February 19, 1991 Vol. XLIU No. 4 "Stilt U.S. Depattment of Health The Second and Human Servi«> Be.rt Thing About Payday" National lnstinnes of Health Recori Postal Career Postponed Inflammation Is Key Factor NHLBI Releases New Julius Axelrod: Portrait of a Late Bloomer Asthma Guidelines By Rich McManus T he National Heare, Lung, and Blood Institute has released comprehensive new F orty-one years ago, a man who wouJd guidelines on the diagnosis and management later go on to win a Nobel Prize arrived at of asthma, a chronic lung disease affecting NIH with relatively slim prospects for achiev­ more than 10 million Americans. ing distinction. NHLBI's report was issued at a Feb. 5 press Back then, lacking a Ph.D., he was a Jong­ conference ac che Bethesda Marriott Hotel, shot candidate for success. Today, he concedes after the coordinating commiccee of NHLBI's resignedly, a man like him wouJdn't have a National Asthma Education Program (NAEP) prayer at NIH. voced to approve the new guidelines. "There are no opportunities in science for a "This report is very significant, even his­ late bloomer now," says Dr. JuJius Axelrod, a coric, in that it represents the perspectives of guest researcher ar NIMH·s Laboratory of Cell allergists, pulmonologists, nurses, and Biology and winner of the 1970 Nobel Prize behavioral scientists. I believe it will have a in physiology or medicine. profound impact on che way asthma is treated "There are a lot of people who mature in this country," said NHLBI director Dr. slowly, and they just don't have a chance," he Claude Lenfant at the news briefing. observed. "You have ro have a fasr scare Dr. Julius Axelrod has, in 41 years at NIH, seen The report was written by a panel of experts roday-rhe besr schools, che besc grades, che various imtitute.r rise, pioneered in the chemistry of convened by che National Asthma Education best fellowships--or you won't get into che the nervous system and in drug studies, trained sci­ Program. NAEP's coordinating committee system. 1 was a good but not outstanding stu­ entists, won the Nobel Prize, and, lately, immersed represents 29 major United Scates scientific, dent. Opportunities came and I just made the himielf in signal transduction re.rearch. professional, governmental, and voluntary right- choices." organizations concerned about asthma. Axelrod was 33 when he began his research Based on the latest scientific findings on career and 43 before he earned a Ph.D. "Many tific career. I wouldn't recommend it." aschma and its causes, the report emphasizes (scientists) are over the hill by then," he Born in New York City 78 years ago, that inflammation of the airways is the key laughs. Though he retired in 1984, he still Axelrod remembers having been a voracious fuccor in the disease. works virtually every day, and has published reader as a child. "I read a lot-I was inrellec­ "We now know that inflammation is the some 35 papers since "retiring." cually interested in everything, and eager to predominant feature of asthma," Dr. Albert L. "People chink I'm a sore of oddity," he learn." Sheffer told reporters at che press briefing. admits. "I've had a very unconventional scien- (See AXELROD, Page 6) (See ASTHMA, Page 4)

Animal House Disease-Free Animal Facility Construction Completed 8)' Anne Blank

B ldg. 6B, the first disease-free animal facility on the NIH campus, opened its doors to the human public lase December-animal occupants inhabited the building in January. "This is not just a facility for che superb care of animals, but a place where scientists will continually discuss what che right thing co do is in terms of using animals for research," said Dr. Arthur Levine, scientific director for NICHD, which is che new facil­ ity's lead institute. Levine spoke ac che bujJding's open house. Four ocher institutes share the facility with NJCHD, including NEI, NIAID, NIDDK and NIAMS. Representatives from these five institutes have formed a users' committee rhat is responsible for establishing policy and pro­ cedure for the facility. "Over the years that it's been developed, the users' committee has become a close-knit, cohesive force that is NCI re.rearchers Dn. Michael Gottesman ( 1) and lra Pa.rtan produced in 1989 a new line ofgenetically (See BLDG. 6B, Page 10} engineered mice that scientists say could help combat s&me chemotherapy-re.riuant cancers. (Story, p.9) page 2

February 19, 199 I

NIH'ers Give Record Amount to Combined Federal Campaign

Employees at NIH are outdoing themselves once again as the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) has garnered more than $700,000, or about $35,000 more than was given during last year's record-setting campaign. These results were reported by Ken Carney, execu­ tive officer at the National Library of Medicine, who is coordinating the drive. More than 6,400 employees participated m the 1990 campaign, which received much help from consultant Jack Patterson, and from che many deputy coordinators and keyworkers in each ICD. Those who contribured via payroll deduc­ tion rn the CFC were aucomarically enrolled in Pa,;/ W. Sparacino accepts a certificate of ownership f()r the TV/VCR donated to the CFC raffle by the a raffle, che drawing for which was held NIH Federal Credit Union, whose chief executive officer, Lindsay Alexander, looked on at a recent ceremony recently. Winning a television sec and video attended by (from I) Jim Su,eat, director, Division of Security Operatiom; Ken Carney, NLM executive cassette recorder donated by the NIH Federal officer and coordinator of this year's CFC campaign: Chief Tom Brightwell of the NIH Police,· and jack Credit Union was Paul W. Sparacino of the Mahoney, NIH associate director for administration. Division of Security Operations, ORS. He happens to be a volunteer ac one of the agen­ cies chat receives CFC money-SOME (So Others Might Eat). Sparacino spent che sum­ New Commuter Service mer of 1988 helping SOME distribute food to che poor and homeless, and returns occasion-. ,,., Riders are wanted to join a newly formed ally to volunteer his services. , ~-• commuter service from Frederick, Md., co USAir donated two free roundrrip airfares to ~ - NIH co Westwood and return. For further .J ..... -. information call Lynn, (301) 540-9193. anywhere in the continental United Scates co 0 lucky winners from the ranks of the CFC con­ tributors and the CFC kcyworkers. The winning contributor was DRG's Caroline Grabner; Julia Lobotsky of NICHD was the fortunate keyworker. Winning a 35 mm camera donated by The NIH Record Geico Insurance Co. was Mary Jean Frye of Published biweekly ac Bethesda, Md.. bl' the Editorial Operarions Branch Division of Public Information, for the NIA. 1 On hand for the CFC raffle drawing, held n.wztly information of employees of the National Institutes of An award ceremony for those who contrib­ in Bldg. 10, were (from I) Carl Fretts, acting He-,t,h, DeP"mnem of He-•lrh and Human Services, and uted to NIH's most successful CFC campaign NIH assodate director for administration, Ken circulated ro noncmployces by subscription only through yet will be held from 9 a.m. co noon Mar. 4 Camey, NLM executive officer and coordinator f()r the Go\'ernment Printing Office. The content is reprincable in Wilson Hall. 0 NIH's CFC drive, and Kelly Goka, director of wirhout permission. Pircures may be available on request. recreation and member services at R&W. Use of funds for printing this periodical has been approved Cell Line Catalog Available by the director of rhe Office of Management and Budget through September 30. 1991.

