ASCB SEPTEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 29, NUMBER 9 Collaboration and the Future of ASCB Stem Cell Niches Bernfield, Cell Biology Meeting Successful Gilula Page 2 Awards The Critical Task of Peer Review Named The ASCB Page 24 has selected Lloyd Annual Meeting Attendees at the Stem Cell Niches summer meeting at Boston University Trotman of Education Recent advances in our understanding of the environmental con- Memorial trol of stem cells from Drosophila, C. elegans, and mammali- Lloyd Sloan- Events an systems were highlighted at the ASCB Summer Meeting on Trotman Kettering Stem Cell Niches. The meeting was held July 15–18 at Boston Cancer Page 26 University and organized by Sean Morrison. Center to The keynote was presented by Allan Spradling, who receive the reviewed mechanisms that regulate the maintenance of sixth annual stem cells in Drosophila germline and intestinal epithelium ASCB Inside James niches. Subsequent speakers addressed recent insights into Moseley Merton mechanisms that regulate the behavior of germline stem cells Bernfield See Stem Cell Niches, page 6 Memorial Award, President’s Column 2 and graduate student Annual Meeting Program 8 James B. Moseley of HIV-1 and Other Rockefeller University to InCytes from MBC 14 receive the sixth annual ASCB Norton B. Gilula Public Policy Briefing 15 Retroviruses Explored Memorial Award. A variety of perspectives on how The Bernfield Award Members in the News 17 virus–cell interactions influence honors a postdoctoral retroviral replication were featured In Memoriam 18 fellow or graduate at the ASCB Summer Meeting student who has on the Cell Biology of HIV-1 Dear Labby 18 excelled in research. and Other Retroviruses. Co-orga- Trotman will speak at ASCB Profile 20 nized by Eric Freed and Andrew a minisymposium at Mouland, the July 20–23 meet- the 46th ASCB Annual Celldance 2006 22 ing was held at Emory University Meeting in San Diego. in Atlanta, Georgia. Most speak- WICB Column 24 Meeting Co-organizer Andrew The Gilula Award Mouland speaks at the ASCB ers were primary investigators, was made possible by the Summer Meeting. Education Events 26 who presented data noteworthy Rockefeller University for their depth and quality. They Press and recognizes an Grants & Opportunities 27 also provided a larger foundation of background information for outstanding graduate or discussion. The tone of the meeting was established by an ex- undergraduate student Member Gifts 27 citing presentation by the keynote speaker, Wesley Sundquist. who has excelled in Sundquist identified another new cellular factor in the endosom- ■ Calendar 28 research. See HIV-1, page 10 The American Society for Cell Biology PRESIDENT’S Column 8120 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 750 Bethesda, MD 20814-2762 Tel: (301) 347-9300 Fax: (301) 347-9310 [email protected], www.ascb.org Collaboration and the Future

Joan R. Goldberg of Cell Biology Executive Director Cell biology is by definition a broad field that en- tion through the lens of a single discipline. Some Officers compasses fundamental processes such as control of us took a genetic approach while others em- Mary Beckerle President of cell growth and cell death, cell adhesion and ployed biochemical, biophysical, molecular, or Bruce Alberts President-Elect motility, signal transduction, in- imaging strategies to tackle the Zena Werb Past-President tracellular trafficking, membrane problems that interested us. Gary Ward Treasurer structure and dynamics, organ- Cell biologists have evolved and Jean Schwarzbauer Secretary elle biogenesis, receptor biology, become scientists who utilize a and regulation of gene expres- comprehensive toolbox. Council sion. As our appreciation of the Recent advances in cell Kerry Bloom mechanisms underlying these biology as well as numerous Juan Bonifacino processes has increased, it has technological developments David Burgess John Condeelis been possible to integrate this make collaborations ever Peter Devreotes understanding in the context of more important in our field. Linda Hicke physiology, development, and Although cell biologists have Caroline Kane pathogenesis. Technological ad- become quite diversified Sandra Masur vances have allowed us to probe in terms of their technical Barbara Meyer cells to achieve unprecedented expertise, it is simply not Erin O'Shea molecular understanding, ap- possible for an individual to Daphne Preuss Mary Beckerle Anne Ridley preciation of spatial and tempo- be the master of the many ral relationships, and exciting in- approaches and intellectual ASCB Newsletter sight into dynamics of cell processes. With the arenas that now interface directly with each is published twelve times per maturation of the field of cell biology, opportu- question of interest. year by The American Society nities abound for interaction with the disciplines To maximize the potential of our research for Cell Biology. of engineering, pharmacology, computer science, discoveries, collaborations will be ever more medicine, math, chemistry, important. Collaboration Joan R. Goldberg Editor physics, health policy, and even between a cell biologist John L. Saville Production Manager … it is simply not Nancy Moulding Production Assistant social sciences. and a clinician can provide Kevin Wilson Public Policy Briefing Indeed, there has been possible … to be a productive link between Ed Newman Advertising Manager a revolution in cell biology the master of the basic science observations John Fleischman Science Writer over the past two decades. many approaches and unmet medical need. Thea Clarke EducationWriter We have emerged from a and intellectual Collaboration between a cell period of relatively narrow arenas that now biologist and a mathematician Deadlines for submission of specialization to embrace an interface directly can allow examination of articles and advertising era of connectivity with many models based on measurable materials: with each question fields and ever-higher potential physical properties of cells. of interest. Issue Deadline impact. The questions that can Collaboration between a cell November October 1 be effectively tackled today are biologist and a bioengineer December November 1 much more profound and far- might lead to improved drug January 2007 December 1 reaching than when I began my career. Forgive delivery mechanisms. Collaboration between me if I sound like a parent talking to a young a cell biologist and a chemist could lead to ASCB Newsletter child about how an 8-ounce Snicker’s bar used development of small molecule inhibitors or ISSN 1060-8982 sell for a nickel. The cell biology of two decades better biosensors. And on and on. Volume 29, Number 9 ago was probing new frontiers just as it is today, September 2006 but there is a much more substantive knowledge Who Gets the Credit? © 2006 base and many more tools available now. Historically, one of the obstacles to collabora- The American Society for Cell Biology tion, particularly for young investigators, has Postmaster: Send change of address to Opportunities at the Interface been the issue of establishing independence. ASCB Newsletter The American Society for Cell Biology There was a time when a typical cell biologist Independence used to be judged by number of 8120 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 750 worked on a problem of cell structure or func- papers in which an individual was the last (so- Bethesda, MD 20814-2762

2 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 called senior) author and by extramural grants Direct and frequent communication is also on which the individual was the Principle critical in a successful collaboration. Face-to- Investigator. These criteria were widely used by face meetings, particularly if all group members academic institutions for determining wheth- can get together, are optimal. Videoconferencing er to promote or award tenure. Even for estab- can be a very effective means to stay in touch lished investigators, it often seems that grant over long distances. File sharing and regular Many institutions referees counting papers as a measure of produc- data exchange also enhance communication tivity dismiss collaborative work. At the same and promote an atmosphere of trust and a are highlighting time that multidisciplinary science is being tout- commitment to common objectives. collaborative ed as the key to future advances, the structure of Generosity is an often-underappreciated activities as a our evaluation processes discourages collabora- feature of a successful collaboration. A simple positive measure tion by undervaluing it. thing like regular and public acknowledgment of faculty Things are changing now. Many institutions of a collaborator’s contribution can make the effectiveness. are highlighting collaborative activities as difference between a relationship that blossoms a positive measure of faculty effectiveness. versus one that sours. As in any relationship, a Similarly, promotion, retention, and tenure conscious effort to appreciate and understand committees are beginning to recognize co- the position of the partner is key to success. PI status as evidence of independent research One of the stickiest issues to arise in success. The NIH, which long had a policy that collaboration is authorship position on the joint only one individual could be a PI on a grant, is publications, again a question of who gets the developing new mechanisms that would allow credit. Although I don’t believe in deciding about partners in research to be recognized as such by the funding agency (http://grants.nih.gov/ grants/multi_pi/). These changes are designed to encourage scientists to choose their projects based on criteria such as impact rather than achievement of PI status, and to support the implementation of “team science.”

