Vol. 14 / No. 3 / March 2015

The member magazine of The American Society For Biochemistry And Molecular Biology CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES 2 14 42 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MEETING The scoop on Jerry Greenfield Funding decisions: the HHMI method 14 Meeting prep 15 Plenary lecturer: Bonnie L. Bassler 4 18 Plenary lecturer: Ian A. Wilson NEWS FROM THE HILL 20 Plenary lecturer: C. David Allis 22 Poster tips Who should be funding biomedical research? 23 Outreach and policy special events PERSPECTIVES 24 Tabor Research Award winner: 5 Joan Steitz MEMBER UPDATE 25 Stadtman award winner: Jack E. Dixon 46 27 Plenary/Lipmann lecturer: Rachel E. Klevit EDUCATION 6 28 Education award winner: J. Ellis Bell Teaching old (and new) dogs new tricks JOURNAL NEWS 29 Young investigator award winner: 6 JBC: Breaking up the bone breakdown Erica Ollmann Saphire 48 7 JBC: Thematic minireview series 30 Schachman award winners: MINORITY AFFAIRS Rosa DeLauro and Jerry Moran Binding together on radical SAM enzymes 48 Inspiring students with disabilities to earn 8 MCP: See algae run 31 Avanti award winner: Karen Reue STEM doctoral degrees 9 ASBMB journals to request 32 Plenary lecturer/ASBMB–Merck award 52 Advocating for equity in STEM the world of biology researcher ID numbers winner: Zhijian “James” Chen 10 JLR: Two drugs are better than one 33 Vallee award winner: David Eisenberg 34 Rose award winner: 53 Kathleen S. Matthews GENERATIONS • More than 700 experts conduct 11 35 Wang parasitology award winner: 53 From diapers to dissertation LIPID NEWS Alan F. Cowman 54 Taking stock thorough and fair peer review. Mitochondrial phospholipases integrate 36 Cohn award winner: Judith Klinman cellular bioenergetics, signaling and cell fate 37 Shaw young investigator award winner: Britta Brügger 58 38 Delano computational award winner: hobbies • First decision is made within 21 days 13 Vijay Pande 58 How to meet rock stars NEWS 39 Kirschstein diversity award winner: and pageant beauties of submission, on average. Endometriosis awareness month JoAnn Trejo 59 From project to runway • Accepted articles are published 14 24 online immediately as open-access Papers in Press. 42 53 58 Learn how Jerry Greenfield applied his scientific training when he and his friend built the ice cream empire that is Ben & Submit your next article to JBC Jerry’s.

www.jbc.org www.asbmb.org MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 1 president’s message

Yes, the HHMI does consider the proposed research plans. But, more than anything, it weighs its appointment deci- The member magazine of The American Society sions upon what the scientists have accomplished during their for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Funding decisions: initial period of independence and its reappointment decisions primarily upon discoveries made by the candidates during the

Officers Council Members appointment window immediately preceding the review. Steven McKnight Natalie Ahn the HHMI method The second distinctive feature that I have observed is that President Squire J. Booker Karen G. Fleming the HHMI review process obligatorily involves face-to-face Jeremy M. Berg By Steven McKnight interaction between candidates and reviewers. Although only Past President Gregory Gatto Jr. Research Associate Daniel Leahy three to four reviewers provide written assessments of each Karen Allen Anjana Rao Secretary reappointment candidate, all of the 25 to 30 reviewers get to The University of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, Jared Rutter PA, is seeking a Research Associate to be responsible for Toni Antalis Brenda Schulman n this essay and in a subsequent essay, I will describe and compare how hear directly from the investigator. research dealing with the understanding of human diseases Treasurer Michael Summers two organizations carry out the review processes dictating how they spend The final distinctive feature concerns the qualifications of & the improvement of human health. He or she will conduct their funds. I first will cover the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a the individual reviewers. With respect to investigator reap- research and associated activities, including collecting subject ASBMB Today Editorial I data (vital signs, height, weight) for research, investigating Ex-Officio Members science philanthropy that provides a bit under $1 billion annually in support pointment, the HHMI uses its scientific review board to Dorothy Beckett Advisory Board related medical events, & recording symptoms, in the Renal Mary Roberts Charles Brenner of biomedical research and science education. Next month, I will turn to the conduct the initial review. Its medical advisory board helps to Electrolyte & Hypertension Division. Co-chairs, 2015 Annual Chair National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. federal government that ensure that the scientific review board’s recommendations are Meeting Program Michael Bradley distributes between $15 billion and $20 billion in annual funding of extra- fair and accurate. Position requires a MD degree or foreign equivalent degree Committee Floyd “Ski” Chilton plus 2 years of kidney research exp. which shall include at mural biomedical research. My hope is that exploring how these two systems Peter J. Kennelly Cristy Gelling The scientific review board consists of 37 biomedical least 1 year of exp. in: Chair, Education and Peter J. Kennelly work — and studying their distinctive features — will inspire stakeholders to researchers, and the medical advisory board has an additional (1) working with Institutional Review Boards to ensure study Professional Development Rajini Rao think seriously about how the NIH peer-review process might be improved. 13 scientists. Among these 50 review participants, 37 are regulatory compliance; Committee Yolanda Sanchez (2) renal research lab assays & human specimen handling Shiladitya Sengupta The HHMI supports a variety of research and education programs, includ- members of the National Academy of Sciences. It is no acci- Daniel Raben including conducting research in various hospital settings; & Chair, Meetings Committee Carol Shoulders ing work done at its own Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, Va. Among dent that 74 percent are academy members. Whether useful or (3) operating advanced research equipment including Mobil- its various programs, HHMI spends the vast majority of its funds in support appropriate or not, the HHMI clearly wants its most impor- 0-Graph, Vasera device, sphygmocor & Spacelabs monitor & Takita Felder Sumter ASBMB Today measuring pulse wave velocity, Cardio ankle vascular index & Chair, Minority Affairs of 324 individual investigators who perform research at more than 70 institu- tant decisions, investigator appointment or reappointment, to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for cardiac & vascular Committee Angela Hopp Editor, [email protected] tions in the U.S. be guided by the input of accomplished scientists. functional assessment. Thomas Baldwin How are HHMI investigators first tapped? The organization periodically I readily admit that past scientific accomplishment does not Chair, Outreach Committee Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay To apply for this position, please send your CV/resume to: Sr. Science Writer, opens a competition for the appointment of new HHMI investigators. These directly equate to effective capacity to review. I do, however, Bob Matthews [email protected] [email protected] Chair, Public Affairs competitions typically are restricted to emerging scientists with five to 15 believe that a reasonable correlation exists between the two. Advisory Committee Marnay Meyer Designer, [email protected] years of independent research experience and are judged in two phases. The This belief is open for debate. Kathleen Collins first phase involves reviewers from HHMI’s scientific review board, its medi- Why is it that the HHMI is able to induce accomplished Chair, Publications Lauri Pantos Committee Manager of Publications cal advisory board, ad hoc reviewers and existing HHMI investigators. Final- scientists to participate in investigator reviews? I offer three Technology, [email protected] Martha J. Fedor ists emerging from the initial phase of review are then interviewed in person explanations. First, the HHMI provides substantial compensa- Editor-in-chief, JBC Ciarán Finn Web Publication Assistant, at the HHMI by scientific review board members, medical advisory board tion to its reviewers. Second, the review teams are composed Herbert Tabor [email protected] members and ad hoc reviewers. of interesting and accomplished scientists, making it enjoy- Co-editor, JBC Karen Schools Colson HHMI investigators have terms of five years. Roughly one year prior to the able for individual reviewers to participate. Third, the HHMI Upcoming ASBMB events A. L. Burlingame Director of Publications, end of an appointment term, each HHMI investigator must provide evidence Editor, MCP [email protected] appointment or reappointment candidates are themselves of Edward A. Dennis Barbara Gordon of progress along with a brief plan for future research efforts. Reappointment a relatively high level of accomplishment, so reviewers get to and deadlines Joseph L. Witztum Executive Director, candidates then present their science in person to the scientific review board, review exciting and inventive science. Co-editors, JLR [email protected] typically composed of 25 to 30 scientists. After reviewing the written materi- I close by offering evidence that the HHMI supports unusu- March als and the oral presentation of a reappointment candidate, the scientific ally talented biomedical researchers. Seventeen active HHMI For information on advertising, contact Pharmaceutical review board offers its recommendation as to whether or not the investigator investigators, six HHMI alumni and one scientist from the Mar. 15: Accreditation deadline Media Inc. at 212-904-0374 or [email protected]. should be reappointed. Based upon the review panel’s recommendations, the Janelia Farm campus have won the Nobel prize. In addition, administrative leadership of the HHMI then makes the final decision. 23 current or former HHMI investigators have won the Lasker Mar. 28 – Apr. 1: ASBMB annual meeting Having served on the HHMI scientific review board, I am familiar with award in basic medical research or clinical medical research. the review process for both new appointments and reappointments. I high- www.asbmb.org/asbmbtoday light below three unique aspects of the review process. Reference PRINT ISSN 2372-0409 First, more than anything, the HHMI endeavors to select and retain 1. www.hhmi.org/programs/biomedical-research/investigator-program Articles published in ASBMB Today reflect solely “individuals who have the potential to make significant contributions to sci- the authors’ views and not the official positions of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular ence” (1). New investigators are chosen primarily on the basis of what they Steven McKnight ([email protected]) is Biology or the institutions with which the authors have accomplished early in their careers as independent scientists. For existing president of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular are affiliated. Mentions of products or services are Biology and chairman of the biochemistry department at the not endorsements. investigators, past performance during the four-year period preceding the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. review itself is the dominant criterion for reappointment. ©2015 ASBMB