The 199011991 Catalog of Cell Lines: characcerizes, and scores cell lines from people N l H Record Office Correspondents: NIGMS Human Genetic Mutant Celi Repository is wich genetic disorders and from apparendy Bldg. 31, Room 2B-03 CC, Karen Riedel now available from the National Institute of normal individuals for use as controls. Cul­ Phone 496-2125 DCRT, Anita S. Ferguson General Medical Sciences. tures from cell lines in che repository, along FAX 402-1485 DRG, N. Sue Meadows F!C, Louise Williams The 15th edition of che catalog contains with detailed background information, are .Editor NCI, Patricia A. Newman 358 new listings, bringing the total co 4,767 provided co requesting i nvescigacors at modest Richard McManus NCHGR, Leslie Fink cell lines. For the first time, the catalog lists charge. By using cells from the repository col­ NCNR, Esther McBride DNA samples available from selected cell lection, scientists can study rare genetic Assistant .Editor NCRR, Polly Onderak lines, including a panel of rodenc-huroan disorders in their own research settings with­ Anne Barber NEI, Linda Huss NHLBI, June Wyman somatic cell hybrid lines, which are used by out having co locate a cell donor. Scaff Writer NIA, Carolyn Shanoff scientists involved in gene mapping. Since its inception in 1972, the repository Caria Garnen NIAJD, Ann C. London The catalog also contains an updated map of has processed more than 10,000 submitted NIAMS, Barbara Weldon human chromosomal aberrations, which cell cultures, tissue biopsies, and peripheral EdicoriaJ Assistant NICHD, Carol Florance blood specimens and provided more than Marilyn Berman NIDCD, Gail Blatt provides an important cool for scientists work­ NIDDK, Eileen Corrigan ing to fill in the many gaps chat now exist in 50,000 cell cultures co investigators. Th, NIH R«ord reserve, che right NIDR, Mary Daum our knowledge about the human genome. Single copies of the catalog are available to makr cor-recrions. changes, or NIEHS, Hugh J, Lee The repository, supported by a con trace from che NIGMS Office of Research Reporcs, deletions in submitrcd copy in NIGMS, Wanda Warddell from NlGMS co che Coriell Institute for Med­ Bldg. 31, Rm. 4A52, 496-7301. □ conformity wi1h the- policies of rhc NJNDS, Carol Rowan pap« aod HHS. NLM, Roger L. Gilkeson ical Research in Camden, N .J., establishes, page 3 'fir Record February l9, 1991

Study Finds Urinary Incontinence Can Be Treated

Urinary incontinence in women is often dis­ missed as a condition of "old age." But dramatic results of a study supported by the National Institute on Aging and the National Center for Nursing Research show that urinary II incontinence can be treated effectively. A EFFICACY OF BLADDER TRAINING IN OLDER 6-wcck program of bladder training reduced WOMEN WITH URINARY INCONTINENCE the number of incontinent episodes among 1,.,n,ber of incontinent Episodes older women studied by 57 percent without surgery or drugs. A significant number of patients were cured fully by che end of che program. Ac a press conference on Capitol Hill earlier chis month, Dr. J. Andrew Fanti, department of obstetrics and gynecology, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals (MCVH)/Virginia Com­ monweal ch Universicy, discussed che results of the srudy, published in the Feb. 6 issue of che journal of the American Medical Association. Dr. Stanley Slater, program director, Geriatric Research and Training, N IA, Dr. Kathleen A. McCormick, nursing research director, NIA, and Daniel Perry, executive director, Alliance Dr. J. Andrew Pant/ presents resrdts from a clinical trial on bladder training for incontinence in older for Aging Research, joined Fanti ac the brief­ U)()Tf/m at a recent news briefing on Capitol Hill. The trial was sponsored by NIA and NCNR. ing. They stressed that the good news about noninvasive techniques for creating urinary incontinence wi.ll keep additional millions of patient could comforrably wait before voiding. NEI Announces Symposium older people functionally independent. The The goal of the program was co reach a 2 1'2 co On Eye Disease Epidemiology experts also noted chat the positive findings 3 hour interval between voidings. Ultimately, should help foster a public dialogue on an 12 percent of the patients treated became The Third National Eye Institute Sym­ issue chat people are often coo embarrassed to completely continent. Some 75 percent of the posium on Eye Disease Epidemiology wi ll be talk about with their doctor or close family women improved 50 percent or more. held Mar. 25-27 at the Hyatt Regency Beth­ and friends. The NIA lase month awarded Fanti and his esda. T he goals of the symposium, sponsored "Educating the public about che kinds of team a 5-year, $3 million grant to conduce a jointly by NEI's Collaborarive Clinical treatments that are available-indeed chat srudy of rhe three major forms of rreatmenr Research Branch and the Biometry and treatment is available-is an important func­ for urinary incontinence. In thac research, Epidemiology Program, are to provide a forum tion of the NIA," Slater said. "Urinary behavioral therapies, estrogen supplementation for rhe presentation and discussion of the incontinence is a condition of quiet personal therapy, and surgical therapy will be results and methods of recent research on the anguish. That's why speaking ouc about the evaluated.-Vicky Cahan D epidemiology of eye diseases, including clini­ availability of tre-.itment is so important." An cal trials, and to stimulate future research in escimate

