Driven by Curiosity Under One Roof

WINTER 2012|2013

ISSUE 23 encounters

page 13 Deciphering life

page 9 Under one roof

page 3 Driven by curiosity

ANNIVERSARY EMBO to celebrate FEATURE How to help scientists FEATURE 120 past and present EMBO Fellows 50th anniversary in 2014. improve their management skills. attend meeting at Rockefeller University.

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www.embo.org EMBO 50th anniversary EMBO to celebrate 50th anniversary in 2014

2014 is the 50th anniversary of EMBO and a full programme of events and activities are planned throughout the year. The 50th anniversary is an opportunity to look back on achievements and reflect on progress. It is also a time to celebrate and take a glimpse into the future.

MBO, which was founded in 1964, will 2014 is also the 50th anniversary of FEBS, and of these projects is a collection of interviews with celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014. its French member society, the Société française 10 scientists who have witnessed and influenced EDiverse activities and events are planned to de biochimie et de biologie moléculaire (SFBBM), the history of molecular biology and EMBO. highlight the contributions that EMBO has made will be 100 years old. Instead of holding separate Science writer Georgina Ferry will conduct and to the life sciences over its 50 years of existence – annual conferences, FEBS, EMBO and SFBBM write up the interviews. She is the author of such from talks and meetings to interviews and publi- will celebrate together in 2014 by holding a joint- books as Max Perutz and the Secret of Life and cations. The intention is to promote the achieve- ly organized large conference that will take place The Common Thread: A story of science, politics, ments of EMBO to a wider community. at the Palais des Congrès in Paris from August ethics and the human genome. The interviews, 2014 is also an anniversary year for other 30th to September 4th. which will in part take a look at the early days of organizations in the life sciences. The European A special membership meeting and party will EMBO, will include contributions from scientists Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) will take place in October in Heidelberg for all EMBO such as Sydney Brenner, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza be 45 in 2014 and EMBL will be 40. A joint Members. As in previous years, newly elected and James Watson as well as the directors of EMBO | EMBC | EMBL Science Policy Meeting, EMBO members will be welcomed who, in 2014, EMBO. These personal accounts will be an oppor- which will be held on the 2nd and 3rd of July will also include members from the anniversary tunity to collate engaging information about the 2014 in Heidelberg, will highlight the contribu- list of scientists for underrepresented research formative years of molecular biology and also to tions that EMBO, the EMBC and EMBL have areas. anticipate some of the future directions of the life made to European science and take a look at the Anniversary events for the EMBO programmes sciences. growing role of EMBO in science policy in Europe. and other special projects are also planned. One Further information will be made available about the timing and full programme of anniversary events later in the year.

EMBO | EMBC | EMBL Science Policy Meeting 2–3 July 2014 EMBL Advanced Training Centre Heidelberg | Germany

The FEBS – EMBO Conference 2014 30 August – 4 September 2014 Palais des Congrès | Paris | France

Special EMBO Membership Meeting

©EMBL PhotoLab | M. Schupp October 2014 (dates to be confirmed) Heidelberg | Germany

10 papers that changed molecular biology

As part of its 50th anniversary activities in most influential. The proposal of “hidden 2014, EMBO is interested in producing a Medium Medium classics” is strongly encouraged. 15N 14N collection of commentaries on classic scien- The publications should cover the tific publications entitled 10 papers that time period from 1950 onwards, includ- E.coli E.coli E.coli changed molecular biology. ing the early years of EMBO (circa 1962 The idea is to define a collection of scien- DNA DNA to 1969). Provocative and contentious tific papers that have had an extraordinary suggestions are permitted but must be Semi- impact on the science of molecular biology conservative supported by a strong case for inclusion. and to invite members of the EMBO commu- If there is an EMBO connection, it should nity to write short commentaries on the replication be highlighted. wider impact of these papers. Generations 0 1 2 3 4 The experiment that demonstrated the semi-conservative replication of DNA is an Please send your suggestions for papers 14N example, often referred to as “the most beau- Centrifugation and possible commentary writers by e-mail to tiful experiment in biology”. However, the 15N publications need not to be the most known [email protected]

or most cited but they should be amongst the ©EMBO Graphic

Cédric Blanpain is a professor of stem cell and developmental biology at the Free University of Brussels. His original approach to science has earned him a series of awards and resulted in several high-profile papers in 2012. In EMBOencounters, he talks to Yvonne Kaul about his career and his work on stem cells and cancer.

Cédric Blanpain and colleagues in the laboratory ©Free of Brusssels University

Cédric, 2012 was a great year for you – you With more than 30 lab members, your team What is your personal style of work? published two Nature papers and a study in is relatively large. How do you manage all the To understand things, I need to see them. Cell, were elected a Member of EMBO, and different projects? Looking at something with my own eyes is key chosen as one of “Nature’s 10”, a group of They are all very good people that at least to me. I tend to be impatient and I do not like to “ten people who matter” selected by Nature partially self-manage themselves. We have regu- wait too long but this reflects my enthusiasm. I magazine editors. What factors contributed lar meetings and I form subgroups. There are often press for results and demand to know the to your success? always at least two or three people who work on outcome of an experiment as quickly as possible. In science, there is always some kind of the same project, help each other and share the momentum, when things reach maturity at the same goals. When travelling, I can be reached by When do you get the best ideas? same time. That was the case for me. Many of our email, skype and telephone. And I practice an projects were initiated many years ago. Nature for open-door policy. My lab members can always It is not in a rush or in a meeting, but when I example selected me to their list because of the come to discuss their ongoing projects or call me am alone, by myself. Often at night, I rethink my key study about lineage tracing in tumours. It any time, even at night or at the weekend. day and try to figure out what would be the next describes a new technique to look at cancer stem experiment. The best ideas come when I am in cells in their natural environment during tumour You have been an EMBO Young Investigator my car on the way home. growth. This approach opened up a whole new since 2009 and you were elected to the way of looking at cancer. Now other scientists membership this year. How has EMBO Did you have a key experience that set use the same technique to look at the resistance support affected your work? direction for your career? of cancer cells to drug therapy for example. It has been a great help. When you are a Young It was definitely my postdoctoral time at In 2012, by using the cell-tracking method, we Investigator it has very practical benefits. Almost the Rockefeller University in New York. The looked at the damage and the repair of skin and all scientists in the network know each other, Free University of Brussels, where I studied, is proved that there is a pool of stem cells that are form subgroups, and take part in sectoral meet- a rather small university. Coming to Rockefeller important for skin repair. This is important as it ings. It is extremely useful to be in touch with and seeing all the superstars that published one opens up new paths for drug development. the best researchers in Europe. EMBO member- paper after another, and all the smart postdoc- ship is great recognition for a scientist. I am toral researchers left a lasting impression. This Can you describe your ongoing projects? also member of the editorial advisory board of extremely stimulating environment reinforced my The EMBO Journal, which is publishing increas- My laboratory can be divided into two parts: taste for excellence. stem cell biology and cancer biology. In the first ingly more stem cell and cancer stem cell papers area of interest, we are trying to identify more recently. The organization is key in my career and precisely the stem cells that control the develop- I am proud to be part of it. What are the next milestones for your ment of the mammary tissue, prostate tissue and research? the skin epidermis. We want to understand better What is unique about your working style? Looking ahead, we want to identify the mech- the role of stem cells in cancer and how they can The use of clonal analysis and lineage tracing anisms that regulate cancer stem cells and to go wrong with oncogene expression. in different ways to obtain new information was develop a new approach to block the growth and For cancer stem cells, we are looking more really unique. When I started with lineage tracing proliferation of these cells, a strategy that would precisely at the mechanisms that regulate these to decipher the cellular origins of cancer, no-one be effective in treating cancer. For stem cells, I cells in different skin cancers. Can we block else was using this approach. Skin tissue was the would like to understand better what determines the renewal of skin cancer stem cells? Are they first organ we studied. We subsequently used this the balance between renewal and differentiation responsible for cancer relapse and can we devel- technique to look at breast and prostate cancer in during the normal life of a cell. We also want to op therapies that make cancer cells differentiate a completely novel way. Again, we were pioneers. see how these cells change the way they divide into non-dividing cells? But now many other people do similar studies. during tissue repair.