2 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 3 news from the hill member update

Haltiwanger to join the biochemistry has provided seminal Originally from New London, Minn., University of Georgia insights into the mechanisms of Nordlie earned his master’s and Who should be funding protein structure and function. doctoral degrees at the University of Robert Haltiwan- Matthews is one of seven leaders of North Dakota’s biochemistry ger, who leads the the international protein-science department, which he ultimately biochemistry and community who have been honored chaired between 1983 and 2000. His biomedical research? cell biology depart- with the Carl Brändén award. He will scientific career, spanning almost 45 ment at Stony receive his in July in Barcelona. years, focused on gluconeogenic By Chris Pickett and Benjamin Corb Brook University, Matthews served as president of the Haltiwanger enzymology. Nordlie served on the will join the Protein Society between 2003 and editorial boards of Biochimica et faculty of the University of Georgia as 2005, co-founded the Protein Folding Biophysica Acta and the Journal of he federal government’s invest- in the academy’s 2014 report “Restor- Claire Pomeroy, president of the its newest Georgia Research Alliance Consortium and has served on the Biological Chemistry, and he was the ment in research through the ing the foundation: the vital role of Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, eminent scholar. Renowned for his editorial boards of numerous journals. recipient of many prestigious awards, T National Institutes of Health, research in preserving the American also will be a panelist. The Lasker work on glycobiology, Haltiwanger including the Thomas J. Clifford the National Science Foundation and dream.” The report offers recommen- Foundation supports biomedical this fall will become a member of the In memoriam: Award for Excellence in Research, the other agencies is indispensible, but dations to establish long-term sustain- research through recognition of excel- Complex Carbohydrate Research Jason Wolfe Burlington Northern Faculty Scholar political maneuvering in Washington, ability in the U.S. research enterprise lent science as well as outstanding Center at UGA, where he will direct Jason Wolfe, Award and the Edgar Dale Award. D.C., has made for a challenging fiscal and ensure the federal government advocacy and public education efforts. various studies aimed at understanding professor emeritus Upon Nordlie’s retirement, the environment. The result has been a remains the foundational investor in In addition to her work at the Lasker complex human diseases, including at Wesleyan university established the Robert C. decade of nearly stagnant funding scientific research. An engineer by Foundation, Pomeroy is a clinician cancer, congenital heart disease and University, died Nordlie Endowment in Biochemistry and decreased chances of successfully training, Narayanamurti has made with a lab researching infectious developmental disorders. Haltiwanger Dec. 23. He was and Molecular Biology, and the funding a research project. many significant contributions to the disease. She is also a staunch advocate and his team were the first to develop 73. Wolfe earned endowment continues to serve as an Nonfederal funding mechanisms fields of phonon optics and semicon- for patients with HIV/AIDS and has small-molecule inhibitors of Wolfe his bachelor’s from ongoing recognition of Nordlie’s for research, such as philanthropic ductor nanostructures. been active in a variety of healthcare O-GlcNAcase that subsequently led to Rutgers University and his Ph.D. success and contributions to UND. investments and crowdsourced fund- When federal funds aren’t available, policy issues. the development of Alzheimer’s drug candidates. Over the years, his research from the University of California, ing, have increased in popularity, but some scientists turn to the public for These panelists represent just Berkeley. He then completed In memoriam: are they right for you and your lab? funding. Jai Ranganathan, another some of the possible funding sources on glycoproteins has been supported by over $10 million in funding from postdoctoral fellowships at Kings Lester J. Reed Do they provide a reliable funding panelist, is executive director of #Sci- available to scientists today, and we College in London and Johns the National Institutes of Health, the Lester J. Reed, professor emeritus at stream? A discussion prompted by Fund Challenge, which helps research- hope you will join the conversation. Hopkins University in Baltimore. He American Cancer Society and the the University of Texas at Austin, died those questions will be the basis of the ers crowdsource funding. Seeking to The session — titled “Who should be then joined the faculty of Wesleyan, Mizutani Foundation for Glycosci- Jan. 14. A native of New Orleans, Public Affairs Advisory Committee’s improve outreach, #SciFund Chal- funding biomedical research?” — will where he taught cell biology, human ence. Haltiwanger is editor of the Reed showed an early passion for session at the American Society for lenge trains scientists to communicate be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March biology, biology of aging and the journal Gycobiology. chemistry as a child. His scientific Biochemistry and Molecular Biology directly with the public about the 29, in room 253A of the Boston Con- elderly, and structural biology for 39 inquiry led him to pursue a B.S annual meeting later this month in value of the research they conduct. vention and Exhibition Center. years. Wolfe carried out research into Matthews wins from Tulane University and a Ph.D. Boston. Furthermore, the group trains scien- the regulation of reproduction and Chris Pickett in organic chemistry — which he Venkatesh Narayanamurti of tists to use these newfound outreach Carl Brändén award aging. He is credited with leading the (cpickett@asbmb. earned at age 21 — at the University Harvard University will be one of the skills to carry out crowdfunding cam- org) is a policy The Protein successful effort to win Wesleyan’s of Illinois, Urbana–Champaign. After panelists. In addition to many other paigns to fund their research. Ran- analyst at ASBMB. Society named C. first Howard Hughes Medical completing a postdoctoral fellow- accolades, Narayanamurti is a member ganathan is a conservation biologist Benjamin Corb Robert Matthews Institute Grant for Undergraduate ([email protected]) is director of public affairs ship under Nobel laureate Vincent of the American Academy of Arts and working at the National Center for the winner of its Life Science Education, which at ASBMB. Du Vigneaud at Cornell University, Sciences, and he played a critical role Ecological Analysis and Synthesis. Carl Brändén supports undergraduate research. Reed joined the UT–Austin chemis- award in recogni- Matthews try department, where he conducted tion of his In memoriam: groundbreaking studies on the isola- outstanding contributions to protein tion of lipoic acids and the character- Interested science. Matthews, chairman of the Robert C. Nordlie in science policy? University of Massachusetts Medical Robert C. Nordlie, ization of multienzyme complexes. School’s biochemistry department, has a scientist who was Reed won the American Chemical Follow our blog for news, Society Eli Lilly & Co. Award in analysis and commentary on spearheaded important advancements internationally in the development of methods to renowned for his Biological Chemistry in 1958 and the policy issues affecting scientists, American Society for Biochemistry research funding and society. determine protein folding, including research on the chevron plot, as well as site- glucose-6-phos- and Molecular Biology Merck Award Visit policy.asbmb.org. Nordlie directed mutagenesis. His research phatase and blood in 1994. involving kinetics, energetics and glucose homeostasis, died Jan. 8. Written by Aditi Iyengar

