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AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OCTOBER 2005, Volume 4, Issue 7 features 8 6 NIH Conflict of Interest Regs Revised 7 Emerging Staph Strains Increasingly Deadly 8 In Ed Dennis’ Lab Lipids Take the Spotlight 12 How Plants Disarm Toxic Effects of Sunlight 13 So You Think You Know Biochemistry History 14 ASBMB to Honor Thomas Cech 16 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Lipids 18 Glycobiology and Extracellular Matrix ON THE COVER: 20 Chemical Genetics and Drug Discovery 22 Genome Dynamic: Replication, Repair and Recombination 28 Sales of Biogenerics in U.S., 23 Richardson to Receive Tabor/JBC Award Europe Expected to 24 More Women Receive Ph.D.’s, but Female Senior Faculty Rare Soar 25 New Look for the JBC 26 Brain Fatty Acids Linked to Depression 27 New Understanding of DNA Repair 30 IOM Sees Flaws in Bioterrorism Protection

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE: MOST IMPROVED MAGAZINE 5 COLUMNS & EDITORIALS DESIGN & LAYOUT departments

4 News From the Hill 5 Evolution Watch 6 NIH News 21 ASBMB Reminiscences 28 Biotech Business

BRONZE AWARD WINNER 2003 32 Calendar LETTERS

ASBMB Council Member Supports ASBMB Officers Judith S. Bond President Bettie Sue Masters Past-President Stand on ‘Intelligent Design’ Peggy J. Farnham Secretary Kenneth E. Neet Treasurer Following is a letter from Council Members a member to ASBMB Evolution Not William R. Brinkley Councilor President Judith Bond in Joan W. Conaway Councilor support of her letter to Robert A. Copeland Councilor Taught Properly President Bush (see Lila M. Gierasch Councilor Dear Editor: Frederick P. Guengerich Councilor article on page 4 of the I am contacting you about an article William J. Lennarz Councilor September issue of ASBMB by Peter Farnham in the August 5 issue Peter J. Parker Councilor Today) concerning his William S. Sly Councilor of ASBMB Today. He reports on a future comments on the teaching William L. Smith Councilor ASBMB symposium on teaching Evolu- of “Intelligent Design” in Ex-Officio Members tion. On the bottom of page 10 and the science classrooms. Dr. George M. Carman top of page 11 is the following state- Chair, Meetings Committee Bond’s reply follows. Cecile Rochette-Egly ment: “However, Justice Antonio Scalia, Dennis R. Voelker Co-chairs, 2005 Program Committee Dear Dr. Bond, in a dissenting opinion. left the door J. Ellis Bell Thank you for the letter you wrote open to teaching alternative theories of Chair, Education and Professional Development Committee to President Bush in response to his how life began on earth.” This sentence Juliette Bell comments on the teaching of Intelli- is in the context of the attacks on the Chair, Minority Affairs Committee Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. But the William R. Brinkley gent Design. I fully support the posi- Chair, Public Affairs Advisory Committee tion that ID is not science and should Theory of Evolution has NOTHING to Christopher K. Mathews do with how life began. In fact, in a Chair, Publications Committee not be taught as such. I hope to see Herbert Tabor ASBMB and FASEB play a greater role March 29, 1863 letter to J. Hooker, a fel- Editor, JBC in educating the public and politicians low scientist, he states: “It is mere rub- Ralph A. Bradshaw Editor, MCP about this important issue, especially bish thinking at present of the origin of Edward A. Dennis in communicating the fact that the life; one might as well think of the ori- Editor, JLR concept of biological evolution is not a gin of matter.” This letter was written ASBMB Today scientific controversy and is supported after the publication of Origin of Species. is a monthly publication A major problem that we have in of The American Society for by overwhelming evidence. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Thanks again for your efforts. fighting Intelligent Design people is Editorial Advisory Board Mark Hahn the fact that Evolution is not taught properly in our schools, as emphati- Irwin Fridovich ASBMB member (since 1994) Richard W. Hanson Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution cally demonstrated by the above. This Bettie Sue Masters should be part of the program of the J. Evan Sadler planned Symposium. Robert D. Wells Dear Dr Hahn, Bernard F. Erlanger, Ph.D. Comments Thanks for your message. We agree Columbia University Please direct any comments or questions this is an important issue in our soci- concerning ASBMB Today to: ety, and would like to play a role in Tell Us What John D. Thompson reaching the public on the points you Editor, ASBMB Today articulated so well. Among other You Think 9650 Rockville Pike things, we will be holding sessions at Bethesda, MD 20814-3996 Letters should be sent to the editor, Phone: 301-634-7145; Fax: 301-634-7126 our centennial meeting in San Fran- John Thompson, at the address E-mail: [email protected] cisco to help our members bring up found at left. Letters must be signed For information on advertising the issues in public settings and with and must contain the writer’s address contact FASEB AdNet at 800-433-2732 politicians. and telephone number. The editor ext. 7157 or 301-634-7157, or email [email protected]. Judith Bond reserves the right to edit all letters. ASBMB President

2 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 From the Desk of the President:

New Director of the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) at NIH: Toni Scarpa Dr. Judith Bond ntonio Scarpa, MD/PhD, was Toni as rigorous, fair, creative, and a ence of an experimental scientist and sworn-in as the new Director builder of ‘bridges’—particularly at the academic administrator to the A of the National Institutes of interface of basic science and medicine. NIH peer-review system. He brings Health CSR on September 15. Toni Dr. Elias Zerhouni described Toni as a energy, creativity, a pragmatic atti- received his MD and PhD in Pathology ‘Renaissance Man,’ with a ‘can do,’ tude, and determination to make the at the University of Padua in 1966 and pragmatic spirit who brings intelligence system better. 1970, respectively. He did postdoctoral and creativity to the CSR directorship. The bad news is that he is arriving work at the Weizman Institute of Sci- The CSR is the major portal of com- at a time when legislators are not ence in Israel, and then rose through munication between the NIH and the likely to raise the NIH budget to even the academic ranks in biochemistry research external community, and its meet the costs of inflation. Funding and biophysics at the University of mission is to fund the most promising to combat terrorism, fight wars and Pennsylvania. In 1986, he went to science. The CSR reviews 90% of the recover from national disasters may Case Western Reserve University as grant application (~ 80,000 grants per well be diverted from allocations for Professor and Chair of Physiology. He year) that NIH considers for funding. investigator initiated research. There has many years of experience as a pro- Approximately 15,000 scientists serve are many concerns in the scientific ductive research scientist in the area of CSR through reviewing activities. It is community about whether the new cellular and molecular mechanisms of the heart of the NIH peer-review system. structure of the CSR review sections is ion transport and homeostasis, and he Toni’s vision is to increase the trans- serving the needs of the scientific has served the profession as a member parency, and enhance communication community, new investigators, pro- of study sections and as an editor of and efficiency of the peer-review system; ductive scientists, and important journals and books. shorten the review cycle and recruit areas of research (e.g., structural biol- At the swearing-in ceremony, Dr. excellent reviewers. He plans to examine ogy, bacterial pathogenesis, many Story Landis, Director of NINDS, and and institute changes in the review of aspects of fundamental research). previously a Chair at Case, described proposals to align the NIH with changes Many feel that critical areas of in the world by research are slipping between the focusing, for exam- cracks of the ‘new review system’. ple, on chronic as Those of us who served on study sec- well as acute dis- tions of the past are wary about some eases, and paying of the new practices in the operation attention to the of the study sections, such as exces- basic mode and cul- sive reliance on ad hoc members, and ture of research in lack of experienced scientists to our institutions. As review interdisciplinary projects, as we all know, institut- well as the low percentile of grants ing changes will be a being funded. daunting challenge. Toni has his work cut out for him. As Dr. Zerhouni cau- It will be our responsibility to work tioned, “Embracing with him. change is like Note: Toni’s wife Meredith Bond (no embracing a cactus”. relation to Judith Bond or James Bond) is Meredith Bond, Professor and Chair of Physiology at the University of The good news also a member of the JBC editorial board. Maryland Biotechnology Institute, and wife of Dr. Scarpa; Toni is that Toni brings Judith Bond Scarpa,Director of CSR; Judith Bond, President ASBMB. insight and experi- President, ASBMB

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 3

NEWS FROM THE HILL

by Peter Farnham, CAE, ASBMB Public Affairs Officer NIH Reauthorization Effort Due This Fall

ouse Energy and Commerce including that Congress review the Barton’s top aide working this Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) number of NIH institutes (however, issue, Cheryl Jaeger, has been meet- H has made it clear in recent while the report recommended that ing with the scientific community in weeks that he intends to introduce and consideration be given to merging a an effort to line up support for the pass an NIH reauthorization bill in this couple of institutes, it also recom- bill. Jaeger has stated in several pub- Congress. As a first step, his staff began mended that Congress merely set up a lic discussions of the draft bill that circulating a “discussion draft” of such process to study the issue; it specifi- Barton is willing to work with the a bill in July. A second version, reflect- cally cautioned against a wholesale scientific community and is willing ing some—but not all—comments reorganization). to be flexible on many aspects of it, received from members of Congress Given this new “power of the but only up to a point. She has and the science community, has been purse,” this provision as well as others pointedly noted that Barton is not making the rounds in Washington in the bill would result in the NIH interested in “legislating the status since late August. Unfortunately, the Director receiving a great deal of new quo” and the scientific community very items in the bill to which Barton power at the expense of the institute has to keep this in mind. However, seems most committed are also the ele- directors. While this power would be she also has stated that Barton is not ments to which the science commu- limited in certain ways, so far, there is trying to harm NIH, but rather, to nity is most opposed. little enthusiasm in the scientific com- help demonstrate the valuable work One of these elements is a major munity for the proposal the agency is conducting and to reorganization of the NIH. A few words ensure that public money spent at of background—each year, when the What’s the Hurry? NIH is a wise investment. NIH appropriations bill is considered, Barton is most eager to pass an NIH the individual institutes and centers reauthorization bill this year—it is one Can This Bill Pass? are considered separately for purposes of his top priorities—and it is a fair Looking ahead, one sees a rocky road of appropriating money. Under the question to ask why (Barton’s commit- for the Barton bill. First and foremost, Barton plan, the institutes would be tee has held eleven hearings on the the bill has not even been introduced divided up into two main groups— topic). While reauthorizing NIH is in the House yet. And, based on the “mission specific” and “science important in itself, there appears to be public response so far to the discussion enabling” institutes. Congress would more at stake, however. How Congress draft, it is likely to have little if any now appropriate money to these two divides power over federal agencies is a support once it is. main groups, and leave it up to the major factor. Second, there is no indication that a NIH Director (within certain limits) to Barton is very concerned that over similar bill will be introduced in the distribute the money to the institutes. the years, congressional authorizing Senate any time soon. In addition, the Further, the number if institutes and committees have yielded power to the Senate will be focusing on two centers would be fixed at no more appropriations committees. In NIH’s Supreme Court vacancies this fall, as than 24 (a copy of the Barton bill will case, the last time it was authorized well as finishing up its versions of be on the ASBMB home page under was more then ten years ago, and since appropriations bills (the Senate is far the “What’s New” column throughout that authorization bill expired, appro- behind the House in this important September and October). priators, who are ideally supposed to work; although the House has passed Barton cites as authority for this concern themselves with money, have all its appropriations bills, so far only reorganization a July 2003 report, been implementing policy and organi- two have become law). Finally, efforts Enhancing the Vitality of the National zational changes that are usually the to fix blame for the devastating effects Institutes of Health: Organizational purview of the authorizing commit- of Hurricane Katrina and its chaotic Change to Meet New Challenges, tees. In short, Barton is tired of this aftermath will no doubt take up a lot released by the Institute of Medicine state of affairs, and thus wants to of valuable time between now and the that made certain recommendations restore authorization power to the end of the year. regarding the organization of NIH, committees where it belongs. Continued on next page

4 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005

Evolution Watch ince the theory of evolution, Scopes almost certainly appears in the The photo—in which Darrow is creationism, and intelligent photo above; LaFollette says he is prob- closely eyeing Bryant who is wearing a S design are now being dis- ably the second seated fellow from the confident, faint smile—is one of the cussed at the highest levels of govern- left in the foreground, with the great and evocative photos in the his- ment as education and public policy straight hair and white shirt. tory of American science, and an eerie issues, ASBMB Today is going to start a This and other photos were taken by reminder of the continuing struggles regular update—of which this is the Watson Davis, a photographer in the we face in science education today first—on events and news in this area. pay of the Science Service, a news and over the issue of evolution, as shown science advocacy organization in its in the next item. New Photos Found of infancy at the time (but still extant 1925 Scopes “Monkey” today). Davis went on to lead the organ- UC System Sued for Trial ization until his death in the 1960s. Discriminating At a recent seminar at AAAS head- Darrow interrogated Bryant for two against High Schools quarters in Washington, science histo- hours, and the next day John Scopes was Teaching Creationism rian Marcelle LaFollette lectured on a convicted of teaching evolution and was The Associated Press reported in late treasure-trove of previously unknown fined $100. The Butler Act making the August that a group representing more photos taken in Dayton, Ten- than 800 religious schools, the nessee, during the July 1925 Association of Christian trial of physics teacher John Schools International, has filed Scopes for teaching evolu- a lawsuit accusing the Univer- tion, in violation of a state sity of California system of dis- law. The photo at right shows criminating against high Clarence Darrow (who repre- schools that teach creationism sented Scopes), thumbs and other conservative Christ- hooked in his galluses, ian viewpoints. The suit claims cross-examining prosecutor that UC admissions officials William Jennings Bryant. The have refused to certify high trial had been moved outside school science courses that use because of the intense heat. textbooks challenging Dar- teaching of evolution illegal in Tennessee win’s theory of evolution. Continued from previous page was not repealed until 1967. Bryant, a A lawyer for the association told AP But ultimately, the bill will succeed three-time democratic presidential candi- that the UC policy violates the rights or fail on the strength of its proposals date, dropped dead six days after the trial. of students and religious schools. A UC and whether the Congress and the sci- Interestingly enough, LaFollette said spokeswoman said the university has a entific community can be convinced that Scopes was a physics and math right to set course requirements. that NIH will be better off under the teacher, and never taught a single class new structure. This is probably a tough on evolution. He agreed to be arrested New Poll Shows Public sell. As one prominent ASBMB mem- for the crime because a group of busi- Wants Creationism ber told ASBMB Today, “Now that I’m nessmen in Dayton thought it would be Taught along with old, I tend to be wary of overhauling good for business if the town got a lot Evolution something like NIH under the guise of of publicity, so they arranged for the Two-thirds of the American public improvement. More important, I dis- whole show. The ACLU also got into wants creationism taught alongside trust putting too much discretionary the act because they were concerned evolution in science classes, according power in the hands of a Presidential about efforts to limit free speech, and so to a new poll released on August 30 by appointee.” arranged for Darrow to defend Scopes. Continued on page 12

