B ~ C 0 R a Still TheSecond Best Thing About Payday

Glutamine Glut and Disease H,I G NL· l ' G H T, S 'Persist Until Success' Zoghbi To Deliver NIH Director's Lecture, Feb. 12 in Masur Former Virginia Governor Wilder Gov. Wilder Gives Keynotes King Celebration By Jennifer Wenger Eloquent Peace Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, a hereditary Message By Carla Garnett disorder of the nervous system that makes iven the theme of this year's Martin Luther King, Jr., it increasingly difficult for a person to move Science Helps birthday celebration, "A Lesson in Peace that Cannot Be and speak, is marked by an errant protein Erased," it seemed only fitting that the keynote address be Solve More Crime G that results delivered by Douglas Wilder, who is both a distinguished profes­ I when three sor at Virginia Commonwealth Univer­ nucleotides sity and a virtual hiscory lesson as the •• collectively first African American ever elected as a coding for the U.S. governor. amino acid "This holiday is a quilt piece, a glutamine-C, patchwork of all of the people who have A and G-are been involved through the years­ ~­ repeated nameless, faceless, unidentifiable- many times who... came together to lift the veil of 'Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi over. Similar oppression," Wilder said, recalling neurological words he used when first announcing disorders such as Huntington's disease, Mitchell Competes that Virginia had adopted King's spinobulbar muscular atrophy and other For Pageant Crown Keynoter Douglas Wilder birthday as a state holiday. "This is the types of spinoc.erebellar .ataxia are caused SEE KING CELEBRATION, PAGE 6 see ZOGHBI. PAGE 2 'Welcome to CS I-Bethesda· Clinical Center's Top-Floor Science Plays Widening Role in Forensic Analysis Chapel Serves Many Faiths By Rich McManus Did you know that NIH has a chapel on r's getting so that the world's bad guys had better earn their campus? located on the 14th floor of the IPh.D.s before they commit their Clinical Center, the spiritual ministry crimes; a STEP Science for All session department (SMD) has provided spiritual on "Forensic Science: Unraveling the support to thousands of patients, staff and Riddles" showed not only that it's visitors. harder to get away with bad deeds than ever before (the leadoff speaker The SMD was established in 1953, when showed you can glean information the Clinical Center opened, to provide simply from patterns of spattered spiritual support for patients participating blood), but also that damning evi­ in clinical trials and their families. It is led dence persists long after the misdeed, by chaplains from the Catholic, Protestant, l '.S. lkpartmrnt from minutes (Virginia's chief medical Jewish and Muslim faiths. The department of Health and examiner offered graphic evidence of provides 17 religious services weekly and I luman ",en ices postmortem rigor and livor) to months 24-hour coverage for persons of all faiths. :---;;irion,11 lihtiturc~ (a scientist whose company specializes Chaplains are available for personal ot I lc,1ilh in DNA identification reported on Gardner at STEP event appointments with anyone at NIH, and they post-9/11 recovery efforts) to decades (an Army scientist is teasing conduct or participate in memorial services Fdm1ary -1. 201H out the mysteries of why the 1918 influenza pandemic was so SEE CHAPEL, PAGE 4 Vol. LY, :\o. -~ SEE FORENSIC SCIENCE, PAGE 8 ZOGHBI, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 by repetition of the same three nucleotides in Zoghbi's honors include the Sidney Carter Award different genes. from the American Academy of Neurology, the In the upcoming NIH Director's Lecture, "Patho­ Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award from genesis Studies of Polyglutam.ine-induced NINDS and the E. Mead Johnson Award for Neurodegenerative Diseases," Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, Research in Pediatrics from the Society for Pediatric professor of neuroscience and genetics at Baylor Research. She was elected to the National Acad­ College of Medicine, Houston, and investigator for emies' Institute of Medicine in 2000 and the Ameri­ the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, will discuss can Association for the Advancement of Science in Dr. Sally M. her .recent research findings on spinocerebellar 2002. Anderson has ataxia and similar neurological disorders caused by In addition to locating the gene for spinocerebellar been appointed the recurring amino acid. The lecture will take ataxia type 1, Zoghbi discovered the gene that deputy directo1' of place on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. in Masur causes Rett syndrome and identified Math 1, a gene NIAAA'.s Auditorium, Bldg. 10. that governs the development of hair cells in the Division ofBasic A co-discoverer of the gene that causes spinocer­ inner ear. Research. Her ebellar ataxia type 1, SCAl, Zoghbi has studied the The talk is part of the NIH Director's Wednesday duties include the effects of the mutant form of the ataxin-1 protein­ Afternoon Lecture series. For more information or supervision and what SCAl encodes- in both mice and fruit flies. for reasonable accommodation, call Hilda Madine, management of staff overseeing For example, she and collaborators have found that 594-5595. Iii portfolios in the expanded ataxin-1 is resistant to the normal support of cellular process by which healthy proteins are Golf Association Seeks Members behavioral and broken down and recycled, thus making the disease biomedical more likely to occur. How different types of cells in The NIH Golf Association (18-hole coed league) is research, the brain cope with the mutant protein is another looking for new members for the 2003 season. The neuroscience, subject of interest. Cells that are able to capture the association currently has six teams of up to 25 genomics, misshapen proteins early on and stash them away in players each and schedules eight spring/summer proteomics and the nucleus are likely to suffer less damage than stroke-play outings and up to five match-play end­ multidiscip/i11ary those in which the protein roams free, she and her of-swnmer outings each year at local courses (all research focusing mid-week and play is optional). The group caps the on aspects of colleagues have demonstrated. alcohol abuse, In a June 2002 article in the journal Neuron, year off in the fall with an outing including golf/cart/ alcoholism or Zoghbi and colleagues describe how, by inserting food for all members and their guests. Prizes and other a/coho/­ 154 repeats of the CAG trinucleotide into