4 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 5 JOURNAL NEWS Breaking up the bone breakdown Thematic minireview series By Maggie Kuo on radical SAM enzymes Although no cure exists for osteoporo- By David B. Iaea sis, researchers are working to outline This study adds more details to the signaling pathways that the pathways behind the bone-deteri- underlie osteoclastogenesis. S-adenosyl-L-methionine, or SAM, and Twitch domains could provide oration process. A study recently pub- is one of the most common enzyme mechanistic insight into other radi- lished in the Journal of Biological The esearchr team lead by Byung- differentiation and as a downstream cofactors and serves as a ubiquitous cal SAM enzymes, several complex Chemistry describes a new pathway methyl and sulfur donor for a variety chemical mechanisms need to be involved in bone breakdown, offering Soo Youn identified two novel target of RANKL. proteins, progranulin, or PGRN, The researchers next investigated of biological and chemical processes, elucidated. In the second minire- novel targets for pharmaceutical inter- including macromolecule methylation view, Joseph Jarret of the University ventions against osteoporosis. and PGRN-induced receptor-like the downstream targets of PGRN and protein during osteoclastogenesis, or discovered an uncharacterized gene and biosynthesis of organic molecules. of Hawaii at Manoa discusses sulfur Bone remodeling involves two cell One enzyme group that uses SAM insertion chemistry required for a types: osteoclasts that break down PIRO, that are regulated by RANKL whose expression increased 20-fold in and are vital for osteoclast develop- the presence of PGRN. The research- is the radical SAM enzyme family, variety of biological cofactors and existing bone and osteoblasts that macromolecules. Mechanistically, ment. This study was a collaborative ers named the protein PGRN-induced which is only partially understood and form new bone. Too many osteoclasts characterized. While the radical SAM radical SAM enzymes generate a effort between Wonkwang University receptor-like protein during osteoclas- result in bone breakdown exceed- enzyme family originally was thought highly reactive radical to introduce in Korea and OsteoNeuroGen, of togenesis, or PIRO for short. Sup- ing bone formation, weakening the to be relatively small, it is now known functional groups into normally unre- which Youn is also the chief execu- pressing PGRN expression reduced bone structure. Osteoclastogenesis, to be quite large and highly prevalent. active positions containing carbon or tive officer. Exposure of bone marrow PIRO expression. Moreover, when the the development of osteoclasts from The Journal of Biological Chem- phosphorus. cells to PGRN and RANKL resulted bone-marrow cells were stimulated their precursor cells, hematopoietic istry recently published a thematic Continuing with elucidating the in dramatic formation of osteo- with RANKL, PGRN expression stem cells, is regulated by receptor minireview series coordinated by diverse and complex chemical reac- phorus atoms in a variety of biomol- κ clasts. Endogenous PGRN levels was highest at two days, and PIRO activator of nuclear factor B ligand, associate editor Ruma Banerjee at the tions of radical SAM enzymes, Tadhg ecules is a common function of SAM also increased with exposure time to expression was highest at three days, or RANKL. RANKL binds to its University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, P. Begley of Texas A&M University enzymes, the mechanisms of methyl corresponding receptor and begins the RANKL. Furthermore, suppressing suggesting sequential activation. These featuring six short review articles that and collaborators describe SAM transfer for these reactions are diverse. differentiation process. The signaling PGRN production reduced osteoclast data reinforce the idea that PIRO describe the diversity of chemical reac- enzymes’ roles in the synthesis of The authors discuss the classification pathways initiated by RANKL, how- formation. Together, these data sup- is a downstream target of PGRN. tions catalyzed by these enzymes and several biologically active cofactors, of radical SAM methyltransferase into ever, are not well understood. port a role for PGRN in osteoclast Suppressing PIRO expression also demonstrate their shared structural including the iron cofactor heme four groups based on the components markedly decreased the formation and mechanistic themes. involved in oxygen transport in red involved in the transfer reaction. of osteoclasts, further supporting Members of the radical SAM blood cells. The authors describe the In the final minireview, Linlin Yang that PIRO is required for RANKL- enzyme family use SAM and an iron- active site of radical SAM enzymes and Lei Li at Indiana University−Pur- induced osteoclast formation. sulfur (4Fe-4S) cluster to catalyze as a unique, protected environment due University Indianapolis discuss This study adds more details to a wide array of chemical reactions. that allows the generated radical to the role of bacterial spore photoprod- the signaling pathways that underlie These enzymes share structural and undergo complex and unprecedented uct lyase, a radical SAM enzyme, in osteoclastogenesis. The findings sup- mechanistic motifs despite their func- organic chemical reactions. ultraviolet-induced DNA damage port that after RANKL binds to its tional diversity. Not surprisingly, generation of repair. While the first several steps in receptor, transcription of PGRN is In the first minireview, Catherine unique metal-bearing cofactors DNA damage repair mediated by SPL initiated, and PGRN level increases. L. Drenann and coworkers at the requires a unique enzyme family. have been elucidated, several ques- PGRN then triggers a second wave Massachusetts Institute of Technol- In the fourth minireview, Joan B. tions remain as to the mechanism of of signaling that leads to production ogy describe the SPASM and Twitch Broderick and colleagues at Montana the remainder of the catalytic cycle. of PIRO and ultimately results in the domains in radical SAM enzymes. State University describe the role of While the thematic minireviews formation of osteoclasts. This study In addition to a core CX3CX2C SAM enzymes in the generation of provide multiple perspectives on our offers PGRN/PIRO as a potential motif required for interaction with three unique metal cofactors. They are current knowledge of the enzyme therapeutic target for treating a (4Fe-4S) cluster, the SPASM and unusual in that they coordinate with superfamily, it is clear that we have osteoporosis. Twitch domains in several radical unusual nonprotein ligands. only scratched the surface of these SAM enzymes form extensions that In the fifth minireview, Squire complex enzymes. Maggie Kuo was an intern at can interact with an additional (4Fe- Booker and coworkers at the Pennsyl- ASBMB Today when she wrote this David B. Iaea (dai2004@med. story. Today she is a writer at the 4S) cluster. These extensions provide vania State University cover methyla- cornell.edu) is a graduate student American Physiological Society. a platform to facilitate functional and tion reactions mediated by radical in the Tri-Institutional Program in She earned her Ph.D. in biomedi- substrate diversification. SAM enzymes. While methylation of Chemical Biology at Weill Cornell cal engineering at Johns Hopkins University. While the structures of the SPASM relatively unreactive carbon or phos- Medical College.

6 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 7 level of t-SNARE and a low level of ment, initiating their mass flight out comings and goings. The research- See algae run v-SNARE proteins in the coral, which of the coral. Those algae that emainr ers intend to investigate next how suggests that the coral cells have the in the coral, the ones that ended up in this timing unfolds to, as they put it, New evidence support that, during coral bleaching, ability to exocytose their constituents. the coral samples, would not express better “predict the impact of environ- algae are not getting kicked out but leaving on their own The investigators also saw no evidence the v-SNARE proteins, because they mental change on the future resilience By Maggie Kuo of t-SNARE proteins in the algae, as are the ones that stayed. of tropical coral reef ecosystems.” they had expected, although they were The investigators write that surprised that no v-SNARE proteins the data support their notion that Maggie Kuo was an intern at Corals do not handle change well: were detected either. algae taking flight, not algae being They turn ghostly white at a slight ASBMB Today when she wrote this Based on these data, the researchers destroyed or the coral breaking apart, story. Today she is a writer at the shift in water conditions because the propose that the algae express their causes coral bleaching. Moreover, they American Physiological Society. algae residing in their cells, the source own v-SNARE proteins when they continue, the study provides more She earned her Ph.D. in biomedi- cal engineering at Johns Hopkins University. of their color, disappear. Although this first sense changes in their environ- evidence that algae can control their phenomenon, coral bleaching, is well- documented and unfortunately occur- ring more often now, scientists are still not clear why the algae disappear. An international team of researchers recently reported in Molecular & ASBMB journals to request researcher ID numbers Cellular Proteomics that the algae By Karen Schools Colson may run their own exit strategy when stressful conditions set in. Do you have an ORCID? No, not the beautiful, expensive flower but a unique identification number that distin- A coral colony provides a protec- guishes you from fellow researchers with similar names. tive environment for algae by allow- Known as ORCID for short, the Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier Registry’s mission is to ensure ing the algae to live in membrane- that all of your professional contributions are fully credited to you. Publishers, funding agencies and repositories enclosed bubbles, or vesicles, inside its Image courtesy of Kelsey Roberts, U.S. Geological Survey, a Wikimedia Commons user (such as PubMed) use the unique researcher identification numbers to credit properly individuals for their publi- cells. In return for a home, the algae A colony of the soft coral known as the “bent sea rod” stands bleached on a reef off of Islamorada. cations, datasets, patents and other contributions to the scientific enterprise. convert the coral’s metabolic waste The three journals published by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology soon will begin into oxygen and nutrients that the sensitive factor activating protein expression of the coral’s and algae’s collecting ORCIDs during the article-submission process. The journals also will publish ORCIDs in the full text coral uses to sustain itself. Changes receptor, or SNARE, proteins. exocytosis proteins. and PDF versions of all articles. Several organizations and publishers already use ORCIDs, including the National in the environmental conditions, like SNARE proteins on the vesicle’s The group collected corals from the Institutes of Health, the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science water temperature or light exposure, membrane, v-SNAREs, latch onto Great Barrier Reef and, in tanks on a and Elsevier. break this relationship and cause the SNARE proteins on the cell’s mem- research ship, subjected their samples It’s easy to register for your ORCID — just three quick steps. Visit http://orcid.org/ to get started. You also algae to disappear. The coral is left brane, t-SNAREs, bridging the two to temperature and light conditions can set up a profile page and search the registry for other investigators. bare, and if the algae are not re- membranes together and allowing that cause coral bleaching in nature: Karen Schools Colson ([email protected]) is the Never get confused with someone who has a similar name again: Register established, the coral colony eventu- them to become one. During this high light exposure in normal water director of publications at ASBMB. for an ORCID today! ally dies. exocytosis process, the vesicle’s inte- temperature, high light exposure in Scientists have several theories on rior becomes exposed to the outside, high water temperature and low light why the algae disappear. Some believe and the vesicle’s contents are flipped exposure in high water temperature. that the coral cells are breaking off or outwards. The researchers then used proteomics dying. Others argue that the effects An earlier study by Long’s group analyses to measure the changes in are on the algae themselves, that the found SNARE proteins in algae-har- protein expression under each condi- algae are being destroyed or getting boring coral samples. Other studies tion. They took advantage of hav- thrown out by the coral cells. Paul F. had shown that intracellular microbes ing both the coral’s and algae’s gene Long, who led the team that authored can mediate their own entry into and sequences, which only became avail- the recent MCP paper, supports the exit from host cells by encoding their able recently, to distinguish which idea that the algae are leaving the own SNARE proteins. Long’s team proteins were the algae’s and which coral but that they are leaving on their proposed that in a similar fashion, were the coral’s. own accord. algae could have their own SNARE All three conditions resulted For the contents of a vesicle to be proteins so that they can enter and in bleaching of the coral samples released out of the cell, the membrane leave the coral at will. In this new and reduced photosynthetic activ- of the vesicle has to merge with the study, Long and his team sought to ity of the algae, confirming that cell’s membrane. Membrane fusing determine if changes in tempera- these treatments did stress the coral. involves soluble N-ethylmaleimide- ture and light conditions altered the The investigators observed a high