©2013 EMBO EMBOencounters | Winter 2012|2013 | [email protected] 3 EMBO YOUNG INVESTIGATORS & INSTALLATION GRANTEES 2012 EMBO Young Investigators EMBO Installation Grantees selected in 2012 selected in 2012

Claus Maria Azzalin Massimo Lopes Can Alkan Michał Komorowski Non-coding nuclear RNAs DNA replication stress Computational methods to Optimizing experimental protocols CH ETH Zurich CH University of Zurich analyze genetic variation with microfluidic devices TR Bilkent University, Ankara PL Institute of Fundamental Renata Basto Guillermina López-Bendito Moving from: Technological Research Centrosomes in development Cellular & molecular mechanisms US University of Washington, Seattle Polish Academy of Sciences, and disease of brain wiring Warsaw FR Institut Curie, Paris ES Institute of Neuroscience, CSIC, Deniz Atasoy Moving from: Andrew Carter San Juan de Alicante Neuronal activity and behaviour UK Imperial College London Structure and mechanism of TR Yeditepe University, Istanbul Ron Milo Tamer Önder dynein Moving from: Synthetic metabolic pathways for Histone methylation in UK MRC Laboratory of Molecular US HHMI Janelia Farm Research carbon fixation somatic cell reprogramming Biology, Cambridge Campus, Ashburn IL Weizmann Institute, Rehovot TR Koç University, Istanbul Moving from: Sonia Garel Sandra Fonseca Bruno Reversade US Children’s Hospital Boston Forebrain morphogenesis Regulatory mechanisms of the Genetics of identical twinning and wiring plant hormone jasmonic acid Kerem Pekkan SG Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), FR École Normale Supérieure, PT ITQB – Instituto de Tecnologia Biomechanics in embryonic A*STAR, Singapore Paris Quimica e Biológica, Oeiras, Lisbon cardiovascular development Moving from: TR Koç University, Istanbul George Garinis Thomas Richards ES Spanish National Centre for Moving from: DNA repair in development and Evolution of endosymbiosis Biotechnology (CNB), Madrid US Carnegie Mellon University, disease UK Natural History Museum Pittsburgh GR Institute of Molecular Biology and London Reto Gassmann Biotechnology (IMBB–FORTH), Erdal Toprak Dynein regulation Heraklion Rickard Sandberg Evolution of antibiotic resistance PT Institute for Molecular and Single-cell transcriptomics TR Sabanci University, Istanbul Ilona Grunwald-Kadow Cell Biology, Porto SE Karolinska Institutet, Moving from: Neural basis for olfaction in Moving from: Stockholm US Harvard Medical School, Boston insects US Ludwig Institute for DE Max Planck Institute of Melina Schuh Cancer Research, San Diego Lukáš Trantírek Neurobiology, Martinsried Meiosis in mammalian oocytes In vivo NMR of nucleic acid Jacob Hanna UK MRC Laboratory of Molecular Ivar Ilves structures CMG helicase complex in CZ Central European Institute of Epigenetic reprogramming Biology, Cambridge DNA damage response Technology, Masaryk University, IL Weizmann Institute, EE University of Tartu Brno Rehovot Evanthia Soutoglou Nuclear architecture in DNA repair Moving from: Moving from: Eva Hoffmann FR Institute of Genetics and Molecular US University of California, Berkeley NL Utrecht University Chromosome segregation and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), mechanisms in meiosis Illkirch Cedex UK University of Sussex, Brighton Alexander Stark Congratulations! Decoding regulatory sequences Jacqueline Jacobs AT The Research Institute of Forty-three EMBO Members and Chromosome end protection Molecular Pathology (IMP), three EMBO Young Investigators were awarded by telomeres Vienna NL Netherlands Cancer Institute, European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grants in 2012. Amsterdam Itai Yanai The list of the latest awardees is available at: Gregory Jefferis Evolution of developmental http://erc.europa.eu/press-releases gene pathways Olfactory perception in the fruit fly IL Technion-Israel Institute of UK MRC Laboratory of Molecular Technology, Haifa Biology, Cambridge Upcoming deadlines David Keays Raz Zarivach Molecular and cellular basis of Structure-function of magneto- Joint ERS | EMBO EMBO Plenary Lectures magnetoreception some associated proteins Long-Term Fellowships 1 March AT The Research Institute of Molecular IL Ben-Gurion University of 15 February Pathology (IMP), Vienna the Negev, Beer Sheva EMBO Young Investigators EMBO Long-Term Fellowships 1 April 15 February EMBO Installation Grants EMBO Courses & Workshops 15 April 1 March Editorial Next issue Managing Editor Barry Whyte EMBOencounters Editor Yvonne Kaul The next EMBOencounters issue – Summer 2013 – will be dispatched Print layout Uta Mackensen Web version Aditya Kusuma Jati in July 2013. Please send your suggestions, contributions and news, to E-newsletter Sandra Krahl, Katja Linssen [email protected] by 6 May 2013.

120 past and present EMBO Fellows came to the three-day meeting held Europe. Flames Bonilla from the Institute of in New York in November 2012. This biennial US meeting brings together Biomedicine in Valencia, Spain, gave a talk on Conserved regulatory logic of dopaminergic fellows in a friendly atmosphere to share experiences and establish new differentiation and also told the story about her collaborations and contacts. move from New York City to Valencia. Former EMBO Fellow Thomas Schwarz- round one third of the approximately 250 complemented by talks on scientific publications, Romond from The EMBO Journal gave a glimpse EMBO Long-Term Fellowships given every science policy and career opportunities. Donald behind the rationale of scientific publishing Ayear are awarded to European post-doctor- Dingwell, Secretary General of the European from the perspective of a not-for-profit science- al researchers going to a non-EMBC member state. Research Council (ERC) spoke about the funding funding organization. His talk focused on the The majority of those go to North America. The opportunities at the ERC. The ERC starting grants editorial processes developed at EMBO publica- high numbers show that the United States and aim to attract and retain the next generation of tions, recent innovations such as the Transparent Canada are still popular destinations for young, independent research leaders. Editorial Process and EMBO efforts to improve aspiring life scientists. To make them aware of the Former fellows who returned to Europe after the reliability and availability of original source- job opportunities back in Europe and to set up a pursuing a career in the US spoke about how they data. He also contrasted the business model of platform for communication and exchange, the benefitted from swapping continents. “It was highly selective titles with recent trends towards EMBO Fellowship programme organized a meet- good to hear the individual stories of young group mass publication or fully subsidized publications. ing at the Rockefeller University in November leaders and how they decided on their personal During a lively discussion Thomas answered 2012 – the fifth US Fellows’ meeting. 120 past and priorities when coming back to Europe,” said questions regarding editorial policies, author/ present fellows came to the event and enjoyed Sebastian Pechmann from Stanford University. referee confidentiality and the general impact of two full days of excellent presentations and social “I particularly liked Nuria Flames Bonilla’s and Open Access. events. Harald Janovjak’s talks,” commented Mehmet “The quality of scientific talks and posters Scientific presentations by EMBO Fellows on Somel, a postdoctoral researcher at the University was excellent and we received extremely posi- their ongoing research filled the major part of the of California in Berkeley. “Both speakers empha- tive feedback from the participants,” concluded meeting. Neurosciences, epigenetics, RNA biol- sized how important it is to create a prosocial Andrea Hutterer, fellowship programme manager ogy molecular medicine, plant biology, stem cell lab environment and to be most careful when and meeting organizer. “This forum is impor- biology, computational biology – the wide range choosing initial team members.” Janovjak from tant as it enables current and previous EMBO of topics showed that the fellowship programme the Institute of Science and Technology in Austria fellows to network and keep ties with European supports well-established but also emerging spoke about his transition from a postdoctoral research,” she added. fields. The fifteen-minute presentations were researcher in the US to assistant professor in ©Simon Kaja