ASTHMA NICHD's Alan Hinnebusch Gives (Continued from Page J J Hoffmann-LaRoche Lecture Sheffer, of Harvard Medical School, chaired Dr. Alan Hinnebusch of NICHD's I.abora­ the expert panel. "Treatment for mosc asthma r.ory of Molecular Generics presented the patients muse include anti-inflammatory medi­ annual Hoffmann-1.aRoche Lecture ac che New cation to reduce and prevent recurrence of York Metropolitan Area Yeast Molecular Biol­ inflammation," he said. Cromolyn sodium and ogy Meeting lase month. He was honored for corticosteroids are the main anti-inflammatory his notable contributions co the field of yeast agents used against asthma. genetics. Because of their short generation Traditionally, said Sheffer, asthma has been ti me, single cell animals such as yeast are well considered a disease primarily involving bro­ suited to genetic analysis, and for char reason, chial conscriccion. Bronchodilacor drugs have ·rhe molecular generics of yeast have attracted a been relied on to relieve the wheezing, cough­ great deal of attention in recent years. ing, chest cighmess, and breaching problems Dr. Albert L. Sheffer (r) of Harva,·d Medical Hinnebusch's research has contributed sub­ associated with an asthma episode. School mak:eJ a point at the NHLBT nezuJ conference stantially to our knowledge of the complex "Reducing and hopefully preventing inflam­ 011 aJth111a; looking on iI the imtit11te'I director, generic machinery with which yeast coordi­ mation, not just reversing bronchial Dr. Cla11de Len/ant. nates ics response to environmental stress in constriction, is central to asthma manage­ -che form of nutrient scarcity. He was che first ment," Sheffer said. "This means not only visits ro physicians for asthma; about 35 per­ ·to establish how the synthesis of a regulator of using a bronchodilator co relieve immediate cent of these visits were made by patients amino acid biosynthesis (GCN4) is controlled. symptoms, but also using anti-inflammatory under 20 years of age. GCN4 mRNA is only translated when the agents such as cromolyn sodium or inhaled In 1987, said Buist, there were more than corcicosreroids co reduce inflammation over the 450,000 hospitalizations in which asthma was long-term." the first listed diagnosis. In children under Many asthma patients have feared using age 18, asthma causes more hospitalizations corticosteroids in the past, he said, because than any other serious chronic disease. steroid pills were given over a long period of Moreover, asthma deaths have been increas­ time and had risks of adverse side effects. ing slowly but steadily, about 6 percent per However, recent advances in asthma therapy year over the past decade. In 1988, 4,580 have produced inhaled corticosteroids. Since people died from asthma in the U.S. The these drugs are inhaled, their effect is directly death race from asthma is about three times on the airways and they are not absorbed into higher among blacks than whites. Based on the body's circulatory system in the way pills accumulating scientific data, most asthma spe­ are. Thus, rhey produce few adverse effects cialists now believe char people who die from and are among the most effective drugs for asthma arc those who were undercreated or asthma therapy. treated inappropriately, Buist observed; deaths Bronchodilacors, specifically inhaled bera­ from asthma apparently are not cied to use of agonists, are recommended to treat acute any particular drug. episodes because they open the airways quickly Nevertheless, the report emphasizes char and relieve symptoms, said Sheffer. However, asthma is creatable and that with an accurate Dr. Alan Hinnebusch they do not appear co affect the underlying diagnosis and appropriate treatment, most inflammation of the airways. For more severe asthma patients can expect to lead normal, cells are starved of amino acids. Hinnebusch asthma episodes, oral corticosteroids may be active lives. and his colleagues showed chat, when required for a short rime, he added. "With appropriate trcacmenc, virtually all nutrients are plentiful, ribosomes scanning Asthma is a serious chronic disease with asthma patients can become free of symp­ GCN4 mRNA are crapped in che message's acuce episodes that can be fa cal, said Dr. A. toms," said Dr. Allen T. Luskin of the expert leader before they gee to the initiation sire. Sonia Buist of Oregon Health Sciences Univer­ panel. "Patients wirh asthma can live normal The scanning process itself is controlled by a sity, a member of rhe NAEP coordinating Jives. They and their families should expect series of positive and negative regulators, for committee. Buist said that asthma is getting nothing less." D which he has identified che genes. One of the increased attention as a public health concern positive regulators appears co be a protein because its frequency, and the number and kinase wich a region of homology to histidyl­ rate of hospitalizations and deaths from Normal Volunteers Sought cNRA synthetase, suggesting a mechanism by asthma, have risen significantly during che which such a regulator could detect amino past 10 years. "These trends are worrisome The Clinical Neuroendocrinology Branch, acid depletion. The finding that yeast has the hecause they come at a rime when we under­ N!MH, and the Developmental Endocrinology same initiation facrors as mammalian cells has srand much more about the disease and we Branch, NTCHO, seek healthy men and made his work parcicularly relevant ro generic think we have more effective treatment," she women between the ages of 20 and 55 for control in all higher animals. noted. studies involving the relations of hormone Hinnebusch is a graduate of the University Somewhere between 3 and 6 percent of all changes co sleep and psychological function­ of Dayton and received h is Ph.D. from Har­ Americans-about 10 million people, of ing. Individuals will be admitted co the vard in 1980. He scarred his work on the whom 3 million are children- suffer from Clinical Center for four nights. Psychological genetics of yeast as a postdocroral fellow asthma, said Buist. Asthma is one of rhe lead­ testing will be conducted along with blood with Gerald Fink at Cornell, before coming ing medical causes of absenteeism from school sampling and EEG monitoring. For more to NIH in 1983. He has been a member of and a major cause of lost work days in the information call 496-4319. D NICHD's Laboratory of Molecular Genetics U.S. In 1988, there were almost 15 million since then.- Birgit C. An Der Lan 0 page 5 February 19, l991

NIH Observes Women's History Month African-American Scientists Program Features McCurdy March is National Women's Hisrory Month. Throughout history women have made As part of its ongoing celebration of Black valuable contributions ro the economic, History Month, NIH will hose an African­ cultural and social welfare of our nation. American Scientists O bservance on Tuesday, Women constitute a significant portion of our Feb. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in work force, serving in clerical, technical, Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10. The featured administrative and professional positions. guest speaker is African-Canadian microbiolo­ In recognition of the numerous accomplish­ gist Dr. Howard McCurdy, a second-term ments of women, the Division of Equal member of Canada's Parliament , char nation's Opportunity will sponsor an observance of highest legislative body. He will present Women's History Month on Thursday, Mar. "Behind the Laboratory Door: Keeping Secrets 7, from 11:30 a. m. to I p.m. in Lipsett from Black Folks." Amphitheater, Bldg. JO. This year's theme is An Ontario native, McCurdy, 5 7, com­ "Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change." pleted undergraduate degrees at the University The program features keynote speaker Dr. of Western Ontario and Assumption Univer­ Beverly Coleman-Miller, special assistant for sity. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees medical affairs, Commission of Public Health, in microbiology and chemistry from Michigan Washington, D.C. Scace University, where he served as presidenr Coleman-Miller has extensive experience in of its NAACP chapter 1958-1959. the field of health care. Her assignments have Afrer studying at Michigan Scace, McCurdy included developing a database and producing was professor of biology at the University of statistical reports on infant mortality, trauma, Dr. Beverly Coleman-Miller Windsor for 25 years, becoming chairman of homicide and drug overdoses for distribution ro public and private institutions; coordinating research projects for the D.C. Medical She also has been a guest on such radio and Examiner's Office; and providing advice to the television stations as WETA, WYCB, Centers for Disease Control on revising its cur­ WHMM-TV and on such programs as S11iff, rent statement, "Preventing Lead Poisoning in Newsbag, and Saturday Magazine. White also Young Children," at the request of DHHS produced "Youth Calendar" on WPFW-FM secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan. Coleman-Miller and appeared in a television commercial for is a member of DHHS's Office of Minority the Department of Agriculture. Health Resource Network and an accom­ All employees are encouraged co attend th is plished lecturer. program. Special shuttle service will be The performing artist for the observance provided for employees at the Executive Plaza, will be Carmen White, a Creative and Per­ Federal and Westwood Bldgs. A schedule of forming Arcs Scholarship srudenc ac the departure times will be posted in these build­ University of Maryland. White recently par­ ings. Sign language interpreration will also be ticipated in Alvin Ailey's American Dance provided. For additional information and rea­ Center master classes under the instruction of sonable accommodation, contact DEO, Judith Jamison at Morgan Scace University. 496-6301. □ Dr. Howard McCurdy

Dr. Classie G. Hoyle has been appointed as a spe­ the department in 1974 and producing some cial expert in science education for NIGMS and itJ 45 scientific articles. minority programJ. Before joining NIGMS, Hoyle A major national figure in Canada's civil was an associate professor of co1mnunity and preven­ rights movement in the 1960's, McCurdy tive dentistry, ,mistant to the dean, and director of helped found the National Black Coalition of planning and development in the College of Dentis­ Canada and later served as its president. try at the Universil)' of fowa in Iowa City. She In I 984, he led a national campaign for sci­ also spent several years as vice president for aca­ ence and technology-driven economic demic affairs al Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, development and social justice for minorities, a11d as director of affirmative action at the U11iver ­ women and the disabled; McCurdy captured a Jity of Iowa. In all of these positirtns, Hoyle worked seat in Canada's House of Commons chat year to recruit minority students into health professional and was reelected co that post in 1988. careers as well as to increase minority students' All employees are encouraged to attend the awarmesJ of their optiom in higher education. observance. Special shuttle service will be Hoyle received a B.S. in biology and science ed11ea­ provided for off-campus employees: W estwood tion and an M.S. in biology from Morgan State Bldg.-10:45 a.m., Federal Bldg.-11 a.m. and U11i1,ersity, and a Ph.D. in science education and Executive Plaza- 11 a.m. Sign language inter­ higher education administration from the University pretation will be provided. For additional of Iowa. information and reasonable accommodations, contact DEO, 496-6301. D page 6 The Record February 19, 1991