8 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 9 LIPID NEWS Two drugs are better than one A two-pronged approach to increasing cholesterol elimination Mitochondrial phospholipases By Mollie Rappe integrate cellular bioenergetics, “Cholesterol: We can’t live with it, can’t live without it,” quips Gregory Graf of the University of Kentucky, whose research team wrote in the signaling and cell fate Journal of Lipid Research about a potentially powerful two-drug combi- By Richard W. Gross Chemical structure of ezetimibe nation that appears to be pretty good Chemical structure of ursodiol at removing the sometimes pesky in the treatment of high cholesterol. molecule from the body. Graf said he is hopeful “that these two lowered blood cholesterol level. hospholipases are enzymes that the prominent roles The body regulates cholesterol in a agents may in fact be effective in work- Graf and co-workers didn’t stop cleave ester linkages in phos- of lipid second- complex manner. It makes cholesterol ing cooperatively to promote choles- there; they also wanted to see if the P pholipids and often serve as the messengers and and absorbs it from food — achieving terol elimination in human subjects” treatment was dependent upon the rate-determining step in the genera- mitochondrial a balance that is not fully understood. but cautions that there are differences G5G8 transport pathway. They tested tion of a wide variety of lipid second reactive oxygen The process of getting rid of excess between mice and humans. the ursodiol alone and the ursodiol- messengers. Historically, endogenous species, or ROS, cholesterol is even more complex. The Graf and co-workers tested urso- ezetimibe combination on mice lack- phospholipid storage pools in the as physiologic liver is central to cholesterol synthe- diol and determined that it increased ing the G5G8 cholesterol transporter. endoplasmic reticulum and the signaling moieties. sis and elimination. In addition to the levels of a key cholesterol trans- The G5G8 knockout mice had sig- plasma membrane have been consid- Conversely, the directly secreting cholesterol, the liver port protein (the ABCG5-ABCG8 nificantly lower fecal cholesterol levels ered the major sources of polyunsatu- excessive and mal- turns cholesterol into detergentlike heterodimer, or G5G8). Ursodiol also than the wild-type mice, but for both rated fatty acids that are hydrolyzed adaptive production bile acids. The gallbladder stores the increased the amount of cholesterol strains the ursodiol-alone treatment by intracellular phospholipases during of ROS in disease bile — a mix of bile acids, unmodi- secreted into the gallbladder and dramatically increased the amount of cellular activation. The released states leads to the fied cholesterol and many other waste eliminated in feces in a dose-depen- cholesterol eliminated in feces by the polyunsaturated fatty acids serve as generation of toxic Generation of lipid second messengers by iPLA2γ and downstream enzymes products, such as bilirubin — before dent manner. Unfortunately, although same proportion — 700 percent. On substrates for oxidation by a variety chemical species γ secreting it into the small intestine to cholesterol was flushed out of the top of that, the combination therapy of cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and that promote mitochondrial dysfunc- thereby eliminating iPLA2 enzymatic help dissolve and absorb dietary fats. body, the level of plasma cholesterol doubled the fecal cholesterol levels in cytochrome P450s to generate a rich tion and cell death (e.g., necrosis activity as well as detectable protein Much of the cholesterol secreted into did not decrease, which is the clinical both mice strains. repertoire of lipid second messengers. through opening of the mitochon- (2). Moreover, genetic deletion of γ the small intestine is then reabsorbed. goal. Graf admits this puzzled them While the results from this work However, recent studies using a wide drial permeability transition pore, iPLA2 altered cardiolipin content The built-in redundancies of the at first, but then they realized that the are promising, there are significant variety of genetic, pharmacologic or mPTP, or apoptosis through the and molecular species distribution cholesterol recycling process make secreted cholesterol was being reab- species differences, and it is unknown and mass-spectrometric approaches release of cytochrome c). that was accompanied by defects in designing drugs to target cholesterol sorbed in the small intestine. So they whether this combination will be have demonstrated a prominent role As such, strategies that modulate mitochondrial function. elimination particularly difficult. added ezetimibe, a potent inhibitor of effective in humans. Graf and co- for the activation of mitochondrial the activities of mitochondrial phos- Subsequent studies demonstrated The two-drug combination therapy cholesterol absorption. workers are conducting a small clini- phospholipases and the hydrolysis of pholipases and their production of a marked decrease in oxidized lipid developed by Graf’s team stimulates The combination led to no increase cal study in human subjects. Not only mitochondrial phospholipids in the downstream lipid second messengers second-messenger production in did Graf’s team discover a promising γ cholesterol secretion from the liver in G5G8 protein levels compared production of a diverse array of sig- offer a fertile area for pharmacologic iPLA2 knockout mice in multiple and reduces cholesterol absorption in with the ursodiol-alone treatment, one-two punch against cholesterol, naling molecules by multiple distinct intervention to attenuate the progres- tissues in response to a variety of the intestine, leading to an increase but mice treated with both drugs did but they also uncovered evidence for mechanisms. sion of disease processes. different stimuli (3, 4). Intriguingly, a cholesterol-elimination pathway not γ in cholesterol elimination in a mouse excrete significantly more cholesterol Mitochondria fulfill multiple Years ago, we identified the human recombinant iPLA2 demon- model. Both of the drugs in the cock- in their feces. Compellingly, treatment dependent upon the G5G8 transport cellular functions regulating cellular major measurable phospholipase in strated a remarkable regiospecificity tail are already approved by the Food with moderate amounts of ursodiol protein. Characterization of this novel metabolism, bioenergetics, signal murine myocardial mitochondria, hydrolyzing phospholipids contain- and Drug Administration. pathway could uncover new funda- γ and high amounts of ezetimibe led to transduction and cell fate. These iPLA2 (also known as PNPLA8) ing polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., One, ursodiol — originally found in a modest but significant reduction in mental knowledge and innovative pleiotropic roles of mitochondria and by cloning the gene encoding arachidonic and docosahexaenoic bear bile — treats gallstones by making plasma cholesterol level. In addition, cholesterol-reduction therapeutics. are integrated precisely to promote the protein, identified a mitochon- acids) at the sn1 position to generate the researchers concluded that the the bile a little bit more water-soluble Mollie Rappe (mrappe@asbmb. metabolic efficiency and bioenergetic drial localization sequence at the 2-arachidonoyl lysolipids with the to dissolve and flush excess cholesterol marked decrease in the intestinal level org) is an intern at ASBMB Today flexibility, which allows each cell to N-terminus (1). To assess the roles of concomitant release of potentially out of the gallbladder. The other, ezeti- of ABCA1 — a cholesterol transporter and a Ph.D. candidate in biophys- γ fulfill its physiologic functions and iPLA2 in cellular function, we gener- toxic saturated fatty acids in the inner mibe, blocks cholesterol absorption in involved in making high-density lipo- ics at Johns Hopkins University. γ adapt to external perturbations. ated iPLA2 knockout mice through the intestine and is modestly effective proteins — was the main cause for the γ Continued on page 12 Recent studies have demonstrated ablation of the iPLA2 active site,