Left to right: Silke Schumacher, Director of International Relations, EMBL Iain Mattaj, Director General of EMBL Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Advisor for the European Commission Maria Leptin, Director of EMBO Didier Schmitt, Scientific Advisor and Foresight Coordinator, European Commission ©EMBL Photolab | M. Schupp

nne Glover, Chief Scientific Advisor to EMBO Director Maria Leptin provided an The visit took place on 9 January and included AJosé Manuel Barroso, the President of the overview of EMBO programme areas and activi- a tour of the Advanced Training Center building European Commission, met with members of ties. Discussions ranged from how to advance on the EMBL campus. EMBL leadership and the EMBO management science policy in Europe to the steps needed to team on a recent visit to Heidelberg, Germany. make scientific data published in papers more Glover is the first scientific advisor to be appoint- transparent and useful to the scientific commu- ed in the office of the President of the European nity. The metrics needed for research assessment Commission. were also a topic of discussion. ©Academia Sinica EMBO, EMBC and the National Science Council of

Taiwan sign cooperation agreement

ew ways of global scientific interaction have Fellowships. Young Taiwanese group leaders at Taiwanese institutes and universities. Travel Nbeen created following a cooperation agree- will be eligible to benefit from the EMBO Young stipends will be available for Taiwanese scientists ment between EMBO, its inter-governmental Investigator Programme. to attend EMBO Courses & Workshops and The funding body, the European Molecular Biology Taiwanese scientists and EMBO will also EMBO Meeting. Conference (EMBC), and the National Science cooperate in the organization of EMBO Courses This is the first cooperation agreement of its Council of Taiwan (NSC). The agreement will & Workshops, which will help to spark collabo- kind between EMBO, EMBC and Taiwanese scien- allow Taiwanese scientists to participate in EMBO rations. Last year, Academia Sinica and EMBO tists, represented by NSC and Academia Sinica. training programmes and activities. It also means jointly organized the lecture course Logic of Together with the cooperation agreement with that EMBO Courses & Workshops can take place Regulatory Circuits in Life Sciences in Taipei City. Singapore signed in 2011, it further increases at Taiwanese research institutes. Conference organizers can apply for funding interactions between Asian and European life Under the terms of the agreement, scientists for plenary lectures given by EMBO Members scientists. can apply for EMBO Short-Term and Long-Term or lectures given by EMBO Young Investigators

Since 2004, EMBO Laboratory Management Courses have delivered benefits to almost a thousand young scientists. These increasingly popular courses are helping scientists to improve their management skills in a wide range of research situations.

typical lab situation: A group leader is Since most of the courses scheduled for 2013 are The course programme is expanding its scope demanding the results of an experiment to oversubscribed, additional courses may be added further: For the first time this year, EMBO is offer- A be presented at the next team meeting. Yet later this year. ing a course specifically tailored to the needs of the postdoctoral researcher needs another week EMBO is successfully filling a gap. Last female leaders in science. Participants will learn to prepare them – and leaves his boss perplexed. December, the organizers conducted a survey to identify and build the tools that will help them Is it better to stay rigorous and insist on seeing among postdoctoral researchers and group lead- to lead a research group in a traditionally male the results or rather to accept the delay and grant ers who attended the workshops between 2010 dominated environment. an extension? and 2012. The results were overwhelmingly Managing people, producing results, building positive. 95 percent of the nearly 200 surveyed Info a reputation – starting an independent research group leaders would recommend the course to group involves a lot of pressure for aspiring group their colleagues – or have done so already. 94 In 2013, EMBO offers five lab management leaders. Many of them feel ill-prepared and over- percent think that their performance as a group courses for group leaders and seven for whelmed by the challenges they face. Training leader has improved after the course. And 93 postdoctoral researchers all of which are tailored to their particular needs is scarce. percent say that the course met or exceeded their currently fully subscribed. To see the exact This is where EMBO Laboratory Management expectations. schedule go to: Courses come in. Over the last nine years, nearly EMBO is the only organization worldwide to www.embo.org/programmes/courses- a thousand young group leaders and postdoctoral offer regular laboratory management courses to workshops/lab-management-courses.html researchers completed the workshops developed hundreds of scientists annually. The successful by EMBO. They have been taught how to build format has been adopted by other institutes in and manage a team, how to communicate with Europe and beyond. The Gulbenkian Institute of their team members in a constructive manner Science in Portugal and the Weizmann Institute and support them to become independent scien- of Science in Israel, among others, have hired the tists, how to manage their time and stress levels, EMBO trainers to teach similar courses on site. hire people and build and maintain collabora- Many institute and department heads strongly tions. “Such training is not widely embedded in recommend taking management training to their university study or in postdoctoral programmes, newly recruited group leaders. Also senior scien- the courses have therefore an important role in tists from the United States appreciate the high the career development of scientists,” says Anne- standards: “The EMBO Laboratory Management Marie Glynn, programme manager. The length Courses provide an invaluable opportunity of the courses and the scope of topics have for young scientists to learn the skills that are developed since its inception in 2004. Initially necessary for running an independent labora- conceived for EMBO Young Investigators, they tory,” comments Ron Vale, Howard Hughes are now offered to group leaders and postdoc- Medical Institute Investigator at the University of toral researchers too. Most of the participants California in San Francisco and EMBO Associate are from European countries, but some travel Member. from destinations in South America, Asia, Africa and Australia. The interest is growing each year: Recurring topics. When asked about what they perceive as the biggest challenges as group lead- “(the courses) are relevant for ers, most of the surveyed scientists mention three recurring topics: motivating group members, anyone who will have leadership time management and dealing with personnel “Allowed me to better analyze and or management responsibilities” issues within the group. Hilde Janssens, herself an active scientist at the Centre for Genomic understand myself as a leader and Regulation in Barcelona and one of the course a manager…” trainers, confirms the tendency. “Better people management and social skills combined with some business knowledge increase the chances for a successful career; whereas twenty years ago a good scientific idea seemed to be enough.” For her, creating a stimulating atmosphere is key for the success of a research lab.

“Topic selection was excellent. I especially liked how the presenters tailored the topics based on participant feedback.” © Private ©EMBO

research director of the European Respiratory basic research,” says Andrea Hutterer, fellow- New fellowship Society (ERS), the leading European society of ships manager at EMBO. “Partnership with nearly 10 000 physicians and clinical scientists a large medical society like the ERS will not opportunities working in the field of respiratory diseases. To only enhance exchange between clinicians and tackle this problem, the ERS approached EMBO researchers, but also raise our visibility within EMBO and the European Respiratory last year with the idea of establishing joint fellow- the clinical community.” ships that would be financed and managed by Society (ERS), offer joint fellowships both organizations. “EMBO is a natural partner Two long-term fellowships for up to one year for clinicians. for us as it offers a highly differentiated fellow- and four short-term fellowships for one to three ship programme for basic researchers,” says Bals. months will be offered each year. Programme inancial resources for young clinicians who As a result, EMBO and ERS launched a joint details can be found at: Fwant to try their hands at basic research have fellowship programme designed for clinicians www.embo.org/programmes/fellowships/ been drastically reduced over the last few years, who work in the field of respiratory medicine last ers-embo-fellowships.html mainly due to the economic crisis that also affect- December. The goal of this initiative is to encour- ed the national health systems. “The number of age collaboration and to bring more clinicians European physicians spending time at the bench into basic science – at least for a few months. “It has continually decreased,” says Robert Bals, is in the interest of EMBO to attract clinicians to

info box | a career as clinical scientist

With translational research gaining degree in medicine, Hartl received spent at Yale reinforced his desire momentum, the need for clini- a fellowship from the German to be an independent researcher. cal scientists who are trained in Research Foundation and spent Nowadays, however, the extra time basic research and medicine is two years at Yale University in the required for well-designed research increasing. “Physicians and basic United States, where he gained projects that encompass clinical researchers who often work side experience in state-of-the-art education is often a matter of tedi- by side in translational research techniques in pulmonology and ous negotiations and requires a lot centers do not necessarily speak immunology. Back in Germany, he of motivation. “Yet this is the way the same language,” says Dominik started his own research group and to go,” he is convinced. “Physician Hartl, professor and head of a was appointed research professor scientists are indispensable for research group at the University at the University of Tübingen. The translational research projects.” of Tübingen. After obtaining a 35-year-old says that the time he Dominik Hartl ©University of Tübingen