the trophies are awarded and handicaps are maintained related problems. mouse's Seal gene locus, researchers can produce a from 0-40 so all are welcome. For more information A long-time mouse that exhibits characteristics strikingly similar contact Howard Somers, 496-8477 or visit http:// member of the to the human form of the disease. Previously, the www.recgov.org/nihga/ for more information. Ill NIAAA neuro­ mouse's comparatively shorr lifespan, and hence, its science and inability to exhibit some of the symptoms that occur behavior in. humans in the later stages of the disease, limited integrated review group, Anderson researchers' ability to use the mouse as a model for A [ 0 R has also served understanding how the disease affects people. N I H ~ a What makes the repeating amino acid so toxic to a on re11iew Published biweekly .11 Berhcsdll. ~d.. by th~ Edirorial Op,m11i01ti committees for neuron, and why some regions of the brain are Bronch, Division of Public Information, for rhe infurmarion of NlDA,NIMH affected more drastically than others are two topics employees of the National lnstitu1es of Health, Deparrmem of and the VA. She Healrh ,1nd Human S~rvices. The content is reprinrable withotn that Zoghbi will be addressing. She will also discuss permission, Pict\Jrcs moy be nvailoble on request. Use of fonds ·111 began her how the study of mouse and fruit fly models will printing rbis periodical has been approved by the directl)r .,f th, association with help shine new light on the cause- and possible Office of Management and Budget through Sept. 30.100..l. NIH asan treatment- of spinocerebellar ataxia and related intramural NIH Record Office Phone 496-112.5 neurodegenerative disorders. investigator for Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B41 Fax 402-1485 NIMH and went Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Zoghbi earned a B.S. on to worll for degree in biology from the American University of Web address NINCDS (now Beirut in 1975, where she also began medical bttp://www.nih.gov/ncws/NIH-Record/arcl1h·~ro. NINDS). Most school. When civil war broke out in Lebanon, she Editor Tl,e NIH R,.... -,. =·~ recently, she transferred to Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Richard McManus ,he right to mu<" served at the earning her M.D. degree in 1979. She has been a [email protected] ~otr~"titln:t, ~h.tn... h. Of Walter Reed member of the Baylor faculty since 1988, and is also Maryland's and communities; power plant improvements department of the Triangle Park, N.C., recently won the first­ including construction of a new cogeneration facility environment; ever Environmental Leadership Award from that will minimize use of the more polluting conven­ Steve Ficca, NIH the Environment@RTP, a committee of the tional methods of power generation-when this associate director facility comes online later this year it is expected to for research Research Triangle Owners and Tenants Asso­ services; and Ed ciation. The award cited use of the electric produce a regional savings of 815.5 tons of air Rau of the vehicle emissions per year; installation of a state-of-the-art Enviro11mental water reclamation system at NIH's Poolesville Protection as well facility preventing discharges of 100,000 gallons per Branch, ORS. as day of waste water from the facility's treatment overall plant to surface waters. environ­ Steve Ficca, director of the Office of Research mental Services, and Ed Rau of the Environmental Protec­ tion Branch, Division of Safety, ORS accepted the manage­ award. They emphasized that contributions to the ment, award-winning effort were made by diverse disci­ sustain­ plines-from the many individual investigators who able have worked to improve laboratory waste minimiza­ environ- tion at the bench top, to the engineers and develop­ ers of major facility infrastructure improvement mental results, leadership and innovation, projects such as the new power generation and employee education, community outreach and wastewater reclamation facilities. Iii voluntary initiatives. The car is produced by Healthy College Grads Sought DaimlerChrysler. It uses six 12-volt batteries, and has a built-in recharger. Using AC house The Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, NIMH, is looking for normal volunteer college-educated men current, the car recharges in 8 to 10 hours, and women between the ages of 30 and 50 for a 2- with a range of30 to 35 miles per charge. The day outpatient study of variables that might be car looks a bit like a fancy golf cart with hard related to the cause of schizophrenia. The study doors, but it also features slide-down win­ includes MRI, neurocognitive testing and a neuro­ dows, a cargo box and-thank goodness-a logical exam, among other things. A stipend is available. Call 1-888-674-6464 for additional heater. information. Ill CHAPEL, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 for patients and staff. Mathematical-Biological Linkages Meeting The 14th floor chapel also provides a quiet place NIH and the National Science Foundation are co­ for prayer or meditation. A unique feature of the sponsoring a symposium on "Accelerating Math­ room is its rotating stage, wh.ich may be curtained as ematical-Biological Linkages" on Wednesday, Feb. a plain backdrop or rotated to present altars for worshipers of Protestant, Catholic and Jewish faiths. 12. The symposium will highlight opportunities at Muslim worshipers are provided prayer rugs, and the interface of mathematics and biology and encourage collaboration across that interface. To illustrate the breadth of the interface, symposium sessions will cover the topics of cell structure and function, multispecies systems, and bioinformatics and computational problems. The keynote address, "Mathematics ls Biology's Next Microscope.. . Only Better; Biology Is Mathematics' Next Physics ... Only Better," will be given by Dr. Joel E. Cohen, head of the Laboratory of Populations at Rockefeller University and Columbia University and a .YiacArthur Foundation fellow. The meeting runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Rms. £1/£2 of the Natcher Conference Center. The meeting is free, but attendance is limited to the first 150 registrants. Register at http://www.bisti.nih. gov/mathregistration. For more information, contact Dr. John Whitmarsh at whitmarj@nigms. nih.gov or 594-0828. Iii