10 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 11 NEWS

Continued from page 11 Pfeiffer and co-workers demonstrated lipid signaling in multiple cell types that a mitochondrial calcium-inde- in a spatial and context-dependent mitochondrial membrane (5). We also pendent phospholipase modulated the manner. γ An invisible disease demonstrated that iPLA2 readily cat- opening of the mPTP and the release Valerian E. Kagan and co-workers, alyzed the hydrolysis of plasmalogens γ of cytochrome c (7). However, the by identifying the iPLA2 -mediated By Indumathi Sridharan containing arachidonic acid at the sn2 molecular identity of the responsible release of oxidized polyunsaturated position resulting in the direct release enzyme was unknown. Accordingly, aliphatic chains in cardiolipin after of arachidonic acid and the produc- we used the iPLA γ knockout mouse cellular stress, elegantly demonstrated 2 ow do you tackle an invisible lopian tubes, bowel and intestines (1). Estrogen induces cyclooxygenase-2, tion of lysoplasmenylcholine. to demonstrate that genetic abla- the importance of mitochondria in disease? That is the challenge in These extrauterine endometrial cysts which is necessary for the synthesis Collectively, these results demon- tion of iPLA γ markedly attenuated the production of signaling metabo- γ 2 diagnosing and treating endo- respond to the monthly hormonal of prostaglandin E2, or PGE2, a strated that iPLA2 contributes to lites in response to cellular stress (12). H the calcium-induced opening of the metriosis, a debilitating disease that cycle, causing inflammation and mediator of inflammation. PGE2 release of polyunsaturated fatty acids mPTP (8). Collectively, these studies When cardiolipin binds to cyto- affects at least 5 million American scarring. Symptoms include pain- further stimulates aromatase activity through both the traditional direct demonstrate the importance of mito- chrome c, a conformational change women of child-bearing age. March ful cramps, heavy menstruation and (4). Also, the endometrial cells are release of arachidonic acid (orange chondrial iPLA γ in the generation in cytochrome c occurs, transform- 2 is endometriosis awareness month to digestive disorders. Endometriosis resistant to changes in progesterone line in figure) as well as through a of lipid second messengers, cellular ing cytochrome c from an electron highlight the lack of proper diagnosis also causes infertility and can increase (an antagonist of estrogen), because sequential two-step process initiated signaling and cell-fate decisions. carrier to a potent peroxidase with a and treatment options for patients. the risk of ovarian cancer or breast chromatin methylation leads to the by sn1 hydrolysis generating 2-AA- The mechanisms underlying the remarkable specificity for oxidation of The nonprofit Worldwide Endo- cancer. suppression of Homeobox genes. LPC and the subsequent release of activation of iPLA γ are an area of cardiolipin polyunsaturated aliphatic 2 March is organizing marches around arachidonic acid by cellular lysophos- chains (13, 14). Using a powerful active investigation. Through genetic the world, including in the U.S., to pholipases (blue lines in figure). combination of mass-spectrometric Why is endometriosis What are recent advances and pharmacologic approaches, we take place on March 28. Although iPLA γ does not require technologies, genetic approaches and 2 demonstrated that physiological called “invisible”? in the diagnosis and treat- divalent cations for catalytic activity, increases in mitochondrial matrix pharmacologic inhibition, they dem- A study by the National Institutes of it is activated markedly by physiologic calcium activate iPLA γ (6). Recently, onstrated that cytochrome c-oxidized What is endometriosis? ment of endometriosis? 2 Health revealed that one in 10 women increments of calcium ion present studies by Pfeiffer and co-workers cardiolipin aliphatic chains are The endometrium is the uterine Aromatase inhibitors and estrogen- who present no symptoms of endo- in the mitochondrial matrix during demonstrated that decreases in released in response to cellular stress lining that is shed and regenerated receptor blockers (e.g., chloroindazole metriosis actually have the disorder metabolic stress (6). Accordingly, we mitochondrial membrane poten- by an (R)-BEL inhibitable calcium- during a woman’s monthly hormonal and oxabicycloheptene sulfonate) (2). Therefore, the actual number of compared the generation of calcium- tial activate iPLA γ activity (9). In independent phospholipase (12). cycle. Endometriosis occurs when prevent estrogen-dependent signaling 2 women with endometriosis is higher stimulated eicosanoid lipid second addition, Petr Jezek and co-workers These results demonstrate a novel cells from the endometrial tissue and inflammation (5, 6). They could than the currently estimated 5 mil- messenger in mitochondria from demonstrated that iPLA γ is activated mechanism for lipid second-messen- spread beyond the uterus by a process be effective alternatives to traditional 2 lion. Moreover, the painful symptoms wild-type mice to mitochondria by oxidative stress (10). Importantly, ger generation where polyunsaturated called retrograde menstruation into synthetic progesterone treatments often are misconstrued as just bad isolated from iPLA γ knockout mice. complement treatment of glomerular chains on cardiolipin are first oxidized other organs, such as the ovaries, Fal- whose efficacy is highly variable. 2 cramps. The lack of sensitive The results demonstrated a dramatic epithelial cells resulted in stimulation by cytochrome c and subsequently The National Institute of Child γ diagnostic methods impedes γ hydrolyzed by iPLA2 to serve as lipid decrease in calcium-stimulated eico- of iPLA2 by serine phosphorylation Health and Human Development sanoid production in mitochondria catalyzed by MAP/ERK kinase 1 (11). second messengers, leading to the timely diagnosis (3). is preparing a multisite clinical trial γ direct release of a panoply of known, isolated from iPLA2 knockout mice Based on these studies, it is apparent to detect endometriosis based on a γ and as yet incompletely characterized, What (6). that iPLA2 serves as a prominent method developed by Linda Giu- In previous studies, Douglas R. mediator of cellular bioenergetic and signaling molecules. biochemical factors dice and colleagues at the University Collectively, these studies identify of California, San Francisco. The the importance of mitochondrial are involved? researchers determined both the ReferenceS phospholipases in serving critical roles In endometriotic tissues, extent and severity of the disease by 1. Mancuso, D.J., et al. J. Biol. Chem. 275, 9937 – 9945 (2000). in cellular signaling, bioenergetics and upregulated aromatase picking out unique expression pattern 2. Mancuso, D.J., et al. J. Biol. Chem. 282, 34611 – 34622 (2007). cell-fate decisions through the genera- activity increases the level of genes involved in immune activa- 3. Mancuso, D.J. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 284, 35632 – 35644 (2009). tion of a diverse array of lipid second Image courtesy of Nephron, a Wikimedia Commons user of estrogen, which causes tion, steroid and thyroid hormone 4. Mancuso, D.J. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 285, 36495 – 36510 (2010). messengers. Through these mecha- Micrograph showing the features of endometriosis. excessive cell proliferation. 5. Yan, W. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 280, 26669 – 26679 (2005). signaling and metabolism, and nistic insights, numerous therapeutic growth factor signaling (7). 6. Moon, S.H. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 287, 14880 – 14895 (2012). opportunities for the treatment of 7. Gadd, M.E. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 281, 6931 – 6939 (2006). mitochondrial-mediated disease states ReferenceS 8. Moon, S.H. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 287, 29837 – 29850 (2012). have been identified. 1. http://endometriosis.nichd.nih.gov/pdf/endo_booklet.pdf Indumathi Sridharan (sridharan. 9. Rauckhorst, A.J. et al. J. Lipid Res. 55, 826 – 836 (2014). 2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21719000 [email protected]) earned her bachelor’s degree in bioin- 59 10. Jezek, J. et al. Physiol. Res. , 737 – 747 (2010). Richard W. Gross ([email protected]) is a profes- 3. http://bit.ly/1D6BL7t formatics in India. She holds a 11. Elimam, H. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 288, 3871 – 3885 (2012). sor of medicine, chemistry and developmental 4. http://bit.ly/1HNeImp Ph.D. in molecular biochemistry 12. Tyurina, Y.Y. et al. Nat. Chem. 6, 542 – 552 (2014). biology and chief of the bioorganic chemistry and 5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3107856/ from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. She 13. Kagan, V.E. et al. Nat. Chem. Biol. 1, 223 – 232 (2005). molecular pharmacology division at Washington 6. http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/7/271/271ra9 did her postdoctoral work in bionanotechnology at University School of Medicine. Northwestern University. 14. Basova, L.V. et al. Biochemistry 46, 3423 – 3434 (2007). 7. http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/en.2014-1490

12 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 13 meeting

Plenary Lecturer Something to talk about Bonnie L. Bassler’s career is based on figuring out how bacteria converse with each other By Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay

Bonnie L. Bassler’s exuberance and energy are hard to miss, even over the phone. “I like being the center of attention,” says the quorum-sensing expert at Princeton University. Bassler has been at the center of attention since 2002, when she received a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, also known as the “genius award.” The recognition came for her work on the intricate communication Five things to do before the annual meeting systems used by bacteria, known as quorum sensing. Since then, Bassler By Angela Hopp has had a spotlight on her. She has been profiled by major news outlets It’s time to prepare to make the most yours. Plan to attend their talks, conversation that you will be present- and gave a TED talk in 2009, the out of the networking opportunities and email them in advance to set up ing a poster or giving a talk and video of which has accumulated the American Society for Biochem- casual meetings in Boston. welcome feedback. Order business almost 2 million views. istry and Molecular Biology annual cards — no matter your career status. For all her gregariousness, it comes meeting will offer. 3. Draft questions Make letter-size copies of your poster as a surprise to hear Bassler’s postdoc- toral adviser say his first impression ImageS courtesy of Bonnie L. Bassler so you’ll be prepared. for distribution. (For more poster 1. Make a schedule and presentation tips, see page 22.) of his protégé was “shy” and “quiet.” glows in the dark. The bioluminescent that she approached Silverman for a Michael Silverman took on Bassler commit to sticking to it. While you can’t predict exactly what bacterium relies on quorum sensing to postdoctoral stint, to which he agreed. speakers will say, you can do your 5. Get inspired so that your as one of his last postdoctoral fellows produce its light-emitting molecules. Once she completed her Ph.D., Make a day-by-day plan for your con- homework. Inevitably, you’re going to before he retired from science. Bassler During his lecture, he described Bassler packed her bags and her cat ference experience. Visit the ASBMB have questions that won’t be answered presentation will be, too. says she owes her career to him. the genetic components he was untan- and headed to Silverman’s laboratory meeting website to find the times, during their talks. Keep your ques- While there are plenty of engag- gling to figure out how the bacterium at the Agouron Institute in La Jolla, dates and locations of award lectures tions handy so that you can pipe up ing science-related TED Talks and Luck and generosity chatted with its brethren to determine Calif., in 1990. Silverman’s team was and symposia (1). Use the Experi- when the time is right. iBioSeminars (3, 4), branch out. Bassler was lucky to meet Silverman when they should turn on their glow- small. At the time Bassler joined, it mental Biology itinerary builder, and You might find that a TED talk on 26 years ago. Silverman was an elusive in-the-dark molecules. Bassler was in was just Silverman, a postdoctoral download the conference app when it 4. Don’t just expect the a completely different subject — for figure among microbiologists. He was the audience during this lecture. At fellow and two technicians. “One becomes available (2). unexpected — anticipate it. instance, Brené Brown’s lecture “The known for his work at the forefront of this time, she was a graduate student of our most powerful tools was a power of vulnerability” — inspires bacterial genetics — for example, as a at The Johns Hopkins University in sterile toothpick,” says Silverman with A chance encounter might change 2. Identify people you want you to inspire others (5). graduate student, he made the semi- Baltimore working under Saul Rose- amusement. They used the sterile your career trajectory. Your next boss Author’s note: Many thanks to nal discovery that bacterial flagella man on the biochemistry of bacterial toothpicks to pluck off bacterial to meet. or collaborator might show up at ASBMB Today contributor Vivian have rotary motors. But Silverman chemotaxis toward a food source of colonies from the plates of agar to Use the itinerary builder to create your poster. Think about how you Tang and ASBMB staffers Rajendrani hated public speaking, so not many carbohydrates. create large arrays of mutant bacteria a list of leaders in your field and will take advantage of those pivotal Mukhopadhyay, Chris Pickett and people got to meet him at meetings Bassler didn’t know much about to manipulate and test under different researchers whose work aligns with moments. Practice inserting into a Erica Siebrasse for their contributions and conferences. genetics, so she had trouble following conditions. to this list. However, in 1989, Silverman the details of Silverman’s talk. But she Into this world entered Bassler. “I ReferenceS made an exception. He accepted an grasped the big-picture concept — was this card-carrying biochemist. I went to his lab, and the pH meter 1. http://asbmb.org/meeting2015/ Angela Hopp ([email protected]) invitation to speak at a symposium bacteria communicate and do some- 2. http://experimentalbiology.org/ is editor of ASBMB Today. in Baltimore. At that time, Silverman thing as a group. They aren’t solitary barely functioned. It was a lab filled 3. http://www.ted.com/talks/bonnie_bassler_on_how_bacteria_communicate?language=en was studying an obscure marine bac- or silent. The idea of bacterial chitchat with toothpicks. That was it. I didn’t 4. http://www.ibiology.org/ibioseminars.html terium called Vibrio fischeri, which gripped Bassler’s imagination so much Continued on page 16 5. http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability

14 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 15 Continued from page 15 ownership of their work, which in independent investigator even before three criteria for selection of Fellows: more about the cogs and wheels of the or not relevant,” she says and doesn’t Bassler’s case was another marine bio- she got a faculty position. “It was the exceptional creativity, promise for quorum-sensing machinery and have hold back on her views of science know what the heck I was doing. luminescent bacterium called Vibrio best practice for being a young profes- important future advances based on a the potential to be used as antibacte- phobia and science illiteracy. “We I had never cloned a gene. I didn’t harveyi. sor. I ordered everything, I racked all track record of significant accomplish- rial agents. have a huge problem in this country know what a promoter was. I didn’t V. harveyi caused Bassler a lot of the tips, I thought of all the experi- ment, and potential for the fellowship This type of follow“ that molecule” where people don’t like science, don’t know what a transposon was, and he’d grief during her postdoctoral training: ments, I wrote my papers with him,” to facilitate subsequent creative work.” research has led the Bassler group think it helps their lives be better, be like, ‘Let’s do transposon mutagen- She couldn’t make mutants of the bac- she explains. “But also, because he For Bassler, the award changed how into the RNA arena, because they and don’t believe in data as a way of esis,’” recalls Bassler. “I was so scared terium that were deficient in quorum hated traveling, I gave every talk that everyone viewed her offbeat research. discovered that small RNAs, rather making decisions,” she says. “This is of him thinking I was stupid.” he was ever invited to give.” Bassler “It was a validation of my lab’s work like eukaryotic microRNAs, work as unfortunate.” She was so terrified of him that sensing. Silverman already had made says she remembers people asking her as well as that of the entire field,” says switches to control the bacteria’s entry But Bassler isn’t the kind to walk when a coyote killed her cat a few mutants of V. fischeri by knocking at these talks if Silverman even really Bassler, who is also a Howard Hughes and exit into quorum-sensing mode. away from the problem. She sees sci- weeks after she moved to California, out the enzyme LuxI, which makes existed. Medical Institution investigator and “We always knew there was a miss- ence communication as central to her she refused to let the loss stop her. “I autoinducer 1, a quorum-sensing mol- When it came time for her to be an a member of the National Academy ing component” that made sure that scholarship and puts a lot of time and didn’t want to take days off, because ecule, and LuxR, its receptor. independent investigator at Princeton of Sciences. Quorum sensing was no hundreds of genes “turn on and off in effort into her lectures by rehearsing I wanted to show him I was a hard But first sets of V. harveyi mutants University, Bassler was the recipient longer quirky. the right order at the right time,” says them, making sure her slides make worker,” she recalls. “I would just that Bassler made kept up with their concise and clear points, and weaving come and cry into my Petri plates.” quorum sensing. After a lot of frustra- of Silverman’s generosity again. “I had By 2002, Bassler’s group isolated Bassler, adding that these RNAs “allow the points together to make a good Bassler’s doggedness soon paid off. tion at being outwitted by a single-cell an unusual policy for science, which autoinducer 2, a molecule that allows more versatility than proteins: lower story. Silverman clearly remembers the day organism, Bassler realized that the V. is I let the postdocs take their projects bacterial species to chat with each noise, higher robustness, more rapid “I believe you don’t have to be bor- when, in his eyes, she came into her harveyi must have two communica- with them,” he says. “How are they other. Her group went on to show that quorum-sensing transition rates.” ing to deliver content,” says Bassler, own as an independent researcher tion systems, not one. The mutants going to make a living if they have to bacteria related to V. harveyi (includ- Figuring out that small RNAs are a who also teaches aerobics and has with her distinctive assertiveness. she was making were defective only go out and start anew and compete ing Vibrio cholera, which causes critical component in quorum sensing done so for 32 years. “You can be “She came into my office and wanted in one communication system so they with their old colleagues?” cholera) also relied on the autoinducer was “a mind-opening moment,” notes funny, you can be excited, and you to talk to me,” says Silverman. “She kept on talking to each other with the In 1994, Bassler headed back to the 1 and 2 systems to communicate. Bassler. “We’re so biased about think- can be easy to understand.” said she thought she had learned a other system. This led her to propose East Coast to set up her laboratory To find the enzyme that made ing that proteins run the show.” Bassler, who will be a plenary lot and she wanted to take over the that V. harveyi had an autoinducer-1 with a research focus on V. harveyi autoinducer 2, Bassler’s group lecturer at the American Society for project she was working on. I guess it and an autoinducer-2, two different (which she now unabashedly calls her embarked on a gene hunt. They found Communication as a part Biochemistry and Molecular Biol- surprised me how confident she was.” molecules that allow bacterial species favorite bug). A year later, Silverman one called luxS. LuxS, when they of scholarship ogy’s annual meeting next month, Silverman, who believes in giv- to chat with each other. retired from science and moved with looked closer, was broadly conserved knows firsthand how a lecture can ing people room to test their wings, During Bassler’s postdoctoral stay his wife to Wyoming. in the bacterial world. Bassler’s team Mind-opening moments drive Bassler change someone’s worldview. After agreed. Bassler points to moments like with Silverman, she also learned the went on to show that LuxS’ ubiquity as a scientist. “At your core, the reason all, her career got its jumpstart by the this with Silverman as examples of his business of running a laboratory. Mind-opening moments was because the autoinducer-2 system why you’re in this business is because was the way bacteria chatted across you’re curious,” she states. “That’s the fateful talk Silverman gave in 1989 generosity. He gave his trainees the Because it was a small lab, Bassler says, Back in the 1990s, scientists didn’t different species, almost like a univer- main reason.” This type of curiosity when she says “I was mesmerized and freedom to explore and take complete she learned what it was like to be an view Bassler’s V. harveyi as a trea- sal language. Bassler has described it as — the deep, probing and relentless awestruck.” sure trove of biological discoveries. Esperanto for bacteria. kind — is what Silverman says sets Bacterial communication was seen Bassler’s group doesn’t stop at the Bassler apart from other people as a Bonnie L. Bassler will give a as a quirk limited to V. fischeri and genes. They delve into the structural scientist. plenary lecture at the American V. harveyi. Funding agencies weren’t biology of the proteins made by the Figuring out what bacteria have Society for Biochemistry and clamoring to support work on cute genes. They figure out how these com- developed for their evolution and Molecular Biology annual meet- but obscure glowing marine bacteria. munication molecules bind to their survival is the quest, says Bassler, who ing in Boston. She will present Bassler has told the tale of how her receptors and then, using molecular is the current chair of the molecular her lecture, titled “Manipulat- laboratory survived without much and biochemical tools, work out biology department at Princeton. “It’s ing quorum sensing to control federal research funding, relying heav- how the binding triggers signaling you against the bacterium. That’s the bacterial pathogenicity,” at 8 a.m. ily on Princeton’s support. In 2006, cascades. These signaling cascades tell competition … Can you trick this Sunday, March 29, in Ballroom she told The Scientist magazine, “This the bacteria to glow, make toxins, or bacterium into giving up its secrets?” West, on the third level of the lab was held together with chewing do whatever it is they need to do to Then, within a beat, she adds with a Boston Convention & Exhibition gum and rubber bands for the first 10 survive and flourish as communities. hoot of laughter, “Guess who’s not Center. years.” Based on what they discover about winning?” Then the MacArthur award the quorum-sensing molecules, With her passion to discover the happened in 2002. The awards are Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay Bassler’s team also is developing unknown, Bassler can’t fathom how five-year fellowships given out annu- ([email protected]) inhibitors of the quorum-sensing sys- some people don’t find science to be is the senior science writer for ally to 20 to 30 individuals by the tem. The inhibitors are useful on two awe-inspiring. “I can’t understand ASBMB. Follow her on Twitter at MacArthur Foundation. According to twitter.com/rajmukhop. fronts: They can be used to discover when people think it’s boring, hard Bonnie L. Bassler and Michael Silverman, her Ph.D. adviser, hike in Wyoming. the foundation’s website, “There are

