THE EUROPEAN PEPTIDE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
ISSUE NUMBER 45, JANUARY 2012
John M. Stewart (1924–2011) Polish Peptide Symposium Peptide Meeting of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Bulgarian Peptide Symposium
Published by the Journal of Peptide Science The Official Journal of the European Peptide Society A Message from the Chairman of the 32nd EPS Symposium
Cover photo: Parthenon, Acropolis of Athens: venue of the forthcoming 32nd European Peptide Symposium Dear Colleagues, IN THIS ISSUE A Message from the Chairman of the 32 EPS ...... 2 n behalf of the Organising surprises. The history of Athens is one of Chemistry and Biology Committee, we have the pleasure the longest of any city in Europe and in of Peptides ...... 3 Oof inviting you to the 32nd the world. Three thousand years old Polish Peptide Symposium . . .4 European Peptide Symposium (32EPS cultural riches are housed in Hungarian Peptide Meeting . . .6 Bulgarian Peptide Symposium .8 2012), which will be held in Athens from approximately 50 national and private Austrian Peptide Symposium .10 the 2nd to the 7th September, 2012. museums, including the new Acropolis Doctorate Honoris Causa to The symposium will present the most museum, featuring from neolithic L. Moroder ...... 12 recent, cutting-edge research on a broad settlement finds to examples of modern John M. Stewart, in Memoriam ...... 14 range of topics in the area of Peptide art. When you are in Athens you will Book Review ...... 17 Science by leading international experts probably get the impression the city never Society News ...... 19 from both industry and academia. The sleeps. It is our intention to establish an Society Officers ...... 22 Calendar ...... 23 scientific program will be structured inspiring atmosphere for fruitful scientific around international invited speakers and discussions and for initiating new NEWSLETTER EDITOR oral presentations of selected high-quality collaborations within and outside Europe. Professor Paul Cordopatis Department of Pharmacy submitted abstracts as well as poster We are looking forward to welcoming University of Patras sessions where all delegates are you in Athens at the 32nd European GR 265 00 Patras, Greece encouraged to present their data. Peptide Symposium. Tel: (+30) 2610 997 713 (+30) 2610 969 934 Athens, a bustling city of 5-million Fax: (+30) 2610 997 714 residents, is full of contrasts and pleasant Professor George Kokotos E-mail: [email protected] SOCIETY NEWSLETTER This newsletter is published twice a year and can be obtained as: a) a PDF download from the European Peptide Society website at http://www.eurpepsoc.com or b) a print copy within the Journal of Peptide Science Journal of Peptide Science, the official journal of the European Peptide Society, is published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. EPS members can obtain an annual print subscription to the 12 issues of the journal including the two EPS newsletters for $112.00 – to subscribe email: [email protected]
2 MINI-SYMPOSIUM Chemistry and Biology of Peptides Oxford University, 27 July 2011
he annual mini-symposium box’ (CS Bio sponsored speaker), Prof. “Chemistry and Biology of Roderich Suessmuth (TU, Berlin) ‘Peptide TPeptides” was the sixth organized drugs from Nature’ and Prof. Alain in this series and was held on July 27 in Prochiantz (Collège de France, Paris) the new biochemistry department, Oxford ‘Unravelling homeoprotein based signal University, under the auspices of both the transduction’. protein and peptide sciences group The symposium was highly multi- (PPSG) of the RSC and the European disciplinary, short talks were given by Dr peptide society. The organizers were all Chris Scanlan (Oxford), Ellie Banwell members of the PPSG and included (Riken, Japan), Graham Cotton, (Almac), Johanna Scheinost (Biochemistry Michael Webb (Leeds) and Professor department, Oxford), Weng CHAN Mark Searle (Nottingham) that covered a (University of Nottingham) Peter White whole range of topics from the production (Merck Novabiochem) and John Offer of homogenous glycoproteins (C.S) to (MRC NIMR). The mini-symposium ubiquitin recognition proteins (M.S.) via continues to provide a meeting point and the origin of life (EB) focus for UK peptide scientists. We were In conclusion the feedback from the also very happy to welcome the non-UK participants was very positive, it was a attendees who had made the effort to join highly successful meeting. The organisers us in Oxford. Around 100 delegates were are grateful to CS Bio, Novabiochem, present for the meeting. CRB, CEM and especially the European This symposium was organized in four peptide society for making this meeting sessions with three keynote lectures given happen. Next year’s meeting will be held by the following international invited at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, speakers: Prof. Barbara Imperiali (MIT, Cambridge. Boston) ‘New tools for the chemical tool Contributed by John Offer