Best Practices Science driven by individuals will continue to be very important, but collaborative efforts are likely to increase significantly. Collaborative sci- ence can occur at many levels. Within a single lab group, members may cooperate on a project, bringing key reagents, technical expertise, and scholarly input to the work. Multiple labs with- in an institution may collaborate, or individuals from multiple institutions may come together based on common interest. Some collaborations are based on the sharing of unpublished infor- mation or critical reagents. Others involve on- going intellectual engagement and experimen- tal contributions by multiple parties. These are, of course, the ones that can be most rewarding and are also the ones that can be more challeng- ing to navigate. Collaborations seem to work best when the scientists who are coming together bring unique skills, perspectives, or tools to the project. In this way, the interaction truly adds value by integrating novel reagents, diverse approaches, or model systems that are not accessible to a single person.

SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 3 authorship until a manuscript is being prepared will likely be discussions about the future of and it is clear exactly what data will be reported, the project after the initial effort is complete. it is healthy to have early, open, and ongoing Will the next steps continue as a collaboration, discussions with collaborators about how the will the pie be divided in some logical way, or results of a team effort will be communicated. will competition follow collaboration? If all Collaborations These discussions can be awkward, particularly goes well, the first publication will represent seem to work when students or postdocs at critical career the culmination of a trusting and cooperative best when the development stages are involved in the work, relationship that was well-built, and that and multiple individuals feel a compelling need will continue as needed to facilitate scientific scientists who are for priority position. Authorship order can have advances. coming together a significant impact on a person’s career, so it bring unique skills, is no small issue. The strategy of noting when Keeping Your Eyes on the Real perspectives, individuals made equivalent contributions to a Prize or tools to the project was developed to address this issue. This If collaborators can collectively keep their focus project. approach works to some extent, but in the end, on the quality of science that can be achieved only one name can appear first in a citation. by working together, a productive working re- Decisions about the senior author position can lationship and long-term friendship can ensue. also be contentious, and this situation is likely The whole point of collaboration is to achieve to be exacerbated in times of tight funding. a goal that would not be attainable without the Open discussions and receptive listening to interaction, where partners make unique contri- the position of your collaborators will facilitate butions. If collaborations have these attributes, the development of a solution that is as fair as probability for success is high. ■ possible. If the collaboration is a successful venture Comments are welcome and should be sent to with multiple groups fully engaged, then there [email protected].

4 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006

Stem Cell Niches, continued from page 1 HSCs (Chengcheng Zhang, David Scadden, and Kateri Moore), and the mechanisms during development, regeneration, and aging. that regulate the mobilization of HSCs Leanne Jones and Yukiko Yamashita discussed into circulation (Irving Weissman, Thomas changes in the Drosophila testis with age and Schreiber), including a critical role played by the potential role of changes the nervous system (Paul in signaling molecules and Frenette). Recent advances centrosome checkpoints in have begun to identify the the loss of stem cells with age. signals that induce stress Other talks addressed responses in HSCs, includ- Left: Sarah Crittenden presents mechanisms that germline ing reactive oxygen species her poster to fellow conference niches employ to regulate (Toshio Suda) and nucleic acid attendees. stem cell numbers, including release (David Scadden). Brian regulation of primordial Keith introduced the idea that germ cell divisions by HSCs might be regulated by somatic cells (Lilach oxygen tension in vivo, a pos- Gilboa) and the ability Left to right: Gregor Adams and Stem Cell sibility also supported by some of committed germline Niches Meeting Organizer Sean Morrison posters. Sean Morrison, Kateri cells to repopulate Moore, and Linheng Li dis- depleted stem cell niches (Erika Matunis). cussed new markers that improve the identifica- Finally, Judith Kimble addressed the tion and tracking of HSCs. These talks, as well formation of the C. elegans germline stem as presentations that identified vascular niches cell niche. for HSCs (Shahin Rafii, Hanna Mikkola, Sean Multiple speakers also addressed the Morrison), led to a rousing debate about the rel- Left to right: Travel awardees Jungwoo Lee nature of the mammalian hematopoietic ative importance of the vascular versus endoste- and Jesung Moon with Jin Wook Kang stem cell (HSC) niche. Several speakers al niches for HSCs. Group discussion supported discussed recent results identifying growth the concept that HSC niches may be complex, factors that regulate the maintenance of combining endosteal, vascular, and neural com- ponents. A final group of speakers addressed other mammalian niches. Andrew Wurmser discussed evidence that neural stem cells can create their own niche by forming vascular endothelial cells. Fiona Doetsch discussed the nature of the subventricular zone niche for neural stem cells, and the role of microRNAs in the regulation of these cells. Shin-ichi Nishikawa and David Fisher discussed mechanisms that regulate the function of melanocyte stem cells in hair follicles. Overall, the meeting emphasized the strong parallels between the mechanisms employed by stem cell niches from invertebrates to mammals, and the need for ongoing meetings that focus on this area of stem cell biology. The ASCB gratefully acknowledges the support of the following Stem Cell Niches meeting sponsors: AbCam; Biospherix, Ltd.; Fisher Scientific International, Inc.; Miltenyi Biotec; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/NIH; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH; R&D Systems; StemCell Technologies, Inc.; and WiCell Research Institute. ■ —Heather Fleming, Yukiko Yamashita, and Sean Morrison

6 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 7 The ASCB 46th Annual Meeting December 9-13, San Diego, CA Mary Beckerle, President ■ Anthony Bretscher, Program Chair ■ Arshad Desai, Local Arrangements Chair

Keynote Symposium Minisymposia

Saturday, December 9 Sunday, December 10 Frontiers in Cell Biology—6:00 pm Cell Migration Tuesday, December 12 Bruce Alberts, University of California, San Francisco Diane L. Barber, University of California, San Francisco Apoptosis Thomas R. Cech, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Gregg G. Gundersen, Columbia University College of Eileen White, Rutgers University Physicians & Surgeons Junying Yuan, Harvard Medical School

