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The Official Member Newsletter of the Society for Neuroscience Jan – Feb 2002 Sf N NeuroscienceNewsletterNewsletter President’s Message San Diego Meeting Fred H. Gage, President, Draws Record Society for Neuroscience Fred H. Gage, Ph.D., is a professor of Attendance: Laboratory Genetics at The Salk Participants Institute for Biological Studies and an adjunct professor in the Department of Undeterred by Neuroscience at the University of World Events California – San Diego. His research focuses on regeneration in the adult Attendance at the brain and spinal cord, functional signifi- Society’s 31st Annual cance and regulation of neurogenesis in the adult nervous system, Meeting in San Diego, fate determination of stem cells derived from the central nervous Nov. 10–15, exceeded all projections, with a record-breaking 28,500 system, and molecular strategies for the long-term and regulated attendees. This record showing was particularly welcome in light of expression of genes transferred to the adult CNS. world events. There were minimal cancellations, and an upbeat busi- ness-as-usual attitude prevailed. Neuroscience: Press attendance also set a new record. Some 120 reporters regis- Making a Difference Every Day tered during the course of the meeting. Journalists from The New York Times, Science, Nature, The Dallas Morning News, The Los Angeles Times, The tragedy of September 11 and the ensuing events and The Associated Press newswire attended, as well as those from still dominate my thoughts. Our lives have been local television and radio stations. Stories published to date include irrevocably altered, yet we must function as we blueberries improving memory, women coping better with stress, Rett always have. For the neuroscience community, there Syndrome providing clues to other disabilities, and a brain-based has never been a more important time for us to work method of detecting deception that might render current lie detector diligently and effectively and to take solace in the tests obsolete. fact that, as scientists, we make a difference every For photo highlights of the week’s events, including award day. The Society’s recent Annual Meeting in San presentations, see page 6. Diego is a case in point of the neuroscience commu- continued on page 23 nity’s commitment to continuing its important work. Despite world events and concerns about travel and New Executive Director safety, neuroscientists convened in record numbers to present the latest research results with their col- Joins Society leagues from around the world. Marty Saggese joins the Society for Likewise, there has never been a more important Neuroscience in January as its new exec- time for our Society to be equipped to function on the utive director. The SFN Council made neuroscience community’s behalf as we navigate a the appointment after a nationwide changing world landscape, shifting funding priorities search lasting several months. due to bioterrorism, and a precarious economy. With Saggese succeeds Nancy Beang, the departure of Nancy Beang last spring after 20 who retired last April after 20 years years of service to the Society, we have been actively Patricia Goldman-Rakic welcomes with the Society. For the past six seeking a new executive director to guide Society Saggese at the Past Presidents’ months, a committee of SFN’s senior luncheon in San Diego. continued on page 12 managers has overseen operations at Society headquarters. Inside “SFN’s officers and Councilors are delighted to have Marty come Report from NIH Acting Director Ruth Kirschstein . .3 on board as our new ED,” said Society Past President Donald Price. San Diego Photo Highlights . .6–9 “He has a very substantial background in the nonprofit arena, in working with government and public corporations, in fiscal affairs, Appropriations Update . .10 and, perhaps most importantly, in strategic planning. He will be a real PBS Series, “Secret Life of the Brain” . .14 asset in positioning our organization to deal with the many challenges Neuroscience in Canada . .20 and opportunities that will be encountered over the next decade.” continued on page 22 Sf N Presenting the Answers in Orlando Society for Neuroscience 11 Dupont Circle, NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20036 [email protected] www.sfn.