ASCB DECEMBER 2009 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 32, NUMBER 12 How to Ask for a Promotion Why the ASCB Half-Century Page 7 Society Needs Your Support

As the ASCB nears the half-century anniversary of its founding, the Society How the ASCB needs your help. Won’t you help ensure that the next 50 years usher in continued growth and innovation for cell biology? You can join the ASCB Can Enhance Half-Century Society for 2009, by contributing to the Half-Century Fund Your Career at whatever level you choose. The ASCB is your international community, your source for the best Page 10 science, career development assistance, and advocacy for basic research. The ASCB is also the Society of your scientific heroes, of students, postdocs, and scientists at all career stages. You may have joined the Society because it shares your values, Cell Biology offering programs you won’t find elsewhere. Or perhaps you’re committed to the ASCB because of its longtime innovation. After all, the ASCB launched some of the earliest and Expands in most successful programs aimed at recruiting, retaining, and furthering the careers of women, Mexico minorities, and scientists at all career stages. The Society’s outreach to the public and media, Page 13 its book donations and workshops in Africa, childcare awards, and expanded image library now under development all underscore the Society’s innovation and focus on giving back. Won’t you help the Society continue to do so? To make a donation to the ASCB Half- Century Society, visit https://www.ascb.org/ascbsec/half-century-society.cfm. Inside For a complete list of 2009 donors, see page 4. n

President’s Column 3 Half-Century Fund Donors 4 Coverage of the 49th ASCB Annual Meeting will be WICB Column 7 featured in the Jan./Feb. 2010 ASCB Newsletter. Dear Labby 10

Cell Biology in Mexico 13 InCytes from MBC 16 Did You Know...? Public Policy Briefing 19 n You have free access to ASCB’s quarterly online education journal, CBE—Life Sciences New Online Job Board 22 Education (CBE-LSE), which emphasizes teaching innovations and evidence for their NABT Meeting 23 effectiveness. n CBE-LSE is for educators at all levels and across all life science disciplines. CBE-LSE Table of Contents 24 n CBE-LSE publishes original research articles, essays, and features that help you apply education research to your own teaching. Members in the News 25 n No author or color charges. Member Gifts 25 n You can download a CBE-LSE poster containing five questions to stimulate classroom discussion. Or order free copies from the ASCB Online Store. Go to www.ascb.org and In Memoriam 25 click on “Online Store.” Grants & Opportunities 26 n The Winter 2009 issue of CBE-LSE is online now. Check it out at www.lifescied.org/ current.dtl. n Calendar 26 FEI Life Sciences The premier provider of 3D ultrastructural imaging solutions for the life sciences.