Computational Applications in Cell Biology Applications of Biosensors Symposia Douglas A. Lauffenburger, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Atsushi Miyawaki, RIKEN Brain Science Institute Alex Mogilner, University of California, Davis Alice Ting, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sunday, December 10 Epigenetics and Chromatin Remodeling Cytoskeleton, Adhesion and Disease Coordination of Adhesion and Migration— Peggy Farnham, University of California, Davis Kathleen J. Green, Northwestern University Feinberg 8:00 am Andrew Feinberg, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine School of Medicine Denise Montell, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Alpha S.K. Yap, University of Queensland Clare Waterman-Storer, The Scripps Research Institute Epithelial Organization and Morphogenesis Kenneth Yamada, National Institute of Dental & Andrea I. McClatchey, Massachusetts General Hospital Host Pathogen Interactions Craniofacial Research/NIH Cancer Center Jorge Galan, Yale University School of Medicine Ulrich Tepass, University of Toronto Francoise Gisou van der Goot, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne Deciphering Evolution—10:30 am Immune Cell Adhesion and Recognition Sean Carroll, University of Wisconsin–Madison/HHMI Andrey Shaw, Washington University School of Medicine Kinetochores and Centrosomes Erich Jarvis, Duke University Medical Center Colin Watts, University of Dundee Michel L. F. Bornens, Institute Curie, Paris David Kingsley, Stanford University School of Peter Todd Stukenberg, University of Virginia School of Medicine/HHMI Motile and Sensory Cilia Medicine Kathryn Anderson, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Elizabeth F. Smith, Dartmouth College Mechanisms of Actin Dynamics Monday, December 11 Bruce Lane Goode, Brandeis University Mechanisms in Mitosis—8:00 am Organelle Inheritance and Maintenance Dorit Hanein, The Burnham Institute Rebecca Heald, University of California, Berkeley Liza A. Pon, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons Lucille Shapiro, Stanford University School of Medicine Michael Schrader, University of Marburg Membrane Traffic in Disease Ronald D. Vale, University of California, Esteban Carlos Dell’Angelica, University of California, Los Angeles San Francisco/HHMI Signaling in Development School of Medicine Marcos González-Gaitán, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Daniel Klionsky, University of Michigan Cell Biology & Genetics Developmental Decisions—10:30 am Alexandra Joyner, New York University School of Medicine/HHMI Nuclear Pore and Traffic Hans Clevers, Netherlands Institute for Michael P. Rout, Rockefeller University Developmental Biology Monday, December 11 Katharine S. Ullman, Huntsman Cancer Institute Elliot Meyerowitz, California Institute of Technology Cancer Mechanisms Susan Strome, Indiana University Lisa Maria Coussens, University of California, San Francisco Wednesday, December 13 Mary J. C. Hendrix, Children’s Memorial Research Center/ Endo- and Exocytosis Tuesday, December 12 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Todd Graham, Vanderbilt University Membrane Assembly and Dynamics—8:00 am Margaret Scott Robinson, University of Cambridge Cell Cycle Gillian Griffiths, University of Oxford Mary Dasso, National Institute of Child Health & Human Imaging Janet Shaw, University of Utah Development/NIH J. Richard McIntosh, University of Colorado Marino Zerial, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Jonathon Pines, The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Eva Nogales, University of California, Berkeley/HHMI Biology & Genetics ECM and Cell Signaling Intermediate Filaments and Disease From Cellular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Jean E. Schwarzbauer, Princeton University Don W. Cleveland, University of California, San Diego Intervention—10:30 am Christopher Turner, SUNY Upstate Medical University Colin Stewart, National Cancer Institute–Frederick Susan Lindquist, Whitehead Institute for GTPases in Cellular Traffic Life at the Microtubule Plus End Biomedical Research Francis Barr, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry Anna Akhmanova, Erasmus Medical Center Christine Seidman, Harvard Medical School/HHMI Shou-ou Shan, California Institute of Technology Kevin Vaughan, University of Notre Dame Xiaodong Wang, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center/HHMI Microtubule Motors Mechanisms of Cell Polarity Erika L. F. Holzbaur, University of Pennsylvania Patrick Brennwald, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wednesday, December 13 Claire E. Walczak, Indiana University Chris Q. Doe, University of Oregon/HHMI Functional Networks—8:00 am Regulation of the Cytoskeleton Myosin-based Movement Susan Mango, Huntsman Cancer Institute Keith W. T. Burridge, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Folma Buss, Cambridge University Kevan Shokat, University of California, San Francisco Anne J. Ridley, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Arturo DeLozanne, University of Texas, Austin Tian Xu, Yale University School of Medicine/HHMI RNA and Development Neural Degeneration and Regeneration Stem Cell Biology—10:30 am Oliver Hobert, Columbia University College of Physicians & Zhigang He, Harvard University George Q. Daley, Children’s Hospital Boston Surgeons/HHMI Stephen Strittmatter, Yale University School of Medicine Roy Parker, University of Arizona/HHMI Elaine Fuchs, Rockefeller University/HHMI Stem Cells Margaret Fuller, Stanford University School of Synapse Assembly and Plasticity M. Kathryn Barton, Carnegie Institution of Washington Medicine Ann Marie Craig, University of British Columbia Nancy Y. Ip, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology For more information, contact the ASCB at (301) 347-9300, [email protected], or www.ascb.org.

8 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006

HIV-1 and Other Retroviruses, continued from page 1 and stability—were all discussed and remain suitable antiviral targets. al sorting pathway that is essential for HIV-1 Trafficking of Gag and sites of assembly in replication. various cell types remain controversial issues, Many presentations illustrated how cell–cell but many new insights were presented at the transmission is perhaps a predominant means by meeting. Knowledge of membrane-binding which HIV-1 and other retroviruses efficiently spread to neighboring cells, evade immune responses, and promote their own infectivity by manipulation of cellular components. This was highlighted by a live cell demonstration of the unidirectional transmission of virus along cytonemes to uninfected cells. New cellular factors were also identified Left to right: Travel Awardee Baoshan Zhang Left to right: Keynote that are incorporated into the and Tamika Campbell discuss her poster. Speaker Wesley Sundquist viral envelope from infected and Session Chair Quentin lymphocytes and enhance the infectivity properties of Gag is Sattentau of released virions. Many of the obstacles now being further in retrovirus replication encountered in refined, using liposomes that can mimic developing rodent and primate models are specific microdomains of plasma or endosomal now being overcome by studying resistance membranes. Key virus assembly intermediates Left to right: Meeting Co-organizer Eric Freed and Dimitry Krementsov mechanisms against specific postentry in the cytoplasm, in association with cellular restriction factors. For example, a new factors, may be the crossroads for membrane HIV chimera that contains only minimal binding and targeting of final virus assembly alterations was developed to achieve and release. Gag protein can localize to efficient virus replication in monkey cells. cellular endosomes. However, Gag protein also Studies on virus–cell interactions in the recruits previously segregated late endosome nucleus illustrated that HIV-1 DNA seems markers, potentially forming new virus-specific to favor active sites of transcription, which compartments. Targeting of essential viral and may be stimulated by posttranslational endosomal proteins to tetraspanin-enriched lipid modifications of integrase and chromatin- microdomains at the plasma membrane allows bound forms of LEDGF. Other retroviruses for systemic spread of infection to uninfected Left to right: Travel Awardees Thomas seem to target different regions or lack any cells. Dominant negative cellular factors may Gramberg and Lara Manganaro at the specificity at all. The RNAse H domain become inhibited by interactions with Vpu to poster session of reverse transcriptase was shown as a enhance HIV-1 release in some cell types. Novel potentially effective candidate for inhibition manipulation of one endogenous endosomal of retroviral replication. Factors required for sorting factor that is structurally autoinhibited proper transcription and the fate of retroviral in its native state was activated into a potent RNAs—including splicing and polyadenylation, inhibitor of virus release. nuclear export, translation, cellular localization, Overall, the extremely high quality of the meeting and its informal atmosphere allowed for pleasant, well-informed discussions on the cell biology of retroviruses. The ASCB gratefully acknowledges the support of the following meeting sponsors: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.; Carl Zeiss Canada, Ltd.; Emory Center for AIDS Research; Gilead Sciences; and the Office of AIDS Research/National Institutes of Health. ■ —Benjamin Luttge

Cell Biology of HIV-1 and Other Retroviruses participants at Emory University in Atlanta, GA

10 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006

12 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006

INCYTES from MBC September, Vol. 17, No. 9

A Global, MLCK-Dependent Increase in Myosin II Contractility Accompanies the Metaphase–Anaphase Transition in Sea Urchin Eggs Amy Lucero, Christianna Stack, Anne R. Bresnick, and Charles B. Shuster Cytokinesis is mediated by myosin II–driven constriction of an actin-based contractile ring that assembles at the cleavage plane and generates a cleavage furrow between postmitotic nuclei to partition the cytoplasm between dividing cells. Simultaneous live-cell imaging of chromosome segregation or mitotic spindle formation in large, fertilized sea urchin eggs compressed under fluorocarbon oil provides a simple means of visualizing myosin II– mediated contractile events during mitosis and cytokinesis. Two phases of myosin II–dependent contractility were observed: An initial and transient global increase in cortical contractility occurred concomitant with the metaphase–anaphase transition and was followed by a brief period of relaxation before the onset of furrowing. The data provide new insight into the order of early events in cytokinesis and lead to a model in which Ca2+-dependent signaling mediates the global activation of myosin II before determination of the cleavage plane, followed by Rho- dependent signaling to focus contractility at the cleavage plane.

