OCTOBER 2003 www.asbmb.org

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QB3’sQB3’s Goal:Goal: InterdisciplinaryInterdisciplinary CollaborationCollaboration Q: WHAT IS BLACK, WHITE, AND READ ALL OVER?

Editor Ralph A. Bradshaw University of California Irvine

Deputy Editor A.L. Burlingame University of California San Francisco A:

Associate Editors Molecular & Cellular understanding of the structural Ruedi H. Aebersold Proteomics (MCP), and functional Institute for Systems Biology published by the properties of proteins and their Seattle American Society for expression through original Biochemistry and high quality research. In Patricia C. Babbitt Molecular Biology (ASBMB), actively encourages addition, MCP showcases emerging technologies University of California researchers to submit original papers in the areas of used to determine how the presence or absence of San Francisco structural and functional properties of proteins and proteins affects biological responses, and how inter- their expression. action of proteins with germane cellular partners Steven A. Carr allows them to function. Why submit your research to MCP? Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. VISIBILITY OF YOUR Cambridge LEGACY OF HIGH EDITORIAL RESEARCH… STANDARDS… As part of the family of MCP is indexed in Medline, Index Medicus, Google, Julio E. Celis ASBMBYahoo, Altavista, AOL, and MSN; therefore your Institute of Cancer Biology and publications, MCP adheres to the same high level of research will be seen around the world by more Danish Center for Human editorial standards adopted nearly 100 years ago by researchers than ever before. Genome Research the ASBMB flagship publication and most cited Copenhagen journal in biochemistry*, Journal of Biological OPEN ACCESS… MCP’s latest online fea- Chemistry (JBC). Consequently, your research com- ture, Papers in Press, provides free, worldwide Raymond Deshaies mands attention and earns the respect of your peers. access to your research on the day it is accepted for California Institute of Technology publication. The result… faster publication, and EDITORIAL FOCUS… MCP advances the Pasadena greater exposure for your research.

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AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OCTOBER 2003, Volume 2, Issue 7 features

2 Making ASBMB Publications Available Online

3 In the Name of Fairness, Evolution Belongs in Schools

4 Researchers Solve Structure of Membrane Transport Protein

6 NIH Funding Passes House; 9.2% Increase Rejected 9

ON THE COVER: 9 NIH Planning to Build Zebrafish Lab

12 QB3’s Goal: 10 ASBMB Annual Meeting Preview Interdisciplinary Collaboration 12 QB3 Brings the Science of Numbers to Biology

departments 6 News From the Hill 8 NIH News 16 Biotech Business 20 Calendar

BRONZE AWARD WINNER 2003 LETTERS

ASBMB Today Making ASBMB Publications is a monthly publication of The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Available Online Officers Dear Colleagues: have some negative aspects. For exam- Bettie Sue Masters President The ASBMB has made concerted ple, not all authors will be able to cover Judith S. Bond President-elect Albert E. Dahlberg Secretary efforts in the last few years to make our the costs (estimates are over $3,000 per Kenneth E. Neet Treasurer publications available to scientists, article). While industrial scientists and Thomas Blumenthal Councilor trainees and the public via our online academic scientists with large NIH William R. Brinkley Councilor research journals (The Journal of Biological grants will probably be able to manage Lila M. Gierasch Councilor Frederick P. Guengerich Councilor Chemistry (JBC), Molecular and Cellular these publication costs, those with William J. Lennarz Councilor Proteomics (MCP), and the Journal of Lipid smaller grants, at teaching colleges, or Alexandra C. Newton Councilor Research (JLR)). As you know, we were in periods of low funding, and foreign Merle S. Olson Councilor Peter J. Parker Councilor pioneers with JBC Papers in Press that are William L. Smith Councilor published online and are available free of Non-Voting Members charge on the day they are accepted for George M. Carman publication. The final edited papers, Chair, Meetings Committee available in hard copy, are also free of John D. Scott charge online at the end of each calendar Alexandra C. Newton Julio Celis year. In addition, the ASBMB has made Co-chairs, 2004 Program Committee all JBC back issues (back to 1905!) avail- Marion H. O’Leary J. Ellis Bell able online, free of charge, to anyone Co-chairs, Education and Professional wishing to access them. authors, especially from developing Development Committee In addition, we provide free access to countries, will be unable to publish William R. Brinkley Chair, Public Affairs Advisory Committee current and past journals to many their research in these ‘open’ journals. Peter A. Rubenstein developing countries without subscrip- There are publishers that have already Chair, Publications Committee tions. We have accomplished this announced changes resulting in less Phillip A. Ortiz Chair, Minority Affairs Committee through a partnership with HighWire open access. For example, the British Herbert Tabor Press, which created innovative search Medical Journal (BMJ), which has Editor, JBC systems and links to other journals. We allowed free access to everything on its Ralph A. Bradshaw have covered the substantial costs of website for the last 10 years, has just Editor, MCP Edward A. Dennis our peer-reviewed journals by subscrip- announced that it can no longer afford Editor, JLR tion revenues from individuals and to provide these services and, as of Jan- libraries and by page charges to authors. uary 2005, charges will be instituted for Editorial Advisory Board Irwin Fridovich Yet, in spite of the efforts made by online subscriptions. Richard W. Hanson our Society and others to provide We can expect that various publish- Bettie Sue Masters access to our journals, there has been ers will test new models, and time will Evan J. Sadler considerable criticism of the current tell how best to handle written scien- Robert D. Wells models for publication and a demand tific communications. However, we Comments that all journals should be immedi- would like to assure you that the Please direct any comments or questions concerning ASBMB Today to: ately and freely available to anyone. ASBMB is committed, to our members, The proponents of unconditional open the scientific community and the pub- John D. Thompson Editor, ASBMB Today access have suggested an alternative lic, to foster the exchange of informa- 9650 Rockville Pike model for publication whereby the tion through high quality publications Bethesda, MD 20814-3996 authors would bear the entire cost for delivered efficiently and expeditiously Phone: 301-634-7145; Fax: 301-634-7126 E-mail: [email protected] peer-reviewed publications. However, while using the best economic model many are questioning whether this we can find. For information on advertising contact FASEB AdNet at 800-433-2732 alternative model will work. ext. 7157 or 301-634-7157, or Models that aim to have all the costs Bettie Sue Masters, ASBMB President email [email protected]. for publication provided by the authors Judith S. Bond, President-elect