NIH Sailing Association Open House The NIH Sailing Association invites everyone to its open house on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. Rotating altar those of other faiths also have appropriate worship at the FAES House on the corner of Old at the chapel aids made available. Georgetown Road and Cedar Lane. Would you like serves multiple The SMD provides an opportunity for chaplains to to learn to sail? Does the idea of racing sailboats faiths. This gain experience in dealing with the sick. Established appeal to you? Can you imagine being part of a view is from the during the 1960s, the Clinical Pastoral Education group filled with skilled sailing instructors, enthusi­ congregation, program is staffed by chaplains who are interns in a asts and boat owners? Membership includes looking toward 400-hour program accredited by the Association of instruction, sailboats for charter, racing, cruises, the altar; Clinical Pastoral Education. parties and fun. Admission is $5 at the door and marble pulpits As a part of its documentation of the history of th.e includes pizza and sodas; $2 for beer or wine. For are at left and Clinical Center, the Office of :NIH History will more information, visit www.recgov.org/sail. Ill right. collect documents, oral histories and artifacts related to the chapel and SMD. If you have any informa­ Employee Needs Organ Donation tion about the spiritual ministry department, contact Brooke Fox at the Office of NIH History, 496-6610. An employee with type A blood is in need of a kidney transplant. If there is anyone interested in being tested as a possible donor match that has either type A or O blood, call Wanda ar (301) 524- 7432. Federal government donors can use up to 30 days of donor leave, which is not associated with your sick or vacation leave. El

Have Uterine Fibroids? Call NIH at 1-800-411-1222 for information on a study using a new medication for 3 months before hysterectomy. Study-related treatment provided at Muslim {Jrayer rugs are available for services at the no cost. Compensation is provided. TTY: 1-866- chapel. 411-1010, or email [email protected]. Iii NIDDK Bestows EEO Awards IDDK initiated Equal Employment Opportu­ N nity Special Achievement Awards in 2002. Also recog­ Institute director Dr. Allen Spiegel presented plaques nized for thei1' and award certificates to two individuals and a EEO efforts committee of eight at a recent gathering of senior were (from I) staff. A reception celebrating their achievements Dr. Charles A. followed. The awards recognize staff who have Wells demonstrated a commitment to furthering equal (NIEHS), employment opportunity at NIH and in non­ Karen partisan community activities, Howard, Individual honorees were Susan Harrelson, Susan administrative officer in NIDDK's intramural Harrelson and division and Dr. Anne Sumner, an intramural Rose Pruitt. researcher. Harrelson was recognized for her "exceptional leadership and commitment to foster­ workforce, enrich our work environment and ing teamwork," for mentoring others and for enhance our effectiveness," said Rebecca Tudisco, creating "an outstanding environment in the NIDDK EEO manager. NIDDK's Syd Carter, Jackie Administrative Management Branch." Sumner was Dobson, Robert Hammond and Renetta Turner cited for her "dedication to equal opportunity for developed the awards. NIDDK awardees are all," and for providing an example to others who eligible for the NIH EEO Award of the Year, want to pursue a biomedical research career. presented annually by the NIH director. Ill The Nlli-National Medical Association partner­ ship committee was honored for "five years of PTSD Study Recruits Subjects outstanding commitment to improve the training of NIMH is seeking volunteers over 18 years old who under-represented physicians in biomedical re­ suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to search," and for establishing a partnership between participate in research studies that include mental NIH and the professional association of African­ health assessment, brain imaging (compensation American physicians. Members of the committee provided) and/or a medication trial. Call 1-866- are Dr. Lawrence Agodoa, Jackie Dobson, Dr. Frank 627-6464 (TTY 1-866-411-1010). Ill A. Hamilton, Karen Howard and Rose Pruitt of NIDDK, and Walter Jones, Clinical Center; Ludlow NIGMS Revamps Web Site McKay, Health Resources and Services Administra­ tion; and Dr. Charles A. Wells, NIEHS. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences began the o.ew year "Those who actively promote equal opportunity with the launch of its revamped web site, which now offers easier access within NIDDK and in the larger community deserve to funding opportunities, free publications and the latest news from the recognition. Their contributions strengthen our institute. The site is available at www.nigms.nih.gov. Visitors to the site will find information about NIGMS programs in genetics and developmental biology; cell biology and biophysics; pharmacology, physiology and biological chemistry; bioinformatics and ~-;~4; computational biology; and minority biomedical research and training. In addition, visitors can view online versions of the institute's award­ ► ✓ winning publications. Free printed copies can also be ordered online. (' - ' ·9, "The new NIGMS web site is designed to be easier to use and more visually appealing while continuing to offer a wealth of content," said Dr. Judith Greenberg, acting director of NIGMS. "Researchers can I' access valuable and timely information about relevant grants and I opportunities for collaboration. Teachers and students can learn about the principles and promise of contemporary biology from our publica­ t .• IJ..- tions. And journalists and other members of the public can find out • about important new discoveries in biomedical science that our institute I ~ has helped make possible," she said. Dr. Allen Spiegel (l), NIDDK director, congratu­ The new site is divided into five sections: research funding; training & lates NIDDK staff and others for their contribu­ careers; minority programs; news & events; and "About NIGMS." tions to equal employment opportunity in 2002. The site also features improved navigation and search tools. In They are (from l) Ludlow McKay (HRSA}, Dr. addition, it is fully accessible by users with assistive technology devices, Frank A . Hamilton, Jackie Dobson, Walter Jones such as screen readers for the visually impaired. Ill (Clinical Center) and Dr. Anne Sumner. KING CELEBRATION, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 public policy alone was not enough, offered NIH'ers time to commemorate the ideals and the sacrifices of a message of hope. He urged individuals to begin to those giants as well as to inspire young people to make a difference now. give purpose to their lives. We're not here to "We can't