AXELROD "J took to research immediately," he recalls (Continued from Page 1 ) fondly. "I did it well and I loved ir." Axelrod continued working in Brodie's lab­ Axelrod's first ambition was ro become a oratory ar Goldwater Memorial Hospira! (a doctor. He attended the free City College of branch of NYU medical school) and spent 3 New York, graduating with a B.S. in biology years studying the metabolism of analgesics and chemistry in l933. "I couldn't get inro and anticoagulants. Realizing chat he couldn't medical school, though, probably because of be promoted in academia wirhouc a Ph.D., he my religion. At that time, there were quoras began a job search. for Jewish students in medical schools." "One day I saw an irem in the New York The year Axelrod graduated from college, Tin/.eJ that James Shannon, formerly a professor the country was in the depths of the Great at NYU medical school, was appointed head Depression and jobs were scarce. To assure of the National Heart Institute," he said. " I that he could earn an income, Axelrod cook wrote to him and he gave me a position at the the government's postal exam. heart institute." "I almost joined rhe Post Office, but a lab Scientists were reluctant to come co NIH in assistant job was open at NYU medical those days, Axelrod remembers. "It was con­ sidered just another government lab. It was school, paying $25 a month," he recalls. "It Axelrod ponders a que.stion was just pure luck that I decided to take the not at all as prestigious as it is today." distinctive eyeglasseJ he Ulll laboratory position." Axelrod credits Shannon, who became the eighth NIH director, with transforming NIH an eye blinded in a labora After a few years in the lab, he obtained a early in his career. A mmo1 job testing newly discovered vitamins in food to the high status chat it enjoys today. "Shannon persuaded Congress that the way the mishap. "One cleared i at the Laboratory of Industrial Hygiene in That's luck," he said. New York. "I was there for about 10 years," he remem­ bers. "I didn't do research. My job was co modify existing methods for the analysis of vitamins to rest in food products. The experience of developing and modifying methods proved useful in my subsequent research career. " Hardly anyone chose a research career in those days, Axelrod said. "There were few opportunities to do research and the work was poorly paid. What little work was done was supported by philanthropists. A person had to be wealthy and smart to do research. Few phy­ sicians did research in their spare time." At this point, Axelrod still "had no idea of a research career." One day, the head of his laboracory--a retired professor of pharmacol­ ogy named George Wallace-came to him wirh a problem: certain nonaspirin analgesics were causing blood disorders in some people. The professor advised char Axelrod sec Dr. Bernard Beryl Brodie, who was on the faculty of NYU, about it. "I met with Dr. Brodie one fateful day in February 1946," says Axelrod. "This was my first introduction to research. I found him to be a stimulating and inspiring person. He He wm "Mr." Julius Axelrod_ when this picture--r![ fractionating equipment used in determining the fate of suggested that I join his Jab to work on non­ caffeine and other drugs and b1olog1cals m the body-appeared in the Sept. 21, 1953, issue of the Record. aspirin analgesics. We found that these compounds, aceranilide and phenacetin formed toxic metabolites." ' co treat and cure diseases is not to throw "My style of reset Curious to find what rhe main merabolites money at targeted research but co understand matter offollowing of these analgesics were, Axelrod and Brodie basic fundamentals of how the body works. never predict where J found chat the drugs were metabolized co He also had a great capacity ro attract very what is now known as acetaminophen. They good people." years down the roalt also observed that chis metabolite did wonders At Shannon's bidding, Axelrod joined NHI didn't have to expla for headaches. Today, acetaminophen is known in 1950, where he was reunited, at the GS-9 any great extent wh popularly as Tylenol. scientist level, with his mentor Brodie in che "We didn't deliberately look for a new Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology. do." headache remedy," explains Axelrod . "It just Located in Bldg. 3 on a campus that fea­ - D turned up in the course of our research. tured just a handful of buildings and about page 7 ~Record February 19, 1991

100 employees, Axelrod found the atmosphere the remainder of his career. heady. . "I didn't quite gee what I wanted at NHI, "It was a remarkable place," he remembers. so I scarred a new career in neuroscience "We were all young, and working in a very research," he scares, simply. "l don't know charged atmosphere. There were three future whether you can do chis today." Nobel Prize winners chere-(Christian) Axelrod's main research at NlMH was co Anfinsen and (Arthur) Kornberg were the study the chemistry of the nervous system, ochers-and we all bumped into each ocher. especially neurotransmitters. There were also two eventual NlH directors "I did LSD research in the 1950's, and in (Drs. Donald Fredrickson and James 1960 described how cocaine and antidepressant Wyngaarden) and many investigators who drugs work (by blocking che uptake of cate­ became distinguished scientists. cholamines into nerves)," he said. "We were "We were given a lot of freedom to do che first co get radioactive marijuana, and co basic research, and the salary wasn't coo bad. show chat it went into fat cells and stayed There was a critical mass of people," he remi­ there for a Jong time." nisced. "We all knew each other and discussed The receptor for THC- marijuana's active each ocher's work. ingredient-was cloned in his current lab chief "I was working fairly independently, and Dr. Michael Brownstein's laboratory at · during a seminar. The had published about 25 papers, including one NIMH, reporcs Axelrod. re for many yum cevered on the discovery of a new class of enzymes Was he ever tempted co cry any of the tr,ry explosion at NYU chat metabolized drugs, when I applied for a drugs? "I chink you'd be crazy co do it. I've ,ia doused both eyes in raise co a GS-12," he says, recalling an inci- seen the bad things drugs can do," he says. "I ,p and the other didn't. gee my kicks doing research." Several of his colleagues experimented with LSD. "They said it distorted their perception of time and space," he said. "Ir was a little unpleasant." With the Shannon era, NIH's growing rep­ utation began co attract more good people, Axelrod observes. "The Vietnam war also attracted a lot of bright M. D.s. Administra­ tors had been very farsighted in getting the best people--like Kecy (Dr. Seymour, head of NIMH) and Fredrickson (who became N IH's 11th director}-and giving investigators che opportunity co select and carry our their own problems. We did great science. "There wasn't che large bureaucracy there is now," he continues. "There were few regula­ tions and restrictions on the kinds of experiments you could do. As the NIH grew, so did its bureaucratic infrastructure. In spice of chis, I chink the quality (of intramural NIH research) is really first race. "NIH still accraccs top people," Axelrod allows, "but not as many as it used co. The very bright ones coday go to cop academic institutions. But most of the professors ac Axelrod (r) is surrounded by well-wishers including Dr. Roscoe Brady (second from I), Dr. Irvin Kopin (c) chose institutions ace NIH-trained." and Dr. Frederick Goodwin (r) when he learned of winning the 1970 Nobel Prize. Axelrod shared the Axelrod says he'd chink twice today about prize in physiology or medicine with Bernard Katz and Uif Von Euler 'for their discoveries concerning the embarking on a research career: "I don't know hmmirai trammittm in the nerve ten11i11als a11d the 111echa11isms for their storage, release and inactivation." if I'd wane the hassle. Bue I love it so much char I would probably cake the chance. Many prospective scientists are pretty cocky when 1rch was just a dent that still rankles him. "They turned me they come out of college. Even if the grant funding level is down around 12- 15 percent, my nose. I could down because I didn't have a Ph.D." you chink you're good enough to gee it." Axelrod had earned a master's degree from r might be 3 or 4 Acknowledging chat tenure at NIH is NYU in 1941, which satisfied the classroom '. At N IH , I rough to gee nowadays, Axelrod says ic was requirements for the Ph.D. he nt>w began to easy three decades ago. "The corollary to chat in or justify to earn at George Washington University. "I was chat some dead wood accumulated," he took a year of courses to pass the qualifying at I was going to said. "We used co have what was known as exams," he said. "My thesis was on enzyme the 'NIH shunt'--scienciscs would gain their work chat I was doing at NIH." reputation at NIH and then leave for a pro- r. ] ulius Axelrod Once he cook his Ph.D. in 1955, Axelrod abandoned NHI for NIMH, where he spent (Continued on Page BJ page 8 TheRecord February 19, 1991