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09-305_ASCBNewsletter_Ad_FIN.indd 1 8/11/09 10:45 AM The American Society PRESIDENT’S Column for Cell Biology 8120 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 750 Bethesda, MD 20814-2762, USA Tel: (301) 347-9300 Farewell and Thanks Fax: (301) 347-9310 [email protected], www.ascb.org This is my last column as President of the meeting in San Diego, you will appreciate what ASCB, and I would like to use it to say “thank a huge undertaking this is. Much to my dismay Joan R. Goldberg you” to the many people who have made this I realize that the ASCB Newsletter does not list Executive Director year such a fulfilling one. It was with great all the ASCB staff or show photographs of them. Officers trepidation that I accepted So, here they are, pictured and the president’s gavel from identified on page 4. On behalf Brigid Hogan President Bob Goldman at the 2008 of all ASCB members I want to Timothy J. Mitchison President-Elect ASCB Annual Meeting in San say a big “thank you” for their Bob Goldman Past President Francisco. Then immediate work over the past year. Thoru Pederson Treasurer ASCB Past President Bruce Jean E. Schwarzbauer Secretary Alberts didn’t make me feel Champion Volunteers Council any more confident when he The other champions of the laughingly referred to the flood Society are the people who Pascale Cossart of emails I would now receive! volunteer time and effort to hold Susan K. Dutcher (It was a gross exaggeration!) crucial leadership positions, such Scott D. Emr The job has certainly been Joan R. Goldberg, ex officio as Treasurer Thoru Pederson and Holly V. Goodson much easier and more enjoyable Secretary Jean Schwarzbauer. Kathleen J. Green than I expected. The major Brigid Hogan Thoru has been a steadfast ally Paul W. Sternberg reason is because the ASCB is and advisor throughout the year. Elizabeth Sztul such a terrific organization and is helping such Many of us try to avoid dealing with budgets Clare M. Waterman a wide range of people achieve their goals in cell and the difficulties that arise when balancing Fiona M. Watt biology. That’s true, both in this country and Susan R. Wente resources against desires in our scientific and Susan M. Wick throughout the world. But the task has been personal lives. For us, Thoru is a hero indeed! Virginia A. Zakian greatly lightened by the support of the ASCB Other notable people who keep the Society staff, and, in particular our Executive Director strong and vital are those who volunteer to be The ASCB Newsletter is published 12 times per year Joan Goldberg. members of our committees. The chairs of these by The American Society committees, in particular, are passionate about for Cell Biology. Acknowledging a Dedicated Group their work and use their positions and the energy Joan and her team work tirelessly on behalf of the of their teams to advance far-reaching goals. Joan R. Goldberg Editor W. Mark Leader Editor Society from our headquarters in Bethesda, MD, I very much hope that more young people Elizabeth M. Rich Production Manager not far from the National Institutes of Health will see the Society as a way of contributing Kevin Wilson Public Policy Director campus. The Society is extremely fortunate to to the scientific and educational community, Ed Newman Advertising Manager have such a dedicated group of people. The list reaching out to the public and spreading John Fleischman Science Writer of tasks that the Staff are responsible for is really inspiration and knowledge to scientists and Thea Clarke Editorial Manager quite impressive. They research issues, make teachers throughout the world. In fact, when recommendations, prepare materials, plan and ASCB advertises openings on committees (by Deadlines for submission of articles and advertising schedule Council and committee meetings, and email and in the Newsletter), I hope members at materials: ensure that everyone stays on track about public all career stages will volunteer. While there may and science policy, Society financials, and all of not be enough openings for all who volunteer, Issue Deadline our programs. In addition, the staff represents the committee membership isn’t the only venue Jan./Feb. 2010 January 1 Society to other groups and agencies, supports for involvement. I hope members will consider March February 1 the membership, keeps the finances in order, assisting committees as affiliates and taking part April March 1 publishes the Newsletter, Molecular Biology of in networking activities, formal or informal. The ASCB Newsletter the Cell (MBC), and CBE—Life Sciences (CBE- ASCB website has a link for networking groups ISSN 1060-8982 ), and, in fact, writes most of this , that can be joined through Facebook. Other ways Volume 32, Number 12 LSE Newsletter December 2009 member broadcast emails, minutes of meetings, of becoming involved include presenting a poster and drafts of statements, reports, and press at next year’s ASCB Annual Meeting, mentoring © 2009 releases. Last, but by no means least, they play a others, and sharing thoughts by writing The American Society for Cell Biology crucial role in organizing our Annual Meeting, [email protected]. Remember, this is YOUR Postmaster: Send change of address to: ASCB Newsletter handling abstracts and meeting logistics. For those Society, and it provides many opportunities to The American Society for Cell Biology of you fortunate enough to have just attended the help you develop your career and succeed! 8120 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 750 Bethesda, MD 20814-2762, USA DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 3 Pointing to Accomplishments appropriate resources we can now develop a rich The year has seen many achievements for cell and lasting resource that will help inform and ASCB Staff biology and for our Society. We will have a new educate society about cell biology. Trina Armstrong, Director of Meetings Editor-in-Chief of MBC, David Drubin. He has In the coming years we must use every Eric Baker, Journal Production Manager ambitious plans opportunity and strategy to inform students, Howie Berman, Director, Information to build on the laypeople, teachers, and Technology & Member Services successes of policymakers about our Charlie Binder, Membership Assistant Sandra Schmid work. We need them to know Thea Clarke, Editorial and Education Senior Manager in raising the that cell biology is a vibrant Ricky Fernandez, Publications Specialist profile of the and innovative field that is John Fleischman, Science Writer and journal. We have making many advances in Public Information Liaison also completed human knowledge. Indeed, Cynthia Godes, Director, Finance and two of this year’s Nobel Administration another search, laureates, Liz Blackburn and Joan R. Goldberg, Executive Director for a new editor ASCB Staff: Standing, left to right: Charlie Binder, Kate Kelly, Eleni Hailu, Webmaster/Technology for CBE-LSE. Eleni Hailu, Danielle Nicholson, Eric Baker, Cheryl Lehr, Alison Carol Greider, are long-time Specialist Council has Harris, Kevin Wilson, Lynn Marquis, Ed Newman, Thea Clarke, members of the ASCB. Cell Alison Harris, Meeting Planner appointed Erin Howie Berman, Katherine Hempel, Liz Rich, Ricky Fernandez; biology is of great relevance, Katherine Hempel, Membership Seated, left to right: Trina Armstrong, Joan Goldberg, Cynthia not only to biomedical Manager Dolan to serve Godes, Mark Leader. Not pictured: John Fleischman, Deborah Kate Kelly, Accounting Manager as Editor-in- McCall, David Orloff research and human health, Cheryl Lehr, Executive Assistant/Office Chief beginning but also to agriculture, Manager in August 2010 (more information to come in the environmental conservation, and industry. Mark Leader, Director of Publications next Newsletter). I know that she will extend the I have been proud to have been President of Lynn Marquis, Coalition for the Life Sciences National Director good work done by Editor-in-Chief Bill Wood. a society with a rich history and the energy to Deborah McCall, Senior Manager, Another exciting development is the move forward and evolve. By the time you read Minorities Affairs Society being awarded a $2.5 million Grand this I will have handed over the gavel to Tim Edward Newman, Director of Exhibits Opportunity grant to build an online image Mitchison, a superb cell biologist. I know that and Sales he will lead the Society to the 50th Anniversary Danielle Nicholson, Accounting Assistant library of the cell (see www.ascb.org). For this David Orloff, Manager, Image Library Grand Opportunity to succeed we’ll need ASCB Annual Meeting with energy, humor, and Elizabeth Rich, Production Manager everyone to submit images of their favorite cells, resolve. I look forward to seeing everyone at that Kevin Wilson, Director of Public Policy organelles, and cellular process. Information very special meeting as well. n about how to do so will be forthcoming by Comments are welcome and should be sent to email and at www.ascb.org in 2010. With [email protected]. 2009 Half-Century Fund Donors The ASCB is grateful to the following donors whose contributions support Society activities: Gold Silver Claude Lechene Mien-chie Hung Elizabeth Blackburn Mary T. and S. James Adelstein Yuko Mimori-Kiyosue Craig Jeffries Craig Blackstone Charles Brokaw Mark Peifer Mary Jung Robert P. Bolender Caroline Damsky William M. Saxton Michael Lampson Bill Brinkley Barbara Hamkalo Jean Schwarzbauer Gordon W. Laurie Joseph Gall Morris J. Karnovsky Maxine Singer Ruth Lehmann Joan R. Goldberg Rong Li Joan A. Steitz Wayne Lencer Robert and Anne Goldman Sandra Masur Masatoshi Takeichi Jani E. Lewis Brigid Hogan Joel Rosenbaum Robert Trelstad Phyllis LuValle Susumu Ito Allan Spradling Henry Webster Rita Miller Marilyn Farquhar Ronald Vale Marc Muskavitch Thomas Pollard Harold Varmus Sustainer Ralph A. Nixon Randy Schekman Mina Bissell Jean Sanger Sandra Schmid Bronze Rebecca Boston Joseph Sanger Huntington Sheldon Richard Blanton Donald Brown Martin Schwartz Emma Shelton Daniel Branton Dennis Buetow P.J. Simpson-Haidaris Samuel Silverstein Charles Flickinger A. Christensen Emanuel E. Strehler Kenneth M. Yamada Barbara Johnson-Wint Werner Franke Elizabeth Sztul Koji Yoshinaga MaryAnn Jordan Daniel Friend Marvin Tanzer George Langford Ursula Goodenough *As of 11/24/09

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RTCADP_ad_ASCB_3_210x276.indd 1 04.11.2009 12:46:21 Uhr WOMEN in Cell Biology How to Ask Your Chair for a Promotion

Ideally, whoever oversees your promotion him or her about you. Say: “You may be (e.g., your chair) will regularly communicate interested in my latest...” discovery, teaching your promotion status. He or she will explain accomplishment, trainee who has accepted a what work remains to be done—and help you prestigious position, funding of a grant, and accomplish this work. But if this interaction so on. Be prepared to explain; chairs are not goes awry, you may need to negotiate with your omniscient. chair. The following advice assumes you actually When meeting with your chair, always deserve promotion or will soon. assume that the entire conversation will be forgotten. Take detailed contemporaneous Help Your Chair Help You notes. Immediately assemble the notes so that Chairs will more readily they will be comprehensible facilitate promotion if they are long afterwards, and then share psychologically predisposed to them with your chair. Include do so and if the promotion case a disclaimer: “I have compiled is easy to make. these notes so I will be able to Your quest should begin remember for future meetings. soon after a promotion or a This is my best recollection new position starts. Celebration of our conversation. If you and gratitude for your chair’s would like to correct or expand stewardship should segue into upon these notes, please do a request for his or her wisdom so.” Sometimes a chair will and guidance in preparing think one thing has been said, and you will hear another. for the next promotion. This Martin E. Feder has two positive psychological Shared notes are excellent for impacts. reconciling such differences. Record and share First, nothing so conveys respect for a chair any revisions. (and invites reciprocity) as asking earnestly for Before subsequent conversations, provide [C]hairs will want the chair’s advice. your chair with all preceding notes. Say, for to support positive Second, chairs will want to support example, “I was reviewing my notes for our positive outcomes of advice they think they next meeting and thought I would share them outcomes of advice have provided. Formulate your own plan for with you for your convenience.” Your chair will they think they probably feel obliged to honor any assurances promotion beforehand. Your chair may not have provided. know what you should do next, and your asking and re-endorse any plans from prior meetings. “what would you think of x, y, or z” both spares the chair embarrassment and makes endorsing Explicit Requests for Promotion your plans easy. (Your next conversation should If the above practices do not lead to promotion begin, “When we last talked, you thought x, y, spontaneously, you may need to broach it and z were good ideas.” You may thus lead the explicitly. If your chair does not agree, you chair to take ownership of your own advice.) need to convince your chair to proceed. Prepare You may likewise ask for advice on how to by reviewing the criteria for promotion and solicit invitations to key conferences, editorial comparing your progress to the criteria. The key boards, study sections, etc. Perceptive chairs will question to ask your chair is, “What’s keeping volunteer to network on your behalf if they can. me from being promoted?” Possible answers lie In addition, you may want to elicit your in two nonexclusive realms. chair’s help in obtaining letters of reference to The first realm of possible reasons why support your promotion. Educate your chair you have not been promoted is that your about the leading figures in your area, and why chair believes you have not yet satisfied the they are leaders. With this knowledge, the chair promotion criteria. If so, you must discover can strategize about how to make these leading in what ways he or she thinks you have fallen figures aware of your work. short. If your chair does not understand that Any meeting with your chair should educate you have already satisfied the promotion criteria,

DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 7 you need to present and explain the evidence. If the chair cannot begin the promotion If the chair points out a genuine deficiency or process, ask how best to facilitate promotion risk, you should acknowledge this with thanks once the delay ends. For example, ask if you and plan with the chair how best to address it. should begin preparing your materials so that You may have unrealistic expectations or may they will be ready. You can also negotiate a overestimate your own accomplishments. Listen contingent response. For example, you and When meeting with carefully for such indications. the chair may agree that your promotion will your chair, always If the chair misunderstands be considered within four the promotion criteria, tactfully months after an institutional assume that the ask that the chair recheck his moratorium ends. Or you may Do not be entire conversation or her understanding. You can agree that if the backlog in the also suggest that some respected discouraged if a first regular promotion queue is not will be forgotten. senior colleagues review your explicit broaching cleared in a year, your chair will Take detailed accomplishments on the chair’s pursue an alternative pathway. behalf. You may even offer to of promotion does Do not be discouraged if contemporaneous help the chair arrange such not lead directly a first explicit broaching of notes. review. promotion does not lead directly The second realm of possible to promotion. to promotion. The first meeting’s reasons why you have not been purpose is to understand where promoted is that although your the problems lie so that they can chair believes you satisfy the be addressed before the second criteria, other matters interfere. Examples of meeting. The second meeting’s purpose should be such other matters may include institutional to attain promotion. restrictions, a chair’s illness or preoccupation with urgent issues, or a need for you to “wait When All Else Fails your turn” in the promotion queue. You need If you deserve promotion and the above to discover the specific issues; only then can you strategies have not worked, the normal recourse frame an appropriate response. is first the next level up in the academic hierarchy, then the next higher level, and so on up to your institution’s chief academic officer. Innovative research at the interface A nonconfrontational way of broaching the between the life sciences and the physical sciences subject with someone at a higher level is to say, “I’ve spoken to my promotion committee Browse our content chair / section chief / department chair / one at http://hfspj.aip.org level down, and I am unable to understand why my promotion has stalled. Can you help me understand?” Sometimes a useful answer may be forthcoming. Sometimes this query will prompt Open Access those with whom you meet to make their own for All Articles inquiries, afterwards relaying their findings after 6 Months to you if they can. Usually “higher levels” are skilled at making inquiries that will not harm a Immediate promotion case. Open Access Available Conclusion for Authors Sometimes the promotion process does not unfold in an ideal manner. But by following the advice above, you may be able to keep the process on track and achieve the hoped-for outcome. n —Martin E. Feder, University of Chicago

Online submissions Note A more-detailed version of this article can be and subscription info found at http://pondside.uchicago.edu/~feder/ at http://hfspj.aip.org Howtoaskforpromotion.htm.

8 ASCB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009

DEAR Labby

Dear Labby, The faculty member who directs our postdoc association gave a talk about the importance of joining the appropriate professional society at this stage of our careers. In my case that would be ASCB. I talked to some members, and they stressed how great the Annual Meeting is. But I am saturated with information and last summer attended a Gordon Conference in which almost every talk was right up my alley (structural biology of a protein kinase involved in the metaphase checkpoint). The ASCB meeting looks like a composite of symposia and minisymposia all over the landscape. My lab head says I can only go to one meeting per year (and this only because she got both her R01s renewed and there is some travel money for me). I know you are likely biased, but what would I get out of the ASCB Annual Meeting relative to one focused on my research interest within cell biology? —Meeting Strategist

Dear Meeting Strategist, An excellent question and, yes, Labby is biased. But it may surprise you that this bias arises from a belief that being a member of ASCB, at any career stage, is not just about the scientific content of the ASCB Annual Meeting, superb as it is. When ASCB polled members about reasons for joining the Society, presenting at the meeting was selected by 70% of U.S. respondents and 74% of the international respondents. However, of equal or greater importance was “to be part of the international cell biology community”—selected by 70% of U.S., and 75% of international, respondents. Intriguingly, when asked about the primary reasons for remaining an ASCB member, presenting at the meeting was cited by only 51% of U.S. members and 57% of international members, while the percentage of those citing the importance of being part of the international cell biology community via ASCB membership rose to 79% for U.S. and a whopping 85% of international members. Also, when ASCB canvassed attendees at a past Annual Meeting, two of the most cited replies were ASCB’s proven efforts in educating Congress on the importance of federal funding for cell biology and serving as a voice for our foundational science’s role in biomedical progress. We were delighted by these responses, given that they acknowledge two of ASCB’s most successful and vitally important activities on behalf of its members. Regarding the ASCB Annual Meeting, you are right that there are many formal sessions that will be outside your immediate research interests. Labby recognizes that postdocs may not always have the luxury to be generalists while intensively advancing their nascent careers. But the most catalytic events at the ASCB Annual Meeting are not in the formal talks. Rather they are woven into the extensive fabric of dynamic interactions with others. In fact, those interactions are with the very people who were, as a group, cited most frequently as a reason for joining, and staying a member of, the ASCB; that is, the cell biology community, the very community in attendance. And as ASCB past president Bruce Alberts has noted, “Innovation in science depends on a continual exposure to new approaches and ideas. This requires more than the usual reading of textbooks and journal articles. Random collisions are important, not only with the latest science inside and outside your immediate research area, but also with both senior and junior scientists who have complementary interests...attending this meeting each year has become an important part of a cell biologist’s life in the community of scientists.” Networking is the heart and soul of the ASCB Annual Meeting. While the exciting breadth and depth of the science are incomparable, it is the conversations at poster sessions and over coffee, at Minisymposia, Celldance and CellSlam, after Symposia and Keynotes, that usher you into a special “corridor of connectivity.” You’ll meet heroes, new colleagues, potential collaborators, and new friends. Many have commented on how often a research collaboration or new direction was sparked by a casual conversation at an ASCB meeting. One never knows where the connection will be made. In its dynamic, open, and highly interactive format, the ASCB Annual Meeting, along with ASCB’s year-round activity of watching out for your interests and your career, makes membership a great investment. To paraphrase Yogi Berra: Your past could be your future, depending on what you do in the present. There are also many not-to-be-missed workshops and sessions on career development that add further luster to the ASCB Annual Meeting’s crown. In 2009, these included “Getting Out of the Box: Transitioning to a Career Outside of Academic Research,” and “You Don’t Have to Work in a Lab to Be a Scientist.” There are also opportunities to avail oneself of ASCB’s two legendary and much imitated hallmark programs, those conducted by the Women in Cell Biology (WICB) and the