measure our agenda by who gets elected celebrate a speech nor a speaker, but to address the to be President, governor, senator or whatever," concerns still unaddressed by the nation." Wilder said, recalling that when the Civil Rights Described by NIH deputy director Dr. Ruth agenda began, those in the White House or the State Kirschstein as "a program that has become part of House were not directly involved in the movement. the fabric of NIH," the observance held on Jan. 16 "It doesn·t matter who is elected, so long as we elect also contained traditional salutes to King's vision of ourselves. There is not a day or a time when the harmonious diversity, with performances by the critical issues facing our country can afford not to be PHOTOS: ERNIE BRANSON NIH Preschool Song & Dance Troupe and the addressed. We are a young nation. Sometimes the world forgets that. We're just about two and a quarter centuries old. Our strides, our accomplish­ ments and our leadership among the nations belies the short span of our existence. When one takes inro account (that the nation was) almost torn asunder by a great war prior to our emerging maruriry, it's quite an amazing event." ffisrory. Wilder noted, ought to be used to help keep a srrong nation healthy. "'Is cllli nation sick?" he asked. "What exactly is rhe malady? \Thar are the symptoms? Is it infec­ cious or communicable? What therapeutics have Recalling the reading of the litany in several languages by NIH been used? What have been the impacts of the Dream (from 1): employees. Pianist Wydell Croom, accompanied by Kemi Adetola o; the NIBIB director saxophonist Brian Mills, offered additional music Clinical Center a11d Dr. Dr. Roderic for the occasion with renditions of "Someday We'U Richard Harrison of Pettigrew; All Be Free'' and "Lift Every Voice and Sing." N IDA are only two of NINDSEEO It was, however, the children-ever the scene­ the several NIH'ers called Officer Levon stealers of the program who sang and pantomimed upon to lead the reading Parker; NIH several tunes, including "You Can Be a Rainbow, of the King litany; associate director Too"-and the promise of the world's next genera­ Adetola read i11 Yoruba, for research on tion of visionaries that continued to be the focus of the language of Nigeria, women's health and Harrison read in the Dr. Vivian Pinn; the celebration. Osage language. and NlH deputy "I couldn't imagine an artist depicting the dream director Dr. Ruth of Martin Luther King any better," Wilder said, various interventions? We can use negotiations and Kirsch stein referring to the array of youngsters from different public policies to heal where scalpels have been used discuss Dr. Martin backgrounds and races merrily singing together. in war. What could be more fitting than the message Luther King Jr. 's "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., revolutionized the that men fought a great war- the Civil War-and legacy. basic structure of American society," Kirschstein yet it caused a nation to be born. We're at that acknowledged. "Dr. King's birthday is a time for point in our nation, when we can look to the past each of us to recommit ourselves to the very ideals and learn from our mistakes. If we don't know the for which he lived and for which he died. He was past, we can't learn." one of the most influe.ntial Americans of the 20th The diversity of the United States is one of the century. His impact was felt near and far. Needless country's treasures, Wilder pointed out "We are a to say, many NIH training programs and research nation of many races, religions, cultures and heri­ initiatives-particularly NIH's role in closing the tages and we always have been-from the day it health disparities gap-were inspired by the work of started," he said. "It is this unicy of variety and Dr. King." abundance that makes us great. We're not perfect Using the program's theme, Wilder reminded and we will continue to make mistakes, but I'm attendees that education always has been the convinced that Americans are good-willed. We'll •cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement. "How prevail against the bigots and the zealots that well we educate our children will determine selfishly promote themselves." America's responsibility, and its prosperity,'' he said. Wilder cautioned against engaging "naysayers, "Global competition demands such." who don't see progress" and "hatemongers, who The former governor, who described himself as a seek to slow down progress at any price.'' He reluctant politician who entered the campaign fray encouraged pride in today's generation, warning only when he found that constructive criticism of about the dangers of overglorifying bygone days. was not delivered into this world in defeat, nor does defeatism run through the blood of my ancestors. I'm not some sheep waiting to be prodded by a shepherd. I am a lion. I don't want to associate with the sheep. I don't want to know the sheep, because the slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny. I will persist until I succeed." Dr. Roderk Pettigrew, first permanent director of NIH's newest institute, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, ended the observance with a personal perspective on MLK Day, in light of his upbringing in the deep South Pianist Wydell Croom and during the Civil Rights era. saxophonist Brian Mills He began with a description of his early life perform. experiences, posing the question: "Dream or "There never were any 'good ol' days' for all of nightmare?" He said he clearly recalls being a America's people," he asserted. "The untapped frightened 10-year-old in Albany, Ga., where raciaJ sources of human potential that exist today are intimidation and violence were commonplace. At sometimes too awesome to contemplate. No, all of the time, he said, he often did not think he would the great minds and visionaries have not passed into live to adulthood. In this regard, he said his the abyss. There have been no greater minds than Program emcee - - exist today. No greater opportunities have existed Parker (1), poster anywhere in the world than exist in America today. art/cover designer 1· - ~ ... - ~ And yet, no greater challenges have ever existed than Earle Barnes (c) of 1 \1 ... ~ ~ , exist today. We find on too many occasions that the NCI and organizing very taproots of our society are infected with the committee member malignancies of greed, corruption, selfishness, Mike Chew of ,_. -_- -13:--~- .!· rf exploitation. We've got to recognize some of the OEODM/NCCAM causes of our problems. When there is an increasing show NIH's MLK ·- 'I ·, Day 2003 Poster. loss of respect for the things that we hold venerable, ...