A Magazine | The School of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Issue 8, 2014

THE NUCLEUS OF AN EXPANDING SCIENCE

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR TABLE OF CONTENTS

It is a pleasure to welcome you again to another issue of the MCB magazine. 2 Letter from the Director, Stephen Sligar 4 The Nucleus of an Expanding Science, by Deb Aronson A central theme of this issue deals with how major research advances are realized in the biological sciences. It is well appreciated that many significant 9 It Takes a(n Academic) Village to Determine an Enzyme’s Function, by Diana Yates discoveries are now made by teams of collaborative researchers. An important 10 Team Finds Mechanism Linking Key Inflammatory Marker to Cancer,by Diana Yates part of the history of accomplishment at U of I is due to an open and synergistic environment that encourages cross-campus and cross-disciplinary interactions. 12 What Won’t Kill You, Might Make You Stronger, by Claire Sturgeon While several institutes on campus provide a structure for bringing multi- 14 All Creatures Great and Small: What’s Going on in the Mind of a Mouse, and What disciplinary partners together, multiple bridges also exist between research Does it Mean for Humans?” by Doug Peterson groups, departments and colleges. This provides a feeling of openness and 15 A Meeting of the Minds: Neurologist Connects Carle with Campus, by Doug Peterson possibility that makes human creativity the only limit to discovery. As many who have moved to other institutions or outside of academia can attest: This degree of 16 Welcome New Faculty Members collaboration in the absence of formal relationships between individuals and units Dr. Catherine Christian, Dr. Xin Li, Dr. Erik Nelson, Dr. Erik Procko, Dr. Nien-Pei Tsai, Dr. Derek Wildman, Dr. Kai Zhang Dr. Stephen G. Sligar is not common at other institutions. 18 Don’t Underestimate the Power of Undergraduate Research When you connect the links among highly productive bio-science research 20 Medical Scholars in MCB Find Synergy in a Good Relationship, by Deb Aronson centers across campus, one often finds an MCB faculty member at the nucleus. In basketball, the center, also known as the post, is normally the tallest player 22 U of I SACNAS Chapter Receives National Recognition, by Ana Petracovici on the team, and often has a great deal of strength. As is evidenced in the content 23 Scientists Discover a New Role for Estrogen in the Pathology of Breast Cancer, of this issue of the our magazine, MCB faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and by Diana Yates Sciences provide critical participation in the research enterprises being conducted in the Beckman Institute, the Institute for Genomic Biology, the Center for the 24 The Meaning of Alma Mater: Alumna, June Aprille, by Doug Peterson Physics of the Living Cell, and numerous collaborative partnerships in the College 25 Second Chances: Alumn, Michael Recny, by Doug Peterson of Engineering, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Agriculture, 26 A Different Direction: Alumna, Nancy Sasavage, by Doug Peterson Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the College of Applied Health Sciences and the College of Medicine. 27 In Memorium It is a pleasure to introduce you to the seven new faculty joining MCB as William T. Greenough (1944-2013), Lowell P. Hager (1926-2014), Abigail Salyers (1942-2013), well as a sampling of the important advances in education and research being William Sleator Jr. (1917-2013), Colin A. Wraight (1945-2014) conducted within the School and its four departments. Importantly, we also 30 List of Recent Graduates continue to stress the amazing accomplishments of our undergraduate and graduate alumni, particularly when one appreciates the breadth of career paths, from journalism through endowed professors in academe to senior corporate leaders, the educational experiences in MCB and its departments have clearly been most enabling.

As we enter into the holiday season and new year, we wish you a productive and fulfilling 2015! MCB is published by the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology

MCB Director Assistant Director of Development MCB Communications Office Stephen G. Sligar Sean D. Williams 393 Morrill Hall, MC-119 505 South Goodwin Avenue Managing Editor Photography Urbana, IL 61801 Steph Adams Steph Adams Carle phone | 217.265.6594 Additional Editing Kathryn Coulter fax | 217.265.6595 Julie O’Mahoney Don Hamerman [email protected] Graphic Designer L. Brian Stauffer Kurt Bielema Joseph Storch www.mcb.illinois.edu

Produced by the MCB Communications Office with Single Stereo Design for the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. The University of Illinois is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.

Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink. 12.038

2 MCB THE NUCLEUS OF AN EXPANDING SCIENCE

By Deb Aronson Benito Mariñas Joanna Shisler Yi Lu Madhu Viswanathan Civil and Environmental Engineering Microbiology Chemistry Business

From blood clotting to Alzheimer’s Benito Mariñas, professor of civil and environmental engineering, This project is one of three large cross-campus projects recently had a problem. He was part of an effort to provide clean water to funded by the University’s Institute of Sustainability, Energy, and and clean water, MCB faculty communities in East Africa, but the range of contaminants was vast. Environment. Diarrhea from unsafe drinking water is an enormous global health “I’ve learned an aspect of public health I wouldn’t have without this members are involved in cross- burden. Many contaminants cause chronic diarrhea, which leads to collaboration,” reflects Shisler. “Helping communities alone has been numerous health problems and is one of the leading causes of death in really rewarding, but we’re also training different levels of students campus, interdisciplinary and children under five-years old. One contaminant Mariñas was wrestling who become more broadly trained, who can put pieces of information with was adenovirus, which was very resistant to low pressure UV together for new solutions.” even visionary, efforts combining disinfection, a common technique that worked for other viruses. “It is highly likely that any hardcore highly translational questions with Wanting to better understand the challenge, he sought out MCB professor Joanna Shisler, a microbiologist, who, he learned, worked molecular biosciences project on cutting-edge approaches. And with with adenovirus. Could she help him with this problem, he wondered? “Benito wanted to be able to measure what was going on with the campus will involve MCB faculty,” collaborations like this taking part all virus when it was being disinfected,” says Shisler, who agreed to help. Thus began a seven-year (so far) collaboration that has begun, not says Stephen Sligar, professor of across campus, it’s an exciting time only to address some of Mariñas’s questions, but also to train “very unique people” with experience in molecular biology, engineering biochemistry and director of MCB. to be part of MCB. and global health issues, says Shisler. So far, Shisler and Mariñas have trained five students together and published four papers Sometimes, as in the case with Shisler, a researcher on campus will on their collaborative work. approach an MCB member with a question. In other cases, MCB Thanks to Shisler’s in-depth understanding of the complex biology faculty have had problems for which they seek out engineers, computer of viruses, the team is slowly making progress in determining how to analysts or physical scientists for solutions. neutralize viruses and how to determine if they have been neutralized. In addition, as scientists seek to answer more complex questions, the One grand challenge in the field is how do you detect an active, intact need to collaborate with people who have different areas of expertise virus versus the individual parts that are no longer a unit. becomes essential. Current methods can identify the genome and the protein elements “When you employ a certain methodology in isolation, even though Student collecting water from a point-of-use water system to test for chemical and of the virus, but it can’t tell if they are together, and thus infectious, it may be very powerful, you are very limited in scope, but when you microbial activities in Lira District, Uganda or if they were separated, at which point they are no longer infectious. combine it with other methodologies, other ways of looking at the same One approach involves an effort by Yi Lu, professor of chemistry, problem from different angles, you have a great chance to make significant to design an aptamer to recognize an entire virus particle. Aptamers contributions,” says Emad Tajkhorshid, professor of biochemistry, are single-stranded RNA, and very long molecules. Lu is trying to biophysics and computational biology. He should know, since he design one that will recognize an entire virus particle. Lu is trying collaborates with countless colleagues across (and beyond) campus. to find an aptamer that would bind to the intact virus particle but One undertaking that is resulting in significant contributions Aptamer, single-stranded RNA not the disinfected particle. involves understanding how cell membranes and membrane proteins Image provided by Dr. Yi Lu “The grand vision here is that we know how adenoviruses are work. For much of his career, Jim Morrissey, professor and head of inactivated; we know on a molecular level and what we’re doing is the biochemistry department, had done groundbreaking functional developing a new technology so we can detect infectious particles studies on blood clotting, and how blood-clotting proteins interact with in the water supply,” says Shisler. Once they do that they can start membranes. However, understanding the detailed protein-membrane asking the question, “is the disinfection system effective?” interactions underlying experimental observations often presents a real Ultimately, Shisler and her colleagues hope to develop a product challenge because 1) they are exceedingly complex, 2) the membrane that can detect contaminants, that is accepted by the community, is very difficult to work with, and 3) the necessary high-resolution and perhaps could be a source of jobs or micro-businesses. Madhu techniques have not existed until now. Taking samples of household cooking water to examine water chemistry and Viswanathan, a professor of business, who studies how groups in the When fellow biologist and director of the School of Molecular and microbiology, Lira District, Uganda lowest socioeconomic stratus make decisions, is lending his expertise Cellular Biology, Stephen Sligar developed the “Nanodisc” technology, Photos by Joanna Shisler to the project, as well. Morrissey realized it could help him in his efforts. Nanodiscs are

4 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 5 Stephen Sligar Emad Tajkhorshid James Morrissey Chad Rienstra Martha Gillette Ryan Bailey Jonathan Sweedler Gabriel Popescu Biochemistry Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biochemistry Chemistry Cell and Developmental Biology Chemistry Chemistry Electrical and Computer Engineering Computational Biology, Pharmacology

10-nanometer-long slices of cell membrane, stabilized by a protein that My main goal is to apply these computational techniques to exciting encircles it like a disc. biomolecular problems and to advance our understanding of the “Membrane proteins are extremely difficult to study because if microscopic world in and around us.” you remove them from the cell membrane, they become inactive, At the time that Tajkhorshid heard about Morrissey’s work, they aggregate like scrambled eggs, and they die,” says Sligar. Tajkhorshid’s group had been doing computer simulations on cell Meanwhile, Chad Rienstra, professor of chemistry, had developed membranes that were about the size of the Nanodiscs. He realized a way to use solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) that he could run simulations of the binding of blood clotting proteins to answer structural questions about larger molecules, including to membranes. membrane proteins that standard NMR cannot. This technology also More recently, this membrane team has expanded to include Ryan promised to advance the understanding of cell membranes and could Bailey, professor of analytical chemistry. Bailey has developed a micro be used to understand how the lipid portion of membranes, ring technology that can measure the binding affinity and rate of in particular, interacts with membrane proteins. binding of the protein with the membrane. This is precisely the kind of interdisciplinary undertaking in which Morrissey says when physical scientists, such as Bailey and Rienstra, cell biologists are essential, says Martha Gillette, professor of cell and collaborate with biologists, their expertise can be more effectively developmental biology. brought to bear on important problems. “Chemists and engineers who collaborate with biophysicists enjoy 3D reconstructed image of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons (red) and supportive “To really ask the best questions bringing their expertise to bear, but blood clotting is a very mature field; glial cells (green) grown in a 3D alginate hydrogel. Figure courtesy of Chris Liu, a it’s very hard to enter,” he says. “By working with us, we can tell them neuroscience grad student in Martha Gillette’s lab. about a complex system you need to what very important questions there are and then they can bring their be steeped in how that system works. expertise to bear. Biology is their future. Although they are world class “It’s one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done,” says Morrissey, in their field, they also need biologists to identify the most important of this set of new approaches to a well-established field. “Working In that sense biologists are critical biomedical questions to focus on.” with mathematicians, biophysicists, chemists, and enzymologists we These collaborations have been enormously fruitful. The team has joint can make much faster progress and new ideas, which create a deeper to the growth and development of lab meetings every other week and has published 18 papers together. understanding and fundamental insights into membrane functions.” They have also competed successfully for multiple NIH grants. “Nobody else is really studying these protein-membrane interactions not only the campus but the whole at the level we are, with so many complementary techniques,” adds Tajkhorshid. enterprise of bringing technology to This multidisciplinary approach is laying the groundwork for new therapies for blood clotting diseases and disorders, such as hemophilia bear on living things,” Gillette says. and thrombosis. Using these approaches will help them understand why, for example, factor VII binds stronger or weaker compared to Morrissey also collaborates with Tajkhorshid, who is a bit of a other coagulation factors and how they can change that behavior to hybrid. A member of the biochemistry department, he has two improve current therapies. PhDs, one in pharmaceutical chemistry and one in biophysics. He Gillette is leading an equally ambitious collaborative project that will loved chemistry in his pharmacy program and became interested in explore the dynamic brain — “how it remembers, enables us to move computer science, moving into computational chemistry. Soon he or be moved, to awake and sleep each day of our lives,” she says. realized that there were much more exciting areas in computational The team, which includes Jonathan Sweedler, professor of chemistry biology where he could work with functional macromolecules, such as and director of the School of Chemical Sciences, Gabriel Popescu, channels, transporters and receptors. professor of electrical and computer engineering, and John Rogers, “These are really, really fascinating machines,” he says. One of the key initial steps in coagulation is the formation of complexes between different clotting factors, a reaction which is to a large degree controlled by binding professor of materials science and engineering, intends to examine how Tajkhorshid’s group does computer simulations in which they use of these proteins to specific regions of the cellular membrane. The image shows neurons in the brain are activated in response to experiences, in order computational biology to help understand how atoms move on such the structure of a complex between tissue factor (green) and factor VII (blue) on to see how they cause behavioral changes and subsequent activities short timescales that can’t be measured experimentally. His group the surface of a membrane. Phospholipid molecules intimately interacting with the complex and anchoring it in the membrane are shown using a more thicker of the neurons, also known as brain plasticity. In order to do this, the provides testable hypotheses. representation. Deeper penetration of factor VII and the close engagement of its team will develop and use newly created, complementary technologies “I really love to look at molecules and understand them,” says Nanodisc bound Ca2+ ions (purple spheres) with phospholipids are evident. that will non-invasively control, measure, and analyze brain network Tajkhorshid. “Every time I see an interesting problem I jump on it. Image provided by Emad Tajkhorshid dynamics and change in real time.

