Advancing Biomedical Science, Education and Health Care Volume 3, Issue 1 January/February 2007 $3 billion Yale campaign will benefit @science and medicine MedicineNearly a decade after the close of its The campaign is organized YaleAccording to Inge T. Reichenbach, last major fundraising campaign, Yale around four major themes: “Yale Yale’s vice president for development, has launched “Yale Tomorrow,” a five- College,” “The Arts,” “The Sciences” the campaign’s goals for the medical year drive to raise $3 billion, a major and “The World.” school are quite specific. portion of which will be directed Within the sciences, under the These goals include increased toward science and medicine.At the rubric “Medicine Tomorrow,” Yale will support for research, the establish- public launch of the campaign in Sep- seek support for many research, edu- ment of new endowed professorships, tember, President Richard C. Levin cational and clinical programs, with increased financial aid for students, announced that donors had already the ultimate goal of finding new and new buildings for research and clini- committed $1.3 billion in gifts and better ways to diagnose and treat ill- cal care, improved technology, educa- pledges during the campaign’s quiet ness, says Dean Robert J. Alpern, m.d., tional innovation and support for the phase, which began in mid-2004. Ensign Professor of Medicine. Campaign, page 6 New genes found Following in his father’s footsteps in Crohn’s disease, Yale alumnus, investor serious eye ailment makes unrestricted gift A decade ago, finding genes that contribute to human diseases was to School of Medicine labor-intensive, time-consuming and prohibitively expensive. But today, Carrying on a philanthropic tradition cutting-edge research tools are chang- begun by his late father, Adrian C. ing all that, and two School of Medi- “Ace” Israel of the Yale Class of 1936, cine researchers are at the forefront of investor and Yale alumnus Thomas the revolution. C. Israel has made a gift of $5 mil- Last month, in the journal lion to the School of Medicine. Israel, Science, Josephine J. Hoh, ph.d., as- who says his family has long had sociate professor of a deep interest in medical science, epidemiology and placed no restrictions on the new gift, ophthalmology, and saying that confidence in the medi- Judy H. Cho, m.d., cal school’s leadership overruled any associate profes- need to earmark the funds. sor of medicine, “If we trust the people and the in- reported that their stitution we give money to, we should The Israel family—Wendy, Thomas, Barbara and (far right) Emily—has strong ties with the research teams had feel that they’ll use good judgment medical school and with Dean Robert J. Alpern (second from right). Josephine Hoh homed in on genes as to how it’s used,” says Israel, a 1966 involved in two genetically complex Yale graduate and chair of A.C. Israel especially appreciative that Tom and of Medicine’s Magnetic Resonance human disorders: age-related macu- Enterprises, a New York City-based Barbara had the confidence in Yale Research Center. lar degeneration (amd), the leading firm that invests in private equity and in me to place no restrictions on Both Thomas and Adrian Israel cause of vision loss and blindness in funds and makes direct private equity how this gift is used.” have also been active and longstand- the elderly in the developed world, investments. All told, Israel and his wife, Bar- ing supporters of the Yale School and Crohn’s disease (CD), an inflam- For Robert J. Alpern, m.d., the bara, have donated more than $7 mil- of Management (som), where the matory disorder of the gastrointesti- medical school’s dean and Ensign lion to the medical school, including a Adrian C. Israel Professorship of nal tract. Professor of Medicine, the warm $1 million commitment toward estab- International Trade and Finance was The key to the research strategy feelings are mutual. “One of my great lishing a professorship in memory of established in 1976. used by Hoh and Cho is the natural pleasures as dean has been the op- Donald J. Cohen, m.d., a renowned After Adrian’s death, Thomas, variability in the 3 billion “letters” portunity to come to know the Israel child psychiatrist and director of the who serves on the som’s advisory in the human genome, the genetic family closely,” Alpern says. “Their Yale Child Study Center (ycsc) who board, combined money from his instruction book that encodes all the enthusiastic support for Yale and the died in 2001. father’s estate with his own 25th proteins in the body. Compare the medical school continues a family These gifts complement a $1.25 reunion gift to Yale to establish the genomes of a large group of people legacy that has helped shape what million donation made by Adrian International Finance Center at the and you’ll find single-letter differ- we are and where we can go. I am Israel in 1986 to establish the School Israel, page 6 Genes, page 6

Non-Profit Org. Inside this issue Medicine@Yale U. S. Postage Lifelines Planting a seed 300 George St., Suite 773 PAID Soldier-scientist Joseph Schlessinger Connecticut makes first stem-cell New Haven, CT 06511 New Haven, CT now fights cancer, p. 2 grants to Yale, p. 5 www.medicineatyale.org Permit No. 526 Scientists discover water An attractive magnet Secret of an enigmatic enzyme is A powerful 7 Tesla system coming revealed, p. 3 to Yale, p. 7 Remote possibilities Also Robotic equipment offers surgeons Advances, pp. 3, 5; Out & About, p. 4; exquisite control, p. 5 Grants, p. 7; Awards & Honors, p. 8

Want to find out more about medicine at Yale? E-mail us at [email protected] or phone (203) 785-5824. Pediatric researcher is new ambassador for global health Research!America, the nation’s largest nonprofit educational and advocacy alliance for health research, has named Michael Cappello, m.d., professor of pediatrics, microbial pathogenesis and public health, an Ambassador in the Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research. Cappello, an expert on the mo- lecular basis of hookworm infection (see Advances, p. 3), will join 26 other public health “scientist advocates” to foster a national discussion on the importance of research to improve A former captain in the global health. The ambassadors will Israeli army, Joseph meet with opinion “Yossi” Schlessinger is leaders and decision adding to our arsenal to combat cancer. makers to convey the importance of global health research to panies and has served as an advisor coupling launches a cascade of Americans. A scientist to several others—work that led to signals that eventually reach the cell The Rogers Sutent, a drug approved by the U.S. nucleus and tell the cell either to Society, named for soldiers on Food and Drug Administration in divide and grow, or to ignore check- Michael Cappello the former Florida January for advanced kidney cancer points that would normally cause it Born on a battlefield, a congressman and chair emeritus of and for a stomach cancer known to die. Research!America, was launched by fighter in real wars and as gastrointestinal stromal tumor, Schlessinger’s lab then demon- the alliance this year with support the war against cancer or gist. Sutent, now marketed by strated that genetically aberrant from the Bill and Melinda Gates , and other drugs based on egf receptors and other rtks can Foundation. When Joseph Schlessinger, ph.d., Schlessinger’s discoveries are being set off the rampant cell growth seen The society was formed to was born in Nazi-occupied Yugo- tested as treatments for more in cancer, including malignant brain increase awareness of research on slavia in 1945, gunfire crackled and common renal