The Intraflagellar Transport Protein IFT20 Is Associated with the Golgi Complex and Is Required for Cilia Assembly John A. Follit, Richard A. Tuft, Kevin E. Fogarty, and Gregory J. Pazour Virtually every vertebrate cell has a solitary nonmotile primary cilium thought to function as a sensory organelle. Its specialized function requires that the ciliary membrane, although continuous with the plasma membrane of the cell, have a unique complement of integral plasma membrane proteins, e.g., receptors and channels. Cilia are assembled by a process called intraflagellar transport (IFT), which involves the assembly of large protein complexes (IFT particles) at the base of the cilium near the basal body and their transport via molecular motors along the axonemal microtubules into the cilium. How ciliary membrane proteins are transported is not know. Here the authors report that IFT20, a component of IFT particles, is associated both with assembling IFT particles in the peri–basal body region and with the Golgi apparatus. GFP-IFT20 is highly dynamic and moves between the Golgi and the cilium, as well as along ciliary microtubules. Its unique localization among IFT components together with the results of siRNA knockdown experiments suggests a role for IFT20 in trafficking ciliary membrane proteins to the cilium.

The Plug Domain of Yeast Sec61p Is Important for Efficient Protein Translocation but Is Not Essential for Cell Viability Tina Junne, Torsten Schwede, Veit Goder, and Martin Spiess Proteins are translocated across and/or inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane through the Sec61 translocon complex, which in yeast consists of the 10 transmembrane domain–containing Sec61p and the single spanning proteins Sbh1p and Sss1p. The crystal structure of the homologous archaebacterial translocon reveals a compact transmembrane helical bundle surrounding a potential hydrophilic channel. A lumenal plug domain derived from the Sec61p homologue, which blocks the channel, was suggested to be involved in gating the translocon and sealing the channel when idle. Thus, the authors were surprised to find that introduction of destabilizing point mutations or even complete deletion of the Sec61p plug domain had no effect on cell viability or growth. Rather, the mutant lacking the plug domain is impaired in signal sequence orientation and exhibits a minor defect in cotranslational translocation and a significant defect in posttranslational translocation. The mutant protein’s reduced ability to coassemble with the other subunits suggests that rather than sealing the translocon in yeast, the plug domain plays a role in stabilizing Sec61p for translocon formation.

Guanylyl Cyclase Protein and cGMP Product Independently Control Front and Back of Chemotaxing Dictyostelium Cells Douwe M. Veltman and Peter J. M. Van Haastert Dictyostelium cells sense both temporal and spatial aspects of a chemoattractant gradient consisting of waves of cAMP secreted by starving cells. Chemotaxis is driven by the extension of actin filaments in the leading pseudopodia and the contraction of actin-myosin filaments in the rear. Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and cGMP are involved in cAMP sensory transduction. sGC is a large, multidomain protein that is recruited to the leading edge of chemotactic cells; such recruitment is dependent on sequences encoded within its N-terminus. Analysis of guanylyl cyclase–null cells reconstituted with either a delocalized N-terminal truncation mutant that retains its cAMP-dependent guanylyl cyclase activity or a catalytically inactive mutant that retains its localization to the leading edge has revealed opposite functions for the sGC protein and its product. The diffusely distributed cGMP stimulates myosin incorporation in the rear and inhibits pseudopod formation, whereas sGC at the leading edge promotes localized pseudopod formation independent of its catalytic activity. cGMP senses temporal aspects of the cAMP gradient, while sGC responds to spatial aspects of the cAMP gradient. ■

14 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 PUBLIC POLICY Briefing

PETA Official Applies for NIH Post People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals as amputating animals’ toes as a means of (PETA) has announced that its senior vice pres- identifying them and breaking animals’ necks ident and director of research and investiga- in order to kill them. tions, Mary Beth Sweetland, has applied to be ■ Open doors of communication between the the director of the National Institute of Health’s committees that validate non-animal test (NIH) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare methods in the European Union and the (OLAW). U.S. so that high-tech methods developed in A PETA press release says that Sweetland Europe or the U.S. would automatically be would change the agency’s reputation from recognized by both regulatory agencies. being “so impotent that its useless” to a force ■ Offer job counseling to those who would like on behalf of animals. In her application letter, to get out of animal laboratories and into Sweetland outlined an eight point plan to more meaningful, high-tech research.” change OLAW. According to the news release, In addition, Sweetland has offered to work at her plan includes: a reduced salary. ■ “Levy hefty fines against laboratories that do Until the OLAW position is filled, the NIH not operate under the minimum guidelines for has announced that Patricia A. Brown, V.M.D., humane treatment of animals in laboratories. will temporarily be assigned to the position of ■ Introduce new policies that would acting director of OLAW. ■ prohibit cruel and archaic practices such

New NCI Join the Director The White House ASCB announced its in- tention to ap- Public Policy point John E. Niederhuber to be Advocacy Team the next director ■ of the National Are you interested in public policy advocacy? ■ Concerned about federal funding for biomedical research John Niederhuber Cancer Institute. in America? Niederhuber ■ Worried about Intelligent Design being taught in currently serves at the National America’s science classrooms? Cancer Institute as both acting di- ■ Interested in educating your elected representatives rector and deputy director for about the importance of biomedical research? Translational and Clinical Services. He previously served as professor in the Department of Surgery and The ASCB Public Policy Department of Oncology at the Committee Needs You! University of Wisconsin. We need representatives in each of the 50 states to work Niederhuber replaces Andrew with their colleagues to support biomedical research. C. von Eschenbach, who currently serves as acting commissioner of We need you to organize and lead meetings with your the Food and Drug Administration representatives and write letters and Op/Eds to your local (FDA). Von Eschenbach replaced papers. Lester Crawford, who only served as FDA commissioner for two See www.ascb.org/publicpolicy/project50/index.cfm months. ■ or email [email protected] for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 15 Pope Held Seminar on Evolution Outspoken Supporter of Evolution Removed from Vatican Post Examining Darwin’s theory of late Pope John Paul II that acknowledged the evolution and its impact on case for evolution as “vague and unimportant.” Catholicism’s teaching of cre- The Cardinal’s remarks were viewed by many ationism was the subject of a as a trial balloon launched by the Vatican to September weekend seminar determine reaction to a potential change in the held by Pope Benedict XVI. Catholic Church’s position on evolution. The seminar, an annual Soon after the Cardinal’s Op-Ed was Pope event attended by the Pope’s published, Father George Coyne—head of the Benedict XVI former theology students, Vatican Observatory—criticized the Cardinal’s discusses a different topic each remarks and later said that “intelligent design year. About 30 people—including students, isn’t science, even if it pretends to be.” invited guests, and invited speakers—attend the The Vatican recently announced that Father weekend-long sessions. Coyne, an American, has been replaced by The opening remarks this year were made Father Jose Gabriel Funes, from Argentina. by Vienna Archbishop Christoph, Cardinal Coyne had served as director of the Observatory Schonborn, and Peter Schuster, president of the for more than 25 years. Austrian Academy of Sciences. Other speakers The Vatican Observatory was established in included the Rev. Paul Erbach, a German 1891 to advance astronomical knowledge and scholar, and German philosopher Robert to demonstrate the Church’s support for the Spaemann. physical sciences. The Observatory is one of the Cardinal Schonborn made news in 2005 oldest institutions of its type in the world. The when he published an Op-Ed in The New York Vatican continues to provide almost $1 million Times. In his Op-Ed, Schonborn questioned in annual support for ongoing research. ■ evolution and described a statement by the