6 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 7 Chemistry professor Jonathan Sweedler, left, microbiology professor John Cronan, biochemistry professor John Gerlt and their colleagues developed a streamlined approach to discovering enzyme function. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer It Takes a(n Academic) Village to Determine

John Rogers Dan Llano Taher Saif Anthony Fan an Enzyme’s Function Materials Science and Engineering Molecular and Integrative Physiology Mechanical Science and Engineering Mechanical Science and Engineering By Diana Yates

interest in the mechanical properties of neurons. For example, Saif Scientists have sequenced the genomes of “There was a time when I would apologize important, role in the bacterium: It helps the determined that even tiny perturbations in the mechanical tension nearly 6,900 organisms, but they know the that we were focusing on bacterial genomes organism deal with the stress of life in a salty of neurons can substantially change neuronal activity. functions of only about half of the protein- and not human genomes,” Gerlt said. environment, Gerlt said. Llano has preparations of brain slices in his lab that he puts on coding genes thus far discovered. Now a “However, it is now well established that we do This effort to understand the function of one micro-devices built by Saif that exert tiny forces on the portions of multidisciplinary effort involving 15 scientists not live in isolation, that we have a microbiome enzyme offers a cascade of other benefits, Gerlt brain tissue. He then uses optical imaging to measure how populations from three institutions has begun chipping associated with us and that microbiome is said. One big advantage of this approach is that of brain cells respond to these forces. away at this mystery—in a big way. Their work made up of thousands of different bacterial it aids in the identification of orthologs (enzymes “There are many clinical conditions where mechanical forces are to identify the function of one bacterial protein species that inhabit our bodies. It is very that perform the same task in other organisms). extremely important. For example, brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, and the biochemical pathway in which it important for us to understand what these “There are dozens of orthologs in the and hydrocephalus all stretch brain cells and nobody has any idea how operates will also help identify the functions of bacteria are capable of doing.” protein database that were identified by Patricia that affects brain function,” says Llano. hundreds of other proteins. Matthew Jacobson and postdoctoral Babbitt and her colleagues at University of The collaboration was initiated by one of Saif’s graduate students, A report of their new approach and findings researcher Suwen Zhao at the University California, San Fransicso, so we determined Anthony Fan, who knew Llano’s group was using optical imaging. Fan appears in the journal Nature. of California, San Francisco led the not only the function of one but we also Neuron stretching device thought that might be a good way to measure the impact of stretching The research team used computational computational effort that was at the heart of determined the functions of all these enzymes,” across a population of neurons instead of a single neuron at a time. methods combined with a broad array of streamlining the process of protein discovery he said. And because the researchers also Gillette is very optimistic that these tools hold tremendous promise Saif and Fan are experts at making micro-devices, such as the one laboratory techniques to narrow the list of for the group. Their method pairs an enzyme identified the functions of all the enzymes for identifying the signatures of neural activity that generate complex that can stretch a single neuron. Llano is using that device for another possible small molecules that interact with the with tens of thousands of possible metabolic in the pathway that allows the microbe to behaviors, insights not previously possible. project, for which they are submitting a collaborative grant. unknown protein, an enzyme (now known as partners to see which molecules fit together consume tHypB, their work offers insight into One technique, developed by Popescu, is a non-invasive, non-labeling HpbD), and to identify its role in its host, the best. Since enzymes act on other molecules the role of orthologous enzymes in similar imaging method that reveals differences in optical densities within the This combination of experimental marine bacterium Pelagibaca bermudensis. to perform a specific function, identifying an pathways in other organisms. cell. For example, the nucleus is revealed as a crater because of spatial The goal was not simply to identify the enzyme’s target (also called its substrate) offers Researchers with the EFI are working differences in its optical density. biology with new techniques in protein’s function but to forge a new way to a big clue to the enzyme’s activity. to develop strategies and tools that other “These are novel imaging technologies that you can’t buy,” says computation and imaging is where tackle the vast and growing body of sequence This process led to the identification of four researchers can use to accomplish similar feats Gillette. data for which functional information is possible substrates (out of an original list of of discovery. Popescu’s technique will be further developed so that he can image, the future lies. lacking, said University of Illinois biochemistry more than 87,000). Zhao passed the identities “There was a time when a researcher not single cells, but slices of brain where all the connectivity is laid down professor John Gerlt, one of five co-principal of these four substrates and a likely pathway devoted his or her entire career to a single by developmental processes and see how they are functioning in real And, as biologically based research becomes more highly investigators on the study. in which the enzyme operated along to Gerlt enzyme,” Gerlt said. “That was a long time time, thanks to Rogers’s transparent tattoo-like electrodes and sensors collaborative, MCB is a natural magnet—the nucleus even, “At present, the number of proteins in the and his colleagues (microbiology professor ago, although some people still practice that. and Sweedler’s analytical techniques to measure peptides. Gillette, the of an expanding science. protein-sequence database is approaching 42 John Cronan and chemistry professor Jonathan Now, genome-sequencing technology has neurophysiologist, brings the intellectual glue that will orchestrate the million,” Gerlt said. “But no more than 50 Sweedler, both at Illinois, and Steven Almo at changed the way that biologists have to look at approaches and interpret the outcomes to advance brain science. percent of these proteins have reliable functions the Albert Einstein College of Medicine). Then problems. We can’t keep looking at problems in “I’m really proud of this project,” says Gillette. “It wouldn’t have assigned to them.” the painstaking laboratory work began. isolation.” happened except for two things. Everyone involved is very innovative Without knowing what all of the proteins Several lines of research helped identify and very collegial. You have to put your ego down and be willing to that are encoded by a genome do, “one which of the four substrates actually interact work with the group, and all the people we’re collaborating with are simply cannot understand the biology of the with the enzyme, confirmed the function of the like that. That’s the future: working across disciplines.” organism,” Gerlt said. enzyme and the chemical pathway in which it FOR FURTHER READING Dan Llano’s interests in the brain have led, in his case, to the clinic, The new effort is part of the Enzyme operates. See the entire article in Nature: where he ferrets out how aging and Alzheimer’s affect the auditory system, Function Initiative (EFI) at the Institute for The researchers discovered that their http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v502/n7473/ full/nature12576.html as well as how language and cognitive dysfunction arises from stroke. Genomic Biology at Illinois. This initiative, enzyme catalyzes the first step in a biochemical “We are studying how brains process various kinds of sounds funded by the National Institute of General pathway that enables the marine bacterium using a range of techniques including imaging, electrophysiology, and Medical Sciences and led by Gerlt, is designed to consume one of the substrates identified computational work,” says Llano, professor of medical and molecular to address “complex problems that are of in Jacobson’s lab. The bacterium uses the integrative physiology and full-time faculty member with the Beckman central importance to biomedical science but substrate, known as tHypB (tee-hype-bee), as a Institute’s NeuroTech group. are beyond the means of any one research carbon source. Llano has a very successful collaboration with Taher Saif, professor group.” The EFI focuses on enzymes of More importantly, the team discovered of mechanical science and engineering, who has had a longstanding Transparent Electrodes bacterial origin. that tHypB has another, perhaps more

8 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 9 Team Finds Mechanism Linking Key Inflammatory Marker to Cancer

By Diana Yates

Scientists call this Jekyll-and-Hyde molecule BRD4 belongs to a class of molecules Chen said that BRD4 likely prevents other NF-kappa B. In healthy cells, it is a powerful that can recognize chemical markers on molecules from recognizing the hyperactive “first responder,” a vital part of the body’s other proteins and interact with them to NF-kappa B in the nucleus and marking it immune and inflammatory responses. It spur the marked proteins to perform new for degradation. spends most of its life in the cell’s cytoplasm, tasks. Chemical “readers” such as BRD4 are “This is an example of how epigenetic quietly awaiting orders. But when extracellular important players in the field of epigenetics, regulators and NF-kappa B may one day be signals—of a viral or bacterial invasion, for which focuses on how specific genes are targeted for the treatment of cancer,” he said. example—set off chemical alarms, the cell regulated. Researchers from Illinois biochemistry unchains this warhorse, allowing it to go into “In epigenetics, there are writers, there are professor Satish Nair’s laboratory and from the the nucleus where it spurs a flurry of defensive readers and there are erasers,” Chen said. laboratory of James Bradner at the Dana-Farber activity, including the transcription of genes The writers make modifications to proteins Cancer Institute contributed to this study. that trigger inflammation, promote cell after they are formed, without changing proliferation and undermine cell death. the underlying sequence of the gene that Researchers have known for years that a codes for them. These modifications (such hyperactive form of NF-kappa B that gets into as acetylation) signal other molecules (the FOR FURTHER READING the nucleus and stays there is associated with readers) to engage with the marked proteins See the entire article in Oncogene: various cancers. But they didn’t know what was in various ways, allowing the proteins to fulfill http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v33/n18/abs/ onc2013179a.html keeping it active in the nucleus. new roles in the life of the cell. Epigenetic “Normally in the cell NF-kappa B is in the erasers remove the marks when they are no cytosol, it’s not in the nucleus, and it’s not longer of use. activated,” said University of Illinois medical Such protein modifications “have been biochemistry professor Lin-Feng Chen, who shown to be critically involved in transcription led the new study. “You have to stimulate regulation and cancer development,” the normal cells to see NF-kappa B in the nucleus. researchers report. But in cancer cells without any stimulation you To test whether BRD4 was contributing can see this nuclear form of NF-kappa B. The to the sustained presence of NF-kappa B cell just won’t die because of this. That is why in the nucleus of cancer cells, Chen and his NF-kappa B is so important in cancer.” colleagues exposed lung cancer cells in cell In the new study, Chen’s group found that culture and in immune-deficient mice to JQ1, another molecule known to help regulate gene a drug that interferes with BRD4 activity. University of Illinois medical biochemistry professor expression, called BRD4, recognizes a specific Exposure to JQ1 blocked the interaction Lin-Feng Chen (left), postdoctoral researcher Xuewei In a new study described in the journal Wu, biochemistry professor Satish Nair, postdoctoral amino acid on a subunit of the NF-kappa B of BRD4 and NF-kappa B, blocked the researcher Zhenhua Zou and their colleagues discovered Oncogene, researchers reveal how a key protein complex after the amino acid has been expression of genes regulated by NF-kappa B, a mechanism by which the inflammatory protein NF- marked with a specific tag, called an acetyl reduced proliferation of lung cancer cells and kappa B is activated and contributes to some cancers. player in cell growth, immunity and the group. This “acetylation” allows the BRD4 suppressed the ability of lung cancer cells to Photo by L. Brian Stauffer to bind to NF-kappa B, activating it and induce tumors in immune-deficient mice, the inflammatory response can be transformed preventing its degradation in cancer cells. researchers found. into a primary contributor to tumor growth. Previous studies had shown that BRD4’s The researchers also discovered that recognition of the acetylated subunit increased depletion of BRD4 or the treatment of cells NF-kappa B activation, but this recognition with JQ1 induced the degradation of the NF- had not been linked to cancer. kappa B subunit recognized by BRD4.