10 ASCB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009 DEAR Labby

Minorities Affairs Committees. These included recently “Negotiation Strategies for Work and Life” and “Welcome to the Land of Muckity Muckdom, or What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You!” Educators benefit as well, with a variety of programs focused on K–12 and undergraduate science education. Education is a science too, and assessment-based programs are in the spotlight at the ASCB Annual Meeting. So is the advancement of international cell biology through teaching techniques formulated for use in ASCB’s workshops in Africa and elsewhere where resources are limited. These all are dynamic features of the ASCB Annual Meeting. There are ideas, engaging people, and an array of activities flying around like chemical bond resonance energy, providing the same catalytic spark that drives the formal scientific sessions. And, importantly, ASCB education- and career-focused programs aren’t limited to the Annual Meeting. Members also enjoy regular columns rich with tested career and educational advice, such as the WICB and Dear Labby columns in this Newsletter, books such as Career Advice for Life Scientists, and free access to ASCB’s two journals, Molecular Biology of the Cell and CBE—Life Sciences Education. Members can also avail themselves of discounted subscriptions to other journals and discounted products and registration fees. With access to other ASCB members through the Directory of Members, and to ASCB staff, you can enjoy opportunities for engagement year-round. ASCB leaders and staff are keen to hear from members and to discuss their ideas. And by involving yourself in ASCB activities, you can develop your leadership skills, expand your influence, and increase your networking. So when ASCB seeks volunteers, you shouldn’t be shy about signing up. The opportunities to encounter the proven programs for advancement at the ASCB Annual Meeting and year-round are a huge reason for becoming a member, beyond the state-of-the-art science and latest equipment on display. Since you are not (yet) an ASCB member, Labby will send you a copy of the newsletter in which this appears. Meanwhile, thank you for this opportunity to add up the many reasons being an ASCB member is good strategy, indeed great strategy, including and beyond the meeting. n —Labby Direct your questions to [email protected]. Authors of questions chosen for publication may indicate whether or not they wish to be identified. Submissions may be edited for space and style.

DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 11

The Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology INTERNATIONAL Affairs

atio Cell Biology in Mexico: Expanding rn na te l In A across Disciplines f

f

a

i

r Cell biology research in Mexico is conducted universities and the creation of new research s in a variety of institutes and research centers, centers and institutes. Another important with many different model systems, and across group of new, well-trained researchers were many scientific disciplines. It has changed a those who left Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, and great deal in its short history, but if it is to thrive Chile for political reasons and helped create it will need financial commitment and long- excellent research groups at the UNAM and term policies on the part of the CINVESTAV. government. As has been the The Old Divisions Building a Tradition case in other Dissolve The tradition of studying cell nations, the general As has been the case in other biology is relatively new in nations, the general adoption Mexico. Its development was adoption of new of new technologies in slow and at first was limited technologies in biochemistry, molecular biology, to the medical schools, where microscopy, and spectroscopy research was focused on the biochemistry, has begun to change or to study of the morphology and molecular biology, eliminate the classical division biochemistry of cells and microscopy, and lines in the biological sciences. tissues. The National University As a result, it is not easy to of Mexico (UNAM, www. spectroscopy has find “pure” or “classical” cell unam.mx) is the oldest and begun to change biologists in Mexico, even largest university in Latin though there are cell biology America. At one time it was or to eliminate departments in some research the source, either directly the classical institutes in UNAM and at the or indirectly, of most of the CINVESTAV. researchers active in Mexico. division lines in the There are now a large This situation began to biological sciences number of research laboratories change in the mid-1960s [in Mexico]. in Mexico that cover almost because of the increase in the all areas of cell biology, number of graduate students including the form, structure, interested in basic research. and function of cells; signal This expanded pool of scientists earned their transduction mechanisms; the structure and the Ph.D. degrees in other universities, mostly in expression of genes; the relationship of the cell the U.S., but also in Europe (especially England, with the environment and with other cells; and France, and Germany). Their return to Mexico the integration of cells to form tissues, organs, and the need to incorporate them into teaching and organisms. Thus many researchers whose and research promoted the expansion of some primary discipline is biochemistry, biomedicine, academic departments and the creation of new biotechnology, developmental biology, ecology, ones. genetics, microbiology, or physiology can Although most of the new and expanded emphatically assert, “Yes, I am also a cell departments were in UNAM, the National biologist.” Polytechnic Institute (IPN, www.ipn.mx) also decided to promote research in biology. Institutes and Research Centers It expanded its National School of Biological To view a panorama of cell biology in Sciences (ENCB, www.encb.ipn.mx) and Mexico, one needs look to the main institutes created the Center for Research and Advanced and research centers which focus on basic Studies (CINVESTAV, www.cinvestav.mx). research in developmental and cell biology, This began the advancement of basic research biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, in Mexico, leading to its expansion to different and biomedicine and carry out applied research.

DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 13 These research groups use diverse models, relationship with cell biology. Among these are including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects, the departments of: nematodes, rats, mice, zebrafish, and cells in n Cell Biology (www.cell.cinvestav.mx) culture. n Biochemistry (www.biochem.cinvestav.mx) UNAM hosts most of n Biomedicine (cinvestav.mx/ the larger research institutes biomedicina/index.html) [R]esearch groups in Mexico. One of the n Genetics and Molecular Biology oldest is the Biomedical [O]ne substantial (www.cinvestav.mx/genetica) use diverse Research Institute (www. challenge for n Genetic Engineering (www.ira. models, including biomedicas.unam.mx). From cinvestav.mx) it, other research institutes scientists is n Physiology and Neurosciences bacteria, fungi, arose to reflect the growing the difficulty in (www.fisio.cinvestav.mx) protozoa, insects, number of researchers and obtaining financial Other institutions with active the diversification and research in cell biology are the nematodes, rats, specialization of research support for research IPN, Metropolitan Autonomous mice, zebrafish, and topics. Among them are: in Mexico. University, and the universities cells in culture. n The Center of Genomics (public or private) of some Sciences (www.ccg.unam. states, including Aguascalientes, mx) Guanajuato, Jalisco, Mexico, n The Biotechnology Institute (hwww.ibt. Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis unam.mx) Potosi, Veracruz, and Zacatecas. n The Institute of Neurobiology (www.inb. unam.mx) Overcoming Challenges, Meeting n The Institute of Cell Physiology (www.ifc. Expectations unam.mx), which is considered one of the Despite advances in the breadth of research and best basic research institutes in Mexico the number of research facilities, one substantial By number of researchers, the next largest challenge for scientists is the difficulty in center of research is CINVESTAV. It has obtaining financial support for research in various academic departments, both in Mexico Mexico. In the last decades we suffered several City and outside, whose research has a direct economic crises, which limited the amount of money that the government could spend on education and research. Because of the increased number of researchers and the scarcity of research funds, the competition to get support is Galaxy® high and hinders the advancement of science. CO2 Incubators. Based on its cultural tradition and the size of its economy, Mexico would be expected to rank higher among countries that generate scientific knowledge. The quality of its human resources is recognized. Its infrastructure, while not always the best, is good enough to support good research. So what is needed? First, the government should recognize that investment in science The Cell Culture Problem Solvers. and technology is not luxury spending, and Problem 5: We want to begin experimenting with research is not an activity limited to well- hypoxic conditions and are looking for an entry level developed countries. Second, policies for incubator. education, science, and technology should be Solution: NBS’ Galaxy 48 R and 14 S are ideally sized for set for the long term and not only until the next your application. These 48L (1.7 cft.) and 14L (0.5 cft.) mod- n els not only easily fit on the lab bench, but also significantly parliamentary election. reduce costly gas consumption seen in larger volume units. —Luis M. Salgado, National Polytechnic Institute