Creationism Monitor

Wisconsin—A retired University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh physics professor is leading an effort to petition the Oshkosh School Board to place a referendum on the November ballot with the following resolution: Be it resolved that when evolution is taught in the Oshkosh public schools, it shall not be taught as fact but rather with evidence, pro and con, and with an analysis of its testability. Ohio—Supporters of teaching evolution in Ohio schools have formed Help Ohio Public Education (HOPE) and are working to defeat state School Board of Education member Owens Fink. Fink has supported altering state science education standards to “critically analyze” different areas of science, including evolution. Former U.S. Representative Tom Sawyer has announced that he will run against Fink.

Arkansas—Several candidates for statewide office have told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that information on intelligent design (ID) should be available to students as part of the state science curriculum. “I believe in intelligent design and I don’t think intelligent design and evolution are mutually exclusive,” said Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Beebe. Republican candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general think teachers should have the option to teach ID. Source: Various media reports

16 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 MEMBERS in the News

Mary Beckerle, an ASCB member since 1980 and Jack Dixon of the University of California, San Diego/ 2006 ASCB President, has been appointed director Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), an ASCB of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She was previously member since 1992, was elected by HHMI’s trustees to the institute’s deputy director and senior director of be HHMI Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, ef- laboratory research. fective February 1, 2007.

Bill R. Brinkley of Baylor College of Medicine, an ASCB Dan Flynn of the West Virginia University School of member since 1964 and 1979-80 ASCB President, Medicine, an ASCB member since 1998, has been has been selected by The Australian Society for named deputy director of the school’s Mary Babb Medical Research (ASMR) as its 2006 Medalist for his Randolph Cancer Center. contribution to the promotion of health and medical research.

A. Malcolm Campbell of Davidson College, an ASCB Haifan Lin, an ASCB member since 1995, has been member since 1992, was co-recipient of the Pirelli appointed director of the Stem Cell Program at Yale INTERNETional Award in Education (Section 2a). The School of Medicine. Lin, a former cell biology professor animation entitled MicroArrays MediaBook was awarded and co-director and co-founder of the Duke University first place for "Best work for educational institutions." Stem Cell Program, began his position on September 1.

SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 17 In DEAR Labby

Memoriam Dear Labby, ASCB lost a loyal and active member Eighteen months ago I was one of three junior faculty recruited to my on July 31, when university cell biology department in the same year. We all get along beautifully Mark Nathanson with one another as well as with the established faculty. I have two graduate died from a sud- students and a research assistant, and I just learned that my initial NSF grant den heart attack. application will be funded. My teaching has also gone well, and the student Nathanson, an as- Mark evaluations of my lectures have come out between excellent and outstanding. sociate professor Nathanson So things are going very nicely for me all around. But I have one problem. in the Departments of Cell Biology and My department chair treats us three new faculty members in very different Molecular Medicine and Pediatrics ways. In both departmental meetings and at various informal gatherings, he at New Jersey Medical School, always seems to single out one particular junior faculty member. He typically calls on him first at Newark, was a developmental bi- departmental meetings, and often talks about this faculty member in the third person (as in “Well, ologist and an active member of Dave thinks …”). The other day at our campus athletic faculty, I saw my chair and this junior faculty ASCB since 1977. For many years, member playing racquetball, adding to my sense of exclusion. Mark used his gifted photography I have considered the possibility that I am not seeing this situation objectively, so I asked the skills to document the ASCB meet- people in my lab if they have picked up on this apparently differential treatment. They all said they ing events and members. Many people will remember him as the had. I should emphasize that my chair seems very fair-minded in general, and is always available “guy behind the camera at ASCB to me and the two other junior faculty members. But his overt favoritism has gotten me feeling meetings.” He will be missed. ■ depressed. Am I being too sensitive? —On the Outside?

Dear Outside,

Your inquiry will probably strike a responsive chord with many readers as it describes a situation that is not uncommon. Some pairs of people just resonate more than others. But the relationship between a chair and junior faculty is power-based, and thus a chair should rein in any overt displays of favoritism. It is possible that your chair is unaware of this preferential treatment. Your report that he is generally supportive of all three junior faculty is encouraging. As for playing racquetball, this is a degree of proximity that almost certainly fuels a pleasant interpersonal relationship, as the “playing fields” typically do. While not frankly inappropriate, it is a basis for concern and suggests that your chair’s preferential treatment of your faculty colleague is now extending beyond the confines of the department. You mentioned that you had asked your lab members about this. Have you also asked the third junior faculty member? Her/his take on this would be very important for calibrating the overall gravitas. If he or she feels excluded or demoralized, Labby suggests that the two of you take this concern to your chair. Express it as a mild concern, i.e., “Please feel free to call on one of us more often at meetings.” The issue is not “can my chair be my best friend?” (She/he never should be.) The issue is simply that your well-intentioned chair may not be aware of how demoralizing his actions may be. If your chair is as reasonable as you suggest, he will take these expressed concerns very constructively. ■ —Labby