10 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 11 Viruses are responsible for much more than sore throats and stuffy noses. Researchers now believe that some viruses may protect hosts What Won’t Kill You, from competitors and help them survive. Despite the fact that viruses are practically everywhere and affect every living thing, scientists know very little about their positive impact on their hosts. The National Science Foundation awarded a five-year, $2-million Might Make You Stronger grant to Rachel Whitaker, a microbiologist, and an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team to explore the idea of viruses and their hosts coevolving together in the lab in the model system of hot springs at New Research Seeks to Find out If Viruses Yellowstone National Park. “I hope to find that viruses are not just pathogens—that they are Can Be Friends as Well as Foes influencing dynamics in a bigger way,” said Whitaker, who is leading the Illinois team. “Sometimes they are good for their hosts, acting as By Claire Sturgeon, Institute for Genomic Biology symbionts or mutualists. I think it would be really neat if there were little infectious particles that could help the organisms they infect to survive and compete against their foes.” Sascha Hilgenfeldt, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, developed a device that separates particles by size. Preliminary data has already shown that if an organism survives infection, it can use the virus to kill its competitors in the environment. Photo by Kathryn Coulter “It was once thought that viruses infect a microbe and kill it, or they don’t infect at all,” Whitaker said. “We have realized, given genomics Hilgenfeldt says he will have to use some “fluid-dynamical tricks” and metagenomics, that it is a much more complex dynamic.” on his device to make it work for such small particles: the larger archaeal cells are captured in a tiny vortex caused by an oscillating “Now we are asking, if hosts can bubble, while the smaller viruses are able to pass unhindered through the channel. use their viral infection as a weapon “It’s a tunable size filter because the strength of the transport flow against their competitors, how does and the bubble vibration strength decide what particle size gets through and what particle size is retained,” Hilgenfeldt said. “We are excited to that affect these populations and apply this principle to the samples from hot springs to figure out how the population dynamics can change.” their ecosystems? It’s a new way Through this grant, Whitaker also plans to study microbial adaptive immunity, where a host is able to recognize infectious particles (like of looking at things,” says Whitaker. viruses) and degrade them if they are infected again. “This work is pretty important because there is not a very good Through laboratory experiments, Whitaker’s team will study understanding of how adaptive immunity affects the evolution of host-viral interactions, including the costs and benefits of chronic pathogens,” Whitaker said. “We are hoping to apply some of the things (long-term) infections. Mark Young, a professor of virology at Montana we learn by looking at this simple adaptive immunity system and its State University, will study these interactions in a natural hot spring diversity in order to understand the evolutionary impacts of diversified using a device developed by Sascha Hilgenfeldt, a professor in the adaptive immunity in general.” Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at Illinois. Through a SEED project funded by the Institute for Genomic Evolutionary ecologist Joshua Weitz from Georgia Tech University Biology, Whitaker is also using a similar approach to examine how will use Whitaker and Young’s findings to develop a theoretical and bacterial adaptive immunity and virus infection affects population computational eco-evolutionary model of how viruses and microbes dynamics of human pathogens. “Every organism on Earth gets infected interact. by viruses. Understanding these dynamics will have a great impact on “We are figuring out the parameters that will go into the model, then our understanding of the microbial world.” using the model to project what’s happening in nature, and finally going This grant also supports various outreach and education efforts, Left to right: Researchers Elizabeth Rowland, Samantha Dewerff, and into nature to see if it works,” Whitaker said. “We will also learn things including Project MICROBE that will develop age appropriate María Bautista with associate professor of microbiology Rachel Whitaker. about natural populations that we didn’t know and that we can test in curriculum materials for K-12 classrooms based on current research the lab then apply in our models. It will be an iterative process.” in microbiology. To study the natural populations systematically, a method is needed to separate the host cells from the viruses. Hilgenfeldt has developed a device that currently separates particles by size that are between two to ten micrometers in diameter. In comparison, a human hair is about 75 micrometers wide. Archaeal cells, however, are just one micrometer wide and viruses are about 10 times smaller.

12 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 13 All Creatures Great and Small A Meeting of the Minds What’s Going on in the Mind Neurologist Connects Carle with Campus of a Mouse, and What Does By Doug Peterson it Mean for Humans? “The idea seemed harebrained at first,” says neurologist Dr. Graham By Doug Peterson Huesmann. On the face of it, his idea didn’t make sense: For new memories to grow, certain neurons had to die. When an intruder mouse is placed in the territory of another mouse, This counterintuitive idea arose when Huesmann noticed something sparks fly. The resident mouse will rush the intruder in a furious attack— very strange. Whenever songbirds heard a song for the first time, levels although if you’re watching this happen in the lab of Lisa Stubbs, a of the protein caspase-3 skyrocketed in the bird’s brain. But there wasn’t screen separating the mice will prevent any harm from coming to the the same boost in caspase-3 when songbirds heard a familiar song. invader. This was Huesmann’s first clue that caspase-3 played an important For Stubbs, a professor of cell and developmental biology in MCB, the role in the formation of new memories in birds—and in humans. What important part is not the external behavior of the mice. She says their goal made this idea seem “harebrained” was that caspase-3 is primarily is to understand “what’s going on under the hood”—what’s happening in known for triggering the death of defective cells. How could something the molecular machinery within the brain of the aggressor mouse. This, in that kills cells have anything to do with the creation of memories? turn, can shed light on what happens in the human brain. In his research with the Neuroscience Program as an MD/PhD Stubbs and five other Illinois researchers recently received a $3 student, Huesmann found that caspase-3 destroyed many of the million grant from the Simons Foundation to study the genetic root of unnecessary neural connections surrounding a particular memory, and behaviors common among many different species, such as aggression, this creative destruction strengthened memory formation. His finding mate selection, and care for the young. has had important implications in the study of such memory disorders “The reaction to invaders is one of those fundamental behaviors,” Photo by Don Hamerman as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Photo credit: Carle Stubbs says. “It’s the same reaction that a honeybee has when a stranger Huesmann, a neurologist at Carle Hospital in Urbana, holds a research comes into its hive, and it’s the same kind of reaction a person might appointment in Molecular and Integrative Physiology (MIP) and is one have if somebody breaks into their home.” Her lab specializes in studying “non-coding regulatory sequences” and of the driving forces behind Carle’s new Neurosciences Institute. The “You can’t have healthy growth The study concentrates on three species. Stubbs’ specialty is how they interact with genes. As she explains, only about 5 to 10 percent institute aims to form links with MIP and other University of Illinois mouse genetics, while Alison Bell in animal biology is focusing on the of an animal’s genome actually codes for genes. The remainder, the non- departments as they uncover the unexpected through their research. without death.” stickleback fish. Meanwhile, Gene Robinson, entomology professor and coding DNA, was once called “junk DNA,” but researchers now know Huesmann was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but he grew up in director of the Institute of Genomic Biology, is looking at honeybees. that most of it is not junk. Embedded amidst this non-coding DNA are Highland Park, Illinois. He says he toyed with the idea of following his After finishing this memory research at Illinois and receiving his They are joined in the study by co-investigators Saurabh Sinha in sequences that actively orchestrate gene expression within the body. father into psychology; however, being around med students in a study medical degree, Huesmann did his residency at Massachusetts General computer science, Jian Ma in bioengineering, and Yoshi Oono in physics. Stubbs’ mission has been to locate these hard-to-find regulatory group at the University of Oregon inspired him to go into medicine Hospital followed by a clinical fellowship on epilepsy and post-doctoral According to Stubbs, they are looking at what genes are being turned elements in the genome and understand their genetic functions. For instead. research at Harvard. He continued to work with caspase-3, looking at on and off as a result of the intruder experience, and they have found instance, her lab studies mice with a regulatory mutation that affects Huesmann settled on neurology because he says he had always how this protein helps to “quiet things down,” reducing electrical activity a common genetic response in all three species. They found that about the tissue-specific expression of a transcription factor gene, known as been fascinated by “the complex nature of the brain. Neurology in the brain and protecting it from the excessive neural transmission 100 genes shared in common among the species were being expressed in Tbx18; their studies have shown that this gene plays an important role encompasses all of medicine,” he says, noting that neural activity characteristic of epilepsy. response to the threat. What’s surprising, she says, is that many of these in the prostate development, and they suspect it may be required for plays an important role in every field, from cancer biology and Huesmann was drawn back to Champaign-Urbana in 2013 when genes are best known for their roles in embryonic brain development. adult prostate health as well. (Transcription factors encode certain orthopedics to endocrinology. Carle Hospital decided to create its Neurosciences Institute. The “The animals are learning from this experience,” Stubbs says. “We proteins that, in turn, control the expression of genes.) After receiving his undergraduate degree in biology from the epilepsy center will be the first piece of the new institute, but once it do not know yet for certain, but this ‘developmental’ signal might “Many regulatory elements are far away from the genes they are University of Oregon in 1996, with minors in chemistry and dance, is established they will bring in all of the sub-specialties of neurology. reflect new pathways being carved by neuronal processes, as well as the regulating,” she says. “We’re interested in identifying those elements that he was drawn to the medical scholars program in Urbana, where he One of the projects he is currently working on is pinpointing the formation of new neuronal interactions, or synapses.” are peculiar to mammals, as well as those that are similar among many worked in the laboratory of MCB professor David Clayton. It was in biomarker for seizures. He says that when patients are admitted to Because these genetic responses are so deeply shared, the research species.” Clayton’s lab where he came up with the notion that caspase-3 might the emergency room, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether on mice, stickleback fish, and honeybees can also shed light on what is As she explains, “If a gene is regulated similarly in mice, stickleback have something to do with the creation of memories. He credits Clayton they are having a real seizure or a “pseudo-seizure” triggered by the happening in the human brain. fish, and bees, it’s likely to be similar in just about every kind of creature for encouraging him to pursue this unique hypothesis. subconscious in response to internal stress. Finding a biomarker would “What’s particularly relevant for humans is exposure to a traumatic you can imagine. Looking across diverse species gives us a special view “David said ‘go for it,’” Huesmann recalls. “He was an amazing clear up the confusion. Another new project is in collaboration with the threat, or a similar threat repeatedly,” she says. “What does that do to a into the most ancient and fundamental mechanisms.” mentor.” Beckman Imaging Group using the novel imaging technique of magnetic person’s psychology and behavior, and how might it reset brain function Huesmann likens the formation of memories to the creation of a resonance elastography to hopefully identify candidates for epilepsy in the longer term?” bas-relief sculpture. Just as an artist must chip away stone for the image surgery earlier. For instance, such research could offer answers to what is happening to steadily appear, our brain must “chip away” at unnecessary neural He says he is excited by the possibilities in MCB because he has never in the human brain at the genetic level when a person suffers from post- connections for memories to become lasting. seen a university with such a culture of collaboration as Illinois. Like traumatic stress disorder. For example, if you’re meeting someone for the first time and you the interconnected neural connections in the brain, connections and This work is only the latest on mouse genetics from Stubbs’ lab. She want to remember the person’s face, you don’t need to remember the collaborations are continually being developed all across campus. says mice are ideal for studying what goes on in humans because they color of the person’s clothes or that a car went by outside the window, “And these collaborations are driving innovation,” he says. “It’s are so powerful as a genetic model and because, as mammals, their he says. Caspase-3 destroys those unnecessary connections, thereby unique. It’s incredible, and it’s an exciting time to be here.” organs develop and function very similarly to humans. strengthening the more important memory of the person’s face.