2 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2003 LETTERS/OPINION

In the Name of Fairness, Evolution Belongs in Schools By Dr. William R. Brinkley nce again, certain creationist ously that molecular biology provides groups are lobbying the Texas overwhelming evidence supporting O Education Agency (State Board Darwinian evolution, especially at the of Education) to require publishers cellular level of life. to revise what they consider factually For example: information from the incorrect information about the origin human genome sequence database LETTER TO THE EDITOR of life in high school science text- clearly shows the interconnections books. These groups object to any among all species. Moreover, many material that indicates that all life cultures in Houston and throughout Congratulations on forms, including humans, evolved to Texas have diverse faith-based views their current state over millions of and beliefs regarding life sciences. For The Centennial and years. Instead, they support the notion example, some groups reject the fun- Archives Online of intelligent design, a recent permu- damental notion that bacteria cause JBC tation of so-called creation science. diseases or that blood transfusions can Dear Editor: According to the intelligent design save lives. It would be impossible. and I was searching on the www for argument, molecular biology has now inappropriate to be fair by representing information on the history of revealed that cells are formed from the beliefs of all cultural groups in text- diabetes and the discovery of such a complex network of proteins books of science and medicine. insulin. Through the Google and protein-generating processes that In all fairness, therefore, I encourage searcher I came across the histori- they could not exist without the inter- the State Text Book Review Panel, the cal article by I. S. Kleiner pub- vention of a special outside intelli- commissioner of education and the lished in The Journal of Biological gence. Proponents of this theory insist State Board of Education to resist pres- Chemistry in 1919. At the begin- their proposal does not involve reli- sure from proponents of intelligent ning I thought it was just the gious tenets and sidesteps the separa- design to change the teaching of any abstract and that, when clicking tion of church and state doctrine, on aspect of evolution science. In all fair- to download it, the usual mes- which the U.S. Supreme Court has ness to the state’s schoolchildren, let sage indicating that I had to pay, based rulings that prohibit teaching science speak. let’s say, $20 or $30 to get it creation science in public school sci- would appear. But it was for free! ence classes. Creationists are bombard- This opinion piece by Dr. Brinkley was What a surprise! ing school board members with this based on material provided by the I congratulate you on (a) the new spin on old claims and, once National Academy of Sciences which coming centennial of the journal; again, stating their pleas for fairness. encouraged members in Texas to provide (b) the wonderful idea of putting They claim that because evolution is a support in the form of testimony and op- all back issues of your journal theory and cannot be proven, stu- ed pieces to the NAS effort to assure that online; (c) making such valuable dents, in all fairness, should have the scientifically accurate information is material available to everybody. opportunity to consider other theories retained in biology textbooks. It was pub- I am vice president of the (e.g., that all life on Earth was created lished in the September 12, 2003, issue of Catalan Association for Science in a relative brief period of time by a the Houston Chronicle. Dr. Brinkley, is Communication and will superior designer). Dean and Vice President of the Baylor announce your way of celebrat- The fairness argument holds no College of Medicine Graduate School of ing the centennial of The JBC in water and has been rejected repeatedly Biomedical Sciences and Distinguished our newsletter. in the past. As a cell and, molecular Service Professor of Cellular and Molecular Mercè Piqueras biology teacher and researcher for the Biology. He is Chair of the ASBMB Public Email: [email protected] past 40 years, I can state unambigu- Affairs Advisory Committee.

OCTOBER 2003 ASBMBToday 3 Researchers Solve Structure of “The most important thing about this structure is that we’ve shown it can be done, because people have shied away from attempting to structure these proteins for a long time,” said Dr. H. Ronald Kaback, an ASBMB member.

ed by Dr. Kaback, Professor of brane transport tein functioned to “cotransport” pro- Physiology and Microbiology, proteins work,” tons and lactose. L Immunology and Molecular said Dr. Kaback Finally, the researchers identified one Genetics at the David Geffen School of In an article particularly intriguing mutant pro- Medicine, University of California, Los published in tein—in which an amino acid had been Angeles (UCLA), and a Howard the August 1, altered. This mutant binds lactose-type Hughes Medical Institute investigator, 2003, issue of sugars, but isn’t able to transport . an international research team’s 12- the journal “After 12 years, I began to think that year mission to solve the structure of Science, the if this mutant binds and it doesn’t an important protein has paid off. team led by Dr. H. Ronald Kaback transport, it must be favoring one con- Dr. Kaback and his colleagues Dr. Kaback and co-authors So Iwata formation, when it can’t move around recently captured the three-dimen- and Jeff Abramson, crystallographers that much,” said Dr. Kaback. Thus, he sional structure of lactose permease, at Imperial College London, reported and his colleagues thought that the which moves lactose across the cell that they have solved the three- mutant protein might actually be sta- membrane of E. coli. Researchers are dimensional structure of the bacter- ble enough to crystallize. now unveiling the first detailed struc- ial membrane transport protein Sure enough, when Abramson tural images of a type of protein that lactose permease (LacY). This protein attempted to crystallize the mutant functions in a manner generally similar is the most studied representative of protein, he was successful, enabling the to the target of Prozac and Prilosec, two the “major facilitator superfamily” of Iwata laboratory to launch an effort to of the world’s most widely prescribed membrane transport proteins, said obtain a three-dimensional structure. drugs. The research findings reportedly Dr. Kaback. LacY uses the energy The result, said Dr. Kaback, was criti- could hold therapeutic implications for from an electrochemical proton cally important for understanding how diseases such as lactose intolerance, dia- gradient to drive accumulation of the protein works. “We needed that betes, stroke and depression, which lactose, a sugar, across the cell structure. Without structure you can’t involve the malfunction of membrane membrane. get mechanism, although we had an transport proteins. He and his colleagues spent many approximate idea of what it looked like.” The protein belongs to a class of frustrating years attempting to crystal- He added that the resulting structure molecules called membrane transport lize the normal, or “wild-type,” LacY confirmed a surprising amount of proteins whose primary job is to move protein — an excruciatingly difficult information gleaned from previous molecules as diverse as nutrients and process given the complexity and indirect studies of the protein’s struc- neurotransmitters across the cell mem- “floppiness” of the molecule. Mean- ture and function. “It’s amazing how brane. Membrane transport proteins while, extensive experiments in which much of it turned out to be right. The play such a vital role in the cell that they studied effects of subtle mutations binding and the proton translocation their disruption is thought to be in the protein yielded considerable part of it are almost right on. I consider involved in numerous diseases, includ- indirect evidence of how the transport this to be a wonderful example of what ing depression, stroke and diabetes. protein might work. Still, the obsessive-compulsive behavior and “We hope that the structure of LacY researchers knew that only a three- pure dumb luck will do for you.” will offer a useful tool by enabling sci- dimensional structure would yield The structure revealed that LacY entists to understand how other mem- conclusive evidence of how the pro- consists of an array of irregular heli-

4 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2003 Membrane Transport Protein cal structures that wind their way Most importantly, the LacY struc- that will likely have important implica- through the cell membrane and ture suggests how amino acids from tions for a broad range of studies of anchor the protein. “The most strik- the protein bind sugar and a proton membrane transport proteins. “The ing thing is the irregularity of the and escort them through the mem- most important thing about this struc- helices,” explained Dr. Kaback. “The brane. The process involves an intri- ture is that we’ve shown it can be previous dogma was that transmem- cate choreography of interactions in done, because people have shied away brane helices have to be rigid bodies which the participating amino acids from attempting to structure these pro- that run perpendicular to the plane perform their precise functions as the teins for a long time. I think that this of the membrane. But we saw helices protein’s water-filled cavity flips from represents an important paradigm shift that are arched, and s-shaped, an outward-facing conformation to in the field, because these are incredi- and broken.” an inward-facing one. And finally, bly important proteins. Thirty percent He said he was also surprised by the after the transport through the mem- of the genome encodes membrane existence of a large water-filled cavity in brane is complete, the protein returns proteins, most of which are transport the middle of LacY that faces the inside to its “ground” state, prepared for the proteins. And I believe that we can of the cell and the unanticipated symme- next transport. expect that 20 years from now every try in the two bundles of six helical pro- According to Dr. Kaback, solving the soluble protein that can be crystallized tein segments that pierce the membrane. structure of LacY is an achievement is going to be crystallized.”

OCTOBER 2003 ASBMBToday 5 NEWS FROM THE HILL By Peter Farnham, ASBMB Public Affairs Officer