-----· --- it takes away from the already-too-few stalwarts experiences were more like a nightmare than a who would be part of the solution." hopeful dream. Finally, Wilder evoked King's wish that all people Pettigrew said his outlook changed, however, when be judged solely by their character, instead of by the King brought his "dream" of hope, his championship somewhat capricious labels society often affixes to of "human worth" to Albany and the region. Performances by its citizens. Pettigrew contrasted the "majesty of King's literary the NIH "This beacon light that our nation holds could still styl~haracterized by the masterful use of meta­ Preschool Song be brighter/ he concluded, "but it will not be found phors, similies and analogies-with the simple power & Dance by the continued jousting of who's good and who's of his message. Simple yet strong themes like fair play, Troupe­ bad in our society. Only by respecting and protect­ dignity of work and a call for mutual respect were at particularly their ing the rights of every American can any American the core of King's writings and oratory." The power enthusiastic be able to guarantee to his posterity the beauty and of his universal message still resonates, Pettigrew rendition of the the bounty of this land. There are far more things concluded. "Living this dream seems to require only tune, "You Can Be a Rainbow, that we respect our fellow man, that we believe in and that unite us than divide us, We've got to get away Too"-serve as from labels and using them to define individuals. respect ourselves, that we practice fair play and that inspiration for We must define ourselves." we value human worth. Doing this would enable each the annual Wilder suggested that today's young people learn a of us to live the dream and escape the nightmare." celebration. litany with words as strong as those Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Indepen­ dence, "We hold these truths to be self evident. That all men are created equal..." Children, he said, should be taught to say and believe, "I will persist until I succeed, because I FORENSIC SCIENCE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 virulent) to centuries (an authority on exhumations specimen originated. detailed how a skeleton may speak). Demonstrating that "the body itself is a crime Small wonder, then, that the Dec. 13 session drew scene," was Dr. Marcella Fierro of Virginia Com­ an overflow crowd to Lister Hill Auditorium. monwealth University, who is the state's chief "Welcome to CSI- Bethesda," quipped Teresa medical examiner. A forensic pathologist, she Nesbitt of the Center for explained the many instances of death that call for Scientific Review, who investigation by a medical examiner. As firm an chaired the event's adherent of the scientific method as Gardner, she organizing committee. proffered "Tylk's Law: Assumption is the mother of "Today we're going to all foul-ups." find out that dead men Witness to the aftermath of all kinds of grisly really do tell tales." crimes, Fierro shared tbe results of her studies with Leadoff speaker Ross professorial, sometimes mordantly humorous, Gardner, police chief in detachment. For example, she observed that "only Lake City, Ga., a suburb on TV do rheY determine time of dearh.with such Female of Atlanta, gave a sort of Crime Scene 101 primei; accuracy," pointing out Volunteers arguing that such scenes Dr. Marcella Fierro that many variables, Needed are really laboratories including body tempera­ The Behavioral dotted with physical ture, livor (the pooling of Endocrinology evidence that tells a story. An objective, rational blood, due to gravity, in Branch, NIMH, is approach to deciphering evidence ideally leads to certain parts of the body) seeking female justice for all parties involved, he said. and rigor (stiffness volunteers ages 18· "It's like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, with a nasty following death) must be 55 to participate in twist," he explained. "We have the archaeologist's taken into account. studies of the dilemma-how to make sense of artifacts." Despite "Time of death is always effects of men­ relying on the tools and spirit of science, Gardner an estimate," she said, says crime scene investigation remains an art. Much "and is based on the strual cycle Dr. Mitchell Holland hormones on brain depends on how physical evidence gets interpreted. window of time within and behavior. "Physical evidence will never lie to you,'' he said, which the victim was last Volunteers must "but we can misinterpret it." Gardner said a major reliably seen alive and when he or she was reliably have regular fault of his profession is a tendency to let conclu­ found." menstrual cycles sions determine the facts, rather than vice versa. Because a decaying body is subject to a predictable with no changes in Quoting one of the founding fathers of crime scene pattern of colonization by maggots and carrion mood in relation­ investigation, Gardner said, "Every contact leaves beetles, entomology has had more to offer forensic ship to menses, be its trace." Those traces are becoming more suscep­ medicine recently, she said. The contents of a free of medical tible to scientific study, he showed. Police can use a victim's scomach can also be valuable, Fierro noted, illnesses and not SceneScope employing ultraviolet and other sources as is study of other major organs. The heart, for taking any of light to make body fluids and fibers more visible; example, al wars gets a look at autopsy because hormones or they use "superglue fuming" to stabilize latent coronary artery disease is the leading cause of medication on a fingerprints; SPR, or small particle reagent, allows sudden, unexpected, natural death, she said. Other regular basis. They detectives to raise prints from wet surfaces; and common killers are arrhythmias, fatty livers, asthma will complete daily DNA identification is getting more powerful every and diabetic ketoacidosis. Cocaine abuse is particu­ rating forms and year- the latest advance is STRs, or short tandem larly dangerous for the heart, she warned. be offered repeats, a technology that combines restriction Victims of car crashes, she said, suffer a typical participation in one fragment length polymorphisms with PCR amplifi­ consrellation of injuries. "There is a classic pattern or more protocols. cation. for the unbelted driver," she explained. Other dead Payment w ill be in Interestingly, Gardner thinks DNA evidence is giveaways include ''the unmistakable" arborization accordance with oversold: "DNA doesn't in and of itself define pattern in the skin of lightning-strike victims and the duration of guilt,» he cautioned. And though he said that stress ulcers erupting in the stomachs of victims who each visit and the detectives' ability to recover fingerprints is getting died physiologically stressed over a number of - type of protocol. bette1; analysis of the prints remains a relatively hours. For more informa• static field. Fierro occasionally interrupted her remarks with tion, call Linda Concluding his talk, he demonstrated that study of editorial asides, including a call for more federal Simpson-St Clair, shards of broken glass can reveal which direction money devoted to forensic pathology research, and 496-9576. the force came from, and that soil science has pleas for mandatory helmet-wearing for motorcy­ become so accurate that a talented investigacor can clists and mandatory hard-wired smoke detectors for tell you exactly where in your backyard a particular residences. She also predicted new dilemmas as terrorism becomes a more prominent form of new scientists, -said that 9/11 and various airliner homicide: sometimes victims' bodies are too toxic c.rasbes have made DNA identification a burgeoning to return to the family following autopsy. "This field. Bode Technology received 2,000 partial culture doesn't ascribe to mass graves," she ob­ remains, some only an inch long, within a served. "Families want the remains of their loved month of 9/11, and in total analyzed some ones back." 13,000 WTC bone fragments, 5,500 soft tissue Sorting through evidence recovered from a mass samples, as well as 3,200 reference samples gravesite was the dire task of responders to the from victims' families. "Our biggest challenge World Trade Center on 9/11, including scientists was a lack of references," he said, calling for from the Bode Technology Group, Inc., whose vice voluntary nationwide sampling. president and laboratory director Dr. Mitch Holland Damage from fire and water at Ground Zero offered examples of DNA's power as a "unique reduced Bode's success rate in recovering biometric tool." He suggested that all Americans useable DNA samples from a normal post­ might one day submit to DNA profiling, much as tragedy .rate of 90-95 percent, to about 70 they now register for Social Security numbers and percent, Holland said. "Even fragments that obtain driver's licenses. Such profiling would not came to us as literal charcoal got sampled," he only help catch more criminals, he argued, but said. "Everything that was recovered got would also offer a means of identification in the tested." event of tragedy, establish paternity in disputed He said methods of extracting and amplifying cases and help the nation keep track of immigrants. stretches of DNA are improving constantly, almost to the level of single-cell analysis (although Dr.James He applauded the establishment of convicted Edward Starrs of offender databanks-DNA repositories (the largest he noted that there are anomalies at that level). At George Washing­ of which is called CODIS, now holding more than the very least, he recommended that those who ton University 1.25 million samples)-that could help solve cases pursue at-risk activities such as fire fighting, law has led several that lack suspects. He said the profiling is limited to enforcement, military service and work conducted in exhumations of "nonsense" DNA stretches that don't code for genes dangerous places (embassies, countries abroa.d) have high-pl'O(ile or traits. He assured "a profile is useless unless their DNA profiled prior to deployment. historical figures, there's something to compare it to," or an "exem­ The seminar shifted backward in time for the last including Jesse plar" sample. two speakers. Law professor James Edward Starrs James and John Wilkes Booth. The typical profile he proposes would consist of of George Washington University-who has gained 26 or more nmnbers, corresponding with 13 or notoriety for his exhumations of Jesse James, Uncle more regions of DNA called STR alleles. "It would Sam (George Washington's brother-buried for more than 200 years near Charles Town, W.Va., he was be very much like an extended Social Security PHOTOS: ERNIE number," he said. more excavation than exhumation, Starrs asserted) BRANSON The state of Virginia is "one of the most progres­ and John Wilkes Booth, among others-explained sive users of DNA profiling in the U.S.," Holland the rationale for his work (there must always be reported, maintBaltimore, there are more than 2,600 speaker Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger, chief of the unanalyzed-for want of funds-rape kits, he division of molecular pathology at the Armed Forces reported, "and that's just the tip of the iceberg; Institute of Parhology (AFlP). Keen to understand, there are probably 500,000 unprocessed rape kits for purposes of future public health, why the 1918 nationwide." More and more perpetrators will be influenza pandemic was so lethal (more than 50 caught, and there will be far less crime" if his million people died worldwide, most from untreated proposals come to fruition, he said. "The hits are pneumonia secondary to flu infection), he recovered starting to come more rapidly." evidence for his theories from such unlikely places as Holland, who said his company wants to hire 20 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 NINOS Mourns Research Scientist Stoner flu victims unearthed in 1997 from Alaskan perma­ By Shannon E. Garnett frost, from AFIP slides made at autopsy of soldiers Dr. Gerald L. Stoner, 59, chief of the NINDS killed by flu in 1918, and most si:ectacuJarly, from neurotoxicology section, died on Thanksgiving Day, RNA specimens taken from the hindquarters of Nov. 28, 2002, from complications following a fall birds of the 1918-1919 era that had been collected at his family farm. by the Smithsonian Institution (flu is ori&inallr an A native of West Donegal Township in Lancaster animal pathogen, primarily of the gastromtestmal County, Pa., Stoner was born in 1943. He earned tracts of waterfowl, that has made its way, via pigs, his bachelor's degree in natural science from to man). . Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Va., in Playing multi-decade connect-the-dots w1tb RNA fragments, Taubenberger and colleagues are trying 1965, and his Ph.D. in Female biochemistry from the to imagine scenarios wherein influe~za A, a rela­ Volunteers tively fragile single-stranded RNA virus, can go from Columbia University College Needed being fairly benign (the vast majority of flu patients of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1974. The Behavioral recover, he said, though flu kills some 20,000 people in the U.S. annually, mostly neonates and the Stoner's career spanned Endocrinology more than 20 years at NIH. Branch, NIMH, elderly) to being a widespread killer, even of y~ung, healthy people in their prime. Eight AFIP specimens H is research on JC virus-a seeks healthy common human polyoma­ female volunteers recovered from more than 100 autopsies conducted on soldiers killed bv the 1918 pandemic yielded virus that causes a fatal ages 40-50 to demyelinating disease of the RNA viral fragmen.ts, Taubenberger said. "But D r. Gera Id L . Stoner II d participate in · nervous system ca e they're in terrible shape and in tiny amounts." His longitudinal progressive multifocal leukoe~cephalopa~hy-and studies of the team is trying to reconstruct the its different isotypes has been 1U1portant m under­ perimenopause. standing the disease. virus's entire Volunteers must "Gerald was a quiet, kind and dedicated scientist, have regular genome from these tissues. who will be greatly missed by his friends, fellow menstrual cycles coworkers, and scientists within the JC virus and be medication• One of the bodies exhumed in Alaska community and NIH," said Caroline Rysch­ free. Periodic kewitsch, a medical technologist who worked with hormonal evalua­ had enough viral RNA to allow Stoner in the neurotoxicology section. tions, symptom Before corning to NlH, Stoner served as a research rating completion reconstruction of the entire genome. associate in the department of microbiology and and occasional immunology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine interviews will be Taubenberger's team is also search- of Yeshiva University in New York. He left that performed. position to become a senior research scientist, Subjects will be ing for influenza Dr. Jeffery Tai,benbergei- RNA in waterfowl, studying the immunology of leprosy, at the paid. Call Linda Armauer Hansen Research Instituce in Addis who along with pigs and people, were stricken by Simpson-St. Clair, Ababa, Ethiopia. 496-9576. the 1918 flu. Six of 25 birds preserved from the era yielded flu virus RNA; AFIP scientists are sequenc­ Stoner joined NIH in 1981 as a senior staff fellow in the Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, ing chunks of the virus and have so far co?1pleted NINDS. In 1988, he became chief of the neuro­ five of eight gene segments. But the q~esaon o_f the deadly strain's origins, and the key to its lethahty, toxicology section, the position he held at the rime of his death. remains unanswered. The AFIP team's studies are not merely academic. Throughout his career, Stoner published more History shows that major flu epidemics occur every than 100 articles, chapters and reviews, and 30 years or so. The last one was in 1968, "so provided editorial services to many journals, statistically speaking, we may be due for another including serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Neurovirology since 1994. He w~s pandemic. But we don't know ~hen, h~;" or by coeditor of the book The Human Polyomav,ruses: what strain," Taubenberger cautioned. The Molecular and Clinical Perspectives, published in outbreak of flu in chickens in Hong Kong in 1997 2001. might be a warning sign," he said. "And flu spreads Stoner held memberships in several professional by jumbo jet now, not by steamship (as in 1918, societies including the American Association for the when U.S. troops carried the virus to Europe) .. .I think it's clear that influenza epidemics are nothing Advancement of Science, the American Society for to sneeze at." Microbiology, the American Society for Virology and the Society for Neurovirology. To view the STEP session on forensic science in its entirety, visit videocast.nih.gov. Iii He is survived by his mother, two daughters, two sisters, two brothers and a grandson. New Computer Classes Available from CIT The Center for Information Technology is beginning (SUrface MApper)." This class will go through the its Spring 2003 term of classes. Joining returning various steps required to display functional activa­ favorites are many new seminars scheduled for tion maps on corticaJ surface models. Partek will scientists, computer support staff and end users. also be adding some tides to its existing offerings: Classes are offered without charge and sign-up is "Cluster Analysis & Advanced Visualization of available at http://training.cit.nih.gov. Gene Expression Data" and "Advanced Statistical Web developers and programmers can attend four Analysis of Microarray Data Using ANOVA Tech­ new courses. "Introduction to Dreamweaver MX" niques." Finally, for scientists and scientific support will be a hands-on approach to learning about this staff, "Web Writing for NIH Science" will provide a FEW Meeting leading tool in web development. Microsoft is also model for conveying scientific information to a Set, Feb. 11 bringing advanced classes to supplement their .NET variety of audiences via the web. Federally curriculum with " Enterprise Web Solutions" and In statisticsi "Bringing Data Files into SAS" will Employed ''Secure .NET Development." For current Java help new users to bring in and work with existing Women, Bethesda programmers who want to improve the quality of data from other sources. The SAS Institute will also chapter, will have their software, "Java Power Tools" is a 6-session be bringing back two 0th.er classes. a business course that will look at a variety of programming IT project managers will also have two new meeting on techniques. options. "Security in the Application Development Tuesday, Feb. 11 End users will find three new classes on new or Lifecycle" will discuss security concerns that arise in from noon to 1 updated software. "Apple Keynote" and "What's application development and how to deal with them p.m. in Bldg. 40, New in PowerPoint 2002'' will look at two different throughout a project. "Introduction to Requirement Rm. 1201-1203. options in presentation software. 