cancers, as well as tumors and other human cancers. diseases that disproportionately affect shells exploded outside. His parents breast and other cancers. Schlessinger recognized that the world’s poorest nations and to were Jewish partisans fighting the Growing up in Israel, Schless- drugs that could inhibit rtks might make the case for greater U.S. invest- German invaders and local fascists. inger never lived far from a battle- also control cancers, and the devel- ment in that research. Three years later, with nearly all field. He joined the Israeli army, opment of inhibitors Research!America will provide their relatives shot by the Germans becoming a captain, and fought in like Sutent heralded the beginning advocacy leadership development or murdered in concentration camps, two wars and served in a third. But of a new era of highly targeted to the inaugural group of ambas- his family immigrated to Israel, only despite the disruptions of military cancer treatments. sadors and will facilitate their public to land in the midst of the first of reserve duty and call-up for wars, Although he works closely outreach and advocacy by arranging what would be many wars between Schlessinger with industry and has been offered speaking engagements and a range of the new Jewish nation and its Arab Lifelines never lost his presidencies of drug companies community-level activities to connect neighbors. childhood numerous times, Schlessinger, now Joseph with policy makers, the media and the Sitting in his office in the fascination the William H. Prusoff Professor public nationwide. Sterling Hall of Medicine recently, Schlessinger with science. and chair of the Department of Schlessinger says, with some under- “I was always Phamacology, has chosen instead statement, “Our life had a lot of dra- interested in addressing funda- to continue his seven-day work- matic events.” mental questions,” he says, and he week at Yale. “I need the freedom @ Just surviving such inauspi- had a productive career studying of academia,” he explains. “It’s the MedicinePeter Farley, ManagingYale Editor cious, violent beginnings would intracellular signaling and the role freedom that makes me work.” Contributors: Amy Chow, John Curtis, Janet Emanuel, seem an achievement. However, of growth factors circulating in the He ascribes his drive to his Michael Fitzsousa, Kimm Groshong, Pat McCaffrey, Kara Nyberg, Karen Peart, Cathy Shufro, Schlessinger—known to friends as blood in the life cycle of the cell. tumultuous origins. “I have tremen- Jacqueline Weaver, Marc Wortman “Yossi”—not only lived, he went on After moving to New York dous anxiety because of what hap- Photographs and Illustrations: Terry Dagradi, to discern some of the most impor- University in the early 1980s, pened to my parents,” Schlessinger ChiChi Ubiña, Elaine Ubiña, Ania Childress, ©Images.com/CORBIS, Michael Marsland, Ya Ha, tant mechanisms in the life cycle of Schlessinger and colleagues showed says. That anxiety, forged in war, has Intuitive Surgical, Frank Poole, Harold Shapiro the cell, discoveries that have led to how epidermal growth factor (egf) been an advantage at the lab bench. Design: Peter W. Johnson, Maura Gianakos/Yale RIS

effective new treatments for cancer. protein binds and activates cell- “You’re only as good as your last Medicine@Yale is published six times each year by the Along the way, Schlessinger surface enzymes known as receptor work,” he says. “You have to prove Office of Institutional Planning and Communications, cofounded two biotechnology com- tyrosine kinases (rtks). This crucial yourself again.” , 300 George St., Suite 773, New Haven, CT 06511. Telephone: (203) 785-5824 Fax: (203) 785-4327 Biologist cited for structural insights into action of antibiotics E-mail: [email protected] In a ceremony and involved in translating instructions The Keio award, the only prize Website: medicineatyale.org commemorative contained in messenger rna (mrna) of its kind awarded by a Japanese Copyright ©2007 by Yale School of Medicine. symposium held at into proteins. university, recognizes outstanding All rights reserved. Keio University in Many antibiotics work by interfer- research achievements in the medi- If you have a change of address or do not wish Tokyo in November, ing with the translation of mrna by cal or life sciences, and includes an to receive future issues of Medicine@Yale, please write to us at the above address Thomas A. Steitz, the ribosome of bacteria, but some honorarium of 20 million Japanese or via e-mail at [email protected]. ph.d., Sterling bacteria develop mutations that yen, or about $173,000. Postal permit held by , Professor of Molecu- change the ribosome’s structure and Steitz has been on the Yale faculty 155 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520 Thomas Steitz lar and render the bacteria resistant to treat- since 1970, arriving directly after Yale School of Medicine Biochemistry at Yale, was awarded the ment. From their crystallographic completing postdoctoral training at Robert J. Alpern, m.d., Dean 11th Keio Medical Science Prize. work, Steitz and collaborators have Harvard University and at the Medi- Ensign Professor of Medicine Steitz, also a Howard Hughes identified the structural basis of cal Research Council Laboratory in Mary Hu Director of Planning and Communications Medical Institute investigator, was antibiotic drug function and re- Cambridge, England. honored for X-ray crystallography re- sistance, and he and several Yale The recipient of numerous Michael Fitzsousa, Director of Publications search that in 2000 led to publication colleagues founded Rib-X, a com- awards, Steitz was appointed full This issue follows Volume 2, Issue 5. Issue 6 of the structure of the large subunit pany developing new compounds to professor in 1979 and named Sterling (November/December, 2006) was not published. of the ribosome, which is crucially combat drug-resistant bacteria. Professor in 2001.  www.medicineatyale.org Advances A crystal-clear look at a puzzling protein Health and science news from Yale An enzyme’s structure may provide new clues on Alzheimer’s disease

Biologists and chefs alike know that oil and water don’t mix. So several In bacteria vs. worm, years ago, when researchers first dis- children are winners covered intramembrane proteases—a class of hydrophilic (“water-loving”) If the bacterium Bacillus thurin- enzymes that inexplicably appeared giensis (Bt) did battle against the to function smack in the middle of parasitic hookworm Ancylostoma the oily membrane that surrounds ceylanicum, who would prevail? cells—many scientists were perplexed. According to new research, the Some were downright skeptical. biggest victors may be the nearly By publishing the first-ever crystal 1 billion people infected by hook- structure of one such enzyme, Ya Ha, worms worldwide—especially children, who risk anemia, malnu- ph.d., assistant professor of pharma- cology, and colleagues may have re- trition and growth delay. Structural biologists Ya Ha (seated) and Yongcheng Wang worked with Yingjiu Zhang to Bt-produced substances vealed the intramembrane proteases’ unlock a quirky enzyme’s secrets. known as crystal proteins are com- recipe for success. monly used on crops to control In addition to providing a solu- But despite the Ha research team’s a protein flap just outside the central insects and worms. Michael Cap- tion to a slippery biological mystery, best efforts, gamma-secretase could chamber could be a gate that controls pello, m.d., professor of pediatrics, Ha’s work could shed light on the not be coaxed into forming crys- the entry of proteins to be cleaved. microbial pathogenesis and public mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s tals, the first step in determining a He wants to capture more views of health, and colleagues at the disease. protein’s molecular structure. Without the protein to find out how this gate University of California, San Diego, Chewing up proteins, a process a crystal, there was little chance of might work and how the enzyme’s found that a Bt crystal protein known as proteolysis, is the job of grant support from the National activity is regulated. known as Cry5B might also be an effective treatment for parasitic proteases. But protein-splitting reac- Institutes of Health, so Ha scraped However improbable this worm infections. tions require water, a substance that together funds from the Department enzyme’s mechanics, they are In the October 10 issue of the is normally excluded from the greasy of and private founda- medically important. The rhomboid Proceedings of the National Acad- interior of cell membranes. tions to continue his work. proteases are part of the family that emy of Sciences, Cappello and col- In 1997, Nobel laureates Joseph When a family of bacterial en- includes human gamma-secretase, leagues report that Cry5B inhibits L. Goldstein, ph.d., and Michael S. zymes with similar activity known as which cleaves a large transmembrane hookworm growth in laboratory Brown, ph.d., published intriguing rhomboid proteins was discovered, protein in the brain to release the dishes and in infected hamsters. In data in Cell suggesting that a protease Ha seized on those as an alterna- amyloid fragments thought to cause the hamsters, Cry5B was as potent involved in regulating cholesterol tive. From there, he and postdocs Alzheimer’s disease. as a conventional anti-parasite somehow did its work within the cell Yongcheng Wang, ph.d., and Yingjiu “Compounds that inhibit the medication in reversing weight membrane. Goldstein and Brown Zhang, ph.d., worked for four more production of toxic amyloid peptides loss and anemia, and no toxic ef- fects were evident. acknowledged that this protease years before they successfully formed are now believed to be one of the must be “unusual,” but they proposed a rhomboid protein crystal and ob- most promising approaches to the that gamma-secretase, the enzyme tained the first X-ray data. development of drugs for Alzheimer’s Ruling the fate of that cleaves amyloid protein into the At last, they saw how an intra- disease,” says Vincent T. Marchesi, a cellular blank slate toxic fragments seen in the brains of membrane enzyme is built: in the m.d., ph.d., Anthony N. Brady Alzheimer’s patients, might operate in middle of a sea of fat, the rhomboid Professor of Pathology and an expert Stem cells make identical copies of the same manner. protease creates a protective bubble on both membrane protein structure themselves and can differentiate into many of the myriad cell types When structural biologist Ha to shelter water molecules in its ac- and Alzheimer’s disease. “Ha’s find- that form the body’s tissues and came to the School of Medicine from tive site. The protein is serpentine, ings are an important contribution to organs. To maximize these cells’ Harvard University five years ago, crisscrossing the cell membrane six this effort.” therapeutic versatility, they must he first set his sights on gamma- times. Five of these segments bundle Ha says that the rhomboid be maintained in an undifferenti- secretase to try to crack the paradox together to create a water-filled cham- protease is a good model system for ated state. of intramembrane proteases. Ha was ber within the membrane. intramembrane proteases in general, Some researchers have sug- convinced that obtaining structural Ha says his lab’s first picture of but he confesses that he still has his gested that oxygen levels are low information through X-ray crystal- the rhomboid protease is merely a eye on gamma-secretase. “I would within the stem cell niche—the lography was the key to understand- snapshot. A small dent in the protein love to see it,” he says. microenvironment within tissues ing how these controversial enzymes facing outward from the cell might be While the two enzymes are not that determines whether stem worked. an entryway for water molecules, and related by their protein sequence or cells regenerate or differentiate. Seeking a method to preserve by evolution, Ha believes that they stem cells in their blank slate form, share common features because they Zhong Yun, ph.d., assistant profes- face the same challenge of mixing sor of therapeutic radiology, and water with oil. “Once you have a few colleagues took a cue from nature, structures, you’ll see a pattern start to mimicking those low-oxygen emerge,” Ha explains. “That will give conditions for cells in the lab. us a better understanding of how in- As reported in the October 13 hibitors might work, and then maybe issue of The Journal of Biological we can design better inhibitors, and Chemistry, under these conditions maybe those inhibitors can be used stem cell-like fat precursor cells as drugs.” remained in an undifferentiated state. And when the team upped Now that a protein structure that the oxygen level, the precursor proves that intramembrane proteoly- cells could again be converted into sis is possible is in hand, Ha says, “the fat cells. doubters can be satisfied.” And other “Once we know how the In an image from the researchers, doubters or not, are cer- microenvironment regulates the laboratory of structural tainly taking note: the Ha lab’s paper biologist Ya Ha, water functions of stem and progenitor molecules (yellow) was published in the online version of cells,” says Yun, “we can poten- are seen within the the journal Nature at 1 p.m. on Octo- tially protect them from prema- active site (red) of the ber 11; four hours later, scientists were ture differentiation or find ways membrane-spanning ringing Ha’s phone requesting his raw to mobilize these cells for tissue domains (blue) of data to apply to their own studies. repair and regeneration.” rhomboid protease.

 Medicine@Yale January/February 2007 Out & about

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1 September 20: A sold-out evening with judy collins was held at Yale’s Sprague Hall to benefit Women’s Health Research at Yale (whry). 1. From left: The singer was escorted to a pre- 4 concert reception in the Presi- August 27: Over 300 cyclists gathered dent’s Room in Woodbridge Hall in Fairfield, Conn., for the second by Linda Koch Lorimer, j.d., vice annual connecticut chal- president and secretary of Yale lenge, a noncompetitive bike ride University, and Carolyn M. Mazure, (www.ctchallenge.org) benefiting pro- ph.d., professor of psychiatry, 2 grams for cancer survivors at the Yale associate dean for faculty affairs Cancer Center (ycc). Sponsored riders and whry director. 2. From left: at this year’s event rode 25, 50 or 100 miles, raising $500,000 for the ycc. Richard C. Levin, president of Yale Riders line up at the start of the event. Connecticut Challenge cofounder University and his wife, Jane Levin, 1. 2. 2 Jeff Keith, of Westport, Conn., with Richard L. Edelson, m.d., professor of der- join Collins at the reception. matology and director of the ycc. 3. From left: Aaron and Elizabeth Roberts joined their father, Kenneth B. Roberts, m.d., associate professor of therapeu- tic radiology, for the ride. 4. Yale Cycling Team members (from left) Curtis Eastin, Stephen Kriss, Anna Milkowski, Chris Ritacco, Jacob S. Hacker, ph.d., professor of political science, Bruce McGalliard (a friend of the team), David A. McCormick, ph.d., professor of neurobiology, and Steven Felix took part in the Challenge.