14 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 15 MCB NEW FACULTY

Dr. Catherine Christian temporal stages. The third is to study how the effect of the temporal sequence At Illinois, Procko’s lab will bring new methods to study the sweet taste and combines computational genomic and experimental approaches to make better expressed in neural progenitors is ‘memorized’ by the progeny to adopt different fates. homologous receptors, including developing high-throughput libraries to characterize inferences about the function of genes involved in mammalian pregnancy. Wildman’s The Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology By combining both molecular genetic and genomic approaches, Dr. Li hopes that her the phenotypes of thousands of receptor mutants at an unprecedented scale. Combined major goal is to accurately describe the evolution of parturition (childbirth) in mammals. welcomes Dr. Catherine Christian, who joined the department lab’s research will help us better understand the normal neural developmental process with other traditional biochemical and structure determination methods, the molecular To this end, the Wildman lab recently performed phylogenetic studies to show that the as an assistant professor in August of 2014. Dr. Christian to generate neural diversity. mechanism of these receptors will be explored with anticipated broader implications for human type of placenta, long thought to represent the most evolutionarily advanced received her PhD in neuroscience in 2007 from the University related signaling proteins. form, is actually the ancestral type amongst placenta. They have conducted several of Virginia, Charlottesville and completed her postdoctoral Procko hopes that not only will their results have potential industrial applications evolutionary studies that identified patterns of adaptive evolution in placenta expressed research at Stanford University. Christian is delighted to join Dr. Erik Nelson for the sweetener market, but also they will develop high-affinity sweet proteins as genes, and have reconstructed the evolutionary history of the placenta transcriptome. MIP and its environment of outstanding collaboration and excellent biochemical tools. Because really, there are more uses for sweet substances The Wildman lab is also employing ancestral gene resurrection techniques to study excellence in neuroscience and endocrinology. Dr. Erik Nelson is a new assistant professor in the than just bribing small children to behave. the function of nuclear hormone receptors, such as the progesterone receptor, in At Illinois, Christian’s laboratory is working at the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, joining primates. These techniques will allow Wildman to determine how a particular gene interface between neuroendocrinology, the study of the department at the start of the fall 2014 semester. Dr. functions differently in humans and primates and how the ancestral gene differed in interactions between the neural and endocrine systems, and Nelson received his PhD in comparative endocrinology in Dr. Nien-Pei Tsai function from the gene as it appears today. Through his research, Wildman hopes to epilepsy, a class of neurological disorders characterized by 2008 from the University of Calgary, Canada and pursued make discoveries to improve the lives of mothers and their children in many species. repeated seizures that affect 65 million people worldwide. his postdoctoral research the Duke University School of Dr. Nien-Pei Tsai joined the faculty of the Department Many patients with temporal lobe epilepsy experience altered hormone levels, irregular Medicine. Nelson looks forward to collaborating with other of Molecular and Integrative Physiology as an assistant menstrual cycles and infertility, and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this researchers in MIP, a department rich with expertise in professor at the start of the fall 2014 semester. Dr. Tsai Dr. Kai Zhang dysfunction remain poorly understood. endocrinology, metabolism, and cancer biology. received his PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Christian’s current research is focused on understanding the impact of temporal lobe Nelson’s laboratory is currently focused on investigating Minnesota, Minneapolis, and completed his postdoctoral The Department of Biochemistry welcomes Dr. Kai Zhang, epilepsy on the brain’s control of the reproductive neuroendocrine system. Specifically, the effects of the endocrine system and metabolism on studies at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical who joined the department as an assistant professor in Christian’s laboratory is using a rodent model of temporal lobe epilepsy to investigate breast cancer initiation and progression. In recent research, Center in Dallas. Tsai is excited become a part of the August of 2014. Dr. Zhang received his PhD in chemistry the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which controls Nelson and his collaborators employed mouse models of collaborative and interdisciplinary environment of MIP in 2008 from the University of California, Berkeley, and the production of gonadal steroid hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and breast cancer to directly test the effects of cholesterol on breast cancer. Importantly, and to expand his research program in studying synapse completed his postdoctoral research at Stanford University testosterone. She is particularly interested in how seizure activity that impacts other they found that the tumor growth rate can be reduced by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis development. His current research is focused on untangling in 2014. Zhang is delighted to join Biochemistry and is areas of the brain is transmitted to the hypothalamus. with drugs like statins, or by novel inhibitors of the enzyme responsible for the synthesis the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive synapse affiliated with the Neuroscience Program. In related work supported by the Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy of a metabolite called 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), which mediates the effects of development using mouse models of neurodevelopmental At Illinois, the Zhang laboratory studies how intracellular (CURE) foundation, the Christian lab is also exploring the role of astrocytes, star- cholesterol. The Nelson lab is actively exploring these as novel therapeutic options for disorders, specifically fragile X syndrome (FXS). growth factor signal transduction regulates cellular outcomes shaped supportive cells involved in many neuronal functions, in regulating synaptic breast cancer patients. FXS, one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, is characterized by and how this signaling process is compromised in disease transmission mediated by the neurotransmitter GABA. They are accomplishing this 27HC was also observed to dramatically increase the metastasis of the cancer, numerous neurological deficiencies, especially at synapses, the structures that enable conditions such as neurodegeneration and cancers. The by selectively altering astrocytic function and observing the changes in GABAergic thus 27HC may represent a viable therapeutic target to prevent and/or treat metastatic neurons to transmit signals to neighboring cells. During his time at UT Southwestern, goal of Zhang’s research is to gain quantitative insight into how growth factor signaling transmission and circuit function. disease. A major goal in the Nelson laboratory is to elucidate the mechanisms by which Tsai and his research mentor, Dr. Kimberly Huber, identified protein degradation and regulates critical cellular functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, Christian hopes that this work will provide new targets in treating epilepsy and other 27HC, other related metabolites, and endocrine factors impact metastasis. Nelson hopes translation pathways involved in the deficiency of synapse elimination, a major deficit and apoptosis. neurological and psychiatric disorders—such as anxiety, depression, and memory that this work will result in near-term therapeutic options for breast cancer patients. of FXS. This suggests a unique and parallel crosstalk between protein synthesis and Although it is known that intracellular growth factor signal transduction is tightly disturbances—associated with neuroendocrine dysfunction and hormonal feedback effects. degradation to regulate synapse number in the central nervous system. To expand upon regulated in space and time, there are limited tools that can precisely control the spatial this intriguing discovery, Tsai’s laboratory is currently pursuing two directions. First, and temporal aspects of growth factor signaling in live cells. To develop such a tool, the Erik Procko they are studying the role of ubiquitination—a major protein degradation process—in Zhang lab plans to use an optogenetic approach, which combines the power of light Dr. Xin Li synapse development in order to better understand how the regulation of specific and genetics, to quantitatively dissect signaling mechanisms of individual cascades The Department of Biochemistry welcomes Dr. Erik Procko, degradation pathways might be altered in neurodevelopmental disorders. downstream of growth factor stimulation. Dr. Xin Li will join the faculty of the Department of Cell who joined as an assistant professor in November of 2014. Tsai is also studying the process of protein translation locally at or near synapses The other research area in Zhang’s lab studies axonal transport of growth factors in and Developmental Biology as an assistant professor in Dr. Procko received his PhD in molecular and cellular biology to investigate novel regulatory mechanisms in protein translation to discover live neurons. In neurons, where axons typically extend beyond hundreds of microns in November 2014. Dr. Li received her PhD in molecular genetics in 2008 from Harvard and completed his postdoctoral work in how they relate to synapse development. In the long term, by dissecting both the length, robust long-distance axonal transport is required for efficient communication and developmental biology from Northwestern University, biophysics at the University of Washington. His research has protein translation and protein degradation pathways in synapse development, between the axon terminals and the cell bodies. Defective axonal transport has been Evanston, IL, and completed her postdoctoral studies at New included both fundamental studies of receptor mechanism Tsai hopes to facilitate the understanding and the development of therapeutics for observed in various neurological disorders. By integrating live-cell fluorescence York University. Xin Li is excited to join the Department of CDB and the design of new protein-based therapeutics, and has neurodevelopmental disorders. imaging with microfluidics, Zhang will study how survival signals carried by growth and set up her new lab. Her current research is focused on been featured on Reddit and in the Alaska Airlines inflight factors can be prematurely degraded in the Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2B neuropathy, investigating the mechanism of temporal patterning of neural magazine. Procko is excited to work at the University of a disease affecting approximately 1 out of 2500 people in the United States. Results progenitors to generate neural diversity. Illinois, where he wants to capitalize on the properties of from this work will provide a better understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in How the remarkable diversity of neurons is generated exotic African berries to convert nutritious protein into Dr. Derek Wildman neurological disorders. from a small group of neural progenitors is a key question gumdrops and lollipops, or even better biochemical tools. Dr. Derek Wildman joined the faculty of the Department of in developmental neurobiology. Studies in vertebrates and Procko’s current research is focused on understanding the molecular basis for Molecular and Integrative Physiology in August 2014 as Drosophila have shown that neural progenitors are temporally patterned to generate neuronal recognition of environmental molecules, in particular sweet taste. How can professor and member of the Institute of Genomic Biology. different neural types in a defined order. diverse sweet substances, ranging from small sugars and artificial sweeteners to Dr. Wildman earned his PhD in biological anthropology in During her postdoctoral research with Dr. Claude Desplan, Xin Li and her colleagues large proteins from African berries, all bind and activate a single sweet taste receptor? 2000 from New York University, completed his postdoctoral identified a temporal cascade of transcription factors that are sequentially expressed Can new sweet substances, in particular peptides and small proteins, be rationally studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, and served as in neural progenitors of the Drosophila medulla, the first color-information processing designed? What conformational changes occur in a large multi-domain and multi-chain an associate professor at Wayne State University’s School center of the brain. This temporal sequence of transcription factors enables the neural G protein-coupled receptor? of Medicine before joining MIP. Wildman was attracted to progenitors to generate different neuron types at different temporal stages as they age. Procko’s research is highly relevant to our modern world in which excessive sugar MIP because of its excellent faculty and students and its In the future, Li’s laboratory will expand on this discovery and pursue three directions consumption and burgeoning waistlines have contributed to an extraordinary incidence strengths in endocrinology and neurobiology. in temporal patterning of neural progenitors. The first is to compare the transcriptome of obesity-linked diseases. Further, this family of unusual receptors includes members At Illinois, Wildman and his laboratory are working on profiles of neural progenitors at different temporal stages. The second is to determine that recognize savory foods, pheromones, and the major excitatory and inhibitory elucidating the evolutionary genomic history of mammalian the molecular clock that precisely times the sequential transitions between different neurotransmitters. and especially human pregnancy. His current research

16 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 17 DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

“We have world-class research programs that I would I have been fortunate to work with an Students in the School of Molecular recommend MCB students take advantage of. I have grown immensely from doing research because I am extremely talented group of undergraduates and Cellular Biology are anxious challenged to expand my ways of thinking. It is a great place to make mistakes and learn how to adapt to the (I have had 35 undergrads in my lab since to gain experience in a research situation. The lab is a place where I have been able to joining the faculty in 2001). These students learn to deal with failure.” typically bring a high level of enthusiasm laboratory setting in order to — Megan Barnes, class of 2015, MCB Honors Concentration and Spanish minor and dedication to the lab, and I am amazed prepare for graduate studies and Next step: Plans to attend medical school after graduation. by what they are able to accomplish while future careers. Bench experience juggling a very heavy course load. It is particularly gratifying when undergraduates provides MCB undergraduates with “I chose MCB in particular for several reasons. The earn co-authorship on manuscripts, because spectacular faculty really appealed to me, as I could be an opportunity to learn and utilize learning from the best, most well-respected scientists co-authorship is based on making significant in the field (and I have been during my time at Illinois). intellectual contributions to the work, and not the tools and techniques that will Furthermore, I knew that I wanted the opportunity to take part in the powerhouse research facilities, and just serving as a pair of hands. I am really proud be encountered in academic and Illinois’ incredibly prestigious name and programs beckoned.” of these students and take real pride in seeing corporate research laboratories. — Sivani Aluru, class of 2015, MCB Pathways to them move on to the next stage(s) of their Pre-Health Program participant careers. One of my favorite things about being Next step: Plans to attend medical school after graduation. a faculty member at Illinois is getting to work Some of the benefits for the students include: with such fantastic undergraduate students. • Developing hands-on skills with current tools and techniques • Enhancing science-based verbal and written skills “All of my research experiences greatly increased my chances of being awarded the Fulbright and being — Professor Phil Newmark, • Building critical thinking and data analysis abilities accepted into the Yale PhD program.” Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology • Exploring and refining career directions — Monique Richards, Undergraduate class of 2013, Recipient of the 2014 Fulbright Scholarship at the • Developing professional ties for future opportunities University of Munich • Working in a collaborative team environment Next step: Biological and Biomedical Sciences Ph.D program at Yale University

Thanks to generous support from alumni, such as Dr. Kris Jenner and Dr. Xiang-Lei Yang, for creating opportunities in the Undergraduate Summer Fellowship Program.

