2010 Annual Meeting Thematic Meeting Series Begins!

July 2009 Stopped- Flow and Enzyme Biology

American Society for and Molecular Biology

contents July 2009 On the Cover: Britton Chance has provided innumerable contributions society news to the fields of biochemistry, 3 President’s Message , and biomedicine, including his design of 6 Washington Update the first stopped-flow 8 NIH News apparatuses (pictured). 32

special interest 18 The Department of Biological Chemistry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine: 100 years at 100 Years of Excellence the Johns Hopkins 21 Honoring the Biochemist’s Biochemist: School of NIH Hosts the Stadtman Symposium Medicine. 18 2010 asbmb meeting 12 Lipids, , and Disease 14 Dealing with Insults: Genome Stability in the Face of Stress 16 Insights into the Biological Chemistry of RNA

science focus 32 Britton Chance: Former Polymerase II: Olympian and Pioneer in Now Twice as Enzyme Kinetics and Faithful. Functional Spectroscopy 30 departments 2 Letters to the Editor 7 News from the Hill 10 Member Spotlight 22 Lipid News 23 Education and Training 26 Minority Affairs 28 Career Insights 30 BioBits podcast summary Listen to the latest JBC podcast featuring resources interviews with authors from the Thematic Scientific Meeting Calendar Minireview Series, “The biochemical basis for triplet repeat neurodegenerative diseases.” online only To hear this and other podcasts, go to www.asbmb.org/Interactive.aspx.

July 2009 ASBMB Today 1 letters to the editor A monthly publication of The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology History Repeats Itself Officers Gregory A. Petsko President Heidi E. Hamm Past President in Big Pharma Mark A. Lemmon Secretary Merle S. Olson Treasurer Dear Greg, By the way, a similar phenomenon is Council Members As always, I enjoyed your Presi- happening in universities, especially Dafna Bar-Sagi Alan Hall John D. Scott Joan A. Steitz Ann M. Stock dent’s Message in the May 2009 issue public universities. (You are sheltered Kevin Struhl James A. Wells Adrian Whitty of ASBMB Today. I agree with most of in a private university.) Education is Ex-Officio Members your points, although not all of them. a commodity; the presidents of our Ellis Bell Chair, Education and Professional I have been pointing out for almost a universities are primarily salesmen Development Committee (hucksters, if you wish); tuition is rising Laurie S. Kaguni decade that what has been happening Chair, Meetings Committee to big Pharma in the past decade seems in a similar manner to drug prices, at John D. Scott two to four times inflation; and univer- Chair, Membership Committee to be similar to what happened to Gen- Craig E. Cameron eral Motors, Chrysler, and Ford about sity administrators’ salaries are rising at Chair, Minority Affairs Committee about the same rate. Meanwhile, faculty Joan W. Conaway 40 years ago. The big three automakers James H. Hurley went from making the best cars in the raises are hardly keeping up with infla- Co-chairs, 2009 Program Committee tion, and tenured faculty to student Ralph A. Bradshaw world to selling us whatever they could Chair, Public Affairs Advisory Committee make. So it is with big Pharma. They ratios are increasing every year. Even in Toni M. Antalis Chair, Publications Committee have gone from inventing and devel- our local school districts, 15 percent of Herbert Tabor oping the best drugs in the world to our teachers were given pink slips. (“It’s Editor, JBC the economy! We have no choice!”) Ralph A. Bradshaw companies that sell you whatever they A. L. Burlingame The “social model” you so decry in Co-editors, MCP can make. Their business plan is to sell Edward A. Dennis drugs. Look at their corporate state- your message is everywhere. I don’t see Joseph L. Witztum anyone, not even President Obama, Co-editors, JLR ments, what they spend their money on, who is on their boards, and who who is going to change it, though I do ASBMB Today Editorial Advisory Board hope he will try. Alex Toker their CEOs are. Compare this with the Chair same information from 30 years ago. Maybe it’s the U. S. A. that is too big Greg P. Bertenshaw Craig E. Cameron to succeed. We will soon find out. A. Stephen Dahms Irwin Fridovich Are they too big to succeed now? I Jonathan Gitlin Richard W. Hanson hope it will change as we try to address Elizabeth A. Komives Bettie Sue Masters My best wishes, Luke A. O’Neill Duanqing Pei the serious problems in our healthcare Victor J. Hruby Carol C. Shoulders Robert D. Wells system. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ ASBMB Today Nicole Kresge Editor [email protected] Nick Zagorski Science Writer [email protected] Nancy J. Rodnan Director of Publications [email protected] Systems Biology Barbara Gordon Executive Director [email protected] for Biochemists Magazine design & production: Amy Phifer An ASBMB Sponsored For information on advertising contact Capitol Media Solutions at 800-517-0610 Special Symposium or [email protected] October 22-25, 2009 Tahoe City, California

www.asbmb.org Abstract Deadline: August 17, 2009! Organizer: Arcady Mushegian Stowers Institute for Medical Research

2 ASBMB Today July 2009 president’smessage Render unto Darwin* BY GREG PETSKO

ou probably haven’t encountered a website for some- Let’s dissect this statement, because Ything called BioLogos. If you have, you will undoubt- if ever there was a statement that edly already have formed a strong opinion about it—it’s needed dissecting, this is one. I com- that kind of site. If you haven’t, you really ought to check pletely agree with Collins that there it out (www.biologos.org). It’s the website for something is a culture war between science and called the BioLogos Foundation. According to its mis- faith in the United States. But I do not agree that the sion statement, “The BioLogos Foundation promotes the war is due primarily to the clash between the extrem- search for truth in both the natural and spiritual realms, ists on both sides. Take the “new atheists,” for example. seeking harmony between these different perspectives.” There are many atheists in the United States, and some The foundation was established by with a of them are scientists. But only a handful would take the grant from the John Templeton Foundation, a much older extreme—and, to my mind, incorrect—position that sci- organization with a similar mission. And that, apart from ence disproves the existence of God. The British scientist its intrinsic interest, is why you should check it out and Richard Dawkins might, but he doesn’t speak for the why I’m wagering you will have majority of scientists I know, and strong opinions when you do. ...The BioLogos his eloquent but strident voice Francis Collins is the scientist has only served to inflame the who headed the publicly funded Foundation“ promotes opposition by preaching to the Human Genome Sequenc- converted. There are many more ing Project in the 1990s. Until the search for agnostics who simply believe last August he was the head of truth in both the that there is no compelling evi- the National Human Genome dence to believe in any deity. Institute at NIH, which contin- natural and spiritual Now let’s look at the opposi- ues that work and funds much realms, seeking tion, the “religious fundamental- of the genome biology in the ists” who argue that “the Bible United States. And he just might harmony between requires us to reject much of be the next director of NIH, the modern science.” There are a lot largest scientific research fund- these different more of those, especially in the ing organization in the world. perspectives. United States, but—and this is In a public statement, Col- a crucial distinction, as we shall lins said that he established the BioLogos Foundation see—they are almost entirely evangelical Christians, “to address the escalating culture war between science not “religious” fundamentalists” in general. Evangeli- and faith in the United States. On one end of the spec- cal Christians often take the Bible literally, and a literal trum, ‘new atheists’ argue that science removes the reading of the Bible is certainly incompatible with many need for God. On the other end, religious fundamen- of the findings of science. talists argue that the Bible requires us to reject much One of the missions of the BioLogos website is to of modern science. Many people—including scientists advance the idea of theistic evolution, a concept discussed and believers in God—do not find these extreme in depth in Collins’ book The Language of God, which is options attractive. BioLogos represents the harmony also promoted on BioLogos.org. Essentially, theistic evo- of science and faith. It addresses the central themes lution means that evolution is the way God created life. of science and religion and emphasizes the compat- ibility of Christian faith with scientific discoveries I was first clued into this website by Jonathan Eisen, an about the origins of the universe and life. To commu- evolutionary biologist and open access publishing maven nicate this message to the general public and add to at the University of California, Davis. Eisen, whose blog, the ongoing dialog, the BioLogos Foundation created “The Tree of Life” (http://phylogenomics.blogspot.com) BioLogos.org.” is a delightful and thoughtful commentary on the worlds

July 2009 ASBMB Today 3 president’smessage continued of both genomics and scientific publishing, wrote about Here’s another example: “For believers, these [scien- BioLogos on May 5. Just so you know where he’s coming tific] discoveries must ultimately be compatible with the from, here’s his opening statement: truth that is revealed in the Bible, and it is the conviction “I am all for trying to have discussions about science of BioLogos that this compatibility is not only desirable and religion. But I do not think the two topics are really but also possible. The limitation is that our access to all compatible in the sense of merging them together. forms of truth, including scientific and religious, is at best Science (and medicine) should be about, well, science. partial.” The statement that it is Biblical truth that science And religion can be about whatever it wants to be. And must be compatible with (and there are other comments when we can get religious and scientific leaders together that make it clear BioLogos means the Christian Bible, to talk about the implications of each area on the other especially The New Testament) marks a clear attempt to and on the world, fine too. But merging the two together link science with one brand of religion. into one hybrid such as Christian Science and Creation The creators of BioLogos have every right to make the Science? Not for me.” foundation and website about whatever they want. And He goes on to make a pointed criticism of the underly- I suppose you could argue that, as I see it, because it is ing logic—or lack thereof, in evangelical Christians who his view—behind BioLogos. are the chief opponents of “The details of Collins’ …Collins said that he modern science, especially attempt to merge science established the BioLogos evolution, it is sensible for and religion into a version of “ scientists to promote the theistic evolution are really Foundation ‘to address compatibility of science unclean. Basically, he is try- with Christian beliefs. But ing to argue that on the one the escalating culture war I don’t agree. I think it’s a hand, science and religion between science and faith huge mistake. are completely separate G. K. Chesterton, a activities (I support this) but in the United States.’ devout Roman Catholic, at the same time argues that has his priest-detective God can intervene in the setting up of natural laws and in providing some guid- Father Brown say,” in the superb short story “The Sign of ance here and there in order to, for example, produce the Broken Sword,” “When will people understand that human beings in his image. The website repeats some it is useless for a man to read his Bible unless he also things from Collins’ book that are equally illogical— reads everybody else’s Bible? A printer reads the Bible for such as saying that altruism can be explained by science misprints. A Mormon reads his Bible and finds polygamy; (and even specifically saying that science is the way to a Christian scientist reads his and finds we have no arms explain the natural world) but then turning around and legs.” I’ve always liked this quotation and not just and saying that science cannot explain extreme forms because I agree that one huge problem with putting your of altruism (and therefore implying that actually, the faith in the literal reading of a book is that you can find natural world cannot be explained by science). Which is justification in that book for almost any form of behavior, it? Is science for the natural world or not?” from altruism to genocide to slavery. I like it for a reason Eisen is right that this, and some of BioLogos’ other that Chesterton probably never intended: it reminds me talking points, smack of setting up a straw man. that there are many more religions than Christianity, and But in the end, BioLogos aims to show that the findings many more people of faith than monotheists. I think if you of science are not inconsistent with the existence of God. are going to understand people of faith and try to see how And not just any God. BioLogos is all about the Christian we as scientists can find common ground with them, it is God. It even says so: “The creation story of BioLogos is discriminatory—and possibly something worse—to focus compatible with many faith traditions, and there is no way on Christians or even monotheists (which, in the modern to give a scientific proof for one monotheistic faith over world, pretty much consists of Muslims, Christians, and another. Therefore, this response will simply show the Jews—Zoroastrians being in short supply nowadays—and compatibility of Christianity with BioLogos.” And again, I’m pretty sure that the BioLogos folks would not include more forcefully, in their mission statement: “the website Islam in their mission, given that faith’s denial of the is a reliable source of scholarly thought on contemporary divinity of Christ). If you are going to read the Christian issues in science and faith that highlights the compatibility Bible you should also read the Jewish Bible. And The Book of modern science with traditional Christian beliefs.” of Mormon. And the Koran. And the Bhagavad Gita. If you

4 ASBMB Today July 2009 president’smessage continued really care about making contact with people of faith, you separate realms, but with common ground as I defined it should not exclude most of them just because they wor- above. The moment you start trying to say that data from ship different gods from yours. science is compatible with the Christian religion in par- In some temples in India, during services the priest will ticular, you imply that, for example, polytheistic religions read from the Hebrew or Christian Bible, and the Muslim are wrong, and maybe not just as a matter of faith, but as a Koran, as well as the Hindu Gita, moving from one to the matter of science. other as though it did not matter what precise words were Nothing is more dangerous than such absolutism. It being spoken, as long as there was something greater than sets one type of religion as being true and therefore can the individual self that was being worshipped. How can be used to support the branding of all the others as false. we as scientists find common ground with people of faith However well intentioned, BioLogos isn’t likely to bring unless we recognize the commonalities they share with peace to the war between science and religion if it is ori- each other? At its best, all religion is about a love for the ented so strongly towards one religion. I would have loved natural world, a desire to help other people, and a sense to see the resources that the Templeton and BioLogos that life is well lived only when it is not lived selfishly Foundations spent on BioLogos.org—both financial and in and pettily—values that typically underlie most scientific terms of human effort—devoted to clarifying and promot- research. At its worst, religion is about unquestionable ing the distinctions between science and religion and to a certainty, authoritarianism, exclusion, and discrimina- search for a common ground that does not exclude anyone tion—things that have no place in science either. Scientists of faith. That’s something I could support (and, I bet, can make common cause with people of faith through the something that Jonathan Eisen and possibly Charles Dar- values we share but must reject the extremist, intolerant win could support, too). But the idea that science provides views that poison both spheres. information that cannot be explained by science alone— And in the end, that’s my big problem with BioLogos— and therefore that science “needs” the Christian God for at its heart, it strikes me as implicitly exclusionary (plus a complete description of the universe—strikes me as the I agree with Eisen that its logic is shaky). I would have wrong thing to do. Render unto Darwin the things that are much preferred a clear-cut effort to emphasize the non- Darwin’s and unto God the things that are God’s. But for connectedness of science and faith: that science is about God’s sake (or should that be Darwin’s?), don’t mix them evidence and testable hypotheses, whereas religion is together. about believing in things for which there is no evidence * This article originally appeared in Genome Biology (2009) 10, 106 and was whatsoever and cannot be. That would place them in reprinted with permission from BioMed Central.

