Arabidopsis Takes Root Plant Biology Lab Celebrates 25 Years of Discoveries

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THE SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES 10 | 08 Arabidopsis Takes Root Plant Biology Lab Celebrates 25 Years of Discoveries

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE » Institute Launches Chairman’s Circle » Friends Take ‘Journey’ of Gilot Exhibit » Labs Partner with Reeve Foundation

October 2008 Inside Salk 12-13 18

Scholars Give Up Summer in New York Symphony at Salk for Lab Training in La Jolla

NEWS BRIEFS PHILANTHROPY Salk Receives Worldwide Chairman’s Circle: Scientists’ 3 Media Attention 16-18 Presentations and Twist of Fate Tatyana Sharpee Honored Endear Dan Lewis to Salk Twice in 2008 Chairman’s Circle: Research Seals Labs Partner with Marna Whittington’s Commitment Reeve Foundation Symphony at Salk Raises Record Salk Receives Grant for Funds for Research Prader-Willi Research ‘CEO’ Group Gets Personalized Tour of Salk COVER STORY Arabidopsis Takes Root: EXECUTIVE MESSAGE 4-11 Plant Biology Lab Celebrates From Plants to Stem Cells, 25 Years of Discoveries 19 Salk Research Generates Roger Guillemin, M.D., Ph.D. Wide-Reaching Impact Interim President INSTITUTE NEWS Marsha A. Chandler, Ph.D. Scholars Give Up Summer in Executive Vice President 12-15 New York for Lab Training Rebecca Newman in La Jolla Vice President, Development Institute Friends Take ‘Journey’ Mauricio Minotta Through Françoise Gilot’s Director, Communications Editor, Inside Salk Exhibit and Life Gina Kirchweger Director, Scientific Communications Sarah Loffler Production Coordinator Joe Belcovson and Kent Schnoeker ON THE COVER Photographers Inside Salk is printed Arabidopsis thaliana is an ideal model for plant biologists to study because on recycled paper it has a small genome (about 25,500 genes) and a generation time of just Inside Salk is published by the six to eight weeks. The cover features a small Arabidopsis specimen that Salk Institute for Biological Studies. We welcome your input. Please send has begun to flower. It is one of hundreds that are grown in Salk’s comments to [email protected] greenhouses and studied by scientists in the Plant Biology Laboratory. or contact the Communications department at 858-453-4100 x1226. Photo by Joe Belcovson, Multimedia Services manager.

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Salk Receives Worldwide Media Attention W S SALK RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT MEDIA by more than 70 percent when combined B attention in August, beginning with with exercise. R I

worldwide coverage of a very recent While this research focused on a particular E discovery in Ronald Evans’ lab. The study gene in mice, which is also conserved in F S offers strong evidence for the potential humans, this amazing breakthrough may one health benefits of exercise through a pill day provide much-needed relief to those who Ronald Evans Inder Verma that can be taken orally. cannot physically exercise as a result of His lab’s research demonstrated the trauma or disease. The British Broadcasting coverage when NBC aired a story featuring a study power of two experimental drugs: Company (BBC), the New York Times, ABC’s that uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind One tricked the body’s muscles into “World News Tonight” and NBC’s “Nightly allergies. This finding raises renewed hope for the thinking they had been exercised, while News” and others covered the study. development of therapies to treat hypersensitive a second dramatically boosted endurance Inder Verma’s lab also received strong allergic diseases, including hay fever.

Tatyana Sharpee Honored Sam Pfaff, Gage Lab Partner with Reeve Foundation

Three Times in 2008 SALK’S SAMUEL L. PFAFF, A PROFESSOR Pfaff and his colleagues have been TATYANA SHARPEE, AN ASSISTANT in the Gene Expression Laboratory with expertise seeking answers to their questions professor in the Salk Institute’s Laboratory in motor neuron development and stem cell via mouse and human embryonic for Computational Biology, has been named a biology, has partnered with the Christopher stem cell research. Further, they 2008 Searle Scholar. and Dana Reeve Foundation to be a lead have been using mouse genetics to The honor comes member of its International Consortium on study the underpinnings of the with a $300,000 Spinal Cord Injury. neural network known as the central award paid over Fred H. Gage’s lab at Salk will also work pattern generator (CPG), which three years in with the Consortium as it expands its focus generates the coordinated and support of her to the study of human embryonic stem cells rhythmic firing of motor neurons research titled in injury and repair. Gage will also oversee needed for walking. “Computational a stem cell core laboratory that will serve “Dr. Pfaff’s expertise in the Principles of Natural as infrastructure for the research network. embryonic development of the spinal Sensory Processing.” At Salk, Pfaff concentrates on the embryonic cord will add significant value to our Tatayana Sharpee The Searle development of motor neurons – cells that research enterprise,” says Susan Samuel L. Pfaff (top) and Fred H. Gage Scholars Program supports scientists who transmit signals from the brain or spinal cord Howley, executive vice president for have demonstrated innovative research with to muscles throughout the body to generate research at the Reeve Foundation. the potential for making significant movement. Recently named a Howard Hughes “The spinal cord is so complex that contributions to biological research over an Medical Institute investigator, Pfaff has a the role of stem cells in repair and extended period of time. long history with the Reeve Foundation as regeneration has to be considered within In August, Sharpee received a Career a member of its Science Advisory Council, the context of what we know about the Developmental Award from the Ray Thomas which oversees the Individual Grants Program. uninjured and injured spinal cord.” Edwards Foundation, which honors early career scientists with $150,000 paid over three years. She was also named an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow earlier Salk Receives Grant from Foundation for Prader-Willi Research this year. The fellowship includes a $50,000 grant paid over two years. THE SALK INSTITUTE AND THE FOUNDATION FOR PRADER-WILLI RESEARCH The Sloan Research Fellowships support (FPWR) have created a partnership that will foster new research to study a rare genetic the work of exceptional young researchers disorder that thwarts appetite regulation and leads to extreme obesity. often at pivotal stages in their work. FPWR’s initial $50,000 grant will fund a collaborative effort between three Salk Institute Sharpee, who is interested in how the laboratories to study Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a disorder that occurs in approximately brain processes information, is an authority one out of every 15,000 births regardless of gender or race. Individuals with PWS lack the on applying information theory to parse the normal hunger and satiety cues, and constantly crave food. code used by neurobiological systems to Without continual supervision, those with Prader-Willi eat excessively and risk handle widely varying inputs. Neuro- becoming extremely obese. Scientists believe it is caused by the loss of genetic biologists’ perennial quest centers on material on chromosome 15. The research performed by the Salk investigators, Wylie Vale, deciphering how the brain codes and Paul Sawchenko and Marc Montminy, will focus on understanding why appetite is not processes information. properly regulated in PWS.

Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu 3 Y R O T S

R Arabidopsis Takes Root E V O

C Plant Biology Laboratory celebrates 25 years of discoveries centered on a small, unassuming weed

THERE REALLY WASN’T ANY REASON FOR

Detlef Weigel to believe the experiment would work. By the summer of 1994, studies of Arabidopsis thaliana, the lab rat of plant biology, were still in their infancy. Although his lab at the Salk Institute had identified a gene that was involved in causing the plant to flower, no one up until that point had ever attempted what his postdoc was suggesting.

4 Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu C O

... molecular biology and V E

The research team hypothesized that if R

“ they transferred the LFY gene into poplar, plant transformation S they would genetically alter the tree and T cause it to flower much faster. O revolutionized plant biology R

“I thought this was just too outlandish,” Y Weigel says. “Trees are so different from ... the first Arabidopsis Arabidopsis and I thought it simply wouldn’t work.” They tried it anyway, and what they transgenic plants were made, discovered not only boggled Weigel’s skeptical mind, but also captured the attention of the which allowed scientists to media and the entire plant biology world. After the team’s first experiment, and think about a whole different several others that followed, the tiny poplar stems began to sprout flowers well ahead of their normal time, some while still in the kind of experiment... Petri dish. Joanne Chory ” Poplar trees normally take 10 years to flower. Weigel’s stems flowered in just a genes. Their work also eventually led to the was just being studied as a reliable model few months. discovery of FT, a second gene that works in organism for plant biology research. “At that point we all realized that this was conjunction with LFY to induce flowering. The little mustard weed, which grows in a completely amazing finding,” Weigel says. These are just some of the major wide-ranging environments all over the world, “It was almost too much to hope for, but it discoveries by Salk’s Plant Biology was shown to have a small genome and a was the ultimate dream come true.” Laboratory, which will celebrate its 25th fast generation time of about 6 to 8 weeks. Published the following year in Nature, the anniversary during a two-day symposium This was perfect for research purposes, study was recognized as a major breakthrough in October. The event is expected to especially since many of its genes are among plant biologists because it was the reunite more than 100 scientists, postdocs conserved in agricultural plants such as first demonstration of how scientists could and donors who contributed to landmark wheat and corn. take developmental control genes from findings over the years. “Chris had the vision for the program, Arabidopsis and put them to work in Chief among the lab’s earliest contributors and he was willing to take the risk on completely difference plants. If the is The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Arabidopsis really taking off,” says Chory. experiment worked in poplar, why not apply which provided the start-up funds for Salk’s “But what changed in the mid-’80s was it to agriculture? Plant Biology program in 1983 and continued that molecular biology and plant The breakthrough led to collaborations with to support it for 15 years. Former Salk transformation revolutionized plant biology. Joanne Chory, now professor and director of President Frederic de Hoffmann spearheaded By then, the first Arabidopsis transgenic Salk’s Plant Molecular and Cell Biology the search for funding and hired the plants were made, which allowed scientists Laboratory. Together, their labs developed a program’s first scientist, Chris Lamb. to think about a whole different kind of technique called activation tagging, which The timing couldn’t have been better. Salk experiment from before because we could today is widely used to identify new plant got in on the ground floor when Arabidopsis now manipulate genes.”

Genetic Variation Studies Detlef Weigel Chris Lamb Chory joined the Institute in 1988 and brought a complementary perspective to plant research at Salk. While Lamb worked on plant pathogen interactions, Chory was interested in how plants perceive and respond to changes in their environment, particularly to light. Stronger collaborations followed after Weigel joined the Institute in 1993. Although they studied two different traits – Chory the emergence of seedlings from the soil and Weigel flowering time – both of these traits are influenced by light and are important for plants’ fitness in the wild. Following their work on the FT gene, they formed a joint program at Salk in 1998 to study genetic variation and adaptation using a collection of Arabidopsis strains from

Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu 5 Y R O

T around the world. Taking advantage of differences among these Her lab also found that brassinosteroids are a key element in a S

strains, they identified additional genes that are involved in plant’s response to light, allowing plants to adjust their growth to reach

R enabling Arabidopsis to adapt to various environments. its light source or strengthen stems to support leaves. The potent E

V More surprising, however, was their discovery of the roles played hormone has applications in increasing yield in grain and fruit crops,

O by the plants’ light-sensitive photoreceptors themselves. and makes plants more resistant to drought and cold weather. C “Variation in a number of different photoreceptors caused In contrast, reducing the naturally occurring steroid causes changes in flowering time or the sensitivity of a seedling to light,” dwarfism. The idea that you can possibly control the height of grass, Chory explains. “This was unexpected because most people thought for example, drew strong attention from the media. The New York proteins that influenced gene expression would be the cause of Times Magazine placed the finding at No. 2 in a June 11, 2000 story variation observed in wild strains. It turns out that it’s subtle that ranked the Top 100 New Technologies. The headline read: “The differences in the photoreceptors themselves that nature selects for. Lawn That Never Needs Mowing.” “We were able to show that plants from northern latitudes, such as Sweden, were much more sensitive to light than plants from Hunting for Missing Genes latitudes close to the equator,” she says. “An Arabidopsis plant All of these findings would not have been possible without studying from the Mediterranean has desensitized these pathways.” plant genetics, Chory says. But they were conducted by studying one The finding was important because it provided the first clues to gene at a time to determine its function. That all changed beginning in how crops could be developed to adapt to challenging late 2000 when a team of scientists around the world completed the environments, while also boosting yield. Arabidopsis genome-sequencing project. Similar studies were being done elsewhere, says Weigel, who Joe Ecker, a leading plant geneticist and professor in Salk’s Plant is now at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology. Biology Laboratory, was part of a team of multi-national scientists that But at the time, he and Chory formed one of three leading groups helped sequence the plant’s approximate 25,500 genes. Knowing the around the world that was studying genetic variation at the gene sequence now enables plant biologists worldwide to study the molecular level—10 years before the subject became a hot topic genome as a whole, he says. in human biology research. Having the genome sequenced doesn’t necessarily tell scientists Among Chory’s widely reported contributions is her lab’s each gene’s function, however. But a major project in Ecker’s lab discovery that steroid hormones, called brassinosteroids, play recently funded with a $4 million grant is chipping away at this an important role in plant growth and development. Genetic mystery. The long-term goal is to develop a database that describes the studies in Arabidopsis led to a new paradigm for how steroid role and cross-function of all 25,500 genes through a network of hormones are perceived. researchers who will test mutant forms of Arabidopsis genes, a

Hundreds of Arabidopsis plants are grown in Salk’s greenhouses for research by scientists in the Plant Biology Laboratory.

6 Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu C O V E

standard trick to determine their function. can then apply that knowledge to other plants Marc Montminy, professor of the Clayton R

“What we’ll be able to start to see is an like soybean or wheat.” Foundation Laboratories for Peptide S interconnection of the biology that you might Of course, being able to develop a genetic Biology, who is interested in deeper T not ever test if your particular lab only works reference book for Arabidopsis assumes that research of protein-DNA interaction. O R

on [response to] light,” Ecker explains. “But the structures and functions of all the genes Also, the same technique Ecker’s Y if you can see that someone else found that in the genome are known. But this isn’t the lab developed to pinpoint bacterial the mutation affects another process, then case, Ecker says. Although plant biologists T-DNA insertions in Arabidopsis has you can say, ‘I found a new connection.’ The now have the genome, Ecker estimates that been applied in a collaborative study idea is to integrate the biology through the the exact structures for many of the genes are to look at integration of the HIV/AIDS gene networks.” still waiting to be discovered. virus into the human genome.