(Continued from Page 7) co carry out a special function. This general "They are the guts of science. Any time you fessorship in academia." area of research is called signal transduction." diminish that, you diminish the advance of Though courted by the private sector, For Axelrod, much of biomedicine, includ­ science." Axelrod never thought seriously of leaving ing immunology, cardiology, and the study of --On winning a Nobel Prize: "We all NIH. "I didn't want co go through the hassle hormones and other chemosensory factors, dream of it, but 1 really didn't expect it. Once involves transduction of biological signals. you gee a Nobel Prize, you become a sort of of getting grants. My style of research was just a matter of following my nose. l could "Even the AIDS virus conveys a signal, but a minor celebrity. It didn't change the way I bad one," he says. did things at all. I didn't even have an office never predict where I might be 3 or 4 years down che road. At NIH, I didn't have to "Signal transduction is a very complicated when I won the prize, onJy a desk in a lab." explain or justify co any great extent what I and fascinating field, one that we're just --On fraud in science: ''I think it's a minor was going to do." beginning co understand. Many clinical prob­ problem. Misconduct generally comes out in Which brings him to what he sees hamper­ lems, including AIDS, diabetes, mental and the wash eventually." ing young scientists today: "There is a cardiovascular disease, will be better under­ -On retirement: "Unless you have a bor­ tendency to do fashionable, safe research, to stood by knowing how cells can send and ing job, retirement is not a good thing. One not take chances. lf you take a chance and it interpret signals." of the ways one can stay young is to use your After years here, Axelrod has a variety of doesn't work, it would be extremely difficult 4 1 co obtain another grant. People tend to take opinions on the current stare of NIH, which on problems they know they can solve and do strikes him today as being "large, fragmented "There is nothing as exhilarating it just a little bit better than anyone else." and very specialized. It's hard to know who's as an experiment that turns out the In spite of this, biological science, he doing what, even in your own institute. Of admits, is growing ac a tremendous pace. course we're talking about a campus that is way you hoped it would. " "The important science is done by relatively more than 10 rimes larger chan it was when I few-maybe 10 or 20 percent--0f scientists,'' first came." Other observations: he said. "Many just plod along, improving --On the genome project: "I chink it's an mind. My job is a labor of love and l find sat­ important project, but I also think it's pretty isfaction doing it, even at chis age. I manage existing information. If one judges by litera­ ture citations, only 10 or 20 percent of the boring. 1 don't know how getting the co keep up with new advances. I retain some working scientists receive 80 to 90 percent of sequence of the genome will excite the very of what I read, but not everything. I feel very che citations." best scientists. One worry is that it would fortunate that NIH permits me to scay (he has Axelrod cakes particular delight in acting as cake money away from small science, where a lab, rwo job slots and a budget). I don't mentor co young scientists. "J always give most of the novel ide-as and advances come work as hard as I used to. I also have che free­ advice. It's a great pleasure to work with and from. But you can't discount rhe possibility dom co consult for biotechnology companies. I train young people," he says, eyes brighten­ that the genome project would help small don't have to justify every little thing I do." science." ing. "I've trained about 70 people, many of --On lab policies: "There are many styles of whom are very distinguished." -On ROl (investigator-initiated) grants: management in NIH labs. Some are very hier- Three NIH-Howard Hughes Medical Institute scholars are working or have worked in Axelrod"s lab on the third floor of Bldg. 'An Unexpected Ufe in Research' 36, where he maintains a study scout with journals. Two intramural research direccors­ Successful scientists are generally recognized read through several books a week- from Dr. Steven Paul at NIMH and Dr. Irvin ac a young age. They go co the best schools on Upron Sinclair, H. L. Mencken, and Tolstoy Kopin at NINDS--are his students. Ocher sc.holarships, receive their postdoctoral training to pulp novels such as the Frank Merriwell prominent academics, including Richard fellowships at prestigious laboratories, and and Nick Carter series. W unman at MIT and Solomon Snyder at publish early. None of chis happened to me. After graduaring from Seward Park High Johns Hopkins, are also Axelrod alumni. My parents emigrated at the beginning of School, I attended New York University in Axelrod's lab chief nowadays happens co be this century from Polish Galicia. They met the hope that it would give me a better a former trainee--Dr. Michael Brownstein, and married in America, where they seeded in chance to gee inco medical school. After a year whom Axelrod describes as "a sympathetic but the Lower East Side of New York, then a Jew­ my money ran out, and I transferred to the tough guy- he has high standards.·· ish ghetto. My father, Isadore, was a tuition-free City College of New York in Though he quit bench work about 10 years baskecmaker who sold flower baskets to mer­ 1930. City College was a proletarian Harvard, ago-"I don't think I'm good enough with chants and grocers. I was born in 1912 in a which subsequently graduated seven Nobel my hands to do it anymore"-Axelrod con­ tenement on Ease Houston Street in Laureates. I majored in biology and chemistry, tinues co lecture and co exchange ideas with Manhattan. but my best grades were in history, philoso­ colleagues in his field. He can be amusingly I attended PS22, a school built before che phy, and literature. Because I bad to work offhand about his cogitations with his friends: Civil War. Another student at that school afcer school, I did most of my studying during "We calk about problems, we talk about before my time was I.I. Rabi, who later the subway trip to and from uptown City Col­ ideas. Some work, some don't." became a world-renowned physicist. After lege. Studying in a crowded, noisy New York What continues co consume his still-curious PS22 I attended Seward Park High School. I subway gave me considerable powers of con­ incellecc, however, is the chemistry of the really wanted co go co Stuyvesant, a high centration. When I graduated from City brain. school for bright students, but my grades were College, I applied co several medical schools "My main interest is neurotransmitters, the not good enough. Seward Park High School but was nor accepted by any.- Julius Axelrod chemical signals of nerves. Neurotransmitters had many famous graduates, mostly enter­ carry a special message to nerves and other tainers: Zero Mostel, Walter Matthau, and From "An Unexpected Life in Reuarch, " which cells. My colleagues and I are trying co find Tony Curtis. My real education was obtained Axelrod wrote for pPblication in the Annual out how the neurotransmitter message is con­ at the Hamilton Fish Park Library, a block Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, veyed to the cell so chat it can be stimulated from my home. I was a voracious reader and 1988, 28:1-23. page 9 ~Record February 19, 1991