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1 September 20: The st. baldrick’s foundation, founded on St. Patrick’s Day in 1999 by three Irish- 3 4 American executives, has raised over October 4: A dinner to support $20 million for childhood cancer the children’s health research by holding head-shaving council (chc), a volunteer events that encourage solidarity with leadership group dedicated children undergoing chemotherapy to raising funds to support treatments. During a visit to the 2 research in the medical School of Medicine, the foundation school’s Department of Pediat- presented St. Baldrick’s supporter , m.d., associate professor of Jack Van Hoff rics, was sponsored by pediatrics, with a check for $25,000 to fund pediatric oncology research. David H. 1. , principal of Dreyfuss From left: , , m.d., assistant professor of Dreyfuss Cheryl Davidson Nina Kadan-Lottick Integrated Communications pediatrics, Van Hoff, , St. Baldrick’s executive director, Kathleen Ruddy Joli Lyn Group and a chc founding Gross and Peter Maloney. 2. The “shavee” team from St. Augustine’s Church in 5 member, and his wife, Lauren Seymour, Conn., included (from left) Dan Wasilewski, Cindy Hannon, Fr. Brian Tarshis. The event was held at the Birchwood Country Club in Westport, Conn. Jeffries and Linda Bojarczyk. 1. From left: Jonathan Lach, Albert Hallac and Dreyfuss. 2. Tarshis and Margaret K. Hostetter, m.d., chair and Jean McLean Wallace Professor of Pediatrics. 3. Andrew and Jennifer Kanter. 4. Standing, from left: Harold D. Bornstein Jr., m.d., and Maureen L. Bornstein. Seated, from left: Carol Hallac, Dave Evans and Albert Hallac. 5. Standing, from left: Leo Dreyfuss, Andrew Tarshis, Robert Biondi, m.d., associate clinical professor of pediatrics, and Pat Thornton. Seated, from left: Karen Tarshis, Penny Kaestli and Marie E. Egan, m.d., associate professor of pediatrics and cellular and molecular physiology.

 www.medicineatyale.org Advances A robot arrives in the operating room Health and science news from Yale Da Vinci System adds quickly. According to Colberg the by a physician credentialed in robot- robotic version is even better, causing assisted surgery. Colberg says that his How the stressed precision, clearer vision “virtually no bleeding.” patients have sought out the robotic become depressed to surgical procedures The da Vinci device increases the procedure after hearing about it from surgeon’s dexterity and improves the their physicians, from friends or on Some individuals persevere in ability to see. The magnification of the Internet. Operating room nurse Elizabeth hardship; others crumple like paper the operating field provided by the da Although the first robot-assisted Lasorso, r.n., did a double take when dolls. Mental fortitude in the face Vinci System’s camera is four to eight prostatectomy was performed just six of stress has been she walked into the operating room in times greater than that provided by a years ago and there are only about 400 linked to varia- late August and saw four robotic arms standard surgeon’s loupe, the view- such machines nationwide, Colberg tions in a gene looming over a patient undergoing finder on the robotic console provides says that 32,000 of the 80,000 radi- that regulates the a radical prostatectomy. “I saw those surgeons with a three-dimensional cal prostatectomies performed in the neurotransmit- arms just moving away, and nobody view. The equipment’s “wristed” ro- United States in the next year will be ter serotonin: touching them,” she recalls, “and I individuals with a short version of botic arms can rotate 360 degrees, far robot-assisted. thought, ‘Wow!’ ” the gene have a greater propensity greater than the human arm, which is Robert Udelsman, m.d., m.b.a., Seated across the room was As- to fall into depression under stress, limited by the shoulder joint to about m.s.b., chair of the Department of sociate Professor of Surgery John W. while those with the longer ver- 270 degrees. And robotic “hands” Surgery and Lampman Professor of Colberg, m.d., his face pressed to a sion are more resilient. never shake. Surgery, calls the da Vinci System a screen, his hands inserted in gloved To gain a glimpse of how these Physicians train by observing major innovation: “The optics and genetic differences might interact controls and his feet on pedals that three surgeries, practicing for two the coordination that the surgeon gets with stress to produce depression, manipulated the arms of Yale-New days and then doing cases proctored with his hands are unbelievable.” R. Todd Constable, ph.d., profes- Haven Hospital’s newly acquired da sor of diagnostic radiology and Vinci Surgical System. To remove the biomedical engineering, and col- patient’s prostate gland, Colberg con- leagues in New York and Germany trolled three of the da Vinci System’s used brain imaging while individu- arms for cutting and suturing; the als carrying short or long forms of the gene looked at images of faces. fourth held a tiny binocular camera Other work had suggested that inserted into the patient’s pelvis. short-gene carriers who had ex- “The experience was phenom- perienced life stress would show enal,” says Colberg, the first physician an elevated response to sad or to use the new $1.8 million device fearful faces in brain areas involved manufactured by Intuitive Surgical in depression and coping. of Sunnyvale, Calif. Since then he has But in the October 24 issue of performed more than a dozen uro- Proceedings of the National Acad- logical procedures using the da Vinci emy of Sciences, Constable and System. colleagues reported less activation As with other minimally invasive in short-gene carriers under these conditions and greater activation surgical procedures, robot-assisted at rest. This pattern may reflect “a surgery has distinct advantages, Col- chronic state of vigilance, threat, or berg says. In the minimally invasive rumination” in short-gene carriers prostatectomy developed in the early that makes them more vulnerable 1990s using laparoscopic techniques, to depression under stress. incisions are smaller than in open The da Vinci Surgical System, seen here in a photo from Intuitive Surgical, gives surgeons precise control over robotic arms (background) for minimally invasive procedures and a clear surgery and patients recover more view of the operating field. The immune system in a sticky situation Neutrophils, critical cells of the State makes first stem-cell grants to Yale early immune response, travel quickly through the bloodstream Yale fared well in the first group of tigators at the University of Con- $856,654 to study a leukemia gene us- to sites of infection to engulf and grants awarded in November by the necticut and $900,000 to scientists at ing hescs. kill bacteria. If genetic defects slow state of Connecticut from a $100 Wesleyan University. Other Yale researchers who down this neutrophil migration, million fund established last year “After careful consideration and received funding include Yingqun more severe infections may result. to promote stem cell research. Yale review by both an international panel Joan Huang, m.d., ph.d., an assis- School of Medicine research- scientists received $7.7 million of the of experts and by this committee, tant professor of obstetrics, gynecol- ers have now identified a key gene $19.8 million allocated by the State we are confident that Connecticut is ogy and reproductive sciences who that regulates neutrophil move- ment through the body, which may of Connecticut Stem Cell Research investing in stem cell research projects received $200,000 to study the Fragile clarify why some individuals are Advisory