3 CONFERENCE REPORT 21st Polish Peptide Symposium
Supras′ l, 4–8 September 2011
he 21st Polish Peptide Symposium namely Agnieszka Markowska (vice- presented. At the opening session Prof. was held in Supras′ l near Bialystok chairman), Irena Bruzgo and Elzbieta Ferenc Hudecz, the President of European Tat the Knieja Conference-Banquet Zadykowicz (secretary) were involved in Peptide Society gave the first lecture titled Center. About 150 participants, mainly the organization of the symposium. The “The effect of the bond-type on from Poland but also from France, organizers received financial support from fluorescent properties, cellular uptake, Germany, Hungary and Switzerland, were the European Peptide Society, the Medical and cytostasis of daunomycin conjugates gathered in this beautiful, small town in University of Bialystok and several with oligoarginine”. Other lecturers in this the heart of the Knyszyn Forest. High companies including: Anchem, Bachem, session were “The β-and γ-peptides built attendance by young scientists was Fluorochem, Kawaska, Linegal Chemi- of homologated proteinogenic amino observed. The official language of the cals, LipoPharm, Merck, Perlan Technol- acids- from synthesis to structure to symposium was English. The chairman of ogies, Poly Peptide Group , Shim-Pol and biomedical investigations …and back” by the Symposium was Krystyna Midura- Intavis Bioanalytical Instruments. Prof. Dieter Seebach, “Peptide nitriles as Nowaczek from the Medical University of During the four days of the conference cysteine protease inhibitors” by Prof. Bialystok. But many other people who 42 lectures and 85 posters dealing with Michael Gütschow and “Application of formed the Organizing Committee, many aspects of peptide science were fluorescent substrates and inhibitors of
Group picture of participants of 21 Polish Peptide Symposium
4 proteolytic enzymes” by Prof. Adam Lesner. There was also a poster competition. All the participants who voted awarded the first prize to the poster presented by Karolina Radziszewska from University of Wroclaw entitled “Chemical N-phosphorylation of lysine-containing peptides examinated by mass spectro- metry”, the second prize was given to Patrycja Kleczkowska from the Polish Academy of Science in Warsaw for the poster called “Antinociceptive effect induced by a combination of opioid and neurotensin pharmacophores and their Symposium session (Prof. A Misicka and Prof. D. Seebach) hybrid peptide [Ile9]PK20)” and the third to Marta Bochno from the Wroclaw University of Technology who presented the poster titled “Synthesis of bis-H- phosphinates as potential inhibitors of glutamine synthetase”. In addition to the scientific program, the participants had an opportunity to visit the Museum of Icons during a lunch break. There were also interesting possibilities to spend the evenings: on Monday – a lecture and a film about the Knyszyn Forest, on Tuesday – a concert of Closing ceremony. From left Dr Robert Latajka (the organizer of next 22nd PPS), Prof. F. Hudecz Primavera string-quartet and on Wednes- (chairman of EPS) and Prof. Krystyna Midura-Nowaczek (the chairman of the symposium) day a barbeque with a dance party which integrated all the participants. The closing ceremony, which took place on the last organizer of next Symposium, invited all zing Committee for the excellent organi- day of the conference after the morning the participants to Kudowa for the 22nd zation and nice atmosphere. session, was co-chaired by Ferenc Polish Peptide Symposium which will Hudecz, Krystyna Midura-Nowaczek and take place in September 2013. After- Contributed by Robert Latajka. Dr Robert Latajka from wards Prof Ferenc Hudecz recapitulated Krystyna Midura-Nowaczek the Wroclaw University of Technology, the the Symposium and thanked the Organi-
5 CONFERENCE REPORT Annual meeting of the Peptide Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Balatonszemes (Lake Balaton), 19–21 September 2011
