debut last year, when she was suddenly put in the Cheryl Cole slot on the judging panel. ?I was playing the game a bit then, but I decided I had to be the real me this year.?

    The change began when intimate footage of her with an old boyfriend, Justin Edwards, appeared on the internet in May this year. She successfully sued, but realised her reputation had been damaged. ?I felt as if I was back to where I started.

    'This little fantasy world I had created where I was happy just came crashing down. It was back to being Tulisa from N-Dubz and some people?s opinions of me changed.?

    ?'This little fantasy world I had created where I was happy just came crashing down. It was back to being Tulisa from N-Dubz and some people?s opinions of me changed'

    From there, the year ?got worse and worse and worse?, something she says she?s come to expect with her rollercoaster life. ?The way my life has panned out so far, I?ll have a really amazing year, then, when I feel the pain has stopped and I?m finally starting to be happy, people try to ruin it.?

    That?s why the negative reactions to her relationship with Danny have been so tough. ?I guess it was love at first sight. I?m the happiest I?ve ever been with a guy. I was wary at first because I didn?t want to become the next WAG. But it?s not my fault who I fall for.

    'I told him, ?Don?t ever mess with me.? Danny?s here today because of how down I?m feeling. He?s trying to be there for me so we can go through this together. He?s having to play football with thousands of people screaming abuse at him, while I?ve got to go on national TV every weekend.?

    As for marriage and children... ?I love the idea of marriage. I don?t think 24 is young to get married. I want kids too but I?m not ready yet because there?s a lot more I want to achieve.?

    Tulisa has her now-famous catchphrase ?the female boss? tattooed on her forearm, and believes that message has provided her with the strength to get through the year.

    ?I think if the public didn?t believe in or understand the term before, they do now. The female boss is my inner strength, it?s why I?m still fighting. Even with all this success, I?m still being dragged down. But I?ll hold up my arm and say, ?I?m going to be happy.? And I will.?

    VIDEO: Tulisa opens up about the 'Skeletons' in her closet...?

    Tulisa?s album The Female Boss is out now. The X Factor final, 8pm tonight and 7.40pm tomorrow, ITV1. Her clothing range, TFB, is in Bank stores.

    ?

    Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dailymail/femail/~3/1nXxbOv3KOQ/Tulisa-say-X-Factor-spats-tempestuous-love-life-vitriolic-Twitter-rants-hurt-her.html

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    LSU sports chat with Randy Rosetta noon-1 p.m.

    The week is winding down, the Chick-fil-A Bowl shock has worn off and the LSU basketball season is about to heat back up, so what better time to chat about the Tigers? Join me from noon-1 p.m. Friday and we'll do just that.

    We're using a new format on the chats instead of CoverItLive.com.?

    To enter the chat, go to the comment stream below and post a question just like you would a comment on a story and I'll be there to answer. Please remember this is a friendly chat and to keep your comments/questions clean and don't antagonize other participants because there won't be an immediate filter. The comment stream will be monitored, though.

    You may need to register with the site to participate, so log in a little early if you're not registered and then fire away with your questions. When we get closer to noon, I'll jump in and start fielding questions.

    Source: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/12/lsu_sports_chat_with_randy_ros_11.html

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    Tour of Laurel homes is more than a look at Christmas decorations ...

    LAUREL ? Christmas lights are up, ornaments have been hung on the trees and Christmas decorations are scattered throughout the house.

    Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to invite family and friends into your home.

    The front doors were open on four homes in Laurel last Saturday. The families had invited friends, neighbors, and even a few strangers in and let them traipse through their homes and view the many Christmas decorations.

    It was all part of the 2012 Tour of Homes.

    The century old home of Tom and Elaine Wattier is very impressive ? and when the house is decorated for the holiday season it is a sight to see.

    The home is filled with antiques and family heirlooms ? a china cabinet filled with dishes that have been passed down through the family, two rocking chairs, a trunk, bedroom set, and a little table and stools that had been Elaine?s when she was a young child. Several of the old blue tinted Ball canning jars, which are filled with old buttons, are displayed on a stand that a great uncle had made.