NIH Funding Bill Passes Both Houses; 9.2%

n September 10, during Sen- although efforts continue to accom- deeply appreciated by all of us here at ate consideration of the 2004 plish that goal. ASBMB. Although the amendment was O Labor/HHS appropriations ASBMB is supporting a “dear col- unsuccessful, we know your efforts will bill (that funds the NIH) the Senate league” letter that will be sent to be appreciated by everyone in this rejected an amendment offered by House-Senate conferees. The letter, country who suffers from one of the Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA), Tom which originated with Representatives many chronic diseases still afflicting Harkin (D-IA) and Dianne Feinstein Chris Bell (D-TX), Lois Capps (D-CA), humanity, or has a friend or family (D-CA) to increase NIH funding by an Mark Foley (R-FL), and Jim Leach (R- member who does.” additional $1.5 billion. The bill as IA), advocates an eight percent to ten The NIH advocacy community (of passed by the Senate Appropriations percent increase for NIH in FY2004 which ASBMB is a part) worked very Committee increases NIH funding for and had been signed by some 150 hard for passage of this amendment, 2004 by $1 billion (a 3.7 percent House members as of mid-September. including buying full-page newspaper increase). Had the Specter/Harkin/Fein- A similar effort was expected in the ads, generating letters and op-eds in stein amendment been accepted, NIH Senate. The hope is that this letter, major papers around the country, and funding would have increased by $2.5 when received by the House/Senate generating thousands of letters to sena- billion, a 9.2 percent increase. conferees, may spark at least some dis- tors from individual scientists across The amendment failed on a point of cussion of the NIH situation during the nation. However, the budget order raised against it because the final deliberations on the bill. deficits this year, coupled with addi- amendment violated the terms of the Advocates for NIH tried to put the tional spending needed for U.S. efforts Budget Act by increasing the deficit. best face on the situation in the days in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the fact Under Senate rules, waiving a point of following the defeat. “The good news that NIH just completed a five-year order requires a 60-vote majority, and is that a majority of the Senate voted doubling of its budget, all combined to the proposed waiver only garnered 52 in favor of more funding for NIH,” said defeat the effort. votes. 43 senators voted against it and Kevin Mathis, Executive Director of Unfortunately, the situation regard- five (four of whom were presidential the Campaign for Medical Research. In ing NIH funding in FY 2005 is not candidates) did not vote. addition, the vote in favor of NIH was looking any brighter. The administra- Shortly after the defeat of the bipartisan, with 16 Republicans voting tion is expected to seek only another amendment, the Senate approved the to support the amendment. It is also two percent to three percent for NIH in overall bill by a vote of 94-0. The bill worth noting that Senator Ted Stevens the coming fiscal year, and if this level provides just under $28 billion for NIH (D-AK), chairman of the Senate Appro- of funding is approved, the number of for the fiscal year starting October 1. priations Committee, voted with the grants funded by NIH will begin to The House version of the bill, passed majority. nosedive. last July, provides a $681 million ASBMB President Bettie Sue Masters While the House has approved all 13 increase for NIH, approximately a 2.5 wrote to Senators Specter and Harkin on appropriations bills, none has become percent increase. September 15, thanking them on behalf law yet because the Senate has not The failure of the Specter/Harkin/ of ASBMB for their efforts and stating: completed its work and conferences Feinstein amendment is yet another “Your willingness to offer an amend- have not begun. It is thus possible that indication that NIH is highly unlikely ment to increase NIH funding in 2004, a series of continuing resolutions will to receive additional money during the and the hard work you put into gener- be needed after the start of the fiscal appropriations process this year, ating support for that amendment, is year, October 1, to keep the govern-

6 ASBMBToday 2003 NEWS FROM THE HILL

Increase Rejected House, Senate at Odds ment funded until all appropriations bills have been signed. Hill staffers also are beginning to discuss openly the possibil- Over Project BioShield ity of an omnibus measure that would roll all unsigned appropriations bills into one gigantic bill. A decision on this By John D. Thompson, Editor is expected by mid-October. As this issue went to press, differences between the What all this means is that it is likely that the largest White House and Congress over key aspects of remained increase NIH can expect this year is the Senate-approved fig- unresolved. ure of about 3.7 percent. While in past years more money The Senate was still wrestling with Project BioShield, has been added to NIH late in the year due to a breakdown the White House’s plan to accelerate development and in the appropriations process, this is unlikely to happen this production of new vaccines and countermeasures against year since both houses of Congress and the White House are bioweapons. On July 16, the House overwhelmingly controlled by one party, which has pledged to enforce approved the Project BioShield Act of 2003 (HR 2122), budget caps. which would provide some $5.6 billion over the next 10 years to develop and produce vaccines and therapeutics against a range of pathogens and toxins that could be used as weapons. For FY 2004, the House set BioShield funding at $890 million. The Bush administration wants BioShield to have a mandatory, permanent funding stream to spur research and development of new vaccines and therapeutics. However, numerous congressmen have balked at the idea, claiming that a mandatory funding mechanism would be an abdication of their oversight responsibility. The final House bill compromised on the issue by authorizing discretionary spending at the amounts requested but requiring that the administration regular reports on how the funds are being used. In the Senate, a new version of the BioShield bill (S 1504) removes the mandatory funding language that had been included in an earlier version approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Commit- tee in March (S 15). This change reflects the concerns of Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) who had blocked the bill from floor action because he objected to the mandatory funding provision. The new version authorizes full funding in FY 2004 but would give the Senate liberty to make changes in future years upon a 60-vote motion. Byrd had not yet indicated whether the new provisions satisfy his objections.

OCTOBER 2003 ASBMBToday 7 NIH NEWS

Jeremy M. Berg Named Director of National Institute of General Medical Sciences r. Jeremy M. Berg has been genetic material DNA or RNA and reg- before his faculty appointment, he was named director of the ulate gene activity. His work, and that a postdoctoral fellow in biophysics at D National Institute of General of others in the field, has led to the Hopkins. He received B.S. and M.S. Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Dr. Berg is design of metal-containing proteins degrees in chemistry from Stanford Uni- currently Director of the Institute for that control the activity of specific versity in 1980 and a Ph.D. in chemistry Basic Biomedical Sciences and Profes- genes. These tailored proteins are from Harvard University in 1985. sor and Director of the Department of valuable tools for basic research on Dr. Berg is a coauthor of more than Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry gene function, and such proteins 100 research papers and three text- at Johns Hopkins University School of could one day have medical applica- books, Principles of Bioinorganic Medicine in Baltimore. He is also tions in regulating genes involved in Chemistry, Biochemistry (5th Edi- Director of the Markey Center for diseases, as well. Dr. Berg has also tion) and A Clinical Companion to Macromolecular Structure and Func- made contributions to our under- Accompany Biochemistry. He also tion and Co-Director of the W.M. Keck standing of systems that target pro- serves on the editorial boards of the Center for the Rational Design of Bio- teins to specific compartments within journals Proteins: Structure, Func- logically Active Molecules, both of cells and to the use of sequence data- tion, and Genetics; Chemistry and which are at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Berg is bases for predicting aspects of protein Biology; and Current Opinion in expected to begin his NIGMS appoint- structure and function. Chemical Biology. ment in early November. Dr. Berg has been a faculty member at NIGMS has supported Dr. Berg’s Dr. Berg will replace Judith Green- Johns Hopkins since 1986. Immediately research since 1986. berg, who became Acting Director of NIGMS in May 2002 following the departure of Dr. Marvin Cassman, who had led the institute since 1993. Mouse Study Gives New As NIGMS director, Dr. Berg will over- see a $1.8 billion budget that funds A large-scale study of anthrax in took precisely timed measurements basic research in the areas of cell biol- mice has yielded new information to determine how various organs and ogy, biophysics, genetics, developmen- about immune system response to immune system processes responded. tal biology, pharmacology, physiology, anthrax bacteria, according to scien- For example, they measured levels of biological chemistry, bioinformatics tists at NIH’s National Institute of chemicals called cytokines, which are and computational biology. NIGMS Allergy and Infectious Diseases released by immune system cells after currently supports more than 4,400 (NIAID). The discovery that toxins a bacterial invasion. Dr. Leppla’s team research grants—about 10% of the released by the bacteria do not found no evidence of a persistent grants funded by NIH as a whole. behave as previously believed should increase in cytokines, or of a link NIGMS also supports a substantial redirect approaches to anthrax drug between cytokine increase and amount of research training as well as design, noted NIAID Senior Investi- anthrax LT effects, contradicting ear- programs designed to increase the num- gator Stephen Leppla, whose lier beliefs. This suggests that current ber of minority biomedical scientists. research was published in the Sep- efforts to design cytokine-suppressing Dr. Berg’s research focuses on the tember issue of the Journal of Clinical drugs to treat lethal toxin-mediated structural and functional roles that Investigation. events in late stages of anthrax may metal ions, especially zinc, have in Dr. Leppla and his colleagues be misguided. proteins. He has made major contri- injected hundreds of inbred mice “Science has had a good under- butions to understanding how zinc- with anthrax lethal toxin (LT), and standing of anthrax toxins at containing proteins bind to the