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 5 NIH NEWS

by Peter Farnham, CAE, ASBMB Public Affairs Officer

DHHS Revises NIH Employee Conflict of Interest Regs; Most ASBMB Recommendations Accepted

he Department of Health and tions. The anger over the regulations ASBMB as officers or committee or board Human Services (DHHS) even prompted the reinvigoration of a members, and also allows NIH employ- T released its revised “Supple- previously moribund staff organization ees to teach, speak, write or edit for such mental Standards of Ethical Conduct at NIH, the Assembly of Scientists, which organizations and their journals (with for Employees of the Department of developed an alternative proposal to prior approval). NIH employees can also Health and Human Services” (mostly address conflict of interest issues. While teach a course that requires multiple lec- pertaining to NIH and Food and Drug DHHS did not accept the Assembly’s spe- tures; engage in clinical practice; and Administration employees) on August cific recommendations, the agency did present a CME or CME-like lecture. 31, and most of ASBMB’s April 2005 note that the Assembly had some influ- Regarding stock ownership restric- recommendations on needed changes ence in DHHS’s revised regulatory tions, senior employees (and their in the draft regulations were accepted. scheme; DHHS now differentiates spouses and minor children) may own The regulations were issued in draft between NIH employees “as to rank, up to $15,000 in stock in a SAO, and an form in February. They called for very duties, and their level of responsibility for aggregate interest in SAO sector funds of stringent restrictions on stock owner- matters affecting public health and clini- up to $50,000. Non-senior employees ship among NIH employees, their cal research protocols involving human may hold any amount of interest in a wives and family members; limited subjects,” unlike in the draft regulations SAO, with certain exceptions where outside employment and charitable which treated all NIH employees alike. necessary. Under the interim rule, sen- work they could perform; severely The most stringent restrictions now only ior employees could not hold any inter- restricted their participation in aca- affect a few hundred senior NIH officials. est in a SAO and non-senior employees demic and scientific societies; and ASBMB commented on the draft reg- were allowed up to $15,000 per SAO. In made it almost impossible for a society ulations in a letter to DHHS in April, general, only those employees required such as ASBMB to present a scientific noting six major objections and rec- to file a financial disclosure report, or award to an NIH employee. ommending that the regulations be who serve as clinical investigators iden- These and other restrictions were pro- withdrawn and redrafted. The ASBMB tified on an NIH clinical study, are posed to address a problem that first letter is available on the public affairs required to report the value of any came to public attention in December page on the Society website. interest in a SAO. 2003, when it was reported in the Los While the recommendations were not Regarding awards, restrictions put in Angeles Times and other papers that hun- withdrawn, they were substantially place by the draft regulations have been dreds of NIH employees had accepted redrafted, and at least four of the ASBMB eliminated. Now, with prior approval, money, cash awards, and travel funds recommendations were accepted. employees (including senior level) can from academic institutions, pharmaceu- First, professional and scientific soci- accept gifts associated with bona fide tical companies and trade associations eties such as ASBMB are removed form awards for meritorious achievement. without reporting this on their financial the list of entities known as “substan- The only restriction is that if the disclosure forms or in many cases seek- tially affected organizations” (SAO) employee’s duties or those of any subor- ing permission before doing so. with which NIH employees are prohib- dinates can affect the entity giving the The draft regulations provoked wide- ited from engaging in outside activities. award, gifts valued in excess of $200 spread outrage among NIH employees, SAOs are mostly commercial entities may not be accepted. This change and over 1200 of them, as well as some such as pharmaceutical companies. appears to allow NIH employees in of their wives and family members, sub- This change allows NIH employees to most cases to accept ASBMB awards. mitted comments on the draft regula- participate in scientific societies such as Continued on page 10

6 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 Emerging Staph Strains Increasingly Deadly and Deceptive study of how the immune sys- cause more serious infection in other- S. aureus strains acquired in health-care tem reacts to strains of antibi- wise healthy people. settings can be challenging to resolve A otic-resistant Staphylococcus The work also identified specific S. because of antibiotic resistance, which aureus bacteria—emerging strains that aureus genes that potentially control the limits the choices for treatment. But the sicken otherwise healthy people, or so- bacterium’s escape from neutrophils. situation can become more serious with called “community-acquired” infec- Among thousands of S. aureus genes the newer community-acquired strains, tions—has shown for the first time that analyzed in the five different strains says Dr. DeLeo. “We do not know why these strains are more deadly and better used in the study, the scientists identi- cases of community-acquired MRSA at evading human immune defenses fied a large group of genes whose role in infections are increasing, let alone how than more common S. aureus strains helping spread infection is unknown. they flourish,” he says. But scientists do that originate in hospitals and other RML’s Dr. Frank DeLeo, the investigator know the community strains can cause health-care settings. who directed the study, and colleagues more severe forms of disease. In a paper released September 7 plan to determine if some of the Mild S. aureus infections such as online in The Journal of Immunology, unknown genes help promote disease. impetigo, which typically forms small scientists from the National Institute of If they can learn which genes control blisters on the faces of children, or cel- Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) the ability of S. aureus to evade and lulitis, an inflammation of skin or describe how community-acquired S. destroy neutrophils, their work could muscle tissue, can easily be treated and aureus strains that survive treatment lead to new medical treatments. usually resolve in a matter of days. But with the methicillin family of antibi- “Each day physicians around the S. aureus disease also can be much otics can evade immune defenses. world are stymied by the inability to more severe and difficult to treat, Infections from community-acquired effectively treat patients suffering from affecting vital organs and leading to methicillin-resistant S. aureus, or severe S. aureus infections,” says NIAID toxins poisoning the blood and infec- MRSA, are difficult to treat and are Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. tion overwhelming the heart. One of increasing nationally at an alarming “There is a critical need to develop new the most severe types of disease is rate, say experts. treatments against late-stage disease necrotizing pneumonia, where bacte- Scientists at NIAID’s Rocky Moun- caused by antibiotic-resistant strains, ria destroy lung tissue. tain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, and this promising work offers several “The reason that some mild infec- Montana, and colleagues examined new approaches.” tions become severe or fatal is not well the ability of MRSA strains to cause dis- According to the Centers for Disease understood, but virulence is often asso- ease in mice and avoid destruction by Control and Prevention, “recent reports ciated with certain strains,” says Dr. human white blood cells called neu- of ‘community-acquired’ MRSA infec- Jovanka Voyich of RML, the study’s trophils. Neutrophils, which typically tions raise concern … If MRSA becomes lead author. To cause human disease, ingest and then kill harmful bacteria, the most common form of Staphylococ- bacterial pathogens must avoid being make up about 60% of all white blood cus aureus in a community, it will make killed by neutrophils. “These results,” cells and are the first line of defense treatment of common infections much says Dr. Voyich, “suggest that commu- against bacteria. Scientists know that more difficult.” The April 7, 2005, issue nity-acquired MRSA causes disease in community-acquired strains differ of The New England Journal of Medicine healthy people in part because it has from hospital strains, but they don’t refered in an editorial to “… an epi- enhanced ability to circumvent killing know why the community strains demic of MRSA in the community.” by neutrophils.”

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 7 In Ed Dennis’ Lab Lipids hile genes and proteins have Edward Dennis consid- pholipids, sphingolipids, sterol lipids, long held starring roles in bio- ers his tenure as Chair prenol lipids, saccharolipids, and W medical research, lipids—fats of the Keystone Sym- polyketides. These categories are based posia Board one of the and oils—often have a more direct most fulfilling experi- on the functional backbone of the effect on human health. ences of his career lipid molecule from a chemical stand- University of California, San Diego point and is lipocentric. The categories (UCSD) investigator Edward Dennis, are further subdivided into classes and Professor of Chemistry and Biochem- subclasses to handle the existing and istry and of Pharmacology in UCSD’s received the ASBMB-Avanti Award in emerging arrays of lipid structures. Division of Physical Sciences and Lipids at the ASBMB Annual Meeting in In conjunction with their proposed School of Medicine, is currently leading 2000. He explains the goals of LIPID lipid classification scheme, the group an ambitious national effort to produce MAPS as, “To characterize known lipids has also proposed a nomenclature sys- a detailed understanding of the struc- and identify new ones, quantitate the tem. “The nomenclature rules adopted ture and function of lipids—cellular fats temporal and spatial changes in lipids by LIPID MAPS follow existing IUPAC- and oils—implicated in a wide range of that occur with cellular metabolism, IUBMB rules closely and should not be diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and develop bioinformatics approaches viewed as a competing format,” cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. that establish dynamic lipid networks. emphasizes Fahy. “The main differ- In response to the growing number of In order to coordinate their efforts with ences involve clarification of the use of lipids expected to be discovered those of other groups, such as the Lipid core structures to simplify systematic through lipidomics and in anticipation Bank in Japan, the European naming of some of the more complex of the massive amounts of data that will Lipidomics Initiative, and the Interna- lipids, provision of systematic names be generated by the lipid community, tional Conference on the Biochemistry for recently discovered lipid classes, an international group of scientists has of Lipids based in Europe and to facili- and clarification of abbreviations and developed a comprehensive classifica- tate international collaboration, LIPID shorthand names for lipids.” tion, nomenclature, and chemical rep- MAPS initiated the development of a A key part of the classification system resentation system for lipids. The details comprehensive classification system for is a 12-digit identifier for each unique of the system appeared in the May 2005 lipids suitable for data–basing and lipid molecule, called a LIPID ID. The issue of the Journal of Lipid Research, bioinformatics manipulations.” identifier is based on the classification an ASBMB journal. scheme and will be used mainly in Lipid Classification The new system is part of an effort databases, such as the LIPID MAPS and Databases by the Lipid Metabolites and Pathways database. The LIPID ID format provides Strategy (LIPID MAPS) consortium to “The classification system was a systematic means of assigning unique produce a detailed understanding of designed to be a broad-based scheme IDs to lipid molecules and allows for the structure and function of all the covering eukaryotic and prokaryotic the addition of large numbers of new lipids within a cell. The consortium is a sources, to include new classes of lipids categories, classes and subclasses in the large collaborative effort led by UCSD which have been discovered in recent future. The first two characters (1-2) of and funded by a $35 million “Glue years, to be extensible to accommodate the ID contain the database identifier Grant” from the National Institute of future novel classes and to be compati- (e.g. LM for LIPID MAPS). Characters 3- General Medical Sciences. The five- ble with modern-day informatics 4 correspond to the lipid category, 5-6 year grant involves more than 30 requirements,” explains Dr. Eoin Fahy, to the class within that category, and 7- researchers at 8 universities, medical of the San Diego Supercomputer Center 8 to the subclass. The last four charac- research institutes, and companies at UCSD, who serves as LIPID MAPS’ ters of the ID comprise a unique across the United States. Bioinformatics Project Coordinator. identifier within a particular subclass Serving as Director of LIPID MAPS is LIPID MAPS’ classification divides and are randomly assigned. Dr. Dennis whose expertise in lipid lipids into eight primary categories: The new classification system has research was recognized when he fatty acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophos- already been implemented, and scien-

8 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 Take the Spotlight tists from Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Examples of the classification according to the American Heart Asso- are looking for it to gain widespread scheme and interactive access to it can ciation. Lipids produced by immune acceptance. “Inevitably, there will be be viewed on the LIPID MAPS website system cells are involved in inflamma- some resistance, possibly from others at http://www.lipidmaps.org. tory diseases such as rheumatoid who have created alternative schemes arthritis, sepsis, asthma and inflamma- or who are long-time proponents of Lipid Maps tory bowel disease, and also play a role other formats,” acknowledges Dr. Fahy. Knowledge gained through the Lipid in Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. “However, the Journal of Lipid Maps Consortium will help medical Essential to life, lipids come in a wide Research manuscript outlining this researchers develop better diagnostic variety and have many functions in classification scheme contains an inter- devices and more effective ways to the cell. They can be stored as an national panel of authors (several of treat some of the common diseases energy reserve for the cell. They make whom are not involved with the LIPID that result from problems in the way up cell membranes and are involved in MAPS project) and has also been cells use lipids. Imbalances in lipids communication within and between reviewed by several other experts in cause or play a role in diseases that cells. “Lipids are the most important the lipid research field, so it represents affect millions of people worldwide. biomolecules because they are the ulti- a well-balanced consensus view of High cholesterol has been implicated mate controllers and regulators of our what a modern-day lipid classification in cardiovascular disease, which killed bodily processes,” says Dennis. The scheme should be.” about 950,000 Americans in 2002, Consortium is divided into six focus