Committee for 21 research that will yield significant scientific X mutation, a leading cause of mental more susceptible to infection and projects; $12 million went to inves- findings in the long term,” said J. Rob- retardation, in early human neural de- inflammation. ert Galvin, m.d., m.p.h., commit- velopment; Eleni A. Markakis, ph.d., A team led by Richard A. Flavell, tee chair and Department of Public assistant professor of psychiatry, who ph.d., Sterling Professor and chair Health Commissioner. was awarded $184,407 to direct the of Immunobiology and Howard Five other states—California, isolation of neuronal stem cells from Hughes investigator, reports in New Jersey, Maryland, Missouri and hescs; and Erik Shapiro, ph.d., assis- the October 6 issue of Science that Illinois—have decided to fund stem tant professor of diagnostic radiology, mice lacking the gene Myo1f have cell research. who received $199,975 for magnetic neutrophils that adhere more Michael P. Snyder, ph.d., profes- resonance imaging studies of the mi- readily to their surroundings and are therefore markedly slower in sor of molecular, cellular and devel- gration of neural progenitor cells. reaching sites of infection. opmental biology, received the largest “With this first allotment of Myo1f, not previously known state grant, $3.8 million to investigate money, Connecticut becomes a na- to play a role in immunity, limits how human embryonic stem cells tional leader in the area of stem cell the number of proteins known as (hescs) differentiate into nerve cells. research,” said Gov. M. Jodi Rell in a integrins on the cell surface. In the Haifan Lin, ph.d., director of statement announcing the grants. “We gene’s absence, more integrins are the Yale Stem Cell Program (yscp), have proven ourselves able to provide released, making neutrophils more received $2.5 million to support a a place where such research can be sluggish. “Without Myo1f, immune new core facility that will accom- done safely, ethically and effectively, in cells get too sticky and cannot modate federal funding restrictions addition to providing investment dol- move fast,” says first author Sang- on hesc research. Diane S. Krause, lars for the growth of the bioscience won V. Kim, ph.d., now at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. “So m.d., ph.d., associate professor of industry in Connecticut, and making the host becomes vulnerable to Michael Snyder will use his grant from laboratory medicine and pathology an investment intended to improve acute infection.” the state of Connecticut to explore how and co-director of the yscp, received the health of generations to come.” stem cells become nerve cells.  Medicine@Yale January/February 2007 Israel from page 1 som, which was formally dedicated daughter Emily won a Harris Fellow- In addition to his father, his (a knee injury that sidelined Israel in 1999. ship in Child Development and Early daughter Wendy and himself, Yale from the soccer and lacrosse teams The Israel name is best known on Childhood Education to work at the alumni in Thomas’s family include an dogs him to this day); George Pataki, the Yale campus in association with ycsc after college, and she later did uncle, a brother (now deceased) and who would become governor of New the Adrian C. “Ace” Israel Fitness Cen- research there to earn a ph.d. in clin- a nephew. York and a leader of the Republican ter, a spectacular 20,000-square-foot ical psychology at the Albert Einstein Of his own undergraduate years Party, entered Yale one year later; facility at the Payne Whitney Gym- College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y. as an American Studies major, Israel Israel’s junior year saw the arrival nasium built with funds that Thomas As a Yale undergraduate, their says that although he didn’t fully of freshman George W. Bush, who Israel directed from the portion set youngest daughter Wendy took realize it at the time, the Yale of the would go on to make history as the aside in his father’s bequest to support courses taught by ycsc faculty and mid-1960s provided an unusually 43rd president of the United States. Yale athletics. taught at the Calvin Hill day care rich setting for a young man with a Israel sees his family’s gifts as giv- Thomas and Barbara Israel’s inter- center in New Haven. She now teaches keen interest in our country’s history ing back to Yale for the most endur- est in the medical school has been at a school for children with learning and culture. John F. Kerry, future war ing rewards of his college days, “a reinforced by the recent educational disabilities in White Plains, N.Y. Both hero, senator and presidential candi- wonderful education and a wonderful experiences of their two daughters at Thomas and Emily Israel now serve as date, was Israel’s classmate and a fel- group of friends—friendships that are the ycsc. In 2001, the Israels’ oldest ycsc Associates. low member of the Yale soccer team hard to duplicate.”

Campaign from page 1 cancer hospital addition to Yale-New has all the resources it needs to grow ever received by the school, Houck cal school professors Irwin M. Braver- Haven Hospital. in new directions, according to cam- says the award presents an oppor- man, m.d., Christopher K. Breuer, The drive comes at a time when paign leaders. tunity to engage donors in conver- m.d., Carolyn M. Mazure, ph.d., the university has attracted interna- Jancy L. Houck, m.a., who joined sations about the medical school’s Milissa A. McKee, m.d., R. Lawrence tional press coverage for the record Yale as associate vice president for future. Moss, m.d., W. Mark Saltzman, growth in its endowment, which university development and director “This support from the National ph.d., Bennett A. Shaywitz, m.d., increased from $5.8 billion in 1997, at of medical school development and Institutes of Health doesn’t replace Sally E. Shaywitz, m.d., and Tian Xu, the conclusion of the university’s last alumni affairs in September, explains our need for philanthropy, because ph.d—followed by a multimedia fundraising campaign, to $18 billion that income from the current endow- grants are very, very specific. You program narrated by actor Sam for the fiscal year ending June 30. ment was earmarked at the time of the have to use the funding in the exact Waterston, a 1962 Yale College alum- During that same nine-year period, original gift decades or more ago. “It manner outlined in the proposal,” nus, and a gala dinner in University the medical school’s endowment takes new resources to do new things,” says Houck. “The philanthropy that Commons. rose from $446.6 million to $1.5 bil- says Houck, adding that the same we seek will be for needs that are not “To expand Yale beyond its cur- lion. The university has an operating is true with grant dollars from the covered by a big grant, where donors rent scale and scope, to build the Yale budget of $1.67 billion for 2006–2007, federal government, foundations and can really leverage their gift, knowing of tomorrow, we will need new finan- of which $676 million is expected to corporations. that there is a certain level of activity cial resources,” says Levin. “Above all, come from the endowment. Although the $57 million Clini- that is already funded.” we need to complete the transforma- But the size of the endowment, cal and Translational Science Award The public campaign kicked off tion of Yale from a local to a regional second only to Harvard’s $29 billion (ctsa) that the medical school with a day of presentations by noted to a national to an international nest egg, does not mean the university received in October is the largest grant faculty and alumni—including medi- university.”