18 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 19 ASCB Profile Lynne Quarmby Lab lineage is terribly important in cell bi- man disorders. These new “ciliopathies” affect ology. Fly people come from fly labs. Worm everything from the human eye to the human runners train in the C. elegans world. People embryo. All this has made cilia a hot field and who work with the single-celled green alga, Chlamydomonas a hot organism. Chlamydomonas, can usually trace their descent Back in the late 1980s when Quarmby from a lab hooked into the worldwide “Chlamy began teaching herself Chlamydomonas, it was a Clan.” Not so Lynne Quarmby. Now an as- “niche” lab organism with a small if dedicated sociate professor at Simon Fraser University following. Yet Quarmby made a small discovery in British Columbia, Quarmby is a pillar of in her first Chlamy experiments. Calcium the worldwide “Chlamy” community. Yet she signaling was involved in one distinctive cheerfully admits that she never trained in a behavior, deflagellation. This shedding of Chlamydomonas lab and didn’t belong to a “real” waving arms, either under stress or shortly Chlamy lab until she started her own. “I like to before cell division, was well-known behavior. say that I had wonderful ‘telephone mentorship’ The mechanism was a black box. Over a Lynne Quarmby from the Chlamydomonas community, but for dozen years, and in several non-Chlamy labs, many years I was at institutions where no one Quarmby struggled to develop deflagellation else used Chlamydomonas,” Quarmby explains. as a genetic assay. That work is now paying Quarmby recruited herself soon after she off handsomely, says Yale’s Joel Rosenbaum, entered the biochemistry a senior figure in the graduate program at the Chlamydomonas community. University of Connecticut “There are lots of people (UConn), Storrs, in 1985. Her Quarmby … grew up now jumping on the cilium advisor was Richard Crain, a exploring the lakes and flagellum bandwagon, but lipid biochemist. Crain had in my estimation, one of those an interest in whether inositol and tide pools of already doing the most exciting phospholates were involved Vancouver Island. work is Lynne Quarmby,” says in the IP3-mediated calcium- Rosenbaum. signaling pathway in large Quarmby’s contribution to tropical plants. Quarmby the recent excitement has been suggested that the work might be easier in one- her use of mutants defective in deflagellation celled algae. Quarmby, who grew up exploring to uncover yet another novel role for ciliary the lakes and tide pools of Vancouver Island, proteins—as regulators of the cell cycle. came to Storrs with a master’s in Oceanography Rosenbaum explains, “It’s long been known “There are lots from the University of British Columbia. She that every time the cell divides, the cilia resorb of people now knew something about algae, at least in the prior to division. It’s never been known whether jumping on the wild. Crain left her to the algal lab literature and that’s a cause or an effect.” The mechanism is cilium and flagellum then the telephone, where Quarmby stumbled still not understood, he adds. However, new into the helpful arms of the Chlamydomonas evidence from Quarmby and others points to bandwagon, but community. the ciliary-based basal body, which emanates in my estimation, from the centriole and duplicates during mitosis one of those Making the Cilial Connection to become part of the spindle apparatus. If already doing The Chlamydomonas community exists large- Quarmby’s defective deflagellation proteins the most exciting ly because there is no better model on earth affect such a fundamental organelle, they could work is Lynne for studying cilia and flagella. Secondary cilia well have an impact on cell cycle timing, notes Quarmby,” says and flagella are the tiny hair-like motile struc- Rosenbaum. Joel Rosenbaum. tures that drive so many of life’s basic process- es, from sweeping the respiratory tract to pow- Inside the Chlamy Clan ering sperm. Within the last five years, Chlamy Ursula Goodenough is another senior mem- labs working on defects in primary cilia—non- ber of the Chlamydomonas community and motile structures found on virtually every eu- one of Quarmby’s “telephone mentors.” karyotic cell— have turned up startling links to Now at Washington University in St. Louis, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and other hu- Goodenough remembers hearing the young, un-

20 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 known researcher speak for the first time at a departmental gatherings that he never worried Chlamydomonas meeting. “It was instantly ob- about flooding the job market with graduates: vious to me that Lynne was extremely smart “Why do you think I have so many women and extremely imaginative. I went out of my students? They get their graduate degrees, way to get to know her,” says Goodenough. have babies, and drop out.” Quarmby decided They became friends and Goodenough has seen to change course and pursue a biochemistry Quarmby in her lab, at meetings of the ASCB’s doctorate at UConn in 1990. Women in Cell Biology Committee, and at the In Connecticut, Quarmby found her own lecture podium, many times since. “It’s been a way to Chlamydomonas and to its curious joy to watch Lynne develop,” says Goodenough. deflagellation behavior. For her first postdoc, Goodenough says that when Quarmby first Quarmby went to the biochemistry lab of Nobel made the decision to screen for Chlamy mutants laureate Alfred Gilman, at the University of … Quarmby steered that couldn’t deflagellate, there was nothing Texas Southwestern Medical Center, to study her career back to obvious about a possible connection to cell cycle calcium ion channels. There wasn’t an alga in Chlamydomonas by control. “Maybe other people suspected it, but sight. In Texas, Quarmby learned the craft of convincing a cardiac it was news from my perspective,” Goodenough rigorous research but never stopped thinking says with a laugh. Cells do lose their flagella about the possibilities of Chlamydomonas. physiologist who when they go into mitosis but that happens Two years later, Quarmby steered her career knew nothing about in part by an independent process where the back to Chlamydomonas by convincing a cardiac algae to take her flagella shorten, rather than pop off. “This idea physiologist who knew nothing about algae to on as a postdoc. of calcium-induced popping of cilia and their take her on as a postdoc. The physiologist was resorption (in the mitotic spindle) was, at best, Criss Hartzell of the Emory University School a speculation. It was Lynne who pulled this of Medicine. Quarmby heard Hartzell speak at together and took it beyond speculation. Like an ion channel meeting and came up afterwards. any good scientist, Lynne followed her nose.” The two hit it off immediately. Over coffee, Lynne Quarmby has always followed her Quarmby sketched out her idea of using an own star. Neither of her parents finished high alga to get at calcium ion channel pathologies school. Growing up in the Canadian pulp mill in mammalian hearts. They emailed back and town of Duncan, 50 miles north of Victoria on forth until Hartzell came up with a year’s worth Vancouver Island, Quarmby sensed her family’s of very soft money at Emory and the offer of high expectations regarding hard work and bench space. integrity. But career expectations for a girl were “I really didn’t know anything about low. When her high school math teacher told Chlamydomonas at the time,” Hartzell recalls, her mother that Lynne was quite bright and “but Lynne had this passion and intellectual should consider medicine, her mom responded, excitement about her. She was clearly very “Oh, I don’t think Lynne would like to be a smart. But I’ve had a lot of smart postdocs in nurse.” Yet Quarmby says that her family’s lack my lab who in the end didn’t succeed. Lynne of expectations liberated her to find her own stuck with it. She was convinced that this way. When she left Duncan for the University weird deflagellation response was important. In of British Columbia (UBC), Quarmby fished addition, Lynne was a huge intellectual stimulus around for professional programs that involved for me and for my lab.” chemistry and biology. “In pharmacy school, I lasted a week in the starched lab coat. It just Follow the Phenotype wasn’t me.” “It was brave of Criss to make room for me,” says Quarmby, “and it was foolhardy of me to Hostile Waters leave Gilman’s lab, uproot my family, and do a Her love of the Vancouver coast and her talent lot of scrambling, but it seems to have worked for science led her to Oceanography. It was out.” Quarmby stayed at Emory for eight also the first time that Quarmby had her “nose years, first as a research associate and then as rubbed” in academic misogyny. When Quarmby junior faculty in the Cell Biology department. was appointed the “scientific captain” of a There she finally set up her very own Chlamy UBC research cruise, the vessel’s captain treated lab. Equally novel was the presence of another Quarmby with derision, pumping the bilgewater Chlamy lab just down the hall run by Win overboard in the middle of a critical sampling Sale. Quarmby says that Sale was an important run as a “practical joke.” Her prospects in the mentor and resource as she launched her early 1980s were equally discouraging, Quarmby grueling, two-year-long saturation screen for recalls. A senior faculty member liked to tell deflagellation mutants. It yielded three oddball

SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 21 genes, one of them encoding a Nek-family Back in 1999 though, an algae-based lab kinase. The mutant led not to a calcium channel in a medical school remained a hard sell to defect phenotype, but to a temporary arrest in prospective graduate students and to funders. the cell cycle at G2. One afternoon, Quarmby was leafing through Rip Finst was Quarmby’s first graduate the back pages of Nature. “And there was Simon The cilia-PKD student and collaborator on the saturation Fraser looking for me,” she remembers. connection has screening. Finst says he entered Emory and Today Quarmby feels very much at home finally ended the Quarmby’s lab with the understanding that his again in British Columbia, at Simon Fraser old prejudice that ambitions extended beyond academic science, University (SFU), and in the Canadian research Chlamydomonas toward an eventual career in business or law. funding system. “The size of our grants is small “Lynne embraced that, letting me pursue my by U.S. standards,” Quarmby says, “but the is too far removed interest in science while knowing full well that funding rates are higher.” SFU has a spectacular from human I had these other goals,” says Finst, who later setting atop Burnaby Mountain on the east side biology to be added a J.D. to his Ph.D. Finst, who is now an of Vancouver. It has been known until recently medically relevant. intellectual property litigator with a Bay Area for its undergraduate program, but Quarmby law firm, says Quarmby was the ideal mentor says that is changing. Both the number and for him—intensely focused on the science but quality of graduate students at SFU are steadily undeterred by conventional expectations. increasing, she says. “In graduate programs, you Finst recalls, “Here we were in a medical need a critical mass, and we’re just about there school setting working on Chlamydomonas, now.” which really didn’t fit the conventional approach to problems like ion channels or cancer genetics. The Alga that Came in from the But Lynne had a vision of how you could Cold answer medical-type questions using this basic The cilia–PKD connection has finally ended the system. That has paid off massively for Lynne old prejudice that Chlamydomonas is too far re- in the work she’s now doing in kidney cells. It’s moved from human biology to be medically rel- remarkable how she’s persevered.” evant. For the first time last year, Quarmby re- ceived a grant from the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Also for the first time, she brought an- other organism model into her lab and is work- ing with cultured mouse kidney cells. She spent part of last year on sabbatical to learn the etiol- Celldance Festival ogy of cysts in mouse tissue at the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto. “But I’m not switching 2006 my lab!” Quarmby declares. “I want to be able ASCB’s Second Annual Cell Biology to go back and forth with mammalian cells, but Film Contest Chlamy is always going to be the focus.” The First Prize is $500. And there are $500 in additional Returning home reawakened her love of the prizes, along with honorable mentions. Entry deadline is Canadian wilderness and her skills as an avid September 30, 2006. backpacker. During her recent stay in Toronto, To open the eyes of the world to the best in visually Quarmby took her first extended canoe trip stunning cell videos that highlight cell biology, the ASCB through Ontario’s watery Algonquin Provincial Public Information Committee (PIC) announces the Park. Quarmby’s other great interest is her 19- return of “Celldance Festival 2006,” the ASCB’s Second year-old son, Jacob Sheehy, who after a gap year Annual Cell Biology Film Contest. backpacking through Eastern Europe, has just First prize is $500 and a free registration to the 2006 enrolled in Computer Science at Concordia ASCB Annual Meeting in San Diego, December 9–13. University in Montreal. Additional runners up will receive smaller cash prizes. Quarmby is also an artist, a “closet painter,” A “Celldance Festival 2006” Winners’ Reel will be posted as she puts it, who after 25 years of painting for free, open-access downloading at www.ascb.org and abstract canvases for personal amusement and deposited in the soon-to-be-launched ASCB Image & close friends, stepped out in public last summer Video Library. with a show at a Toronto gallery. That led to her The contest is open to ASCB members and ASCB first commercial sales. Naturally, Quarmby has member applicants only. Entry deadline is September 30, never had a painting teacher and belongs in no 2006. For further details on how to enter (and the fine school of art but her own. ■ print in full), go to www.ascb.org/index.cfm?navid=128.

22 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 23 WOMEN in Cell Biology Approaching the Critical Task of Peer Review The Value of High-Quality Peer before making a publication decision. With re- Review gard to the former beneficiary, my advice is to Virtually every published paper has benefited follow the Golden Rule: treat others as you want from, and been improved by, peer review. to be treated, and keep in mind that you are Reviewers help clarify and tighten my communicating with both your peers and their arguments. They catch large and small errors younger students and postdocs. that would otherwise cause confusion. They point out worthwhile controls, or suggest new Step 1: Accept the Assignment experiments that strengthen, and sometimes Before you agree to review a manuscript ask correct, initial interpretations. Thus, from my yourself the following questions: Are you knowl- experience, as both author and editor, high- edgeable in this area of research? Do you have quality peer review is beneficial to the authors. the expertise to assess the methodology and re- The greatest value of good peer review is, sults? Can you be objective in your criticism? Is however, to the journal’s readers. Objective there a conflict of interest? Lastly, can you meet Objective and scholarly peer review ensures that the your commitment to review the manuscript and scholarly conclusions reported are fully justified by the within the allotted time, usually one to two peer review data. On a more subjective level, well-informed weeks? If you answer “no” to any of these ques- ensures that reviewers help editors prioritize and categorize tions, then decline and recommend someone the conclusions papers, so that published manuscripts match you think might be more appropriate. reported are the journal’s scope and objectives. Although the fully justified standards for objective peer review should be Step 2: Consider the Journal the same for all journals—specifically, referees If you are not already familiar with the journal’s by the data. should insist that the experiments be rigorously scope and philosophy, you can find these on performed, and that the presented evidence is each journal’s home page. Many journals will in- of sufficient quality and quantity to justify the clude specific instructions to the referees regard- paper’s conclusions—each journal has different ing the criteria by which they prioritize manu- goals that referees need to consider when they scripts for publication. make their subjective recommendations. Some journals present scientific vignettes to Step 3: Read the Paper communicate with interdisciplinary audiences. As you do, try to take two views: Look for the Others, like Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBC), big picture but also pay close attention to the publish complete and significant advances details. The big picture view should form the within a broad discipline. Still others are more basis of your subjective opinion. Ask yourself focused on subdisciplines. Others function as the following questions. Has this paper taught archives for communicating important stepwise me something useful and/or interesting? Would advances. my students, postdocs, and colleagues find this The subjective nature of peer review helps information helpful? If the journal is interdisci- match the scientific and conceptual advances plinary, then ask, would researchers outside this reported in each paper with the appropriate field benefit from reading these findings? audience. This is a valuable task that helps At MBC we ask our referees to help us readers sift through the plethora of resources prioritize papers by considering the following listed on PubMed for the kind of information big questions: they seek. 1) Does this study significantly advance our knowledge, and/or provide new concepts or How to Review a Paper approaches that extend our understanding? The following is a step-by-step guide to review- 2) Are the advances presented of broad ing papers, written from the perspectives of an interest and significance to cell biologists? author, who will hopefully benefit from your ef- In general, papers must satisfy both these forts, and an editor who is seeking your advice criteria to meet MBC standards.

24 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 As for the details, look carefully at all of the provide constructive feedback to the authors. If data presented, including the Supplemental possible, be specific about suggested additional Material and any movies, and at how the controls or experiments needed to justify the experiments were performed. Is the approach conclusions. Is the suggested experiment doable or procedure appropriate? Are all the necessary and, if so, is it worth doing, or will it only … Avoid controls in place? Is the quality of the data add incrementally to the take-home message inflammatory sufficient? Pay attention to the axes of graphs; while unnecessarily delaying publication? language; is the scale chosen to make small differences If you disagree with an interpretation, be remember the look large? This is one of my pet peeves. Does specific about alternatives. Check your work, Golden Rule! the written description of the results match the as mistakes diminish your credibility to the data presented in the figures? Close inspection author. of these details will allow you to determine if the conclusions and interpretations are supported by Step 5: Make Confidential Remarks the data. to the Editor As you read, you should also assess how Many journals have check boxes for prioritizing effectively the authors have communicated their publication. Any recommendations regarding findings. Again, at MBC, we ask referees to publication should be communicated confiden- assess whether the title and abstract accurately tially to the editor and not to the authors. You reflect the content and conclusions of the might also indicate which of your concerns are paper. This is critical given that the title and more or less critical for the authors to address. abstracts available from a PubMed search direct Peer review is our most important readers to important papers and help them to responsibility. It epitomizes the scholarship and prioritize their reading. Does the introduction collegiality that attract us to this profession. provide sufficient background to understand Although anonymous, it is often the most the significance of the findings that follow? Is valuable form of communication. As a frequent it concise and relevant to the subject at hand? beneficiary of peer review, I thank my colleagues Are the results presented in a logical order? Are for sharing their efforts and advice. ■ the experimental rationales established? Are the —Sandra Schmid important conclusions and their significance stated clearly and concisely in the discussion? Are the findings placed in a larger context? Is the work of others considered and incorporated or inappropriately ignored? Is there unnecessary repetition; can the author be more succinct?