8 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2003 NIH NEWS

NIH Planning to Build Zebrafish Lab n response to researchers call (NHGRI) explained to The Scientist, Zebrafish are very prolific. A female for an alternative to labora- “We feel the need for a centralized and can lay 100 to 200 eggs every 4 to 5 I tory mice, NIH has more expanded facility to serve the days. Zebrafish grow to maturity in announced plans to build a new facil- needs of the NIH community.” about 3 months, allowing many gener- ity to breed and house zebrafish Dr. Liu uses both mice and zebrafish ations to be produced quickly. (Danio rerio). Slated for completion in in parallel studies. He has generated Sequencing the zebrafish genome, 2005, the new $10 million, 5,000- zebrafish mutants defective in which is roughly half the size of the square-foot structure will house over myelopoiesis and screens fish embryos mouse or human, began in 2001 at the a half million zebrafish in some for the loss of expression of myeloid- Sanger Institute and is due to be fin- 25,000 tanks. The building will be an specific markers. ished by the end of 2005. While genet- addition to Building 6, an existing Zebrafish have many advantages animal lab on NIH’s Bethesda, Mary- over mice. To study embryo develop- land, campus. ment, pregnant mice have to be cut Demand for zebrafish at NIH has open and are frequently killed. But been increasing as researchers become zebrafish embryos, which are relatively aware that the tiny, black-striped crea- large, develop outside the mother’s ture makes an excellent supplement to body in Petri dishes, making them lab mice. Paul Liu, a Senior Investiga- readily observable. “For the first two tor with the Genetics and Molecular days, the embryos are transparent and Biology Branch of the National you can even see the circulating blood courtesy of Whitehead Institute. Human Genome Research Institute cells,” Dr. Liu said. Zebrafish embryos ically more distant from humans, the vertebrate zebrafish nevertheless has comparable organs and tissues, such as View of Anthrax Toxin heart, kidney, pancreas, bones, and car- tilage. Zebrafish are also far less expen- molecular and subcellular levels,” understanding of LT actions on the sive to raise and to maintain than mice. said Dr. Leppla. “What has been results of a few studies that Shawn Burgess, an investigator in lacking is a picture of the much employed a limited number of mice. NHGRI’s Genome Technology Branch, more complex effects of toxins on Because of the high cost of doing uses zebrafish to identify and function- tissues and animal models. Ours is anthrax toxin research and the small ally characterize novel developmental one of the first comprehensive stud- number of anthrax researchers, the- genes, focusing on human ear develop- ies to critically examine what is ories about LT action went largely ment. “I’m a classical geneticist,” he actually happening at these higher unquestioned. says, “and zebrafish provide a great levels of complexity.” “We still do not know how LT opportunity to do this on a large scale In a natural infection, inhalational brings about the hypoxia and with relatively little resources.” Dr. anthrax begins after anthrax bacte- shock-like death we see in mice,” Burgess has some 10,000 zebrafish in ria spores enter the body, germinate said the paper’s first author, Dr. his lab, but he maintains that it is eas- and release toxins. Scientists can cre- Mahtab Moayeri. The next impor- ier to care for that many fish than just ate artificial infection by injecting tant step, she added, will be a tenth as many mice. animals with anthrax LT. The accu- to identify the cell targets of LT The new NIH zebrafish facility mulation of toxins precipitates and determine precisely how it ini- is being built with funds supplied events that lead to death. For more tiates the chain of events leading by NHGRI and the National Insti- than a decade, scientists based their to death. tute of Child Health and Human Development.

OCTOBER 2003 ASBMBToday 9 Cutting-edge Research at the Interface of Biochemistry and Human Health

he goal of the IUBMB/ASBMB One symposium in Meeting IX, will ical and biolog- 2004 meeting is to integrate be Stress Signaling Pathways, chaired ical challenges, T cellular biochemistry, molec- by Michael Karin, of the University of such as radia- ular recognition, chemical biology, California, San Diego, who will also tion, oxidants, and bioinformatics, to address the speak on “IKK - A Master Regulator of starvation and unifying theme, “A Molecular Explo- Innate and Adaptive Immunity.” infectious ration of the Cell.” To this end, nine “The survival of all cells,” he notes, organisms. thematic meetings have been organ- “depends on their ability to respond to “The goal ized that converge on understanding changes in their environment. This is of this session is to discuss recent the molecular of importance progress in understanding the mechanisms of to unicellular molecular and biochemical organ- life and each and multicellu- ization of Stress Signaling Path- theme will be lar organisms ways as well as their biological and highlighted in alike-plants and pathophysiological functions. In forthcoming animals. A cen- addition to the basic biology of issues. Here, we tral role in the these pathways we will cover highlight the ability of cells recent progress in identification of thematic Meet- to adapt to sud- drug candidates that modulate the ing IX, Signal- den changes in ability of cells and organisms to Signaling Pathways in Disease Meeting Organizers ing Pathways their environ- withstand certain types of stress, Alexandra Newton and John D. Scott. in Disease, ments is played both negatively and positively. organized by Alexandra Newton, the by stress signaling pathways, the topic Such drugs would be useful in the University of California, San Diego, of this session. These pathways allow treatment of cancer, degenerative and John Scott, HHMI Investigator, organisms to respond to physicochem- and infectious diseases.” Vollum Institute. This meeting brings together cutting-edge research at the interface of biochemistry and human health. Specifically, sessions will ASBMB Welcomes New Ph.D.s focus on novel technologies to chemi- ASBMB extends its congratulations to these individuals who recently received cally intervene with signaling, to their Ph.D. degrees. In recognition of their achievement, ASBMB is presenting image signaling in cells and organ- them with a free one-year membership in the Society. The new Ph.D.s are listed isms, and to provide diagnostic profil- below with the institution from which they received their degree. ing in disease; it will also cover the Jennifer E. Fox Amitabh Nimonkar* latest discoveries in specific signaling Tulane University University of Miami pathways, including those in stress response, neuronal signaling, and Andreas Gille Sara C. Rathman cancer. In organizing this theme, the University of Kansas University of Florida, Gainesville meeting organizers have aimed at highlighting how biochemical explo- F. Enrique Gomez Jonathan D. Violin ration of signaling mechanisms pro- University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California, San Diego vides the foundation for therapeutic * Previous Associate member who met the requirements for a free one-year membership. approaches to disease.

10 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2003 SIGNALING PATHWAYS IN DISEASE MEETING

Organized by Alexandra Newton, UCSD and John D. Scott, HHMI, Vollum Institute

Chemical Intervention of Diagnostic Profiling in Disease Signaling Pathways Genomic and proteomic analyses of insulin Exploring signaling in neural development in small signaling in metabolic disease molecules and conditional alleles Chair, Michael P. Czech, Univ. of Massachusetts Gerald Crabtree, HHMI, Stanford Univ. Med. Ctr. Dissecting cytoplasmic (nutrient response) and Phosphopeptide profiles for diagnostics based on nuclear (chromatin) signaling networks using small signaling state molecules Matthias Mann, Univ. of Southern Denmark Stuart L. Schreiber, HHMI, Harvard Univ. Molecular portraits of human breast tumors Charles M. Perou, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Stress Signaling Pathways Hill IKK – A master regulator of innate and adaptive Additional Speakers will be immunity Imaging of Cells and Organisms chosen from the abstracts Chair, Michael Karin, UCSD submitted to the ASBMB Mechanisms of Golgi breakdown and reassembly Signaling transduction by stress-activated MAP during Signaling Pathways topic kinases Chair, Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, NIH categories. Roger Davis, HHMI, Univ. of Massachusetts Whole body in vivo imaging of lymphocyte Signal transduction in T cells movement Travel Awards Available for Doreen Cantrell, Univ. of Dundee, Scotland Owen N. Witte, HHMI, UCLA Undergraduates, Graduates, PKC targeting mechanism and its physiological Postdoctoral Fellows and Cancer and Cell Cycle significance Undergraduate Faculty Naoki Saito, Kobe University, Japan Conditional signals and protein kinase C Chair, Peter Parker, Imperial Cancer Res. Fund, More Information: London Molecular Basis of Aging ASBMB Meetings Office 9650 Rockville Pike Regulation of the mitotic kinase Aurora-A, a potent Cdk5, the missing link between plaque and tangle oncogene Bethesda, MD 20814 pathology in Alzheimer’s disease? Joan Ruderman, Harvard Med. Sch. Chair, Li Huei Tsai, Harvard Med. Sch. Tel: 301-634-7145 Fax: 301-634-7126 TOR signaling and control of cell growth Glycine receptor signaling definciencies causing Email: [email protected] Michael Hall, Univ. of Basel neuromotor disease www.asbmb.org Heinrich Betz, Max Planck Inst., Frankfurt Rho GTPases and neuronal development Linda Van Aelst, Cold Spring Harbor Lab.