“Without undergraduate research I wouldn’t have been able to do anything, and of course summer For more information on opportunities research is where I got the bulk of my research done. [The Fulbright] certainly would not have happened to support undergraduate research without my undergraduate research in the Fouke Lab.” experiences, please contact: — Joseph Weber, class of 2013, MCB major and chemistry minor, Study Abroad research Sean Williams, [email protected] opportunities, Recipient of the 2013 Fulbright Scholarship KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Sweden Next step: Currently in Medical School at Loyola

Jenner Fellows in picture from left to right: Clara Stelman, Jason Dienhart, Dr. Stephen Sligar (Director of MCB), Nicholas Baker, Tuo Shi and Hollis Johanson

18 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 19 Medical Scholars in MCB Find Current Medical Scholars in MCB

Student Name Program Advisor Synergy in a Good Relationship James Slauch, a professor of microbiology, has been the director of the Medical Scholars Program since 2002. “We consider this integrated Neal D. Andruska Biochemistry David Shapiro By Deb Aronson pathway optimal in that the students approach the medical school Waqar Arif Biochemistry Auinash Kalsotra curriculum with the critical thinking skills of a graduate student while also Adrienne K. Barry Biochemistry Deborah Leckband incorporating medical knowledge into their graduate research,” he says. “I like the idea of portions [of the MSP program] being combined,” Emilia C. Calvaresi Biochemistry Paul Hergenrother

Those very same strengths also inspired early administrators to establish says Mattis. “While you’re working on your PhD you can take some Sharon H. Choi Biochemistry James Morrissey the University’s MD/PhD program here in Urbana. Formal programs that medical school courses, giving you some exposure. While you are in offer both doctorates and medical degrees, known generally as MD/PhD medical school classes you are thinking about research and while you Katrina A. Diaz Biochemistry Martin Burke programs, are not new, but the Illinois program, which was established are doing research thinking about medical applications.” Daniel T. Harris Biochemistry David Kranz almost 40 years ago, is among the oldest and largest in the country. David Cervantes’s research and medical school experiences Jennifer Hou Biochemistry Martin Burke The University of Illinois program is known as the Medical Scholars dovetailed very nicely. After landing in Kevin Xiang’s lab (who has Program (MSP). Unlike Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP), since moved on to UC Davis) he became quite interested in signaling Gus Lawrence Biochemistry Rudy Fratti Illinois’ MSP program is not funded by an NIH training grant. The pathways implicated in heart failure. Aidas J. Mattis Biochemistry Colin Wraight University of Illinois is the only school to offer doctorates in one of 35 “It’s some of the most translatable research we have here,” says Daiva M. Mattis Biochemistry David Kranz disciplines, from history or philosophy to engineering or neuroscience. Cervantes, who is currently in a thoracic surgery residency at the Nevertheless, the most popular doctorates are in MCB departments Emory University School of Medicine. “I could follow that research Richard J. Travers Biochemistry James Morrissey

— biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, microbiology, and through my entire career.” Sara L. Cook Cell & Dev Biology Fei Wang molecular and integrative physiology. In fact, of the 120 Medical Cervantes studied the beta adrenergic signaling pathways that are Scholars Program students currently enrolled, one-third are earning implicated in heart failure. As hypertension forces the heart to work Lisa Moore Cell & Dev Biology Jonathan Henry their PhDs in MCB. Recent figures show that half of the NIH NRSA harder and harder, it gets bigger and bigger. In the end, that response Alvin Thomas Cell & Dev Biology Jonathan Henry fellowship awardees are in MCB. kills the heart because as the heart remodels itself it develops so much David Cervantes Daiva Mattis Rachel J. Waldemer Cell & Dev Biology Jie Chen The close relationship between MSP and MCB is both intellectual and tissue that blood can’t get to it all, thus the heart can’t contract or get physical. It means that on a given day, Daiva Mattis, who does research electricity. Luke A. Fenlon Microbiology James Slauch One reason the University of Illinois in David Kranz’s lab, might start an experiment in her lab, walk across to If there are many pathways involved, what happens if you block a Asa Flanigan Microbiology Jeff Gardner the medical sciences building by way of the third floor bridge, sit in class single protein from a specific pathway? This same pathway is implicated Lauren T. Gates Microbiology Joanna Shisler College of Medicine established a and hear a lecture on some disease that links to methods and techniques in diabetes. branch on the Urbana-Champaign developed in the lab. Cervantes says he became known as the “heart guy” in his medical Carleigh F. Hebbard Microbiology James Morrissey “I’ll wonder if they’d considered pulling out antibodies from these school classes and the “medical guy” in his PhD program. Song Jiang Microbiology Richard Tapping campus is because of this institution’s families, screening those and creating selective treatments based on that,” “My PhD work has most certainly informed my medical school says Mattis. “Then I go back to the lab and while I’m thinking about the experience and vice versa,” he says. “Having the PhD allowed me to Jennifer L. Laprise Microbiology Jeff Gardner extremely strong and deep bench in lecture I might wonder if we could use flow cytometry to screen for this. approach the work from a different angle than medical school. I’ve D’Feau J. Lieu Microbiology Steven Blanke It’s a matter of collecting the right reagents, finding the funding. It’s that been able to critically evaluate the medical literature and ask questions Koh Eun Narm Microbiology James Slauch basic scientific research, most notably back and forth. When (classes and research are) so interlaced in one day, like ‘why are we doing this? What would happen if we did this instead? doing that back and forth, you have a lot of these ideas.” Where are the controls? Is this the best treatment?’” Michael L. Reno Microbiology Steven Blanke the School of Molecular and Cellular Mattis notes that going to seminars and brainstorming with her peers His lab mates often turned to him to determine whether there is Michael J. Tencati Microbiology Richard Tapping further fuels that synergy. clinical relevance to a given research direction. Ted Kim Molecular & Cellular Biology Biology. The College’s founders, several In many, if not most, cases the campus medical school is on the fringes “When I learned something on the wards I could come back and say, of the campus or in another part of the city entirely. ‘can we look at this?’” Jennifer M. Arnold Molecular & Integrative Physics Martha Gillette of whom were MCB faculty, believed The main reason Cervantes’s research included looking at insulin “We have more integration (compared to other programs), which Matthew J. Biehl Molecular & Integrative Physics Lori Raetzman that those strengths could benefit first- is invaluable,” she adds. In addition, MSP students are exposed to the receptors was because he observed diabetic cardiomyopathy on the wards. topics and fields their classmates are pursuing. “I went back to the lab and asked Kevin, ‘Can we try this?’ And he Mathew M. Cherian Molecular & Integrative Physics David Shapiro year medical students who needed to This relationship between MCB and the MSP program benefits both asked, ‘Is it important?’ After what I’d seen on the wards I told him, YES! Hanna L. Erickson Molecular & Integrative Physics Edward Roy programs and creates a rich and valuable experience for students. “The interplay between COM and MCB is unparalleled at other Samuel J. Irving Molecular & Integrative Physics Martha Gillette learn the most current basic science The program at Illinois is structured in such a way to take maximum schools,” says Cervantes. “They are interwoven, the lines blur on where advantage of the graduate school experience. In most programs students medical school and graduate school begin and end. Itamar Livnat Molecular & Integrative Physics Jonathan Sweedler behind the practice of medicine. take the first two years of medical school, which encompasses classes “It’s not just cooperative, it’s synergistic, he adds. “It’s not just the Lily Mahapatra Molecular & Integrative Physics David Shapiro in basic sciences, before doing their graduate research and earning a concepts, the materials, that are the same but they build on one another. doctorate, and then returning to complete the last two years of medical It makes a stronger student. The time in the lab produces a better Kieran P. Normoyle Molecular & Integrative Physics William Brieher school, which is primarily clinical work. understanding of the material. Without COM, MCB wouldn’t be as Harry J. Rosenberg Molecular & Integrative Physics Martha Gillette At Illinois, students begin with the graduate program. They spend strong and without MCB, COM wouldn’t be as strong. It’s like any Mia Yu Molecular & Integrative Physics Martha Gillette their first year entirely immersed in their graduate program. MSP good relationship.” students take their first year medical school courses throughout the years they are pursuing their PhD.

20 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 21 Uof I SACNAS Chapter Receives Scientists Discover a New Role National Recognition for Estrogen in the Pathology By Ana Petracovici The local SACNAS chapter is composed of one undergraduate and of Breast Cancer eighteen graduate students pursuing degrees in the departments of biochemistry, chemistry, communications, microbiology, physics, and By Diana Yates cell and developmental biology. The chapter is co-advised by Wilfred van der Donk, professor of chemistry, and Rochelle Gutierrez, professor of mathematics education and latina/latino studies. Scientists have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which Through its numerous professional and community outreach activities estrogen prepares cells to divide, grow and, in the case of estrogen- during the last year, the U of I chapter was able to build a strong positive breast cancers, resist cancer drugs. The researchers say the network of support for its members and engage with local elementary work reveals new targets for breast cancer therapy and will help doctors school students. The chapter organized various professional workshops, predict which patients need the most aggressive treatment. invited Hispanic faculty members from other universities to share their The University of Illinois team reports its findings in the journal experiences with students, and hosted bilingual science activities for Oncogene. elementary school students to encourage interest in STEM fields. Estrogen pre-activates the unfolded-protein response (UPR), a “Seeing kids enjoy science as much as we do and become interested pathway that normally protects cells from stress, the researchers report. in experiments gives us hope that in the future there will be more The UPR spurs the production of molecular chaperones that prepare minorities in science,” says club secretary and microbiology PhD cells to divide and grow. Without chaperone proteins to do the work of student Madeline M. Lopez Muñoz. folding and packaging other proteins, cells—including cancer cells— The U of I Chapter of SACNAS— SACNAS volunteers Maria A. Bautista and Ariana Bravo Cruz cannot divide. For this reason, chaperones are a popular target for new Society for the Advancement of collaborated with Illinois Extension staff Alvarez Dixon and Lisa cancer therapies. Bouillion Diaz, Leal School Dual Language Coordinator Dr. Amanda Activation of the UPR is known as a normal response to stress—when Harris and Professor a cell lacks adequate oxygen or nutrients, for example, or is exposed to Biochemistry professor David Shapiro (center), MD-PhD student Neal Andruska (left), Hispanics/Chicanos and Native graduate student Xiaobin Zheng and their colleagues discovered a new mechanism Rachel Whitaker, in cancer-killing drugs. UPR activation prepares the cell for major changes by which estrogen contributes to the pathology of breast cancer. Americans in Science—has been the Department of associated with cell growth, division and survival under stress. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer Microbiology, to develop It wasn’t known before this study, however, that estrogen initiates awarded the prestigious SACNAS the Cena y Ciencias this pathway before such stresses appear, said University of Illinois (Supper and Science, biochemistry professor David Shapiro, who led the new analysis with “Andruska, who spearheaded the research and carried out the 2014 Outstanding Partnerships/ CyC) program for the lead author, MD-PhD student Neal Andruska. computer analysis of the breast cancer data, found that UPR activation . Dual Language students “This is a new role for estrogen in the pathology of cancer,” Shapiro is a very powerful prognostic marker of the course of a woman’s Collaborations/Networks Award and families. said. “Others have shown that stress activates this pathway, helping to disease,” Shapiro said. The U of I chapter competed against Each event is protect some tumors. What is new is our finding that estrogen can pre- The analysis revealed that among women with estrogen-receptor- conceptualized and SACNAS leads hands-on activities to explain biological activate this pathway to protect tumors.” positive breast cancer who underwent tamoxifen therapy, breast cancer numerous, often larger, university implemented in Spanish concepts in Spanish. When estrogen binds to its receptor it sparks a cascade of molecular was 3.7 times more likely to recur in those overexpressing the UPR. Ten by 4-H Extention, Dr. events in the cell. A key event occurs when a channel opens in the years after a breast cancer diagnosis, only 15 percent of those with the SACNAS chapters from across the Harris, and SACNAS volunteers, emphasizing the attainability of success membrane of a compartment that stockpiles calcium, and calcium highest level of UPR-gene expression were disease-free, compared with in the sciences for Spanish speakers in the US. Funding from SACNAS, floods into the cell. 80 percent of women with minimal UPR expression. nation to receive one of thirteen NSF, the Program in Ecology Evolution and Conservation (PEEC), and “That’s a signal to activate the UPR pathway, the stress pathway,” “Our marker helps identify breast cancers that are likely to be highly supplies provided by Illinois Extension allowed CyC to include a free dinner Shapiro said. “It’s also a signal that many researchers think has aggressive and therefore require intensive therapy,” Shapiro said. Outstanding Chapter awards. The in addition to hands-on science activities, such as building simple machines something to do with cell proliferation. The calcium itself may be a U of I graduate student Xiaobin Zheng, postdoctoral researcher chapter was recognized for its and microscopes, in which children and their parents participate together. proliferation signal.” Xujuan Yang and food science and human nutrition professor William “Partnering with SACNAS for Cena y Ciencias has allowed us to The stress-response pathway induces the production of chaperone Helferich contributed to the research. achievements in October at the engage our Dual Language families in high-quality science activities that proteins. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney teach students core science concepts and collaboration skills designed “I like to think of this pathway as an assembly line,” Shapiro said. Diseases at the National Institutes of Health funded the research. 2014 SACNAS National Conference and implemented in Spanish. The best part about this is that the “In order for cells to divide, you’re going to have to produce a lot SACNAS volunteers redefine the social stereotype of the word ‘scientist’ more proteins. The chaperones help you to package, fold up and ship in Los Angeles. in a way that allows our students to see themselves in a bright future,” all these proteins.” FOR FURTHER READING says Dr. Harris. The UPR also is a mediator of cell death. If a normal cell is exposed See the entire article in Oncogene: SACNAS has also been actively reaching out to the Native American to too much stress, the stress response spurs apoptosis, a kind of http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/onc2014292a.html community on campus and hopes to increase Native American cellular suicide. In cancer, however, mild activation of the UPR by representation within the chapter. estrogen blunts this cell-death pathway, allowing cancer cells to survive Current president and microbiology PhD student Ariana Bravo and even resist drugs, the researchers found. Cruz hopes to build upon the chapter’s successes in the coming year: The team also looked at the expression of UPR-related genes “We would like increase our undergraduate membership, provide more in publicly available data from samples of breast tumors obtained professional development workshops, and continue our partnerships from women who had been diagnosed up to 15 years prior. with campus outreach organizations and local elementary schools to serve as role models to Hispanic and Native Americans students.”