Using Arabidopsis as the reference

“plant, the functions of its genes can be determined by studying their

mutations. By having a complete genetic guide to Arabidopsis, we can

then apply that knowledge to other plants like soybean or wheat.” – JOE ECKER

The Genomic Analysis Laboratory’s massive collection of Arabidopsis seeds. A valuable and highly used resource for How is this possible? Some genes are “The biology that’s carried out by plants gene testing is readily available through the expressed at very low levels and their signals can have a direct impact on understanding Salk Institute’s Genomic Analysis Laboratory, can’t always be detected. To hunt them down, human biology because genes are genes, which preserves a massive collection of Ecker’s lab developed powerful high- proteins are proteins,” Ecker says. “If I can Arabidopsis gene mutations, copies of which throughput DNA sequencing technology. understand the function of a particular are used for research worldwide. The new-generation sequencing machine molecular transporter in plants, for Just steps away from Ecker’s office is the maps the precise location of the missing example, it probably does the same thing temperature-controlled room that houses what genes by isolating their byproduct: RNA. in humans.” is perhaps the world’s largest bank of “By performing a deep sequencing of the Jim Umen Arabidopsis seeds that represent 400,000 transcriptome, we’re asking the genome to insertions, or points on the genome where tell us, ‘Where are your genes?’ ” Ecker says. bacterial “transfer-DNA,” or T-DNA, entered This is an ongoing project in his lab, but and caused a unique gene mutation. others in the scientific community have taken Ecker developed the sophisticated notice of this new tool. technique that enables his lab to identify the exact location of each insertion point. In Applications to Human Biology 2003, Science published the revolutionary Ecker’s sequencing technology, for study, which has since been cited more than example, is now being applied to understand 1,100 times and is ranked No. 14 among the dynamics of the human genome, and is ISI’s highly cited, “Super Hot” papers. providing greater insight into human stem “The plant biology world knows Salk cells’ capacity to self-renew and how other because the Institute is linked to these sub-DNA molecules contribute to the seeds,” Ecker says. “But again, by using development of tumors and disease. Arabidopsis as the reference plant, the This has led to additional interdisciplinary functions of its genes can be determined by collaborations at Salk between Ecker’s studying their mutations. By having a lab and Fred H. Gage, professor of complete genetic guide to Arabidopsis, we the Laboratory of Genetics, and

Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu 7 COVER STORY 8 Inside SalkOctober 2008 disease, r a gr have similarappendagescalledciliawhosemalfunctionislinkedto questions r that enabletheor cancer cells. function, thelossofwhichisonepr thissize-regulation work inconcertwiththeRBproteintoperform (DP andE2F),foundinbothhisalgamodelhumans, proteins division. Furtherresearchinhislabfoundthattwomore high-thr a generationofbiologistsstudying individualgenestonow and amazedtoseehowplantbiology atSalkhadgonethr tumor suppr revealed thattheretinoblastomaprotein(RB),whichworksasa research ofthemicroscopicalgaChlamydomonasreinhardtii studies ofevenlowerplantlife.Assistantprofessor Brassinosteroid mutantseedlingsofArabidopsisinaPetridish. a totally different form ofresearchfrom whenhestartedit.” a totallydifferent form Mor “When ChrisLambcamebackfor avisit,hewassopleased Connections tohumanbiologyarealsobeingmadeinSalk owing numberofgeneticdisorders suchaspolycystickidney e in-depthr oughput plantbiology etinitis pigmentosaandmaleinfer elated tohumandisease.Remarkably essor inmammaliancells,alsor ganism toswim,couldansweradditional esear ch ofthealga’ ,” Eckersays.“It’ oper s flagella,ortinyappendages ty thatissharedby tility egulates cellsizeand s evolvedinto . , mosthumancells Jim Umen’s ough but exciting,becauseIwouldbestar inbiomedicineandneurobiology.great prestigeandreputation Risky, Lamb ofhisdecisiontocomeSalk.“FantasticbecauseSalk’s 1988. Asspace became availableatSalk’ by six researchersto12by1985,then againtoabout20researchers cell sur monoclonal antibodyapproaches to characterizefunctionsattheplant disease r locations: Onegr At first,Salk’s PlantBiologyLaboratorywassplitbetween two to hiswork. now lookingtoapplytheemergingplantmolecularbiologytechnology pr with theoffertostartPlantBiologyprogram.Hislabhadmade themselves againstpestsandpathogenswhenSalkapproachedhim inter Noble FoundationPlaysKeyRole ogr Despite of The splitwasshor “This seemedafantastic,ifsomewhatrisky In 1982,Lamb’s wasbeginningtogain laboratoryinOxford national attentionforitsr ess atthephysiologicalandbiochemicallevelsLambwas face. esistance, andasecondworkedon anewpr fers fr oup workedinadowntownLaJolla buildingonplant om otherinstitutions,hedecidedtotaketherisk. t-lived asthepr esear ch onhowplantsdefend ogram gr ting somethingfr s maincampus, the entir ew fr , oppor om aninitialteamof oject on tunity om gr ,” said ound zero.” www.salk.edu e C O V E

This is definitely the R

S T

“most collaborative O R Y place I’ve been, for

sure. Juan Carlos [Izpisúa Belmonte]’s research in limb

regeneration and his questions about how to keep stem cells in

an undifferentiated state, for example, is similar to what we’re asking in plants.” – JEFF LONG

laboratory was combined under one roof “Salk’s proven reputation, along left the area. The land was later found to be in 1988. with joint postdoctoral fellowships, rich in oil and natural gas. There’s no question that The Noble yearly retreats and mentorship for some Former Salk President Frederic de Hoffmann Foundation played a crucial role in of the young scientists, helped provide played a key role in securing funding from the establishing plant biology at Salk, Lamb fertile ground for the Noble Foundation’s foundation when he identified the potential for says. It contributed significantly to start- Plant Biology Division to grow,” said great collaboration between the two up costs and an initial five-year grant for Noble Foundation President and CEO organizations. He had a strong relationship Lamb. The agreement also called for the Michael A. Cawley. with a foundation board member and believed creation of a small plant cell biology “Both organizations and the scientific Salk’s Plant Biology program could provide a program in Ardmore, Oklahoma, the community have benefited greatly from modern scientific approach to the foundation’s foundation’s headquarters and where this collaboration, which has spanned more historic interest in agriculture. Lamb served as an advisor. than 30 years and will continue for as long He was right. The synergy led to the growth, By 1987, that program eventually as man poses questions about the world success and many discoveries that are still morphed into the foundation’s new Plant around him.” proving to be vital. Biology Division, which was directed by The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation “In hindsight this was kind of the vision, Lamb’s Oxford colleague and recruit initially focused on funding agriculture but I don’t think anyone imagined it would be Richard Dixon. The strong synergy between in an attempt to rejuvenate the state’s on this scale or with this impact,” says Lamb, both groups led to a second (in 1988) and industry following the Dust Bowl of the who left Salk in 1998 and is now director of third (in 1993) five-year funding cycle that 1930s and World War II. It is named the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England. allowed the Salk Institute to expand the after the family’s patriarch, a farm Chory agrees. program and hire Chory and Weigel. merchant who acquired land as farmers “They made a big difference by contributing

Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu 9 COVER STORY 10 Inside SalkOctober 2008 Salk scientistsidentifiedtheArabidopsisgenesinvolvedinfloweringtimemid1990s. Collaborative Environment not befundedbytraditionalgovernmentsources. investigative techniquesandnoveldiscoveriesthatotherwisewould provided afreshinjectionoffundingforthedevelopmentnew among manyothers. Mary K.ChapmanFoundation,theHenryL.Guenther Salk, includingtheRockefellerFoundation,SeaverInstitute, also madesignificantfinancialcontributionstoplantbiologyat influenced ourprogramtremendously.” innovative biomedicalscientists.Thehighstandardsofourcolleagues scientists toanenvironmentpopulatedbysomeoftheworld’s most since 1997.“NobleFoundationfundingallowedtheSalktorecruitplant Foundation,” saysChory, aHowardHughesMedicalInstituteinvestigator to Salk.TheprogramexiststodaybecauseoffundingfromtheNoble benefited fromtheInnovationGrantsProgramsincearrivingto Assistant professor Most recently, Salk’s donor-funded InnovationGrantsProgramhas Several organizationsandindividualsthroughouttheyearshave Jeff Long is amongSalk’s plantbiologistswhohas Laboratory and using,” hesays. new experimentsbyusingsimilarideasotherstemcellscientistsare are greatbecausetheymakemethinkoutsideofplantsandlookinto in plants. asking undifferentiated state,forexample,issimilartowhatwe’re regeneration andhisquestionsabouthowtokeepstemcellsinan Long says.“ major benefitthathelpshimlookatplantbiologyfromanewperspective. he says.ButhavingaccesstoSalkscientistsfromvariousdisciplinesisa andagriculturalultimately canservetomanipulateplantstructure output, a seedling. from its powertoregulatethedevelopmentofashootorrootstructure of Arabidopsis,LongstudiestheTOPLESSgene,sonamedbecause Institute in2003.Adevelopmentalbiologistwhostudiesembryogenesis Further collaborationshavedevelopedbetweenthePlantBiology “Those typesofconversations,alongwithstemcellmeetingsatSalk, His labhaslearnedhowtocontrolthefunctionofthisgene,which “This isdefinitelythemostcollaborativeplaceI’vebeen,forsure,” Juan Carlos[IzpisúaBelmonte]’s Joseph Noel, director oftheJackH.SkirballCenterfor research inlimb www.salk.edu

C O V E

We’re at the point now R S

“ Fast Facts T with all these genome O R sequences to really Joanne Chory Y professor and director, begin understanding Plant Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory the interactions of • Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

organisms and how an • Member of the National Academy of Sciences

ecosystem forms. • Fellow of the American Academy ” of Arts and Sciences – JOANNE CHORY • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Joseph Ecker professor Chemical Biology and Proteomics at Salk. humble Arabidopsis plant has provided its • Member of the National Academy of Sciences His lab has applied its study of the chemical fair share to that knowledge base. factories that give rise to vital molecules And it will continue to do so, say Salk plant • Recipient of the John J. Carty Award such as phytoalexins – natural forms of biologists, since what’s been discovered so far for the Advancement of Science anti-fungal and antimicrobial compounds equates to approximately 10 percent of what • Recipient of the American Society found in many plants, including tobacco they may ultimately learn from Arabidopsis. for Plant Biology Martin Gibbs Medal and henbane. “Understanding how plants grow and alter Using structure analyses, Noel and his their growth is important and I think Salk has • Scientific American 50 Research colleagues discovered that changing only made a number of contributions in this area,” Leader of the Year nine of its 550 amino acids shifts the Chory says. “We’re at the point now with all production from tobacco-specific phytoalexins these genome sequences to really begin to the henbane versions and vice versa. understanding the interactions of organisms Jeff Long Studies like these are helping the Noel lab and how an ecosystem forms. assistant professor better understand how plants adjust their “To me, the future is going to be studying • Ray Thomas Edwards Foundation chemical cocktail to adapt to their changing organisms in the context of their environment – Career Development Award environment and may provide the necessary environmental genetics, and plants will play a tools to fine tune the production of natural key role in that.” • Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellowship and environmentally friendly fungicides and pesticides. Joseph Noel Within the Plant Biology lab itself, the lack Jim Umen of dividing walls has historically been a major assistant professor contributor to the collaborative environment. In the early 1990s, they functioned on the • NIH Postdoctoral Research Fellow “balloon principle,” Weigel says. If Chory and • NSF Predoctoral Training Fellowship Lamb hired more people, then his space would shrink and vice versa. Today, it’s not much different. The labs have Joseph Noel an open design, allowing scientists to tap into professor, Jack H. Skirball Center for the expertise of others around them – a major Chemical Biology and Proteomics advantage when you’re starting a new lab, Umen says. • Investigator, Howard Hughes In the end, it comes down to the basic Medical Institute principle of freely sharing knowledge with • NIH Postdoctoral Fellow the intent to propel science forward. If the last 25 years of discoveries in plant biology • National Science Foundation has taught scientists anything, it’s that the Chemistry Postdoctoral Fellow

Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu 11 INSTITUTE NEWS 12 Inside SalkOctober 2008 and pizza bytheslice. flea markettoshopforvintagewaresandmunchonpupusasor transit feehike.OnSundays,someofthemperusedtheoutdoor to workduringtheweek,commutersworriedaboutimpending was hotandmuggy IN THENEWYORKCITYBOROUGHOFBROOKL Scholars GiveUpSummerinNewY while they perform research foreightweeksduringthe summer.while theyperformresearch the studentsreceiveasalaryand an allowanceforlivingexpenses began in2005.Inadditiontohelping withmedicalschooltuition, He suggestedthatthemoneymight haveabetteruse. celebrate hisdiscoveryofthePoliovaccinewithaticker-tape parade. Salk, analumnusofCUNY, whenthecityofNewYork wantedto scholarships werecreatedin1955attherequestoflateDr. Jonas summer, afterreceivingthecovetedJonasE.SalkScholarships. The medical schoolsinthefall. from theCityUniversityof NewYork (CUNY)withplanstoattend These couldhavebeentherecollectionsof Diana andWill thefirst cametoSalkfrommid-Junethrough The SalkInstitute’s participation withthescholarshipprogram Instead, Will andDianacametoworkattheSalkInstitutefor But theyweren’t. Diana Kachan, , two Brooklynresidentswhorecentlygraduated as usual.Ridingthecrowdedsubwayorbus William (“Will”) Mak YN, SUMMER ork forLabTraining inLaJolla guided by neurology. approachtoneurology, AtSalk,shelearnedatheoretical Miami SchoolofMedicine.Sheplanstopursuebothepidemiology and realized thiswassomethingIwanttodo.” facts, butaboutreallife.Itwasn’tuntilafterIcametotheU.S.that I Chernobyl explosion.“[Biology]wasn’tjustaboutmemorizationand afterthe children whowerehandicappedfromradiationexposure medicine manyyearsearlieraftervolunteeringatanorphanagefor and ultimatelybiology. CUNY, turnedfirsttochemistry, whereherinterests thenphysics, 20s throughawork-exchangeprogramandbegantakingcoursesat her parentsstilllive,Diana,28,movedtoNewYork Cityinherearly personal impor week ofAugusttoworkonpr down thechain.Thesnaplookslike aspikewhenitisplottedon similar tothewayaneuronreceives inputandfiresitsownsignal and theotherstretched,thenreleased, the“snap”thatoccursis Neurobiology Laboratory. Diana isnowenrolledintheM.D./Ph.D.programatUniversity of “I justlovedit,”saysDiana,whoremembersconsideringacareer in A Imagine thatneuronsarelikerubber bands.Ifoneendisanchored native of Belarus, the landlocked Eastern European country where native ofBelarus,thelandlockedEasternEuropeancountry Tatiana Sharpee, tance. assistant professorintheComputational ojects that,foreachofthem,held William “Will”Mak www.salk.edu I N S T

alongside postdoctoral fellow Todd Kroll, I T

Will’s project focused on understanding U

whether a section of genetic code is T E responsible for development of the brain N region that controls movement, including E

vision and balance, in mice. W

“My research in New York was more S behavioral than this,” Will explained. “The project focused on measuring eye movement in patients to understand how stimuli could grab their attention. But my work in Dr. O’Leary’s lab is much more ‘wet’ than what I’m used to.” He began at the computer, analyzing gene expression patterns that are published online, finding one that is complimentary to another gene that specifically identifies the visual cortex. He then cloned the new gene into a plasmid vector so that it could be used to make a probe that will identify where this gene is turned on. Finally, he used the probe he generated to analyze thin brain sections with a staining technique that allowed him to see where the gene “appeared” in the overall developing brainscape. “I wish that I could have done something like this for the summer when I was his age,” admitted Kroll, who has worked in the O’Leary lab as a postdoctoral fellow for six years. At the lab bench pouring careful measurements from bottles of buffer solution, or at the cryostat tissue preparation machine, Will, a preppy young man, appeared slightly Diana Kachan slouched, as though about to give himself a hug. This is because he was born with scoliosis, an S-shaped curvature of his spine graph, and so they are called spikes. looked like an e.e. cummings poem. “This that restricts some of his movement and Scientists understand the physiology is the section that I’m really interested in.” causes him daily pain. of neurons and how they create a spike, Sharpee had hoped for an acute response “When I was in high school, I had my but what actually determines a spike, and such as this. lower lumbar spine fused,” he explained. what different patterns of spikes mean, is “I think it is important to expose students “At the time, it dashed my hopes of joining still unclear. to computational and theoretical techniques, the NBA or becoming a football player, This is the focus of Sharpee’s work. even if these techniques are not going to be but I dealt with it.” Using data collected by collaborators at the main focus of the their future research,” He can joke about it now, but it was his the University of California, San Francisco she said. “Besides, Diana brought a fresh traumatic experiences working with doctors as from retinal cells and the relay cells in approach to our research. a child and young adult that led him to study subcortical regions, she used a computer “There’s a practical side to this arrange- at the New York College of Osteopathic code to analyze how input spikes are ment,” Sharpee admits. “I had projects that I Medicine. One day he hopes to work as an transformed into sequences of output spikes. needed to get done. But also, in the field of orthopedic surgeon, focusing on pediatrics. Diana came to the lab with no experience neuroscience we are working toward the goal His experiences as a scoliosis patient are in theoretical neuroscience, and only a little of merging theoretical and experimental also what led him to choose this project in bit with computer programming. But after two techniques. We need a common language to O’Leary’s lab. weeks of reading computer programming do this, and by giving Diana theoretical “Perhaps one day the discoveries in this textbooks at her desk, she managed to make exposure, this may help in the future.” lab will lead to cures for spinal deformities, some sense of things. or ways to prevent them from happening in “See this portion of the code here?” she Analyzing Gene Sequences the first place,” he ventured. “It’s really asked, scrolling down more than 500 lines on Working in Professor of Molecular exciting for me to think that I could say, her computer screen. To the untrained eye, it Neurobiology Dennis O’Leary’s laboratory ‘I helped with that research.’ ”

Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu 13 INSTITUTE NEWS of creating geometricmotifswithhersignaturedramaticuseofcolor. New York studioandusedbroomsrollerstoapplythepaints– by 100inches,Gilotlaidthelar the wallanddemonstratepower paint onunstr painted intheearlytomid1980susingthinlayersofacrylic by ar “Francoise Gilot:AnArtist’s Journey,” whichwasfollowed Auditorium inJunetohearY and friendsoftheInstitutefilledFr members oftheSalk’s President’s Club,distinguishedfaculty Detail of Françoise Gilot IT’S SAFETOSAY THAT JONASSALKWAS LUCKY Exhibit andLife Through FrançoiseGilot’s Institute FriendsTake ‘Journey’ ar striking outonherowntobecomeaninter combative 11-yearrelationshipwithPabloPicasso,before school topursuepainting. artist who,againstherfather’s wishes,droppedoutoflaw Archives, ofGilot’s toldthefascinatingstory lifeasayoung clips, Dr. display attheInstitute.Throughslidesofherartworkandvideo Françoise Gilot,”anexhibitoftheartist’s workcurrentlyon reception for“TheFloatingPaintings1980-1986,Works by 25 years. lead toacross-Atlanticcourtshipandtheireventualmarriageof woman hehadmetdaysearlieroverlunch.Hispersistencewould natural curiosityfedhisdesiretogetknowthequietFrench researcher? Alot,shewouldfindout–andluckyforGilot,Salk’s scientists. Whatcouldanartistpossiblyhaveincommonwitha with journalistCharlieRose,Gilotwantednothingtodo the SalkInstitutebyitsfounderin1969. That’s whathookedherintoagreeingtoapersonaltourof both acryliconcanvas,105"x91"and975/8"713/4",respectively. tist andbest-sellingauthor To createthepieces,eachofwhichmeasuresabout100inches Each oftheninepiecesondisplayispar Along theway This isjustoneofmanystoriessharedduringtheopening The wayshedescribedtheirinitialencounterinaninterview theater backdrops. eception andviewingoftheexhibit. A Day’s Journey Mel Yoakum, etched canvas.Theywereintendedto“float”on had afascinationforstylisharchitecture. , she engagedinamuch-publicizedand (1981), and curator anddirectoroftheF. Gilot Bliss . oakum’ A (1984) inthebackground– ful colorpalettesr gr ge canvasesonthefloorofher oup ofmor s pr ederic deHof esentation, entitled nationally r t of aseriesGilot e than 160 eminiscent fmann enowned particular medium. inthat the Instituterepresentlastofherworkscreated for he said. would goupanddownthestairstogetaviewofherpaintings,” to getabird’s eyeview, Yoakum said. artist. Instead,Gilotusedastepladderplacednexttothepainting a together. Picassorespondedwiththree lawsuits, eachofwhich her observationsofthecomplexSpanish artistduringtheirtime felt afterpublishing“LifeWith Picasso,”abookthatdescribed Gilot paintedbir not officiallysettleduntil1985,Yoakum said. estate, includingtheinheritance rights forGilot’ Since Picassodiedin1973withouteverhavingwrittenawill,the of thetwochildrenshehadwithPicasso–ClaudeandPaloma. Gilot experiencedafterhavingr Life WithPicasso The Hawk few stepsbackfromaneasel,especiallyforthe5-foot,4-inch By 1986,Gilotbecameallergictotheacrylicpaintandwas However, aseasysimplytaking gaugingherprogresswasn’t It wasreminiscentofanotherperiod inthemid1960swhen That periodinhercareercoincidedwithasenseoffreedom ced toabandontheseries.Asar “It’ s (1943) oiloncanvas,511/4"x35",privatecollection. like theStair ds andopenwindowstoreflectthe freedomshe master forartistsbecausealldaylongshe esolved thelegalacknowledgment esult, thepiecesondisplayat s children, was www.salk.edu I N S T resulted in victory for Gilot and A Friendship in Art,” published in 1990. Her paintings have also been featured as I T her publisher. In 1953, Gilot abruptly ended her the signature artwork for each of the U

“Pablo called Francoise and told relationship with Picasso and two years concerts since the event’s inception T E her, ‘I don’t approve of what you did, later, she married Luc Simon, a French in 1996. N but you know how much I admire a artist with whom she had a third child, Gilot’s journey as an artist continues to E winner,’ ” Yoakum said. Aurelia. They shared love and passion, this day, Yoakum said. She remains active W

The phone call in the autumn of Yoakum said, but lacked the dialogue Gilot in the art scene through her exhibits in S 1965 was the last conversation the experienced with Picasso. The marriage galleries throughout Europe and the United two ever shared. was short-lived and by the early 1960s, States. She also recently began a new series Birds are a reoccurring motif in Gilot’s Gilot was working on the manuscript for of paintings, which Gilot describes as some paintings, Yoakum explained. However, the “Life With Picasso,” as well as a group of of her best work to date because she’s now environment in which they are depicted paintings that became known as her painting with more ease and spontaneity – serve as strong metaphors for the message Labyrinth series. something that Yoakum believes she also she conveys. During one of her visits to the West found in her marriage with Salk. A Gilot painting Yoakum shared from the Coast in 1969 to make lithographs, she “I think what Françoise found was early 1940s during the German occupation met Salk and ultimately agreed to his the dialogue that she had earlier (with of Paris, for example, displays a hawk with invitation to a personal tour of the Picasso), but without the combativeness. its wing tip stretching high over its head, but Institute. They married the following year Jonas and Françoise experienced fame just short of reaching the tip of the Eiffel while Gilot split her time between her early in their careers and one might think Tower that can be seen outside the latched studios in Paris and La Jolla. that having that would be a really solid window in the background. Gilot and Salk traveled extensively platform to continue the rest of your work,” “The hawk represents the German throughout their marriage and together Yoakum said. forces, but the Eiffel Tower, which is the created a vital international presence in “However, creativity is an experiment, symbol of Paris, is higher than the hawk’s art circles and the scientific community, it’s trial and error – and with the loss of wing, which is saying: ‘We will prevail Yoakum said. Although Gilot returned to anonymity, there is also the added scrutiny. even though our current situation is New York after Salk’s death in 1995, she This creates an additional burden that they locked,’ ” Yoakum explained. remains close to the Institute as an active had to carry,” he said. “I think they both His presentation also included slides member of the International Council and understood that very well, and one of the of other paintings and photographs from by serving as the honorary chair of many characteristics that they each brought the early 1950s that evoked the growing Symphony of Salk for the last 13 years. to their relationship was their ability to strain in Gilot’s relationship with Picasso. understand that in each other.” The pair met in 1943, the same year of Gilot’s first exhibit in Paris when she was From left: A Night’s Journey (1981), Sun Emblem (1980), and a partial view of A Day’s Journey (1981) – all acrylic on canvas, 105" x 91" 21 and he was 61. Yoakum described Gilot’s life with Want to be notified of similar Salk events in advance? E-mail us at: [email protected] Picasso as a “whirlpool” that included an undercurrent of competitiveness between the two. Yoakum best described this with another story of when a young Claude was trying to get into the studio where his mother was busy painting behind the closed door. Twice he knocked relaying sweet messages to Gilot who acknowledged him, but wouldn’t let him in. Playing to her competitive spirit, Claude succeeded on his third attempt when he knocked again and said: “ ‘Momma, I think your paintings have fantasy in them … I think they’re better than Poppa’s.’ ” During that period in her life, though, she was surrounded by the legendary artists of the day and developed strong friendships with Henri Matisse, Georges Braque and Jean Cocteau. The art-focused conversations she witnessed between Picasso and Matisse would eventually serve as the inspiration for her second book, “Matisse and Picasso:

Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu 15 Y P O R H T N

A Institute Launches Chairman’s Circle L I H P Scientists’ Presentations and Twist of Fate Endear Dan Lewis to Salk DAN LEWIS IS THE FIRST TO ADMIT even further when he learned that Gleevec, that it didn’t take much to convince him to the drug he now takes to treat the get involved with the Salk Institute six condition, was developed from basic years ago. research conducted at the Institute. It started with some encouragement by More than 20 years ago, Tony Hunter, Joe Kalman, his business partner at professor in the Molecular and Cell Biology consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton and Laboratory, discovered a new group of longtime Salk supporter, followed by a few enzymes called tyrosine kinases, which meetings at the Institute where Lewis heard regulate vital cell functions such as growth Salk scientists explain their groundbreaking and development. Today, 90 human tyrosine research. That’s really all it took to ensure kinases are known – half of which are his connection to the Institute took root, involved in cancer. he says. CML is caused by a change in the “There’s simply no substitute for having genetic code in bone marrow cells, which these remarkable people talk about their leaves a key tyrosine kinase stuck in the work and why they are doing it,” says “on” position. This triggers a chain reaction Lewis, who made his first contribution to that ultimately causes the body to make too the annual fund in 2002 and has since many white blood cells. Gleevec directly become a member of Salk’s International binds the enzyme and shuts it off. There are Council – a group of distinguished more than 20,000 CML cases in the United community and corporate leaders who serve States and about 4,600 new cases are as Salk ambassadors around the world. diagnosed each year. So when the Institute launched “This is an amazing drug,” Lewis says. the Chairman’s Circle earlier this year “When you can actually speak to Tony