For more about Galaxy CO2 Incubators see: www.nbsc.com/a

14 ASCB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009

InCytes from MBC December, Vol. 20, Nos. 23 and 24

MBC Editor’s Note The December 2009 issues of Molecular Biology of the Cell include even more than the usual number of fine papers. Thus this edition of InCytes from MBC highlights eight papers instead of the usual four. The first four have clear relevance to disease and serve to illustrate the potential contribution of cell biology to human health. The second four papers are excellent contributions to basic research. Beginning with the next issue of the ASCB Newsletter, InCytes from MBC will be replaced by Highlights from MBoC. Highlights from MBoC will include shorter descriptions of more articles. Incoming Editor-in-Chief David Drubin has instituted this change to better publicize the many excellent papers in the journal. —Sandra L. Schmid, Editor-in-Chief Molecular Biology of the Cell

A Mutation Associated with CMT2A Neuropathy Causes Defects in Fzo1 GTP Hydrolysis, Ubiquitylation, and Protein Turnover Elizabeth A. Amiott, Mickael M. J. Cohen, Yann Saint-Georges, Allan M. Weissman, and Janet M. Shaw Mutation of the human mitochondrial fusion GTPase MFN2 causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT2A) by an unknown mechanism. The authors used the yeast ortholog FZO1 to investigate molecular defects associated with disease-linked mutations. Each CMT2A mutation produced different in vivo and in vitro effects. The most severe GTPase domain mutation (V327T) caused loss of mitochondrial fusion and GTPase activity. The authors show that loss of GTPase activity leads to reduced Fzo1 ubiquitylation and degradation, causing stabilization of the mutant proteins. Importantly, the V327T disease mutation is not dominant negative. Complexes containing wild-type Fzo1 and V327T are GTPase active, and restore mutant protein ubiquitylation and turnover. Loss of the F-box protein Mdm30 does not affect GTPase activity, placing GTP hydrolysis upstream of Fzo1 ubiquitylation. These studies link Fzo1 GTP hydrolysis to ubiquitylation and turnover. They also raise the possibility that mitofusin ubiquitylation and degradation play a role in the etiology of CMT2A.

Macrophages Create an Acidic Extracellular Hydrolytic Compartment to Digest Aggregated Lipoproteins Abigail S. Haka, Inna Grosheva, Ethan Chiang, Adina R. Buxbaum, Barbara A. Baird, Lynda M. Pierini, and Frederick R. Maxfield A critical event in atherosclerosis is the interaction of vessel wall macrophages with aggregates of low density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL aggregates are formed by the action of lipases and other chemical modifications and bound to extracellular matrix components. Previous data suggested some hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters by macrophages while the bulk of aggregated LDL is outside the cell. This hydrolysis required lysosomal acid lipase and thus it was surmised that the cholesteryl ester hydrolysis occurred in lysosomes. In this study, the authors show that macrophages create an extracellular, acidic compartment where the cells contact the aggregated LDL. Lysosomal contents are delivered to these compartments, thereby forming an extracellular hydrolytic compartment—a lysosomal synapse. The catabolism of aggregates was observed by timelapse imaging. An increase in free cholesterol was seen in aggregates in these compartments. This cholesterol can be delivered to the cell, initiating the process of macrophage cholesterol loading.

Synthetic Lethal Genetic Interactions That Decrease Somatic Cell Proliferation in Caenorhabditis elegans Identify the Alternative RFCCTF18 as a Candidate Cancer Drug Target Jessica McLellan, Nigel O’Neil, Sanja Tarailo, Jan Stoepel, Jennifer Bryan, Ann Rose, and Philip Hieter Somatic mutations causing chromosome instability (CIN) in tumors are an Achilles’ heel that can be exploited for selective killing of tumor cells by knockdown of second-site genes that cause synthetic lethality. Cancer CIN gene mutations often cause aneuploidy at levels that are tolerated in somatic cells but not tolerated in the developing embryo. The authors have developed an assay system in the multicellular animal Caenorhabditis elegans that uses the post-embryonic vulval cell lineage as a readout to test genetic interactions causing synthetic lethality (SL) in proliferating somatic cells. This approach was used to validate, in C. elegans, yeast SL genetic interactions involving members of the cohesin complex known to be mutated in colon tumors. The authors identified conserved SL interactions with CTF4, RAD27, and components of the alternative RFCCTF18 complex. This cross-species SL with CIN approach using the C. elegans assay system has strong potential to identify new cancer therapeutic targets.

Heat Shock Factor 1 Controls Genome-wide Acetylation in Heat-shocked Cells Sabrina Fritah, Edwige Col, Cyril Boyault, Jérôme Govin, Karine Sadoul, Susanna Chiocca, Elisabeth Christians, Saadi Khochbin, Caroline Jolly, and Claire Vourc’h The cellular response to heat shock is characterized, at the transcriptional level, by the activation of hsp genes, which correlates with a global repression of most cellular genes. Here, the authors show that heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), the key transactivator of hsp genes, also plays a major role in the global shutdown of transcription. They show that global deacetylation of core histones, driven by histone deacetylases HDAC1 and 2, necessitates the presence of active HSF1 and its interaction with HDAC1 and 2. This work thus brings to light a much wider role for HSF1 than initially assigned. HSF1 now appears to be a master regulator of global chromatin acetylation in both unstressed and heat-shocked cells.

16 ASCB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009 Tight Functional Coupling of Kinesin-1A and Dynein Motors in the Bidirectional Transport of Neurofilaments Atsuko Uchida, Nael H. Alami, and Anthony Brown In axons, neurofilaments are transported along microtubule tracks both towards and away from the axon tip (anterograde and retrograde, respectively). These movements are thought to be powered by dynein and kinesin-1A motors, respectively. Consistent with this, the authors show that neurofilament transport is impaired in cultured neurons from kinesin-1A knockout mice and that this impairment can be rescued by full-length kinesin-1A. Neurofilament transport is also impaired by a dominant negative kinesin-1A construct and by disruption of dynein function using RNAi, function-blocking antibody, and dominant negative dynactin constructs. However, all of these perturbations block both anterograde and retrograde neurofilament movement to a similar extent. These data support the hypothesis that kinesin-1A and dynein are neurofilament motors. Importantly, they also indicate that the activities of the anterograde and retrograde neurofilament motors are tightly coupled.