    Throughout the house visitors caught glimpses of Elaine?s extensive collection of snowmen. Some of the snowmen were purchased but many were handmade by Elaine.

    A delightful looking snowman had been painted on the front of the suitcase that Elaine had received when she graduated from high school. Other snowmen were featured on pillows and quilts.

    Two snowmen ? who looked like Mary and Joseph ? sat on the counter in the bathroom.

    Everyone needs to pay heed to the words on the sign that was hanging above the two snowmen: ?Snow flakes are such a fragile creation but look what they can do when they stick together?.

    A couple of snowmen sat on the window ledge among numerous pots of African violets.

    Elaine shared a tip with her guests on caring for the plants.

    ?I love my violets,? Elaine said. ?I feed them chopped banana peelings ? it is a hint that was taken from the Capper?s Weekly.?

    The table was set and ready for a family Christmas meal at Daryl and Annette Junck?s home.

    The blue and white dishes with a ?Christmas Rose? pattern had come over from Denmark with Annette?s grandparents.

    The silverware had also been handed down through the family.

    A series of small blue and white plates hung on the wall above the dining room window. At one time the plates had belonged to Annette?s grandmother and her mother.

    Blue and silver ornaments decorated the white tree which sat in the corner.

    The decor of the Junck home includes a mixture of new along with several older items that had belonged to family members.

    Grandpa and Grandma Kvols had brought the beautiful desk that now sits in the living room back from Denmark. The salt and pepper shaker collection in the kitchen had been Annette?s mothers.

    As Annette looks at the cherished items it takes her back to the homes of loved ones that were so much a part of her life.

    Several old wooden crates set outside of the Junck home near the garage door. Years ago one of the wood boxes had held bottles of Lane?s Beverages. Another had been packed with Sunkist oranges from California.

    This year the collectable wooden boxes are filled with Christmas balls and ornaments.

    ?

    Joy Herrmann received the first piece of her Original Snow Village over twenty-three years ago as a gift from her son and his wife.

    Throughout the years other pieces have been added. There are now thirty big buildings in the Snow Village plus numerous other items.

    The village now includes a set of farm buildings, two churches, houses, stores, a golf course and numerous other items along with some moving parts.

    Two small figurines are skiing up and down a decline, others are skating on an ice pond and two deer are running round and round the Pinewood Shop.

    Tiny parking meters sit alongside the snow covered street that runs through the village.

    Several of the buildings hold special memories for the family.

    The Snow Village?s Corner Cafe is a reminder of the Corner Cafe that used to be open downtown in Laurel.

    One of the houses looks like the home a son and his family had lived in at one time.

    A small replica of a Chinese Restaurant brings back memories of eating out.

    ?Our family always liked to eat out at a Chinese Restaurant,? Joy said.

    The Snow Village Golf Course honors a family member who loves to golf, the police car represents a son-in-law who works in law enforcement and the garbage truck is a memory of Joy?s husband.

    One of the churches that sit in the Village is especially meaningful for Joy.

    ?It looks like the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winside where I was baptized and confirmed,? she said.

    Setting up the Snow Village and getting ready for Christmas can be time consuming but Joy has help from family members.

    Her daughter, Donna Miller, from Newman Grove, set up the village this year with a little help from two of Joy?s grandkids.

    ?It can take up most of a whole weekend to set up the village,? Donna said. ?This year my two kids helped and we did it in about eight hours.?

    Joy loves spreading her collection of snowmen throughout the house.

    She enjoys seeing the smiles on the faces of the snowmen.

    ?Snowmen are usually happy,? she said. ?They make you feel good.?

    This year a huge snowman smiles at Joy from the door of the refrigerator in the kitchen.

    For more pick up this week?s issue of the Laurel Advocate!

    Source: http://www.northeastnebraskanews.us/cedar-county/laurel/tour-of-laurel-homes-is-more-than-a-look-at-christmas-decorations/

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