(a new leadership giving level of the Hunter, the researcher whose work led to Dan Lewis President’s Club starting at $25,000), the number one cancer drug in the world … Lewis was among the first to increase that endeared me to the Institute.” his commitment. Lewis’s interest goes beyond cancer Unrestricted gifts of this level are crucial research at Salk. He’s also a firm believer of When you can actually for Salk because they provide scientists basic research that’s linked to age-related with the financial flexibility to expand their diseases and says continued efforts and “speak to Tony Hunter, the research into promising new areas of support of science need to be made to discovery – studies that aren’t typically ensure treatments and cures. His belief is Salk researcher whose funded by traditional government resources. echoed by the Salk Institute, which has They also help equip Salk laboratories with included the Center of Aging and today’s latest research technology and train Mechanistic Analysis Research (CARMA) as work led to the number young scientists. part of its scientific strategic initiatives. “It was my belief in what you guys do, “I think research in brain diseases is a one cancer drug in the first and foremost,” says Lewis of his must, which was Francis Crick’s passion. decision to become a charter member of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are world … that endeared the Chairman’s Circle. “But it’s also a tremendously debilitating diseases, and continuing desire to have a connection obviously everybody knows someone who with Salk.” has one or the other of these diseases,” me to the Institute. That connection took a new turn last year Lewis says. “[Research] is needed to when doctors diagnosed Lewis with chronic improve the quality of life because people ” – DAN LEWIS myelogenous leukemia (CML), a common, are living longer, and like CML, these slow-growing cancer of the white blood diseases have an increase of incidence cells. His appreciation for Salk deepened rate with age.”

1216 Inside Salk JuneOctober 2008 2008 www.salk.edu P H I L A N T H es Chairman’s Circle R O P Y

Life-Changing Research Seals Chairman’s Circle Members Marna Whittington’s Commitment Mr. and Mrs. John Adler FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING A earlier this year for gifts starting at $25,000. Mr. Louis Borick contribution to the Salk Institute but hasn’t “I believe in the work that’s being done [at Mr. Arthur Brody and Ms. Phyllis Cohn fully made up their mind, Marna Whittington Salk]. The environment is right for significant offers this piece of advice: “Go visit the breakthroughs. With the increasing difficulty Ms. Linda Chester and Dr. Kenneth Rind laboratories and talk to the scientists. Their in funding high-quality research, the private Mrs. Kathryn Colachis passion, the technology and the environment sector needs to step up,” she says. Dr. and Mrs. Renato Dulbecco in which they have the ability to improve our Whittington had a few peripheral quality of life will make all the difference.” connections and interests in scientific Mr. and Mrs. Robert Engman Whittington speaks from experience. She research before deciding to commit her Audrey S. Geisel, was first introduced to the Salk Institute time to the Institute. Dr. Seuss Fund/San Diego Foundation three years ago when she was invited to meet She received her doctorate degree in Mrs. Jean Hahn Hardy and Mr. John I Hardy some of its senior scientists and hear about Quantitative Methods from the University of their research. The experience and learning Pittsburgh, the same educational institution Dr. and Mrs. Irwin Jacobs about some of the groundbreaking discoveries where Jonas Salk led the Virus Research Sean Johnston, J.D., Ph.D. at Salk was enough to convince Whittington Laboratory beginning in 1947. She was also Mr. Daniel Lewis that becoming closely involved with the the Chief Operating Officer for the University Institute was the right thing for her to do. of Pennsylvania, where she was in charge of Ms. Nancy Lukitsh Today, she is a member of the Salk the medical and research facilities from Mr. Robert Maxwell, Rudolph & Sletten, Inc. Institute’s Board of Trustees and, most 1984 to 1992. recently, joined a group of supporters who are And although her husband leads a healthy Madame Corinne Mentzelopoulos charter members of the Chairman’s Circle, a life today, he was diagnosed as a child with Drs. Howard Newman and Maryam Razavi Newman new Annual Fund giving level launched polio, the disease eradicated in 1955 by Ms. Joan Beardsley Norris/The Firefly Trust Salk’s vaccine. The Salk Institute’s research Marna Whittington in post-polio syndrome was a natural interest Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Parksy for Whittington, but so was its work in cancer Drs. Frederik Paulsen and Anne Fjellestad-Paulsen and diabetes, she says. Mrs. Caryl Philips “We are all touched by people who are important in our lives and the Institute is Mr. and Mrs. Gunter Sachs working to find scientific solutions for their Donald and Darlene Shiley problems,” says Whittington, who is Mr. and Mrs. Jerre Stead managing director and CEO of the investment firm Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management. Mr. and Mrs. David Stone “But you can’t turn this research on and Mr. G. H. Thyssen-Bornemisza off. The research takes many years to develop. If we don’t keep funding it, you Mr. Theodore W. Waitt/Waitt Family Foundation can’t necessarily come back in a year or two Dr. Marna C. Whittington and when the National Institute’s of Health has Mr. Thomas Whittington more money and pick up where you left off,” she says. “It’s a long-term commitment.”

Go visit the laboratories and talk to the scientists. “Their passion, the technology and the environment in

which they have the ability to improve our quality of life will make all the difference.

– MARNA WHITTINGTON ” Inside Salk October 2008 www.salk.edu 17 Y P O R

H Symphony at Salk T

N Raises Record $690K A

L for Research I

H MORE THAN 580 GUESTS AND MUSIC P aficionados gathered at the Institute on Aug. 23 to attend the 13th annual Symphony at Salk where more than $690,000 was raised in support of scientific research and community outreach programs such as the Salk Mobile Science Lab and the High School Science Day. Jazz vocalist and guitarist John Pizzarelli gave a memorable performance that demonstrated why has come to be known as a consummate entertainer when he crooned to the delight of the audience. Playing several classic jazz standards, including selections made famous by Frank Sinatra, The John Pizzarelli Trio brought a whole new vibe to the Institute’s annual fundraiser this year. Rounding out Pizzarelli’s group was pianist Larry Fuller, bassist Martin Pizzarelli, and Tony Tedesco on drums. The San Diego Symphony, led by returning guest conductor Thomas Wilkins, joined Pizzarelli on stage, starting off each set with moving pieces by Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Delibes and Bizet. This year’s fundraiser also included a delicious supper specially prepared by guest chef Jeffrey Strauss, whose flair for presentation and taste has been enjoyed by U.S. Presidents and Hollywood stars alike. Clockwise from top: Guests at the 13th annual Symphony at Salk included Martha Dominguez (from left), sponsors Jean and Steve Hamerslag, Reza Jarrahy with his wife, actress Geena Davis, Mimi Guarneri, Rauni King and David Dominguez. Night falls as the San Diego Symphony plays. Jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli takes the stage. Standing: Rafael and Marina Pastor, Jahja Ling and Jessie Chang, Nancy Marlboro and Bob Coates; Seated: Linda Chester, Kenneth Rind, Jeri and Richard Rovsek. Guests enjoy supper alfresco.