he Annual meeting of the Peptide development of efficient peptide Kálmán Medzihradszky (Research Group Committee of the Hungarian derivatives with anticancer activity (e.g. of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd TAcademy of Sciences (HAS) was Cetrorelix), inhibitors of caspases (e.g. 3- University – HAS, Budapest) gave an held on 19–21 September 2011 in the amino-4-carboxybutyraldehydes) and informal lecture about the contribution of town Balatonszemes at the Lake Balaton. thrombin (e.g. GYKI-14 166), and Professor Bajusz. This lecture was filled The meeting had an attendance of 75 peptides with anticoagulatory effect (e.g. with many interesting stories and peptide scientists (Ph.D. students, post efegatran GYKI-14 766). During the first anecdotes. Following this lecture, Dr. doctoral researchers and professors) from day of the meeting several lectures on the Medzihradszky-Schweiger Hedvig (Research Hungary. synthesis and investigation of GnRH Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös During the opening ceremony, the analogues, calpain inhibitors and on Loránd University – HAS, Budapest) President Professor Gábor Mezö antituberculotic agents were presented in greeted Professor Bajusz, and the Peptide (Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, honour of Professor Bajusz, who was the Committee of HAS presented to Professor Eötvös Loránd University – HAS, chairman in the first session (synthesis Bajusz a book on history as a gift, since Budapest) greeted Professor Sándor and investigation of GnRH analogues) of this is his second passion after peptide Bajusz, on the occasion of his 80th the meeting and made several sugges- chemistry. birthday this year. Professor Bajusz tions to the work of researchers. The exceptionally diverse program of contributed to a great extent to the In the evening of this first day Professor the Annual meeting contained a broad
Participants of the Meeting
6 labeling methods, summarizing the and Protein Research, established by results of his research on the tritiated Professor Bajusz and Professor neuropeptides. The keynote speech on Medzihradszky in 1997, and the the most important moments of peptide Chemical Works of Richter Gedeon Plc. chemistry until 2010 was delivered by significantly supported the Meeting. Professor András Perczel (Department of Several local and international companies Organic Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd (Fúziós Zóna Ltd, Gen-Lab Ltd, LAB-EX University, Budapest). In this meeting not Ltd, Merck Ltd, and S-Biotech Ltd.) as only professors but many Ph.D students exhibitors were also present and and post doctoral researchers presented sponsored the Meeting. their recent results. Intense professional discussion followed the presentations. Contributed by Ildikó Szabó The Foundation of Hungarian Peptide
Professor Sándor Bajusz palette of peptide science: protein and peptide structures, proteomics, β-amyloid peptides, chemical ligation, epitopes, opioid peptides and receptors, galanin, chemotactic activity of the peptides. During the three days of the meeting, two survey lectures and a keynote speech were delivered. Professor Maria Wollemann (Biological Research Centre, HAS, Szeged) gave a survey lecture with the title “32 years of opioid peptides and receptors in captivity”. Professor Géza Tóth (Biological Research Centre, HAS, Szeged) presented a lecture on radioactive Professors Sándor Bajusz and Kálmán Medzihradszky
7 CONFERENCE REPORT 6th Bulgarian Peptide Symposium
Panichishte, 29 September –1 October 2011
he 6th Bulgarian Peptide The Chairman of the Bulgarian Peptide quantification of short constrained Symposium was held on Society, Prof. L. Vezenkov opened the uncharged cell penetrating non-peptides” T29.09–1.10.2011 in the beautiful Symposium on Thursday afternoon. and from Prof. F. Hudecz (Eötvös Rila mountain resort Panichishte. An During the three days 15 lectures and 21 University, Budapest Hungary) interesting scientific and social program posters were presented. We were honored “Oligopeptide conjugates: Synthesis, was organized during the symposium. to welcome in Panichishte both the former Characterization and Biomedical There were 29 registered participants and the present presidents of European Application”. Other lectures were pre- from University of Chemical Technology peptide Society, Prof. J. Martinez and sented by Prof. F. Rossi (University of and Metallurgy, different Institutes at the Prof. F. Hudecz, respectively. The Chemistry, Naples, Italy); Prof. L. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Medical scientific program began with two very Vezenkov (UCTM); Assoc. Prof. T. University of Sofia and 5 foreigner lectors interesting plenary lectures delivered by Pajpanova (IMB-BAS); Assoc.Prof. R. from Hungary, France, Italy, Czech Prof. J. Martinez (CNRS, Montpellier Kalfin (IN-BAS); Prof. R. Girchev (MU- Republic and Estonia. France) “Synthesis and cellular uptake Sofia) ; Prof. J. Slaninova (CzAS); Ph.D.