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July 2009 ASBMB Today 5 washington update FASEB Improving the Scientific Research Climate BY CARRIE D. WOLINETZ*

n addition to our advocacy activities supporting sus- need for additional personnel reliability measures. In addi- Itainable research funding, FASEB’s Office of Public tion, FASEB-AAMC called for a stratification of the select Affairs (OPA) focuses on improving the research climate agent list based on risk, advocated for performance- for scientists by developing proactive policy positions, based standards, and recommended modification of the advising on regulatory affairs, and responding to calls for requirements for inspection and inventory. Finally, the let- comments from federal agencies on issues that affect ter suggested that more data need to be made available biomedical research. FASEB’s Science Policy Commit- about the current status of biosecurity in our nation’s labs tee (SPC), which comprises representatives from FASEB and cautioned the Working Group to differentiate between member societies, works with OPA staff and issue- the related-but-distinct terms of biosafety and biosecurity. specific working groups of FASEB society scientists to ensure that the voice of biomedical research science is Institutional Review Board Accountability heard by policymakers. Recently, FASEB released state- FASEB has also issued comments on the Office for ments on a number of biomedical research policy issues. Human Research Protection’s (OHRP’s) advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding holding institutional Draft Embryonic Stem Cell Guidelines review boards (IRBs) and the institutions or organizations In April, NIH released draft guidelines for federal fund- operating them (IORGs) directly accountable for meet- ing of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research and ing regulations for the protection of human subjects. In issued a call for public comments. FASEB responded its letter to OHRP, FASEB stated that shifting the locus with a number of concerns. The draft guidelines would of responsibility from institutions engaged in human sub- be applied retroactively, and their strict compliance jects research to IRBs or IORGs would diminish research requirements for informed consent could exclude some institutions’ concerns about regulatory liability, facilitate hESC lines that were allowed under the previous policy. collaborative review arrangements, and reduce barriers to FASEB urged NIH to consider a system that would conducting multi-center human research projects. Where allow grandfathering of existing lines. In addition, the it is appropriate for either IRBs or institutions to meet draft guidelines would only allow federal funding for lines certain regulatory requirements, FASEB recommended created from surplus fertility clinic embryos, rather than that both parties be required to designate in their IRB embryos created specifically for research, through IVF or authorization agreements which responsibilities they will other technologies. each assume. FASEB noted that the IRB process could be further improved by eliminating the requirement that U. S. Working Group on Biosecurity institutions designate specific IRBs on their Federal- The Working Group on Strengthening Biosecurity in the wide assurances and replacing it with a commitment by United States, which was formed by executive order to institutions to rely only on registered IRBs. FASEB hopes examine the current system of regulations governing these regulatory changes will increase the efficiency of select agents and high-containment labs, held its first and the IRB process and the pace of clinical research without only public meeting on May 13. In conjunction with the compromising the effectiveness of the review system or meeting, the Working Group issued a series of questions the safety of research participants. and called for stakeholder feedback. FASEB and the The above FASEB documents can be found at: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) issued opa.faseb.org. a joint statement, providing input on a number of issues being addressed by the Working Group. In particular, Carrie D. Wolinetz is director of Scientific Affairs and Public FASEB-AAMC endorsed a recent report by the National Relations for the Office of Public Affairs at FASEB. She can be Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity (NSABB), which reached at [email protected]. stated that the current security screenings used for the *Jennifer Hobin of the FASEB Office of Public Affairs contributed select agent program were adequate, and there was no to this article.

6 ASBMB Today July 2009 news from the hill Hill Roundup: Sebelius Cautioned, Hill Visits, Appropriations Markups BY PETER FARNHAM*

une 2 marked the first appearance of Health and called “cliff” effect, caused by the fact that the $10 bil- JHuman Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius before lion in stimulus money NIH received under the American the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) is supposed Health, and Human Services. Although the hearing to be spent by the end of fiscal year 2010. The Presi- focused primarily on health care issues, a couple of dent has only asked for a 1.3 percent budget increase important NIH-related matters came up during the for NIH in 2010. Sebelius acknowledged the problem question period following her testimony. and said that a multiyear plan is needed to address the Subcommittee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) issue. expressed strong disapproval of the President’s 2010 Hill Visits budget request for disease-specific research allocations ASBMB staff, along with two members of the FASEB targeting cancer and autism. Obey cited the commit- Science Policy Committee, including ASBMB member tee’s strong, lengthy, and bipartisan history of allowing Margaret Offermann, vice president of the American scientific priorities to be set by scientists and NIH, not Cancer Society, attended the Sebelius hearing and then by Congress or the political process. Obey then flatly spent the day on the Hill discussing NIH research fund- told Sebelius that the committee ing. NIH continues to enjoy broad would not support the administra- support on Capitol Hill, although tion’s request in this regard and it was clear in several offices that asked her to so inform the White we should not expect NIH to House. She said she would do so receive much beyond the Presi- but restated the President’s belief dent’s request this year, given the that cancer can be cured in his stimulus money it received earlier lifetime with proper funding. in the year. Every staffer visited, Several other members on the however, was aware of the “cliff” subcommittee (both Democrat and issue. This is good news because Republican) publicly agreed with it is more likely that something will Obey’s position during their ques- be done to avoid the dislocation tion periods, stating that prioritizing caused by the sudden 25 percent diseases would not be good for decrease in NIH’s budget. research in the long run. If you are going to visit Wash- During a Senate hearing in May, ington, feel free to contact the much the same point was made, ASBMB public affairs office to so it appears unlikely that this arrange a Hill visit for yourself. portion of the president’s medical research agenda will pass muster Markups Begin with Congress. On June 4, the 2010 Commerce, Another NIH-related issue Justice, Science, & Related came up during a question from Agencies Appropriations Bill was Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), rank- marked up. The NSF, funded ing Republican member of the full under this bill, received a total of Appropriations Committee. Lewis $6.94 billion, $446 million over expressed concern about the so- continued on page 29

July 2009 ASBMB Today 7 nihn e w s The Challenges of Challenge Grants BY ALLEN DODSON

n March 4, 2009, shortly after passage of the $787 institutes and centers would have the flexibility and discre- Obillion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act tion to make additional challenge grant awards if desired. (ARRA), NIH issued the largest Request For Applications Still, in comparison to the 20,000 total applications, it does (RFA) in its history. The Challenge Grant program announce- not appear likely that even 5 percent of the challenge grant ment, which was 220 pages long, invited applications from applications will ultimately be funded. The potential for scientists to address hundreds of scientific challenges in 19,000 challenge grant resubmissions looms as a potential areas like bioethics, translational science, and genomics. problem for future review cycles. Researchers met that call in spectacular numbers, prepar- ing and submitting over 20,000 applications to the program Challenging Grant Crunches Ahead? in the two months between its announcement and the April In his Senate Testimony, Kington described the response 2009 deadline. This created a major challenge for NIH’s to the challenge grants as proof of an untapped supply Center for Scientific Review (CSR), which evaluates a total of great ideas for biomedical advances. Members of the of 48,000 applications in a typical year. ASBMB Public Affairs Advisory Committee took the same message to Capitol Hill in May. The PAAC made the case The Logistics of Doubling Grant Review that there is a tremendous capacity for progress but that To review the challenge grants within the limited time researchers will require sustainable increases in funding available—decisions are expected by August 2009—CSR to support the breakthroughs of the future. However, it is has had to think outside the box. The 20,000 applica- unclear whether that funding will be available in the post- tions will be distributed to approximately 15,000 reviewers stimulus era, when the focus in Washington is likely to shift for preliminary mail reviews. These reviews will be passed to reducing the federal deficit. along to one of thirty “editorial board” study sections for a Beyond the short-term challenges of reviewing the appli- second phase of evaluation. Overall, the challenge grants cations and the medium-term issues with highly competi- nearly double the 16,000 applications and 8,000 reviewers tive application cycles as stimulus-funded two-year grants involved in a typical review cycle. expire in 2011 and 2012, the challenge grants also raise Even if the review can be completed by August, the some long term questions. If NIH cannot make the jump story of the Challenge Grants will not be over. NIH issued from President Obama’s $31 billion budget request for 2010 a memo in mid-May clarifying the policy on resubmission to the approximately $36 billion needed in 2011 to con- of responses to an RFA. They anticipate that many unsuc- tinue stimulus-level support for research, what will happen cessful Challenge Grant applications will be resubmitted for to research capacity? Does the potential $400 million in funding via other mechanisms, such as R01 grants. The support for challenge areas—primarily focused on transla- regulations require a decision on the initial application before tional research—come at the expense of the investigator- resubmission. Due to the expected August response date initiated basic biomedical research that lays the groundwork and the deadline for grant submissions in the second cycle for future clinical breakthroughs? How will historically low of 2009, resubmitted challenge grants cannot be consid- success rates for the Challenge Grant program, and in the ered until the third review cycle of 2009. Beyond that initial coming grant cycles, affect research? delay, however, investigators will be free to resubmit their The challenges of the challenge grants have only proposals as new applications. begun. The challenge grant announcement originally stated that ASBMB is maintaining a web page at NIH would commit $200 million—enough for only 200 of the www.asbmb.org/recovery with details about the $1 million, two-year awards—to the program. In testimony most recent developments in stimulus funding. before the Senate Appropriations Committee in May, Act- ing NIH Director Raynard Kington stated that he expected Allen Dodson is an ASBMB Science Policy Fellow. He can be the funding number to double. Kington also observed that reached at [email protected].

8 ASBMB Today July 2009 nihn e w s

ASBMB Comments on New Stem Cell Policy

n a May 26, 2009 letter to National Institutes of policy sought to overturn. ASBMB also noted that it IHealth Acting Director Raynard Kington, ASBMB hoped as time went on, the limitations on what sources President stated the Society’s general of stem cells were allowable would be liberalized. support for the new stem cell guidelines, published in The full letter appears below. the Federal Register on April 23. However, a couple If you have comments, we would appreci- of problems caught the attention of the Society. First, ate hearing from you. You can send your thoughts the guidelines inadvertently appear to be more restric- to Peter Farnham, director of Public Affairs, at tive than the Bush Administration’s policy that the new [email protected].

Dear Dr. Kington: ASBMB thus strongly supports some sort of “grand- Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the “Draft fathering” mechanism that would allow these lines to NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research,” published continue to be used. One of the major benefits of grandfa- in the Federal Register on April 23, 2009. thering existing lines is the resulting many new cell lines The Guidelines are summarized as follows in the notice: representing far greater genetic diversity than the original “These draft Guidelines would allow funding for research few dozen lines permitted under the previous policy. This using human embryonic stem cells that were derived from same reasoning would apply to those cell lines that have embryos created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) for reproduc- been extensively studied, regardless of source. However, tive purposes and were no longer needed for that purpose. regardless of the mechanism NIH chooses to allow existing Funding will continue to be allowed for human stem cell lines to be used, allowing the use of all extant lines must be research using adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem addressed. cells. Specifically, these Guidelines describe the conditions In addition, we also hope that as time goes on the Guide- and informed consent procedures that would have been lines will be revisited with an eye to loosening up some of the required during the derivation of human embryonic stem restrictions on what stem cells can be used. We are confident cells for research using these cells to be funded by NIH. that when embryonic stem cell research begins to pay off, NIH funding for research using human embryonic stem cells the public climate will change to the point that a more liberal derived from other sources, including somatic cell nuclear approach to what stem cell sources are allowed will be pos- transfer, parthenogenesis, and/or IVF embryos created for sible, provided that the research is conducted in keeping with research purposes, is not allowed under these Guidelines.” appropriate regulations concerning informed consent and In general, we support the intent of these Guidelines. human subject protections. Our main concern, however, is that the Guidelines are inad- The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular vertently more restrictive than the previous administration’s Biology is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization policy in some ways. This is a critical problem that must be with a membership of approximately 12,000 biochemists and addressed before the Guidelines are finalized. molecular biologists that teach and conduct research at col- This problem was discussed extensively in an article in leges and universities, in the private sector, and in the federal the Washington Post on Monday, May 25. The Guidelines government. ASBMB publishes the Journal of Lipid Research, inadvertently make it harder to do some types of stem cell Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, and the Journal of Biological research than was allowed under the previous administra- Chemistry, one of the leading peer-reviewed journals in the tion’s policy. We are certain that this was not the intention life sciences. of the Obama administration. The retroactive application of Thank you again for considering ASBMB’s views on this the requirements in these Guidelines would render unusable subject. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. some existing hESC lines because of how they were derived. Sincerely, Since many of these lines were developed in the private Gregory A. Petsko sector and are in common use now, it would be a waste of President resources to have to go back and recreate them under the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology current requirements.

July 2009 ASBMB Today 9 asbmb member spotlight Alberts Honored with Brenner Named Head Education Award of Biochemistry , professor in the Department of Charles Brenner, professor of genetics and of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University biochemistry at Dartmouth Medical School, of California, San Francisco, has been selected has been named head of the Department of to receive the American Institute of Biological Biochemistry at the University of Iowa Roy J. Sciences Education Award. This annual award and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. The is presented to an individual (or group) who appointment became effective on July 1. has made significant contributions to Brenner is currently scientific director of the education in the biological sciences, at any Comprehensive Thoracic Oncology Program level of formal or informal education. at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Alberts is currently editor-in-chief of the associate director for basic sciences at Norris journal Science. He served two six-year terms as the President of Cotton Cancer Center in Lebanon, NH. the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and chaired the National “We are excited that Dr. Brenner has accepted the position of Research Council. He continues to serve as an ex officio member of department head,” said Paul Rothman, dean of the UI Carver College the National Academies Teacher Advisory Council, which he initiated. of Medicine. “Dr. Brenner is an exceptional scientist who deeply appre- Committed to improving science education, he helped initiate and ciates the critical role of basic research as a foundation for discovery. develop City Science, a program that links UCSF to the improvement He has the vision, expertise, and leadership to help us grow our basic of science teaching in San Francisco elementary schools. Alberts research strengths and build bridges to translate research into cures was instrumental in developing landmark National Science Education for disease.” standards that have been implemented in school systems nationwide. Brenner’s research focuses on the function of genes that are He also serves as the co-chair of the InterAcademy Council, a new inactivated in cancer development and metabolic pathways that organization governed by the presidents of 15 national academies of respond to changes in glucose intake and regulate cellular aging. He science and established to provide scientific advice to the world. uses interdisciplinary approaches, including protein structural analysis, Alberts is widely recognized for his work in the fields of biochem- enzymology, human genomics, and yeast genetics to study biochemi- istry and molecular biology, particularly his extensive studies of the cal pathways. protein complexes that enable chromosome replication. He is also one of the original authors of The Molecular Biology of the Cell, which is used widely in U. S. colleges and universities. Schimke Receives Stanford’s Sterling Award This past April, Robert T. Schimke, professor Jordan Elected Fellow of UK emeritus at Stanford University, received the J. Academy of Medical Sciences E. Wallace Sterling Muleshoe Lifetime Alumni V. Craig Jordan, scientific director of the Achievement Award. The award, which is Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and given annually to Stanford Medical School professor of Oncology and Pharmacology at alumni who have made exceptional lifetime Georgetown University Medical School, has achievements, was presented to both Schimke been elected a fellow of the Academy of and Paul M. Ellwood for their leadership and Medical Sciences in the United Kingdom. The commitment to improving health. induction ceremony took place on June 24th Schimke, who received his M.D. at the Royal Society in London. from Stanford in 1958, was also chairman of the Department In May, Jordan received the Gold Medal of of Pharmacology at Stanford (1969–1972) and chairman of the the University of Crete and an honorary Doctor Department of Biological Sciences (1978–1982). He is best known of Medicine degree from their medical school. Jordan is also the for showing that protein degradation can act as an enzyme regulatory recipient of the Jephcott Gold Medal and Lectureship from the Royal process and his discovery that gene amplification can result in cellular Society of Medicine in England, and was elected to the U. S. National resistance to cancer chemotherapy drugs. Academy of Sciences this past spring. Schimke is currently professor emeritus of Biological Sciences Jordan has focused his research career on the development of and the American Cancer Society Research professor emeritus at tamoxifen and raloxifene, two selective estrogen receptor modula- Stanford. He was president of the American Society for Biochemistry tors (SERMs) used for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer and Molecular Biology in 1988 and was a member of the editorial (tamoxifen) and for the prevention of osteoporosis and breast cancer board and an associate editor for the Journal of Biological Chemistry (raloxifene). from 1975 to 1981 and from 1983 to 2002. Scientifically, he is credited with first recognizing the SERM prin- Since his retirement, Schimke has devoted much of his time to an ciple. The biological concept is now being developed for all members old love, painting. In spite of a bicycle accident in 1997 that left him a of the nuclear receptor superfamily. quadriplegic, confined to a wheelchair and with limited use of his arms and hands, he has been prolific in his art, some of which can be seen on his website (www.stanford.edu/group/schimke).