16 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 17 Plenary Lecturer robots and better expression systems That took off, and I’ve been doing immune response upon infection. — basically better ways of screening that ever since. Not only can you look at the antibod- ‘Choose a problem that you’re constructs to be able to actually get ies that are produced, but you can see them to crystallize and to get crystals Who have been your how the virus is mutating to escape that diffract — the field has been able the recognition. Again, that’s opened passionately interested in’ to accelerate the progress on X-ray scientific mentors and up huge possibilities for understand- By Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay crystallography. Larger and larger inspirations? ing how the virus evolves to escape structures are being done. We’ve seen when the immune system starts to When I was in Oxford (for my that with the ribosome. The technol- mount a response. Ph.D.), the professor I worked with that was very, very challenging. We ogy just continues to improve, so the was David Philips, who had solved Ian A. Wilson is a structural biologist solved that in 1996. That was also bottleneck goes back to the expression the lysozyme structure. He inspired Do you have any quite a significant breakthrough at of proteins you are interested in. at The Scripps Research Institute. His the time. me to work on enzyme structures hobbies? laboratory focuses on how the immune My all-time favorite structure, and try to use the structural informa- What are the big tion to understand function. I think I like to play golf. As I said, I grew system recognizes and neutralizes foreign stemming from my postdoctoral up in Scotland, so golf is the game. I work, is influenza virus hemaggluti- challenges in structural that’s important — it’s not just doing antigens, such as the ones found on structure for structure’s sake but to like to do things I can still get better nin, and we continue to work on that biology? at, and I can still get better at golf. pathogens. The laboratory uses high- to this day! It doesn’t go away. We understand what that structure is Clearly one would like to look at the telling you. In Southern California, you can play solved a structure of hemagglutinin year-round, which is also nice and not resolution X-ray crystallography to study entire cell. Can we reconstruct the Then I went to Harvard, where I from the H3 subtype when I was at true for Scotland. I like skiing. Again, various components of the immune system, such as antibodies Harvard (University) in 1981. Since whole cell from a structural point of worked with Don Wiley. It was a fan- view? It can be done by integrative it’s something I can improve at. I also then, we’ve continued to solve lots of tastic project that I heard about when and T-cell receptors, and their complexes with antigenic approaches, by using all of the bio- like to go to the opera. I have season different subtypes — H1, H2, H5, I was at Oxford. Don was working physical technologies, such as X-ray tickets at the L.A. Opera and the San proteins. H6, H7, H10 — for all of the emerg- with John Skehel on influenza virus crystallography, electron microscopy, Diego Opera. I also like cooking. ing influenza viruses, complexed with hemagglutinin. It was a very excit- Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay, the science writer for the and (nuclear magnetic resonance), neutralizing antibodies. ing challenge to understand what the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and combining the results using structure of a viral antigen was and What advice do you have (Author’s note: The influenza type computation. We want to be able how that structure informed how spoke with Wilson to learn more about his laboratory’s work A virus is a class, which causes seasonal for young scientists? to reconstruct large organelles and influenza worked — how receptor flu epidemics, can be categorized into and to find out what Wilson views as the big challenges in eventually reconstruct a whole cell. I binding and fusion worked and how Choose a problem that you’re pas- subtypes based on two proteins on its think that’s where the field is going the immune response was generated sionately interested in but that is structural biology. The interview has been edited for length surface: hemagglutinin, designated by — toward more challenging systems, against influenza virus. It was very also challenging. If you find a good “H,” and neuraminidase. There are 18 and clarity. such as multiprotein complexes. You inspirational to work in Don’s lab. problem, you can pursue it for the different hemagglutinin subtypes.) want to reconstruct how a cell oper- rest of your life. I’ve been working You understand it’s a hard question ates at a structural level and obviously on influenza hemagglutinin since had is something we’ve worked on for Outside of your What does your lab to answer with one favorite structure. relate that to function. 1977, and it’s still very exciting and work on? many, many years. It was the HIV tri- Several structures have been quite expertise, what area of topical! mer, the structure of which appeared revealing once they were solved. What made you decide to research do you find We’re working on the structural in (the journal) Science last year. We Ian A. Wilson will give a plenary biology of influenza virus, HIV and started working on that in the early What have been the become a scientist? fascinating? lecture at the American Society 2000s through a collaboration with hepatitis C virus. We are trying to I was interested in chemistry. We’re What’s really driving a lot of the for Biochemistry and Molecular John Moore and Rogier Sanders at major advances in X-ray understand how these viruses are rec- going back a long ways now, back to excitement at the moment … is the Biology annual meeting in Bos- ognized by the immune system and, Cornell (University) in New York crystallography in the past the ’60s. I really hadn’t done much ability to sequence very quickly. To ton. He will present his lecture, in particular, how broadly neutral- City. People had been waiting for that 10 to 15 years? biology, and biochemistry was an be able to sequence whole organisms titled “Structural basis of broad izing antibodies recognize the viruses particular structure for a long time. emerging field then. I thought that has driven the field and opened up all neutralization of viral pathogens,” they target. We are thinking about My colleague Andrew Ward solved We’ve been developing higher seemed like a very interesting thing sorts of exciting new possibilities. For at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, in how we can use that information for a similar structure with a different throughput methods for X-ray to do. I grew up in Scotland. There example, microbiomes. We can now Room 253 A/B/C of the Boston structure-based vaccine design. antibody by electron microscopy. crystallography. The technological was a lot of pressure to become a sequence the collection of organisms Convention & Exhibition Center. We solved it by X-ray crystallogra- breakthroughs in X-ray took place a medical doctor. But I became really that are present in our guts and in What are your favorite phy. That is my most recent favorite number of years ago with synchro- interested in biochemistry. I became other parts of our bodies. structure. trons and with better detectors. The Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay structures? more fascinated as structures started The same thing is true in virology ([email protected]) From the past, one of my favorite question became “Can you actu- to appear when I was in high school now. You’ve got the ability to pull out is the senior science writer for Oh, that’s difficult. Most recently, structures was the T-cell receptor ally solve structures a lot faster?” By and as an undergraduate. I wanted single B cells, sequence the antibod- ASBMB. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/rajmukhop. one of the major successes that we’ve structure. That was also something developing tools like crystallization to understand how proteins evolved. ies and look at the evolution of an

18 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 19 Plenary Lecturer and pick a postdoc. I was going to pay bills. I was able to work for the our introducer. You know you’ve won stick with Drosophila, which was the Cincinnati coroner. He said to me, a prize, but you certainly don’t know organism that I chose for my Ph.D. “You might want to rethink this whole who’s going to introduce you. Out On histones and glamour work, but a postdoc in my Ph.D. lab thing about med school and consider comes Jon Hamm and Lauren Powell By Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay got me to consider using Tetrahymena. science. Have you ever been in a real Jobs, Steve Jobs’ widow. They were It’s a ciliated protozoan. After doing lab?” the ones who did the whole spiel on I said, “I did chemistry.” post-translational modifications. We some reading, what was cool about it me. It was ultracool. I also got to talk He said, “No, no, have you ever don’t discover them, necessarily; top- to me was that it has two nuclei. remotely with Stephen Hawking. C. David Allis at Rockefeller University been in a real lab?” When he said it, it notch mass-spectrometry labs do that. One nucleus is always silent. It It was a hoot to meet all these stars. caused my heart to pause. He said, “I is an expert in chromatin, the complex We get excited about the enzymes that doesn’t transcribe anything. In fact, The fact that Jon Hamm and Lauren think you’re going to make a crummy formed between DNA and histones. put on the modifications and ones you can suck that nucleus out with Powell Jobs were there, taking pictures physician. I think you’d be an amazing that take them off. We like to nick- a micropipette, and the cell is just with me, was a crack-up. And oh, the His laboratory is interested in the post- researcher. If you get interested, let name those kinds of enzymes “writ- fine. What’s it doing? It turns out it’s emcee for the whole gala was Seth translational modifications that occur on ers” and “erasers.” Post-translational the nucleus that plays a role in the me know. I have a friend in the med McFarlane. histones to remodel regions of chromatin modifications are read, so we like to next generation. The other nucleus is school who’s young and cool.” With this prize, they are trying to call the proteins that do that “readers.” responsible for all the gene expression. I went to this person and inter- show that science and mathematics into active and quiescent forms. Then the $64,000-question is what It occurred to me that was nature’s viewed. His name was Michael are cool. They treat us as they would Mutations in histones have been linked to several diseases, does a post-translation modification gift for having essentially a pot of Bharier. He was at the Cincinnati movie stars and sports people. I give medical school in the microbiology including a lethal form of pediatric cancer. do? Does it open chromatin? Does it silent chromatin and a pot of active these people a lot of credit. close chromatin? chromatin. (Author’s note: The actively department. I took a leave of absence. For his work on chromatin, Allis won the 2015 We’ve been putting a lot of energy transcribing nucleus in Tetrahymena is (Bharier) took me under his wing and What advice would you cut me loose on an enzyme. Breakthrough Prize, which is funded by Silicon Valley into a modification that’s almost an the macronucleus. The silent and smaller give younger scientists? acetyl lookalike. It happens to be two nucleus that goes into the germline is I loved it. I brought all my medical heavyweights including Sergey Brin of Google and Facebook’s carbons longer, and it has one extra known as the micronucleus.) school friends to show them the lab. Everybody is hooked in their bubble. Mark Zuckerberg. Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay, the science double bond. It’s called a crotonyl There was the laboratory of Martin My wife was like, “Oh, you’re kidding Everybody is on a device of some sort. me. You’re going to do this?” Her fam- writer for the American Society for Biochemistry and group. We can perturb cells with vari- Gorovsky in Rochester, N.Y. He had I hope that young researchers get the ous genetic or environmental changes worked out methods to separate the ily was especially crushed that I took thrill of science through direct one- Molecular Biology, spoke with Allis. The interview has been that cause the crotonyl-CoA ratio rela- two nuclei. I made a commitment this leave of absence. I just got hooked on-one communication. Nothing is a edited for length and clarity. tive to acetyl-CoA to change. It seems to leave Drosophila, go to his group and never looked back. I enrolled in bigger turn-on for me than meeting you can reprogram the chromatin to and learn how to do this separation of the Ph.D. program (at Indiana Uni- face to face with scientists. I think the switch from predominantly acetyl to nuclei. I decided to look at the histone versity) eventually. The rest is history. scientists who have good people skills, What is your group mutation be a problem when there predominantly crotonyl. Then you proteins. There were big differences. the ones who are willing to commu- can jerry-rig the cells so it goes back The macronucleus had hyperacety- What was it like to win the nicate openly and frequently, are the working on right now? are so many wild-type copies of the perfectly fine histones around? That’s to different acetyl marks. lated histones. Breakthrough Prize in the ones who do the best. One area is centered around what I been a puzzle. The point muta- When I started my own group as nickname “oncohistones.” It is the tion acts like a poison that seems How did you become an assistant professor, I went after the life-sciences category? C. David Allis will give a plenary pursuit of mechanisms that underlie completely to inactivate the enzyme enzyme system (that puts on the ace- They took us out to Silicon Valley. lecture at the American Society some absolutely groundbreaking system that’s responsible for adding interested in studying tyl groups). A graduate student named The star of the movie “The Imita- for Biochemistry and Molecular discoveries made at the end of 2012 methyl groups (to histones). histones? Jim Brownell used the Tetrahymena tion Game,” Benedict Cumberbatch, Biology annual meeting in Bos- and throughout 2013 by other groups Basic researchers like myself have In my graduate program (at Indi- macronucleus in 1996 as a starting was at this ceremony. The main actor ton. He will present his lecture, that identified histone mutations in a been connecting with physicians who ana University), we had some strict point to purify this enzyme system. from “The Theory of Everything” was titled “Beyond the double helix: pediatric cancer. treat these devastating tumors. The requirements for seminars. I was pretty We published the study in Cell, and there as well. (Author’s note: It’s Eddie varying the terrain of epigenetic Histones are encoded by many goal is to learn more mechanistically scared of them, so I put it off, put it it was picked as a Cell Classic last Redmayne.) At our table was Christina landscapes in development and copies of their genes. These research- about what’s going wrong with the off, put it off, because the professor summer. Aguilera. Talk about being a kid from disease,” at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, ers identified high-frequency point hope that a therapeutic option might who was in charge was known to be a Cincinnati who works on chromatin March 31, in Room 253 A/B/C mutations in only one copy of only surface. These kids who get these real bulldog. Then (for my seminar), What inspired you to and histones … It was unbelievable. of the Boston Convention & one allele of the genes that encode a brain-stem tumors often are in the age I picked this new topic on chromatin. become a scientist? The ceremony was done like the Exhibition Center. particular histone. group of 5 to 10. They are often dead It was one of those days when all of Academy Awards. The coolest thing I don’t come from a science family at In a (pediatric) brain-stem cancer, in six months to a year. Most all of the stars aligned, and everything I said for me was meeting Jon Hamm. He Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay there is a point mutation in a histone. them. It just can’t get more tragic in in my talk came out right. Feeling I all. It was 100 percent decided for me played Don Draper in “Mad Men.” ([email protected]) The mutation is most often a lysine- my book. had a really successful seminar, I got that I would go to medical school. I My wife and I had become hooked on is the senior science writer for to-methionine (mutation). We can The other area we continue to be interested in the topic of chromatin. gave it a crack for a couple of years. “Mad Men.” We didn’t know when we ASBMB. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/rajmukhop. speculate all day — how can that one excited about is nonconventional It came time for me to graduate I had to do some moonlighting to were out there who was going to be