Group picture of participants of 6th Bulgarian Peptide Symposium
8 student S. Staykova (UCTM); Dr.T. awarded by our sponsor “FOT” OOD. The The financial support from the Dzimbova (IMB-BAS); Dr. D. Danalev young scientists were evaluated by Prof. F. European Peptide Society, AAPPTec, (UCTM); Dr. D. Tsekova (UCTM); Prof. Hudecz and Prof. J. Slaninova. The Bulgarian Peptide Society, University of Ago Samoson (Estonia); Prof. B. lectures and posters covered different Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, and Tchorbanov (IOCCF-BAS) and Assoc.Prof. topics such as stucture-activities studies several private companies as N. Vassilev (IOCCF-BAS, NMR center), on bioactive peptides, peptidomimetics, “Chromservis” OOD, “Merck Bulgaria” covering different topics in peptide and cell penetrating peptides, physiological EAD, “FOT” OOD, Biogame, “Balkan- proteins research. studies on bioactive peptides, pharma” AD, made it possible to invite In the afternoon after the lectures there antimicrobial peptides, synthesis and several distinguished scientists and more was free time to enjoy the beautiful physiological studies on modified amino than 10 young scientists and students. autumn view and fresh air of the Rila acids, enzymatic transformation of Finally, the symposium was a great Mountain under the Seven Lakes. Along polypeptides,computer modelling of success to the lecturers, participants and with the oral presentations, there was a ligand-receptor interaction, crystallization to our sponsors. poster session. Poster session competition of proteins, structural analysis of peptides, for young scientists and student was theoretical studies on peptide bond Contributed by organized and two best posters were formation. Lyubomir Vezenkov and Ivanka Stoineva
9 MINI-SYMPOSIUM Austrian Mini-Symposium on Peptide Science: “Peptides and Wine” Vienna, 7 December 2011
rom the late ’40s until the mid-60s, peptide science “Made in Austria” Fwas amongst the world’s best and one of its figures at the time was Hans Tuppy. During the early years of his career he joined Frederick Sanger’s laboratory at Cambridge (UK) where he worked on the amino acid sequence of bovine insulin (Sanger was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1958 for sequencing insulin). Later on he became the first Professor for Biochemistry in Austria and continued to work on neuropeptides, including oxytocin. Despite this former glory, the Austrian peptide community was hibernating for some time and lacked
regular meetings for scientific exchange. Austrian Peptide Symposium in the great lecture hall of the Institute of Pharmacology However, there has been recent development and returning interest in meeting was attended by about 60 Institute for Molecular Physiology in peptides, both in Austrian academic participants from Austria, Germany, Dortmund (Germany), Bice Chini from the research as well as in the pharmaceutical Hungary, Switzerland and Serbia and the Institute of Neuroscience in Milan (Italy) industry. Therefore we have decided to scientific program included two sessions and Florian Raible from the Max F. Perutz rejuvenate the Austrian peptide com- and six invited lectures. Speakers of the Laboratory in Vienna (Austria). munity by organising a peptide science session “Peptide Discovery, Analysis and The first keynote lecture of the meeting meeting on the basis of a one-day Chemistry“ were David Craik (keynote was given by David Craik, who recently symposium. lecture) from the Institute of Molecular received the Ralph F. Hirschmann Award The “Austrian Peptide Mini- Bioscience at the University of from the American Chemical Society for Symposium” was held at the Institute of Queensland in Brisbane (Australia), his invaluable contribution to the field of Pharmacology (Medical University) in Robert van Ling from Thermo Fisher Peptide Chemistry, on ‘endless’ possi- Vienna on December 7, 2011. The Scientific (Switzerland) and Christian bilities of circular cysteine-knotted plant meeting was organized by Christian Becker from the Department of Biological peptides, so-called cyclotides. Robert van Gruber (Austrian representative to the Chemistry at the University of Vienna Ling, an application specialist on European Peptide Society) and hosted by (Austria). The second session “Peptide nanoflow liquid chromatography, provided Michael Freissmuth (head of the Center Biology and Cellular Signalling” included insights into the latest technology of LC for Physiology and Pharmacology at the presentations by Herbert Waldmann workflows for peptidomics and proteomic Medical University of Vienna). The (keynote lecture) from the Max-Planck analysis. The first session ended with a
10 lecture from Christian Becker on the In summary, all six generation of tailor-made transmembrane presentations in both ses- proteins using peptide chemistry tools. sions were of outstanding Christian Becker is probably the latest scientific quality, very member of the Austrian peptide com- entertaining and covered a munity since he recently moved from the diverse range of topics, Technical University of Munich and including discovery, analy- received a Professorship for Biological sis, chemistry, signalling Chemistry at the University of Vienna. and biology of peptides. Session two of the symposium was The scientific part of the headed by Herbert Waldmann. He symposium was followed by presented a keynote lecture entitled “The a social get-together and dynamic Ras cycle”, in which the wine-tasting guided by audience was taken