10 ASBMB Today July 2009 asbmb member spotlight Please submit member-related news to [email protected] Pastan Awarded International Holick Garners Prize Feltrinelli Prize for Medicine Michael Holick, a professor of medicine, Ira H. Pastan of the National Institutes of physiology, and biophysics at the Boston Health has been declared the recipient of the University School of Medicine, received the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei’s 2009 Linus Pauling Institute Prize for Health International Feltrinelli Prize for Medicine. Research. The prize was presented to Holick Pastan, chief of the Laboratory of Molecular at a biennial conference, “Diet and Optimum Biology at the Center for Cancer Research, Health,” sponsored by the Linus Pauling received the prize for his outstanding scientific Institute at Oregon State University. It contributions to the biology of receptors and recognizes international leaders in research on the development of immunotoxins for cancer the role of diet and nutrition in health promo- therapy. tion and disease prevention, as well as efforts to disseminate Pastan’s early research focused on elucidating the mechanism of knowledge on diet, lifestyle, and health to enhance public health and action of polypeptide hormones. He and his colleague Jesse Roth reduce suffering from disease. provided the first evidence that there were specific protein receptors “Today, Holick is recognized as a world renowned nutritional on the surface of animal cells and that binding to these receptors was biochemist/physician whose research has had a global impact on the the first action of protein hormones. Pastan went on to characterize health of both children and adults,” said Nevin Scrimshaw, president of the diffusion of hormone-receptor complexes on the cell membrane, the International Nutrition Foundation, in nominating him for the award. their hormone-dependent aggregation, and their pathway of entry into Holick was the first scientist to isolate the active forms of vitamin cells, using a variety of tools including video intensification micros- D, and in the past three decades, he has become the world authority copy. Pastan was also among the first to clone and sequence the on the photobiology of vitamin D through synthesis in the skin. In more EGF receptor and to demonstrate that it is amplified in many can- recent work, Holick has shown links between vitamin D deficiency and cers. Realizing from his receptor studies that powerful toxins, such the development of preeclampsia in pregnancy. as Pseudomonas exotoxin A, could be targeted to kill specific cells, Pastan and his colleagues later developed a new class of anti-cancer agents called immunotoxins, which are chimeric proteins consisting of an antibody and a toxin. You Have the Rest, Jeang Wins Woodrow Wilson Award Now RUN the BEST! This past June, Kuan-Teh Jeang received the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association’s Woodrow Wilson Award, recognizing his contributions to the fields of molecular virology and biology. The Woodrow Wilson Award for Distinguished Government Service honors alumni who have brought credit to Johns Hopkins by their current or recently concluded distinguished public service as elected or appointed officials. Previous winners of the Woodrow Wilson Award have included the former U. S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the former director of the U. S. National Institutes of Health Elias Zerhouni, and the current U. S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner. Since 1985, Jeang has been at NIH. He is currently the head of the Molecular Virology Section in the Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Jeang • All the electrophoresis equipment you need in the palm of your hand has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles. His research interests • Built-in Power Supply with Timer - focus on the gene regulation of HIV and how HTLV-1 causes leukemia. No more over-run gels!

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July 2009 2010 annual meeting Lipids, Physiology, and Disease BY DANIEL M. RABEN AND MARY F. ROBERTS

ipid Research has become an important component ficult yet extremely important question Lof studies in an expanding number of disciplines. This that troubles many lipid researchers has ushered in a plethora of new techniques and knowledge pertains to the dynamics of specific

in a variety of areas that cover physiology, biochemistry, lipid-protein interactions. Mary F. Raben biophysics, and . The Lipid Theme for the 2010 Roberts (Boston College) will discuss ASBMB Annual Meeting, “Lipid Interactions in Physiol- a potentially powerful approach to this ogy and Disease,” will highlight emerging concepts in these question using high resolution field areas of lipid research. cycling NMR spectroscopy. To delve It is well known that lipids and lipid metabolism play further into the analysis of lipids at the an important role in health and disease. Recently, we have single molecule level, Akihiro Kusumi started gaining a new, or perhaps renewed, appreciation (Kyoto University) will outline some for the notion that specific cells and sub-cellular compart- fascinating approaches to track lipids ments in which lipids and metabolizing enzymes reside are and lipid metabolism enzymes at the Roberts critical to their physiological roles. The first session of the single molecule level. This promises to 2010 Lipid Theme will cover emerging concepts in lipid be a very informative tool for studying signaling lipids and physiology and pathophysiology. For example, regulating the enzymes involved in their metabolism. apoptosis is a central concept in a number of pathophysi- The third session will examine lipid movements and ological problems, and the mitochondrion is known to be compartmentalization within cells. Gerrit van Meer intimately involved in this process. Valerian E. Kagan (Uni- (Utrecht University) will present a bird’s eye view of this versity of Pittsburgh) will discuss new mechanisms and issue by discussing the general theme of where various pathways through which cytochrome c catalyzes oxidation membrane lipids are found and how they behave. Brian of cardiolipin, a (Binks) W. Wat- mitochondria-spe- tenberg (Univer- cific phospholipid, One lipid that receives sity of Louisville) and the role of this “ will discuss new process in apopto- much attention but is also thoughts regard- sis. Lina M. Obeid misunderstood is cholesterol. ing how the (Medical Uni- ” localization of an versity of South important lipid Carolina) will present some emerging concepts regarding metabolizing enzyme, sphingosine kinase-1, is important the role of sphingolipids in cancer, and Lucio Cocco (Uni- for its function. One lipid that receives much attention but versity of Bologna) will present fascinating data regarding is also misunderstood is cholesterol. A new way of think- the potential role of nuclear localized phosphatidylinositol ing about the behavior of cholesterol in membranes and its phospholipase C-β1 in the progression and prognosis of relationship to cholesterol homeostasis will be presented by myelodysplastic syndromes. These discussions will shed Yvonne Lange (Rush University Medical Center). light on new and potentially important roles of lipids and The fourth and final topic will focus on some current lipid-metabolizing enzymes in health and disease. thoughts on the structure and regulation of lipid trans- With the recognition that lipid metabolism in specific porters and metabolizing enzymes. Lipid transporters are cells and sub-cellular compartments needed further inves- gaining increasing attention as they play important roles in tigation came the need to develop new tools and strategies lipid homeostasis as well as drug delivery and metabolism. to study this metabolism. Richard W. Gross (Washington Frances J. Sharom (University of Guelph) will present some University in St. Louis) will discuss some novel approaches new ideas on lipid transporters and membrane proteins for studying lipids and lipid metabolism in membranes to that bind sterols. Understanding the enzymology and illuminate their potential signaling roles. A particularly dif- regulation of lipid-metabolizing enzymes is central to our

12 ASBMB Today July 2009 ability to understand signaling lipids. Two lipid second messengers that are emerging as essential players in a Lipid Interactions in number of physiological and pathophysiological processes Physiology and Disease are diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. The enzymes Symposium: responsible for metabolizing these signaling lipids once Emerging Concepts in the generated are critical to regulating their levels. Daniel M. Physiology and Pathology Raben (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) will of Lipid Metabolism outline new ideas regarding the regulation of a mammalian Nuclear Inositide Signaling: Role of PI-PLCβ1 θ in MDS and AML, Lucio Cocco, University of diacylglycerol kinase (DGK- ), which converts diacylglyc- Bologna erol to phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidic acid is itself metab- Cardiolipin and Its Redox Interactions with olized by specific enzymes. One class of such enzymes is Cytochrome c in Apoptosis, Valerian E. Kagan, phosphatidate phosphatases. George M. Carman (Rutgers University of Pittsburgh University) will highlight recent discoveries regarding the Bioactive Sphingolipids in Inflammation and structure, regulation, and physiology of these enzymes. Cancer, Lina M. Obeid, Medical University of South Carolina These presentations will be complemented by 12 short talks selected from submitted abstracts. The organizers Symposium: Novel Approaches for Studying have a strong interest in finding abstracts from young Lipid Signaling, Metabolism, and investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students Membranes to give them an opportunity to present their work to the Multidimensional Mass Spectrometry Using lipid community. Please encourage these young folks to Shotgun Lipidomics to Identify Alterations in submit an abstract! We are hoping this meeting will stimu- Lipid Signaling and Metabolism in Disease States, Richard W. Gross, Washington University in late ideas and increase enthusiasm for lipid research. St. Louis In addition to the symposia noted above, there will Signal Transduction by Lipid-anchored be a new award, the Avanti Young Investigator Award in Molecules as Revealed by Single-molecule Lipid Research, which will be presented at this meeting. Tracking, Akihiro Kusumi, Kyoto University This award will be given to a young investigator selected High Resolution Field Cycling for Analysis of Lipid Dynamics in Membranes, Mary F. Roberts, for their novel and innovative work in the area of lipid Boston College research. The awardee, who will be asked to present a lecture at one of the Lipid Theme sessions, will receive a Symposium: Cellular Lipid Movement and plaque, $2,000, and transportation support to the ASBMB Compartmentalized Metabolism meeting. For more information, go to www.asbmb.org/ How Cells Sense and Set Their Cholesterol, lipidcorner. Yvonne Lange, Rush University Medical Center There will also be a workshop, “Lipidology—From Sphingolipids on the Move, Gerrit van Meer, Basics to Biofuels and Cancer Therapeutics,” that is aimed Utrecht University at those who are interested in, but not necessarily expert Sphingosine Kinase-1 Localization Drives practitioners of, lipidology. Small roundtable discussions Differential Metabolism of Sphingosine-1- phosphate, Brian (Binks) W. Wattenberg, University guided by experts will accompany a general overview of of Louisville different aspects relevant to working with lipids and mem- Symposium: branes. If lipids didn’t excite you before, they should after Structure and Regulation seeing how useful a little lipidology can be! of Lipid Transporters and We look forward to what promises to be a very exciting Metabolizing Enzymes and enlightening meeting. Regulation of Human and Yeast Phosphatidic Acid Phosphatase Enzymes, George M. Carman, Rutgers University Regulation of DGK , Daniel M. Raben, Johns Daniel M. Raben is a professor of Biological Chemistry at Johns θ Hopkins University School of Medicine Hopkins University School of Medicine and can be reached at Sterol Binding and Transfer by NPC1, Frances [email protected]. Mary F. Roberts is a professor of Chemistry J. Sharom, University of Guelph at Boston College and can be reached at [email protected].

July 2009 ASBMB Today 13 2010 annual meeting continued Dealing with Insults: Genome Stability in the Face of Stress BY ELLEN FANNING AND THOMAS A. KUNKEL

ore than half a century has passed since Watson and The theme begins with a Sunday MCrick’s ( 171, 737) famous understatement, symposium titled “DNA Synthesis Fanning “It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we and Mutagenesis.” Thomas A. Kunkel have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying (National Institutes of Health) will mechanism for the genetic material.” Research in the ensu- describe studies of DNA replication ing years has demonstrated that the machinery required fidelity, with emphasis on character- to replicate DNA with the accuracy needed to maintain izing the leading and lagging strand genetic information over many generations is very com- replication machinery in yeast. plex. This complexity partly reflects the need to deal with Graham C. Walker (Massachusetts DNA damage. Indeed, by the time you finish reading this Institute of Technology) will describe Kunkel brief article, the DNA in every cell in your body will be the elegant regulation and control damaged many times. How the replication machinery is of evolutionarily conserved, highly coupled to the processes that first sense problems gener- specialized DNA polymerases that perform trans-lesion ated by environmental stress and then coordinate removal DNA synthesis. One mechanism that is central to control- or tolerance of lesions in DNA is therefore also of great ling lesion bypass is the timing and spacing of protein interest, even more so because failure of these processes is ubiquitinylation, a subject of intense interest that will be associated with cytotoxicity, mutagenesis, and diseases. At considered by Helle D. Ulrich (Cancer Research UK). the 2010 ASBMB Annual Meeting, four symposia in the The DNA Transactions theme continues with a sympo- “DNA Transactions” theme will consider current research sium on Monday titled “Replication Fork Dynamics.” This aimed at understanding how genomes are replicated and session will focus on the intricacies of normal replication stably maintained in the face of constant insults. forks. James M. Berger (University of California, Berkeley)

DNA Transactions Symposium: DNA Damage Signaling and Repair Symposium: Genome Maintenance by the DNA Damage DNA Synthesis and Mutagenesis Response, David Cortez, Vanderbilt University School Eukaryotic DNA Replication Fidelity, Thomas A. of Medicine Kunkel, National Institutes of Health RecQ Helicase and RPA Regulate Fork Stability Timing and Spacing of Ubiquitin-dependent DNA under Control of the ATR Kinase, Susan M. Gasser, Damage Bypass, Helle D. Ulrich, Cancer Research UK Friedrich Miescher Institute Function and Control of Trans-lesion Synthesis Regulated Proteolysis of a Trans-lesion DNA Polymerases, Graham C. Walker, Massachusetts Polymerase on DNA, W. Matthew Michael, Harvard Institute of Technology University

Symposium: Symposium: Replication Fork Dynamics The 3Rs, Genome Instability, and Disease Structural Mechanisms for Initiating DNA Replication, James M. Berger, University of California, Defects in Mitochondrial DNA Replication and Berkeley Human Disease, William C. Copeland, National Institutes of Health Molecular Hand-off in Viral DNA Replication, Ellen Fanning, Vanderbilt University Title to be announced, Penny A. Jeggo, University of Sussex Structural Mechanisms of Bacterial Replication, James L. Keck, University of Wisconsin-Madison DNA Repair Gone Wrong: Mechanisms of Trinucleotide Expansion, Cynthia T. McMurray, Mayo Clinic Rochester

14 ASBMB Today July 2009 will begin by describing struc- …by the time tary diseases. William C. Copeland tural mechanisms for initiating “ (National Institutes of Health) will DNA replication. Ellen Fanning you finish reading then discuss the latest research (Vanderbilt University) will then revealing how defects in mitochon- present her latest research aimed this brief article, drial DNA replication result in a at understanding molecular hand- the DNA in every large number of degenerative human off in viral DNA replication. James diseases. Finally, Penny A. Jeggo L. Keck (University of Wisconsin- cell in your body (University of Sussex) will report on Madison) will report on his most the impact of higher order chroma- recent research using structural will be damaged tin structure on the damage response approaches to dissect the mecha- many times. to DNA double strand breaks, nisms that regulate bacterial DNA ” defects which are also associated replication. with disease. Tuesday’s contribution will be a symposium titled The four symposia will also include 12 speakers chosen “DNA Damage Signaling and Repair.” David Cortez (Van- from submitted abstracts and will be complemented by derbilt University School of Medicine) will present a talk poster sessions that cover DNA replication, repair, and focused on how the DNA damage response contributes DNA damage responses. Obviously, these DNA transac- to genome maintenance. W. Matthew Michael (Harvard tions are highly coordinated with other cellular processes University) will then consider regulated proteolysis, a that will be considered at the meeting, including chro- critical mechanism by which cells keep trans-lesion DNA matin dynamics, transcription, post-translational gene polymerases from operating at the wrong place or time. regulation, and protein turnover. Thus, scientists inter- The next speaker, Susan M. Gasser (Friedrich Miescher ested in how organisms, from viruses to man, can replicate Institute), will cover the important topic of how forks are and stably maintain their genomes in the face of constant given enough time to do the right thing, i.e. by describ- environmental insults can satisfy their appetites for some ing how the RecQ helicase and RPA regulate fork stability of the best and most recent research by attending the 2010 under control of the ATR kinase. ASBMB Annual Meeting. Wednesday’s final symposium in the DNA Transactions theme, titled “The 3Rs, Genome Instability, and Disease,” Ellen Fanning is the Stevenson Professor of Molecular Biology will consider some of the many known disease conse- in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University quences of DNA transactions gone awry. First, Cynthia and can be reached at [email protected]. Thomas A. T. McMurray (Mayo Clinic Rochester) will consider how Kunkel is a principal investigator in the DNA Replication Fidelity proteins involved in DNA repair can be subverted to Group at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences expand trinucleotide repeats, a cause of several heredi- (NIH) and can be reached at [email protected].