Genes from page 1 ences at about one in every 1,300 let- ers pinpointed a single-letter variation Research Consortium, an ters. In all, there are about 10 million strongly associated with the so-called alliance of seven academic sites sprinkled throughout the human “dry” form of amd, a common form centers in the United States genome where common variations of the disease that causes vision loss and Canada that combines occur. Most of these variations, which but which rarely leads to complete resources and genomic data are known as single-nucleotide poly- blindness. to efficiently pursue disease morphisms, or snps (pronounced Using the same approach, Hoh genes. “snips”), have no relevance to health. and colleagues have now identified In the October 26, 2006, But some snps may influence one’s a variation associated with the “wet” online issue of Science, risk of developing a particular disease. form of amd, a rarer but far more Cho and other consortium Genetic variations lying close to damaging form of the disorder in members published results one another on a chromosome are which a proliferation of leaky blood from a study comparing dna often inherited together in chunks. vessels causes irreversible damage to from 547 CD patients and By looking for chunks of variations the retina. In the November 10, 2006, 548 healthy people. The team that are always found in people with a issue of Science, the team reports that used microarray technology particular disease but rarely in healthy people who had inherited a particular that simultaneously examines individuals, scientists can narrow the snp from both parents near a gene more than 300,000 snps in search for disease genes and even- called htra1 are 11 times more likely the genome—80 percent of tually pinpoint their locations. To to get amd than those lacking the the known snps in popula- effectively scan the snps in the entire variant. tions of European ancestry, genomes of large groups of people, The disease-associated snp dis- who are most susceptible to however, one must compare hundreds covered by Hoh’s team seems to CD—and identified a varia- of thousands of variations, which increase the expression of the gene, tion in the healthy people that would have been impossible until but she cautions that her results do is absent in those with CD. quite recently. not definitively establish that the The snp, in a gene Last year, Hoh’s research group variation itself causes amd. The known as IL23R, tamps down was among the first to complete such snp may just lie close to some other Judy Cho has discovered a potential new drug target to the expression of a receptor a whole-genome analysis by combin- disease-promoting genetic variation, treat Crohn’s disease. for interleukin-23 (IL-23), ing the snp information compiled she says, and it is still not clear how a protein that promotes in public databases with the power overexpression of htra1 would cause little about the biological pathways inflammation. Cho speculates thesnp of microarrays—silicon or plastic the blood vessel growth character- causing amd and that identifying po- protects healthy people from CD by chips that are coated with hundreds istic of the disease. However, previ- tential disease-promoting genes like interfering with the protein’s function, of thousands of precisely arranged ous research has demonstrated that htra1 may lead to a greater under- and she suggests that developing drugs microscopic fragments of dna. htra1 protein is present in the eyes standing of those pathways. to block the IL-23 may provide a new The chip the Hoh team used al- of patients with wet amd. Cho, the new director of the therapy for CD. lowed them to rapidly compare the “It’s a long way, probably many medical school’s Inflammatory Bowel “We knew this was an unbelievably genomes of more than 100 people years, to prove it,” Hoh says, but she Disease (ibd) Center, chairs the hot finding,” says Cho, who believes with or without amd for 100,000 dif- adds that every clue is valuable when steering committee of the National that whole-genome analyses will lead ferent snps. As reported in the April tackling poorly understood disorders Institute of Diabetes and Digestive to important advances in treating 15, 2005, issue of Science, the research- like amd. Hoh says that we know very and Kidney Disorders ibd Genetics previously intractable diseases.  www.medicineatyale.org Magnetic resonance system will open new scientific vistas State-of-the art magnet Moving to the School of Medi- cine is a scientific homecoming for will enhance studies of Hetherington and Pan, who along and epilepsy with Rothman received their doctoral degrees in the laboratory of Robert G. Shulman, ph.d., Sterling Professor The School of Medicine has been Emeritus of Molecular Biophysics and awarded a $2 million grant from the Biochemistry and a pioneer of mrs National Center for Research Re- research. sources (ncrr) for the purchase of a Since 1998, first at Brookhaven powerful new 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic National Laboratory and then at resonance system. The 7T system, Einstein, Hetherington and Pan have one of only about a dozen in the collaborated with Yale’s Dennis D. world, will be installed in the medical Spencer, m.d., the Harvey and Kate Douglas Rothman in 2003, school’s Anlyan Center this summer. Cushing Professor of Neurosurgery. during the construction The system will allow Yale researchers In mrs studies of Spencer’s epilepsy of a steel-lined room in to perform ultra-high-resolution MR the Magnetic Resonance patients, Hetherington and Pan have Research Center, which will studies of epilepsy, diabetes, psychi- generated biochemical brain im- house the medical school’s atric diseases, cancer and learning ages that Spencer has used as a guide new 7 Tesla system. disorders in humans. to seizure-prone areas of the brain The new equipment, obtained during surgery. The researchers hope system is critical because it allows us their research projects,” says Barbara with funds from the ncrr’s High- the 7T system will allow them to ac- to draw conclusions at a volume size M. Alving, m.d., the ncrr’s acting End Instrumentation Program, will be curately predict which patients will that makes sense. At 1.5 T, you have to director. “These awards spur the kind a shared resource for several investiga- go on to develop epilepsy following a make a measurement from the entire of scientific discoveries necessary for tors funded by the National Institutes first seizure. brain, but with 7T you can make a the development of treatments for a of Health under the leadership of Hetherington says that mrs is a measurement on the order of a few broad spectrum of diseases.” Douglas L. Rothman, ph.d., professor particularly powerful technique for cubic centimeters,” she says. “Having The School of Medicine will of diagnostic radiology and biomedi- studying neurological diseases, a measurement of the whole brain is contribute approximately half of the cal engineering. because it can detect depletions of a interesting, but it doesn’t tell me any- system’s cost, as well as the cost of in- According to Rothman, the brain-specific chemical that occurs not thing specific. With a 7T system I can stallation in the recently constructed equipment will be used primarily for only in epilepsy, but also