onto a journey Michaela Jöbstl, a wine- discovering the cell biology of Ras maker from Langenlois, one proteins, the “beating heart of signal of Austria’s biggest wine transduction (i.e. H. Bos, Utrecht)”, using producing town, situated peptide tools and chemical biology. The near the Danube river and second lecture in this session was given the famous Wachau valley. by Bice Chini, an internationally known Overall, the meeting re- neuropharmacologist for her work on ceived very good feedback oxytocin/vasopressin signalling and from its participants, not medicinal chemistry. She presented her only due to the wine Winemaker Michaela Jöbstl during social hour latest research project on oxytocin session, but in particular receptor knock-out mice as a model to because of its high-quality lectures. It has the sponsors for this event, namely study autism and social behaviour. The been a successful start into a new era of Dionex (part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), last lecture of the symposium was given peptide science in Austria and we are peptides&elephants, the Austrian Phar- by Florian Raible, a young investigator looking forward to announce further macological Society and the European who recently received one of the highly annual or bi-annual meetings with Peptide Society. The symposium would competitive ERC grants by the European participations and contributions from have not been possible without the Union. His current research focuses on Austrian and international members of the financial support of our sponsors. peptide hormones from the invertebrate European Peptide Society or other model annelid Platynereis dumerilii and interested persons in Peptide Science. Contributed by Christian Gruber their role in reproduction and behaviour. Last, but not least, we would like to thank
11 Doctorate Honoris Causa to Luis Moroder
University of Cergy-Pontoise-France, 6 October 2011
n October 6, 2011 the French His excellent mentoring of many Moroder’s outstanding lifetime accom- University of Cergy-Pontoise generations of upcoming scientists from plishments in peptide research and as Oconferred the Doctorate Honoris around the world, his numerous scientific example of the highest level of scientific Causa to Prof. Luis Moroder for his collaborations, presentations in scientific creativity. outstanding contribution in the field of meetings, and last, but not least, his In honour of his Doctorate Honoris peptide and protein science. This immense contributions as a co-editor of Causa, his first PhD student Anna Maria recognition is for the ingenious the monumental treatise Houben-Weyl, Papini organized at the University of multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and Methods of Organic Chemistry, Synthesis Cergy-Pontoise, one and a half day prolific scientific accomplishments, well of Peptides and Peptidomimetics and Symposium “Peptides and Proteins in the documented by Luis Moroder’s extended currently as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal New Millennium”, in the context of the list of publications in the highest ranking of Peptide Science, the official journal of international activities of the Laboratories peer-reviewed international scientific the European Peptide Society, have also Peptlab-SOSCO. The fascinating lecture of journals in chemistry and life sciences. to be mentioned in the list of Prof. the Nobel Laureate Robert Huber
The President of the University of Cergy-Pontoise Françoise Moulin Civil conferring the Doctorate Honoris Causa to Luis Moroder. On the right Anna Maria Papini who had the privilege and honour to pronounce Luis Moroder’s Eloge..
12 introduced the event. Solange Lavielle, Anna Maria D’Ursi, and Paolo Rovero also including many young students and Annette Beck-Sickinger, Claudio Toniolo, dedicated to Luis Moroder presentations researchers coming not only from France Jean Martinez, Wolfgang Zinth, Nediljko of their recent scientific achievements. A have witnessed the impact of Luis Budisa, Vincent Dive, Renato Gennaro, large number of enthusiastic participants Moroder in life science.
Symposium “Peptides and Proteins in the New Millennium” at the University of Cergy-Pontoise in honour of Luis Moroder’s Doctorate Honoris Causa: the audience during the lecture of the Nobel Laureate Robert Huber “The structures of proteins and their ligands, a basis for new therapeutic strategies”.
13 In Memoriam John Morrow Stewart (1924–2011)
embers of the worldwide Peptide Community were Msaddened to learn of the passing of John Stewart, after a long illness, in Denver, Colorado, on December 29, 2011. John was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Professor Stewart was an internationally renowned leader in the peptide field for almost five decades. While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his rich life and his enduring contributions to the peptide field. John was born on October 31, 1924 on a farm in Guildford County, North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Army in From left to right: Bruce Merrifield, John Stewart, Maurice Manning and Robert Schwyzer at the 1995 World War II in the European Theatre. In American Peptide Symposium after J. Stewart’s Pierce Award address 1949, he married Joyce Lorraine Clark, who predeceased him in 1989. They had NC and his master’s and doctorate D.W. Woolley, he moved to Denver to join two daughters and a son. He married degrees in Organic Chemistry from the the University of Colorado School of Laima Taraseviciene in 