www.asbmb.org/meetings Abstract Deadline: February 4, 2004 Brings the Science of QB3 Numbers to Biology By Lisa Samols

sk the average scientist to pre- “In a day’s experiment, you could bioinformatics and computational biol- dict the future, and he or she accumulate more data than you could ogy; structural and chemical biology; A may describe therapeutic handle in weeks, and it takes computa- and experimental genomics, pro- cloning, artificial wombs or engineered tional science to organize it and make teomics and biochemistry. plants. However, there are some who that data meaningful,” says W. Sue QB3 is one of four interdisciplinary see something on a completely differ- Shafer, Deputy Director of QB3. Dr. institutes created as the California ent scale. The California Institute for Shafer was also at NIGMS, as Deputy Quantitative Biomedical Research Director, before working for (QB3) has seen the future of biology, UC San Francisco as Assis- and it is made of numbers. tant Vice Chancellor for “We are currently living through a Research Administra- revolution in biomedical knowledge,” tion. She joined says Marvin Cassman, Executive Direc- QB3 in June 2002. tor of QB3. “Biomedical research and According to the quantitative sciences—mathemat- Dr. Cassman, ics, physics, chemistry, and engineer- the idea of ing—are teaming up to unravel the blending the complexities of whole living systems.” physical sci- Dr. Cassman joined QB3 in May ences with biol- 2002 after nine years as Director of the ogy is not a National Institute of General Medicine completely novel Sciences (NIGMS). The group that he idea. “We’re leads consists of researchers from the implementing the departments of biological sciences, kinds of things that chemistry, mathematics, physics and have happened for computer sciences at the University of decades,” he says, referring California Berkeley, UC San Francisco to such techniques as x-ray The develop- and UC Santa Cruz. crystallography, nuclear magnetic ment of a biosensor QB3 envisions biology as a multi-dis- resonance and other types of spec- using hyperpolarized xenon atoms, nuclear ciplinary science that uses the ideas troscopy, all well-developed fields of magnetic resonance (NMR) and protein behind chemistry, engineering, mathe- research that are based on the theories binders represents the interdisciplinary collabo- matics, and computer science to of chemistry and physics. ration that QB3 intends to foster. organize and enhance the utilization Using computer models to examine of biological information. Given the the interactions of proteins and algo- Institutes for Science and Innovation amount of information that has been rithms to find patterns in the human (CISI) to stimulate the California econ- accumulated so far in the history of genome, the researchers at QB3 intend omy through research. Despite the cur- modern biology and the rate at which to examine biological systems at all lev- rent budget crisis that threatens to new information is being gathered, the els down to the component atoms and drastically reduce funding for all aca- researchers at QB3 see a hard science quarks. In cross-disciplinary, inter- demic institutions in California, Com- approach as the only way to make departmental groups, they will investi- munications Manager Beth Martin at sense of all of these ideas. gate bioengineering and biotechnology; QB3 is confident that the institute will

OCTOBER 2003 ASBMBToday 12 be set up as planned, and that it will Santa Cruz, is developing a way to help Dr. Wentai Liu of have a positive effect on the state’s the blind see again. By replacing pho- UC Santa Cruz, is economy in the long run. toreceptors in the retina with a device developing a way to UC Berkeley broke ground this May that sends electronic impulses to the help the blind see for the new Stanley Bioscience and neurons of the eye, Dr. Liu and his again. Bioengineering Facility for QB3. At UC team hope to imitate what happens in San Francisco, QB3 will soon be a normal eye. housed in a new building at Mission “The point of the research is to try to Bay, and the Physical Sciences building understand the visual process and Initial clinical trials of the first gener- at UC Santa Cruz, part of which will come up with a device to help the ation of the retinal implant have house QB3 researchers, is currently brain restore vision,” said Dr. Liu. yielded promising results. Three under construction. The close proxim- In retinitis pigmentosa and age- patients received permanent implants ity of the institutions is meant to related macular degeneration, the lead- at Doheney Retina Institute, University encourage collaboration. For example, ing causes of blindness, photoreceptors of Southern California, and all three while the bioengineering and biotech- die off, but the neurons to which they can sense motion, recognize objects nology group builds a microarray chip, are connected frequently survive. Pho- and read large letters, though only in the bioinformatics and computational toreceptors detect light from the out- gray level. biology group could work on identify- side world and stimulate neurons, Using Biomemetics Microelectronic ing the gene, while the structural and which send the message to the brain to Systems, a program involving labs chemical biology group would collect be translated into an image. When the from University of Southern Califor- data on the gene’s expression. photoreceptors are damaged, no visual nia, UC Santa Cruz, and the California “The idea of three major universities information gets to the brain. Institute of Technology, Dr. Liu hopes coming together to pool their When Dr. Liu and his team found to design a chip with 1000 electrodes resources and tackle a wide class of that visual sensation can be elicited by that would allow formerly blind fundamental problems in biomedical electrically stimulating the neurons just patients to read and recognize faces. sciences is extraordinarily exciting,” as the information from the photorecep- according to David Agard, UC San tors did, the next task was to develop a Diagnostic Chemistry Francisco QB3 Director. device that could stimulate a number of The development of a biosensor In addition to such collaboration, QB3 neurons individually, as if they were sev- using hyperpolarized xenon atoms, will make available its facilities and work eral separate photoreceptors. nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) with California industry on basic science “In the beginning, it sounded like and protein binders represents the projects. By buying into a consortium or science fiction,” he recalled. As the idea interdisciplinary collaboration that paying a fee per use, companies can gain progressed, however, his team found QB3 intends to foster. access to QB3’s light microscopy facility, that restoration of sight using elec- ASBMB member David Wemmer microarray service and protein expres- tronic impulses was an attainable goal. and Alexander Pines, both Professors sion facility, among many others. The result of years of engineering of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, have “We have the ability to move quanti- research is a 4.5 mm by 4.5 mm chip combined their fields of research to tative bioscience into the mainstream, that picks up signals sent by a camera develop a sensitive biosensor that can train a new generation of researchers, embedded in a pair of glasses that the determine the amount and location of and bolster the California economy patient wears. The camera translates certain target biological substances. Dr. through job creation and product light into electronic information, Peter Schultz at Scripps Research Insti- development,” said Dr. Cassman. which it transmits to the chip in the tute is playing a key role in imple- eye. The chip can then stimulate the menting the ideas. Artificial Sight appropriate neurons with 64 elec- The biosensor is built on the concept Dr. Wentai Liu, Professor of Electrical trodes, simulating the actions of the that hyperpolarized xenon atoms give and Computer Engineering at UC photoreceptors. particularly bright NMR spectra that