archical and some are almost anarchistic. I Designer Mice Could Aid Cancer Treatment would describe our lab as convivial. I like the style of freedom of interchange, and demo­ By Elaine Blume cratic decisionmaking. I think this freedom is the -~eason that American science has gone so Researchers have shown that a new line of che gene protects the bone marrow from the far. genetically engineered mice could help scien­ effects of cancer chemotherapy, permitting -On research careers: "The competition tists combat che resistance to chemotherapy normal numbers of white blood cells to be today is fierce but still worth the effort. There exhibited by many cancers. The work is manufactured even when the animals are are a lot of disappointments in research. Most reported in the Jan. 15 issue of Proceedings of treated with toxic drugs. of the time your ideas don't work che way you the National Academy of Sciences. In their current work, the researchers want chem to. But you forget about chat and Drs. Ira Pastan, Michael M. Gottesman and showed that che MDR mice maintained nor­ go on to the next thing. There is nothing as cheir coworkers at the National Cancer mal white blood cell levels in the presence of a exhilarating as an experiment that turns out lnscicute produced the unique mice in 1989. panel of anticancer drugs. Both major white the way you hoped it would." The cells of these animals carry che human cell types- neucrophils and lymphocytes­ Though he admits co having bloomed late, MDR gene, which confers resistance co a were protected. Axelrod clearly believes in blooming long. number of drugs used to treat cancer, includ­ Reversing agents overcame chis protection, "One can still do good work in che biological ing doxorubicin, vinblascine, and raxol. The allowing toxic drugs to arrack the bone mar­ sciences at an advanced age," he noted. transgenic mice are now being used to test row. Thus, the number of white cells in the His last observation, delivered with a self­ agents chat can reverse this resistance. animals' blood decreased when they were given deprecating chuckle, is about luck's role in a The MDR (mulridrug resistance) gene is a reversing agent along with an anticancer career that almost didn't happen: "I could expressed, or active, in many human cancer drug such as Adriamycin (doxorubicin). easily have become a pose office clerk." 0 cells, either from the outset, or after one or "When we challenge che mice with more rounds of chemotherapy. Expression of Adriarnycin alone, their white counts don't MDR often causes chemotherapy co fail, thus change," Pastan explained. "Bur when we contributing co many cancer deaths. challenge them with Adriamycin plus a revers­ Retirement Credit Available "The MDR gene produces a transporter pro­ ing agent such as veraparnil, their white tein chat pumps toxic drugs out of cells," counts fall rapidly, and it's very easy to see Pastan explained. "In tissue culture, certain the effect." Public Law 101-530, enacted on Nov. 6, ocher drugs, known as reversing agents, over­ A candidate reversing agent can be rested 1990, allows retirement service credit for come multidrug resisrance by competing with by exposing rhe MDR mice to the anticancer pre-1969 service as a National Guard techni­ toxic drugs for the MDR transporter. This drug plus the agent. A drop in che animals' cian even though the individual did nor have allows the toxic drugs to remain within and white blood cell counts indicates that the subsequent service as a National Guard techni­ destroy the cells." agent has reversing activity. cian after Dec. 31, 1968. This law applies co Development of a safe and effective revers­ "These mice offer a simple, reliable cesc sys­ employees covered under either the Civil Serv­ ing agent for use in humans would be a tem that requires no more than three to five ice Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal significant advance in cancer treatment. Such animals and can give a result within 3 days," Employees Retirement System (FERS). an agent could be given along with anticancer Pastan said. "What this represents is a rapid Employees (or survivors of such employees) drugs co patients with drug-resistant tumors. and inexpensive way of screening all kinds of who performed the service described above Some of the agents chat reverse drug resist­ drugs char pharmaceutical companies have on will receive retirement credit for such service ance in tissue culture could possibly fill chis the shelf and have already reseed in tissue cul­ if: they separate from (or die while employed role. Bue a reversing agent that works in ture. The MDR mice should help us develop in) a position in which chey were covered by tissue culture wi ll not necessarily work in ani­ new agents that can overcome drug resistance CSRS or FERS on or after Nov. 6, 1990; they mals. for example, it may be coo roxic, or it in tumors and extend many cancer patients' (or their survivors) make a deposit for such could be excreted too rapidly. lives." 0 service to the U.S. Office of Personnel Man­ Current methods of resting reversing agents agement before final adjudication of the in animals are cumbersome and unsatisfactory. employee's (or survivor's) claim for benefits. Healthy Volunteers Needed "A typical experiment may take 4 weeks, Employees who think they quali fy for this require a hundred mice--ofren special mice service credit should contact their servicing Healthy volunteers, male and female ages that are very expensive---and scill give equivo­ personnel office for derails. 0 30 through 65, are needed to participate in cal results ar best," Gottesman noted. studies of endocrine secretion. Volunteers In part for this reason, no new reversing must be on no medications, and may partici­ agent has yet been developed for clinical use. pate in one or several srudies. All volunteers At present, only drugs chat have already been will be compensated for their rime. If inter­ Study Subjects Needed approved by the FDA for ocher uses are being ested, call the Clinical Neuroendocrinology rested in humans. Unfortunately, most of Branch, NIMH, 480-0944. 0 The Clinical Neuroendocrinology Branch, these drugs have serious side effects chat limit NIMH, and the Developmental Endocrinology rhe dose that can be used. Branch, NICHD, are conducting an outpa­ "The real goal is to find something new USUHS Needs Volunteers tient study on depression in adolescents ages with minimal side effects," Pascan said. "Drug You and two friends can each earn $420 11 to 16. Biological and psychological charac­ companies need a rapid screening method in for participating in a study of commonly pre­ teristics of depression will be examined. The animals that will show whether candidate scribed drugs. The study requires 6 hours study does not involve drug treatment. Indi­ agents can overcome drug resistance." during the day, l day a week, for a total of 7 viduals will be paid for their time. For more The newly engineered mice carry the human weeks. Each member must be between 21 and information call 496-4319. 0 MDR gene in all their cells, but it is 50 years old, in good health, and not active­ expressed only in the bone marrow, which is duty military. Call 295-0972 for more the source of white blood cells. Expression of information. 0 page 10 February 19, 1991