Roles of Formin Nodes and Myosin Motor Activity in Mid1p-dependent Contractile-ring Assembly during Fission Yeast Cytokinesis Valerie C. Coffman, Aaron H. Nile, I-Ju Lee, Huayang Liu, and Jian-Qiu Wu During cytokinesis an actomyosin contractile ring assembles and constricts in coordination with mitosis to properly segregate genetic materials into two daughter cells. The molecular mechanism of contractile-ring assembly remains poorly understood and controversial. The authors test several assumptions of the two prevailing models for contractile-ring assembly during cytokinesis in the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe: the spot/leading cable model and the search, capture, pull, and release (SCPR) model. The two models differ in their predictions for the number of initiation sites of actin assembly and in the role of myosin-II. Live microscopy of cells expressing formin Cdc12p fluorescent fusion proteins shows that Cdc12p localizes to a broad band of 30 to 50 dynamic nodes, where actin filaments are nucleated in random directions. Perturbations of myosin-II motor activity demonstrated that it is required to condense the nodes into a contractile ring. Taken together, these data provide strong support for the stochastic SCPR model of contractile-ring formation in cytokinesis.

Rescue of Munc18-1 and -2 Double Knockdown Reveals the Essential Functions of Interaction between Munc18 and Closed Syntaxin in PC12 Cells Liping Han, Tiandan Jiang, Gayoung A. Han, Nancy T. Malintan, Li Xie, Li Wang, Frederic W. Tse, Herbert Y. Gaisano, Brett M. Collins, Frederic A. Meunier, and Shuzo Sugita The Sec1-Munc18 (SM) proteins play essential roles in secretion and specifically bind to cognate syntaxin isoforms via two distinct modes, “closed” conformation and N-terminus binding. To precisely define the contributions of each binding mode, the authors use lentiviral vectors to engineer Munc18-1/-2 double knockdown neurosecretory cells and show that expression not only of syntaxin-1 but also of syntaxin-2 and -3 is significantly reduced as a result of this double knockdown. Syntaxin-1 is mislocalized, and regulated secretion is abolished. The authors next perform rescue experiments of these knockdown cells using a number of site-specific mutants of Munc18-1 that specifically inhibit each of the two syntaxin interaction modes. Their results suggest that Munc18’s binding to closed syntaxin is essential, enabling Munc18-1 to stabilize and deliver syntaxin-1 to the plasma membrane and restore secretion defects. Moreover, the interaction with the syntaxin N-terminus may be largely dispensable for neurosecretion.

Caspase-independent Mitochondrial Cell Death Results from Loss of Respiration, Not Cytotoxic Protein Release Lydia Lartigue, Yulia Kushnareva, Youngmo Seong, Helen Lin, Benjamin Faustin, and Donald D. Newmeyer Cells undergoing apoptosis through the typical mitochondria-driven pathway normally activate effector caspases, proteases that cleave and activate key death-promoting proteins. However, even when these caspases are inactive, the cells die. One possible explanation was that mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), an early apoptotic event, allows the release of non-caspase cytotoxic proteins like AIF and EndoG. However, here the authors show that cell death is caused instead by a progressive caspase-independent loss of mitochondrial function following MOMP. Surprisingly, cells continue to divide for ~48 h, but show a slow decline in ATP levels and DNA replication rate over 48–72 h, leading to delayed proliferation arrest. The earliest defects, seen at 4–8 h after MOMP, are the complete loss of respiratory complex I and partial loss of complex IV activities. Much later, mitochondria undergo more profound degradative effects. Thus MOMP leads to progressive and probably irreversible mitochondrial damage, independent of effector caspases. n

DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 17

PUBLIC POLICY Briefing Bruce Alberts: International Man of Science Bruce Alberts, an ASCB past president, can first three envoys:Science Editor-In-Chief now add “diplomat” to his lengthy list of and University of California, San Francisco, accomplishments. Professor Bruce Alberts; Elias Zerhouni, former In early November, U.S. Secretary of State Director of the U.S. National Institutes of Hillary Rodham Health (NIH); and Clinton spoke at Ahmed Zewail, the Forum for the 1999 Nobel laureate Future in Marrakech, in Chemistry. In Morocco. She used announcing the her remarks to outline envoys, Secretary a series of outreach Clinton said, “Each of initiatives the U.S. these men has agreed State Department to travel to North is undertaking in Africa, the Middle response to U.S. Bruce Alberts Elias Zerhouni East, [and] South President Barack and Southeast Asia Obama’s speech in Cairo, Egypt, earlier in the to fulfill President Obama’s mandate to foster year. In that speech, Obama called for a new scientific and technological collaboration.” relationship between the U.S. and Muslim Clinton also announced that the State communities around the world. Department would also be expanding the number One of the programs Secretary Clinton of environment, science, technology, and health announced was the establishment of a science officers at U.S. embassies around the world.n envoys program. She also announced the —Kevin M. Wilson

And The Tote Board Says…

The data are only preliminary, but indications applications and awarded over $389 million to are that the $10.4 billion the U.S. National 840 projects. The National Heart, Lung, and Institutes of Health (NIH) received from the Blood Institute issued 136 grants totaling just American Recovery and Reinvestment Act over $65 million, the highest number of grants (ARRA) are working. by any institute. The NIH reports on the NIH ARRA website The NIH also received more than 2,000 that it has issued $4.35 billion in grants to applications for Grand Opportunities (GO) grants, 12,788 projects. Sixty percent of the FY09 which fund large-scale, high-impact research. ARRA funds are supporting new science and the Three hundred and seventy-six projects received remaining 40% are accelerating the science of GO Grant funds. The National Cancer Institute existing projects. issued the most GO Grants of any institute, The goal of the ARRA program is to improve awarding 71 grants worth almost $90 million. the U.S. economy. And the NIH estimates The ASCB was a recipient for The Cell: An Image that, based on this early data, its portion of the Library. For more information, see www.ascb.org. ARRA bill will create or retain about 50,000 To read the complete report, go to http:// jobs during the two years of the program. report.nih.gov/PDF/Preliminary_NIH_ARRA_ The NIH estimates that it received and FY2009_Funding.pdf. n reviewed over 20,000 Challenge Grant —Kevin M. Wilson

DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 19 ARRA Advances Science

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20 ASCB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009

ASCB Launches New Online Job Board

In November, the ASCB launched its newly redesigned Online Job Board at http://jobboard.ascb.org. The latest incarnation of the Online Job Board offers ASCB members—and the biology community at large—an easy-to-use resource for online employment searches by jobseekers and employers alike. Both members and nonmembers can use the ASCB Online Job Board to reach qualified candidates. Employers can post jobs online, search for qualified candidates based on specific job criteria, and create an online “resume (or CV) agent” to email qualified candidates daily. Employers also benefit from online reporting that provides daily job activity statistics, such as viewings, applications, and even how many times a job was sent out in a “job agent” or “emailed to a friend.” For jobseekers, the ASCB Online Job Board is free and provides access to employers and jobs in cell biology and related disciplines. In addition to posting their resumes, jobseekers can browse and view available jobs based on specific criteria and save those jobs for later review. Job seekers can also create a search agent to provide personal email notifications of jobs that match their criteria. Registered employers or jobseekers also have access to the National Healthcare Career Network (NHCN), a network of over 180 top healthcare associations and professional organizations. The ASCB’s association with NHCN translates to more job opportunities for jobseekers and more qualified candidates for employers. For more information, go to http://jobboard.ascb.org. n —Howard Berman

Update Your Contact Info Today!