22 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 23 The Meaning of Alma Mater Second Chances June Remboldt Aprille Establishes Molecular MCB Alum Helped Develop Drug That and Integrative Physiology Endowment Gave New Hope to HIV Patients

By Doug Peterson By Doug Peterson

In one of her speeches as provost of Washington and Lee University in Virginia, Michael Recny will never forget his encounter Recny passed up an academic career after June R. Aprille pointed out that “alma mater” literally means “nurturing in the early 2000’s with several HIV-infected finishing his PhD and joined one of the mother” in Latin. patients who had become resistant to all first biotechnology companies born out of “Alma mater is much more than a campus and buildings,” Aprille said in available antiretroviral medications. One Harvard Medical School to help commercialize her speech. “Like a parent, it has the potential for profound developmental patient told how he had sold his life insurance recombinant DNA technology. In 1984, Recny influence.” policies and most of his possessions and was says he took a “leap of faith and jumped into” Recognizing this “profound influence” in her own life, Aprille, an MCB preparing for the final days of his life. He had the biotech world, beginning with Genetics alumna, has established a gift to thank her alma mater—the University of run out of options. Institute in Boston. Illinois. She recently created the June Remboldt Endowment for Molecular However, the young man went on to explain Genetics Institute went head-to-head and Integrative Physiology in honor of her family, her mentors, and the Illinois that when he learned about a new experimental with legendary biotech companies such as companies, Hoffman-La Roche. Together faculty who inspired her best efforts, with particular thanks to her PhD mentor, drug called Fuzeon, he became part of the Genentech, Biogen, and Amgen. As he puts the two companies completed the clinical Dennis Buetow. clinical trials. This antiretroviral drug turned the it, “We were basically inventing the whole development and launched Fuzeon in 2003. “UIUC admitted me to the graduate program at a time when women were HIV-infected man’s life around. field of recombinant DNA technology and Today, Recny lives in Chapel Hill, North not welcome at many other top-tier institutions,” said Aprille. “I will be forever Recny, who received his PhD in racing to commercialize it with all of these Carolina, and is chief executive officer for grateful for that opportunity. The degrees I subsequently earned at UIUC were biochemistry from the University of Illinois in first-generation recombinant proteins. It was Calvert Holdings, which works with small the foundation of my whole career, and any accomplishments I attained were 1983, played a key role on the team at Trimeris, outrageous.” biotech and pharmaceutical companies that built on that. I am glad for the chance to ‘give back by giving forward’ and help Inc., which developed and brought Fuzeon to Recny worked as a staff scientist and develop new experimental medicines, helping the next generation of promising graduate students achieve their best potential market. What’s more, the Trimeris success was laboratory head at Genetics Institute, and his them with testing required by the FDA. For as I was empowered to do as a result of the education I received at UIUC.” part of a dramatic turnaround in his own life. lab was the first to publish the correct protein instance, they partnered with a company and Aprille received her MS in 1969 and her PhD in 1970 in physiology from When Recny spoke to MCB graduates at structure and biological activity of natural and also invested $1 million of their own money the U of I and went on to become an internationally recognized researcher on the 2014 commencement ceremony, he told recombinant human erythropoietin, which to help complete FDA testing so the company energy metabolism at the cellular and molecular level, especially in newborns. the story of how after spending 10 years with eventually became a multi-billion dollar drug. could begin human clinical trials with a new Her laboratory showed that some newborn infants have particular DNA successful biotechnology companies in Boston, In 1989, he went to Procept, where he was compound. The compound is now in Phase mutations that compromise energy metabolism. he was recruited to join an ambitious start- director of protein biochemistry and helped II human clinical trials and could become a She joined the biology faculty at Tufts University in 1977 and was also up biotechnology company spun out of the structure three major research and development revolutionary approach to treating Type 2 assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine University of California, San Francisco. agreements with several international diabetes. and a lecturer in biochemistry for pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. In One year later, the Bay Area company was pharmaceutical companies over a five-year When Recny spoke at the 2014 MCB addition, she served as vice provost at Tufts University, and provost at both the bankrupt. period. Then, after the failed start-up in San commencement ceremony, he also had the University of Richmond and Washington and Lee University before retiring in “For the first time in my professional career, Francisco, he came back east to join Trimeris. unique honor of going through the hooding 2011. I was unemployed,” he says. “Frustration, anger, It was the early 1990s, and biotechnology ceremony for his PhD. In 1984, exactly 30 In honor of her outstanding career, the U of I Department of Molecular apprehension, doubt—you name it, I felt it.” was not the only thing exploding at the time. years earlier, he had been unable to attend his and Integrative Physiology gave her the Distinguished Alumni Award for But Recny bounced back, and after seven So was the AIDS epidemic. graduation ceremony, so in 2014 he tied up Professional Achievement in 2003. months of hard work he landed a job at another “All of the first-generation antivirals only that loose end. MCB Professor Susan Martinis, The June Remboldt Endowment will benefit graduate fellowships in MIP. new start-up biotech company—Trimeris. worked for a short time, and people were acting in Hager’s place, had the honor of Their experimental drug, Fuzeon, was a searching for all kinds of ways to address HIV hooding Recny. “wildly revolutionary” way to fight HIV, he infection,” he says. Recny ran the research What sticks with Recny over his long career says. It was the first in its class, “and as I look and development team at Trimeris, trying to are the personal interactions with patients, he back now, I realize how incredibly rare that is. identify which peptide would best fight HIV. says. For instance, he remembers that when A first drug in a class happens only once.” He also led the team that devised a way to he was at Genetics Institute, a young man Recny grew up in Liverpool, New York, just manufacture the first batch of the compound with hemophilia spoke to their team and said north of Syracuse, where he spent his youth they took into clinical trials in 1997. that Genetics Institute’s recombinant human playing pickup hockey in their backyard ice “It turned out to be one of the most powerful factor VIII eliminated the risk for him and rink. He says chemistry always came easy antiretrovirals ever tested with HIV patients,” he other hemophiliacs of getting HIV from tainted to him, so after receiving his undergraduate says. “There were a lot of naysayers that thought blood during transfusions. degree from the University of Rochester this compound was an interesting laboratory “As a young scientist, my head was always (where he played cornerback on the football experiment, but it would never work in humans. buried in the lab thinking about the next team), he came to U of I to get his PhD. It surprised a lot of people.” experiment,” he says. “But that experience He worked in the lab of Lowell Hager, the Trimeris was a small company at the time, helped me to rise above the laboratory bench biochemistry department head. Hager, who so Recny was instrumental in helping to raise and make the connection between the power passed away this year, had a tremendous millions of dollars to fund clinical studies of technology and the impact that it actually influence on his life, Recny says. However, with Fuzeon, and in developing a partnership had on someone’s life. It became a guiding Hager initially was not enthusiastic when with one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical principle of my career.”