Present your research and win a Best Poster Award at the ASBMB Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California April 24-28, 2010

July 2009 ASBMB Today 15 2010 annual meeting continued Insights into the Biological Chemistry of RNA BY Martha J. Fedor and Sarah A. Woodson

he recent explosion of new RNA functions and Williamson (The Scripps Research Tstructures is revising our view of biological regula- Institute) use a combination of Fedor tion and evolution. Modern combinatorial chemistry, biophysical approaches to character- high-throughput sequencing, structural biology, and ize assemblies of large ribonucleo- genetics are producing exciting discoveries in the roles of protein complexes. Woodson’s talk, RNA in gene expression and their assembly into cellular titled “RNA Folding during Assem- machines. Theme organizers Martha J. Fedor and Sarah bly of the 30S Ribosome” will pres- A. Woodson invite you to a series of talks on the “Biolog- ent studies of structural changes in ical Chemistry of RNA” that highlight emerging insights the rRNA during assembly of ribo- into the assembly, structure, and biological function of somal subunits. In his talk, titled Woodson RNA-protein complexes, as well as technical and thera- “Cellular Physiology of Bacterial peutic applications of RNAs with novel functions. Ribosome Assembly,” Williamson The “Post-transcriptional Gene Regulation” session will describe ribosome assembly as it occurs in bacte- will be chaired by Melissa J. Moore (Howard Hughes ria. Harry Noller (University of California, Santa Cruz) Medical Institute (HHMI)/University of Massachusetts has elucidated key features of ribosomal RNA interac- Medical School). Moore’s research has shown how the tions with ribosomal proteins, tRNAs, and translation exon junction complex, a protein complex that assembles initiation and elongation factors; provided compelling onto precursor mRNAs during splicing in the nucleus, evidence that ribosomal RNA participates directly in accompanies mRNAs into the cytoplasm to influence peptide bond formation; and produced the first high res- mRNA localization, translation, and turnover. The title olution crystal structure of a 70 S bacterial ribosome. In of her talk will be “mRNAs a talk, titled “Structure and with a Complex: The …these RNA-themed Dynamics of the Ribosome,” Long-term Consequences “ Noller will present insights of a Nuclear Upbringing.” symposia are bound into how ribosome function Jeffrey S. Kieft (University arises from its three-dimen- of Colorado Denver School to change your view sional structure. of Medicine) will focus on Precursor mRNA splic- critical RNA structure- of the role of RNA in ing is the process that excises function relationships in modern biology. introns from primary RNA viral replication and patho- ” transcripts and joins the genesis in his talk, titled exons that encode amino acid “Structural Mimicry at the Heart of Translation Initiation sequences to generate mature, protein-coding mRNAs. by a Viral IRES.” Kimberly Mowry (Brown University) The capacity to generate different exon combinations will describe the molecular mechanisms through which through alternative splicing generates a human proteome mRNAs and proteins localize to specific regions of the that is far more diverse than the genome, and splicing cell cytoplasm in her presentation titled, “RNA Transport defects are said to be responsible for the majority of in the Cytoplasm: How to Get There from Here.” hereditary human diseases. The “Splicing Mechanism As the ribonucleoprotein machine responsible for and Regulation” session, chaired by Douglas L. Black protein synthesis, the ribosome is the engine of cellular (HHMI/University of California Los Angeles), will cover growth and adaptation. The “Ribosome Assembly and recent progress in understanding splicing mechanisms Function” session, chaired by Sarah A. Woodson (Johns and regulation. Black’s talk, titled “Alternative Splicing Hopkins University), will showcase recent progress in and the Regulation of Neuronal Gene Expression,” will understanding bacterial ribosome assembly and func- describe molecular mechanisms that control the changes tion both in vitro and in bacteria. Woodson and James R. in splicing patterns during development and function

16 ASBMB Today July 2009 of the mammalian nervous system. Magda Konarska’s Dipankar Sen (Simon Fraser University) use in vitro (The Rockefeller University) talk, titled “Spliceosome evolution to explore the catalytic potential of RNA. RNA Dynamics and Their Impact on the Fidelity of Splice Site enzymes that catalyze the same reaction as the amino- Selection,” will focus on interactions between precur- acylases that charge tRNAs with amino acids in prepara- sor mRNAs and the small ribonucleoprotein complexes tion for protein synthesis will be the focus of Suga’s talk, (snRNPs) that are crucial for maintaining a continuous titled “Structure and Catalysis of Flexizymes, Flexible open reading frame. Jonathan P. Staley’s research (Uni- tRNA Acylation Ribozymes, and Their Technical Poten- versity of Chicago) focuses on the RNA rearrangements tials.” Sen will describe novel RNA enzymes selected for that regulate the activity of splicing machinery in yeast. their ability to use thiamine as a catalytic cofactor in his He will expand on the theme of the fidelity of splice site talk, titled “Towards Thiamine-utilizing Ribozymes.” selection in his talk, titled “Constraining Errors in Splice There will also be 12 short talks, which will be Site Choice.” selected from the submitted poster abstracts. The chemical transformations in translation and pre- Sarah A. Woodson and Martha J. Fedor look forward cursor mRNA splicing are most likely catalyzed by the to welcoming you to these RNA-themed symposia that RNA components of ribosomes and spliceosomes. The are bound to change your view of the role of RNA in final session in the “Biological Chemistry of RNA” theme modern biology. will focus explicitly on RNA catalysis. Martha J. Fedor (The Scripps Research Institute), chair of the “Ribozyme Structure and Function” session, will describe the use of Martha J. Fedor is a principal investigator at The Scripps fluorescent nucleobase analogs to probe the mechanism Research Institute and can be reached at mfedor@scripps. of the self-cleavage reaction catalyzed by the hairpin edu. Sarah A. Woodson is a professor of biophysics at Johns ribozyme. Hiroaki Suga (The University of Tokyo) and Hopkins University and can be reached at [email protected].

Biological Chemistry of RNA Symposium: Symposium: Post-transcriptional Splicing Mechanism Gene Regulation and Regulation Structural Mimicry at the Heart of Translation Alternative Splicing and the Regulation of Initiation by a Viral IRES, Jeffrey S. Kieft, University Neuronal Gene Expression, Douglas L. Black, of Colorado Denver School of Medicine HHMI/University of California, Los Angeles mRNAs with a Complex: The Long-term Spliceosome Dynamics and Their Impact on the Consequences of a Nuclear Upbringing, Melissa Fidelity of Splice Site Selection, Magda Konarska, J. Moore, HHMI/University of Massachusetts Medical The Rockefeller University School Constraining Errors in Splice Site Choice, RNA Transport in the Cytoplasm: How to Get Jonathan P. Staley, University of Chicago There from Here, Kimberly Mowry, Brown University Symposium: Symposium: Ribozyme Structure Ribosome Assembly and Function and Function Active Site Purines and Catalysis of RNA Self- Structure and Dynamics of the Ribosome, Harry cleavage, Martha J. Fedor, The Scripps Research Noller, University of California, Santa Cruz Institute Cellular Physiology of Bacterial Ribosome Towards Thiamine-utilizing Ribozymes, Dipankar Assembly, James R. Williamson, The Scripps Sen, Simon Fraser University Research Institute Structure and Catalysis of Flexizymes, Flexible RNA Folding during Assembly of the 30 S tRNA Acylation Ribozymes, and their Technical Ribosome, Sarah A. Woodson, Johns Hopkins Potentials, Hiroaki Suga, The University of Tokyo University

July 2009 ASBMB Today 17 asbmb history The Department of Biological Chemistry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine: 100 Years of Excellence BY RALPH A. BRADSHAW

n November 2008, the Department of Biological Chem- molecular basis of physiology, it was essential to under- Iistry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine celebrated its stand the underlying basic chemistry. 100th birthday, making it one of the oldest departments of Abel, with the aid of several assistants, took up the its kind. The event was marked with a symposium featur- task of teaching physiological chemistry to the medical ing six distinguished guest scientists, followed by a gala students as a separate course (but not as a separate depart- banquet attended by several hundred friends and associ- ment) for the next several years. One of these individuals ates. The department has enjoyed a century of remarkable was Walter Jones, a native Marylander, who obtained his accomplishments by its faculty and leaders, including Ph.D. in chemistry from Johns Hopkins. He had joined many “firsts” (and with many significant connections to Abel as an assistant in 1896 and rose to associate and then ASBMB) that are in keeping with the great traditions of associate professor, all in physiological chemistry. In 1908, Johns Hopkins University. Jones was promoted to professor. This event was accompa- The Medical Department (which eventually became the nied by the formation of the Department of Physiological Medical School) at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Chemistry and the naming of Jones as its director (the title Maryland opened its doors in 1893 under the combined used for chair). In 1923, as the result of an unusual bequest leadership of four giants in the field of medicine: William from Capt. Joseph DeLamar, who was not a chemist and Welch (pathology), William Halsted (surgery), William had no direct connection with Johns Hopkins University, Osler (medicine), and Howard Kelly (gynecology). Among the position was endowed, and Jones and all subsequent the innovative ideas that characterized the department’s directors have held the title of DeLamar Professor. (The new curriculum was the teaching of chemistry to the med- accompanying $4 million gift did not, however, find its ical students. This was originally to have been done by the way into the departmental coffers.) Department of Chemistry, but it was ultimately entrusted Jones worked most of his life on nucleic acids, in par- to John Jacob Abel, professor of pharmacology. Abel, who ticular, the enzymes that modified the bases. He developed later founded the Journal of Biological Chemistry in 1905 this interest during a short stay in Germany in the labora- and the American Society of Biological Chemists (which tory of Albrecht Kossel, who, following in the footsteps of eventually became ASBMB) in 1906, had a lifelong interest Friedrich Miescher, had become one of the leaders in this in the chemistry of biology and certainly would have been field. During this time he met and became close friends influential in making this decision. In the words of Welch, with Phoebus A. Levene, who was also an important con- who was the first dean of the medical school:1 “Physi- tributor to the field of nucleic acid research. Levene, like ological chemistry means much more than what is usually Jones, was a founding member of the JBC and the Society. taught in our medical schools as medicinal chemistry, Jones eventually became the eighth president of the ASBC which includes little more than the chemical analysis of (1915–1916). He passed away in 1935. certain fluids of the body for diagnostic purposes.” One of the more impressive aspects of the history of the This statement demonstrates the increasingly popular department, which changed its name to the Department and much broader view, particularly as had been enunci- of Biological Chemistry in 1984, is that, including Jones, ated by Felix Hoppe-Seyler, one of the pioneers in the there have only been five directors in its 100-year history, development of biochemistry, that to truly understand the two of whom are still active there. In 1927, Jones retired,

18 ASBMB Today July 2009 asbmb history

Over the past 100 years, there have only been five directors of the Department of Physiological Chemistry (Biological Chemistry) at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine: (left to right) Walter Jones, William M. Clark, Albert L. Lehninger, M. Daniel Lane, and Gerald Hart.

largely due to health Clark was succeeded reasons, and he was For more ASBMB as director by the third succeeded by William DeLamar professor, Mansfield Clark. Clark history go to Albert L. Lehninger. Leh- was born in 1884 and ninger, who was born in was also a graduate of www.asbmb.org/history 1917, trained at the Uni- Johns Hopkins Uni- versity of Wisconsin and versity, having received his doctorate in chemistry there spent six years at the University of Chicago before moving in 1910. During this training period, he worked summers east. During his tenure there, he made seminal discoveries at the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries laboratory at Wood’s Hole concerning fatty acid oxidation (some with his student, with both Carl Alsberg and Donald D. Van Slyke, who Eugene P. Kennedy, who became the 47th president of the were the 9th and 11th presidents of the ASBC, respectively. ASBC in 1970) and the involvement of ATP that led to the It was here that Clark became interested in acidity and appreciation that cellular metabolism was compartmen- the measurement of hydrogen ion concentration, which talized. Lehninger went on to make great contributions eventually led, during his subsequent tenure at the United to the understanding of oxidative phosphorylation and States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to his famous energy-coupling with electron transport and the role of book, The Determination of Hydrogen Ions, published the mitochondrion in respiration, energy metabolism, and in 1920. Before returning to Johns Hopkins as the sec- the regulation of calcium distribution in cells and tissues.1 ond DeLamar Professor, he also held a post at the U. S. However, to several generations of biochemists, Lehninger Public Health Service, where he developed his interests is probably best known for his textbook, Principles of in oxidation-reduction reactions, particularly involving Biochemistry, that was widely adopted and was one of the organic dyes.1 most heavily used in medical and graduate teaching for Clark was essentially a physical chemist and protested many years. Perhaps reflecting his early collegiate interest at the time of his appointment as director that “[he] had in English, he authored several other books on the mito- had no formal training in biochemistry, had an inadequate chondrion and bioenergetics that were equally authorita- appreciation of the needs of medical students, and [had] tive. Lehninger was the 49th president of the ASBC (1972). inherited laboratory equipment and space totally deficient He stepped down from his position at Johns Hopkins in for my research and student instruction.”1 The latter prob- 1978 and passed away in 1982. lem was soon corrected, and he quickly rectified his lack The fourth director of the department was M. Daniel of knowledge in biochemistry and medical instruction. He Lane, a native of Chicago. Unlike his predecessors, he had proved to be an outstanding teacher and leader and held been recruited to the department several years before tak- the post of director until 1952. However, he continued as ing over as director and was thus an internal appointment. emeritus DeLamar professor and as a research professor in Lane received his doctorate from the University of Illinois chemistry until his death in 1964. He was the 18th presi- in 1956 and held faculty positions at Virginia Polytechnic dent of the ASBC (1933–1934). Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia and

July 2009 ASBMB Today 19 asbmb history continued

The current faculty of the Department of Biological Chemistry reflects the variety of sub-disciplines found in biochemistry: standing (left to right) Pierre A. Coulombe, Natasha Zachara, Susan W. Craig, Denise Montell, Craig Montell, Joel Pomerantz, Mollie K. Meffert, Akhilesh Pandey, David R. Shortle, Michael Wolfgang, Michael Caterina, Robert N. Cole, and Jennifer van Eyk; seated (left to right) Barbara Sollner-Webb, Daniel M. Raben, Albert S. Mildvan, M. Daniel Lane, Gerald W. Hart, Peter L. Pedersen, Paul T. Englund, Stephen J. Gould, and George Sack.