BLDG.6B (Continued from Page JJ interested in getting the job done and doing it right," said Dr. John Bartholomew, NICHD veterinarian and facility vet for Bldg. 6B. While the 25,000-square-foot building is not the first animal facility on the NIH campus, it is the first to be built specifically as an animal facility; the others were converted from older, renovated buildings. After 2 years and an original construction cost of $7 mil­ lion, construction of 6B was completed this past December. What also makes 6B unique among animal facilities at NIH is that it's disease-free, mean­ ing that all animals are kept in special, high­ tech, protective cages to ensure that they remain free of any animal diseases. This enables scientists to do research without wor­ The newly comtructed Bldg. 6B, the fim disease-free animal facility on NIH's campus, recmtly opened it! rying about the possibility of animal diseases tUJors to occupants. The uniquely sterilized structure will house s11ch landlubbers as rabbits, mice, rats, obscuring their findings. "The caging system is very sophisticated," Bartholomew said. hamsters and guinea pigs as we// as such aquatic species as frogs, fish and sea urchins. "You don't just have animals on a shelf. Each shelf has doors that close and each cage has a The building's entire ground floor has been In addition co cracking invenrories, the micro-isolator top on it that filters air. So if designated for transgenic, or "custom-made," computer system maintains approved animal you wane co get co chose animals, you have co mice. Using this technique, scientists inject research protocols, which are required before open the door, pull the cage out and put it mouse embryos with foreign genetic using any animal in a research project. "When into a hood where it's getting fresh, clean air material- human for example--enabling them an animal research order comes in, we first and is nor exposed co any other animals." to accually create mice with functional human check co see if the investigator has a protocol In addition to the protective cages, animals genes or immune systems. Boch NICHD and and c~ac we have information about the pro­ receive sterile feed and wood chip bedding, NE! will have transgenic colonies in the tocol: which committee approved it and when, sanitized caging, and daily room sanitization. facility. as well as which species of animal and how Masks and protective clothing, similar to The animal facility meets all requirements many animals may be included," Bartholomew those worn in surgical suites, are required of seated by the American Association for the explained. people entering the animal rooms. Also, Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, Clearly unique among animal facilities at .researchers who have been in other animal which is a separate, nongovernmental body N IH, Bldg. 6B is also competitive with ani­ facilities wi ll be required co wait 48 hours established co evaluate compliance with reg­ mal facilities nationwide. Said Levine, 'Tm before entering 68. Showers are available in ulations. It also complies with NIH quite sure ic ranks among che best in che the building, however, for emergencies. regulations as stated in the Guide for the Care country." D The animal rooms are constantly monitored and Use of Laboratory Animals, and Public for environmental control, including tempera­ Health Service policy and the Animal Welfare ture (maintained at 72 degrees Fahrenheit), Act. Carey To Address Science Writers humidity, air changes per hour and lighting Entrance to Bldg. 68 is striccly monicored, cycles. Completely fresh air is circulated both for security reasons and co maintain the The NIH Science Writers' Guild meeting through the cages a minimum of 10 rimes per disease-free animal environment. A card key is on Feb. 21 will feature John A. Carey, who hour. If any problem arises, NIH maintenance required at all entrances to the building, covers the science beat in Washington for is immediately notified by alarm. which will be locked 24 hours a day. During BusinessWeek magazine. He will ralk about Bldg. 6B also has a unique area for studies business hours (7 a.m. -5 p.m.), one set of writing leads, focusing on how even the most chat require strict control over light cycles. doors will be accessible with a special code. technical topics can be lively and readable. This section of the facility is equipped with "We have a multi-level barrier," Bartholomew Before coming co BusinmWeek in 1989, full red lighc capabilities, which enable said. "People coming in are first stopped at Carey was associate managing edicor of The researchers co manipulate the animals' day/ the entrance. From there, each room has its Scientist. Prior co that, he held posts as senior night cycles, also known as circadian rhythms. own code. Then you have the individual ani­ editor for National/International Wildlife maga­ "We can change the light cycle to 2 hours a mal rack, then the shelf, and finally the cage zine, and health and science reporter for day, half an hour a day, or 20 hours a day, as with the cover on it and its own air supply." New1week magazine. well as the intensities," explained Rosemary Another special feature of 68 is a computer Carey holds two master's degrees, one in Riggs, manager of the animal facilitv. software system designed to maintain records forest science from the Yale University School The facilicy is designed co hold rabbics and of animal inventories and cage space. As part of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the rodents including mice, rats, hamsters and of this system, every animal cage in the facil­ ocher in marine biology from che University of guinea pigs. In addition, 6B has an aquatic ity is bar-coded. "This animal facility is North Wales. His undergraduate degree from species room that will house frogs and may leading the way in the NIH animal care pro­ Yale is in molecular biophysics and eventually have fish and sea urchins. "Ir's gram on developing and instituting biochemistry. designed co be a flexible, inulti-funccional, customized animal facility software," said Carey will speak from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. multi-species facility," Riggs said. Riggs. "k's like a hotel." in Bldg. 3 1, Conf. Rm. 9. 0 page 11 February 19, 1991

TRAINING TIPS TV Report Irks Credit Union Management, Customers A consumer affairs newscast on WRC-TV quite upset." The NIH Training Center of the Division that aired Feb. 6 suggesting that several area Despite the negative publicity, Alexander of Personnel Management offers the following: credit unions, including NIH's, were on shaky said there was no run on the bank at N IH. financial footing, has irked the NIH Federal "We've gotten a very positive response from Co,mes and ProgramJ Starting Dates Credit Union, which has taken issue with the our members," she said. "Most of chem are report. angry about it-some suggested caking legal Management and Superoisr>ry 496-6371 During a 4-part series on the health of the action. " Voice for Succ::tss 3/18 financial services industry, reporter Lea Alexander predicted chat the credit union Report Writing 3/26 Thompson of WRC singled out several local won't ultimately be hurt by the newscast, but Effective Communication (Phase I) 3/26 credit unions, including NIH's, as financially said she would lodge a complaint with WRC­ Pracrical Management Approaches 4/17 How To Write and Publish Scientific "troubled." TV. Papers 4/15 Thompson, according ro NIH credit union Alexander sent a letter explaining the credit CEO Lindsay Alexander, ba~ed her report on union's position co all members the day after Special Courses 496-6211 figures supplied by Veribanc, a private com­ che program aired. In it she reports that the Retirement Planning Seminar 3/1 1 pany that compiles ratings on financial union is in good health, having shown a posi­ Basic Employee Relations 3/ I I institutions. The figures Thompson used were tive net income every year since 1983, and an 7 months old when her report was broadcast adequate return on assets. Penonal Computing Training 496-6211 and no longer reflect the state of the union, The figure chat caused controversy in the W dcome to Mac 3/5, 3/18 charges Alexander. first place was an evaluation of the union's Introduction to WordPerfect (Mac) 3/6 "Thompson's information was nor totally capital assets, which are reported twice yearly. Advanced Microsoft Word 3/22 Intro co Filemaker II 3/29 accurate and not complete-it borders on irre­ Veribanc, the rating service, puts institutions Excel - Level I 3/1 1 sponsible journalism," said Alexander, who with a capital ratio of less than 3 percent on Excel - Level 2 3/2 I says she and her staff spent 2 days dousing the its red "danger" list. Back in June 1990, Ver­ Excel - Level 3 3/25 doubts raised by the news report. "Our finan­ ibanc rated NIH at 2.97 percent and ran up Foxbase - Level 2 (Mac) 3/13 the red flag. Alexander says her figures put Intro ro Pagemaker 3. 0 3/15 cial picture has improved dramatically in the HyperCard Programming-Level 2 3/12 last 7 months. A recent report card from our NIH at 3. 3 percent lase June; the current cap­ 3-Com PC Network-Level I 314 CPA firm and from our examiner (the ital ratio is 4 percent. 3-Com PC Network-Level 2 3119 National Credit Union Administration) gave "le takes several years co build a healthy 3-Com PC Network Management-Level 3127 us very high marks." capital ratio," Alexander explained, "and we lncroductioo to Personal Computing went from zero to 4. 0 in 4 years. Our regula­ for New Users 3/1 , 4/9 Alexander said the NIH credit union has Introduction ro PC Keyboarding 3/6 spent the last several years working to improve tors like the direction we're going in. We are Improving PC Keyboarding Skills 4/1 ics image with both members and prospective not considered troubled by any of our lntrodunion to OOS 3111, 3129 members, which made Thompson's newscast overseers. Introduction co WordPerfect S. 3113, 3125 al l the more vexing. "I will be very happy to talk to anyone who Word Perfecc 5. I - Advanced has a question about the health of the NIH Topics 3119, 4/16 "A lot of our members called to see where WordPerfect 5.0 to 5.1 Transition 3/5, 4129 Thompson got her information," reported Federal Credit Union," she added. Alexander Printing With WordPerfect and Alexander. "Since credit unions are owned by may be reached at (301) 881-2750.-Rich Laser Printers 412 their members, there is a very protective feel­ McManus 0 3/4, 5/1 Introduction to Harvard Graphics ing. Members take it more co heart, and were lntroduccion co d Base 3 + 3/12, 418 I mermed iate dBase 3 + 3/4, 5/14 dBase 3 + - Advanced Topics 3/26 DCRT Offers CHARMMing Computer Course on Mondays