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 9 An avid skier, Dr. Dennis is seen here on one of the slopes near Keystone Symposia’s headquar- ters in Colorado. areas. The lipidomics focus area will world. Over 12,000 biomedical scien- investigate the six major groupings of tists attend these meetings each year lipids that occur in mammalian cells. including about a third grad students Other scientific focus areas will cover or postdocs, many on scholarships pro- informatics, cell biology, lipid detec- vided by Keystone. This month, for tion and quantitation, and lipid syn- example, it is hosting symposia on Tis- thesis and characterization. More than sue-Selective Nuclear Receptors in 40 faculty-level researchers at 15 uni- Breckenridge, Colorado, and in Octo- versities and three corporations are ber will run a symposia in Singapore on involved in the actual research or as Stem Cells, Senescence, and Cancer. participating investigators advising on Over 400 bioscientists are expected to the actual experiments. attend the Singapore meeting. Organized in 1972 as the UCLA The Dennis Group’s The Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Focus Symposium Biology, the organization later became The Dennis Group has studied the Dr. Dennis is also well known for his a subsidiary of The Keystone Center structure and function of phospholi- role in leading the Keystone Sympo- and was renamed the Keystone Sym- pases for the past 35 years, and has sium, a Silverthorne, Colorado based posia. In 1997, the Keystone Symposia extensively characterized the cobra organization that serves as a catalyst for became an independent 501(c)(3) non- venom phospholipase A2 and from the advancement of biomedical and profit organization based in Silver- these studies developed a model for life sciences by connecting scientists thorne, Colorado. Dennis served as the action of soluble enzymes at phos- within and across disciplines at confer- President and Chair of Keystone’s pholipid surfaces. These studies were ences and workshops held at venues Board of Directors for the first eight then extended to numerous other that create an environment conducive years, a period when the Keystone enzymes that act on lipid substrates at to information exchange, generation of organization grew dramatically and membrane and micellar interfaces. The new ideas, and acceleration of applica- the number of symposia increased sub- lab also explored the role that these tions that benefit society. Keystone stantially. Currently a member of the enzymes play in various cell functions sponsors over 50 scientific symposia a Keystone Board, he considers his time in macrophages and other cells, and in year, mostly at Western ski resorts, but as founding Chair one of the most ful- cellular signal transduction in general. also now at locations throughout the filling experiences of his career. “Our laboratory,” explains Dr. Den- nis, “is focused on understanding the regulation of lipid second messengers NIH News Continued … and signal transduction processes and Continued from page 6 industry remains, but this is a difficult especially the role of various phospholi- Senior NIH scientist Edward Korn, problem and not just for NIH. It is my pases in their generation. Special atten- with the National Heart, Lung and hope and expectation that this positive tion is paid to the cytosolic, secreted, Blood Institute (and an active member response by NIH and DHHS will remove and membrane-bound phospholipase of the Assembly of Scientists), tells any retention or recruitment problems A2s (PLA2) responsible for the control ASBMB Today that “The revisions made that the interim rule may have created.” of prostaglandin and leukotriene in the final rule fully satisfy most of our A summary of the new regulations, biosynthesis in macrophage cells. These concerns, in particular those having to as well as a link to the final regulations are produced from arachidonic acid do with the restrictions the interim rule themselves, is available on the NIH released by PLA2 upon cell stimulation. imposed on interactions of intramural home page (www.nih.gov). Click on Our goal is to characterize and eluci- scientists with academia and profes- the phrase, “conflict of interest infor- date the regulatory mechanisms of vari- sional societies, and the stock divestiture mation” in the lower left portion of ous phospholipase A2s both in vitro issue. The issue of consulting with the home page. and in the intact cell.”

10 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 HIGHEST QUALITY LOWEST PRICES CERAMIDES AND SPHINGOLIPIDS 14C 3H Catalog Product Description Quantity ARC ART-453 N-Acetyl-D-erythro-dihydrosphingosine [4,5-3H] 250 µCi $999 ARC-1651 N-Acety-D-erythro-phytosphingosine, [acetyl-1-14C] 50 µCi $1099 ARC-1652 N-Acetyl-D-erythro-phytosphingosine-1-phosphate, [acetyl-1-14C] 10 µCi $1199 ARC-1024 N-Acetyl-D-erythro-spingosine [acetyl-1-14C] 50 µCi $999 ARC-1655 N-Acetyl-D-erythro-sphingosine-1-phosphate, [acetyl-1-14C] 10 µCi $1199 ART-829 Ceramide trihexosides [galactose-6-3H] 10 µCi $549 ART-460 Dihydrosphingosine D-erythro [4,5-3H] 250 µCi $1049 ART-618 Dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate, D-erythro [4,5-3H] 10 µCi $549 ART-634 Dihydrosphingosine-D-erythro-phosphocholine [4,5-3H] 50 µCi $999 ART-1191 Dimethyl-D-erythro-sphingosine, [methyl-3H] 50 µCi $1199 ART-830 Galactosyl ceramide [galactose-6-3H] 10 µCi $699 ARC-13311 Glucocerebroside [glucosyl ceramide (stearoyl-1-14C)] 10 µCi $1349 ART-669 Sn-Glycero-3-phosphocholine, 2-palmitoyl-1-0-hexa/octadecyl [1,2-3H] 50 µCi $849 ART-668 Sn-Glycero-3-phosphoserine, 2-palmitoyl-1-0-hexa/octadecyl [1,2-3H] 250 µCi $1549 ART-600 N-Hexanoyl-D-erythro-dihydrosphingosine [4,5-3H] 50 µCi $999 ART-598 N-Hexanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine [hexanoyl 6-3H] 50 µCi $849 ARC-1076 N-Hexanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine [hexanoyl 1-14C] 50 µCi $999 ARC-555 Lyso-3-phosphatidylcholine, L-1- [methyl-14C] 10 µCi $849 ART-677 Lyso-3-phosphatidylcholine, L-1- [methyl-3H] 50 µCi $999 ART-1176 Lysosphingomyelin, [methyl-3H] 10 µCi $1149 ART-601 N-Octanoyl-D-erythro-dihydrosphingosine [4,5-3H] 50 µCi $1049 ART-792 N-Octanoyl-D-erythro-dihydrosphingosine [4,5-3H] 1-phosphate 10 µCi $949 ARC-10733 N-Octanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine [octanoyl 1-14C] 50 µCi $1049 ART-599 N-Octanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine [octanoyl 8-3H] 50 µCi $1049 ARC-1649 N-Octanoyl-D-erythro-phytosphingosine, [octanoyl-1-14C] 50 µCi $1099 ARC-1653 N-Octanoyl-D-erythro-phytosphingosine-1-phosphate, [octanoyl-1-14C] 10 µCi $1199 ARC-1656 N-Octanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine-1-phosphate, [octanoyl-1-14C] 10 µCi $1199 ARC-1650 N-Oleoyl phytosphingosine, [oleoyl-1-14C] 50 µCi $1299 ARC-1654 N-Oleoyl phytosphingosine-1-phosphate, [oleoyl-1-14C] 10 µCi $1399 ARC-818 N-Oleoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine [oleoyl 1-14C] 50 µCi $1649 ARC-831 N-Palmitoyl-D-erytho-sphingosine [palmitoyl 1-14C] 50 µCi $1599 ART-899 N-Palmitoyl, [9,10-3H] D-erythrosphingosine 50 µCi $1199 ARC-772 Sphingomyelin (bovine) [choline methyl-14C] 10 µCi $519 ART-481 Sphingomyelin (bovine) [choline methyl-3H] 50 µCi $719 ART-490 Sphingosine D-erythro [3-3H] 50 µCi $679 ART-859 Sphingosine D-threo [3-3H] 50 µCi $849 ART-778 Sphingosine, D-erythro-[3-3H]-1-phosphate 10 µCi $1349 ART-1283 Sphingosine D-threo-[3-3H]-1-phosphate 10 µCi $1349 ARC-1612 Sphingosine D-erythro-1-phosphate, [14C] Inquire ARP-144 Sphingosine D-erythro-1-phosphate, [33P] 10 µCi $1049 ARC-1815 N-Stearoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine [stearoyl-1-14C] 50 µCi $$1599 ART-1408 N-Stearoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine [stearoyl-9,10-3H] 50 µCi $$999 ARC-1048 Sulphatide [stearoyl 1-14C] 50 µCi $1499 ARC-1492 N,N,N-Trimethyl-D-erythro-sphingosine, [N-methyl-14C] 10 µCi $699 ART-1138 N,N,N-Trimethyl-D-erythro-sphingosine, [N-methyl-3H] 10 µCi $699

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Scientists Discover How Plants Disarm Toxic Effects of Excessive Sunlight newly discovered pathway by the heightened photosynthetic activity fact, it appears that even non-photo- which cells protect them- also means an increase in singlet oxy- synthetic bacteria, including human A selves from a toxic byproduct gen. By modifying plants to enhance and animal pathogens like Vibrio and of photosynthesis may hold important the protective pathway, “we could be Pseudomonads have systems to sense implications for bioenergy sources, able to get larger crop yield per photon and protect themselves from singlet human and plant disease, and agricul- of light,” he says. oxygen, says Donohue. Other reactive tural yields, a team of University of And by making cells more resistant oxygen species—often called “free radi- Wisconsin-Madison bacteriologists to singlet oxygen, scientists may be cals”—are thought to be at the root of announced June 6 in the Proceedings of better able to design bioenergy systems many debilitating diseases. the National Academy of Sciences. that use sunlight as an alternative to “There have been considerable Plants turn energy from sunlight traditional fossil fuels. “By understand- advances in our understanding of how into bioenergy through a chemical ing how biology solves this problem, cells protect themselves from several process called photosynthesis, which we can fine-tune the design of these reactive oxygen species,” says Dono- also produces oxygen in its breathable systems to minimize the harmful hue. “However, nothing has previously form. However, photosynthesis can effects of singlet oxygen and enhance been known about how cells alter gene also generate an alternate form of sin- energy production.” expression to respond to singlet oxy- glet oxygen, which is a highly reactive Reactive oxygen also plays an impor- gen. We may now be able to design and toxic substance that destroys bio- tant role in human, animal and plant pharmaceuticals that target this logical molecules. health, because it is often used as a response, and ultimately may help us “We’ve discovered a pathway that host defense to inhibit the growth of mitigate disease.” cells use to turn on certain genes and unwanted microbial pathogens. In * ASBMB member respond to singlet oxygen,” says Timo- thy Donohue,* Professor of Bacteriol- ogy in the university’s College of Evolution Watch continued … Agricultural and Life Sciences and lead Continued from page 5 boards should. Asked whether they researcher on the paper. the Pew Forum on religion and Public believed creationism should be taught “This finding should make it possi- Life and the Pew Research Center for instead of evolution, 38 percent were in ble to modify plants and other photo- the People and the Press. favor, and 49 percent were opposed. synthetic cells to avoid the toxic effects The poll found that 42 percent of Robert Park, a University of Mary- of singlet oxygen, which could impact respondents believe that “living things land physicist and long-time science agriculture and the treatment of have existed in their present form policy commentator, notes that despite human and plant disease, and aid the since the beginning of time.” While 48 this latter “scary” statistic, “the tiny effort to create alternative bioenergy percent believed that humans had glimmer of hope for civilization was sources,” Donohue says. evolved, 18 percent of those said that the number of inconsistencies in the Donohue and his group studied a evolution was “guided by a supreme responses, suggesting confusion over photosynthetic microbe and identified being” and 26 percent said that evolu- the meaning of the terms. There is the cellular pathways it used to sense tion occurred through natural selec- room for education.” the presence of singlet oxygen and tion. In all, 64 percent said they were FASEB's Office of Public Affairs has a defend itself from this toxic substance. open to the idea of teaching creation- web page featuring tools for teaching He notes that the response mechanism ism in addition to evolution. evolution to K-12, statements by scien- is likely highly conserved across species The poll showed 41 percent of tific societies regarding evolution, and from microbes to plants and humans - respondents wanted parents to have other sources of information. The page and therefore very applicable to other the primary say over how evolution is is at www.faseb.org/opa/ppp/evolu- fields of study. taught, compared with 28 percent who tion.html. For example, too much sunlight can said teachers and scientists should The Pew report can be read at actually be harmful to plants, because decide and 21 percent who said school http://pewforum.org.

12 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 Annual Reviews—The Ultimate Resource for Research in the Biomedical Sciences So You Think You Know Biochemistry History? Try the ASBMB Centennial Quiz Let’s see how well you do answering these questions about Annual Reviews synthesizes the vast amount of primary research and events during ASBMB’s first identifies the principal contributions in 20 specific disciplines within the Biomedical Sciences. Consistently ranked in the top 10 of publications hundred years. for their disciplines as indexed by the ISI® Journal Citation Reports (JCR®), Annual Reviews publications are among the most highly cited in 1. When and by who was the ß-oxidation of fatty acids scientific literature.

deduced? Annual Reviews Biomedical Science Publications Include: 2. Who postulated a respiratory enzyme for the activation of Annual Review of Biochemistry ® oxygen and showed the requirement of iron in respiration, Vol. 74, July 2005, Individual Price: $88 US/$93 Int’l and in what year when was this done? Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering® 3. Who first crystallized an enzyme, urease, and proved it be a Vol. 7, August 2005, Individual Price: $76 US/$81 Int’l protein and when was this done? Annual Review of Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure ® 4. Who discovered the urea cycle and when? Vol. 34, June 2005, Individual Price: $86 US/$91 Int’l 5. When and by whom was threonine discovered? Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology ® 6. When and by whom was the central role of ATP in the Vol. 21, November 2005, Individual Price: $85 US/$90 Int’l energy transfer cycle postulated? Annual Review of Genetics® 7. Who discovered that acetate is the precursor of cholesterol, Vol. 39, December 2005, Individual Price: $79 US/$84 Int’l and when was this done? Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics® 8. How many ASBMB members were Nobelists in 1946 and Vol. 6, September 2005, Individual Price: $79 US/$84 Int’l what were their names. Annual Review of Immunology ® 9. Who discovered the base equivalences in DNA, and when Vol. 23, April 2005, Individual Price: $85 US/$90 Int’l was this done? Annual Review of Nutrition® 10. How many ASBMB members were Nobelists in 1972, and Vol. 25, August 2005, Individual Price: $76 US/$81 Int’l who were they? Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology ® If you get all 10 of the answers to these questions right, you Vol. 45, February 2005, Individual Price: $79 US/$84 Int’l are entitled to be called an ASBMB Centennial Expert and will Annual Review of Physiology ® be eligible for all the perquisites thereof. Vol. 67, March 2005, Individual Price: $81 US/$86 Int’l NOTE: Information for this test was supplied by William Lennarz, SUNY at Visit www.annualreviews.org/go/at1005 for tables of content, Stony Brook, New York. editorial committee information, and complimentary abstracts.