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Martin Saggese Officers PRESIDENT Fred H. Gage PRESIDENT-ELECT Huda Akil PAST PRESIDENT Donald L. Price SECRETARY Carol A. Barnes TREASURER Susan G. Amara In 2002, for the first time, the Society for Neuroscience will hold its Annual Meeting in TREASURER-ELECT Raymond J. Dingledine Orlando, Florida. We are delighted to have secured this premier location, one of the world's most popular destinations for leisure and business travelers. From November 2 through 7, Councilors join neuroscientists from around the globe for SFN's 32nd Annual Meeting, a thought- Christine M. Gall provoking week featuring the latest developments in the continuing quest for answers Kristen M. Harris across the spectrum of neuroscience. Mary B. Kennedy We will be bringing you more information on the Orlando meeting in this newsletter Virginia Lee and on our Web site at www.sfn.org. See below for abstract submission information. Pat Levitt Nicholas C. Spitzer David C. Van Essen Abstract Submissions Open in March Nancy S. Wexler The deadline for abstract submissions for SFN’s 32nd Annual Meeting in Orlando, November 2–7, 2002, is approaching. The receipt deadline for paper submissions is Monday, April 22. The deadline for online submissions is Monday, May 6, 5:00 pm, your Published bimonthly by the local time. Society for Neuroscience Watch for Postcard in the Mail Circulation: 29,000 Due to the popularity of online submission (SFN processed only 200 paper abstracts in 2001), members will no longer receive a Call for Abstracts booklet in the mail. Instead, © 2002 Society for Neuroscience we will be sending a postcard reminder in the spring when the Abstract site goes live. ISSN 0278-3738 The card will provide instructions for accessing the online abstract submission form. It will also provide a phone number for individuals without Internet access to have an EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Carol A. Barnes abstract submission packet mailed to them. MANAGING EDITOR Judith Hittman Abstracts Volume Goes Electronic Only DESIGNER Andrea Hart On a related note, due to the significant cost savings and convenience of the electronic PRODUCTION Kate Hawker format, Council voted for the elimination of the print Abstracts volume. All members EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Terri Boyers will once again receive a free abstracts viewer on CD. Watch this newsletter for more EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Kitty Bergert information. Paper Receipt Deadline For permission to reprint articles, Monday, April 22 please contact the Managing Editor. Online Submission Deadline Monday, May 6, 5:00 pm author’s local time. Opinions expressed in the Neuroscience Newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the Society or of its officers and councilors. NIH DIRECTORS’ COLUMN Report from Acting Director of the National Institutes of Health Stem Cell Registry, New Neuroscience Research Center among Projects Under Way I am pleased of function for many neurological disor- www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/index.htm to have the ders. However, it is clear that there is a and on the NIH Grants and Funding opportunity to critical need to conduct basic research Opportunities page at describe some on these embryonic stem cells in order http://grants.nih.gov. of the National to create a base of knowledge about Institutes of how the cells function and how they can Bovine Spongiform Health (NIH) be manipulated. Encephalopathy/Transmissible programs and President Bush’s August 9, 2001, Spongiform Encephalopathy activities of decision on stem cell research allows us Action Plan potential to begin providing the stimulus of fed- On August 23, U.S. Department of interest to the eral dollars for this promising work. Health and Human Services Secretary neuroscience NIH is expeditiously implementing this Ruth Kirschstein, M.D., Tommy G. Thompson announced a community. policy. We hope that as soon as a reg- Acting Director, National department-wide action plan outlining Neuroscience istry of the cells is posted, federally Institutes of Health new steps to improve scientific under- is a vital part standing of BSE and related diseases. of the research programs funded by NIH plans to increase As part of this plan, NIH will double NIH. Because of impressive increases in funding for extramural spending on TSEs (including BSE and funding for NIH each year since 1999, vCJD) over the next year, doubling the progress in the medical sciences is research facilities grants number of laboratory facilities available advancing at a speed we only dreamed as well as improving for this research over the next two years, of a short time ago. NIH institutes and intramural lab facilities. and tripling the number of investigators centers have strategically invested the involved over the next five years. More resources provided in order to take funded investigators will take full information about this plan is on the advantage of the enormous scientific advantage of this new opportunity to Web at www.hhs.gov/news/press/ opportunities and to address essential conduct research on existing human 2001pres/20010823.html. health needs. embryonic stem cells and explore the enormous potential of these unique Biomedical Imaging and Budget Update cells. To that end, NIH has initiated a Bioengineering Neuroscience usually comprises a large process