Cancer focus group

EMBO Young Investigators met recently for a sectoral meeting in areas. They also unite scientists who work on different model systems and employ a wide range Heidelberg. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss some of the latest of techniques. developments in cancer research. The latest meeting was held in November 2012 and organized by Eric So, professor and chair of he EMBO Young Investigator Programme in systems biology, genomic instability, cancer Leukaemia Biology at King’s College in London. Tfunds a number of specialized meetings every and other topics. The informal sectoral meetings Thirteen group leaders from all over Europe came year. Members of the network form focus groups bring together scientists who work in the same to Heidelberg to present their latest results in and get together to discuss their ongoing research fields but who are investigating different research areas such as new therapeutics to target leukae- mias, signalling aspects in cancer development and global approaches to examine the inflam- masome in the control of cellular senescence. The EMBO Journal editors Bernd Pulverer and Thomas Schwarz-Romond, who also attended the meeting, answered questions about general editorial policies and the possibility to submit papers or specific reviews. “The meeting benefited from the useful input of The EMBO Journal editors and has triggered many fruitful collaborations among the participants,” commented Eric So. The results presented by François Fuks from the Free University of Brussels were subsequently published in The EMBO Journal at the end of January. (doi: 10.1038/emboj.2012.357)

©Private Evening dinner after cancer sectoral meeting

Charité clinic (left) and the Laboratory for Medical Research at MDC (top right)

Walter Rosenthal, © MDC | P hoto: David Ausserhofer

©Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Scientific Director of MDC

Under one roof The MDC, which celebrated its 20th anniver- Finances and future investments. Bringing both sary last year, has achieved a reputation as one of partners together also has financial advantages. Europe’s leading centers for biomedical research. The German constitution does not allow univer- The newly founded Several EMBO Members have joined the insti- sities to receive institutional funding from the Berlin Institute of Health tute in its relatively short history and established national government and institutional support is poised to be one of the leading research groups there (see also EMBOencounters has to come from the states. Charité, a university Winter issue 2010/2011). The spirit of collabora- clinic, can therefore benefit from national fund- institutes for health research tion with Charité goes back a long way. From the ing via the merger with MDC, which belongs to in Europe. beginning, scientists from both institutions have the Helmholtz Association of National Research worked hand in hand on projects related to cardi- Centres and can receive support from the nation- ovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer, as well al government. as on diseases of the nervous system. Since 2007 The focus will be on quality for research t is a marriage of giants: Charité, Germany’s much of this work has been carried out as part projects and employed staff. Researchers in largest university clinic, and the Max Delbrück of the jointly funded Experimental and Clinical both institutes will be entitled to apply for the ICenter for Molecular Medicine (MDC), one of Research Center. additional funding in competition with external the biggest life science institutes in Berlin, will BIH is expected to take on a pioneering role in candidates – provided they conduct research on combine their research under one roof. The Europe bringing translational and basic research systems medicine. Every five years, all group new structure will operate under the name together. But what does systems medicine look leaders will have to give an account of their Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and will focus like in practice? “The starting point for studying research and justify funding for another round of on systems medicine – a holistic and interdisci- complex diseases will be at the level of molecu- five years – similar to the approach of the Howard plinary approach that investigates the molecular lar systems and clinical observation or diagnosis Hughes Medical Institute in the United States. mechanisms of disease. The new institute will of diseases and conditions such as heart failure, Significant resources will be invested in receive significant funding of up to 300 million cancer or multiple sclerosis,” explains Walter diverse -omics technologies, such as proteomics, euros between 2013 and 2018 and 80 million Rosenthal, Scientific Director of the MDC. “The genomics, and metabolomics. Large-scale auto- euros per year afterwards from the German goal is to identify molecular signatures that are mated biobanking is still needed. There is also a government. common to many different diseases. Systems need for a bioinformatics platform, clinical infor- “We have brought together the research of medicine rejects the idea of one disease – one matics, and a clinical research unit where in- and two institutions with complementary expertise,” mechanism and instead centers on the more outpatients are treated. “Substantial investments comments Walter Rosenthal, Scientific Director complex notions of one disease – several mecha- in buildings, space for infrastructure, and people of the MDC. The MDC has always worked to nisms and one mechanism-several diseases.” By also have to be made,” says Rosenthal. Asked link basic research and clinical applications; and looking at molecular signatures, for example five for a similar example on the international stage Charité is a strong clinical partner with access or ten parameters and not just one, the scientists he mentions the renowned Broad Institute of to its own research department and the clini- hope to reduce failures in the treatment of cancer Harvard and MIT in Boston, United States. Berlin cal data of three thousand patients. “It makes a and other diseases and to minimize potential side definitely has the capacity to be another first- lot of sense to have this joint institutional roof,” effects in patients. class player in the international league. explains Rosenthal.