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Moore, Rodney Porter, William H. Stein, and Christian B. Anfinsen. B. Christian and Stein, H. William Porter, Rodney Moore, Call toll free (US/Canada): 800.523.8635

10. There were five ASBMB Laureates in 1972: Gerald M. Edelman, Stanford Edelman, M. Gerald 1972: in Laureates ASBMB five were There 10. Call worldwide: 650.493.4400

9. Chargaff discovered the base equivalences in DNA in 1950. in DNA in equivalences base the discovered Chargaff 9. Fax: 650.424.0910

Wendell M. Stanley, and James B. Summer. B. James and Stanley, M. Wendell Email: [email protected]

8. Thr 8. ee ASBMB members wer members ASBMB ee e Nobelists in 1946; they wer they 1946; in Nobelists e

e John H. Northrop, H. John e Online: www.annualreviews.org

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7. In 1942, Bloch and Rittenberg discovered that acetate is the precursor of cho- of precursor the is acetate that discovered Rittenberg and Bloch 1942, In 7. Annual Reviews publications. Contact your membership

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5. Rose discovered threonine, the last essential amino acid to be recognized, in recognized, be to acid amino essential last the threonine, discovered Rose 5. Contact Annual Reviews for institutional pricing and site license options.

4. Krebs and Henseleit discovered the urea cycle in 1933. in cycle urea the discovered Henseleit and Krebs 4. 3. Sumner first crystallized urease, in 1926. in urease, crystallized first Sumner 3. ANNUAL REVIEWS

Intelligent Synthesis of the Scientific Literature 2. W 2. arbur g showed the r the showed g equir ement of iron in respiration in 1912. in respiration in iron of ement 1. Knoop deduced the ß-oxidation of fatty acids in 1905 in acids fatty of ß-oxidation the deduced Knoop 1. www.annualreviews.org

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 13 ASBMB Centennial Celebration: Chemistry of Life ASBMB to Honor Thomas Cech for Exemplary Contributions to Education he ASBMB Awards Commit- type of people who are good scientists,” the genetic code of tee has selected Thomas R. said Cech in a recent address. “It would DNA is transcribed T Cech to receive the inaugural be a pretty dull job if that were the into RNA. In the ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contri- case. The truth is that people with a 1970s, he had been butions to Education. Cech, President wide variety of training, personality studying the splic- of Howard Hughes Medical Institute traits, skills in very different areas can ing of RNA in the and Professor, Department of Chem- contribute a lot to scientific discoveries. unicellular organ- istry and Biochemistry, University of ”Certainly there are certain traits ism Tetrahymena Colorado, will receive the award at the that scientists tend to have in com- thermophilia Dr. Thomas R. Cech 2006 ASBMB annual meeting, which mon. But, it isn’t always true that the when he discovered that an also marks the centennial of ASBMB people who are the brilliant high unprocessed RNA molecule could and its foundation publication, the school students, who get the highest splice itself. In 1982, Cech became the Journal of Biological Chemistry. grades on the exam, are the ones who first to show that RNA molecules are The ASBMB Award for Exemplary do well as practicing, experimental sci- not restricted to being passive carriers Contributions to Education, a new entists. There are a lot of skills in doing of genetic information—they can have award this year, will be given annually experimental science that can’t be catalytic functions and participate in to a scientist who encourages effective tested on standardized exams. cellular reactions. RNA-processing reac- teaching and learning of biochemistry Although good mathematical ability, tions and protein synthesis on ribo- and molecular biology through the sci- good quantitative ability, good analyti- somes in particular are catalyzed by entist’s own teaching, leadership in cal thinking ability are part of being a RNA. RNA enzymes are known as education, writing, educational good scientist, there’s a very hard-to- ribozymes and have provided a new research, mentoring or public enlight- quantitate element. And it should be tool for gene technology. They also enment. It includes a cash prize as well encouraging to those students who are have the potential to provide new as paid travel and expenses to present a the B students in high school and the therapeutic agents - for example, they plenary symposium lecture at the 2006 B students in college that very often have the ability to destroy and cleave Society meeting. That lecture is cur- they are the ones who end up doing invading, viral RNAs. rently scheduled for Sunday, April 2. the really great work in research.” Dr. Cech has a second, very different Does success in high school lead to ”My father, who loved physics as area of research, that of the structure success in science? Not necessarily says much as medicine,” recalled Cech, and function of telomeres, the natural Cech, who won the Nobel Prize for his “interjected a scientific approach and ends of linear chromosomes. He and discoveries about the catalytic proper- point of view into most every family his research group focus on the assem- ties of RNA. “It isn’t always true that discussion. I discovered science for bly, structure and function of telom- the people who are the brilliant high myself in fourth grade, collecting rocks erase, the enzyme that copies the school students, who get the highest and minerals and worrying about how telomeric sequences. The active site grades on the exam, are the ones who they were formed. By the time I was in protein subunits of telomerase com- do well as practicing, experimental sci- junior high school, I would knock on prise a new class of reverse transcrip- entists. There are a lot of skills in doing Geology professors’ doors at the Uni- tases, enzymes previously thought to experimental science that can’t be versity of Iowa, asking to see models of be restricted to viruses and transpos- tested on standardized exams.” B stu- crystal structures and to discuss mete- able elements. Telomerase, an impor- dents, he notes, often “are the ones orites and fossils.” tant enzyme in biomedical terms, is who end up doing the really great Research Areas activated in 90% of human cancers. work in research.” Thomas Cech’s main research area is Therefore, a drug that would inhibit its “I think the general public perceives that of the process of transcription in activity is much sought after as a can- that there’s a lot of homogeneity in the the nucleus of cells. He studies how cer chemotherapeutic.

14 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBASBMB 20062006 CentennialCentennial CelebrationCelebration April 1-5, 2006 • San Francisco, CA 2006 Program Co-Chairs: George M. Carman, Rutgers University and Laurie S. Kaguni, Michigan State University www.asbmb.org/meetings

Thematic Meetings MOLECULAR STRUCTURE MEMBRANE BIOGENESIS Macromolecular Structure and Dynamics Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Lipids Andrej Sali, UCSF George M. Carman, Rutgers University Christian R.H. Raetz, Duke University Proteomics and Bioinformatics Michael Snyder, Yale University Structure, Function, and Biogenesis of Cell Membranes David S. Eisenberg, UCLA William Dowhan, University of Texas-Houston Medical School Chemical Genetics and Drug Discovery Chaitan Khosla, Stanford University Kevan Shokat, UCSF MINORITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SPONSORED SYMPOSIA Glycobiology and Extracellular Matrix Juliette Bell, Fayetteville State University Carlos B. Hirschberg, Boston University Issues in Breast Cancer Among Minority Populations Goldman School of Dental Medicine Chair: K.V. Venkatachalam, Nova Southeastern University GENOME DYNAMICS Minorities and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Genome Dynamics: Replication, Repair, Chair: Juliette Bell, Fayetteville State University and Recombination EPD/MAC Symposium – Undergraduate Student/Faculty Science Laurie S. Kaguni, Michigan State University Chairs: Joseph Provost, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Chromatin: Structure, Expression, and Regulation Mark A. Wallert, Minnesota State University-Moorhead and Sharon R. Dent, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Phillip A. Ortiz, Empire State College Cancer Center EPD/MAC Symposium – Outreach and Public Education RNA: Structure, Metabolism, and Regulation Chair: Neena Grover, Colorado College Alan D. Frankel, UCSF Protein Synthesis, Folding and Turnover EDUCATION and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: William Merrick, Case Western Reserve University Focus on the Future, Shape the Debate J. Ellis Bell, University of Richmond CELL SIGNALING Undergraduate Poster Session and Plenary Lecture: Metabolic Regulation My Life in Science Richard W. Hanson, Case Western Reserve University Edmond H. Fischer, University of Washington School of Daryl K. Granner, Vanderbilt University Medicine and Edwin G. Krebs, University of Washington School of Medicine Signaling in Growth and Development Michael B. Yaffe, MIT Current Themes in Molecular Evolution Chair: Michael M. Cox, University of Wisconsin – Madison Signaling in Aging and Disease Natalie G. Ahn, University of Colorado at Boulder Plenary Lecture: Integrity and Independence of Scientific Thought Elizabeth Blackburn, University of California, San Francisco AAwardward LecturLectureses Matching Expectations: Employers and Education in the Molecular Herbert Tabor/Journal Life Sciences of Biological Chemistry Lectureship Chair: Joy A. McMillan, Madison Area Technical College ASBMB-Amgen Award The Classroom of the Future ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contributions to J. Ellis Bell, University of Richmond Education ASBMB-Merck Award Centennial Special Events Avanti Award in Lipids Centennial Opening Celebration FASEB Excellence in Science Award An Evening with the San Francisco Symphony Herbert A. Sober Lectureship Birthday Bash, A Taste of San Francisco Howard K. Schachman Public Service Award ASBMB 5k Fun Run Schering-Plough Research Institute Award William C. Rose Award ASBMB Centennial Celebration: Chemistry of Life

Biochemistry and Molecular Organizers: George M. Carman, Rutgers University, Christian R.H. Raetz, Duke University Medical Center

ur understanding of lipid Regulation of Lipid Dr. Julie Saba biosynthesis and its regula- Metabolism (Children’s Hospital O tion has increased greatly The phospholipid precursor inosi- Oakland Research over the past few years because of tol plays a major role in the regula- Institute) will dis- advances in biochemical, structural tion of phospholipid metabolism in cuss studies explor- and molecular genetic approaches, yeast. Dr. Susan Henry (Cornell Uni- ing various aspects combined with genomic and pro- versity) will discuss a comprehensive of sphingosine-1- teomic studies of both prokaryotic and microarray study of the kinetics of phosphate lyase eukaryotic organisms. transcriptional changes in response regulation, includ- Dr. George M. Carman The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to addition of inositol to the growth ing conserved mechanisms of transcrip- of Lipids theme will primarily focus on media of logarithmically-growing tional regulation of the SPL gene, as the roles that lipids play in membrane wild type yeast cells. The genome- well as pharmacological modulation of biogenesis and function. It will cover wide changes in transcription will be the enzyme. recent mechanistic studies of lipid presented in conjunction with analy- biosynthetic enzymes, as well as the sis of simultaneous changes in lipid Pharmacological structural biology of lipid flippases and metabolism including phospholipids, Targets in Lipid pumps. Its complementary theme, neutral lipids, and sphingolipids. Metabolism Structure, Function and Assembly of Mem- Given the essential roles that phos- Lipids such as essential fatty acids, branes (summarized in the August issue pholipids play in the structure and sphingolipids, and cholesterol play of ASBMB Today), focuses mainly on function of cellular membranes, cells important roles in cell signaling as the protein component of membranes have the ability to cope with a variety lipid mediators and in membrane and integrates information on how of stress conditions by regulating functions as components of cell membrane proteins interact with lipids. expression of key phospholipid membranes. Fatty acids are essential The symposia of each theme will be biosynthetic enzymes. to life in all organisms. Interestingly, scheduled on alternating mornings and Dr. George Carman (Rutgers Univer- there are significant biochemical dif- afternoons to allow flexibility of atten- sity) will discuss transcriptional mecha- ferences in the properties of the fatty dance. In addition, social gatherings are nisms in yeast that control membrane acid biosynthetic machinery among planned following the afternoon sym- phospholipid composition in response species. Dr. Charles Rock (St. Jude’s posia to foster interactions among the to the stress of zinc deprivation. Sphin- Childrens Research Hospital) will dis- participants of both themes. gosine-1-phosphate is a bioactive cuss how these differences are being In addition to the invited speakers, sphingolipid that regulates prolifera- exploited in efforts to develop anti- postdoctoral fellows and graduate stu- tion, differentiation, migration, and microbial drugs. Research in the labo- dents will be chosen from the submit- apoptosis) in higher eukaryotic organ- ratory of Dr. Sarah Spiegel (Virginia ted abstracts to give short talks. We are isms. Intracellular levels of sphingo- Commonwealth University School of pleased to announce that ASBMB-Jour- sine-1-phosphate are controlled in part Medicine) focuses on sphingosine-1- nal of Lipid Research, Avanti Polar by its irreversible degradation by the phosphate and the roles this lipid Lipids, Elsevier-Biochimica et Biophysica sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase enzyme plays in cell growth, apoptosis, tumor Acta, and Merck will sponsor cash encoded by the SPL gene. Recent stud- angiogenesis, and immune responses. awards, not only for outstanding short ies have suggested that SPL expression Two isoenzymes of the sphingosine talks but also for excellent poster pre- affects animal development and cell kinase, the enzyme responsible for sentations by young investigators. fate decisions. synthesizing sphingosine-1-phos-

16 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 San Francisco, California, April 1-5, 2006