‘CEO’ Group Gets Personalized Tour of Salk A GROUP OF FORMER YOUNG them with a better understanding of the The tour of Salk was certainly a welcomed Presidents Organization (YPO) members and Institute’s mission. addition to our weekend of activities.” their spouses recently received a private tour Our annual retreat is meant to have an If you are interested in a private tour of the Salk Institute during their annual retreat educational focus,” King explains, “so it of Salk for your executive group, that brought them to Del Mar. was especially interesting to hear Dr. Noel’s please contact Betsy Reis, director of During their half-day visit, the group was led perspective on the likelihood of Donor Relations at (858) 452-8051, or through a program that included an architect- personalized medicine in the future. via e-mail: [email protected]. ural tour, a stop at the “The Floating Paintings” Members of the CEOs and their wives visited Salk during the group’s recent annual retreat. exhibit by Françoise Gilot and a view of the Institute’s new Stem Cell Core facility. “We all thought the core facility was just amazing and the architecture, of course, is very different and attractive,” said William King, a 20-year member of the group, whose affiliates refer to themselves as the CEOs – short for Chief Executive Organization. Salk professors Inder Verma and Joe Noel also presented before the group to explain their respective areas of research and to provide

18 Inside Salk October 2008 EXECUTIVE MESSAGE 19 .salk.edu www - pushing e this ever ” s ed how to radically change the production ovide the answers has discover ole played by the plants’ photoreceptors. Their findings Joseph Noel In a wide variety of areas of groundbreaking basic research, forward the boundaries of scientific forward the boundaries of knowledge, and it’ will increasing knowledge that continue to pr us can we’re seeking so that all of lead healthier lives. Salk investigators ar similar r provided the first clues to how crops could be developed to adapt to challenging environments while also boosting yield. of a plant’s natural anti-fungal chemical by working with a key of a plant’s enzyme. The study not only gives Salk scientists a glimpse of the evolutionary past, but will help them fine-tune the model plant’s production of natural and environmentally friendly fungicides and pesticides. Salk investigators are pushing forward the boundaries of scientific knowledge that will continue this ever-increasing knowledge, and it’s to provide the answers we’re seeking so that all of us can lead healthier lives. Marsha A. Chandler “ s than 70 ed the e and former lab taken orally may ders such as insomnia s eat hypersensitive allergic Joanne Chory not only attests to the versatility of cise. While this may appeal to so- y published his “Exercise in a Pill” study. has found that a sensitive light meter in for example, revealed several genes that enable elief to those who cannot physically exercise as elief to those who cannot physically exercise ough a compound that’ ying climates, as well as the previously unknown clock with a pill to alleviate symptoms associated clock with a pill to alleviate symptoms associated cise thr published a study in August that uncover developed a highly effective, single-injection agent developed a highly effective, s successfully changed the fate of adult neural stem cells Ronald Evans ma er Detlef Weigel, increasing demand for food. s ed in the lab. The discover etina called melanopsin is involved in setting our biological etina called melanopsin is involved in setting cent when combined with exer Scientists at Salk are strongly committed to stem cell researchScientists at Salk are strongly committed to and Inder V Satchidananda Panda John Young In this issue, we celebrate the leading discoveries made by Salk’ The potential for a groundbreaking pill drew headlines worldwide in The potential for a groundbreaking pill drew Early studies in genetic variation by ed H. Gage ovide much-needed r result of trauma or disease. eset the body’ molecular mechanisms behind allergies. This discovery raises renewed molecular mechanisms behind allergies. This hope for the development of therapies to tr diseases, including hay fever. diseases such as the promise it holds for treating neurodegenerative a first, In a study this summer that’s and Parkinson’s. Alzheimer’s member and depression. clocks. Further studies in this area may one day allow scientists to clocks. Further studies in this area may one r with jet lag, shifts in work schedules and disor the r plants to thrive in var Fr SINCE THE SALK INSTITUTE’S FOUNDING IN 1960, ITS FOUNDING IN 1960, SALK INSTITUTE’S SINCE THE to probe the fundamental asked daring questions scientists have disease and improve life in an effort to conquer principles of human basic research has led and continues health. Their world-renowned applications that have a very direct to lead to many significant Let me give you a few examples drawn from impact on human health. the past year. that were still in place within the brains of mice. Previously, scientists that were still in place within the brains of mice. Previously, had only been able to accomplish this feat with cells that were cultur neural stem cells but also opens new possibilities for the treatment of other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke and epilepsy. Plant Biology Laboratory over the last 25 years. During that time, several of its scientists have established new paradigms for the field that has led to a better understanding of plant genetics and climate resistance. The results of their studies have applications that may crops to keep up with the allow growers to produce higher-yielding world’ per His lab’s research demonstrated the power of two experimental drugs: His lab’s they had been exercised, muscles into thinking One tricked the body’s by mor while a second dramatically boosted endurance able to achieve the called “couch potatoes,” the possibility of being benefits of exer a pr against anthrax that works faster and better than any current vaccine against anthrax that works rat models. The new anti-anthrax agent is an when administered to critical development for anyone who works important and potentially for those who might be exposed to it in a with the bacterium or bioterrorism attack. August when Inside Salk October 2008 From Plants to Stem Cells, Stem to Plants From Generates Salk Research Impact Wide-Reaching There are many ways to support the Salk. For detailed information on opportunities, please email [email protected] or call 858.550.0472 Salk Calendar OCTOBER 2008 14-15 DNA Replication Meeting Plant Biology Symposium – Celebrating 25 Years 20 Jacobs Symposium: “The Crossroads of Biology & Bioengineering” 21-23 La Jolla Immunology Conference

NOVEMBER 2008 19 The Marguerite Vogt Lecture with speaker Mina Bissell

DECEMBER 2008 11 Roger Guillemin Nobel Lecture with speaker Barbara Kahn

JANUARY 2009 8 Brenner Nobel Lecture with speaker Cynthia Kenyon 8-10 Salk/Nature/Ipsen Symposium on Biological Complexity: Processes of Aging 29 Umesono Lecture with speaker Pierre Chambon

FEBRUARY 2008 5 Leslie Orgel Lecture with Shaker Loops Ecstasy 2 (6' x 7' oil on canvas) is among the selected works of the Shaker Loops series by artist speaker Tom Czech Ellen Salk to be exhibited at the Institute in the fall.

23 Renato Dulbecco Nobel lecture For additional information about these and other Salk events, please contact the with speaker Mario Capeechi Development Office at 858.453.4100 x1658

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