Practical Courses Workshops Conferences ESF | EMBO Symposia Metabolomics bioinformatics for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Macrophages Protein transport systems: Bacterial networks (BacNet13) life scientists in inflammation and immunity From structure to function of PL-Pułtusk, 16–21 March UK-Hinxton, 25 February–1 March FR-Marseille, 17–19 January translocation machines HR-Dubrovnik, 13–17 April Molecular bioenergetics of High-throughput RNAi and data Cycling to death cyanobacteria: analysis AT-Obergurgl, 23–27 January Eukaryotic RNA turnover: Shaping the environment DE-Heidelberg, 3–8 March From structural insights to diseases PL-Pułtusk, 15–20 April The Planctomycetes-Verruco- FR-Strasbourg, 21–24 April Postgenomic phylogenetics microbia-Chlamydiae superphylum: Molecular perspectives on IT-Erice, 10–17 March Exceptions to the bacterial Spatial 2013: From spatial signalling protein – protein interactions definition? to sensing spatiality PL-Pułtusk, 25–30 May Imaging infection and immunity DE-Heidelberg, 28 February – 2 March IL-Dead Sea, 24–28 April ZA-Pretoria, 20–30 March B cells: From bedside to bench and Physical biology of cancer Autophagy: Molecular mechanism, back again Advanced optical microscopy IT-Candiolo, 7–10 March physiology and pathology PL-Pułtusk, 2–7 September UK-Plymouth, 3–13 April NO-Hurtigruten, 5–9 May Glycoproteins: Integrated insect immunology: Analysis of small non-coding RNAs: From structure to disease Chromatin and epigenetics From basic biology to environmental From discovery to function ES-Palma de Mallorca, 24–26 April DE-Heidelberg, 8–12 May applications DE-Heidelberg, 6–12 April PL-Pułtusk, 23–28 September Membrane shaping and remodelling Allosteric interactions in cell Phosphoproteomics by proteins signalling and regulation DK-Odense, 14–19 April CN-Xi’an, 16–19 May FR-Paris, 14–17 May EMBO | FEBS Metagenomics: Liver and pancreas development, The biology of molecular chaperones: Lecture Courses From the bench to data analysis function and disease From molecules, organelles and cells DE-Heidelberg, 14–20 April Biomembranes: Molecular GR-Sounion, 26–30 May to misfolding diseases architecture, dynamics and function Computational structural biology: IT-Santa Margherita di Pula, FR-Cargèse, 10–20 June Oocyte maturation and fertilization: 17–22 May From data to structure to function Lessons from canonical and emerging DE-Hamburg, 15–19 April Host – microbe interactions models Fission yeast: Pombe 2013 GR-Spetses, 30 August–7 September Small angle neutron and X-ray FR-Banyuls-sur-mer, 12–15 June UK-London, 24–29 June Protein interactions, assemblies and scattering from proteins in solution RUNX transcription factors in Europhosphatase 2013: Protein FR-Grenoble, 6–10 May human disease development and disease phosphatases in health and disease GR-Spetses, 16–26 September Super-resolution and single molecule DE-Wilsede, 16–19 June IL-Rehovot, 7–12 July microscopies in living cells Chromosome segregation and Molecular and population biology FR-Montpellier, 13–19 May aneuploidy of mosquitoes and other disease EMBO | EMBL Symposia High-throughput protein production NL-Breukelen, 22–26 June vectors: From basic vector biology to New model systems for linking and crystallization disease control evolution and ecology Integrating omic approaches to GR-Kolymbari, 15–19 July UK-Harwell, 15–23 May host – pathogen interactions DE-Heidelberg, 1–4 May Exploiting anomalous scattering UK-Liverpool, 25–27 June Helicases and nucleic acid Cardiac biology: From development in macromolecular structure translocases: to regenerative medicine The molecular life of diatoms Structure, mechanism, function determination FR-Paris, 25–28 June DE-Heidelberg, 7–10 June FR-Grenoble, 10–14 June UK-Cambridge, 4–8 August Seeing is believing: Morphogen gradients Protein synthesis and translational Electron microscopy and stereology UK-Oxford, 26–29 June Imaging the processes of life in cell biology control DE-Heidelberg, 3–6 October DE-Heidelberg, 16–26 June AIDS-related mycoses DE-Heidelberg, 8–12 September ZA-Cape Town, 3–5 July The non-coding genome Single-cell gene expression analysis Aquatic microbial ecology: SAME13 DE-Heidelberg, 9–12 October DE-Heidelberg, 29 June–5 July Plant viruses: Green viruses, from IT-Stresa, 8–13 September New approaches and concepts in gene to landscape Meiosis Developmental neurobiology: FR-Hyères, 7–11 September microbiology From worms to mammals DE-Radebeul, 14–19 September DE-Heidelberg, 14–16 October UK-London, 30 June–13 July Drosophila cell division cycle Membrane dynamics in endocytosis: UK-Totnes, 12–16 September Marine animal models in evo-devo Systems dynamics in the endocytic Other EMBO events SE-Fiskebäckskil, 1–12 July Molecular mechanisms of muscle pathway growth and wasting in health and CH-Villars-sur-Ollon, Lab Management Courses Intravital microscopy, flow cytometry disease 29 September–4 October 2013 DE-Leimen, Various dates and cell sorting CH-Ascona, 15–20 September DE-Berlin, 7–13 July Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins: The EMBO Meeting 2013 AAA+ proteins: From mechanisms and From structure to function NL-Amsterdam, 21–24 September Multi-level modelling of disease to targets IT-Lucca, 1–5 October EMBO Members Meeting morphogenesis DE-Neuss, 16–19 September UK-Norwich, 14–26 July Nuclear structure and dynamics DE-Heidelberg, 23–25 October RNA 3’ ends: Mechanism and FR-L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, 2–6 October 14th EMBO | EMBL Structure, dynamics and function of biological function in eukaryotic The DNA damage response in cell Science and Society Conference biomacromolecules by solution NMR genomes physiology and disease Public and private health: CH-Basel, 20–27 July UK-Oxford, 25–29 September GR-Athens, 7–11 October Genomics, medicine and society Two-photon imaging of brain circuit DE-Heidelberg, 7–8 November Mitochondria, apoptosis and cancer Comparative genomics of eukaryotic function 2013 (MAC-2013) CH-Zurich, 1–7 September microorganisms: Complexity patterns SE-Stockholm, 10–12 October in eukaryotic genomes Image processing for cryo-electron Semaphorin function and mechanism ES-Sant Feliu de Guixols, 19–24 October microscopy of action For further information, please go to UK-London, 3–13 September FR-Cernay-la-Ville, 29–31 October EMBO Courses & Workshops Imaging of neural development in Cell – cell fusion www.embo.org/programmes/ zebrafish IL-Kibbutz Ein Gedi, 3–7 November courses-workshops/ DE-Karlsruhe, 8–15 September Funding for Complex systems in immunology plenary lectures Current methods in cell biology SG-Singapore, 2–4 December DE-Heidelberg, EMBO supports plenary lectures Organizers 26 September – 4 October given by EMBO Members at major Apply now for For an up-to-date list of international scientific meetings 2014 funding EMBO events please go to EMBO Plenary Lectures deadlines Bi-annual deadlines and more! 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, events.embo.org 1 December 1 March, 1 August

THE EMBO EMBO EMBO JOURNAL Molecular Medicine Molecular Medicine

research article research article research article research article

Brain neurons and diet Engineered bacteria can make Cancer stem cells isolated from Scientists discover new influence onset of obesity the ultimate sacrifice kidney tumours diagnostic markers for and diabetes in mice Kawasaki disease Scientists have engineered bacteria Scientists have isolated cancer stem The absence of a specific type that are capable of sacrificing them- cells that lead to the growth of Researchers have discovered of neuron in the brain can lead selves for the good of the bacterial Wilms’ tumours, a type of cancer proteins in human urine that offer to obesity and diabetes in mice. population. These altruistically typically found in the kidneys of new opportunities for the diagnosis, However, the outcome depends on inclined bacteria can be used to young children. The researchers study and maybe even the treat- the type of diet that the animals demonstrate the conditions where have used these cancer stem cells ment of Kawasaki disease. Mass are fed. A lack of AgRP-neurons, programmed cell death becomes a to test a new therapeutic approach spectrometry-based proteomic anal- brain cells known to be involved distinct advantage for the survival that one day might be used to treat ysis of the human urine proteome, in the control of food intake, leads of the bacterial population. some of the more aggressive types the entire set of proteins found in to obesity if mice are fed a regular of this disease. human urine, uncovered molecu- carbohydrate diet. Animals that lar markers that offer significant are deficient in AgRP-neurons but improvements for the diagnosis of which are raised on a high-fat diet the disease. are leaner and healthier. The differ- ences are due to the influence of Public the AgRP-neurons on the way other good tissues in the body break down and store nutrients. “Susceptibility to obesity and other metabolic diseases is mostly Stress thought to be due to complex “In earlier studies, cancer stem cells genetic interactions and the radical Overall were isolated from adult cancers of benefit the breast, pancreas and brain but so far much less is known about “There is no diagnostic test for “We have used a synthetic biology stem cells in paediatric cancers,” Kawasaki disease. Currently avail- approach to explicitly measure remarked Professor Benjamin able diagnostic markers lack the and test the adaptive advantage Dekel, head of the Pediatric Stem specificity and sensitivity needed of programmed bacterial cell Cell Research Institute and a senior for reliable detection of the disease death in Escherichia coli,” said physician at the Sheba Medical which has motivated our deci- Lingchong You, senior author of the Center and the Sackler School of sion to use proteomics to identify study and an associate professor Medicine at Tel Aviv University, new, improved biomarkers,” said at the Department of Biomedical Israel. “Cancer stem cells contain Susan Kim, a rheumatologist at Engineering, Duke University, and the complete genetic machinery Boston Children’s Hospital and the Duke Institute for Genome necessary to start, sustain and an instructor at Harvard Medical environmental changes that have Sciences & Policy. “The system propagate tumour growth and they School. “Kawasaki disease is often occurred during the last century. is tunable which means that are often referred to as cancer-initi- difficult to diagnose and is the most However, it is not just a question the extent of altruistic death in ating cells. As such, they not only prevalent cause of acquired child- of what you eat and your genetic the bacterial population can be represent a useful system to study hood heart disease in the developed makeup but also how the body increased. We are therefore able to cancer development but they also world. Failure to detect it can lead manages to convert, store and use control the extent of programmed serve as a way to study new drug to coronary artery aneurysms and food nutrients,” commented Serge cell death as well as test the bene- targets and potential treatments in some cases death, particularly Luquet, lead author of the study fits of altruistic death under differ- designed to stop the growth and in children who are not diagnosed and a researcher at the French ent conditions.” The lead author of spread of different types of cancer.” early enough.” Centre National de la Recherche the study is Yu Tanouchi, a gradu- Prospective isolation and characteriza- Urine proteomics for discovery of Scientifique (CNRS) Unit of ate student in the Department of tion of renal cancer stem cells from improved diagnostic markers of Functional and Adaptive Biology, Biomedical Engineering. Anand Pai human Wilms’ tumor xenografts provides Kawasaki disease new therapeutic targets Alex Kentsis, Andrew Shulman, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne and Nicolas Buchler also contrib- Naomi Pode-Shakked, Rachel Shukrun, Saima Ahmed, Eileen Brennan, Paris Cité. uted to the work. Michal Mark-Danieli, Peter Tsvetkov, Michael C. Monuteaux, Young-Ho Lee, Sarit Bahar, Sara Pri-Chen, Susan Lipsett, Joao A. Paulo, Hypothalamic AgRP-neurons control Programming stress-induced altruistic Ronald S. Goldstein, Eithan Rom-Gross, Fatma Dedeoglu, Robert Fuhlbrigge, peripheral substrate utilization and nutri- death in engineered bacteria Yoram Mor, Edward Fridman, Karen Meir, Richard Bachur, Gary Bradwin, ent partitioning Yu Tanouchi, Anand Pai, Nicolas E Buchler, Marcus Magister, Naftali Kaminski, Moshe Arditi, Robert P. Sundel, Aurélie Joly-Amado, Raphaël GP Denis, Lingchong You Amos Simon, Victor S. Goldmacher, Jane W. Newburger, Hanno Steen, Julien Castel, Amélie Lacombe, Molecular Systems Biology Orit Harari-Steinberg, Benjamin Dekel Susan Kim Céline Cansell, Claude Rouch, Nadim EMBO Molecular Medicine EMBO Molecular Medicine Kassis, Julien Dairou, Patrice D Cani, Read the paper: Renée Ventura-Clapier, Alexandre Prola, doi: 10.1038/msb.2012.50 Read the paper: Read the paper: Melissa Flamment, Fabienne Foufelle, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ Christophe Magnan, Serge Luquet emmm.201201516/full emmm.201201494/abstract The EMBO Journal doi: 10.1002/emmm.201201516 doi: 10.1002/emmm.201201494