Biology of Lipids

phate, have been Dr. JoAnne Stubbe (MIT) will dis- lites of cells. Lipids compose the identified. cuss the mechanisms by which poly- major cellular metabolites engaged in Dr. Spiegel will ß-hydroxybutyrate granules are biomolecular signaling, the genera- discuss how the formed. One model is that the gran- tion of lipid second messengers and sphingosine kinase ules bud from the inner membrane mediators as well as the major mole- isoenzymes can of Gram-negative bacteria into the cules of energy metabolism and mem- both phosphory- cytoplasm. This unique system, brane remodeling. This symposium late sphingosine which has applications in biotech- will focus on several aspects of Dr. Christian Raetz yet have either nology, shares some common fea- lipidomics highlighting specifically opposite, overlapping, or complemen- tures with lipoprotein formation in the eicosanoids, phospholipids, and tary functions in cells. The brain con- the endoplasmic reticulum of animal sphingolipids as some of the impor- tains more cholesterol than any other cells, and may address fundamental tant lipids comprising the lipidome. tissue in the body, and it uses a unique issues in the regulation of lipid The uses of new LC/MS techniques biochemical pathway to metabolism metabolism. to separate, detect, and quantify indi- this essential lipid. Catabolism is Finally, Dr. Geoffrey Chang (Scripps vidual molecular species of lipids accomplished by the enzyme choles- Institute) will discuss his recent work with sophisticated extraction tech- terol 24-hydroxylase, a microsomal on the structure and mechanism of niques and quantitative internal stan- cytochrome P450. MsbA, an essential inner membrane dards and changes in their levels with Dr. David Russell (University of ABC transporter, closely related to cellular perturbations will be empha- Texas Southwestern Medical Center) mammalian MDR proteins. The E. coli sized. Dr. Edward Dennis (University will discuss the roles of cholesterol 24- MsbA protein is the flippase for some of California, San Diego) will describe hydroxylase and cholesterol turn over of the phospholipids generated on the the LIPID MAPS approach to in the central nervous system. inner surface of the inner membrane. lipidomics and his detailed analysis MsbA is essential for growth and is of the time dependent changes in the Structural Biology absolutely required for the export of levels of a large number of and Mechanisms of both phospholipids and lipopolysac- prostaglandins upon treatment with Membrane Lipid charide to the outer membrane. This LPS and a homogeneous form of LPS Assembly symposium is intended to bring called Kdo2-Lipid A developed by the Recent advances in the field of mem- together investigators working at the LIPID MAPS Consortium. brane biogenesis, with a focus on forefront of membrane biochemistry, Dr. Alex Brown (Vanderbilt Univer- model systems, will be addressed in enzymology, structural biology, lipid sity School of Medicine) will describe this symposium. Dr. Christian Raetz metabolism, drug discovery, and his array analysis of over 500 molecu- (Duke University) will present an microbiology. lar species of phospholipids and their overview of the enzymatic assembly of changes upon LPS and Kdo2-Lipid A outer membrane lipids in Escherichia Lipidomics of treatment of RAW macrophage cells. coli, including recent studies of slow, Metabolic Signaling Dr. Al Merrill (Georgia Institute of tight-binding inhibitors. Compounds The systems biology exploration of Technology) will discuss the numer- blocking the formation of outer mem- genomics and proteomics of recent ous individual molecular species of brane lipids are novel antibiotics, with years has set the stage for a sphingolipids and the creation of potency in some instances rivaling metabolomics revolution to identify “Sphingomaps” to describe their that of ciprofloxacin. and quantify the individual metabo- metabolic interactions.

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 17 ASBMB Centennial Celebration: Chemistry of Life

Glycobiology and Extracellular Matrix Organizer: Carlos B. Hirschberg, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine

arbohydrates covalently porally specific fashion during mouse, and secreted glycoproteins may also linked to proteins and lipids worm and Drosophila development. contain conventional or unusual N- C play pivotal roles in the At least one Drosophila isoform, pgant linked glycans and/or novel O-linked development of higher and lower 35A, is required for normal develop- glycans and/or novel phosphate-linked eukaryotes, cell-cell and cell-extracellu- ment. Recent work with mouse models glycans. In addition, intracellular stor- lar matrices interactions, immunobiol- point to multiple fuctional roles age polysaccharides in some parasites ogy, protein folding quality control related to systems as diverse as bone are proving to be unusual in their and hormonal functions. The aim of development and innate and adaptive structure and assembly. this symposium is two fold (1) to give immunity. Mutations in the human Michael Ferguson’s (University of the general scientist an overview of gene GALNT3 have recently been Dundee, U.K.) presentation will be on some of the principal areas in biology shown to result in familial tumoral cal- the structure and assembly of the cell where glycobiology and extracellular cinosis. surface of trypanosomes. The struc- matrix components are essential to Jacques Baenziger (Washington Uni- tural variation in parasite glycoconju- understanding biological functions versity) will discuss the role of glyco- gates, and their central roles in parasite and (2) to allow the specialist to hear protein hormones and the way in survival and infectivity presents major about the latest developments of these which unique sulfated sugars con- challenges for the future. Bioinformat- areas. Each symposium will have three tribute to functions of the glycopro- ics is playing a major role in mining additional talks selected from submit- teins e.g. receptor activation and the parasite DNA databases for putative ted abstracts. development of neuronal connections. glycosylation genes and pathways and Glycoprotein hormones such as leu- is allowing functional glycomics stud- The Role of Glycans tinizing hormone and thyroid stimu- ies via gene knockouts and RNAi in Development and lating hormone in the pituitary as well experiments. Disease as the matrix protein tenascin-R and John Samuelson’s (Boston Univer- Dr. Hirschberg will discuss the role of the LDL-receptor homolog SorLA/LR11 sity) presentation will address what the nucleotide sugar transporter/ in the brain, each have carbohydrates protists tell us about the evolution of antiporter cycle in eukaryotic develop- that are selectively modified with ter- N-linked glycosylation. Several of the ment and disease. This cycle, which minal ß1,4-linked GalNAc-4-SO4 parasite glyconconjugate biosynthetic occurs in all eukaryotes studied to date, residues which contribute to the their pathways have been validated as drug has as its function the transport of biological function. targets. Structural biology and chemi- nucleotide sugars into the lumen of the cal biology approaches to anti-parasite Golgi apparatus where they serve as Glycans in Pathogenic drug development are ongoing. Mal- substrates for glycosylation of proteins Protozoa: the Sweet colm McConville’s (University of Mel- and lipids. Mutations in the cycle may Touch of Death bourne, Australia) presentation will lead to abnormal phenotypes e.g. fail- The cell surface architectures of pro- address the glycobiology of Leishma- ures in tissue development and to dis- tozoan parasites are fined-tuned to nia - glycan biosynthesis and virulence eases such as Leukocyte adhesion their modes of infection and survival in the mammalian host. deficiency syndrome II. in their mammalian hosts and insect Lawrence Tabak (NIDCR, NIH) will vectors. Furthermore, parasite surface Protein-Glycan discuss the roles of the many polypep- molecules can subvert the host Functional tide: N-acetylgalactosaminyltrans- immune response. In many cases, par- Interactions ferases in development and disease of asite cell surfaces are dominated by The existence of a vast array of gly- the craniofacial complex. Conserved GPI-anchored glycoproteins and/or can structures provides the cell and the throughout evolution, family mem- GPI-related glycophospholipids. organism with opportunities for imple- bers are expressed in spatially and tem- Depending on the species, cell surface menting important biological func-

18 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 San Francisco, California, April 1-5, 2006

tions. This session will focus on how the receptors that activate critical downstream signaling cas- information encoded within glycans is cades. Experiments with cells growing on defined three- recognized and deciphered by carbohy- dimensional matrices have identified regulatory roles for the drate-binding proteins - “lectins”, and cellular microenvironment and requirements for specific will highlight examples of protein-glycan intracellular signaling molecules during fibronectin matrix interactions in the secretory pathway. assembly. Asn-linked glycans act as maturation and Joanne Murphy-Ullrich (University of Alabama-Birming- quality control tags in the endoplasmic ham) will discuss the functions of matricellular proteins such reticulum (ER). There are several players Dr. Carlos Hirschberg as thrombospondins (TSP) 1 and 2, tenascin-C, and SPARC. in the quality control of glycoprotein folding. These include These proteins signal through distinct receptors, but induce the folding sensor that adds a glucose unit to species not dis- a common phenotype known as the intermediate adhesive playing their native structure (UDPGlc:glycoprotein gluco- state, characterized by restructuring of focal adhesions and syltransferase, GT), the enzyme that removes those residues loss of stress fibers. TSP increases cell motility and activates (glucosidase II), as well as the lectins that recognize the anti-apoptotic signals. Thus, matricellular proteins regulate monoglucosylated glycans (calreticulin/calnexin). key processes of tissue remodeling during development and Armando Parodi (Fundacion Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, wound healing, with implications for tumor metastasis. Argentina) will describe his work concerning the structure- function relationships in this group of enzymes. Daniel Hebert (University of Massachusetts-Amherst) will discuss how GT works in concert with calnexin, calreticulin and sorting receptors to assist in the maturation and quality con- trol on nascent glycoproteins within the ER. Nancy Dahms (Medical College of Wisconsin) will talk on “ building a lyso- some: a story of sweetness and diversion”. She will present her work on the mechanism by which the two mannose 6- phosphate receptors (CD-MPR and CI-MPR) function as lectins to deliver newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes from the secretory pathway to lysosomes. Extracellular Matrix Function Cell Contact with extracellular matrix is critical for the ter- minal differentiation of many cells. In the peripheral nerv- ous system terminal differentiation and myelination by Schwann cells requires contact with basal lamina matrix of a specific molecular composition. David Carey (Weis Center for Research) will describe data showing critical roles of inter- actions between membrane anchored heparan sulfate pro- teoglycans and heperan sulfate-binding extracellular matrix proteins during myelin assembly. The consequences of cell contact with extracellular matrix are dependent on the struc- ture of the matrix. Jean Schwarzbauer (Princeton University) will discuss the mechanism of fibronectin fibril formation. This process depends on interactions between fibronectin and integrin

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 19 ASBMB Centennial Celebration: Chemistry of Life

Chemical Genetics and Drug Discovery Organizers: Chaitan Khosla, Stanford University, and Kevan Shokat, UCSF and HHMI.

hemical Genetics, which microscopy. Linda Hsieh-Wilson from refers to the study of biologi- Caltech integrates organic chemistry C cal mechanisms using chem- with neurobiology to explore the ical tools and principles, has emerged chemical basis of brain processes such as a distinct field at the interface of as neuronal growth and communica- biology and chemistry. Although the tion. Tom Kodadek from University fundamental focus of the field is on of Texas Southwestern Medical School understanding biological phenom- has been developing small molecule ena, it has direct relevance to practi- tools for proteomics, most notably for Dr. Chaitan Khosla Dr. Kevan Shokat cal pursuits, most notably drug elucidating the architecture of multi- Bertozzi at UC Berkeley investigates discovery. This symposium seeks to protein complexes in cells. the potential utility of chemically highlight some of the rapidly altered carbohydrates in the diagnosis expanding frontiers in Chemical New Targets for Drug and treatment of cancer and in funda- Genetics. The four symposia of this Discovery mental studies of glycopathology. theme will cover topics of small mol- Chair: Carolyn Bertozzi, UC Berkeley ecule tools for biology, elucidation of and HHMI Next Generation new targets for drug discovery, identi- The sequencing of the human Therapeutics fication of improved next-generation genome as well as the genomes of Chair: Stephen Friend, Merck therapeutic agents, and antibiotic many human pathogens has led to In addition to breaking new clinical biosynthesis. explosive growth in the identification ground, prototypical drugs have a of novel macromolecular targets for profound impact on biochemical and Small Molecule Tools therapeutic intervention. Chemistry is pharmacological investigations into for Biology playing an increasingly important role disease pathogenesis. These funda- Chair: Tom Kodadek, UT Southwestern in not just lead identification and mental investigations in turn spawn Although small molecules have fre- optimization but also in target valida- the discovery of superior next-genera- quently played a critical role in biologi- tion. This symposium will highlight tion therapeutic agents. For example, cal studies for most of the 20th some of the challenges encountered in although tubulin binding agents have century, the genomics revolution has small molecule approaches to interro- been a rich source of anticancer spawned an urgent need for such gate new molecular targets for therapy. agents such as taxol and the vinca reagents. At the same time new syn- Jeffery Kelly at Scripps discovers and alkaloids, the pharmacological attrac- thetic methods have facilitated rapid analyzes small molecules that modu- tiveness of cytoskeletal proteins is emergence of large, diverse libraries of late protein translation, protein fold- only just beginning to be appreciated. chemicals as well as efficient structural ing and protein degradation. Their Timothy Mitchison at Harvard Med- variations of biologically active mole- work has implications for the treat- ical School discovers and studies drug- cules. This symposium seeks to illus- ment of a variety of amyloid diseases. like small molecules that target trate the power of small molecule tools James Wells, who recently moved innovative steps in cytoskeletal regu- in modern biological science. Tarun from Sunesis Pharmaceuticals to UCSF, lation. Kevan Shokat’s research is Kapoor from Rockefeller University explores the science and technology focused on the discovery of new lig- explores the biology of cell division of drug discovery especially as it per- ands for modulating signal transduc- using novel small molecule agents tains to therapeutically important pro- tion in cells. Stephen Friend and his and real-time multi-dimensional tein-protein interactions. Carolyn colleagues at Merck use DNA chips to

20 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 San Francisco, California, April 1-5, 2006

study the effects of old and new drugs on cells with the goal of not just expanding the range of available ASBMB Reminiscences drugs but also optimizing therapy for As part of our Centennial Celebration, we recently asked members to contribute individual patients. reminiscences of their early thoughts about becoming a scientist, their experience Biosynthesis of as postdocs, their first paper published, their first lecture at an ASBMB Meeting, Complex Molecules the friendships and connections they formed with other ASBMB members, their Chair: Chaitan Khosla, Stanford impressions of the first ASBMB meeting they attended, and anything else they Complex natural products such as thought pertinent. Here is the first such contribution received. We believe you will antibiotics represent the pinnacle of find it interesting, and we look forward to receiving and publishing more reminis- synthetic elegance and biological cences. Please send to them to [email protected]. activity. They have provided the My first JBC paper was published as inspiration for development of much the result of an “introductory” problem of modern synthetic organic chem- suggested by my Ph.D. adviser, Frank istry. At the same time many pivotal Huennekens, when I began work in his cellular processes have been eluci- lab in 1959. Dihydrofolate reductase dated as a result of the discovery of had recently been discovered, and he antibiotics with novel biological suggested using it for preparative-scale effects. Yet, for most of the 20th cen- synthesis of the biological stereoisomer tury, the biosynthesis of these mole- of tetrahydrofolate. The project went cules has remained a mystery. The smoothly, including my one and only Dr. Christopher K. Mathews, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Biochem- application of molecular genetics has use of a polarimeter. After eight or nine istry and Biophysics, Oregon State University changed that over the past two months, I presented the data to Frank, decades. Suzanne Walker from Har- thinking that I could now move on to attend the meeting so that I could vard Medical School will discuss how something important. Frank looked meet with three prospective postdoc- microorganisms make complex car- excited, and within a week he had toral mentors, and presenting a paper bohydrate bearing structures such as completed a manuscript that was pub- was a requirement for being sent from peptidoglycan and glycosylated lished in the JBC in November 1960. To as far away as Seattle. However, our macrolide antibacterials. Robert my surprise, I have seen citations to first child was expected the previous Stroud from UCSF will present that paper as recently as the past couple week. When the abstract submission insights into the structural biology of of years. deadline arrived, I swallowed hard polyketide synthases responsible for My first “lecture” at an ASBMB and sent one in, guaranteeing my antibiotic biosynthesis. Chaitan meeting was actually a ten-minute absence from home at what might Khosla investigates the biosynthetic talk at an ASBC meeting, part of an have been a critical time. Fortunately, mechanisms of polyketide synthases Atlantic City Federation meeting, in our son arrived on the scheduled with the concomitant goal of provid- April 1961. In the years before poster date, we had lots of help from both ing new tools for the natural product sessions, the meeting consisted of new grandmothers, and I was able to medicinal chemist as well as for multiple simultaneous sessions, each get away long enough to give my talk expanding the repertoire of natural broken into 15-minute blocks—10 for and be interviewed by three distin- product libraries. the talk, 5 for discussion. I wanted to guished scientists.