in neuro- tell exactly where in the brain I want 30,000-square-foot Magnetic Reso- magnetic resonance spectroscopy degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s to look and be accurate about it.” nance Research Center in the Anlyan (mrs) studies of humans, which cre- disease and multiple sclerosis. The ncrr makes one-time Center. ate profiles of the chemicals present in “It’s very clear that there is better awards to support the purchase of so- “The new 7T system will provide various tissues, or in different regions sensitivity for a number of pathol- phisticated instruments costing more Yale scientists with the capability of of the same tissue. The 7T system can ogies, especially epilepsy, using than $750,000 to advance biomedi- imaging biochemistry and functional chemically analyze areas of tissue as spectroscopic imaging,” he says. “But cal research and increase knowledge activity of the brain and limbs at small as 3 cubic centimeters. for almost any neurological disorder, of the underlying causes of human unprecedented levels of spatial resolu- As a complement to the new there’s an advantage. Alzheimer’s is a disease. tion,” says Rothman. “The research imaging initiative, the medical school prime example of where spectroscopy “The High-End Instrumentation will be unique among ultra-high-field has recruited the research team of works well for early detection.” Program provides numerous investi- MR systems in its focus on developing Hoby P. Hetherington, ph.d., and Jul- According to Pan, the high resolu- gators access to essential equipment, and applying MR biochemical imag- lie W. Pan, m.d., ph.d., from Albert tion of the 7T system changes the often benefiting entire research com- ing for the understanding, diagnosis Einstein College of Medicine. landscape of her research. “The 7T munities and dramatically advancing and treatment of disease.” Grants and contracts awarded to Yale School of Medicine May/June 2006

Composition, 5 years, $2,819,762 • Elias Lolis, and brca1/2: Outcomes and Risk Prediction, 1 year, $85,515 • Elias Lolis, Avigen, Inc., Stage 1: Federal nih, Functional and Structural Studies of CD74 2 years, $249,823 • Robert Constable, Pfizer, Preliminary Characterization of a mif Inhibitor, Activation, 5 years, $2,065,833 • Xingguang Luo, Inc., MR Methodologies and Further Analysis 1 year, $25,501 • Paul Lombroso, National Alli- Morris Bell, nih, Cognitive Training and nih, Fine-Mapping the Risk Loci for Alcoholism and Reporting of Data, 2 months, $25,181 ance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depres- Enhanced Supported Employment, 5 years, in adh Gene Cluster and aldh2 Gene, 5 years, Gail D’Onofrio, Yale-New Haven Health sion, Characterization of the Step Knock-Out $2,138,756 • Christopher Breuer, nih, Develop- $732,816 • Robert Malison, nih, Drug Abuse, System, Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Mouse, 1 year, $99,360 • Diane McMahon-Pratt, ment of Second-Generation Tissue-Engineered Sleep and Cognition, 3 years, $975,109 • Ruslan Response Education and Research, 1 year, University of Iowa, Collaborative Development Vascular Grafts, 5 years, $673,650 • Tania Medzhitov, nih, Cell Biology of tlr Signal $55,000 • Deepak D’Souza, Astra Zeneca, L.P., of a Vaccine Against Cutaneous and Visceral Burgert, nih, Postprandial Glycemia in Asso- Transduction, 5 years, $1,839,375 • Gero Miesen- Nicotinic Modulation of a Noncompetitive N- Leishmanias, 5 years, $156,176 • Guillermo Mor, ciation with Vascular Disease in Childhood boeck, Office of Naval Research, Computation Methyl-d-Aspartate (nmda) Receptor Antago- Novogen Limited, Assay of Induction Apoptosis Obesity, 3 years, $384,544 • Elizabeth Claus, in Neuronal Microcircuits, 1 year, $400,000 • nist–Induced Schizophrenia-Like Information by Phenoxodiol in Cancer Cells, 1 year, $89,920 nih, Meningioma: Risk Factors and Quality of Michael Nathanson, nih, Regulation of Liver Processing Deficits in Humans, 1 year, $496,454 Prakash Nadkarni, Mount Sinai School of Life, 5 years, $3,383,676 • Mark Cullen, nih, by Nuclear Ca2+ Signaling, 5 years, $5,954,074 Daniel Goldstein, Roche Organ Transplanta- Medicine, wtc Medical Monitoring Program Disease, Disability and Death in an Aging Work- Jullie Pan, nih, Metabolic Neuroprotection: tion Foundation, Role of Innate B1 Lymphocytes Data and Preventive Medicine, 3 years, $506,698 force, 5 years, $5,236,618 • Pietro De Camilli, Creative Supplementation in Human Brain, 2 in Neonatal Transplant Tolerance, 2 years, Angus Nairn, National Alliance for Research on nih, Molecular Mechanisms in Synaptic Vesicle years, $518,936 • Nancy Ruddle, nih, Lympho- $162,920 • Zhiwei Hu, Susan G. Komen Breast Schizophrenia and Depression, Neuroproteomic Recycling, 4 years, $1,177,200 • Robin de Graaf, toxin and Lymphoid Neogenesis, 1 year, $82,437 • Cancer Foundation, Targeting the Neovascu- Analysis of the Actions of bdnf and Other nih, Novel Technologies for Global Optimiza- Albert Sinusas, nih, Hybrid Imaging of Angio- lature for Immunotherapy and Photodynamic Neurotrophic Factors, 1 year, $99,900 • Jill tion of Magnetic Field Homogeneity, 2 years, genesis and Arteriogenesis, 4 years, $1,652,083 • Therapy of Breast Cancer, 2 years, $250,000 • Reiter, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Founda- $332,273 • Enrique De La Cruz, nsf, Kinetic Anthony Van den Pol, nih, Cytomegalovirus in Sven-Eric Jordt, Health Effects Institute, Health tion, Prognostic Significance of Soluble egfr Mechanism of dead-box rna Helicase atpase, the Brain, 5 years, $2,043,750 • Detlef Wencker, Effects of Air Pollution, 1 year, $80,000 • Amy Expression in Breast Cancer, 2 years, $250,000 • 5 years, $942,639 • Donald Engelman, nih, nih, Studies of Myocyte Apoptosis in Conges- Justice, University of Kentucky, Computer Sara Rockwell, PharmaMar usa, Inc., Prelimi- TM Interactions in Membrane Protein Folding tive Heart Failure, 5 years, $790,862 • Sandra Alcohol Interventions for hiv+ Veterans, 1 year, nary Studies of the Effects of Aplidine in Hypoxic and Function, 4 years, $1,754,952 • Durland Wolin, nih, Biogenesis of Small rnas, 4 years, $29,219 • Arie Kaffman, American Psychiatric Environments and in Combination with Radia- Fish, nih, Spread of Lyme Borreliosis Bac- $1,346,148 • Tongzhang Zheng, nih, Environ- Institute for Research and Education, The tion, 1 year, $67,035 teria in the U.S., 2 years, $449,625 • Sankar ment, Gene and Testicular Cancer Risk, 5 years, Effects of Postnatal Maternal Care on Neurogen- Ghosh, nih, Regulation and NF-κB and IκB $5,079,796 esis During Development and Their Implications Proteins, 5 years, $2,065,833 • Erol Gulcicek, for the Development of Vulnerability to Stress, nih, Differential Gel Electrophoresis (dige) 1 year, $45,000 • John Krystal, National Alli- System for Yale University Keck Laboratory, 1 ance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depres- year, $405,284 • Joan Kaufman, nih, Genetic Non-Federal sion, gabra2 Modulation of nmda Receptor and Environment Modifiers of Child Depres- Deficit–Related pfc Dysfunction, 1 year, sion, 5 years, $1,858,595 • Brian Leaderer, nih, Elizabeth Claus, Susan G. Komen Breast $100,000 • Elias Lolis, University of Florida, Asthma Severity in Children and Fine Particle Cancer Foundation, Ductal Carcinoma in situ Viral-Based Chemokine Receptor Antagonist,