13 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2003 change significantly when they interact ASBMB member antibodies to ligands for proteins on with other substances. Dr. Pines’ lab had David Wemmer cell surfaces can be used to detect been working with xenon to probe vari- (above) and Alexander the presence of cancerous cells or ous materials, using the hyperpolarized Pines, both Professors foreign bacteria or viruses in the version to generate the brightest NMR of Chemistry at UC human body. spectrum. Dr. Wemmer’s lab then Berkeley, have com- According to Dr. Wemmer, the helped find a way to make the sensitive bined their fields of biosensor relies on the ligand binding hyperpolarized xenon interact with bio- research to develop a specificity to differentiate between sim- logical substances. sensitive biosensor that can determine the ilar substances. He believes that differ- “This is going from atomic physics amount and location of certain target biologi- ent versions can be made which can be to do the hyperpolarization, to biology cal substances. read out in parallel to detect different to use it, while going through chem- target substance. When the ligand compounds, although many practical istry in the middle,” said Dr. Wemmer. portion is bound to a particle such issues remain to be worked out. At To make the xenon, a noble gas, as a protein, a different NMR spec- present, biosensors have been used interact with biological substances, a trum is read for the xenon which is only to determine the relative amount cryptophane was used to provide an being carried along. So far, a version of the substance present, and its loca- artificial pocket for the xenon. The of the biosensor has been chemically tion in the solution. However, Dr. cryptophane, a ‘cage’ comprised of synthesized in Dr. Schultz’s lab that Wemmer’s research may eventually six benzene rings, was tethered to a uses a biotin ligand to bind to lead to new, non-invasive techniques ligand, which can bind to a specific avidin, but in theory, anything from for detecting disease.

Renew Your 2004 Membership Online

ASBMB 2004 dues renewal notices have been mailed to all members. You can now make payment online at the ASBMB website: www.asbmb.org, by clicking on “Renew Now” in the “What’s New” box.

The renewal notice includes your 2004 ASBMB membership card. And don’t forget, your membership includes a free subscription to our monthly magazine, ASBMB Today, plus free subscriptions to JBC Online and MCP Online. You also receive special member rates for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, The Journal of Lipid Research and Trends in Biochemical Sciences, as well as the print versions of JBC and MCP.

ASBMB members may also register for the Annual Meeting at discounted rates. In addition, you can order your 2004 edition of the Annual Review of Biochemistry through ASBMB.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

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by John D. Thompson, Editor

Institute for Systems Biology Names Roger Perlmutter Board Chairman The Institute for Systems Biology Dr. Perlmutter joined Amgen as Exec- opportunity to (ISB), a non-profit research institute utive Vice President, Research and take an dedicated to the study and application Development, in January 2001. Before expanded leader- of systems biology, has appointed joining Amgen, he was an executive vice ship role in an ASBMB member Roger M. Perlmutter president at Merck Research Laborato- effort that holds as Chairman of its Board of Directors. ries. From 1984 to 1997 he was a faculty enormous prom- Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the member in the Departments of Medi- ise for scientific Executive Vice President, Research and cine and Biochemistry, and later Profes- advances that Development, at Amgen Inc., where he sor and Chairman of the Department of will transform oversees the company’s worldwide Immunology at the University of Wash- biology and Dr. Roger Perlmutter research and development operations. He ington, where he continues as an Affili- medicine in the years to come.” has a longstanding relationship with ISB, ate Professor. He was also an HHMI Systems biology combines biology, and has been a member of the board since Investigator at the University of Wash- technology, and computer modeling the Institute’s inception in January 2000. ington during this period. A graduate of to study biological information (DNA, “Roger has had two exceptionally Reed College, Portland, Oregon, Dr. Perl- RNA, protein, protein interactions, bio- successful careers—first as an academic mutter received his M.D. and Ph.D. modules, cells, tissues, etc). Using this interested in immunology and now as degrees from Washington University, St. approach, scientists plan to identify a leader in pharma and biotech Louis, Missouri in 1979. He is a past strategies that will personalize medi- research,” said Dr. Leroy Hood, ISB president of the American Association of cine, both by predicting illness in the President and also an ASBMB member. Immunologists, and a Fellow of the individual, and by prescribing preven- “He has exhibited throughout a American Academy of Arts and Sciences. tative remedies. remarkable ability to organize and “The concept of systems biology is “We look forward to partnering with integrate diverse skills and opportuni- moving to the forefront, and the Insti- Roger in this exciting adventure of ties. Accordingly, Roger will bring deep tute is on the cutting edge,” stated Dr. realizing the enormous potential and insights into the interplay between Perlmutter. “I look forward to working catalyzing the revolutionary changes academia and industry and striking more closely with the team of scien- embedded in the mission of the Insti- and integrative leadership skills.” tists at the ISB, and welcome this tute,” stated Dr. Hood. Washington University, Monsanto Share Crop Protection Patent Washington University in St. Louis Technology Officer; and former make tobacco plants resistant to a and Monsanto Co., Creve Coeur, Monsanto research scientist Stephen virus called tobacco mosaic virus Missouri, have received a patent for a G. Rogers. (TMV). This involved constructing technique that protects crops from “We are delighted that this technol- target genes containing a viral-coating devastating viral diseases that cur- ogy, as one of the first applications of protein and inserting them into rently threaten or harm many biotech, is helping to advance science tobacco leaf tissue. Plants regenerated important food crops. The inventors throughout the globe,” said Mon- from this tissue were able to resist the are ASBMB member Roger Beachy, santo’s Fraley. virus. In 1987, they tried the tech- President of the Donald Danforth The technique was conceived, nique with tomatoes and became the Plant Science Center and Professor in developed and tested in the 1980s first team to successfully genetically the Department of Biology in Arts & when Dr. Beachy was Professor of engineer a food crop with a disease Sciences at Washington University; Biology at Washington University. resistance trait. and Robert T. Fraley, Monsanto Chief The research began with attempts to Continued on page 22

16 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2003 Critical Therapeutics Receives Patent For Anti-inflammatory Technology Critical Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) has member, and his colleagues at the electrical stimulation therapies that received a U.S. patent covering thera- North Shore-Long Island Jewish target subunits on peripheral immune pies designed to control destructive Research Institute’s Laboratory of Bio- cells,” said Walter Newman, CTI’s inflammatory processes by regulating a medical Research. CTI in-licensed Chief Scientific Officer, who is also an key reflex pathway between the central exclusive rights to the patent from the ASBMB member. “This patent enables nervous system and the major organs. Institute. In an article published in the us to leverage our worldwide exclusive The patent covers methods of treat- December 22, 2002 online edition of license to develop treatment methods ing a broad range of serious inflam- Nature, Dr. Tracey and his team identi- based on one or more approaches.” matory diseases. The invention fied the essential chemical receptor Cambridge, Massachusetts-based described in the patent embodies that dispatches a signal that inhibits Critical Therapeutics is a privately held novel approaches to inhibit the cellu- the production of TNF. That receptor, biopharmaceutical company focused lar release of pro-inflammatory which contains the nicotinic a-7 on critical care medicine. Its mission is cytokines through administration of cholinergic receptor subunit, is neces- the discovery, development and com- cholinergic receptor agonists or direct sary to inhibit the release of TNF and mercialization of novel therapies for stimulation, including electrical stim- other pro-inflammatory cytokines. the treatment of acute trauma, car- ulation of the vagus nerve. The vagus “Dr. Tracey’s research underscores diopulmonary disease and infectious nerve is a major signaling pathway the potential of pharmacological and and inflammatory illnesses. for the anti-inflammatory signal between the brain and major organs Wake Forest to Assist Seven UNC Schools such as the heart, stomach, liver and small intestine. with Technology Commercialization For decades, researchers thought the Wake Forest University Health Sci- the Arts, UNC Greensboro, UNC vagus nerve was involved chiefly in ences has established a new company Asheville, N.C. A&T State University, the process of regulating the function to assist seven universities in the Uni- Appalachian State University and of internal organs. In recent years, versity of North Carolina (UNC) system Western Carolina University. however, scientists have discovered with technology commercialization, "Our objective is the development of that the vagus nerve plays a vital role also known as "technology transfer." new products and services that may in regulating the immune system. The new company, called Seed Stage benefit the public through technology Specifically, vagus nerve stimulation Associates LLC, is a wholly owned for- transfer," said Lemons. "Commercial- has been shown to release a substance profit subsidiary of Wake Forest Univer- ization may be through licensing to known as acetylcholine, which in turn sity Health Sciences. existing companies or through the cre- inhibits the production by "Seed Stage Associates has entered ation of new businesses." macrophages of pro-inflammatory, into a contract with the UNC Gen- Seed Stage Associates in turn has potentially lethal proteins called eral Administration to provide tech- contracted with Wake Forest Univer- cytokines. It is the immune system’s nology transfer related services to the sity Health Sciences for the part-time overproduction of these cytokines, seven UNC schools in the western services of three professionals in the including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), part of North Carolina," said Spencer Office of Technology Asset Manage- that can contribute to illnesses such as Lemons, director of the Office of ment. The company also had con- rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Technology Asset Management at tracted with an outside consultant, ulcerative colitis and sepsis. Wake Forest. Gina Stewart, of Sage Technology The patent stems from research con- The firm will serve Winston-Salem Management Inc., for additional ducted by the inventor, CTI co- State University, the N.C. School of services. founder Kevin J. Tracey, an ASBMB