Introduction ro Locus 1-2-3 1 To accommodate the increasing number of tional analysis, solvent dynamics, and time Release 2.2 3118, 4/15 NIH scientists working on molecular graphics series analysis. Lotus 1-2-3, Rel. 2.2 - Adv. Tops. 4/30 workstations, the Division of Computer The course is open to anyone interested in molecular simulation. Participants need not Personal Computer training is available through User Research and Technology offers training Resources Center (URC) sel( srudy courses. There is no opportunities relating to this new technology. have Silicon Graphics workstations to cake the cost ro NIH employees for these hands-on sessions. One course teaches participants about course or run the program; this general­ The URC hours are: CHARMM, a molecular design software purpose program, wriccen in FORTRAN, will Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. package. run on several different computer platforms. Friday 8:30 a.m. • 4:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a. m .• I p. m. CHARMM, which stands for Chemistry at Class instructors are Drs. Bernard Brooks HARvard, Molecular Mechanics, is a powerful and Martin Field, DCRT; Richard Venable Training Center, DCRT, and other training computer program that allows scientists ro vis­ and Dr. Richard Pastor, FDA; and Dr. David information is available on WYLBUR. Logon ualize simulations of macromolecules such as Scates, NLM. to WYLBUR and type ENTER TRAINING proteins and nucleic acids. The program The class meets on Monday afternoons from provides for che energy minimization and 2 co 5. Although 2 of the 1 3 sessions have Facial Pain Patients Needed dynamics of these molecules in vacuum, in already taken place, the instructors welcome The NIDR seeks patients with chronic fac­ solution and in crystals. anyone who would like co join the class. ial pain to participate in studies evaluating the The course, entitled "CHARMM: A Pro­ Explicit handouts complement the instruction causes of this disorder. Patients will receive a gram for Macromolecular Energy, and are very helpful for future reference in complete evaluation for possible inclusion in Minimization, and Dynamics Calculations," running the program. There will also be labo­ studies of chronic facial pain associated with provides a detailed explanation of che com­ ratory sessions for those who are interested. facial muscles, the cemj)(lromandibular joint, mands used co operate chis research For further information or to register for the and ocher forms. For more information call instrument. Topics ro be covered include class, call the Computer Center Training 496-8896. □ energy functions, crystal simulations, vibra- Unit, DCRT, 496-2339. 0 page 12 TheRecord Feb,ua,y 19, 1991

Kitchen U lensi I, !>r' Lab InstrumentJ

Joan Shih Carducci Wins Recognition tor Cooking, Science By Anne Barber

What do Joan Shih, cooking educator, and graduate school of civil engineering at the Joan Carducci, chemist, have in common? The University of Alabama in Huntsville. answer- they are one and the same. Joan 'Tm proud of my heritage," she says. "My Carducci, the chemise, works in the biophysi­ great grandfather was one of the early gover­ cal instrumentation section, Laboratory of nors of Taiwan during the Ching Dynasty. l Biophysical Chemistry, NHLBI. Joan Shih, come from a family of physicians- my father, the cooking educator, was recently listed in his four brothers, two of my brothers, plus a the 1991/ 1992 Who's Who in the World. sister who is a pharmacist." This is not the first time Shih (her maiden Chinese New Year was Feb. 15- che year of name) has received recognition for her cooking the lamb. According to Shih, a staple of the skills. She has also been listed in Who's Who holiday meal is a dish made of glutinous rice. of American Women, Who'J Who in the Eau, and Supposedly, the kitchen god (which every Chi­ Who's Who in America. nese kitchen has) visits Earth on New Year's How did a chemist by trade become Eve and partakes of the sticky rice. When he involved in Chinese cooking? "Chemistry does returns to Heaven, he will not be able to relay help," she says. "Food is chemistry. It helps any bad reports because his mouth will be rne in writing precise recipes, developing and smck shuc. "With just a big smile on his designing recipes that keep the authenticity of face," she says, "he gives the impression to Chinese recipes while also meeting the par­ the Heavenly God that the family is doing ticular health needs of different people." well, creating him nicely, and therefore, bless­ Shih came to the United Scates from Tai­ Joan Shih Carducci holds the Who's Who in the ings will be senc back to the family." wan to attend St. Mary College in Xavier, World award 1he recently received because of her If you can't get into one of Shih's cooking Kan., on a full scholarship. After receiving Chinese cooking skills. She works in NHLBI'J classes, don't lose heart. Her recipes are her B.S. in chemistry, she entered the pre­ Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry as a chemist. copyrighted in the Library of Congress. 0 medical program at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, N. Y., where she received a certifi­ cate in medical technology. She worked as a medical researcher for Strong Memorial Hospi­ tal at the University of Rochester before the Waihington Post several times. joining Strasenburgh Laboracories in Rochester Besides teaching, Shih also did catering. In as a pharmaceutical chemist in quality control. September 1980, she and her students catered Shih moved to the Washingcon, D.C., area for the Beijing Opera Company for 2 weeks because of her late husband's computer science during its performance at the Kennedy Center. work. It was bere that her second daughter In 1987, she came to work at NIH and was born and she decided to stop working closed the doors to her store. "But I couldn't full-time. Later, she would make a career in give up cooking entirely," she says. "I enjoy it Chinese cooking. so much." Once she decided co pursue her cooking So, she redesigned a portion of her home's interests, Shih went back to Taiwan, attended basement as a cooking lab and now holds a professional cooking school, and received a classes there weeknights and Saturdays. There certificate in Chinese cuisine. are seven different levels of Chinese cooking Upon her return, she began teaching cook­ offered in her classes, and even a teen class for ing for the adult education classes offered by ages 9 to 14. Montgomery County. She continued to do this "My classes are small, which is the way I from 1973 through 1979. In 1975, she prefer it," Shih says. "I have also added a Dr. AJ/en Spiegel, N[DDK acting scientific dire,c­ opened her own cooking school, called Chinese sushi class, upon request. I don't even adver­ tor, gave the 1990 ]acobaetiJ Lecture in 0110, Cookery Inc., on Rockville Pike. tise my classes anymore. It is by word of Norway, recently. The prestigiollS Scandinavian lec­ Along with writing her own cookbooks, mouth only." ture series is 1ponsored by Nordic lnsulinfo11d, a Chinese Cookery in 1981 and Hunan CuiJine in Shih's two daughters, who used to assist her private foundation in Gentofte, Denmark. Spiegel 1984, she performed cooking demonstrations in the cookery store, now have their own 1poke 011 the J/ructure and function of G proteim, at area functions as well as on television. She careers. Suzanne, the oldest, is an optometrist which act aJ intermediarieJ in cell signaling. Pait has been on Channel 9's Morning Break, Chan­ at the Eye Lab on Rockville Pike. Elizabeth is recipients of the Jacobaeus award inc/JUk NIH nel 20's Eye (J1l Wa1hington, Channel 4's Fred a recent electrical engineering graduate of the intramural researchers Dn. Marty Rodheil and Thomas in the Morning, and PBS' Fairfax Mag­ Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both ]we Roth of NlDDK a11d Dr. Abner Notkim of azine from Northern Virginia Community girls worked at NIH during the summers NIDR. College. while going to college. She has been written up in Newsweek Shih has lived in the United States longer (1975), Waihingtonian (1975, 1981), Travel and than she Jived in her native country, Taiwan. Leisure magazine as well as the Montgomery "All of my family are still in Taiwan with the County Journal, Montgomery County Sentinel and exception of one brother who is dean of the U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE l991- 281--825120010