New York University before moving to Johns Hopkins in investigators that reflects the expansion and diversifica- 1970. He served as director and DeLamar Professor from tion of biochemistry as a discipline. This was manifested 1978 to 1997. He is presently the Distinguished Service in the birthday symposium, entitled “The Biology of Professor in the department. Lane continued the tradi- Molecules, the Chemistry of Life,” where presentations tion of excellence in both research and teaching set by on Wnt signaling (Marc W. Kirschner, Harvard Medi- his predecessors. His own work has focused on under- cal School), centromeres (Don Cleveland, University of standing the molecular basis of fatty acid synthesis and California, San Diego), cell motility (Thomas D. Pollard, adipogenesis and their relationship to obesity and other Yale University), small RNPs (Joan A. Steitz, Yale Uni- conditions, including the nature of differentiative pro- versity), prion proteins (, Massachusetts cesses in adipocytes. He is also a world leader in insulin Institute of Technology), and insulin action (C. Ronald signaling and the mechanisms underlying diabetes.2 He Kahn, ) were featured. By its nature served as the 67th president of the ASBMB (1990). (and title), the symposium emphasized the founding The department is currently headed by Gerald Hart, principles of Abel and the subsequent directors (and the fifth director and DeLamar Professor. Hart received their many faculty colleagues) that were and are focused his doctorate from Kansas State University and was a on the chemistry of biology. post-doctoral fellow in the department at Johns Hop- The ASBMB and Johns Hopkins University Depart- kins under William J. Lennarz (the 66th president of ment of Biological Chemistry have enjoyed common ori- the ASBMB, just before Lane), where he contributed gins and purposes throughout their 100-year histories. significant detail to the understanding of the forma- As both head into their second century, one can expect tion of N-linked carbohydrates. In 1992, he moved to this close and productive relationship to continue. the University of Alabama at Birmingham as chair of Ralph A. Bradshaw is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry and molecular genetics but eventually pharmaceutical chemistry and deputy director of the Mass returned to Johns Hopkins to assume the director- Spectrometry Facility at the University of California, San ship in 1997. Hart is best known for his discovery of Francisco. He is also the ASBMB Society historian and can O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), an intracel- be reached at [email protected]. lular modification of proteins on serine and threonine residues. This modification is clearly related to a variety References 1. Harvey, A. M. (1976) The Department of Physiological Chemistry: Its of metabolic and disease conditions and will likely form Historical Evolution. The Johns Hopkins Medical Journal 139, 257–73. 2. Bradshaw, R. A., Hancock, C. C., and Kresge, N. (2009) The ASBMB the basis of important cellular regulation mechanisms. Centennial History: 100 Years of the Chemistry of Life. ASBMB, Today’s department is a varied group of outstanding Bethesda, MD.

20 ASBMB Today July 2009 specialinterest Honoring the Biochemist’s Biochemist: NIH Hosts the Stadtman Symposium BY NICK ZAGORSKI

hen asked once what he would consider an ideal pus, who described herself as “a surrogate member of Wbirthday present, Earl Stadtman replied, “A great Earl’s family.” day of science.” That simple desire was a strong statement In between the talks and the short breaks to allow old about the nature of Stadtman, one of the great biochem- colleagues a chance to catch up, the symposium featured ists of the 20th century, who passed away on January 7, comments and reflections about Stadtman from many of 2008 at the age of 88 (see the February 2008 issue of the scientists whose lives he touched, from the Pasteur ASBMB Today for a retrospective). His wish, though, Institute’s Georges Cohen, who had been a close col- was remembered in the halls of the National Institutes of league for over five decades, to Gabriela Viteri, the most Health, where he spent most of his career, and through recent postdoc hired by Stadtman just a few years before the efforts of his colleagues, this past April 29 saw a great he died. These short reflections proved to be some of the day of science come together at the Stadtman Symposium most informative and emotional moments of the sympo- held in Bethesda, MD. sium, where the attendees learned about Stadtman’s loves The Symposium, brought to fruition by former Stadt- of dancing, fine wine, and poker. “Earl took the same man postdocs and current National Heart, Lung, and approach to poker as research,” said Alfred Alberts, a Blood Institute researchers Rod Levine and Boon Chock scientist who helped develop the statin drugs Lovastatin (who made sure to note the immense contributions of and Zocor. “He was thoughtful and deliberate, though in Merry Peters and Nadia Nimley) kicked off with a pre- the case of poker he wasn’t always successful.” sentation by historian Buhm Soon Park (who, in 2004, And while the symposium did come to an end, set up an exhibit dedicated to Earl and his wife Thressa capped off by a dinner and reception featuring a talk called “The Stadtman Way: A Tale of Two Biochemists by former postdoc and former Merck President Roy at NIH, http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/stadtman). Park Vagelos, Stadtman’s legacy will live on. Starting in 2011, recalled some of Stadtman’s scientific journey, from his ASBMB will present the Earl and Thressa Stadtman days on the high school debate team to his early work Award during the Annual Meeting, which will honor during World War II looking at preventing the browning one great scientist each year in the biochemistry field. of dried apricots, and his more noted work at the NIH It was also revealed that Thressa Stadtman had recently with glutamine synthetase. deeded over five acres of the bucolic property she Park pointed out that Stadtman greatly valued and Earl owned to form an expansion of Rock Creek the importance of training others during a career in Regional Park in Maryland, an area known as “The which he mentored over 100 scientists—including two Stadtman Preserve.” Said Levine, “The Stadtmans are Nobel winners, over a dozen members of the National leaving a legacy to the people of Montgomery County as Academies, and numerous other giants in academia strong as the legacy they left to science.” and industry. Following Park’s talk, the attendees had During his talk, Park noted that Stadtman had once a chance to hear lectures from some of these noted said, “I hope all my trainees remember me in the same trainees who cut their scientific teeth in Stadtman’s high regard as I remember them.” Well, judging from lab, including Michael Brown (who jokingly thanked the strong scientific presence at this symposium and all Joseph Goldstein for this rare opportunity to speak that was said, his hopes have come true. alone), Sue Goo Rhee, Brian Hemmings, and Stanley Prusiner. Also presenting was Susan Taylor, a frequent Nick Zagorski is a science writer for ASBMB. He can be visitor to Stadtman’s lab at Building 3 on the NIH cam- reached at [email protected].

July 2009 ASBMB Today 21 lipid news Understanding Plant Lipids BY XUEMIN (SAM) WANG AND RUTH WELTI

ne of the goals of the ASBMB Lipid Research Divi- increasing oil content remains a challenge. Osion is to provide a forum for lipid scientists to hear With the current national and international focus on from colleagues working in a wide variety of lipid research energy, the environment, and the economy, this is a time disciplines. In this contribution to “Lipid News,” Xuemin of opportunity and challenge for the plant lipid researcher. (Sam) Wang (University of Missouri-St. Louis) and Ruth One impediment to plant lipid research is the lack of Welti (Kansas State University) describe their perspective comprehensive systematic analyses at the lipid level. on the current state of plant lipid research. Significant progress has been made in the analyses of When hearing the words “plant lipids,” most people polar glycerolipids, sphingolipids, oxylipins, and cuticle think of vegetable oils. However, in addition to the lipids. However, a robust lipidome-wide analysis that can energy-dense oils stored in seeds, plant lipids play myriad be used in a systems biology context is yet to be realized. structural and regulatory roles in plant growth, develop- Technological innovations and interdisciplinary collabo- ment, and response to abiotic and biotic rations are needed to develop com- stresses. Plant lipids are a diverse group prehensive and specialized enabling of non-water-soluble compounds that …plant- technologies to advance plant lipid include the pigments capturing sunlight derived oils research. Creativity and collaboration for photosynthesis; essential oils attract- “ within and beyond the lipid community ing pollinators or repelling predators; are a major promise new fundamental knowledge and plant hormones and intracellular source of that will be applied to increase plant signaling messengers mediating plant productivity and quality for food and response to environmental factors, such calories and industrial uses. as water, temperature, and nutrient The international plant lipid scientific status. Substantial progress has been essential community is a highly collaborative and made in recent years toward under- nutrients for cooperative community that assembles standing and appreciating the impor- at least annually. Since 1974, there has tance of lipids in plant growth and the humans and been a biannual international sympo- regulation of that process. As in animal sium on plant lipids organized by this systems, the roles of lipids hydrolytically animals. community. The next meeting is in released from membranes and acting Cairns, Australia in July 2010. During to regulate enzymes and transcription are being revealed. odd-numbered” years, there are smaller meetings in North However, there are significant gaps in our knowledge of America and Europe. In particular, a Gordon Research chemical structures, pathways of production, and mecha- Conference, entitled “Plant Lipids: Structure, Metabolism, nisms of action for regulatory lipids in plants. and Function,” was successfully launched in February One such gap is in our understanding of the pathways 2009. Future Gordon Conferences on plant lipids have and regulation of seed oil biogenesis and partitioning of been planned biannually. All of these gatherings provide photosynthetic carbon among lipids, carbohydrates, and excellent opportunities for networking as well as rapid proteins. This is an important area because plant-derived inroads for beginning investigators and newcomers to oils are a major source of calories and essential nutrients plant lipid research. for humans and animals. In addition, vegetable oils can be used as renewable fuels and as industrial feedstock. Xuemin (Sam) Wang is the E. Desmond Lee & Family Endowed The interest in plant lipids as bio-renewable resources professor in the Department of Biology at the University continues to increase as the supply of nonrenewable of Missouri in St. Louis. He can be reached at swang@ petroleum decreases. Although there have been some danforthcenter.org. Ruth Welti is a professor in the Division important successes in improving fatty acid composi- of Biology at Kansas State University. She can be reached at tion to meet food, nutritional, and industrial applications, [email protected].

22 ASBMB Today July 2009 education and training Four Ways to Fund Your Postdoc BY WEIYI ZHAO

inding a postdoctoral position that fits your research The Life Sciences Research Foundation (LSRF) has no Finterests, career goals, and family needs in a lab that endowment and must therefore raise money each year from can afford to pay you can often pose a challenge. In this sponsors. Established in 1981, LSRF awards fellowships to fluctuating economy, getting the right postdoc experience is graduates with M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., or D.D.S. degrees. The even more crucial, given the weak job market and uncer- foundation’s mission is to support high quality young scien- tainty in funding. tists in all areas of the life sciences. Candidates are judged A handful of small, elite postdoctoral fellowship pro- based on the quality of their research, and all fellows must grams worth looking into offer prestigious fellowships in do their proposed research at a nonprofit institution. Don- the life sciences. The Helen Hay Whitney Foundation, the ald Brown, a member of ASBMB, directs LSRF along with Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the Jane Cof- Douglas Koshland. The peer review process is administered fin Childs Memorial Fund, and the Life Sciences Research by Jim Broach and Tom Silhavy at Princeton University’s Foundation are four such organizations that award funding Department of Molecular Biology. to postdocs and allow them the flexibility to choose where LSRF awards are highly competitive. Application to work and what type of research to conduct. submissions for 2009 open on September 10 and close on The Helen Hay Whitney Foundation awards postdoc- October 1. With approximately 800 applicants each year, toral fellowships to applicants who have had no more than only the top 5 percent are chosen as finalists and considered one year of postdoctoral research experience. The founda- for funding. All applications are reviewed by LSRF’s large tion was established in 1947 to support research in the area and diverse peer review committee, whose members span of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. It has since the life sciences and whose sole interest is choosing the very expanded its research interests to include all basic biomedi- best young scientists. ASBMB President Greg Petsko is a cal sciences. Both M.D.s and Ph.D.s are eligible to apply member of the LSRF peer review committee. Once finalists but must have received their degrees within the past three are selected, LSRF works with individual sponsors to find and two years, respectively. The fellowship selection process the candidate who best matches the sponsor’s research involves both an application screening and a personal inter- interests. Once a year, LSRF brings together sponsors and view. The deadline for this year’s award is July 15, 2009. fellows for an annual meeting. This provides an opportunity Established in 1946, The Damon Runyon Cancer for sponsors to interact with their fellows. Research Foundation supports postdoctoral fellows who All four fellowship programs described above offer are engaged in cancer research. Candidates must have three-year fellowships that are open to both U. S. citizens completed their M.D., Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., D.D.S., or D.V.M. and international applicants. International fellows must and must apply for their very first postdoctoral fellowship conduct their research in laboratories within the United under the guidance of a scientific mentor. Applicants are States. Some awards also provide dependent child allow- selected based on the quality of their research proposal, ances and travel support in addition to an annual stipend. qualifications, experience, and the quality of their research Although these small fellowship programs will never solve training environment. The 2010 award deadlines are August the problem of funding for the thousands of postdocs 17, 2009 and March 15, 2010. in this country, they play an important role in training The Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund awards successful scientists and are worth investigating by both fellowships to M.D. or Ph.D. degree holders with less potential postdocs and sponsors. As Brown puts it, “spon- than one year of postdoctoral experience. The Fund was soring an LSRF fellow is the best bang for the philanthropic established in 1937 and supports a wide range of scientific buck imaginable.” inquiry, such as carcinogens of organic and inorganic Links for all four foundations can be found online at origins, virus studies, endocrinology, microbiology, gene www.asbmb.org/fellowships. isolation, and growth control. Applications are due every year on February 1. Weiyi Zhao is the ASBMB Manager of Education and Profes- In comparison to the three foundations described above, sional Development. She can be reached at [email protected].

July 2009 ASBMB Today 23 educationand training continued Postdocs and the Recovery Act— What the ARRA Means to You BY STACY GELHAUS

n February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and States. The funding will be granted to academic institutions OReinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law. This and organizations and be used to support the hiring of newly act was designed to stimulate our struggling economy and recruited faculty to develop research projects within the con- to save and create millions of jobs, but how does this short- text of biomedical core centers. Those who receive these posi- term stimulus bill benefit the postdoctoral scholar? Because tions will be responsible for creating jobs within their core the federal government funds 70 percent of postdocs, we can centers. Although less than 1 percent of the stimulus funds look to NIH and the NSF as the forecasters of the current have been allotted to this program, there are still indications postdoc climate.1 that NIH is aware that after two years, these faculty positions Few scientists would deny that the additional funding must be sustained. One could view this as a responsible start: given to NIH and NSF this year is helpful. Stimulus money is addressing an issue on the minds of many current and former saving the jobs of numerous researchers across the country postdocs. whose labs were on the brink of closure, as well as funding Challenge grants are another new mechanism to be those whose excellent science did not quite make the cut. funded by the director’s office. Although usually lacking According to Arden L. Bement, Jr., director of NSF, fund- Principal Investigator (PI) status, postdocs may be eligible to ing grants currently in the pipeline is the best possible use of apply if they have institutional support. However, due to the the $3 billion in stimulus funding. In fact, the NSF does not highly competitive nature of these awards, successful appli- expect to have any of this Recovery Act funding available in cants will lose their new or young investigator status and thus research and related activities for expenditure on fiscal year not be eligible to apply for any pathway to independence or (FY) 2010 awards. In this regard, postdoctoral positions will transition awards pertaining to new investigators. NIH also only continue to be funded, or additional positions created, issued a request for administrative supplements, which allows by increasing the number of grants funded by NSF. for additional funding to active NIH Research Grants and NIH took a different approach with the $10 billion it Research Program and Center Grants (P), as well as Career received through the ARRA. Several new funding mecha- Development Awards (K), Institutional Training Grants (T), nisms have been developed in addition to the $7.4 billion Cooperative Agreements (U), and Educational Development appropriated among the 27 institutes and centers that will use Awards. Again, this will help postdocs by increasing funding this to fund two-year proposals, many of which just missed and resources for positions including additional funded time the cut last year. The NIH director’s office was allotted $800 for those under the K99/R00 mechanism, as well as employ- million, and about two-thirds of this is divided among four ment for new postdocs, and extended support for senior competitions: $200 million for Challenge Grants, another postdocs. Each institute has established its own guidelines, so $200 million for Grand Opportunities (GO) Grants of at keep in mind that eligibility may vary among the institutes. least $1 million, $100 million for new faculty hiring at core The National Postdoc Association (NPA) is actively academic facilities, and $21 million for summer research involved in addressing the current and future needs of experiences for students and teachers. postdocs in this economic climate. When the ARRA was So how does this increase in funding benefit postdocs? announced, the NPA applauded the administration for its While none of the money has been allotted to increase the recognition of the dire need for increases in scientific fund- number of awarded F or K training grants, postdocs will ing. Including the scientific enterprise in the stimulus bill benefit through increased funding on current grants via the is a start in the right direction, and the NPA hopes to see creation of new postdoc positions or at least the extension of continued, stable funding in future budgets of federal grant- current contracts. Probably the best indication that NIH is ing agencies. The NPA was invited by the National Institute concerned about the ever-increasing decline in the number of General Medical Science (NIGMS) to provide input of postdocs entering faculty positions is the $100 million regarding how the Institute’s funding should be allocated. The allotted to fund new faculty positions. Awarded under a P30 Executive Committee of the NPA Board of Directors com- (program center) mechanism, these grants will be used to posed a letter, and in addition to responding to the request fund approximately 117 faculty positions across the United of NIGMS, letters were also sent to several other institutes at