OCTOBER 2003 ASBMBToday 17 Washington University, Monsanto continued Continued from previous page virus inoculation and its close relative, other disease resistance genes, can sub- The group of scientists developed a tomato mosaic virus, they were highly stantially reduce farmers’ reliance on gene that, when introduced to plant resistant to infection. Work conducted chemical insecticides. cells, would cause the cells to produce since the original discovery has Dr. Beachy is internationally known the virus “coat,” a protein normally demonstrated that the “coat protein” for his groundbreaking research on made by the virus to ensheath the in the transgenic plants restricts infec- virus-resistant plants. He is the found- virus’s genetic information. Tomato tion and thwarts the ability of the virus ing president of the not-for-profit Don- plants that were produced from the to infect the plant. ald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. modified cells?transgenic plants?pro- Aphids spread many different types Louis. The center, established in 1998, duced the coat protein in very small of plant viruses, and it is common is affiliated with many businesses and amounts in comparison to the amount practice to control virus infection by universities and focusses on interdisci- of coat protein that is produced during using chemical insecticides to limit plinary research in genetics, chemistry, virus infection. While these plants spread of viruses. The “coat-protein cell biology, biochemistry, computa- were “challenged” by tobacco mosaic mediated resistance” technology, like tional genomics and structural biology.

CHAIR DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY Meharry Medical College seeks a nationally recognized individual with a Ph.D. degree, M.D. degree or both to serve as Chairman of the Department of Microbiology. Meharry Medical College has Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Graduate Studies and Research, and Allied Health Professions. Current funded research in the Department includes, cellular and molecular microbiology, immunology, microbial pathogenesis, and molecular parasitology. The successful candidate will have a distinguished national reputation and a record of scholarly activities, including a strong track record in microbiology and/or immunology research with strong extramural funding. In addition, he or she must have impressive evidence of academic leadership, and must be able to motivate and mentor faculty and staff. He or she must have recognition and expertise in teaching in the field of Microbiology and/or Immunology relevant for education and research in the medical, dental, and graduate schools. Furthermore, the individual should have a vision that sup- ports the mission of Meharry Medical College. In effect, we are seeking an exemplary individual who can lead the department, build a strong research program and provide excellent educational programs. The academic rank for this position will be commensurate with either an associate or full professor level based on qualifications and experience. Applications will be reviewed immediately, and the search process will continue until the position is filled. Please, send full application including Curriculum Vita and a brief statement of interest to: Dr. Samuel Evans Adunyah, c/o Ms. Cassandra Ward, Dean's Office, Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, 1005 D. B. Todd Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208.

18 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2003 Career Opportunities

BIOCHEMIST EXECUTIVE OFFICER Executive Officer directs a staff of Moravian College American Society for Biochemistry approximately twenty full-time employees resident in the ASBMB Moravian College, a 260 year old, and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Offices. Frequent travel to scientific highly selective, liberal arts college A Member Society of the Federation of and society-related meetings is with an ACS approved chemistry American Societies for Experimental expected. program, and 1400 undergraduates, Biology (FASEB) seeks applications for a tenure-track Qualified applicants should have assistant professorship in biochemistry The ASBMB is a leading international excellent communication, beginning September 2004. The scientific society representing over interpersonal and administrative skills successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. 11,000 research scientists, with a record of achievement and in chemistry or biochemistry and have academicians and scientists in leadership in management of the ability to teach a variety of training. The ASBMB seeks an academic, association or other non- chemistry courses. The position Executive Officer due to the imminent profit organizations. Experience in requires a commitment to teaching retirement of Charles C. Hancock, Jr., communication with leaders in the and research in an undergraduate following 24 years of outstanding scientific, philanthropic and environment that emphasizes close service. publishing communities is desirable. student-faculty interaction. The Applicants should provide a résumé, primary teaching responsibility is the The mission of the ASBMB is to the names of three or more references creation of an upper-level promote understanding of the and a cover letter indicating their biochemistry course, including the molecular nature of life processes. This strengths for this position. laboratory, for our newly developed mission is accomplished through: Applications will be reviewed biochemistry major. Other courses beginning November 1, 2003. may include an upper-level course in • publication of the Journal of Biological Applications provided as electronic the area of expertise, a course for non- Chemistry, Molecular & Cellular attachments are preferred. Please science majors, an interdisciplinary Proteomics, Journal of Lipid Research, email application materials to: social impact of science course, or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [email protected] and mail involvement in the general chemistry Education and its magazine, ASBMB materials to: ASBMB Executive Officer course. Moravian College is located in Today. Search, Human Resources, Federation the historic Lehigh Valley of Eastern of American Societies for Experimental Pennsylvania near Philadelphia and • organization of an annual scientific Biology, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, New York City. Send a curriculum vita, meeting and specialized meetings. Maryland 20814-3998. graduate and undergraduate transcripts, statements of teaching • science advocacy and ASBMB is an Equal Opportunity philosophy and research plans communication with public and Employer. including equipment and facility private agencies. needs, and three letters of recommendation to Professor R. • support of scientific education and Daniel Libby, Chair, Department of training at all levels and promoting Chemistry, Moravian College, 1200 diversity. Main St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Place your Career Thorough consideration will be The Executive Officer is responsible for assured to applications completed by the management of business affairs Ads in ASBMB Today January 12, 2004. Moravian College, and implementation of actions Recruitment advertising is an equal opportunity employer, initiated by ASBMB Council. available in ASBMB Today for $12 especially encourages applications Responsibilities include coordination per line, 10 line minimum. Copy is from women and minority candidates. of Council and other ASBMB due by the first of the month prior meetings, elections, interactions with to the issue month. For recruitment FASEB and other professional societies, advertising information call congressional committees, scientific Veronica at FASEB AdNet, 800-433- meeting coordination, budgetary and 2732 ext. 7791 or 301-634-7791, regulatory aspects of publication and email: [email protected] contract negotiations. Offices of the Display space is also available for ASBMB are located on the FASEB those desiring greater visibility. Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The