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 21 ASBMB Centennial Celebration: Chemistry of Life

Genome Dynamics: Replication, Repair and Recombination Organizer: Laurie S. Kaguni, Michigan State University

ur view of DNA as the genetic phage T7 replication system, to be fronting anti-AIDS blueprint of the cell has described by Dr. Charles Richardson in drug resistance by O expanded greatly in recent his Opening Lecture as the recipient of targeting the poly- years with a new understanding of the the Herbert Tabor/ JBC Award. Dr. merase and RNase diversity of genome dynamics. This Nancy Nossal (NIH) will present her H activities of HIV- theme will explore mechanisms and studies on the architecture and func- 1 reverse transcrip- regulation of DNA replication, and cel- tion of the phage T4 replication fork, tase. Dr. Charles lular strategies for maintaining genetic which represents an important model McHenry (Univ. integrity and imparting diversity via of cellular systems. Dr. John Kuriyan Colorado Health Dr. Laurie Kaguni DNA repair and recombination. (UC Berkeley, HHMI) will provide a Sciences Center) will present a novel Research representing a dual focus on structural view of the function of slid- chemical genetic approach using mul- protein machines and DNA sequence ing clamps and clamp loaders in pro- tiplicative target screens to identify and structures will draw from cellular, cessive DNA replication. inhibitors of bacterial DNA replication. mitochondrial and viral systems. A Dr. Gregory Verdine (Harvard) will dis- novel session on inhibitors of DNA Origins and cuss a structural approach to study transactions will provide a link to the Regulation base excision repair. theme on Chemical Genetics and Drug DNA replication is tightly controlled Discovery. Invited speakers will present at the level of initiation at origins, and Genome Stability and biochemical, genetic and structural also by checkpoints enabling a variety Diversity: Repair and strategies to address current problems, of repair processes before reinitiation. Recombination and each session will be expanded by Dr. Joyce Hamlin (Univ. Virginia) will Genome management and manipula- the selection of three additional speak- chair this symposium and present her tion will be the focus of this symposium ers from submitted abstracts. The pioneering research on the complex chaired by Dr. Samuel Wilson (NIEHS). theme will also include an interactive structure of mammalian origins. Dr. Dr. Wilson will extend the discussion of poster session and an informal recep- David Clayton (HHMI) will discuss new excision repair in a presentation describ- tion to provide forums for lively scien- approaches to the study of replication ing its strategic regulation through struc- tific and social exchange among of mammalian mitochondrial DNA. Dr. tural and chemical biology. Dr. Nancy participants at all levels. Anindya Dutta will describe the process Craig (Johns Hopkins, HHMI) will dis- of replication initiation and its regula- cuss the dynamics of transposable ele- Replication tion in normal and cancer cells. ments, and Dr. Dale Wigley (London Assemblies and Research Institute) will present his Mechanisms Inhibitors of DNA research on the structure and mecha- The diversity of DNA replicases and Transactions nism of the bacterial recombination replication mechanisms will be high- The interface between basic and machine RecBCD. The symposium will lighted in this symposium chaired by applied biochemistry will be explored be preceded by a plenary lecture by Dr. Dr. Laurie Kaguni. Kaguni will discuss in this symposium chaired by Dr. Eddy James Berger (UC Berkeley), who is the the mitochondrial replisome and its Arnold (Rutgers). Dr. Arnold will pres- recipient of the 2006 Schering-Plough striking parallels with the bacterio- ent his innovative approach to con- Research Institute Award.

22 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 San Francisco, California, April 1-5, 2006

Charles Richardson to Receive Herbert Tabor/JBC Award

harles C. Richardson has been for the replication of a chromosome. with one another selected to receive the 2006 The lab combines structural studies of and their interac- C Herbert Tabor/Journal of Bio- the proteins, their functional sub- tion, in turn, with logical Chemistry Lectureship Award. assemblies, and the replisome itself, the polymerase This award will be conferred at the with genetic and biochemical analyses where helicase and 2006 ASBMB annual meeting, which of the reactions they mediate. An essen- polymerase move- also marks the centennial of ASBMB tial component is defining the protein- ment must be and its foundation publication, the protein interactions that coordinate the coordinated and Journal of Biological Chemistry. The individual steps of replication. primers transferred Dr.Charles Richardson meeting will be held in conjunction to the polymerase. Least well under- with Experimental Biology, April 1-5, Background stood are the coordination of leading 2006 in San Francisco, and the Herbert In recent years considerable progress and lagging strand synthesis and the Tabor/JBC Lecture will open the meet- has been made in understanding the recycling of the polymerase from one ing on Saturday, April 1 at 7 p.m. reactions catalyzed by the proteins of Okazaki fragment to a new primer. The Lectureship was established in DNA replication. However, many ques- recognition of the many contributions tions remain concerning the function The Bacteriophage T7 of Herbert Tabor to the Journal of Bio- of individual proteins, aside from the Replication System logical Chemistry and the Society. The more complex processes of initiation In order to address these questions of award honors the conferee with a cash of replication at chromosomal origins DNA replication the Richardson labora- prize as well as paid travel and and the coordination of events at a tory has focused on the replication sys- expenses to present a lecture at the replication fork. tem derived from Escherichia coli 2006 meeting. Past recipients of the Even in the case of DNA polymerases, infected with bacteriophage T7. The T7 award were Robert J. Lefkowitz in where the wealth of enzymatic data chromosome is replicated in a fashion 2004, and Michael S. Brown and gathered over the years can now be inter- characteristic of more complex bacter- Joseph L. Goldstein in 2005. preted in light of the three dimensional ial and eukaryotic systems. Initiation of Richardson, Professor in Harvard structures of the proteins, questions per- replication occurs at a primary origin, Medical School’s Department of Biolog- taining to the basis of nucleotide selec- replication is bi-directional, and lagging ical Chemistry and Molecular Pharma- tion and the coordination of strand DNA synthesis is dependent on cology, has been a pioneer in the area proofreading with polymerization multiple initiation events. of DNA replication for over 40 years, remain. Likewise, the mechanism of uni- Consequently, T7 DNA replication and continues to publish seminal work directional movement of the DNA heli- requires a processivity factor (E. coli today. As an acknowledged leader in case on a DNA strand and the thioredoxin) for the DNA polymerase the field, he has been a member of the unwinding of the duplex are unsolved. (T7 gene 5 protein), a helicase-primase National Academy of Sciences since Also in need of additional characteriza- (T7 gene 4 protein), a single-stranded 1983. He served two terms on the Edi- tion are the DNA primases, an intriguing DNA binding protein (T7 gene 2.5 pro- torial Board of the JBC, and two terms class of enzymes whose zinc motif plays tein), and other accessory proteins on the Nominating Committee of the an essential role in sequence recognition. such as a 5’ to 3’ exonuclease (T7 gene ASBMB. He has also served as Associate Even single-stranded DNA binding 6 exonuclease) and a DNA ligase (T7 Editor/Editor of the Annual Review of proteins, often relegated to mundane gene 1.3 protein). T7 has evolved an Biochemistry for over 30 years! roles, are emerging as key components efficient and economical mechanism The Richardson Lab’s goal is to under- in coordinating reactions at origins and for the replication of its DNA, one that stand molecular mechanisms that replication forks. More complex are the probably defines the minimal require- mediate the multiple reactions required interactions of the helicase and primase Continued on page 25

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 23 More Women Receive Ph.D.’s, But Female Senior Faculty Still Rare espite gains over recent years ing,” the report says, it is necessary to in the number of women create a “scientific community reflective D who receive Ph.D.’s in science of the pluralist society that supports it.” and engineering fields, a relative few In addition to Handelsman, go on to assume high-level faculty authors of the paper include Nancy positions. Writing in the August 19 Cantor, chancellor and president of issue of the journal Science, several top Syracuse University; Molly Carnes, a women scientists and university UW-Madison Medical School profes- administrators attributed the imbal- sor and co-director of the Women in ance to four pervasive elements: Science and Engineering Leadership ❖ small numbers of women in the fac- viduals and the policies of institutions Institute; Denice Denton, chancellor ulty pipeline because these factors make a difference of the University of California at ❖ a hostile or “chilly” campus climate and can be changed.” Santa Cruz; Eve Fine of the Women toward women junior faculty The article identified results from in Science and Engineering Leader- ❖ unconscious bias that results in participants in the ADVANCE Institu- ship Institute; Barbara Grosz, Hig- covert discrimination tional Transformation Program, which gins professor of natural sciences, ❖ sacrifices to balance family and work the authors say “appear to work.” Harvard University; Virginia Hin- To address the pipeline shortage, for shaw, provost and executive vice “While we as a nation have made example, Georgia Tech Engineering chancellor at the University of Cali- considerable progress in attracting and ADVANCE Professor Jane fornia at Davis; Cora Marrett, senior women into most science and engi- Ammons, has developed a “speed vice president of the University of neering fields, we still see fewer mentoring” workshop, in which junior Wisconsin System; Sue Rosser, dean women at the full-professor and aca- faculty consult for 15 to 20 minutes of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal demic leadership levels than we would with experienced, tenure-case review- Arts at the Georgia Institute of Tech- expect...” said Alice Hogan, director of ers to learn ways to strengthen their nology; Donna Shalala, president of the National Science Foundation’s odds with tenure committees. the University of Miami; and Jen- (NSF) ADVANCE program, which aims Meanwhile, the University of Michi- nifer Sheridan of the Women in Sci- to increase the representation and gan’s ADVANCE program hosts work- ence and Engineering Leadership advancement of women in academic shops that include an interactive Institute at UW-Madison. science and engineering careers. theater program that portrays typical The National Science Foundation “After investing in creating this pool academic situations, such as hiring, (NSF) is an independent federal of highly trained talent,” she added, retention, and climate for women fac- agency that supports fundamental “we should see a high rate of return— ulty in the sciences and engineering, to research and education across all productive, creative and respected raise awareness of personal thoughts fields of science and engineering, teachers and researchers attracting and behaviors that affect the campus with an annual budget of nearly more students into fields that might climate toward women faculty. $5.47 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 have seemed closed to them given the Workshops at UW-Madison train states through grants to nearly 2,000 traditional profile of science and engi- members of search committees in universities and institutions. Each neering faculty.” good search methods and sensitize the year, NSF receives about 40,000 com- Lead author Jo Handelsman, Profes- participants to bias. petitive requests for funding, and sor of Plant Biology at the University Although systematic examination makes about 11,000 new funding of Wisconsin-Madison, and her col- and critique of pipeline problems, cam- awards. The NSF also awards over leagues focused on the “cultural issues pus climate, unconscious bias and $200 million in professional and serv- that manifest in the behavior of indi- work-family juggling can be “disquiet- ice contracts yearly.

24 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 A New Look for the Journal of Biological Chemistry n anticipation of the Journal of Biological Chemistry’s Centennial, we thought it time to I dress-up the old girl with a complete “makeover.” JBC has been the leader in science publish- ing innovation, yet the appearance of the Journal had not significantly changed in over 30 years. The changes, particularly the new cover format, signal the new excitement about JBC and a fresh start for the next 100 years. While the substance of the JBC will continue to be exciting research reports, we have also added sev- eral new features that also mark the Centennial; JBC Reflections, on the careers of the world’s leading bio- chemists; JBC Classic Papers, reprinting the most important and influential papers published in the JBC over the past 100 years; and JBC Papers of the Week, some of the most exciting papers published in each issue of the JBC. So JBC is not your grandfather’s or grandmother’s Oldsmobile any longer.

Tabor/JBC Award continued … Continued from page 23 ments for the rapid and faithful replication of a duplex DNA molecule. The limited number of proteins involved in T7 replica- tion offers two major advantages: the stoichiometry of the proteins in functional complexes is facilitated by the limited number of permutations, and a determination of Call for Abstracts the three dimensional structure of functional complexes The submission site is now open is an achievable goal.. www.asbmb.org Several examples illustrate the simplicity of functional complexes in the T7 replication system. Thioredoxin, Abstract Submission Deadline: November 2, 2005 the processivity factor, binds to the polymerase to clamp ASBMB Travel Award Application Deadline: the complex onto a primer-template. Economy dictates that the polymerase provide one-half the clamp; assem- October 21, 2005 bly occurs without accessory proteins, in contrast to the situation in E. coli and phage T4 . Similarly, the T7 gene 4 protein provides both helicase and primase activities at the replication fork whereas in other systems these activities are provided by separate proteins. The experimental utility of a limited number of pro- teins is most apparent in studies on the T7 replisome. ASBMB & JBC The Richardson lab has constructed a T7 replisome, con- sisting of only four proteins, that fulfills all of the predic- Annual Meeting & Centennial Celebration tions that arise from models of coupled leading and April 1-5, 2006 • San Francisco, CA lagging strand synthesis.