24 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 25 In honor of the impact of Illinois on her Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). A Different career, she has decided to give back with a The AACC is a professional organization for gift that will support female graduate students medical personnel in clinical blood-testing IN MEMORIAM Direction whose career paths begin in MCB—as it laboratories, so she had a unique perch from did for Sasavage. However, her trajectory in which to view changes in the field. Biochemistry Alumna biochemistry was somewhat unique among For instance, one major change was the shift MCB alums. Instead of moving into academic from CK-MB to troponin in testing for whether William T. Greenough (1944-2013) Lowell P. Hager (1926-2014) Follows a Unique Path as or industrial research, as many do, she focused a person has suffered a myocardial infarction— on science communication as a writer and a heart attack. Researchers found that when William T. Greenough, professor Professor Lowell P. Hager passed a Science Communicator editor. cardiac muscles are damaged, they release the emeritus of psychology at the away peacefully on April 15, 2014 But it took awhile to discover this path. enzyme troponin. In fact, troponin levels rose By Doug Peterson University of Illinois and a pioneer at the age of 87. Lowell was an When Sasavage came to Illinois as an much faster in blood than the enzyme CK-MB, in studies of brain plasticity and internationally recognized enzymologist undergraduate in 1971, she worked in Clark’s which had been used for years to test for heart development, passed away on and protein chemist best known for his lab on a senior thesis project, receiving her attacks, and allowed cardiac events to be picked December 8, 2013 in Seattle, of fundamental studies on halogenating BS in biochemistry in 1975. She then went up much more quickly. complications associated with Lewy enzymes and heme peroxidases. on to receive her PhD in biochemistry from But change comes slowly, and Sasavage says Body Dementia. Throughout his Born in 1926, Lowell was raised Michigan State in 1981, and when she took it took about 10 years for the medical field to career, Greenough explored the in the small town of Hepler in her first position with Bethesda Research Labs finally switch from using CK-MB to troponin. neural basis of learning and memory southeastern Kansas. He earned his (BRL), a biotech research supply company in Her publication, Clinical Laboratory News, and the effects of aging, exercise, bachelor’s degree in 1947 at Valparaiso Maryland, she started out doing cloning and reported on this and other major developments injury and environmental enrichment University in Indiana, a master’s DNA sequencing projects. in the field during her tenure. on the brain. degree in 1950 from the University of Then everything changed when she began Sasavage also played a key role in organizing “Bill was one of the towering Kansas, and his doctorate in 1953 in leading three-day workshops on lab techniques AACC’s annual conference on new diagnostic figures in neuroscience, not only on this campus but around the the laboratory of I.C. “Gunny” Gunsalus at the University of Illinois for DNA sequencing. Suddenly, it became technologies that brought together people from world,” said Neal J. Cohen, a professor of psychology at Illinois and at Urbana-Champaign, after which he did postdoctoral studies with clear that communicating about science was the academic, industrial, and clinical worlds, the director of the Neuroscience Program once led by Greenough. Fritz Lipmann at Harvard Medical School. He first joined the faculty what she liked best. as well as the FDA. Many new technologies Greenough employed all the tools and techniques available to in chemistry at Harvard in 1955 but returned to the University of She led these workshops around the country debuted at this meeting that eventually became him—from optical and electron microscopes to electrophysiological Illinois as a faculty member in 1960, where he remained for the rest and in Europe for researchers that used BRL commercialized and used in clinical laboratories. and molecular approaches—to understand how the brain responded of his highly productive career. In 1969, Lowell became Head of the products. At one Iowa workshop, she was even After 21 years with the AACC, Sasavage to a variety of influences. newly established Department of Biochemistry, a position he retained shocked to find that one of her “students” was a shifted jobs—and acronyms. She became a “His research revealed that environment, exercise and training for 20 years. Nancy Sasavage still remembers being high school teacher of hers who had driven her self-employed writer and editor in 2013, and continued to shape the brain throughout the lifespan,” Cohen said. Lowell had the remarkable ability to maintain a top-notch research impressed by her first glimpse of the Assembly down to Champaign for the science fair finals. a lot of her work has been for the American The work led to new insights into the signaling and regulatory program while running and building the department in an efficient but Hall when she came to the University of Illinois In addition to leading workshops, Sasavage Association of Blood Banks. In other words, mechanisms at work in the brain and how those functions can go very personal, cheerful and energetic manner. During his tenure at the campus for the finals of the Illinois Junior began to see the need for much clearer she went from the AACC to the AABB. awry in conditions such as Fragile X syndrome, the most common helm of the department, he developed a strong sense of community Academy of Science in 1970. It was her junior instructions for those using BRL products, so This has given her yet another perspective cause of inherited mental impairment. within the faculty and created an environment where creativity was year of high school, and little did she know that she began writing laboratory protocols. She on the importance of blood in health care, as Greenough joined the U of I faculty in 1969 after earning a fostered, scientific standards were high and doing science was fun. He she would begin a lifelong connection with the also edited Focus, BRL’s quarterly newsletter researchers and clinicians tackle such questions doctorate in psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. left a mark on the department that remains to this day. U of I at that state science fair. with a circulation of 50,000. as how long red blood cells can be safely stored By the time he retired in 2009, he held a Swanlund Endowed Chair Among Lowell’s best known achievements was the characterization in It was also the start of a life-long connection “Focus was like a cook book,” she explains. and what is the optimal amount of blood to at Illinois and was a Center for Advanced Study (CAS) professor 1981 of the “green intermediate” known as Compound I in biological with John Clark, Jr., the U of I professor of “Instead of publishing research reports in give a patient in need of a transfusion. of psychology, of psychiatry and of cell and developmental biology. halogenation reactions. Lowell also founded the company Chirazyme biochemistry who would become her mentor. which scientists explain their research findings, As Sasavage looks back on her career, He had served as the director of the Neuroscience Program and Labs to produce large quantities of marketable chloroperoxidase, a When selecting her project for the state this publication gave detailed explanations and she says she is happy that she chose science the director of the CAS. He played a critical leadership role in the company that continues under the direction of Lowell’s son, Paul. science fair that year, Sasavage’s biology troubleshooting tips on the newly emerging communication over work at the laboratory establishment of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, the first multidisciplinary institute on the Urbana- Lowell mentored approximately 50 doctoral students and published teacher at North Chicago Community High molecular biology techniques that research bench. She was technically strong in the lab Champaign campus. over 400 papers during his tenure at the University of Illinois. Among School in North Chicago recommended that laboratories used to do their experiments. and published papers as a graduate student, He is survived by his mother, Maryon; sister, Mary; brother, his many accolades, he was elected to the National Academy of she use an experimental laboratory textbook “Focus was a pioneer in its day,” she adds. “but I realized that it just wasn’t me,” she says. Tom; daughter, Jennifer; son-in-law, Jorge; and two grandchildren, Sciences in 1995, and was the inaugural recipient of the William Rutter written by Clark. Her biology teacher even When writing for the publication, her team “Many scientists are very good in the Alejandro and Mateo. Chair in Biochemistry in 1996. contacted Clark, who agreed to provide hard- would intentionally make mistakes to mimic lab, but they may not be very good in In 2010, Prof. Hager published his memoir of “A Lifetime of Playing to-find supplies she needed for her project. things that could go wrong with the various communicating what they do,” she adds. with Enzymes” in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Hager is survived Because of Clark’s help, Sasavage invited techniques so that they could explain to Her academic background, expertise in by his children, Paul, Steven and Jo Ann; and his six grandchildren, the Illinois professor to see her project at the researchers how to remedy the problem. biochemistry, and flair for writing and editing Stuart, Emily, Allison, Amy, Brave and Dune. Assembly Hall, and he showed up on that Sasavage also coordinated the company’s became the ideal combination for helping Saturday. They have been friends ever since. technical service call center, where a group of scientists communicate about their work. In fact, she still sees Clark every few weeks, people fielded questions about how to work “I went a different direction,” she says, over 40 years later, because he lives nearby in with the molecular biology products sold by “but it fit me.” a Virginia suburb of Washington DC. She lives BRL, which was the predecessor of the large in North Potomac, MD, also a suburb of DC corporation known as Life Technologies today. “He became like a father to me over the After 10 years with the company, she years,” says Sasavage, whose father had passed became editor of Clinical Laboratory News— away when she was young. a monthly publication of the American

26 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 27 IN MEMORIAM

Abigail Salyers (1942-2013) William Sleator Jr. (1917-2013) Colin A. Wraight (1945-2014)

Abigail Salyers, former Arends William Warner Sleator Jr. passed Professor Colin A. Wraight passed Professor Emerita of Microbiology, away on December 23, 2013 at away July 10, 2014 at the age of 68 passed away on November 6, 2013 at the age of 96, after a fire at his after a long and heroic struggle with the age of 70. house in Urbana. Dr. Sleator was cancer. Professor Wraight employed During her 40-year career, Salyers a former professor and head of biochemical and biophysical methods revolutionized how we think about the the Department of Molecular to understand how the structure of bacteria that live in the human intestinal and Integrative Physiology. He membrane proteins allowed them tract, made major contributions on was a distinguished biophysicist to catalyze the transfer of electrons carbohydrate metabolism and the and excellent administrator who and protons in biological energy transfer of antibiotic resistance carried led the department at a pivotal conversion, processes fundamental on mobile elements in humans and animals, and provided many insights time during the founding of the to life on this planet. on bioterrorism, transgenic plant safety, medical school in Urbana. “He was the first one to show that antibiotic resistance in medicine and agriculture, and more. She is Sleator received AB and MS bacterial reaction centers converted remembered for her intellect, sense of humor, and exceptional ability to degrees and a PhD degree in physics in 1946 from the University light energy into chemical energy with almost 98% efficiency, and teach and mentor others as a professor, graduate advisor, and colleague. of Michigan. He became a Fellow of the Johnson Foundation that certain herbicides function by displacing a specific bound Salyers earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1963 and a for Medical Physics at the University of Pennsylvania, and later quinone molecule,” said Dr. Govindjee, professor emeritus of doctorate in physics in 1969 from George Washington University. worked as physicist at the Ballistic Research Laboratory in biophysics and plant biology and longtime friend and colleague After four years of teaching, research, and tenure at St. Mary’s College Aberdeen, MD, during World War II. In 1946, Sleator served as of Wraight’s. in Maryland, she switched fields by taking courses in biochemistry a research associate and instructor of physics at the University Born in 1945 in London, UK, Wraight studied at the University and microbiology and secured a second post-doctorate position in of Minnesota before accepting a professorship in Biophysics of Bristol, earning his BS in 1967 and his PhD in 1971. After biochemistry and microbiology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI). at Washington University in St. Louis in 1949. Sleator joined postdoctoral research at the University of Leiden and Cornell She studied, taught and performed research at VPI from 1973 to 1978. the University of Illinois in 1969 as professor and head of the University, and a brief faculty position at the University of California Salyers joined the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1978 Department of Physiology and Biophysics (now Molecular and at Santa Barbara, he joined the faculty at the University of Illinois and became the first female tenured professor in microbiology at Illinois Integrative Physiology), a post he held until 1976. Sleator retired at Urbana-Champaign in 1975 as an assistant professor in the in 1983 and achieved the rank of full professor in 1988. While at Illinois, in 1987 and was a professor emeritus at the time of his death. Departments of Plant Biology, Physiology, and Biophysics. He held Abigail was named a University Scholar, Faculty Member of the Year in A pioneer in the emerging field of biophysics, Sleator steered many positions during his years on the faculty of the University, the College of Medicine, a member of the Center for Advanced Study the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology in a including serving as Director of the Center for Biophysics and and a faculty member in the Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB). more mathematical, quantitative direction. He was a charter Computational Biology from 1995-1999. He joined the Biochemistry Salyers received the Pasteur Award for Research and Teaching (Illinois member of the Biophysical Society, formed in 1957, where he Department in 1999 and served as Head of Biochemistry from Society for Microbiology), the All-Campus Award for Excellence in served as secretary and council member, and was instrumental in 2004-2009. He also held faculty positions in the Departments of Teaching from the University of Illinois Medical School, the Golden founding the School of Basic Medical Sciences (now College of Plant Biology and Molecular and Integrative Physiology. Apple Award for Medical School Teaching three times, and was named Medicine) in Urbana in 1971. In addition to his important research contributions, Professor the G. William Arends Professor in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Sleator was an exceptional researcher, first as physicist and later Wraight was a passionate teacher and mentor, and an outstanding 2004 until her retirement in 2012. as a muscle physiologist. During his tenure at Illinois, he studied colleague who gave unselfishly to others. He was known for the Throughout her microbiology career, Salyers studied the interaction the scattering of light in biological tissues, first by blood in the breadth and depth of his knowledge, quick wit, and the gracious of colonic bacteria with their host, antibiotic-resistance gene transfer, process of oximetry, and then in muscle to examine changes in hospitality that he and his wife, Mary, extended to all. His dedication genetics of obligate anaerobes, and conjugative transposons of response to muscle contraction. to teaching and graduate training even during his illness was an Bacteroides. Salyers was assisted in her research by numerous research “He was one of the first to elucidate how drugs and hormones inspiration to all who knew him. associates and students, with over 200 peer-reviewed research articles, altered the electrical and mechanical properties of heart muscle, He is survived by Mary and their children, Lydia, Tristan reviews and book chapters. Salyers authored a number of books in laying a sound foundation for later developments in cardiac and Sebastian. the fields of microbial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance, most pharmacology,” said his colleague Dr. Eric Jakobsson, professor notably: Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach; Antibiotic Resistance emeritus in Molecular and Integrative Physiology and director of Transfer in the Mammalian Intestinal Tract: Implications for Human Health, the National Center for Design of Biomimetic Nanoconductors. Food Safety and Biotechnology; Microbiology: Diversity, Disease and the Outside of the laboratory, Sleator was an accomplished viola Environment; and Revenge of the Microbes. player, with a great love for the classics, and performed locally in During the anthrax incidents in 2001, Dr. Salyers served as president several chamber music groups. of the 40,000-member American Society for Microbiology, the oldest Sleator was married to Esther Kaplan (1915-1996), researcher and largest single life science membership organization in the world. at the Child Research Center at the University of Illinois and She stressed the need for more research on the spread of antibiotic physician in the Frances Nelson clinic. He is survived by his resistance, hospital-acquired bacterial infections, and other diseases that sons Daniel, professor of computer science at Carnegie-Mellon threaten thousands of lives each year. University, and Tycho, professor of physics at New York University. Salyers is survived by her life partner Jeffrey Gardner; daughter, Georgia (Betsy) Will; brother, Robert; and sister, Martha.