Read the paper: doi: emboj.2012.250

The double helix

Published to mark the 50th anniversary of the Nobel Prize for Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA 60 years ago, an annotated and illustrated edition of this classic book gives new insights into the personal relationships between James Watson, Frances Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin, and the making of a scientific

boo k review revolution.

n his 1968 memoir, The Double Helix, the Gann and Witkowski have mined many sourc- documents and photographs – many never before brash young scientist James Watson chroni- es, including a trove of newly discovered corre- published. This wealth of material contributes Icled the drama of the race to identify the spondence belonging to Francis Crick (mislaid depth and color to Watson’s novelistic text and structure of DNA, a discovery that would usher in some fifty years ago) and the archives of Maurice places events in their contemporary scientific and the era of modern molecular biology. Alexander Wilkins, Linus Pauling, Rosalind Franklin, and social context. Gann and Jan Witkowski have built upon this Watson and Crick themselves. Also in this edition The Library of Congress recognized The gripping narrative, juxtaposing Watson’s racy are Watson’s own account of the Nobel Prize Double Helix as “A Book That Shaped America.” account with the observations of other protago- award and celebrations, appendixes that include This new edition adds depth and richness to one nists and offering an enhanced perspective on an account of the book’s controversial first publi- of the most famous stories in science. the now legendary story of Watson and Crick’s cation, and a chapter dropped from the original discovery. edition, as well as an extraordinary assortment of

Mammalian epigenetics in biology and medicine

The Royal Society has recently published a special theme issue on mammalian epigenetics, compiled and edited by Fumitoshi Ishino, Yoichi Shinkai and Emma Whitelaw. The publication reviews the epigenetics of mammalian development, the molecular mechanisms of DNA methylation in the mammalian life

T H EME ISSUE cycle, and epigenetics in reprogramming technologies, human health and medicine.

pigenetics is the study of gene expression well-characterized epigenetic phenomena, such such as primordial germ cells, embryonic stem changes that occur without alteration of as genomic imprinting, X-inactivation and epige- cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, is also Ethe primary DNA sequence but which netic variation. It also provides a review of the examined. The special issue also provides new are relatively stable over a lifetime. This area of underlying molecular mechanisms of epige- insights into mammalian development and regen- research is crucial to understand the relation- netics, such as DNA methylation and histone erative medicine. ship between the genotype and the phenotype of modification. The print issue of Mammalian epigenetics in living organisms. Recent progress on gene expression control in biology and medicine can be ordered online at This special issue on epigenetics examines the animals produced by somatic cloning and other http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/site/2013/ progress that has been made in understanding reproductive technologies and in pluripotent cells, mammalian_epigenetics.xhtml

Fascinated by plants he Second International Fascination of importance of plant science for agriculture, in Plants day will take place on 18 May sustainably producing food, as well as for horti- T2013. The event, which builds on the culture, forestry, and all of the non-food products success of the inaugural activities in 2012 (see such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy, and also EMBOencounters Winter issue 2011/2012), pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environ- serves to get as many people as possible around mental conservation is also emphasized. Further the world fascinated by plants. The activities details about the 2013 event are available at are designed to inform individuals about the www.plantday12.eu

Longitudinal section of a fern crozier, Asplenium elliottii, by Olivier Leroux National University of Ireland, Galway ©Olivier Leroux

BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies at a glance: Deciphering life at the BIOSS Centre ➔➔ Founded: 2007 for Biological Signalling Studies ➔➔ Total number of researchers: 39 members and 64 associate members The German Research Foundation recently awarded an additional five years ➔➔ Research groups: 43 of funding to the BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies ➔➔ Scientific publications 2012: 190 ➔➔ Total expenditure 2012: 4.2 million Euros at the University of Freiburg, Germany. Researchers at the centre develop of competitive funding from the German strategies and tools to decipher the signals involved in the regulation of Research Foundation the molecular processes of life that occur in and between cells. Many of ➔➔ Competitive funding: 28.1 million Euros these events have potential medical applications, for example finding ways from the German Research Foundation for the period November 2012 to to control the molecular signals that occur during the development and October 2017 growth of cancer tumour cells. ➔➔ www.bioss.uni-freiburg.de he timing of the award from the German ERC advanced grant award. The Scientific Director Research Foundation coincided with the of BIOSS also has another reason for celebra- Tofficial opening of a new research building tion. In November 2012, Reth and his team were for the centre. “We will use the funding to support awarded a five-year 2.24 million Euros advanced existing and new research programs, establish grant from the European Research Council (ERC) new professorships and junior research groups to investigate biological membranes at the at the University of Freiburg, and fully equip our nanometer scale. Reth and colleagues are study- new research building, the Signalhaus Freiburg,” ing the structure and function of receptors on the said the Scientific Director of BIOSS, professor surface of immune cells. They will use the fund- and immunologist Michael Reth. Strategically, no ing from the ERC to continue developing the first fundamental changes to the structure or research ever methods for studying the organization of goals of the Freiburg Cluster of Excellence BIOSS receptors on membranes on a scale in the range are planned with the new funding. The centre between 10 nm and 100 nm. will instead build on previous achievements and In addition to being Scientific Director of complement them with new approaches. “The BIOSS, Reth is professor of molecular immunol- decision to further fund BIOSS shows that we ogy at the Institute of Biology III at the University have done a lot of things right in the past years,” of Freiburg and head of a research group at the added Reth. Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Two new areas of research will include stud- Epigenetics in Freiburg. ies of the signals in tumour development and a “In the years ahead, BIOSS will continue to project to look at the nanobiology of the plasma develop its research programmes and further membrane. Both areas will extend the existing establish itself as a centre for excellence in biolog- research programmes at the cluster and integrate ical signalling research,” concluded Reth.

©BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies Michael Reth synthetic biology and engineering into a single research endeavour.

©2013 EMBO EMBOencounters | Winter 2012|2013 | [email protected] 13 news from the embo community EMBO Poster Prize winner New prize for cancer research Congratulations to the following winner: The Beug Foundation for Metastasis Research is accepting

Adejumo Olamide Hakeem applications for the Metastasis Prize. Scientists are still trying to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital understand how cancer spreads from the place where it first arises to other Ogun State, Nigeria The impact of religion and culture on locations in the body, a process that can have dramatic consequences for diabetic care in Nigeria Presented at EMBO | EMBL Symposium the health of cancer patients. The Metastasis Prize is meant to encourage Diabetes and Obesity and help introduce new approaches to impede cancer metastasis. Heidelberg, Germany 13 – 16 September 2012 he Metastasis Prize is awarded in memory of assistance to obtain the preliminary data that THartmut Beug and his efforts to understand could help to attract further support from insti- the causes of cancer and how it spreads in the tutions or companies interested in developing body. In the 1970s and 1980s, Beug identified new approaches to restrict metastasis. Proposals new pairs of oncogenes in avian oncogenic virus- should be submitted by 25 March 2013. es while working at the German Cancer Research Further details and instructions for how to Center (DFKZ) and the European Molecular apply are available at Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, www.beugstiftung-metastase.org Germany. He was among the first scientists to put forward the idea that the transformation of hematopoietic cells into cancer cells requires the cooperation of growth factor signaling pathways and the deregulation of transcription. Beug later moved to the Institute for Molecular Pathology Review Series (IMP) in Vienna, Austria, to continue his research. He became a member of EMBO in 1983. The importance of how groups of oncogenes interact Systems biology to bring about the development and spread of cancer was a consistent theme of his later work. technologies The 2013 Metastasis Prize will be awarded to a scientist who presents an original project on DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS 25 March cancer metastasis. The prize provides financial

Opportunities for systems and computational biology at the Weizmann Institute

The Weizmann Institute part of the institute’s scientific calendar. Each will open a new masters’ degree group presented its recent research highlights and this was followed by a lively description of programme for systems and everyday life in the laboratories that participate computational biology in the in the systems biology research network. next academic year. The program One of the highlights of the event was a competition that was announced on the first day. will feature a diverse curriculum Students were asked to form teams of two indi- of course as well as extensive viduals from two different laboratories, design opportunities for cutting-edge a joint collaborative project and present it on the second day of the meeting. The reward was research and education with funding for one year from the recently estab- leading scientists. lished Azrieli Center for Systems Biology at the Weizmann Institute, which is led by Professor he Weizmann Institute recently held a two- and EMBO Member Naama Barkai. day retreat to bring together its rapidly 25 groups presented research projects and Tgrowing systems biology community and eight were selected for funding. announce the new masters’ degree programme. Students who were not funded this year will The community now comprises 18 research be invited to present their results at the 2013 www.nature.com/msb groups and more than 150 people from all facul- retreat where they can compete for twice the /focus/systems_technologies ties and departments at the Weizmann institute. currently awarded funding. The event, which was organized by Professor Eran Segal, is in its third year and an established

Researchers at The Institute of Functional Genomics in Lyon, France, moved into a new state-of- the-art building in October 2012. The new 4500-m2 research facility is located in the biotechnology district

he move to the new building is a signifi- fostered in this environment which will lead to Institute of Functional Genomics, Lyon cant milestone in the development of our promising new integrative approaches to the at a glance: “Tyoung institute,” said Professor Vincent study of biology.” The Institute of Functional ➔➔ Founded: 2007 Laudet Director of The Institute of Functional Genomics is jointly managed by the Ecole Genomics and Professor of Biology at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, the Centre National ➔➔ Total number of researchers: Normale Supérieure de Lyon. “The design of de la Recherche Scientifique and the Université 123 staff including the institute and the additional research space Claude Bernard Lyon. The institute is also affili- 63 researchers, will allow us to fulfill our research strategy and ated to the Institut National de la Recherche 27 doctoral students, promote the close interaction of scientists from Agronomique. 26 technical staff, different disciplines that we see as an essential Research at The Institute of Functional and interns component of the scientific culture we are striv- Genomics examines how living organisms func- ➔➔ Research groups: 13 ing for.” tion, develop and evolve, and how the genomes ➔➔ Scientific publications 2012: 33 of organisms control these fundamental process- Three focus areas ➔➔ Total expenditure 2012: es and allow them to adapt to their environment. 4.3 Million Euros The strategy of The Institute of Functional Scientists at the institute also focus on what Genomics focuses on three research areas – happens when these processes go wrong. In ➔➔ Competitive funding (2012): developmental biology, evolutionary science, and humans, defects in molecular processes may lead 2 Million Euros integrated physiology. The institute is organized to congenital abnormalities, metabolic disorders ➔➔ igfl.ens-lyon.fr into independent research teams each led by a or cancer. Research groups at the institute are principal investigator who has the freedom to also interested in understanding how domestic define their own research programme. Interaction species have adapted to the environment, and between the teams from widely different scien- how environmental pollutants affect health. tific backgrounds is strongly encouraged. “We recently added five new research groups EMBO Member Jacques Samarut is the to our programme areas. Our research inter- founding director of The Institute of Functional ests continue to grow and we continue to look Genomics. He helped to establish the institute for talented scientists to establish new groups, before Professor Laudet took the reins as director particularly with expertise in bioinformatics and in 2008. Said Samarut: “The Institute of Functional systems biology, to reinforce those axes that we Genomics has made great progress over the years view as essential for future developments in biol- and we are confident that collaborations will be ogy,” added Laudet. ©Institute of Functional Genomics, Lyon