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 25 Study Links Brain Fatty Acid Levels to Depression By Nicole Kresge, Staff Science Writer

group of researchers from not decreased, but arachidonic acid Israel has discovered that rats was substantially increased as com- A exhibiting the signs of depres- pared to controls is somewhat unex- sion have increased levels of the pected,” admits Dr. Green. “But the omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid, finding lends itself nicely to the theory in their brains. The details of their that increased omega-3 fatty acid findings appeared in the June 2005 intake may shift the balance between issue of the Journal of Lipid Research the two fatty acid families in the brain, (2005, 46: 1093-1096), an American since it has been demonstrated in ani- Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- mal studies that increased omega-3 lar Biology journal. fatty acid intake may result in During recent years, omega-3 fatty decreased brain arachidonic acid.” acids have enjoyed increased popular- Although far less attention has been ity as numerous studies have shown paid to dietary requirements for that supplementing diets with fish oil omega-6 fatty acids, which can be (a natural source of this polyunsatu- found in most edible oils and meat, rated fatty acid) does everything from perhaps in the future depression may reducing the risk of heart disease to be controlled by increasing omega-3 preventing arthritis. There is also evi- used the Flinders Sensitive Line rats to fatty acid intake and decreasing dence that depression may be associ- investigate the link between omega-3 omega-6 fatty acid intake. ated with a dietary deficiency in fatty acids and depression. They exam- omega-3 fatty acids. This “phospho- ined the brains of the depressed rats and lipid hypothesis” of depression has compared them with brains from nor- ASBMB Welcomes been supported by research showing mal rats. Surprisingly, they found that that omega-3 fatty acid concentration the main difference between the two New Ph.D.s in the blood of depressed patients is types of rats was in omega-6 fatty acid ASBMB extends its congratula- lower than that in control patients. levels and not omega-3 fatty acid levels. tions to these individuals who “The ‘phospholipid hypothesis’ of Specifically, they discovered that brains recently received their Ph.D. depression postulates that decreased from rats with depression had higher degrees. In recognition of their omega-3 fatty acid intake, and hence, concentrations of arachidonic acid, a achievement, ASBMB is presenting perhaps decreased brain omega-3 fatty long-chain unsaturated metabolite of them with a free one-year member- acid content, could be responsible for omega-6 fatty acid. ship in the Society. The new Ph.D.s the disease,” explains Dr. Pnina Green Arachidonic acid is found through- are listed below with the institution of Tel Aviv University. “In humans, out the body and is essential for the from which they received their because of high dietary variability and proper functioning of almost every degree. the obvious inability to examine brain body organ, including the brain. It Weihong Hou tissue, the theory is backed up mainly serves a wide variety of purposes, from Medical College of by indirect evidence. The availability being a purely structural element in Zhengzhou University of the Flinders Sensitive Line rat, an phospholipids to being involved in sig- Guofun Zhao animal model of depression, over- nal transduction and being a substrate University of Tennessee, Knoxville comes both these obstacles.” for a host of derivatives involved in * Candidates with an asterisk were previous Associ- In the Journal of Lipid Research study, second messenger function. ate members who met the requirements for a free Dr. Green in collaboration with Dr. Gal “The finding that in the depressive one-year membership. Yadid of Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, rats the omega-3 fatty acid levels were

26 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 New Understanding of DNA Repair May Pave Way to Cancer Treatments Burnham Institute study has inhibiting ATF2, it became more sensi- can balance their dual roles. “High found that a protein known tive to treatment,” Ronai said. Conse- doses of radiation, as well as changes A for its role in gene regulation quently, his laboratory developed a that take place in cancer and patho- has another important function, that small peptide that interferes with ATF2 logic situations, can activate both func- of initiating DNA repair. The study, function, efficiently blocking tions of ATF2, which is expected to published in the May 27, 2005 edition melanoma growth in mouse models. disturb the otherwise conserved bal- of Molecular Cell, points to new targets Ongoing studies are devoted to screen- ance between its role in gene regulation for the treatment of cancer. ing for compounds that mimic the and the DNA damage response. We Ze’ev Ronai,* Director of the Insti- peptide’s actions and to allow for fur- need to find out which of the two func- tute’s Signal Transduction Program, ther development of the peptide and his colleagues found that the pro- toward clinical assessment. This is the first time tein ATF2 (Activating Transcription “Until our recent studies, we were we’ve seen a protein Factor-2) is activated by a protein certain that the mechanism by which kinase called ATM (Ataxia-Telangiecta- ATF2 affects melanoma growth was which has been sia Mutated), which stimulates DNA primarily through its established func- implicated in gene repair. ATF2’s role in regulating expres- tion in the regulation of proteins r egulation possess an sion of proteins that control cell cycle important in cell cycle and cell death and programmed cell death is well control. We were therefore most sur- independent function— established. The current study is the prised to find an uncoupled function in DNA repair—while first to demonstrate ATF2’s role in DNA for the same protein,” said Ronai. both functions are repair, an intracellular process that pre- The finding of ATF2’s novel function vents formation of genetic mutations, in DNA repair was serendipitous. As independent from one including those that lead to cancer. Shoichi Takahashi, a postgraduate another. “This is the first time we’ve seen a researcher, was testing for the changes protein which has been implicated in in ATF2 in human cancers, he “lost the — Ze’ev Ronai gene regulation possess an independ- signal” for ATF2. “Later,” Dr. Ronai said, tions is more dominant under these cir- ent function—in DNA repair—while “we did experiments that showed the cumstances in order to devise ways to both functions are independent from signal was lost because a protein kinase, regain the proper balance,” he said. one another,” said Ronai. Dr. Ronai’s ATM, modified ATF2 enough to inter- The Ronai lab’s work on ATF2 was laboratory has been studying ATF2 fere with detection of the ATF2 signal. started at Mount Sinai School of Medi- with the goal of understanding its role Soon, work performed by Anindita cine in New York City, from which Dr in regulation of cell cycle and pro- Bhoumik confirmed that ATF2 is regu- Ronai and his colleagues recently relo- grammed cell death. These studies lated by ATM and that this regulation is cated to the Burnham Institute. This evolved from the finding that ATF2 central to the cell’s ability to initiate study was carried out in collaboration has an important role in the develop- DNA repair processes following ionizing with Wolfgang Breitweiser and Nic ment and progression of melanoma irradiation or other exposures that cause Jones of the Paterson Institute for tumors. Inhibition of ATF2 was found breaks in DNA. A likely way in which Cancer Research, Manchester, Eng- to sensitize melanoma to various treat- ATF2 works is to halt the cell’s cycle to land, and Yosef Shiloh, of Tel Aviv ments, both in tissue culture and in allow repair of damaged DNA before University, Israel. The study was sup- animal models. such damage results in mutation.” ported by a grant from the National “Melanoma is usually resistant to Ronai and his colleagues are now Institutes of Health. chemotherapy, but we found that by determining how molecules like ATF2 *ASBMB Member

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 27 BIOTECH BUSINESS NEWS

by John D. Thompson, Editor

Oklahoma City Unveils Regional Strategic Bioscience Plan More than 7,000 new jobs and nearly science companies and state-of-the-art the north, through the Oklahoma City 90 new businesses could be created over facilities with room for expansion that area to Ardmore in the south. Chamber the next 10 years if all the plans in a many larger markets don’t have officials brought in Battelle to help define Regional Bioscience Strategic Plan access,” said Greater Oklahoma City the region, identify partners and target unveiled last month by the Greater Okla- Chamber President and CEO Roy potential collaborators. homa City Chamber come to fruition. Williams. “Our potential for continued Walter Plosila, Vice President for Bat- The Chamber hired Battelle’s Technol- success in bioscience is great; however, telle, said the Greater Oklahoma City ogy Partnership Practice, a worldwide we must create new resources as well as region has several important building leader in research and development better leverage our existing assets to blocks for success in biosciences. “There activity with more than 1,000 clients realize this potential.” are first-rate facilities at the Presbyterian and 4,500 projects annually, to help The Oklahoma City project seeks to Health Foundation Research Park; there develop the plan. The Chamber also diversify the region’s economic base, are quality scientists at University of worked with a Steering Committee of provide high-end, well paying jobs and Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, more than 20 science and business lead- contribute to the overall economic pro- Oklahoma Medical Research Founda- ers in the region during the course of the ductivity. In 2003, the bioscience tion, Oklahoma State University, Noble nine-month project. industry paid more than $15,000 above Foundation and the University of Okla- “We discovered that our region has the average annual wage for the region. homa in Norman; and the state has some very strong pockets of scientific All 14 action items revolve around four model service providers like the Okla- research, a growing foundation of bio- proposed strategies to take the region’s homa Center for Advancement of Sci- bioscience cluster to the next level: ence and Technology and i2E (Turning Oklahoma City Not Alone In ❖ Build the region’s bioscience Innovation into Enterprise).” Research and Development base and Hunt for Biotech Business encourage commercialization of bio- Sales of Biogenerics in US, Market capitalization of biotechnol- science discoveries; Copies of expensive biotech drugs ❖ ogy in the United States grew 17% last Develop and attract bioscience talent could hit $16.4 billion in sales in the year and states across the country are to the region; United States and Europe by 2011 ❖ investing significant dollars in bio- Grow a critical mass of bioscience once regulatory curbs on so-called bio- science. Following are just a few recent companies by creating an environ- generics use are gone, according to a entries in what might be called the ment in which such firms can start, study released in early September.. Biotech Sweepstakes. grow and prosper; The study by the global consulting ❖ ❖ Iowa has started a 10-year, $500 mil- Build a bioscience image and market group Frost & Sullivan noted that tra- lion Grow Iowa Values fund, which the region. ditionally, biotech drugs made using includes Biosciences; More than 100 scientists, business genetic engineering have been ❖ Kansas has the Kansas Economic people and service providers were immune from generic competition, Growth Act, a $500 million, 10-year interviewed for the strategic plan. In since regulators in these major markets investment to encourage biotechnol- addition to the interviews, there was have been slow to set clear approval ogy and entrepreneurship; extensive economic research, focus rules and many are still patent-pro- ❖ In Washington, $350 million will be group sessions, benchmarking against tected. However, the Frost & Sullivan allocated over a 10-year period six comparable markets, identification study’s analysis found that the outlook beginning in 2008 to a Life Sciences of key scientific strengths and recom- for biogenerics is fast improving. Discovery Fund to grow the bio- mended strategies, actions and fund- “As regulatory guidelines are intro- science industry and ensure compet- ing items for future implementation. duced over the next two to three itiveness of its research institutions; Battelle discovered that 99% of the years and some of the biggest bio- ❖ Wisconsin has developed a 10-year, research and development in biosciences pharmaceutical blockbusters lose $375 million plan for an Institute for in Oklahoma occurs along the Interstate patent protection, the biogenerics Discovery in Madison. 35 corridor extending from Stillwater in

28 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 BIOTECH BUSINESS NEWS

Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia Top Life Sciences Clusters in U.S. If the life sciences industry is the Greater Philadelphia to 10 other metro- Greater San Francisco, Greater holy grail of economic development, politan areas considered the leading life Philadelphia and San Diego. as many public policy officials believe, sciences clusters in the U.S. and ranks On the Current Impact Assessment, then Boston, Greater San Francisco, them based on employment, output, Philadelphia placed first, followed by Greater Philadelphia and Greater New workforce, investment and dozens of New York, San Francisco and Boston. York are in the best position to gain other measures. Following is the New York employed the most life from this dynamic industry in the Milken Institute Life Sciences Compos- sciences workers of the 11 clusters years to come. The four regions ranked ite Index ranking (with scores): (74,592 in 2003), followed by Philadel- at the top of the Milken Institute’s Life 1. Boston (100) phia (53,479), Greater Los Angeles Sciences Index, a measure of not only 2. Greater San Francisco (98.4) (51,533) and San Francisco (46,593). the current strength of these clusters, 3. Greater Philadelphia (97.1) Life sciences employment (relative but their growth potential. 4. Greater New York (94.6) to the national average) grew fastest “The life sciences industry is an 5. Greater Raleigh-Durham (91.1) from 1997 to 2003 in Greater Raleigh emerging powerhouse for U.S. global 6. San Diego (90.7) Durham (19.3% above the national economic competitiveness in the 21st 7. Greater Los Angeles (87.0) average), followed by Philadelphia (+ century,” says Ross DeVol, Director of 8. Minneapolis (77.9) 9.3%) and Minneapolis (+ 0.6%). Regional Economics at the Milken Insti- 9. Chicago (75.9) Within the Current Impact Assess- tute and principal author of the report. 10. Seattle (70.9) ment, the leaders in the four main The report, The Greater Philadelphia 11. Dallas (55.2) industries studied were Philadelphia Life Sciences Cluster: An Economic and The core life sciences industry— (pharmaceuticals), Minneapolis (med- Comparative Assessment, compares which includes biotechnology, phar- ical devices), Raleigh Durham maceuticals, medical devices and (biotechnology) and San Diego (life Europe Expected to Soar research and development in life sci- sciences R&D). market is expected to see exceptional ences—is sought after by local eco- Supporting industries such as hospi- growth and rapidly reach billion-dol- nomic development organizations tals and medical schools employed lar levels,” said Frost & Sullivan ana- across the country for its high-paying more than 912,000 workers in New lyst Himanshu Parmar. jobs and tremendous growth potential York in 2003, the most of any of the Generic drug makers are keen to based on expected pending break- clusters measured. Los Angeles was sec- tap into the market by producing throughs in medical research and an ond with more than 472,000 and cheaper versions of products such as aging baby boomer population. Chicago third with over 395,000. human growth hormone, transgenic Institute researchers used more than The report also includes a section on insulin and erythropoietin (EPO), the 60 core measurements to create the Life the so-called “multiplier impact” of the “blood boosting” medicine. Sciences Composite Index. The main life sciences industry on the broader Frost & Sullivan said products like criteria (both weighted 50 percent) Philadelphia economy. According to these could reach markets in North were the Institute’s Innovation the study, life sciences is responsible America and Europe by 2006-07 and Pipeline, which measures the assets for $15.5 billion (7.1 percent) of the potentially generate sales of $16.39 that allow a metro to capitalize on its region’s gross metro product, $6.9 bil- billion by 2011. life sciences knowledge and creativity, lion directly and $8.6 billion from the Although no generic version of a such as the quality of its workforce; and economic impact in other industries. biotech medicine has yet been Current Impact Assessment, which In addition to highlighting many of approved, Europe is further ahead measures an area’s success in bringing Philadelphia’s strengths, the study also than the United States in the matter, research ideas to the marketplace and pointed out opportunities for improve- having already established a legal creating companies, jobs and products. ment, such as increasing support for framework for “biosimilar” drug Among the findings: life sciences startup firms through applications. On the Innovation Pipeline Index, greater availability of risk capital and a Boston placed first, followed by stronger support infrastructure.