 Medicine@Yale January/February 2007 Awards Expert on blood pressure genes is honored & honors It has been a busy fall for Richard P. Lifton, m.d., ph.d., chair and Ster- Sidney J. Blatt, ling Professor of Genetics and How- ph.d., profes- ard Hughes Medical Institute investi- sor of psychiatry and psychology, gator. In October, Lifton received the has received the 2006 Robert Tigerstedt Award at the Mary S. Sigourney 21st Scientific Meeting of the Interna- Award for lifetime tional Society of Hypertension (ish) contributions to in Fukuoka, Japan. A month later, psychoanalytic theory, research and education. The he delivered the first Donald Seldin award, which carries a cash prize Lecture at Scientific Sessions 2006, of $50,000, is considered the most the annual national meeting of the distinguished international award for American Heart Association (aha), contributions to psychoanalysis. held this year in Chicago. David C. Cone, The Tigerstedt Award is named m.d., associ- in honor of a Finnish scientist who ate professor discovered renin, a kidney enzyme of surgery and involved in high blood pressure. The epidemiology, is prize is the highest scientific award president-elect of the National of the ish, and is presented at each Association of biennial meeting “to honor a scientist ems Physicians or physician for outstanding achieve- (naemsp), a professional society ments in the field of hypertension.” with more than 1,200 members Lifton was cited by the society for consisting primarily of emergency physicians who serve as the medical his identification of genetic mutations directors of ems agencies and out- that govern human blood pressure by of-hospital care systems. Cone, who affecting how the kidneys handle salt. studies effects of emergency medical Michael Alderman (left), president of the International Society of Hyptertension, presented By investigating families from around Richard Lifton with the Tigerstedt Award in Fukuoka, Japan. dispatch systems on ems resources the world, Lifton’s research team has and mass casualty triage, begins his term as naemsp president in identified mutations in seven genes Over the next 35 years, Seldin was A member of the Yale faculty January. that raise blood pressure, and eight a central figure in UT Southwestern’s since 1993, Lifton is a member of the that lower blood pressure. rise into the ranks of the world’s most National Academy of Sciences and the Linda C. Degutis, The aha lectureship was estab- elite research institutions. Institute of Medicine. dr.ph., m.s.n., lished this year to honor Donald W. associate profes- Along the way, Seldin made semi- He is the recipient of numer- sor of surgery and Seldin, m.d., William Buchanan Chair nal scientific observations on salt and ous awards for his research. These public health, is in Internal Medicine at UT Southwest- potassium transport in the kidney, include the highest scientific awards of president-elect ern Medical Center in Dallas. and he has been a leader in under- several other organizations, includ- of the American Seldin, a 1943 graduate of Yale standing the relationships between ing the aha, the American Society Public Health School of Medicine, served as an Association renal and cardiovascular diseases. of Nephrology, the American Society (apha). With more than 50,000 assistant professor at Yale until 1951, Fittingly, Lifton’s lecture in Chicago of Hypertension and the Council for members, the apha is the oldest and when he left for UT Southwestern, was entitled “Molecular Genetics of High Blood Pressure Research, as well largest organization of public health then a fledgling medical school with Cardiovascular Risks: The Kidney as as the Pasarow Foundation Award for professionals in the world. Degutis, rudimentary facilities. the Cause of Hypertension.” Medical Research. who begins her term in the fall of 2007, does research on clinical and policy interventions related to injury and substance abuse, as well as disas- Education innovator wins award for work on transforming schools ter preparedness. School reform leader James P. Comer, Comer is best known for the dation from the American Psychiatric Arthur L. m.d., the Maurice Falk Professor of School Development Program (sdp), Association and was named to Horwich, m.d., Eugene Higgins Child Psychiatry at the Yale Child founded at the ycsc in 1968. The sdp Education Week magazine’s list of 100 Professor of Study Center (ycsc), has won the promotes optimal emotional, behav- people who helped shape American Genetics and 2007 University of Louisville Grawe- ioral and academic development in education in the 20th century. professor of pedi- meyer Award in Education. The schoolchildren through school gov- atrics, has been award, which carries a $200,000 prize, ernance teams that give all parties— elected a Fellow The School Development of the American cites Comer as a champion of improv- teachers, administrators, parents, stu- Association for the Advancement of ing schools by applying knowledge dents, janitorial and cafeteria workers, Program, developed at Science (aaas). The aaas named from child development research. and school psychologists—a voice in Yale’s Child Study Center, 449 members Fellows this year, for how their schools are operated and a “advancing science applications that stake in the educational outcome. has improved children’s are deemed scientifically or socially performance in over 1,000 distinguished.” Horwich studies a The sdp model has been applied large ring-shaped molecular machine in over 1,000 schools in the United low-achieving schools all called a chaperonin that mediates States, South Africa, England, Ireland protein folding within a large cavity. and the Caribbean, and research has over the world.

shown that it improves children’s per- Annette M. The Grawemeyer Awards, which Molinaro, ph.d., formance in low-achieving schools. assistant professor Comer, author of the 2004 book are also given in music composi- of public health, Leave No Child Behind: Preparing tion, religion, psychology and other has been elected Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s World, fields, were established in 1984 by H. as a member of joined the Yale faculty in 1968. He has Charles Grawemeyer, an alumnus of the International the University of Lousville who made Statistical Insti- received numerous awards, including tute (isi). The the Smithsonian Institution’s John P. his fortune as an industrialist and isi’s approximately 2,000 elected McGovern Behavioral Science Award, entrepreneur. The awards are distin- members are internationally recog- the Heinz Award in the Human guished by Grawemeyer’s belief that nized leaders in the field who have Condition, the Harold W. McGraw Jr. lay people as well as experts should made distinguished contributions to judge candidates’ contributions, and the development or application of Prize in Education, and the Charles A. statistical methods. Molinaro special- Dana Award for Pioneering Achieve- his conviction that sweeping, influen- tial ideas are as important as personal izes in statistical genetics and compu- James Comer has been a forceful advocate ment in Education. He has also re- tational biology. for schooling “the whole child.” ceived a special presidential commen- accomplishment.

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