©2013 EMBO EMBOencounters | Winter 2012|2013 | [email protected] 15 AWARDS – A GOOD READ – APPOINTMENTS AWARDS – A GOOD READ – APPOINTMENTS Awards of excellence Events EMBO Members embo members & Fellows EMBO Member Frank Grosveld Fellow Alessandra Cambi is Ioannis Trougakos, Vassilis Royal Irish Academy Gold Medals Howard Hughes Medical is one of the organizers of co-organizing the meeting Gorgoulis and EMBO Members 2012 Institute (HHMI) the conference Epigenetics & Visualizing signaling nanoplat- Thanos Halazonetis and Luca Senior International Research Luke O’Neill was the recipient of Chromatin: Interactions and forms at a higher spatiotemporal Scorrano are organizing an Scholars one of two Royal Irish Academy processes to be held at the resolution that will be held in International Workshop on Ageing Gold Medals for 2012. Professor Pascale Cossart, Alberto R. Harvard Medical School in Boston, Barcelona on 29 – 31 May 2013. and Cancer Cell Biology. The O’Neill from Trinity College Dublin, Kornblihtt, Philippe Sansonetti United States, on 11 – 13 March Topics covered include meeting, which will take place in Ireland, was recognised for his and Dominique Soldati-Favre 2013. More at: www.epigenetic- Superresolution Techniques: Athens, Greece on 27–29 June outstanding contributions in were among the thirteen life sandchromatin.com/conf From Methods to Data Analysis; 2013, brings together experts from the fields of immunology and scientists selected as HHMI Senior Lipids, Protein Nanoislands and Europe and the USA to discuss Cellular Polarity – From inflammatory diseases such as International Research Scholars the Role of the Cytoskeleton; the molecular mechanisms at the Mechanisms to Disease is the title rheumatoid arthritis. The Royal in 2012. Each of them will receive and Dynamics in Signalling interface of ageing and cancer. of a two-day scientific discussion Irish Academy Gold Medals are a grant of 100,000 US-dollars Nanoplatforms. Detailed informa- Topics will include senescence, meeting at the Royal Society awarded to two outstanding per year over five years, and will tion and registration available at: DNA replication stress and ageing London on 15 – 16 April 2013. academics each year and recog- present their research at scien- www.icrea-signano2013.com in model organisms and humans. The conference is free to attend. nised as “a truly national expres- tific meetings held at HHMI. The The venue of the workshop is the More at: sion of celebration for scholarly awards support scientists working amphitheater of the spectacular http://royalsociety.org/events/ achievement.” outside the United States who new Acropolis Museum 2013/cellular-polarity/ have made significant contribu- (www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en). Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize tions to fundamental research in More at: 2013 the biological sciences. www.ageing-cancer.inspire.uoa.gr EMBO Member Ivan Dikic from the University of Frankfurt is to US National Medal of Science receive the Leibniz Prize 2013 – Associate Member Leroy Hood Germany’s most prestigious from the Institute for Systems A good read – Publications from the EMBO Community research award worth 2.5 million Biology in Seattle, United States, euros. He was recognized for was among the twelve scientists embo members, Young Investigators & Fellows his essential contributions to recognized with the National Obesity-induced overexpres- Structural basis for 5’-triphos- Multiple glutathione disulfide understanding the function of the Medal of Science, the highest sion of miR-802 impairs glucose phate viral RNA recognition by removal pathways mediate protein ubiquitin complex and scientific honour in the United metabolism through silencing human IFIT proteins cytosolic redox homeostasis its role in molecular processes States. Hood received the award of Hnf1b like DNA repair and congenital from President Obama in a White Andreas Pichlmair (EMBO Fellow), Bruce Morgan (EMBO Fellow) et al. immunity. The Leibniz Prize will House ceremony in early 2013. Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld Giulio Superti-Furga Nature Chemical Biology | 16 December 2012 be awarded to a total of eleven (EMBO Fellow), (EMBO Member) et al. doi:10.1038/nchembio.1142 European Federation of Jens C. Brüning (EMBO Member), Nature | 13 January 2013 scientists and presented on 19 Centralspindlin links the mitotic Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC) Markus Stoffel (EMBO Member) doi:10.1038/nature11783 March 2013 in Berlin. spindle to the plasma membrane 2012 Nauta Award for et al. Molecular mechanism of action during cytokinesis Marcel Benoist Prize 2012 Pharmacochemistry Nature | 7 February 2013 of microtubule-stabilizing anti- Mark Petronczki Michael N. Hall, professor of Alexander Levitzki, professor Genetic identification of C-fibres cancer agents (EMBO Young Investigator) and Biochemistry at the Biozentrum emeritus at the Hebrew University that detect massage-like strok- Michel O. Steinmetz Sergey Lekomtsev (EMBO Fellow) of the University of Basel, received of Jerusalem, Israel, is the recipi- ing of hairy skin in vivo (EMBO Member) et al. et al. this award for his outstanding ent of the 2012 Nauta Award for Sophia Vrontou Science | 3 January 2013 Nature | 12 December 2012 research in the field of cell biology outstanding achievements in the doi:10.1126/science.1230582 doi:10.1038/nature11773 on cell growth and carcinogen- field of Medicinal Chemistry. By (EMBO Fellow) et al. esis. The Marcel Benoist prize awarding the Nauta prize, the Nature | 31 January 2013 Evolutionary conservation of Ubiquitin chain conformation doi: 10.1038/nature11810 is the oldest scientific award EFMC acknowledges and recog- codon optimality reveals hidden regulates recognition and in Switzerland and is regarded nizes outstanding achievements Molecular signatures of signatures of cotranslational activity of interacting proteins as the highest recognition for in the advancement of Medicinal G protein-coupled receptors folding David Komander outstanding achievements in the Chemistry and the development M. Madan Babu Sebastian Pechmann (EMBO Young Investigator) et al. sciences and the humanities. of international organizational (EMBO Young Investigator) et al. (EMBO Fellow) et al. Nature | 2 December 2012 structures in this field. doi: 10.1038/nature11722 Inserm Grand Prize 2012 Nature | February 2013 Nature Structural & Molecular Biology doi: 10.1038/nature11896 23 December 2012 The recipient of the 2012 Erwin Schrödinger Prize 2012 doi: 10.1038/nsmb.2466 Metabolic control of adult Inserm Grand Prize is Philippe Jürgen Knoblich, Senior Scientist Spatial regulation of VEGF recep- neural stem cell activity by Sansonetti from the Institut and Deputy Scientific Director at tor endocytosis in angiogenesis Systematic genetic interaction Fasn-dependent lipogenesis screens uncover cell polar- Pasteur in Paris, in recognition of the Institute of Molecular Biology Masanori Nakayama Sebastian Jessberger ity regulators and functional his research on microbial infec- in Vienna, Austria, received the (EMBO Fellow) et al. (EMBO Young Investigator) et al. redundancy tion. The grand prize is awarded 2012 Erwin Schrödinger Prize of Nature Cell Biology | 27 January 2013 Nature | 2 December 2012 each year to honour a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences doi:10.1038/ncb2679 Bruno Thomas Fievet doi:10.1038/nature11689 the scientific research community for his research on the molecular (EMBO Fellow), whose work has contributed to mechanisms responsible for Julie Ahringer advancing knowledge of human asymmetric stem cell division. (EMBO Member) et al. physiology, therapeutics and The Erwin Schrödinger Prize is an Nature Cell Biology | 16 December 2012 health in general. annual award for lifetime achieve- doi:10.1038/ncb2639 ment by Austrians in the fields of Inserm International Prize 2012 mathematics and natural sciences. The recipient of Inserm’s Appointments International Prize is Ingrid Universidad de la República Grummt of the German Cancer Doctor Honoris Causa embo member Institute of Molecular Medicine infrastructure that will enable our Research Centre in Heidelberg Giorgio Bernardi from the Thomas Graf, leader of the (WIMM) at the University of researchers to apply state-of-the- in recognition of her epigenetics Roma Tre University received a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology Oxford. Higgs, formerly director of art technology to all aspects of research on the molecular Honorary Degree (Doctor Honoris and Differentiation group at the the MRC Molecular Haematology our research.” mechanisms that regulate gene Unit at the WIMM, took up the Causa) from the Universidad de la Centre for Genomic Regulation Sarah Teichmann from the MRC expression. role in December 2012 after República in Montevideo, Uruguay, in Barcelona, Spain, has been Laboratory of Molecular Biology the retirement of Sir Andrew in October 2012. appointed associated editor of in Cambridge will move to the McMichael. “A successful institute the journal Stem Cell Reports. The European Bioinformatics Institute continually needs to recruit excit- new online, open-access journal (EBI) in Hinxton, UK, with a joint ing new scientists, and I plan to is an initiative of the International appointment at the Wellcome Next issue recruit a new chair of molecular Society for Stem Cell Research Trust Sanger Institute as of medicine and new MRC-funded (ISSCR) and Cell Press. The first February 2013. It is the first such The next EMBOencounters issue – Summer 2013 – research fellows over the next few issue will be published in June joint appointment between the years,” said professor Higgs. “I also will be dispatched in July 2013. Please send your 2013. two institutes in Hinxton. suggestions, contributions and news, to plan to strengthen our links to Douglas Higgs was appointed the clinical service in the adjacent [email protected] by 6 May 2013. new director of the Medical John Radcliffe Hospital and Research Council Weatherall develop key aspects of the WIMM