2000. John is University of Illinois at Urbana- Medicine faculty, as a Professor in the survived by his wife Laima, his daughters Champaign with Roger Adams, in 1952. Biochemistry Department. He continued Ellen E. Stewart and her husband Donald That same year, he started his to blossom as a researcher and as a R. Vaneil; Susan E. Stewart and her professional scientific career in the teacher for another 40 years in Denver. husband Court C. Walters, his son David laboratory of the brilliant and indomitable During the course of a highly C. Stewart and his wife Deborah K. Dilworth Wayne Woolley at The distinguished and productive career, John Stewart; and his granddaughters Anne M. Rockefeller Institute (now The Rockefeller authored over 400 peer-reviewed Stewart and Laura E. Stewart, as well as University) and became a colleague of scientific works and holds over 23 his stepdaughter Agne Taraseviciute. To Robert Bruce Merrifield, who had joined patents. As a leader in his field for almost John’s family and friends, I offer my the Woolley laboratory three years earlier. 50 years, he was the recipient of deepest condolences. John remained at Rockefeller for 16 numerous awards, including the Ameri- John received his undergraduate years. In 1968, two years following the can Peptide Society’s Lifetime Achieve- education at Davidson College, Davidson, untimely passing of his beloved mentor ment Award (The Pierce Award) in 1995
14 and the Pinnacle Inventorship Lifetime Inductee Award from the University of Colorado. John will be forever associated with the early days and subsequent development in the Woolley laboratory of the Solid Phase Method of peptide synthesis by his friend, colleague, and father of modern- day peptide chemistry, 1984 Nobel Laureate, Bruce Merrifield. In the late fifties and early sixties, John was a keen witness to the long frustrating gestation and birth of this revolutionary new method for synthesizing peptides at European Peptide Symposium 2004 in Prague. From left to right: Laima & John Stewart, Carmel Manning, Gerard Chassaing and Solange Lavielle Rockefeller. John’s expertise in organic chemistry was very much appreciated by Bruce and is acknowledged in Bruce’s historic JACS 1963 publication on the “Solid Phase Synthesis of a Tetrapeptide”. During this time, John also played a pivotal role in helping Bruce design and build, with Nils Jernberg’s help, the first automated solid phase peptide synthesizer. Their joint publication on “automated peptide synthesis” appeared in Nature in July 1965. John was a technical whiz in the lab. He was thus in great demand as an Instructor of Automated Solid Phase peptide synthesis. In this regard, his involvement, with the Bay Area Peptide Club in San Francisco in 1965, led in 1969, to a book co-authored
John Stewart with Professor Geoffrey Young at the 1996 European Peptide Symposium (Edinburgh) with Jan Young entitled “Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis”. This book became an
15 In Memoriam – John Morrow Stewart
instant hit and helped to accelerate the past 22 years Dr. Lajos Gera, played an mentor to his co-workers and to many use and acceptance of the solid phase important role in the design and synthesis other young scientists, John has been a method worldwide. A second edition, of a wide array of second generation orally highly regarded worldwide ambassador published in 1984, is still widely used in active bradykinin antagonists. One of for the peptide field for many years. He peptide laboratories throughout the world. these, Breceptin, being developed by has friends in the Peptide community and Following his move to Denver in 1968, Apoplogic Pharmaceuticals, has received also in the Kinin and Orchid fields here in John and his collaborators continued to FDA approval for a Phase 1 clinical trial the US and all over the world. He will be make highly significant contributions in as a possible therapy for cancer. The greatly missed by all of them. John’s many areas of peptide science, most prospect of having one of his peptide prescient founding of the John M. Stewart notably in the bradykinin field, a field he bradykinin antagonists become a useful Chair in Peptide Research at the helped to pioneer with D.W. Woolley at anti-cancer drug excited and inspired University of Colorado (now occupied by Rockefeller. His discovery with Ray Vavrek John, right up to the very end. Dr. Bob Hodges), ensures that his legacy in 1985 of the first bradykinin antagonist, John always exuded a special joie de to the peptide field will endure. 20 years after his first attempts to do so vivre. His love for travel was legendary as I will always remember John with at Rockefeller was a real breakthrough. was his lifelong passion for Orchids. He gratitude and admiration, not only for his This breakthrough was followed by more received several scientific grants from the enduring accomplishments and his exciting successes during the following American Orchid Society. leadership in the peptide field, but also for years. His friend and co-worker for the Besides being a beloved highly altruistic his warm friendship, renewed on an annual basis at peptide meetings in Europe, in the US and in Japan, spanning almost five decades. I treasure the memory of his generous indomitable spirit, his warm smile, his sparkling intellect and of our time together in the mid sixties in the laboratory of the truly inspirational D.W. Woolley – mentor extraordinaire to both Bruce and John – during the “Golden Age of Peptide Chemistry”.