24 ASBMB Today July 2009 educationand training continued

NIH. These letters enumerated four suggestions for programs III. Pilot Initiative to Involve Senior that would use ARRA monies in a manner that would benefit Researchers in Postdoctoral Mentoring postdoctoral scholars. These four points were: increased The NPA recommends the establishment of a new program funding for training, increased support for grants supporting to provide funding for senior researchers to serve as full-time minority fellowships, development of a postdoc mentoring mentors to postdoctoral scholars.a These are the scientists program, and the development of a support program for who, in today’s volatile science career environment, must postdoc offices (PDOs) and associations (PDAs). examine all career options available and build the necessary I. Increase Funding for Training transferable skills. This project would first require training for the mentors with regard to career options and would require The NPA recommends an increase in funding for the support programs to which the mentors could refer postdoc- Kirschstein NRSA award programs by at least 20 percent. toral scholars (e.g. training in cross-platform communication, This increase in funding could be used to raise stipends/ media awareness, or development of leadership skills). The salaries and/or support more awards. In the same vein, the ARRA funds would provide an opportunity to establish a NPA suggests that a portion of the increase in postdoctoral short-term pilot program for this endeavor. positions could be administered by fully funding current T32 Should the pilot prove successful and the program institutional programs. Because actual funding is often lower instituted, such an initiative would provide employment and than levels requested, T32s rarely support the number of transition funding for Principal Investigators from research postdoc positions applied for. Thus, increasing T32 funding to retirement. Thus, it could help address one of the recent could fund many “open” postdoc positions. Most postdoc phenomena highlighted as a reason for the lack of positions positions are only for a few years, so supporting them will fit for new investigators as well as increased competition for R01 with the time limitations of the ARRA funding. grants: scientists are increasingly waiting longer to retire. The NPA believes that an increase in funding for training IV. Support the Supporters is necessary for a transient period. An effort to hold more Many institutions have PDOs comprised of administrators postdocs in these programs through September 2010 could who support postdocs, and/or PDAs composed of postdoc ensure that the human resources needed for future eco- leaders. Both provide career and professional development nomic growth are retained in the U. S. research enterprise. If and guidance to new scientists. The NPA believes that the the economy slows further, the job market for these highly current economic times call for an increase in such efforts if trained and highly qualified scientists will dry up, and the we are to retain this generation of postdoctoral scholars in field will be in danger of losing a generation of postdoctoral the scientific workforce. We suggest a new funding initiative scholars to fickle economic forces. for the development of PDO- or PDA-based professional II. Postdoctoral Fellowship development programs at institutions. Pilot Program for Minorities The NPA continues to submit letters to NIH institutes The NPA recommends the development of a pilot program to and centers regarding the ARRA, and we will also continue examine the role of institutional postdoctoral fellowships in to respond to any other legislation that may impact post- establishing and retaining new minority Ph.D. degree-hold- docs. It is through the establishment of relationships with ers. Preferably, these pilot programs would emphasize acqui- granting agencies, Congress, and professional societies that sition of academic tenure-track positions at top-tier research we hope to influence the direction of science and the future universities. Such pilot programs would provide fellowships of postdocs. For updates on the NPA and the ARRA, please for qualified minority postdoctoral scholars, as well as sup- visit the website: www.nationalpostdoc.org/recovery. port for orientation and mentoring over an 18-month period. It would also require quantitative and qualitative evaluation Stacy Gelhaus is an NRSA postdoctoral fellow in the Center for and dissemination of lessons learned. Ideally, participating Cancer Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania as well as institutions would convene to share best practices at the end the 2009 Chair of the National Postdoctoral Association Board of of the pilot project. Directors. She can be reached at [email protected]. Such a short-term project would be an excellent use of Reference ARRA funds, because it would immediately create new fel- 1. National Science Foundation Division of Science Resource Statistics (2008) lowships for minority postdoctoral scholars and have a long- Science and Engineering Indicators 2008. National Science Board, Arlington, VA term meaningful impact on the success of minority-targeted Footnote a. This idea was mutually developed with members of the FASEB Office of Public fellowship programming in academic institutions. Affairs.

July 2009 ASBMB Today 25 firstsecond continued firstminoritysecond affairs words Accepting the Responsibilities of Our Degrees BY PHILLIP A. ORTIZ

e live in difficult times. In the United States and an understanding of the complexities of the issues; second, Wbeyond, there is a growing separation between honest conversations; and third, the strength of commit- political ideologies. During such times it would be easiest ment. to take the path of least resistance, but the easy way is not As someone who regularly participates in college faculty necessarily the right way. Difficult times call for strong reviews, I am acutely aware of the freedom that comes with leaders. Not only do we need to dig deep within ourselves tenure. As a unique aspect of educational employment, to summon courage and strength, but we need to look tenure was conceived as a means to protect faculty from across our populace and recognize that the next genera- political tides. It is at once a tool to provide the freedom tion of leaders will be more diverse than any before. Many to teach controversial ideas and, perhaps far more impor- Americans thought that they would never live to see a tantly, it embodies the responsibility to do so. In particular, black man in the White House, but I believe that this is I am very wary of anyone who promises to speak up only only one in a natural progression of events in which merit once they have tenure, as my experience has been that their and intelligence will overwhelm stereotypes and birth- behavior rarely changes. rights. Let me focus on personal responsibility. It can take many The next generation’s battles will occur in unusual forms, and I’d like to share my story with you. My father, places, including our classrooms. We have already seen bat- mother, brother, sister, and I earned our degrees at public tles over curricula in which the lines between religion and universities, and several of us have since gone on to become science have been blurred. Members of ASBMB, including educators—all at public institutions. Why is it that we have President Gregory Petsko, have been fierce advocates for invested ourselves so much in the education of others? education and have been instrumental in leading informed The answer is simple—because we ourselves have seen and discussions. Similarly, there have been battles over affirma- experienced the transformative power of education. My tive action in which laws have been overturned. It is ironic parents both came from humble beginnings—first genera- that these same battles were fought in 1991 when Clarence tion Americans and first generation college students. With Thomas, arguably one of the most influential people to each succeeding year, they were able to offer more and ever get a job he didn’t deserve in the name of affirmative more to their children and their community. Not because action, was appointed to the Supreme Court. of an inheritance or lottery winnings, but because they We, as highly educated scientists and teachers, should invested in themselves through education and encouraged be on the leading edge of educational equity and social and enabled their children to do the same. Their legacy will justice. In many years of attending graduations, I have been persist in that they have changed the lives of their children. struck by the words of the college presidents as they confer Furthermore, by putting energy into becoming educators, the degrees and inform the students that they have earned we will hopefully touch the lives of many other people who all the “rights and privileges” that accompany the degrees. will themselves pay it forward. From the first time I heard those words it struck me that I know that some people may see the responsibilities a key element was missing: the responsibilities that come of their degree as a burden and a distraction. But, as has along with their accomplishments. been pointed out by others, we are facing a “quiet crisis” Among my many roles at my institution, I serve in in which education is being eroded and undervalued, and, college governance. Thus, I engage regularly in conversa- although we have begun to see the effects of this situation, tions with my colleagues on a number of difficult topics. it will take many years for the full effects to be apparent. At times there are differences between the objectives of the It will take the work of many people to rise to this chal- faculty and those of the administration. To be certain that lenge. For too long we have been quiet for fear that we will the correct decisions are made, it is necessary to first have be singled out as the “educated liberal elite;” and now we

26 ASBMB Today July 2009 firstsecond continued firstminoritysecond affairs words

should let it be known that “liberal” can also mean “liber- every opportunity. We need to stand beside them when ated,” in the sense that our eyes have been opened, and we we believe that they are correct, guide them when they are see a new world of possibilities. wrong, and encourage them to seek truthful knowledge. We need many excellent educators, role models, and So, I encourage you to do what you can to give back mentors to inspire, guide, and support one another, and, to to your communities, honor the investment others have quote Shirley Jackson (a physicist and college president), made in you, contribute to our understanding of the world, “carry with them who they are” to transform this crisis into empower yourselves and those around you, be agents of an opportunity. I am asking you, the members of ASBMB, change, and most of all, embody the courage and dedica- not only to be leaders, but also to be informed and enlight- tion it will take to meet the challenges ahead. ened followers. Do not be afraid to ask the hard questions The bottom line is that taking responsibility requires as well as answer them. Follow those who are worthy. And, hard work, knowledge, courage, and the understanding when you feel ready, lead. that nothing good has ever come from ignorance, coward- I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that sometimes ice, and fear. Your educations have liberated you; you must the best leaders are also the best followers. There will be look into yourselves, find your strength, and follow your times when someone else has the great idea or has begun hearts. There is no doubt that such a path is difficult. But the fight. At those times we need to be willing to recognize there is also no doubt that it is right and worth doing. Mov- the good ideas and bravery of others and to stand beside ing down this path is your ultimate achievement. them as they take the brunt of the counterattack. As Martin Luther King once said, “Our lives begin to end the day Phillip A. Ortiz is area coordinator and mentor in Natural Science we become silent about things that matter,” and thus, it is at the Center for Distance Learning, State University of New York- imperative that we engage our colleagues and students at Empire State College. He can be reached at [email protected].

Mentoring and Diversity Thomas Landefeld AvailableTips for Studentsin and FProfessionalsall for Developing 2009 and Maintaining a Diverse Scientific Community Landefeld Thomas LThomasandefeld’s Landefeld new book Mentoring in AcAdeMiA And industry Mentoring in AcAdeMiA And industry MentoringMentoring hasand always been an important Diversity: factor in life and particularly in academia. In fact, making choices about educational pursuits and subsequent careers without input from mentors can prove disastrous. Fortunately many individuals Tips for Studentshave “natural” mentors and for them these choices are greatly Mentoring facilitated. Others are not privileged with natural mentors and as such often struggle with making these tough choices. Many times Mentoring and Diversity and Mentoring these individuals are from under served and disadvantaged backgrounds, and Professionalswhere mentors are too few and far between. For them, deciding on which and Diversity career path to take can be based not only on insufficient information but often times inaccurate information. Although the tips in this monograph are designed for helping all individuals who are interested in pursuing the study for Developingof science and science careers, a special and mentoring focus is on those students Tips for Students and Professionals who have not experienced the advantages of those who were privileged to have had guidance. Additionally, tips are included for those who are interested in effectively mentoring these individuals. How and why a person gets to that for Developing and Maintaining Maintainingpoint of wanting to mentora is notDiverse as important as the fact that they have made Scientificthat commitment Community and this monograph will help them do exactly that. a Diverse Scientific Community

General Science Part of a SpringerISBN 978-1-4419-0777-6 mentoring series with contributionsEAN from > ASBMB MAC› springer.comand EPD members. careerinsights Matchmaking in Science BY BARBARA PRESTON

fter doing undergraduate research human resources himself wrote to Aprojects, working in a university confirm their disinterest. Even though lab, getting my Master’s degree, work- I had never heard of scientific recruit- ing at NIH, earning my Ph.D. from ers before, I knew that it was what I Cornell University, and doing a four- wanted to do. But how would I start? year postdoc, I had burned out at the I searched for a company that would bench. I needed a break and decided train me. Even if I had to work for a to take time to work with friends in a recruiting agency in a non-scientific marketing business. There, I discov- industry and switch to life science Preston ered that I liked working with people, after learning the ropes, I would Barbara Preston made the transi- but I missed science. I wondered how I have. Eventually, I found a company tion to her current role as a scientific could combine the two. that would take me; and they were “talent scout” after many years as Then I saw the ad. It said: “Still like actually looking for someone like me, a research scientist. She obtained science but tired of the bench?” “Yes. with an advanced scientific degree to her B.S. and M.S. in microbiology at That’s me,” I thought. I read further build that aspect of their biomedical the University of Maryland, learned and discovered that the ad was for a recruiting office. molecular biology at NIH, and company that was looking for scien- I immediately saw the potential of earned her Ph.D. in pharmacology tific recruiters to match scientists with the position. Recruiting offered several at Cornell University. She subse- biotechnology and pharmaceutical things I wanted: an ability to stay in quently did her postdoctoral studies companies. I knew I had found my touch with life science research; lots in neuroscience with the chair of niche. I had long ago gotten over the of interaction with people; a way to the Department of Pharmacology disdain many of us in science have feel that I was contributing (both to an at the University of California, San for sales. Even though we have to sell individual’s career advancement and Diego. After a period of working in our ideas, hypotheses, and research to the discovery of new therapeutics); marketing, she joined the biomedi- funding agencies, investors, depart- freedom that comes with a job that cal recruiting company MIS Inter- ment heads, or the public in general, can be done anywhere with phone and national. In 2003, she co-founded we often hold sales or marketing peo- internet service; and an income based PharmaScouts, Inc. where she ple in contempt. But I enjoyed finding on my own initiative and productiv- continues attracting top talent for and offering solutions to people’s prob- ity. But it wouldn’t come cheaply. The biomedical companies. lems as much as finding the answer learning curve in recruiting is steep to scientific questions. Why not help and often painful. Sometimes com- companies solve drug discovery ques- panies that are looking for scientists causes most people to give up, which is tions by identifying and attracting top haven’t really identified what the right a possible reason why so few scientists scientists with the appropriate labora- needs are for the position or haven’t become recruiters. tory skills and knowledge? I knew the acknowledged the challenges it entails. For recruiters, companies are our area, I knew a range of scientists from As scientists, we often don’t plan out clients. They are the ones with the my professional associations, and I our careers or identify what we want need as well as the ability to pay for understood the techniques and disci- as our next step. Until I learned, as help. They need someone to contribute plines. It was matchmaking. Easy! a recruiter, to walk people through techniques, knowledge, and scien- Except that nothing worth doing those thought processes and confront tific interactions appropriate to their is ever easy. The company that placed difficult questions, I experienced more goals and culture. But companies, HR the ad rejected my application and disappointment and frustration than departments, and staff (rightfully) not just once! The vice president of success or reward. Too much of that want to use every network of their