We want to make sure you’re kept up-to-date on all the latest ASCB news and events. That means we need your most recent contact information. It’s easy to update this information on our website:

n Go to www.ascb.org and click on “Members Only” at the top of the page. n Click “Update Profile” and enter your Username and Password. n To update your address, email, or phone number, click “Main” under Address Type. n Enter your changes, click “Continue” and then “Save.” It’s that easy!

If you have any questions, contact the ASCB at (301) 347-9300 or [email protected]. n

22 ASCB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009 ASCB Participates in NABT Meeting

“Searching for a Cause of Alzheimer’s Disease— happens to turn this neurotrophic protein The Story of a Good Protein Gone Bad: into a neurotoxic one? These two opposite Applying Research Inquiry to the Biology biological activities appear to be due to the Classroom” was the topic of William Wallace’s processing of APP at the plasma membrane. ASCB-sponsored presentation for teachers. The Enzymatic digestion at one site on APP produces venue? The 2009 Professional Development a neurotrophic growth factor, while digestion Conference in Denver, CO, held by the at another site produces a neurotoxin that kills National Association of Biology Teachers neurons through apoptosis. This dichotomy may (NABT), November 12–14. To help biology explain the role of APP in Alzheimer’s disease educators stay up-to-date on current topics pathology. The same professional research skills in cell biology, the ASCB sponsored Wallace’s used in this research can be taught in the high presentation and an NABT exhibit booth. school biology class if students are given open- Wallace, an ASCB Education Committee ended scientific questions. member from Georgetown Day School, spoke Visitors to the ASCB Booth in the NABT to a standing-room-only crowd of some 60 Exhibit Hall picked up issues of the 2008 teachers about a controversial question related Highlights issue of CBE—Life Sciences William Wallace to Alzheimer’s disease: What causes selected Education, posters, and free copies of ASCB neurons to die, leading to memory loss? Amyloid career advice books (Career Advice for Life precursor protein (APP) appears to play a key Scientists, Vol. I&II and Vol. III; available at role in this neurodegeneration; however, APP www.ascb.org, click on “Publications”). n also helps the brain recover from injury. What —Thea Clarke

DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 23 Life Sciences CBE Education www.lifescied.org :Art 11:57 09/27/10 10؍balt4/cbe-cbe/cbe-cbe/cbe00409/contents thompsom S

CBE—Life Sciences Education Volume 8 Winter 2009 Table of Contents FEATURES Approaches to Biology Teaching and Learning Learning to See Inequity in Science Kimberly D. Tanner...... 265–270 From the National Science Foundation Transforming Undergraduate Biology Education for All Students: An Action Plan for the Twenty-First Century Terry Woodin, Diane Smith, and Deborah Allen ...... 271–273 Current Insights Recent Research in Science Teaching and Learning Erin Dolan...... 274–275 Educator Highlight Kathleen Nolan Inteviewed by Laura L. Mays Hoopes ...... 276–277 ESSAYS Non-STEM Undergraduates Become Enthusiastic Phage-Hunters Steven M. Caruso, James Sandoz, and Jessica Kelsey...... 278–282 Linking Assessment Questions to a Research Article to Stimulate Self-directed Learning and Develop High-order Cognitive Skills in an Undergraduate Module of Molecular Genetics Jinlu Wu ...... 283–290 ARTICLES From Genes to Proteins to Behavior: A Laboratory Project That Enhances Student Understanding in Cell and Molecular Biology Benjamin D. Aronson and Linda A. Silveira...... 291–308 Articulating Scientific Reasoning Improves Student Learning in an Undergraduate Anatomy and Physiology Course Johanna Krontiris-Litowitz ...... 309–315 A Laboratory-intensive Course on RNA Interference and Model Organisms Joanna A. Miller, D. Scott Witherow, and Susan Carson ...... 316–325 Effectiveness of a Cloning and Sequencing Exercise on Student Learning with Subsequent Publication in the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank Joann M. Lau and David L. Robinson...... 326–337 Using a Replica of Leeuwenhoek’s Microscope to Teach the History of Science and to Motivate Students to Discover the Vision and the Contributions of the First Microscopists Lenira M.N. Sepel, Elgion L.S. Loreto, and Joa˜o B.T. Rocha ...... 338–343

On the Cover Cover shows representative qualitative student results from a lab course on RNA interference (RNAi) at North Carolina State University. RNAi was used to silence expression of three genes in different systems by different methods: the su gene (magnesium chelatase, required for chlorophyll biosynthesis) in the tobacco plant Nicotiana benthamiana, by viral bombardment; a muscle-specific GFP transgene in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, by bacterial feeding; and a constitutively expressed, virally encoded GFP gene in cultured, CMV-infected human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells, by transfection with a plasmid producing a short hairpin RNA. Panels on the left are controls using nontargeting RNAs; panels on the right show the results of specific RNAi knockdown of the targeted genes. See article by Miller et al., p. 316. 24 ASCB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009 MEMBERS in the News ASCB Members Receive NIH Brian Druker, of the Oregon Health & Science University, Awards an ASCB member since 2002, was one of the recipients of the 2009 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Four members of the ASCB were among the 58 recipients of Award. the 2009 NIH Directors’ Transformative R01 Awards.

Nai-Ying Michelle Yang, of Burnham Institute for Medical Research, who first became an ASCB member in 2003, received a grant from the Fishman Fund. The Fund was created by philanthropists Mary Bradley and Reena Gaudenz Danuser Klaus M. Hahn Horowitz to advance science and honor Burnham founders Harvard Medical School University of North Carolina at Dr. William and Lillian Fishman. Member since 2000 Chapel Hill Member since 1995 MEMBER Gifts

The ASCB is grateful to the following members and applicants who have recently given a gift to support Society activities: Leslie M. Loew Wallace Marshall Josephine Clare Adams William M. Leach University of Connecticut University of California, San Valarie A. Barr Gil U. Lee Health Center Francisco Member since 2000 Member since 1994 Diana C. Bartelt Anthony P. Mahowald David R. Burgess Robert J. Majeska Three members of the ASCB were among the 55 recipients of Kevin G. Burton Edward J. Massaro the 2009 NIH Director’s New Innovator Awards. Ann E. Cowan Wilfredo Mellado Anne E. Cress Vivianne T. Nachmias Robert Lee Douglas Uma Sankar Neal David Epstein Lindsay Susan Shopland Ann Hart Erickson Charles B. Shuster Sergey Fedoroff David L. Spector Michel Bagnat Elva D. Diaz Daniel S. Friend Edwin M. Uyeki Duke University School of University of California, Davis Medicine Member since 1996 Krisztina Hegyi Earl H. Weidner Member since 2007 Gwendolyn M. Kinebrew Zena Werb Robert A. Koch Jason Wolfe Deborah T. Kochevar Christopher L. Woodcock Aaron J. Ladman

Adam J. Engler University of California, San Diego In Memoriam Member since 2002

We note the recent passing of ASCB member William O. Wood, and express our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. n

DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 25 GRANTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Educational Opportunity Administrative Supplements. NIH announced that $21 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for administrative supplements to existing NIH grants over two years has been allocated for educational opportunities in NIH-funded laboratories for summer students and science educators. Applications may be submitted throughout FY09 and FY10, but some NIH institutes and centers may have specific deadlines. http://grants. nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-060.html.

Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award. The purpose of the NIH Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award (K25) is to attract to NIH-relevant research those investigators whose quantitative science and engineering research has thus far not been focused primarily on questions of health and disease. Expiration: January 8, 2012. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-039.html.

The National Academies’ Research Associateship Programs administer postdoctoral (within five years of the doctorate) and senior (normally five years or more beyond the doctorate) research awards sponsored by federal laboratories at over 100 locations in the U.S. and overseas. Quarterly application deadlines. www7.nationalacademies.org/rap.

National Centers for Biomedical Computing (R01). This funding opportunity is for projects from individual investigators or small groups to collaborate with the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research National Centers for Biomedical Computing (NCBCs). Collaborating projects are intended to engage researchers in building an excellent biomedical computing environment, using the computational tools and biological and behavioral application drivers of the funded NCBCs as foundation stones. Expiration: September 8, 2011. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-184.html.

NIGMS Grants. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences is accepting applications for funding research in which several interdependent projects offer significant advantages over support of these same projects as individual research. Standard NIH application dates apply. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ guide/pa-files/PA-07-030.html.

MEETINGS Calendar NIGMS Supplements for Functional Studies Based on High-resolution Structures Obtained in the Protein Structure Initiative. The National A complete list of upcoming meetings can be found at http:// Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) announces the availability of ascb.org/othermeetings.psp. The following meetings have been administrative supplements to provide funds to enable investigators interested added since the last issue of the Newsletter: in protein function to capitalize on the information and material products of the Protein Structure Initiative (PSI). These supplements are available for 1) April 15–18, 2010. Banff, Canada. NIGMS-funded research grants (R01, R37, and P01) as well as 2) investigators 53rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Biochemistry, with peer-reviewed research grants not funded by NIGMS, through the PSI Molecular and Cellular Biology: Membrane Proteins in Health and research centers. www.nigms.nih.gov/initiatives/PSI/supplements. Disease. www.csbmcb.ca/meetings/53rd_Annual_Meeting.aspx. NIH Transformative Research Project Grants. As part of its Roadmap August 8–13, 2010. Andover, NH for Biomedical Research, the NIH invites transformative Research Project Gordon Research Conference: Plant and Microbial Cytoskeleton. Grant (R01) applications from institutions or organizations proposing www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2010&program=plantmicro. groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, high-risk, original, and/or unconventional research with the potential to create new scientific paradigms September 15–17, 2010. Birmingham, UK or challenge existing ones. Letters of intent are due by December 22, 2009; Biochemical Society Conference: Enzymology and Ecology of the the application deadline is January 22, 2010. http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/T-R01. Nitrogen Cycle. www.biochemistry.org/MeetingNo/SA106/view/ Conference. Pathway to Independence Award. The primary purpose of the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented NIH-supported independent investigators. ASCB Annual Meetings The program is designed to facilitate a timely transition from a mentored postdoctoral research position to a stable independent research position with December 11–15, 2010. Philadelphia independent NIH or other independent research support at an earlier stage than is currently the norm. Expiration: January 8, 2012. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ December 3–7, 2011. Denver guide/pa-files/PA-09-036.html.

December 15–19, 2012. San Francisco

December 14–18, 2013. New Orleans

December 6–10, 2014. Philadelphia

December 12–16, 2015. San Diego

26 ASCB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009 GRANTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-related Research. NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced to PIs holding specific types of NIH research grants that funds are available for administrative supplements to improve the diversity of the research workforce by supporting and recruiting students, postdoctoral researchers, and eligible investigators from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-190.html.

Research Supplements to Promote Re-entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers. These supplements are intended to encourage individuals to re-enter research careers within the missions of all NIH program areas. This program will provide administrative supplements to existing NIH research grants to support full-time or part-time research by individuals in a program geared to bring their existing research skills and knowledge up-to-date. Expiration: September 30, 2011. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-191.html.

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows in Pharm.D./Ph.D Programs. The objective of this NIH funding opportunity announcement is to help ensure that highly trained Pharm.D./ Ph.D. graduates will be available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to carry out the U.S. biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research agenda. Expiration: January 8, 2012. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-029.html.

SCORE Awards. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences is accepting applications for its Support of Competitive Research (SCORE) developmental awards designed to increase faculty research competitiveness at minority-serving institutions. Multiple deadlines through May 18, 2010. The program announcement, as well as three other program announcements (PAR-06-491, PAR-06-492, PAR-06-493), can be found at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-490.html#PartI. n

Micropipette Pullers World-class quality! Faculty Position in Retinal Stem Cells Powerful: The laser-based P-2000 puller and Retinal Degenerative Diseases remains the industry standard device for pulling fused silica, The Department of Neuroscience at the University of Connecticut School of nanospray tips and optical probes. Medicine is seeking a highly qualified individual with an outstanding background in retinal stem cells and retinal degenerative diseases. The John A. and Florence Consistent: Use the P-97 to reliably fabricate Mattern Solomon Chair in Vision Biology and Eye Diseases will partially support a variety of tips: patch clamp, the work of the new faculty member. The applicant will be a Ph.D. and/or M.D. with intracellular, transgenic and experience in stem cells and an interest in applying that expertise to novel thera- microinjection. A proven pies of retinal diseases including macular degeneration. The successful candidate “workhorse”. will have very strong research credentials including a history of major publications and well-funded research, along with experience teaching. The stem cell expertise at UCHC, coupled with the state-of-the-art imaging facilities available in the Center Economical: The simple and inexpensive for Cell Analysis and Modeling and our Translational Genomics Core, make UCHC P-30 vertical puller is suitable an excellent home for this type of research, which is an area of intense interest at for basic and patch-type the National Eye Institute. micropipettes. Efficient, Applications are invited for this tenure track position at the Associate or Full space-saving Professor level. Faculty will enjoy superb resources including a generous start-up design. package as well as state-of-the art core facilities for mouse transgenics and ES cell manipulation, cellular electrophysiology, microarrays and next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and fluorescence imaging. The successful candidate will be expected to expand upon his/her funded independent The cornerstone and innovative research program, and to actively contribute to a rich scientific of your research environment and expertise in the Neuroscience Department. Candidates are invited to visit the departmental web page (http://neuroscience.uchc.edu) and should apply by submitting electronically a cur- riculum vita, a one page description of research goals, and a pdf of a current published paper. The candidate should also solicit letters from three references. Applications and letters should be sent via the University of Connecticut Health Center Employment Services website, https://jobs.uchc.edu, search code 2010-374. PHONE: 415.883.0128 | FAX: 415.883.0572 EMAIL: [email protected] | WWW.SUTTER.COM UCHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/PwD

DECEMBER 2009 ASCB NEWSLETTER 27 8120 Woodmont Avenue Non-profit Suite 750 Organization Bethesda, MD 20814-2762 US Postage PAID York, PA Permit No. 356

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