Contributed by Maurice Manning
Laima and John Stewart
16 Book Review
What’s Doing? A Tribute to Professor Murray Goodman gives homage to the life and work of Professor Murray Goodman, a leading chemist, educator and humani- tarian. This book contains personal and professional remembrances from Dr. Goodman’s family, colleagues, and former students as well as the first paper ever published by Dr. Goodman followed by 10 of his most cited works. What’s Doing? A Tribute to Professor Murray Goodman (eISBN 978-1-60805-213-4) was published to coincide with the Murray Goodman Memorial Symposium at the 230th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in What’s Doing? Washington D.C., August 31, 2005. A Tribute to Professor Murray Contents Goodman Personal Biography by Zelda Goodman, Professional Biography by Fred Naider, Editor: Todd T. Romoff First Journal Publication by Dr. Murray Bentham Science Publishers Ltd Goodman, Professional Tributes by John eISBN: 978-1-60805-213-4 Jones, Joseph Taulane, Ed Dennis, Victor Volume 1, 2005 Hruby, K.C. Nicolaou, Personal Remem- brances, Opening Page, The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn Years, Early Days in San Diego, The Next Generation, Closing Page, Dr. Murray Goodman’s Top 10, In Fond Memory by Charles Deber
17 18 Society News Executive Committee Meeting Villa Agape, Florence, Italy 12–13 June 2011
The minutes of the EC Meeting held in Basel, 1 April 2011, written according to Italian legal requirements, however, were accepted. changed the structure of the EPS considerably (e.g. annual general assembly of members required). It was decided to ● Following the EC Meeting in Basel, the Secretary prepared prepare another document (“Constitution of a Committee of a version of the new statutes that were critically read and purpose”) expressing the wish of the members of the extended by all EC members. The Secretary provided a present Executive Committee as five individuals for use of short summary of events since the meeting in Basel, opening a bank account in Florence. The Italian version of reporting among others on the consultation with the Council the draft of new EPS statutes was attached to the above members about the progress in preparation of the new document. However, the definitive registration of the EPS statutes by the Executive Committee This version was was put off and the secretary asked to inquire about oriented at the current structure of the EPS (ordinary alternative registration possibilities and requirements in members electing a council member per country; the Belgium or Switzerland allowing the current structure of the council acting as “parliament”, and the executive committee EPS to be maintained. It was agreed that the Executive as “government”). In parallel the treasurer had an Italian Committee will compare the three versions and make a version of the draft of new EPS statutes prepared in decision on the site of registration during the next Executive Florence needed for opening a bank account. This version Committee meeting in Patras. It was also agreed that the
The members of the Executive Committee signing the document for the “Constitution of a Committee of Purpose”
19 Society News
current philosophy and mode of operation of EPS should be 10th Biannual Peptide Symposium, Finnish Peptide preserved as much as possible. For Belgium, the help of the Society (Dr. Ale Närvänen) future secretary Dirk Tourwé should be sought. The Peptide Arrays as Tools for Study of Protein Interactions secretary will report at the next EC meeting. (Dr. Stephen Hoare) ● The Treasurer reported that owing to the pending Biologically Active Peptides, National Czech and Slovak registration of the EPS in Italy, a bank account in the name Peptide Conference of EPS could not be opened in Florence. The EPS funds are 2nd International Microwave-Assisted Organic and still on the bank account of the former treasurer. A Peptide Synthesis Symposium (Prof. Anna-Maria Papini). temporary bank account in the name of three committee members should be opened on Monday (13 June) so that 21st Polish Peptide Symposium (Dr. Krystyna Midura- the money could be transferred from Naples to Florence. As Nowaczek) soon as the EPS will have been registered in Italy, the Chemistry and biology of peptides (Dr. John Offer) money will then be transferred on to the bank account of VIth Bulgarian Peptide Symposium (Prof. Lyubomir the EPS (at the same bank). Vezenkov) The final details of the accounts and audits for the year Austrian Mini-Symposium on Peptide Science 2010 had not been received by June 12; the documents EPI XII Iberian Peptide Meeting (Dr. José Villalain) were forwarded to Dr. Gori on 26 June by the former ● It was agreed that EPS will be represented by EPS members treasurer, Prof. E. Benedetti. attending the 22nd American Peptide Symposium in San Diego. For this, the President and members of the Executive ● EPS Symposia Committee will consult Jean Martinez, David Andreu, 31st EPS in Denmark (2010) Morten Meldal, Dirk Tourwe about their availability. The organizers of the 31st EPS transferred the sum of ● The Communication Officer and Newsletter Editor reported €21,480 to the current EPS account in Naples. The that all missing issues of the Newsletter (no. 00 to 28) were proceedings have been made available via EPS website. scanned, optimized for web view, OCR’d (to facilitate 32nd EPS in Greece (2012) phrase-search in their content) and uploaded to the web site. Also, each of them was commended separately in its The Secretary reported that the signed agreement with the own page and a brief description of each issue was added, organizer of the 32nd EPS was received. Paul Cordopatis to help the website users have a quick glance at its contents reported on behalf of George Kokotos about the venue and before downloading. In addition all these issues (from no. other details of the 32nd EPS in Athens. 00/Introductory Issue/February 1990, to issue no. 28/ ● The Scientific Affairs Officer reported that to date, the January 2003) were gathered in a single volume (406 following small meetings have been granted support by the pages, 73MB, pdf) to facilitate downloading. This EPS: cumulative issue represents also the years that Dr. John
20 Jones was the Editor of the Newsletter and as such was ● The President thanked Anna Maria Papini for the kind uploaded between issue 28 and issue 29. invitation, hospitality and organization of the Executive The new menu that Wiley prepared with the Coming soon Committee meeting in Florence and also thanked the for EPS Members section is more then adequate for the members of the Executive Committee for covering their own time being. We shall further need his help and ideas as travel expenses. soon as we have to activate all these new pages. In the near ● Visit of Dr. Gori’s office (Studio Professionale Associato, Via future we need a decision regarding the format and the Ferrucci, 203/C – 59100 Prato) on Monday morning (13 content of the Members Contact List. This will be clarified June) to sign the document mentioned above (“Constitution by the Secretary. of a Committee of purpose”) by the members of the It was discussed and agreed by the members of EC that it Executive Committee as five individuals for use of opening would be useful to include in the Society’s initial agreement a bank account in Florence. with future Symposia Organizers that after a period of 4 ● Visit of the Banca C.R. Firenze on Monday morning (13 years from each Symposium, the Society has the right to June) to open a bank account in the name of A.M. Papini, upload the electronic version of the Proceedings for its F. Hudecz and A.N. Eberle, as temporary bank account in members and that the future Editors have to give their the name of EPS. The account will be closed and the permission beforehand. money transferred to the official EPS account as soon as the ● The next EC meeting will be held in Greece in the fall account will have been installed. (21–23 October was identified as date; Patras was chosen as meeting place). It was also agreed that following the Condensed by the Editor from the Minutes rules of previous years the local expenses will be covered by provided by the Secretary the host and the travel expenses will be reimbursed.