28 MCB SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY 29 MCB GRADUATES SUPPORT THE MCB FAMILY

Doctor of Philosophy Master of Science

Biochemistry Ankur Jain, Fall 2013 Jillian Waters, Summer 2013 Biology Amy Dunlap-Glekas, Summer Eric Johnson Julia Williams, Fall 2013 Philemon Chan 2013 Jing Li Margaret Wood, Summer 2013 Anna Dowling Neha Garg, Fall 2013 Hui Liu Nicholas Youngblut Hillary Lauren, Summer 2013 Stacy Kelley, Summer 2013 Andrew Magis, Fall 2013 Bridget Pieper, Summer 2013 Samanthi Narayanan Salman Syed, Fall 2013 Molecular and Lucas Smith Po-Chao Wen, Summer 2013 Ning Sun, Summer 2013 Integrative Physiology Blake Wondrasch Benjamin Warlick, Summer 2013 Yang Yu Wei Zhu, Summer 2013 Leah Goldberg Katie Whalen, Fall 2013 Hatice Kaya, Fall 2013 Microbiology Hua Zhou Sandeep Pawar Brandon Banks, Fall 2013 Cell and Developmental Biophysics and Biology Neuroscience Computational Biology Sara Cook, Fall 2013 Paven Aujla Yaroslav Bodnar, Summer 2013 Matthew Conrad Sriram Chandrasekaran, Summer Microbiology Chen Fu, Fall 2013 2013 Yuka Bannai Molly Kent, Summer 2013 Ke Chen, Fall 2013 Katherine Karberg Tae-Jin Kim, Summer 2013 Sultan Doganay, Fall 2013 Julia Martin, Fall 2013 Miri Kim, Fall 2013 Giray Enkavi, Fall 2013 Diana Ranoa James Lee, Summer 2013 Biochemistry alumni and faculty are engaged Microbiology lies at the heart of the biological Ramya Gamini, Summer 2013 Jason Sobota Agatha Maki in interdisciplinary research in medicine, sciences. The recent awareness that host- community health, the environment, social associated microbes, the “microbiome,” Undergraduate Degrees—Bachelor of Sciences policy, and industry. We are committed play vital roles in modulating human health Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Cynthia Chen Paige Horcher, Fall 2013 Ashley Masnik Cruz Sevilla to maintaining an exceptional record via underscores the relevance of microbiology. Jessica Chen, Summer 2014 Annie Huang, Fall 2013 Randall Matarelli, Fall 2013 Ami Shah, Fall 2013 Specialized Curriculum, Specialized Curriculum Jiayu Chen Matthew Hughes Allen Mathew, Fall 2013 Syed Shah, Fall 2013 groundbreaking discoveries and superb training Moreover, microbiology is also key to Prashant Desai Highest Distinction Berrett Chestleigh Ian Hurley, Fall 2013 Jasmine McBroom Usmaan Muhammad Shah Brent Ito of scholars in our classrooms and laboratories. understanding climate change, green chemistry, Blake Flood Nirav Chheda Zachary Husak Michael McCarthy Christopher Shander Sang Lee Darren Parker Eun Han Cho, Fall 2013 Fahd Hussain Adam McDermont Colby Sharlin Alyssa Osimani geology, animal health, and agriculture. Corey Post Hoon Hee Cho Wontaek Hwang, Fall 2013 Matt McGath Nicholas Shay, Fall 2013 The main academic mission of the Yuxiang Ou Joseph Seimetz Hyeon Jin Cho Kadambari Jain Jennifer McGinnis Eun Hee Shim Eryk Radziszewski Jonathan Tai Catherine Choi Jaroslaw Janczy Elizabeth McInerney Aoi Shimomura, Fall 2013 Jonathan Rasio School of Molecular and Cellular Biology Kevin Chrzanowski Gabrielle Jannotta Adam McKillip, Fall 2013 Caroline Shin Molecular and Cellular Ann Chung, Fall 2013 Yun Jee Jeong Daniel Mederich Ryoh Shinohara Molecular and Cellular Matthew Clark Brea Jewell Patrick Melville Diwante Shuford, Fall 2013 is the management and advancement of Biology Honors Biology Honors Nicole Clevenger Elaine Jiang Steven Menachof Krzysztof Siekierzynski Concentration, Highest Alyssa Cole Ian Johnson Ralph Alston Mendiola Alexander Simon Concentration Danielle Collons, Fall 2013 Spencer Jones Alvin Mercen Erik Simon the undergraduate major. Each year we Distinction Noah Boton, Fall 2013 Jamey Cooper Dian Joseph Luke Messing Prashanth Singanallur Chelsey Coombs Sonja Bromann Max Crouse Eric Jostad Kaitlan Meyers Jayant Sirdesai Paritosh Gangaramani Rachel Hamilton graduate nearly 500 majors with the Lauren Cunningham Rachel Joyce, Summer 2014 Neil Mier Elisabeth Sledz Michael Rigby Dariusz Hareza Robert Dam Keven Jozwiak Kayleigh Miller Stephen Slocum Susan Wopat Shulin Jiang Catherine Danko Sang Yun Jung Gianna Mirabelli Maja Slowik Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Run Jin Seema Dave Megan Jurkowski Shahid Mohammad, Fall 2013 Adam Smith Caroline Johnson Molecular and Cellular Jamie DeGuzman Krishna Kallakuri Nicholas Molinare David Smulson Kristen Koniewicz Department of Cell and Developmental Molecular and Integrative Physiology Biology, Highest Nicole Demarais Megan Kane, Fall 2013 Arif Molla Isaiah Song and Cellular Biology. We’re one of the Victor Lei, Fall 2013 Steven Denison, Fall 2013 Matthew Kang Meghana Moodabagil Kevin Song, Fall 2013 Distinction Anne Machesky, Fall 2013 Biology faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers explore topics ranging from Alexa DeVita Zhansaya Kanketayeva Kristin Morrill Seunghee Song, Fall 2013 William Bruce Mithin Mathew, Fall 2013 largest majors at the University, and Jesse Diaz Polyxeni Kapsalis Ashley Muldrow Yune Jin Song, Fall 2013 fellows, and staff research interactions molecular function to whole animal integration James Buschbach Eleanor Meisner Abigayil Dieguez Angela Karountzos Kristen Muller Jennifer Soprych Katarzyna Dubiel Edward Northrup Justin Diener Aaqil Ali Khan Patrick Mulligan Philip Speigel have an established, outstanding among molecules, macromolecules, and to understand how thousands of encoded Dan Getz Shannon Rooney Stefan Djordjevic, Fall 2013 Sarwar Khan Andrew Murphy Michael Stablein, Fall 2013 Robert Haines Safeer Shah, Fall 2013 macromolecular machines giving rise to living proteins serve to bring about the highly Janine Doctor Faizan Khawaja Pia Muyot Lauren Stambolic, Summer 2014 Mounika Paravastu Anna Sherman track record of preparing students for Monique Richards Kyle Doerr Hyunsoo Kim Jason Narikkattu, Fall 2013 Vijay Subramaniam, Fall 2013 cells. Our mission includes applying basic coordinated behavior of cells and tissues Shyam Saladi Emily Drone Jeong Yeon Kim Nicholas Neef Angie Suh Evan Schramm Molecular and Cellular Jason Dulin, Fall 2013 Joshua Kim Christopher Nemeh Tony Sum professional and academic careers. In cell and molecular biological research to the underlying physiological functions, and how Elizabeth Southworth Biology Eme Ekong, Fall 2013 Min Kim, Fall 2013 Timothy Nguyen, Fall 2013 Aziz Susarrey understanding and treatment of human disease their dysfunction may lead to diseases such Michael Sun Natalie Abou Ezzi Fadi Elayyan Soo Ryun Kim Adam Niemann Samantha Svihla Marla Tharp Kathy Abusager, Fall 2013 Jordan Ellis Susie Kim Karissa Nulty Abdullah Syed, Fall 2013 addition, the school works closely with as well as new biotechnology applications. as cancer, diabetes, obesity, neurological Matthew Wilkins Andrew Adiputra, Fall 2013 Mohamed Elrakhawy Clayton Kirk Joseph Obrien Natalia Szynalik, Fall 2013 Candace Wong Al-Qasem Al-Saqri, Fall 2013 August Emford Andrew Klein Sabina Obrochta Eric Tat its four departments in managing our disorders, and infertility. Liridon Zendeli Jennifer Alter Alexander Enskat Chelsea Klein Melvyn Okeke, Fall 2013 Kayla Thomas, Summer 2014 Mahta Amidi Maya Errabolu Tanis Klinger Benton Okitipi Skyler Thomas Biochemistry, Alex Anderson Molly Etling Bennett Klusas Faith Paddock Subil Thomas graduate-level programs. With over Shane Anderson Maximilian Evers John Koehler Johnathan Park David Tkac Specialized Curriculum, Disha Ankola, Fall 2013 Paul Flores Alexa Komnick Karam Park Tsvetlina Todorova, Fall 2013 High Distinction Shaan Ankola Benjamin Follman Nicholas Kowalczyk Kevin Patel Marisa Tolzin 15,000 alumni, we’re proud of our Daniel Tauber Rasheed Ansari Kathryn Forsman Zachary Kowalzyk, Summer Kishan Patel Gustavo Trejo, Summer 2014 Jill Antonini Gregory Forsyth 2014 Komal Patel, Fall 2013 Leah Tsekouras, Fall 2013 graduate family and want to keep in Give online: mcb.illinois.edu/giving Molecular and Cellular Maria Arulraja Jakob Francis Ethan Krauspe, Fall 2013 Krishna Patel Omar Turk Ahmad Atallah Kara Fritsche Matthew Ksiazek Ravish Patel Mayand Vakil Biology Honors Kayleigh Avello Jessica Fudala, Fall 2013 Amy Kutska Rimple Patel Amin Virani, Summer 2014 close contact. Our future is dependent Concentration, High Hosen Ayesh, Fall 2013 Danielle Funai Raymond Kwong Sarvanand Patel Gregory Virtel, Fall 2013 Your gifts support general and specific programs in Mohammad Moein Azimi Mukund Gande, Fall 2013 Christopher Lavin Shreya Patel Naveen Vuppuluri Distinction Caleb Geniesse Jonathan Leal, Fall 2013 Lukasz Pazdan Anna Wade on the generosity of our graduates, and George Naratadam Samir Bajwa, Fall 2013 Sarah Genis, Fall 2013 Angeli Ledesma David Peace Layne Waleski Mili Patel John Baker research, teaching, training, and public service, at the Raman Bamidele, Fall 2013 Mora Ghobrial Donna Lee Ryan Peach, Fall 2013 John Walsh we welcome your contributions to the Damien Banks Janelle Gibson, Fall 2013 Kyung Lee Cassandra Pedersen, Fall 2013 Yijin Wang, Fall 2013 Molecular and Cellular William Baseleon Rohit Goel, Fall 2013 Nancy Lee Louis Pellegrino Anna Ward school or departmental level. To express interest and to Biology, High Distinction Brooke Becton Zachary Goin Anthony Leon Luciana Petitti, Fall 2013 John Weaver, Fall 2013 school and departments, each of which Emily Kolyvas Rachel Beram Adam Goldenberg Baizan Li, Summer 2014 Danielle Phillips, Fall 2013 Alan Weisgerber, Fall 2013 make a tax-deductible donation to the MCB General Fund Dhru Kumar Aashiv Bharij, Fall 2013 Henry Gong Steven Li Katherine Piejko Stephen Weisshappel Gehad Taha Zachary Boehmke Rachel Gonzalez, Summer 2014 Yanqing Li Varun Pilla, Fall 2013 Keith Whitlock offers a unique and excellent mission. Eunkyung Yu, Fall 2013 Nicole Bounphithack Lance Goodpaster Venus Liang Melissa Pillote Christy Williams, Fall 2013 and/or funds in each of the four MCB departments, please Ryan Bowman Brittany Gorecki Sun Young Lim Paige Poisson Alexandria Wiss Biochemistry, Matthew Brandenburg Taylor Graff Zorica Ljubic Matthew Proszek Daniel Wolf Jasmeet Brar Carly Gridley Nina Lopez, Fall 2013 Kelly Purcell Jeanna Wong visit mcb.illinois.edu/giving. You can also contact Director Specialized Curriculum, Christina Brinkman Ronald Guieb Dominic Lullo Ribhi Qattoum Dakota Wright Distinction Arnaud Brisard Jacob Gyore, Fall 2013 Jessica Luo, Fall 2013 Alex Rembialkowski Zaneta Wrona, Fall 2013 of Development Sean Williams at [email protected], Syed Ahsen Ryan Brooks Christina Ha Andrew Ly Ryan Riessen Kyley Wyss Mark Klein Brittany Burd Christopher Hahne, Fall 2013 Justin MacMillan Justin Rinaldo Eda Xian, Fall 2013 Matthew Ross Luisa Burgos Jared Hammernik Jordan Maddox William Rittmeyer, Fall 2013 Wei Yang (217) 300-4462, to discuss making a donation. Every gift Seung Woo Ryu Steven Burke Christina Han Kelly Madorsky Laura Robeznieks Chenye Yin Jay Singh Sabina Cashin Samantha Harasim Reiana Mahan Lacey Robinson Kamila Zdanewicz Theresa Cay Paul Hawkins Kyle Majnarich Abby Rosenberg, Fall 2013 Benjamin Zeller maintains the excellence of MCB. Molecular and Cellular Jonathon Cerqua Kaitlin Hayes Meghan Mandel Monica Rossi Michal Zemela Daniel Chae Rachel Hickey Agnieszka Maniak Stephanie Ryan, Fall 2013 Yifan Zhang Biology, Distinction Alison Chan Michelle Hojnicki Asha Mannancheril Melina Salgado Allison Zink, Fall 2013 Jin Ji Dong Chang, Fall 2013 Courtney Hong Yesenia Marquez Nicholas Sandoval Your financial support is deeply appreciated. Athanasios Kondilis Pradeep Chawla, Fall 2013 Grace Hopp Jose Martinez Brittany Schaub

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