Step 4: Write Your Review Adopt a professional and scholarly tone, and avoid inflammatory language; remember the Golden Rule! In an opening paragraph, make a general statement describing the major conclusions of the paper and your overall assessment of their validity and significance. This opening statement should reflect your “big picture” view of the paper. These comments help the editor decide whether the paper’s findings match her or his journal’s scope and objectives—and thus whether to reject a paper or to invite resubmission. Importantly, you should not make a recommendation regarding publication in your comments to the authors; instead reserve this opinion for your confidential remarks to the editor. Subsequent paragraphs should focus on the details. Generate a list of specific criticisms and concerns (preferably numbered and subdivided into major and minor concerns) that justify your overall assessment of the paper and

SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 25 Annual Meeting Education Events Not to Be Missed

Scientifi c TTeachingeaching for Scientists Undergraduate Jo Handelsman, Department of Plant PathologyPathology Education Program University of Wisconsin–Madison WantWant to make decisions about teaching based on evidence, that iis,s, tteacheach scscientifiientifi ccally?ally? HHowow aboaboutut engaging students in learning activities that rreflefl ect the trtrueue naturnaturee ooff scscience?ience? JJoo HHandelsmanandelsman wiwillll discuss the tenets of scientifi c teaching in the classroom (active learning, assessment, and diversi- ty) and how scientifi c teaching applies to mentoring in the research lab, in December 2006 in San Diego. Participants in this special ASCB Annual Meeting event will focus on designing teaching materials and analyzing case studies. The workshop will be held on Saturday, December 9, from 1:30–4:30 pm at the San Diego Convention Center. Advance online registration (www.ascb.org) is required; tickets may be available onsite ($10 for all attendees).

Tactile Teaching: Exploring the Molecular World K–12 Education With Physical Models of Proteins Program And Other Molecular Structures Tim Herman, Director, Center for BioMolecular Modeling Milwaukee School of Engineering Ever use a physical model of a molecular mechanism to excite your students? This year’s K–12 Science Education Partnership Lunch will familiarize educators with physical modeling materials created for classroom use. Capture the interest of students and stimulate them to learn more with hands-on demonstrations. This workshop will explore the use of a variety of physical models, from simple models of water to complex models of proteins constructed by rapid prototyping technology. Models tell a variety of three-dimensional molecular stories: • Emerging insecticide resistance in mosquitoes • The amazing molecular gymnastics of the infl uenza hemagglutinin protein that mediates membrane fusion during virus infection • The ATP synthase molecular motor The molecular stories that cell biologists like to share with students have become complex, compelling, and three-dimensional. The tools used to communicate these stories to students should possess these same qualities. This sixth annual ASCB Education Committee-sponsored workshop and lunch will be held on Sunday, December 10, 12:00– 3:00 pm at the San Diego Convention Center. Advance online registration for this Annual Meeting event is required. Visit www.ascb.org to register. Tickets may be available onsite ($10 for all attendees). ■

26 ASCB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2006 GRANTS & OPPORTUNITIES MEMBER NIAID Biodefense Fellowships. The NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases solicits applications from biodefense training and development researchers of prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseas- Gifts es caused by potential bioterrorism agents. Grants, fellowships, and career development awards. Multiple deadlines. www.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/research/funding.htm. The ASCB is grateful to the following members who have recently given a gift to support Society activities: NIH Re-entry Program. The NIH and Office of Research on Women’s Health announce a continuing program for fac- ulty who have taken time out for family responsibilities. Deadline: July 9, 2007. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa- Joanna C. Bakowska files/PA-04-126.html. J. S. Clegg Julie G. Donaldson NIH Grants. Stephen Jay Keller Greg Law • Large-Scale Collaborative Project Awards. Deadlines: June 21, 2007. http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/ Carolyn Machamer pa-files/PAR-04-128.html. Hitoshi Sakakibara • Predoctoral Research Training in Biostatistics. Deadline: October 12, 2007. William M. Saxton http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-04-132.html. Aristeo Aris Segura Julie A. Theriot NRSA Awards. The NIH Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is accepting applications for the Ruth L. Jeremy W. Thorner Kirschstein National Research Service Awards. The predoctoral fellowships promote diversity in health-related research. Kenneth M. Yamada Application deadlines are May 1 and November 15 through 2009. http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-481.html#SectionI.

SCORE Awards. The NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences is accepting applications for its Support of Competitive Research (SCORE) developmental awards designed to increase faculty research competitiveness at mi- nority-serving institutions. The program announcement, as well as three other program announcements (PAR-06-491, PAR-06-492, PAR-06-493), can be found at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-490.html#PartI. ■

SEPTEMBER 2006 ASCB NEWSLETTER 27 MEETINGS Calendar

October 28–31. Beijing, China June 2007. Cancun, Mexico The 5th Asian-Pacific Organization for Cell Biology Congress 2007 Pan-American Society of Developmental Biologists (APOCB 2006). www.apocb2006.org.cn/index.htm. Congress—A joint meeting between the Latin American Society for Developmental Biology and the International November 1–4. Nashville, TN Society for Cell Biology. ASCB American Society for Matrix Biology Biennial National Meeting www.niob.knaw.nl/isdb/meetings.htm. Annual Meetings 2006. www.asmb.net/nationalmeeting. July 1–6, 2007. New London, NH 2006 November 5–8. San Diego, CA Colby Sawyer College. Gordon Research Conference (GRC) San Diego 4th International Congress on Electron Tomography. entitled “Cell-Cell Fusion.” December 9–13 http://4icet.org; www.burnham.org/hybridmethods2006/. http://www.grc.uri.edu/programs/2007/cellcell.htm.

2007 December 4–5. Arlington, VA July 8–12, 2007. Glasgow, UK Washington, DC The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Life Sciences 2007, incorporating BioScience2007, December 1–5 Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D- the British Pharmacological Society, the Physiological Related Disorders. www.asbmr.org. Society at the SECC, Glasgow. 2008 www.lifesciences2007.org. San Francisco January 9–14, 2007. Goldegg, Austria December 13–17 EMBO Workshop on Membrane Traffic in the Secretory July 15–20, 2007. Cairns, Queensland, Australia Pathway. http://cwp.embo.org/w07-17. GLYCO-19—XIX International Symposium on 2009 Glycoconjugates. http://www.glyco19.org. San Diego January 21–28, 2007. Brisbane & Heron Island, December 5–9 Australia September 1–4, 2007. Dresden, Germany Workshop on the Cell Biology of the Coral-Dinoflagellate European Life Scientist Organization Annual Meeting. 2010 Symbiosis. www.elso.org. Washington, DC [email protected] or [email protected]. December 11–15 June 28–July 3, 2008. Athens, Greece May 23–25, 2007. Charlottesville, VA 33rd Congress of the Federation of European Biochemical 2011 Morphogenesis and Regenerative Medicine Symposium at Societies and 11th Conference of the International Union Denver the University of Virginia. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Biochemistry of Cell December 3–7 http://www.morphogenesis.virginia.edu/index.htm. Regulation. www.febs-iubmb-2008.org. ■

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