21 Society Officers
Professor Ferenc Hudecz Professor Anna Maria Papini Professor Paul Cordopatis (Chairman) (Treasurer) (Communication Officer & c. member, Hungarian Academy of Laboratory of Peptide & Protein Newsletter Editor) Sciences Chemistry & Biology Laboratory of Pharmacognosy Research Group of Peptide Chemistry c/o Department of Chemistry, & Chemistry of Natural Products Department of Organic Chemistry University of Florence Department of Pharmacy Eötvös Loránd University Via della Lastruccia 13, University of Patras Pázmány Péter sétány 1A I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze) GR-26504 Patras H-1117 Budapest ITALY GREECE HUNGARY E-mail: [email protected] E-mail : [email protected] E-mail : [email protected] Tel: +39 055 457 3561 Tel: +30 2610 969 934 Tel: +36-1-372-2880 Fax: +39 055 457 3584 Fax: +30 2610 997 714 Fax: +36-1-372-2620 URL: http://www.unifi.it/peptlab URL: http://pharmacognosy.upatras.gr URL: http://peptid.chem.elte.hu Professor Solange Lavielle Professor Alex N. Eberle (Scientific Affairs Officer) (Secretary) Laboratoire des BioMolécules Rectorate UMR 7203, UPMC Paris 06 - ENS - University of Basel CNRS Petersgraben 35 Département de Chimie - Ecole Normale CH-4003 Basel Supérieure - SWITZERLAND 24, Rue Lhomond E-mail : [email protected] 75252 Paris Cedex 05 Tel: +41 61 267 2382 FRANCE Fax: +41 61 267 1713 E-mail : [email protected] Tel : +33 144 32 24 43 Fax : +33 144 32 24 02 URL: http://www.chimie.ens.fr/LBM
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE EPS WEB EDITOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF www.eurpepsoc.com
Professor Luis Moroder George Pairas Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie Assistant Professor D-82152 Martinsried, GERMANY Department of Pharmacy E-mail: [email protected] University of Patras Tel: +49 89 8578 3905 GR-265 00 Patras, GREECE Fax: +49 89 8578 2847 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Tel: +30 2610 969327 Fax: +30 2610 992776
22 CALENDAR of Forthcoming Events
EPI XII: IBERIAN PEPTIDE MEETING 32nd EUROPEAN PEPTIDE Alicante, Spain SYMPOSIUM 1–3 February 2012 Athens, Greece Website: http://ibmc.umh.es/epi2012 2–7 September 2012 Website: http://32eps2012.org BELGIAN PEPTIDE GROUP MEETING 33rd EUROPEAN PEPTIDE Brussels, Solvay/Peptisyntha site SYMPOSIUM 9–10 February 2012 Bulgaria, 2014 Website: www.bpgm.be
PEPTIDE THERAPEUTICS CONFERENCE 2012 Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, Spain 12–16 February 2012 Website: www.zingconferences.com
PROTEIN AND PEPTIDE CONFERENCE Beijing, China 23–25 March 2012 Website: www.bitlifesciences.com/pepcon2012
13th NAPLES WORKSHOP ON BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES Naples, Italy 7–10 June 2012 Website: http://www.cirpeb.unina.it/ naples2012/
3rd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES Lille (Villeneuve d’Ascq), France 13–15 June 2012 Website: www.amp2012.fr
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