28 ASBMB Today July 2009 careerinsights

own before using recruiting Recruiting offered several the position I’m working on can budgets for outside help. And things I wanted: an ability fit this individual’s needs and as someone whom hiring goals. As a long-term thinker, I managers or HR directors do“ to stay in touch with life try to learn what’s important to not know, it is challenging to science research; lots of a person and build a relationship even get the opportunity to that will continue, even beyond help fill a position. interaction with people; this moment or opportunity. Once a position opens a way to feel like I was Everyone fits somewhere at up, there’s plenty of research contributing;... freedom that some time. to do before any recruiting No one wants another job, can begin. My approach to comes with a job that can be but everyone wants an oppor- finding appropriate candi- done anywhere with phone tunity for something. It’s that dates to recruit is to find the and internet service; and an something that I try to identify right companies that have and match between a company’s the right technology with income based on my own need and a candidate’s future. the right programs, where initiative and productivity. Ultimately, it is about finding the right scientists could be someone who can come in, hit working. Most of my pro- the ground running, and begin spective recruits are some- contributing quickly but who where on the continuum between “I the person who has the right skills ”also has room to grow personally and love my job, the people, the rewards,” and the appropriate personality, who professionally. That makes for long- and “I hate my job and dread going is ready to make a change for the right term satisfaction—a good match—for to work.” It’s important for me to find reasons, and to determine whether everyone.

news from the hill continued from page 7 2009. This reflects the Administration’s continued com- all 12 regular appropriations bills before the August mitment to increasing science and technology spend- recess. This is a very tall order, but with Democrats ing. NSF also received $3 billion in stimulus money firmly in control of both houses of Congress and the under the ARRA in March, so it faces a funding “cliff” White House, it may be possible. as well. The NSF proposed increase for 2010 was largely Fauci Briefs Hill Staff on ARRA concentrated in Research & Related Activities, where NIAID Director Tony Fauci gave a standing-room-only ASBMB has traditionally focused its attention. These briefing for Congressional staff in June, detailing the are the core research programs at the agency. R&RA Institute’s plans for its stimulus funds. The briefing indi- went up 9 percent over 2009 to $5.642 billion, an cated that HIV/AIDS and influenza prevention projects increase of $459 million. will receive a good deal of the money. A video of the The full committee adopted the subcommittee bill complete talk is available through the Ad Hoc Group on June 9. for Medical Research Funding, at www.aamc.org/ There is no announced date yet for a markup of the research/adhocgp/news.htm. L/HHS appropriations bill (which funds NIH) but rumor has it that it won’t be taken up until July at the earliest. Peter Farnham is Director of Public Affairs at ASBMB. He can This bill is traditionally one of the most contentious. be reached at [email protected]. Chairman Obey has declared his intention to clear *Allen Dodson contributed to this article.

July 2009 ASBMB Today 29 biobits asbmb journal science

“Flipping” the P-type Polymerase II: Now ATPase Family Twice as Faithful While most P-type ATPases pump small ions like Maintaining enzyme fidelity is perhaps the most calcium across membranes, growing evidence sug- crucial concern for DNA transcription. The fidelity of gests that the P4 subfamily of these proteins cata- the RNA transcription polymerase (Pol) II, for example, lyzes the transmembrane transport of phospholipids. has been shown to Considering the fact that structural studies show that be mediated by the the mechanism of transport is conserved across the trigger loop, a mobile P-type family, a major challenge is uncovering how structural element P4 ATPases adapt to accommodate phospholipids within the large as opposed to small ions. P4 ATPases form com- Rpb1 subunit, during plexes with Cdc50 proteins, and in this study, the nucleotide isomeriza- researchers show that these Cdc50 subunits play a tion. There is some crucial role in the reaction cycle. The affinity of the evidence to suggest, yeast P4 ATPase Drs2p for its Cdc50 binding partner though, that the pe- Structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol II showing how RPB9 fluctuates during lipid transport, with the strongest ripheral and non-es- might stabilize the open conformation interaction occurring at the point where the enzyme is sential Rpb9 subunit of the trigger loop (shown in yellow; loaded with phospholipid ligand. Looking at a purified may also be involved closed conformation is shown in blue) to help ensure proper transcription Drs2p-Cdc50 complex, the researchers also find that in transcription fidel- fidelity. (The DNA backbone and RNA catalytic activity relies on direct and specific interac- ity. In this study, the are shown in dark gray and pink, respectively.) tions between the subunit and transporter. A general researchers provide belief is that P4 ATPases evolved from ion transports more solid evidence for this by establishing a genetic to flippases, and this study provides evidence that interaction between Rpb9 and the trigger loop. They acquiring these Cdc50 subunits might be a key step demonstrate that Rpb9-deficient Pol II results in a in that evolution. significant decrease in fidelityin vitro, while deletion of the RPB9 gene in yeast shows synthetic lethal- ity when combined with the low-fidelityrpb1-E1103G mutation. Further analysis revealed that RPB9 deletion promotes the sequestration of NTPs in the polymerase active center prior to the formation of phosphodiester bonds, leading the researchers to suggest that the Rpb9 subunit controls transcription fidelity by delaying the closure of the trigger loop on the incoming NTP.

Cartoon model of the reaction cycle-dependent transporter/ subunit rearrangements of the P4 ATPase/Cdc50 complex. RPB9 Subunit Controls Transcription Fidelity by Delaying NTP Sequestration in RNA Polymerase II Cdc50p Plays a Vital Role in the ATPase Celine Walmacq, Maria L. Kireeva, Reaction Cycle of the Putative Jordan Irvin, Yuri Nedialkov, Lucyna Lubkowska, Aminophospholipid Transporter Drs2p Francisco Malagon, Jeffrey N. Strathern, Guillaume Lenoir, Patrick Williamson, and Mikhail Kashlev Catheleyne F. Puts, and Joost C. M. Holthuis J. Biol. Chem., published online May 13, 2009 J. Biol. Chem., published online May 2, 2009

30 ASBMB Today July 2009 biobits asbmb journal science For more ASBMB journal highlights go to www.asbmb.org/Interactive.aspx

Oxidation and The Depth of Ventilation Ptp61F Loss Respiratory failure is a major cause of mortality due Signal transduction, particularly phosphorylation- to septic shock, in part due to decreased contraction based signaling, regulates almost all aspects of of ventilatory muscles like the diaphragm. This con- biological function in metazoans and contributes to traction failure might occur as a result of abnormali- countless diseases when defunct or aberrant. Analyz- ties in fatty acid oxidation, a major metabolic path- ing perturbations in way for these muscles with high energy demands. phosphorylation-based In this study, the researchers demonstrate that signaling networks is treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or zymosan, typically conducted good models of septic shock, decreased the expres- through a hypothesis- sion of several nuclear hormone receptors and other driven approach, proteins required for fatty acid uptake and oxida- but in this study, the tion in the diaphragms of mice: the affected proteins researchers applied a include LPL, FATP1, CPT-1β and PPARα/β/δ. In high-resolution mass Scatter plot of normalized ratios PPARα-deficient spectrometry-based of all quantified phosphorylation sites against their summed heavy mice, though, approach to determine and light peptide intensities upon CPT-1β and the systems response RNAi knockdown of Ptp61F. FATP-1 levels to the elimination of were already Drosophila phosphatase Ptp61F—the ortholog of decreased and mammalian PTB1B. Following RNA interference were not further (RNAi) knockdown of Drosophila Schneider cells, affected by LPS, they used stable isotope labeling by amino acids in suggesting that cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitation to find that the PPARα sig- Ptp61F deficiency minimally affected the proteome; naling pathway apart from the phosphatase, only 288 of 6,478 high plays a pivotal LPS infection can reduce the expression confidence phosphorylation sites changed signifi- of several nuclear hormone receptors in role in induc- the diaphragms of mice. cantly (217 serines, 45 threonines, and 26 tyrosines). ing some of the The alterations include previously described Ptp61F observed changes in protein expression. The de- substrates such as Stat92E and Abi, as well as up- creased fatty oxidation in the diaphragm likely arises regulated phosphotyrosine sites on GTPase regulat- from the body’s attempt to generate additional VLDL ing proteins (RhoGAP15B and Vav) and constituents particles to combat infection, which, however, puts of focal adhesions (Paxillin and Lasp), which expand an increased burden on the diaphragm and creates the proposed involvement of Ptp61F into the regula- an increased risk of respiratory failure. tion of cytoskeleton organization.

Systems-wide Analysis of a Phosphatase Infection Decreases Fatty Acid Oxidation Knockdown by Quantitative Proteomics and Nuclear Hormone Receptors in the and Phosphoproteomics Diaphragm Maximiliane Hilger, Tiziana Bonaldi, Kenneth R. Feingold, Arthur Moser, Sophie M. Florian Gnad, and Matthias Mann Patzek, Judy K. Shigenaga, and Carl Grunfeld Mol. Cell. Proteomics, published online May 9, 2009 J. Lipid Res., published online May 14, 2009

July 2009 ASBMB Today 31 sciencefocus Britton Chance: Former Olympian and Pioneer in Enzyme Kinetics and Functional Spectroscopy BY NICK ZAGORSKI

n the heart of historic Philadelphia Pennsylvania Award for Excellence in sea dates back to some of the earliest Ilies the headquarters of the Ameri- Life Sciences, and the APS Benjamin summers of his youth, when he went can Philosophical Society (APS), a for Distinguished sailing and fishing with his family learned society that offers a testament Achievement in the Sciences. throughout the Caribbean and Latin to the incredible thinkers, past and Yet just think, all of these scientific America. present, who have helped shape the achievements may never have hap- His enthusiasm for sailing grew United States. Not too far away, on the pened, if not for Chance’s love of a few rapidly, as did a competitive spirit to campus of the University of Pennsyl- of nature’s simple gifts: the sun, the excel, and in the years since his early vania, one of the society’s members sea, the wind, and a sail to catch it. sailing adventures, Chance has chal- is busy at work, offering his own lenged his sailing skills throughout the testament to longstanding scholarly Sailing for the Stars world, from the local waters outside excellence. For even at 95 years of age, For Britton Chance, science and sail- Philadelphia to exotic locales such as there is no slowing down for Britton ing have been intertwined for as long Indonesia, Tahiti, and the Galapagos Chance, the Eldridge Reeves John- as he can remember, and he may not Islands. His talents even took him son University professor emeritus of have achieved greatness in one area to the pinnacle of the sport; in 1952, Biophysics, Physical Chemistry, and if not for the other. His love of the Chance was part of the three-man Radiologic Physics at Penn. Born in nearby Wilkes-Barre, PA in 1913, Chance, occasionally referred to as the “father of modern biophys- ics,” has been making contributions to science, medicine, and engineering ever since producing his first practical invention as a teenager. From his elucidation of enzyme- substrate compounds, to his insights into mitochondrial physiology, Chance helped bring forth a renais- sance in biochemistry research, while his studies into photon migration through tissues and his advances in magnetic resonance spectroscopy have transformed the field of bio- medical optics. His countless scien- tific honors include memberships in the APS, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Society Chance has been a pioneer in the field of biomedical optics, including studies combining near-infrared diffuse optical tomography (DOT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to of London. He has also received identify tumors in breast tissue, like the ductal carcinoma above. the National Medal of Science, the Vasilis Ntziachristos et al., PNAS (2000) 97, 2767-2772.

32 ASBMB Today July 2009 sciencefocus …even at 95 “years of age, there is no slowing down for Britton Chance…” lis and his graduate student, Maud Menten, in 1913, which proposed that enzymes actually combined with their substrates to form an intermediate complex. “The trick,” says Chance, “was finding a method to observe this combination within an extremely rapid reaction.” Two separate events Besides the laboratory, there is no place Chance loves more than a sailboat on the open sea. would lead him to the solution. First was his own observation that adding crew, along with Edgar and Sumner correct the ship’s steering—a simple hydrogen peroxide to a crude extract White, which won the Olympic gold yet elegant invention that would of horseradish peroxidase could pro- medal in the 5.5-meter class sailing forever shape the course of Chance’s duce a colored compound; the second event at the Helsinki games. career. was reading about a stop-flow appara- That spirit continues to this day, tus developed by Cambridge Univer- and Chance, who considers life with- The Enzyme Enigma sity researcher Glenn Millikan that out sailing unendurable, is always just In 1931, Chance enrolled at Penn to could measure the rate of formation of steps away—figuratively—from his study chemistry and engineering, and oxymyoglobin. boat, ready to set sail. (It’s an infec- after receiving his B.S. in 1935, he Chance believed he could modify tious spirit as well; Chance’s son, stayed on to conduct graduate studies Millikan’s apparatus to study more Britton Jr., has followed in his father’s in enzyme kinetics. Enzymes were rapid reactions by measuring colori- wake. He has become a renowned ship an elusive beast at this time—there metric output; so, in 1937, he started designer and has been an integral part were many theories about how they building a “rapid-flow” apparatus, of many America’s Cup yachts.) worked but no experimental data to incorporating some features from his Long before his Olympic victory, back any of them up. Chance, who own photoelectric autosteering device. however, Chance’s passion for sail- always enjoys a challenge, took on this Not long after, the British General ing proved to be the catalyst for his enzyme mystery. As he points out, “I Electric Company offered Chance a first major contribution to science. At used elements of engineering, elec- contract to test out his autosteerer on the tender age of 13, Chance, the son tronics, and mechanics to build my a ship sailing from London to New of an engineer, used his burgeoning automatic feedback circuit, and study- Zealand and Australia. Chance took mechanical skills to design and build ing enzyme kinetics required those this opportunity to introduce himself an autosteering device that detected exact same skills and more.” to Millikan and ask if he could study deviations in a ship’s course and gener- Chance was intrigued with the with him. Millikan agreed, and after ated a feedback signal to redirect and theory put forth by Leonor Michae- Chance returned from his seafaring