OCTOBER 2005 ASBMBToday 29 IOM Sees Flaws in Protection Against Bioterrorism Agents he system for intercepting infectious agents, such as the SARS Every year, roughly 120 million microbial threats at the virus, or man-made threats like an people travel into or out of the coun- T nation’s airports, seaports, and attack using a dangerous biological try through the nation’s 474 airports, borders needs strategic leadership and a agent,” said Georges Benjamin, execu- seaports, and land-border crossings. comprehensive plan to meet the chal- tive director of the American Public In 2003 Congress began to allocate lenges posed by emerging diseases and Health Association and chair of the funds to bring the number of quaran- bioterrorist threats, says a new report committee that wrote the report. “No tine stations from eight to 25. The 25 from the Institute of Medicine of the single entity currently has the respon- cities that would comprise the National Academies. The report recom- sibility, authority, and resources to expanded quarantine station system mends that the Centers for Disease orchestrate all the activities of the together receive more than 75 million Control and Prevention, particularly its quarantine system, and the traditional international travelers and immi- Division of Global Migration and Quar- responsibilities of quarantine person- grants annually and 31% of the cargo antine and individual quarantine sta- nel are no longer sufficient to meet the imported by sea. Currently, just11 tions at U.S. ports of entry, should have challenges posed by the rapidly quarantine stations staffed by CDC the responsibility, authority, and increasing pace of global trade and personnel are fully active in major resources to lead the effort to protect travel and the emergence of new points of entry. the public from microbial threats. microbial threats. Consequently, we A national strategic plan devised by “CDC quarantine stations and the recommend the establishment of clear CDC quarantine personnel is needed broader quarantine system serve as the leadership and lines of communica- to provide the best possible framework nation’s insurance policy against catas- tion among all parties involved in pro- for protecting the public from the trophes that might arise from the tecting the public from infectious importation of dangerous biological importation of naturally occurring agents that originate abroad.” agents, the committee concluded. The ASBMB/Centennial Clara Benson Travel Fellowship Award In honor of the Centennial Celebration of ASBMB and the Journal of Biological Chemistry

The ASBMB has established five travel fellowships in To nominate a candidate for the Clara Benson Travel Fellowship honor of Clara C. Benson, the only woman in the group of Award the following materials must be uploaded as MS Word or 81 scientists who founded the American Society for PDF files at the Travel Award section of the ASBMB Annual Biological Chemists in December, 1906. The fellowships Meeting and Centennial webpage, www.asbmb.org/meetings. will be awarded to female biochemists and molecular ●A brief statement providing the focus of the nominee’s biologists in the early stages of their careers (postdoctoral research fellows and junior faculty members or scientists not more ●A copy of the nominee’s successfully submitted abstract than five years after the date of PhD graduation). Nominees ●The nominee’s CV will be selected based on their scientific contributions to ●A signed letter of recommendation, on biochemistry and molecular biology, and their potential for institution letterhead, from the nominee’s continuing a high level of scientific endeavor. The travel department chair or mentor fellowship recipients will receive a plaque and up to $2,500 ●Two additional signed letters of support, towards their travel expenses to attend the ASBMB on institution letterhead, at least one of Centennial Meeting in San Francisco, to include travel, which must come from outside the hotel, meals and Early-bird meeting registration. nominee’s current institution All nominations must be received no later than Friday, October 21, 2005.

30 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 GSA MEETING January 5-7, 2006 San Diego, California Growth, Differentiation and Cancer: SPEAKERS Co-Chairs Steve Elledge, Vicki Lundblad, Titia de Lange, Steve Elledge, Charles Sherr Iswar Hariharan

Gene Interactions and SPEAKERS Unraveling Complex Traits: Aravinda Chakravarti, Allen Orr, Co-Chairs Trudy Mackay, Peter Donnelly Aravinda Chakravarti, Chuck Langley

New Insights in Epigenetic Phenomena: SPEAKERS Co-Chairs Barbara Meyer, Vicki Chandler, Art Beaudet, Barbara Meyer Steve Henikoff, Art Beaudet

Stem Cell Genetics: SPEAKERS Co-Chairs Judith Kimble, Janet Rossant, Judith Kimble, Janet Rossant Allan Spradling, Liheng Li

Neurological Diseases: SPEAKERS Co-Chairs Susan Lindquist, Li Hui Tsai, Susan Lindquist, Jeremy Berg Mario Capecchi, Cynthia Kenyon

Keynote Comparative Genomics: SPEAKERS Co-Chairs Eric Green, Bill Gelbart, Speakers: Maynard Olson, Eric Green David Kingsley, Richard Durbin Paul Nurse Technology: SPEAKERS Mary-Claire King Chair George Church, Ron Davis, Lee Hood Sydney Brenner Stan Fields Two poster sessions PLUS additional speakers chosen from abstract submissions! Sign up for this meeting at www.GSA-MODELORGANISMS.org Calendar of Scientific Meetings

OCTOBER 2005 DECEMBER 2005 Supramolecular Chemistry Xth PABMB Congress: Panamerican Association for October 14-19 • Obernai (near Strasbourg), France Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A European Science Foundation conference. For information: December 3-6 • Hotel del Bosque, Pinamar, Province of Ph: +33 (0)3 88 76 71 35; Fx: +33 (0)3 88 36 69 87 Buenos Aires, Argentina Email: [email protected] For more information contact: SAIB President. Ernesto Podestá: [email protected] North Carolina RNA Society’s Symposium on RNA SAIB Secretary Carlos Argaraña: [email protected], or Biology VI: RNA, Target and Tool Theme: Small RNAs and PABMB Chairman Juan José Cazzulo: [email protected] RNPs. website: http://www.saib.org.ar October 21-22 • North Carolina Biotechnology Center, 2005 Congress Expanding Proteomics: New Directions Research Triangle Park, NC. 2005 in Biology, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Deadline for registration and abstract submission: July 1 Email: [email protected]. Medicine Website: http://www.med.unc.edu/pmbb/nc-rna-soc.html December 5-7 • Zurich, Switzerland For information contact: NOVEMBER 2005 Email: [email protected]; Ph: +41 21 802 1163 Website: http://sps05.swissproteomicsociety.org/qsPortal/Home.asp International Workshop on Biosensors for Food Safety and Environmental Monitoring Cambridge Healthtech Institute Sixth Annual Metabolic Profiling November 10-12 • Agadir, Morocco Contact: Université Hassan II-Mohammedia, Faculté des December 7–8 • Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa Sciences et Techniques, B.P. 146, Mohammedia, Morocco Contact: Pete DeOlympio Email [email protected] Ph: 617-630-1359, Email: [email protected] Website: www.univh2m.ac.ma/biosensors Website: www.healthtech.com/2005/gfp/index.asp

BioConferences International 3rd Cachexia Conference 6th European Biotechnology Symposium December 8-10 • Rome November 13–15 • Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, For information contact: Copenhagen Website: www.nataonline.com/LMS-Group/events/2/index.ph Contacts: Aimee Burt; 800-524-6266; [email protected] Nilda Rivera; 800-524-6266; [email protected] American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting Website: www.bioconference.com/ebs/ December 12–14 • San Francisco Contact: John Fleischman; Ph: 301-347-9300 Cambridge Healthtech Institute Email: [email protected]; Website: www.ascb.org Second Annual Fluorescent Proteins in Drug Development Non-VesicularIntracellular Traffic November 14–15 • Hyatt Regency La Jolla, California December 15-16 • Goodenough College, London, UK Contact: Pete DeOlympio Contact: Meetings Office, Biochemical Society, 3rd Floor, Eagle Ph: 617-630-1359, Email: [email protected] House, 16 Procter Street, London, WC1V 6NX Website: www.healthtech.com/2005/gfp/index.asp Email: [email protected] Website:www.biochemistry.org/meetings/focused.htm Third Annual World Congress on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome Clinical manifestations of the Insulin Pacifichem 2005 Resistance Syndrome - Metabolic Syndrome X December 15-20 • Honolulu For information contact: Website:www.pacifichem.org/ November 17-19 • Palace Hotel, San Francisco Email: [email protected] For information on registration, abstracts submission, accom- modations and exhibits: Ph: 818-342-1889; Fax: 818-342-1538 Email: [email protected] Website : www.insulinresistance.us

32 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2005 JANUARY 2006 MARCH 2006 Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on New January 3-7 • Wailea, Maui Antibacterial Discovery & Development For information contact: http://psb.stanford.edu/ March 5-10 • Ventura Beach Marriott, Ventura, California Email: [email protected]; Phone: (650)725-0659 For Information: Email:[email protected] Website: www.grc.org/programs/2006/antibact.htm Building Bridges, Forging Bonds for 21st Century Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology RNAi2006: Advances in RNA Interference Research January 7-9 • Pune, India March 22-23 • St. Anne’s College, Oxford, UK Tel.: 202-872-4523; Email: [email protected] Conference Organizer: Muhammad Sohail Website: http://www.ncl-india.org/occb2006/index.htm Biochemistry Department, University of Oxford Tel: +44 1865 275225; Fax: +44 1865 275259 Email: [email protected] FEBRUARY 2006 Website: http://libpubmedia.co.uk/Conferences/ The 11th Annual Proteomics Symposium RNAi2006HomeMay2005.htm February 3-5 • Erskine on the Beach, Lorne, Australia American Chemical Society 231st National Meeting Email: [email protected] www.australasianproteomics.org.au/lorne.htm March 26 – 30 • Atlanta Contact: Charmayne Marsh; Ph: 202-872-4445 The 31st Lorne Conference on Protein Structure and Email: [email protected]; Website: www.acs.org/meetings Function APRIL 2006 February 5-9 • Erskine on the Beach, Lorne, Australia email: [email protected]; www.lorneproteins.org/ American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Centennial Meeting in Conjunction with Third International Conference on Ubiquitin, Experimental Biology 2006 Ubiquitin-like Proteins, and Cancer April 1–5 • San Francisco February 9-11 • The University of Texas M. D. Anderson For information contact: www.asbmb.org/meetings Cancer Center, Houston, Texas Email: [email protected] This meeting will celebrate the Nobel Prize awarded to Avram Ph: 301-634-7145; Website: www.asbmb.org/meetings Hershko, Aaron Ciechanover, and Irwin Rose for their discov- ery of the ubiquitin pathway and the 10th anniversary of the Recomb 2006 - The Tenth Annual International discovery of SUMO/Sentrin and NEDD8 Application and Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, Conference on Research in Computational Molecular November 11, 2005; For information contact: Amy Heaton Biology Program Manager, Department Of Cardiology April 2-5 • Venice, Italy University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center For information contact: Tel: 713-745-6826; Fax: 713-745-1942 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sentrin.org Ph: +39 0415238995 Website: http://recomb06.dei.unipd.it/ ABRF 2006—Integrating Science, Tools and Technologies with Systems Biology 47th ENC Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance February 11-14 • Long Beach, California April 23-28 • Asilomar Conference Ctr., Pacific Grove, CA For Information: www.faseb.org/meetings/abrf2006 Contact: ENC, 2019 Galisteo Street, Building I-1 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505; Ph: 505-89-4573 G Protein- Coupled Receptors: Evolving Concepts and Fx: 505-989-1073; Email: [email protected] New Techniques Web page: http://www.enc-conference.org February 12-16 • Keystone, Colorado For information contact: Ph.: 800-253-0685 / 970-262-1230 Email: [email protected] http://www.keystonesymposia.org/Meetings/ViewMeetings.cfm ?MeetingID=807 2310805 SA053 8.5x11 Ad 25/8/05 1:27 pm Page 1

Biochemical Society Focused Meeting

15–16 December 2005 Goodenough College, London, UK

Non-vesicular intracellular traffic

+ +Ca

+ +Ca

Intracellular traffic of material and information is of fundamental importance to cell function. While much attention has focused on transport mediated by vesicles, another highly conserved mechanism exists: non-vesicular traffic. This fulfils essential cellular functions by mediating the transport of small molecules in two major categories: lipids and calcium ions. Despite the distinct natures of lipids and calcium ions, their traffic shares one major feature: it occurs at sites where organelles come into close contact with one another. For example, lipid traffic occurs at stable, purifiable zones of contact between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and it is proposed that calcium flux also occurs in close relation to such contact sites. This two-day meeting will be the first to concentrate on the activities of these contact zones.

Talks will address traffic at zones of contact formed between different organelles, Poster Abstract Deadline as well as proteins in particular lipid-transfer proteins, that are understood to be involved 22 October 2005 in this process.

This meeting will be published in Biochemical Society Transactions. Early Registration Deadline 15 November 2005

Confirmed Speakers: Vytas Bankaitis Fees Christoph Benning Include lunches and refreshments Peter Griac Full member $368 Elina Ikonen Student $184 Sima Lev Non-member $552 Fred Maxfield Anant Menon Biochemical Society Robert Nabi Transactions 34(3) $40 Will Prinz Howard Riezman Rosario Rizzuto Sponsored by: Alexei Tepikin Jean Vance Dennis Voelker

Organizers: Shamshad Cockcroft For further information contact Tim Levine [email protected] or visit www.biochemistry.org/meetings