'CWhat's New in Lifecycle Management" will examine how to The chapter will Outlook 2002" will examine the improvements determine solid requirements at the start of a discuss its vision, available with this newest version of the Outlook project. mission and email client. Final!y, the new n Vision reporting system for travel focus, and For scientists, there are many new titles. CIT's will be debuting during the Spring term. Training address new Center for Molecular Modeling is sponsoring will occur for all who wish to learn about accessing issues and "Docking Flexible Ligands with FlexX" and the travel data coming out of the NBS Travel system. concerns. All are "RACHEL: A New Tool for Lead Optimization." For details, visit the web site above or call 594- invited to attend. AFNI (Analysis of Functional Neurolmages) is 6248 (GOCIT) if you wish to discuss course regis­ Sign language adding to the five returning classes with "SUMA tration, teaching a class or other training issues. Ill interpretation will be provided. For OD Office Salutes Plain Language with Awards Ceremony other reasonable accommodation, The NIH Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Wells, Milton Belardo, Carolyn Bellamy, Gary contact Allyson Management recently held a recognition ceremony Morin, Joan Brogan, Carolyn Hunter, Molly Browne, to encourage and recognize its staff for efforts in Gleeson, Carlton Coleman, Victor Canino, Melvena [email protected]. practicing plain language skills. Staff whose plain Bean, Jayne Callahanhenson and John Gimperling. gov or 451-0002. language products Glenda Keen, OEODM plain language project had been submitted officer, received a certificate for outstanding coordi­ to the NIH Plain nation and promotion of the initiative in OEODM. Language Awards In addition, all OEODM employees have included committee for a plain language requirement in their performance review received a plan under the communication element. The office thank you and a also successfully conducted two in-house plain­ certificate from language training classes. I Lawrence Self, OEODM director, Chamber Music Concert Scheduled who urged them to continue producing The Rock Creek Chamber Players perform on Lawrence Self, OEODM will documents in plain director, presents a certificate to Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. in the 14th floor assembly language. Glenda Keen, OEODM plain hall, Bldg. 10. The program will include Mozart's G At the NIB language project officer. minor string quintet; Nielsen's "Serenade in Vain" ceremony, OEODM for clarinet, horn, bassoon, viola and cello; and staff submitted 13 other works to be announced. For more informa­ products for review and earned three awards. tion about this free public concert, sponsored by the OEODM recognized these staffers for their Clinical Center's recreation therapy section, call partipation: Linda Morris, Michael Chew, Charly (202) 337-8710. Ill NIGMS' M itchell Competes for Pageant Crown he might not have won the crown, but in the interesting people, including one who was a fellow Shearts of her NIGMS colleagues, Jilliene Mitchell Hampton University alumna-we ended up being is this year's Miss Maryland USA. roommates during the competition," she said. Mitchell, an editorial assistant in the Office of "It was also interesting co learn that the pageant Communications and Public Liaison, recently was about much more than physical appearance," competed in a statewide pageant to win the coveted she said, adding that it was about "intelligence, crown and the title of Miss Maryland USA 2003. confidence, poise and giving back to the community The pageant, held recently in Cambridge, Md., was through various activities." a weekend-Jong event that capped 6 months of As to next year's competition and her likelihood of preparation for Mitchell. In addition to a return to pageant life, Mitchell gives a firm "no," working full-time at NIGMS during the but quickly adds, ''Well...we'll see. "-Susan Athey Iii period, she met with a personal trainer three times a week, did volunteer work for NIH Wins Energy Management Honor the American Diabetes Association, and NIH and HHS recently received their first Presiden­ participated in coaching sessions with tial Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Man­ Wendy Davis, the first African American agement. The award was accomplished through the to win the Miss Maryland USA title back Partnership for Energy Performance (PEP) that in 1994. included the U.S. Army garrison at Ft. Detrick, NCI, A novice to pageant life, Mitchell found Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center herself up against some 60 other contes­ and private-sector partners. tants, many of whom were seasoned The uniqueness of the public-private joint venture pageant regulars (this year's winner was and the outcome anticipated were the grounds for second runner-up in last year's Maryland the team receiving the 2002 Presidential Award. The Teen USA pageant). effort put the garrison and the NCI-FCRDC cam­ "I never imagined myself a contestant in puses in an outstanding position to meet and/or a pageant," Mitchell admitted. She said it exceed the energy reduction goals established by was a friend who convinced her to enter. Executive Order 13123, which mandates federal ~ "I looked at winning the pageant as the agencies to conserve energy and meet specific Jilliene Mitchell, chance to become a positive role model for young an editorial energy-reduction goals by FY 2005. assistant at girls, particularly young African American girls who Under a utility area-wide agreement established in NIGMS, com­ don't often have positive role models," Mitchell 1994, PEP developed a utility services contract to peted for the said. Pait of the responsibilities of the reigning Miss acquire energy conservation services and more than crown ofMiss Maryland USA include promoting community $25 million in facility improvements. The private­ Maryland USA. service programs, charities and literacy throughout sector partners include Potomac Edison Co. (Allegh­ the state. In addition, the title holder serves as an eny Power) and the Science Applications Interna­ ambassador for Maryland both nationally and tional Corp. (SAIC is the contractor that handles internationally. design, construction and maintenance requirements Overall, Mitchell said the competition was a great for the NCI-FCRDC government owned-contractor experience. operated site). Ii) "I had the opportunity to meet many new and

Wednesday Afternoon Lectures The Wednesday Afternoon Lecture series-held on its namesake day at 3 p.m. in Masur Audito­ rium, Bldg. IO-features Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi on Feb. 12, giving an NIH Director's Lecture on "Pathogenesis Studies of Polyglutamine-lnduced Neurodegenerative Disease" (see story on p. 1). On Feb. 19, Dr. William T. Newsome, profes­ sor, department of neurobiology and HHMI investigator, Stanford University School of Medicine, will discuss, "Neural Correlates of 'Experienced Value' in the Parietal Cortex." For more information or for reasonable Mitchell is surrounded here by parents Anthony and accommodation, call Hilda Madine, 594-5595. Dorothy Mitchell.