July 2009 ASBMB Today 33 sciencefocus continued adventure, he and Millikan Chance refined his stop-flow constructed a second rapid- …these scientific apparatus design and used it flow apparatus and tested it to elucidate the role of NAD . with preliminary studies on “ achievements may in the cellular oxidation of luciferase reactions. alcohol, a reaction that would In 1940, Chance returned never have happened, later be dubbed the Theorell- home to visit his parents, Chance mechanism. but this temporary trip if not for Chance’s love Following his fellowship, became permanent follow- Chance returned to Penn ing the continued escalation of a few of nature’s in 1947, grateful that the of World War II. Unable to university had been kind continue his work with Mil- simple gifts: the sun, enough to retain his faculty likan, Chance resumed his post during his long absence. studies at Penn and began the sea, the wind, and He would definitely repay that building a third version of gesture over the next 60 years the rapid-flow apparatus. a sail to catch it. as he helped place Penn at the The design involved empty- ” forefront of biochemical and ing two syringes, one filled in the Department of Biophysics and biophysical research with his with peroxide and a chemical reagent Physical Biochemistry—to participate extraordinary work. called leuco-malachite green (MG) in secret government research at the and the other filled with peroxidase, MIT Radiation Laboratory. Here, Renewed Energy into a narrow tube that flowed towards Chance became part of an interna- Following his sailing success at the a photocell. Inside the cell, peroxidase tional team focused on improving 1952 Olympics—“that was the one would convert leuco-MG to malachite nascent radar technology for defense year where sailing took complete pri- green, which could be measured with efforts. ority over science,” Chance notes, “but a spectrometer. Chance recalls those eventful years it also helped invigorate my research. By varying the peroxide or leuco- at MIT: “I was working 80-hour weeks, Having conquered the waters, I was MG concentrations, Chance could trying to oversee a 300-person lab, ready for an even bigger challenge, determine any changes in reaction with the Army, Navy, and Air Force tackling the great unknowns of rate or equilibrium and thus assay the constantly breathing down my neck.” biochemistry.”—Chance decided to kinetics of the reaction. “And, by com- Still, the efforts were for a great cause, shift the focus of his enzyme studies paring my results with Michaelis and and they ultimately proved successful: to look at oxidative phosphorylation Menten’s predicted results on a point Chance notes that over 5,000 planes in and electron transfer in mitochondria. by point basis, I was able to provide both the Pacific and European theaters For someone with a lifelong interest in the proof to their theory,” he says. In employed the technology his lab athletics and staying fit, the study of 1950, Chance received the Paul Lewis helped develop, including the aircraft bioenergetics seemed a natural choice. Award in Enzyme Chemistry for involved at the beaches of Normandy. Using his inventive mind yet again, these groundbreaking studies, the first After the war concluded, Chance Chance worked out a method to sepa- of many scientific honors he would went to the in rate mitochondria from cells while receive. Stockholm to work alongside the preserving their metabolic activity and renowned Hugo Theorell, one of the also designed a dual wavelength spec- Helping the War Effort greatest contributors to our knowledge trophotometer (a machine still often While Chance’s development of the of oxidative enzymes like peroxidases. used today) that could measure ATP stop-flow method for measuring (Theorell would later win the Nobel synthesis in the isolated mitochondria. enzyme kinetics would usher in a Prize in Medicine for this work in With these techniques, Chance carried new era of biochemistry, he hardly 1955.) “Mr. Guggenheim was offering out a long series of experiments that had time to celebrate. In 1941, with his fellowships to individuals who had revealed previously unknown details war continuing to rage and with U. S. given up their own careers for the war about the nature of various electron involvement drawing ever nearer, effort, which was extremely nice, and transport coenzymes, the localization Chance left Penn—and his newly I was lucky enough to receive one,” of respiratory chain components, the appointed assistant professor position Chance notes. Together with Theorell, effects of altering oxygen concentra-

34 ASBMB Today July 2009 sciencefocus continued

Chance receives an honorary degree from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in April 2009.

tion, and the role of molecules like phorous NMR (which measures the lizing carbohydrates,” says Chance, calcium and manganese. chemical shifts of the phosphorous “and we were able to describe it and These studies also led to one of the isotope 31P) could track metabolites in eventually remedy it. That patient has most surprising moments of Chance’s living tissue. Chance then set out to lived a happy and healthy life ever career: the discovery of electron tun- improve the use of NMR technology since.” neling in biological systems. “This idea in living systems, and soon his lab pro- “Now, clinical studies have always had never even been hypothesized, let duced groundbreaking observations of been of interest to me,” says Chance, alone tested,” he says. “Yet, we were active metabolism and cellular respira- who was director of the Elridge Reeves studying photosynthesis in bacteria, tion in whole animal organs such as Johnson Foundation at the Penn and we observed electron transfer at brain, heart, and liver, as well as in School of Medicine from 1949 to 1983, liquid nitrogen temperatures, which living leg muscle of a human subject. “but the success of treating that bioen- meant the transfer couldn’t be a ther- (In an interesting coincidence, Edward ergetic defect certainly spurred me on mal process; it had to be physical. It Purcell, who discovered NMR in 1946, to look at other biomedical applica- really shook the hell out of me.” also worked on radar development at tions for optical spectroscopy.” the MIT Radiation Lab.) Over the years, Chance has done Medical Miracles Chance’s leg muscle subject also exactly that, first with NMR and later In the 1970s, Chance began wonder- became the first human patient diag- moving on to near infrared (NIR) ing if he could broaden his bioener- nosed with the aid of NMR technol- spectroscopy. Through his group’s getic spectroscopy studies to look at ogy. “That particular individual hap- efforts, physicians now have access to whole tissues or even organs. His idea pened to have a genetic deficiency in non-invasive diagnostic equipment stemmed from a research group at phosphofructokinase, which prevents that can analyze cancer progression, Oxford who had found that phos- skeletal muscle from properly metabo- brain oxygenation, internal bleeding,

July 2009 ASBMB Today 35 firstsciencesecondfocus continued continued and even changes in muscle activ- ity during strenuous exercise. In Still Going Strong: recognition of these efforts, Chance Chance Wins 2009 IUBMB Medal was appointed president of the Medi- Les Dutton, a former Chance postdoc and his successor as director of Penn’s cal Diagnostic Research Foundation Johnson Foundation, notes that his former mentor “has an international view (MDRF) in Philadelphia in 1995. on life.” This view can be seen in Chance’s own endeavors in spreading and advancing science in China and Singapore, the geographically diverse scientists A Journey East who have come to study with him over the years, and even the highly multi- Britton Chance has observed, fre- disciplinary nature of his studies. When taking all three measures into account, quently firsthand, some of the great it is perhaps fitting that at the 21st International Union of Biochemistry and advances in scientific knowledge in Molecular Biology (IUBMB)/ 12th Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists the 20th century. So what does he and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB) Congress this August in Shanghai, Britton think the next century holds in store Chance will be presented with the IUBMB Medal (IUBMB President Angelo Azzi, in the areas of biophysics and spec- who will present the medal, is a former Chance postdoc). troscopy? “I certainly think micro- In honor of this event, the IUBMB Congress will feature a symposium in electronics, or more specifically, tribute to Chance’s legacy and accomplishments that will include noted speak- microoptics, will invade all parts of ers George Radda and Aaron Ciechanover, among others. Dutton stresses, the body.” however, “this symposium is not a retrospective; Brit does not like that term.” Just recently, Chance himself, Rather, the Britton Chance symposium will encompass the themes of Chance’s along with collaborator Ata Akin many scientific discoveries—from myoglobin/hemoglobin oxygenation to optical at Drexel University, invented a diagnostics—in a contemporary framework, highlighting where Chance’s discov- hand-held device—not much bigger eries have led researchers today, and where they’re going in the future. Much like than a cell phone—that can detect Britton Chance, this will be a forward-looking affair. breast cancer by measuring the dif- ferences in blood oxygen ratios of normal breast tissue and angiogen- set up labs and collaborations in Of course, it’s not going to be esis-rich tumors. Considering the Taiwan (National Cheng Kung Uni- all business. The waters of South improvement over the bulky devices versity in Tainan), China (the Britton Asia—Singapore, Malaysia, Indone- employed just a generation ago, one Chance Center for Biophotonics in sia—happen to be some of Chance’s can understand how micro-sized Hunan), and Singapore (Biopolis favorites, so he’ll definitely find some devices may indeed be a part of our Biomedical Research Center) to time to take in a peaceful sunset sail near future. advance these efforts and has just and reflect upon his outstanding With scientists in Asia taking embarked on a several-month-long career. a prominent role in the field of trip to these sites to share his exper- microoptics, Chance has now added tise. (though officially an emeritus Nick Zagorski is a science writer “diplomat” to his repertoire of titles professor since 1983, Chance has for ASBMB. He can be reached at that includes scientist, educator, remained very active in both his lab [email protected]. inventor, and sailor. He has helped and at the University level.)

References Chance, B. (1949) The Composition of Catalase- Peroxide Complexes. J. Biol. Chem. 179, 1311–1330. Out of Focus: Speaking of Medals Chance, B., and Williams, G. R. (1955) A Simple While the IUBMB Medal will be the newest addition to Chance’s long and and Rapid Assay of Oxidative Phosphorylation. Nature 175, 1120–1121. deserved list of honors, it may surprise some to learn what Chance considers DeVault, D., and Chance, B. (1966) Studies of Photosynthesis Using a Pulsed Laser. I. one of his favorite awards. “I think receiving the Gold Medal of the American Temperature Dependence of Cytochrome Roentgen Ray Society [in 2006], which I received for my work on non-invasive Oxidation Rate in Chromatium. Evidence for Tunneling. Biophys. J. 6, 825–847. breast cancer imaging, was the most pleasantly surprising,” he says. As to why Chance, B., Eleff, S., and Leigh, J. S., Jr. (1980) Noninvasive, Nondestructive Approaches recognition by the oldest radiological society (founded in 1900) in the U. S. is so to Cell Bioenergetics. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. noteworthy, Chance notes that “they’re a pretty closed shop, so being honored U. S. A. 77, 7430–7434. Nioka, S., Miwa, M., Orel, S., Shnall, M., Haida, as a non-radiologist was exciting.” M., Zhao, S., and Chance, B. (1994) Optical Imaging of Human Breast Cancer. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 361, 171–179.

36 ASBMB Today July 2009 scientific meeting calendar

Gordon Research Conference: JULY 2009 AUGUST 2009 Mechanisms of Cell Signaling 6th GERLI Lipidomics 3rd EU Summer School AUGUST 23–28, 2009 OXFORD, United Kingdom Meeting in Proteomic Basics: www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2009& JULY 1–3, 2009 Protein Modification and program=mechcell RENNES, FRANCE Quantification www.gerli.com/rennes2009english.htm AUGUST 2–8, 2009 9th International Symposium SOUTH TYROL, ITALY on Mass Spectrometry in the Gordon Research www.proteomic-basics.eu Health and Life Sciences: Conference: Molecular st th Molecular and Cellular Membrane Biology 21 IUBMB and 12 FAOBMB Proteomics JULY 5–10, 2009 International Congress of AUGUST 23–27, 2009 ANDOVER, NH Biochemistry and Molecular SAN FRANCISCO, CA www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2009& Biology www.msf.ucsf.edu/symposium program=molecmemb AUGUST 2–7, 2009 SHANGHAI, CHINA th Short Course on Statistical 18 International Mass www.iubmb-faobmb2009.cn/iubmb/page/ Spectrometry Conference Genetics & Statistical index.jsp# Genomics AUGUST 30–SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 BREMEN, GERMANY JULY 13–17, 2009 th 11 International Congress on www.imsc-bremen-2009.de HONOLULU, HI Amino Acids, Peptides, and www.soph.uab.edu/ssg/nsfstatgen/ Proteins nsfsecondannual AUGUST 3–7, 2009 VIENNA, AUSTRIA SEPTEMBER 2009 Gordon Research www.meduniwien.ac.at/ICAAP09 Conference: Molecular & 50th International Conference Cellular Biology of Lipids on the Bioscience of Lipids Student-centered JULY 19–24, 2009 SEPTEMBER 1–5, 2009 WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH Education in the REGENSBURG, GERMANY www.grc.org/programs. Molecular Life Sciences: www.icbl2009.de aspx?year=2009&program=lipids Essentials for Educating Biochemistry and British Atherosclerosis Society SWLA 4th Annual Molecular Biology Meeting on Genetics of Scientific Forum Undergraduates Complex Diseases JULY 24–26, 2009 AUGUST 5–8, 2009 SEPTEMBER 17–18, 2009 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK COLORADO SPRINGS, CO CAMBRIDGE, United kingdom www.lipid.org www.asbmb.org/meetings www.britathsoc.org

23rd Annual Symposium MWLA Annual of the Protein Society Gordon Research Conference: Molecular, Biophysical, & Scientific Forum JULY 25–29, 2009 SEPTEMBER 25–27, 2009 BOSTON, MA Biomechanical Understanding of Skin Barrier Formation, CINCINNATI, OH www.proteinsociety.org www.lipid.org Function, & Disease Protein Lipidation, AUGUST 9–14, 2009 HUPO 8th Annual World Signaling, and WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH Congress Membrane Domains www.grc.org/programs. aspx?year=2009&program=barrier SEPTEMBER 26–30, 2009 JULY 26–31, 2009 TORONTO, CANADA SAXTONS RIVER, VT www.hupo2009.org/default.htm src.faseb.org ACS Fall 2009 National Meeting & Exposition AUGUST 16–20, 2009 World Congress on Oils and Fats and WASHINGTON, D. C. th www.acs.org/meetings 28 ISF Congress SEPTEMBER 27–30, 2009 Kern Aspen Lipid SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Conference www.isfsydney2009.com AUGUST 22–25, 2009 th ASPEN, CO 6 International Congress www.uchsc.edu/kernconference on Heme Oxygenases in Biology and Medicine SEPTEMBER 30–OCTOBER 4, 2009 MIAMI BEACH, FL www.hemeoxygenases.org scientific meeting calendar

7th Annual World OCTOBER 2009 Congress on the Insulin APRIL 2010 rd Resistance Syndrome 3 ESF Functional ASBMB Annual Meeting Genomics Conference NOVEMBER 5–7, 2009 SAN FRANCISCO, CA APRIL 24–28, 2010 OCTOBER 1–4, 2009 www.insulinresistance.us Anaheim, CA INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA www.asbmb.org/meetings.aspx www.esffg2008.org Annual Meeting of the SACNAS National Conference: Society for Glycobiology Improving the Human NOVEMBER 12–15, 2009 SAN DIEGO, CA JUNE 2010 Condition: Challenges for www.glycobiology.org Interdisciplinary Science 8th International Conference OCTOBER 15–18, 2009 American Heart Association DALLAS, TX on Hyaluronan of the www.sacnas.org/confnew/confclient Scientific Sessions 2009 International Society for NOVEMBER 14–18, 2009 Hyaluronan Sciences th ORLANDO, FL JUNE 6–11, 2010 7 Euro Fed Lipid Congress www.scientificsessions.org OCTOBER 18–21, 2009 KYOTO, JAPAN www.ISHAS.org GRAZ, AUSTRIA th www.eurofedlipid.org/meetings/graz/ 4 Barossa Meeting: Cell Signaling in Cancer 11th International and Development Symposium on the Systems Biology NOVEMBER 18–21, 2009 Genetics of Industrial for Biochemists BAROSSA VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Microorganisms OCTOBER 22–25, 2009 sapmea.asn.au/conventions/signalling09/ JUNE 28–JULY 1, 2010 TAHOE CITY, CA index.html MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Organizer: Arcady Mushegian, www.gim2010.org Stowers Institute for Medical 20th International Research Symposium on www.asbmb.org/meetings Glycoconjugates NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 4, 2009 AUGUST 2010 Bioactive Lipids in SAN JUAN, PR www.glyco20.org 9th International Cancer, Inflammation, Mycological Congress (IMC9): and Related Diseases th The Biology of Fungi (11 International Conference) AUGUST 1–6, 2010 OCTOBER 25–28, 2009 DECEMBER 2009 EDINBURGH, UNited Kingdom CANCUN, MEXICO www.imc9.info www.bioactivelipidsconf.wayne.edu 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society 14th International 2009 Swiss Group for Mass for Cell Biology Congress of Immunology Spectrometry Meeting DECEMBER 5–9, 2009 AUGUST 22–27, 2010 OCTOBER 28–29, 2009 SAN DIEGO, CA KOBE, JAPAN BEATENBERG, SWITZERLAND www.ascb.org/meetings www.ici2010.org www.sgms.ch

FEBRUARY 2010 NOVEMBER 2009 APRIL 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting Annual Biomedical FEBRUARY 18–22, 2010 ASBMB Annual Meeting Research Conference SAN DIEGO, CA APRIL 9–13, 2011 for Minority Students www.aaas.org/meetings WASHINGTON, D. C. NOVEMBER 4–7, 2009 www.asbmb.org/meetings.aspx PHOENIX, AZ Biophysical Society www.abrcms.org/index.html 53rd Annual Meeting FEBRUARY 28–MARCH 4, 2009 BOSTON, MA www.biophysics.org/Default. aspx?alias=www.biophysics. org/2009meeting © 2009 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. rights All Inc. Scientific Thermo Fisher © 2009

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