OCTOBER 2003 ASBMBToday 19 Calendar of Scientific Meetings

OCTOBER 2003 Protein Symposium and Joint Meeting of the Argentinean Biophysical Society (SAB) and the OARSI’s 2003 World Congress on Osteoarthritis Argentinean Society for Research in Biochemistry and October 12–15 • Palais am Funkturm, Berlin Contact: OARSI Headquarters; Ph: 202-367-1177; Fx: 202-367-2177 Molecular Biology (SAIB) Email: [email protected]; Website: http://www.oarsi.org November 17-21 • San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina This meeting is sponsored by: The National Agency for the AAPS Workshop on Method Validation and Measurement Promotion of Science and Technology (ANPCyT), The National of Biomarkers in Nonclinical and Clinical Samples in Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Fundación Antorchas, Fundación Instituto Leloir, University of Buenos Drug Development Cosponsored with Clinical Ligand Aires, University of Quilmes, and The Protein Society. Assay Society Contact: Prof. José M. Delfino ([email protected]) October 24–25 • Salt Lake City, Utah Prof. Fernando A. Goldbaum ([email protected]) Contact: AAPS Meetings Department Prof. Gonzalo de Prat Gay ([email protected]) Ph: 703-243-2800; Fx: 703-243-9532; Email: [email protected] Prof. Alejandro J. Vila ([email protected]) Website: http://www.aapspharmaceutica.com/meetings Fx: (54 11) 4962 5457 Website: http://www.biofisica.dna.uba.ar/pssabsaib AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition October 26–30 • Salt Lake City, Utah DECEMBER 2003 Contact: AAPS Meetings Department Ph: 703-243-2800; Fx: 703-243-9532; Email: [email protected] American Society for Cell Biology 43rd Annual Meeting Website: http://www.aapspharmaceutica.com/meetings December 13–17 • San Francisco, California Late Abstract Submission/Revision Deadline: October 14, 2003 Cytokines, Signalling & Diseases Ph: 301-347-9300; Fx: 301-347-9310 Website: http://www.ascb.org/meetings/am2003/main03mtg.htm Oct. 26–30 • Cairns, Australia Event Host: International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research; Website: http://www.cytokines2003.conf.au/ FEBRUARY 2004 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Biophysical Society 48th Annual Meeting Annual Meeting and Exposition February 14–18 • Baltimore, Maryland October 26–30 • Salt Lake City Abstract Deadline: October 5, 2003 Ph: 703-243-2800; Fx: 703-243-9650; Email: [email protected] Early Registration Deadline: December 12, 2003 Website: http://www.aapspharmaceutica.com/meetings/ Ph: 301-634-7114; Fx: 301-634-7133 annualmeet/am03/index.asp Website: http://www.biophysics.org/annmtg/site-index.htm

50th Anniversary Gordon Conference on Isotopes in NOVEMBER 2003 Biological and Chemical Sciences Biomedical Information Science and Technology February 15–20 • Ventura, California Initiative (BISTI) 2003 Symposium Chair: David N. Silverman, Vice Chair: Charles L. Perrin Email: [email protected] Digital Biology: The Emerging Paradigm Website: http://www.grc.org/programs/2004/isotopes.htm November 6–7 • Natcher Conference Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD Contact: Saundra Bromberg, Capital Consulting Corporation The 1st Gordon Research Conference on The Biology of Ph: 301-468-6004, ext. 406 Email: [email protected]. 14-3-3 Proteins February 22–27 • Ventura, California Chairs: Haian Fu & David Klein, Vice-Chair: Alastair Aitken Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.grc.org/programs/2004/14-3-3.htm

20 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2003 Department Heads Take Note:

APRIL 2004 Experimental Biology 2004 ASBMB Offers April 17–21 • Washington, DC Deadline for Submission of Abstracts: November 12, 2003 Free Membership to Website: http://www.faseb.org/meetings/eb2004/

JUNE 2004 New Ph.D.s

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular ASBMB is now offering a free one-year Biology Annual Meeting and 8th IUBMB Conference Associate membership to all students who June 12–16 • Boston, Massachusetts have, within the past year, earned a Ph.D. Contact: Kelly Gull; Ph: 301-634-7145; Fx: 301-634-7126 degree in the molecular life sciences or Email: [email protected]; Website: www.asbmb.org/meetings related areas. ASBMB implemented this program as a AUGUST 2004 way to recognize the significant 12th International Conference on Second Messengers accomplishment of earning the Ph.D., and to and Phospoproteins provide new Ph.D.s with something tangible and of economic value. Membership in August 3–7 • Montreal, Canada ASBMB brings with it a free subscription to Contact: [email protected] Website: http://www.secondmessengers2004.ca the online versions of the Journal of Biological Chemistry and Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, as well as subscriptions to The NOVEMBER 2004 Scientist and the Society’s magazine, ASBMB 4th International Congress on Autoimmunity Today, discounts on other publications, and a host of other benefits. November 3–7 • Budapest, Hungary Deadline for Receipt of Abstracts: June 20, 2004 The Society is asking department chairs Contact: 4th International Congress on Autoimmunity Kenes to provide ASBMB with the names and International—Global Congress Organisers and Association addresses of each new Ph.D. recipient from Management Services 17 Rue du Cendrier, PO Box 1726 their institutions. Upon receipt of this CH-1211 Geneva 1, SWITZERLAND information, we will write the new Ph.D.s to Ph: +41 22 908 0488; Fx: +41 22 732 2850 congratulate them on their accomplishment Email: [email protected] and offer the free one-year membership in Website: www.kenes.com/autoim2004 ASBMB. Names and addresses of the new Ph.D.s should be sent to:

JULY 2005 Kathie Cullins 30th FEBS Congress — 9th IUBMB Conference, 2005 Membership and Subscriptions Manager The Protein World; Proteins and Peptides: American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Structure, Function and Organization; 9650 Rockville Pike Science is Fun: A Conference for Your Creativity Bethesda, MD 20814 July 2–5 • Budapest, Hungary Email: [email protected] Contact: Ms. Franciska Morlin, Chemol Travel Congress Dept. This is an ongoing project; please advise us H-1366 Budapest, P.O.Box 28, Hungary whenever a student in your department earns the Ph:+36-1-266-7032, Fx: +36-1-266-7033 Email: [email protected]; www.febs-iubmb-2005.com Ph.D., so that we can make this free membership offer to him or her.

asgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board Tourist Valley Clyde & asgow Gl Greater the by supported Meeting Torgler. Cathy and Bennett Malcolm Ahringer, Julie Aalten, van Daan of courtesy images Logo Biochemical Society and Nutrition Society full members – £190 Student members of Biochemical Society and sister Societies – £65 BioScience Federation and RSC members – £250 Non-members – £350 www.BioScience2004.org POSTER ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: POSTER ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 23 APRIL 2004 FRIDAY DEADLINE: REGISTRATION EARLY 2004 18 MAY TUESDAY Registration Fees: ● ● ● ● after fees will increase Please note: the registration 18 May 2004. For further information or to be placed on the or mailing list, visit: www.BioScience2004.org e-mail: [email protected] BioScience2004, c/o Portland Customer Services, UK Colchester CO2 8HP, Way, Commerce Tel: +44 (0) 1206 796351 Fax: +44 (0) 1206 799331 e-mail: [email protected] – Biochemical Journal life science life

Supported by the international scientific communication promoting

Roger Y. Tsien (Howard Hughes Medical Institute (Howard Tsien Roger Y. La Jolla, CA, USA) – Opening Lecture Stephen O'Rahilly (Cambridge, UK) Canada) Pawson (Toronto, Tony Chris Dobson (Cambridge, UK) – The EMBO Lecture UK) (Beatson Institute, Glasgow, Vousden Karen USA) New Haven, CT, (Yale, Graham Warren Lipids, Rafts and Traffic Related to Function: Structure Molecules and Cells and Inwards Signalling Outwards and Interference Genes: Regulation, Processing and Information Generation Energy: Ethics, Education and Employment Plenary Speakers: ● ● ● ● ● ● Biochemical Society Annual Symposium Lipids, Rafts and Traffic ● ● ● ● ● ● Focus topics for the meeting: NOW AVAILABLE! contains full details of the The 2nd circular Poster Scientific Programme, Preliminary Oral Communications, Research Presentations, Satellite and Colloquia, Education Workshops Meetings as well as details of the Social and general meeting information. Programme To a copy of the second circular, receive e-mail [email protected] SECOND CIRCULAR

THE SECC Glasgow, UK Glasgow, SECC of 2004! meeting www.BioScience2004.org 2004 July 18–22