20 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 21 frequently to your poster. While the 10 reasons your poster will impress audience should be able to follow your poster without your assistance, and amaze at the annual meeting your presentation can walk people through the key aspects of the project By Quinn Vega and explain the reasoning behind the experiments you performed and your After months or years of working on experimental results. follow your poster and give them an view of the results. your research project, you now have opportunity to analyze the results Special events at the an opportunity to present your project 3. Your figures were easy and think about the significance of 9. You were ready for annual meeting to the scientific community. Although your experiments. Adding text only as questions you may be nervous about sharing to see and understand necessary will help the audience fol- How to Incorporate Science Outreach into Your Portfolio – your results with a larger audience, Given that a poster presentation is low the poster more easily, resulting in Students often fear a question that they Best Practices and Broader Impacts cannot answer. There are three things once you have completed the experi- largely a visual medium, your figures more useful feedback. 9 a.m. − 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28 ments, there are only a few extra steps should be a major focus in the presen- that will help you through this section. First, you probably know more than Meet past ASBMB HOPES and outreach seed-grant recipients, needed to make your presentation a tation. While you might be tempted 6. The text you did use was and learn more about the National Science Foundation’s “broader success. to include as much information as you think. Remember, you have been easily visible working on this project for some time, impacts” requirement for grant applications. Registration required: possible in the figure, the results http://svy.mk/1JUTCDL 1. You thought about your should be clear and easily visible. Although you will be working on your and you have been studying this mate- Each figure should be properly labeled poster up close, the audience likely rial more than most. Second, it is OK to Science Outreach and Student Chapter Activity audience (each axis in a graph, for example), will be three to five feet away. At this say that you don’t know. While you may Poster Session feel that you should know everything Although you may have been working and the figures should be sufficiently distance, the title and the headings 7:30 − 9 p.m. Saturday, March 28 about your project, part of the reason on your project for some time, the large to be seen from three to five feet should be legible. Also, remember to The ASBMB Public Outreach Committee will host this special audience for your poster presentation away. Appropriate controls and the stay away from fonts that may seem you are presenting is to get feedback. Any questions that you cannot answer poster session to showcase outreach activities during the annual may not be as familiar with the sub- reason for these controls should also stylish but that are difficult to read meeting’s opening reception. ject matter or your scientific question. be clear to the audience. from a distance. will help you better understand your Therefore, when preparing your poster project and may help direct your Broader Impacts Workshops research in the future. Finally, remem- and your presentation, it is important 11 a.m. − 1 p.m. Sunday, March 29, through Tuesday, March 31 4. You made good use of 7. Your presentation was ber that scientists like to ask questions that you think about your research Get instant feedback and suggestions from informed mentors about from an outsider’s perspective. Will white space clear and concise almost as much as they like to answer them. Therefore, think of incorporating “broader impacts” into your grant applications for the somebody who doesn’t know your Although you want your poster to You may have 10 minutes or less to NSF and other funding agencies. research be able to follow the logic of be comprehensive, some basic use of present your entire poster to your these questions not so much as a test your experiments and your conclu- blank space will help make your poster audience (usually an individual). This but as a discussion between two scien- Visit www.asbmb.org/meeting2015 for more information about these sions? clearer, and therefore more informa- means that you will need to explain tists interested in the same question. events and others. tive, to the audience. Looking at a all of your information in a relatively What is cooler than that? 2. You thought about your poster from three to five feet away, can short amount of time, and you need Sharpen your science-communication to decide which aspects of the project 10. You enjoyed yourself project as a connected set the audience easily follow the project? skills at the annual meeting By providing some space between are the most critical for the audience You spent a great deal of time getting of experiments figures and text, you can highlight member to hear to understand your these results, and while you may be Official meeting bloggers project. I usually ask my students to be All posters should tell a story, and certain aspects of the poster instead of nervous about presenting your research We are accepting applications for official ASBMB annual meeting blog- able to summarize their projects in 30 your goal is for the audience to follow having everything blend together. to other scientists, you should let your gers. Participants will receive complimentary press registration, entry to seconds, five minutes and 10 minutes. the press room and access to all scientific sessions of the six sponsoring your story from beginning to end. enthusiasm for your project and the In this way, they can gauge the interest societies. Bloggers with existing platforms may use them; those without In this story, the audience needs to experience show. Although most of my 5. You kept text to a and knowledge of the individual lis- will blog on The Interactome, ASBMB’s meetings blog. Contact Angela understand your scientific question, students have been nervous before pre- minimum tening to the poster and then provide Hopp at [email protected]. your experimental results and how senting, all were excited about getting the appropriate level of information. your results contribute to our under- A little goes a long way. A picture the opportunity to discuss their proj- Official meeting tweeters standing of your scientific field. This is worth a thousand words. Less is ects, and they all had great experiences. We are accepting applications for official ASBMB annual meeting means that your introduction should more. You can pick your saying, but 8. You used your poster tweeters. Participants will receive a special collection of ASBMB set up the question, your results the conclusion is the same. Use words strategically during your Quinn Vega (vegaq@mail. swag — and plenty of retweets! If you would like to live-tweet should help answer the question sparingly. Most individuals who view montclair.edu) is a professor of ASBMB sessions and events, please contact Angela Hopp at through a logical set of experiments, your poster will do so for seconds or presentation biology and molecular biology at [email protected]. Montclair State University. and your conclusion should tie in to minutes. Clear visuals (useful images While giving your presentation, both the original hypothesis and the and clear headings) will help people remember to speak calmly and refer

22 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 23 annual awards

and function in gene expression. women in science. She has mentored day, March 28, in Ballroom West on Her lab discovered new metazoan a remarkable number of students who the third level of the Boston Conven- small ribonucleoprotein complexes have gone on to become independent tion and Exhibition Center. in the nucleolus, or snoRNPs, and scientists and to make their own sig- demonstrated that some function in nificant contributions to the field. ribosomal RNA biosynthesis. Steitz graduated with a bachelor’s Most recently, her research has degree in chemistry from Antioch focused on how mammalian viruses College and went on to earn her use small RNAs and RNA elements Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecu- to regulate expression of both viral lar biology at Harvard Medical and host genes. Included is the excit- School, where she was the first female ing and unprecedented observation graduate student in the laboratory that a viral RNA element stabilizes of James Watson. Steitz completed a RNA levels by forming a triple helix postdoctoral fellowship at the Medi- with the poly(A) tail of the RNA. cal Research Council Laboratory of What ties together the important This pivotal finding has “challenged Molecular Biology at the University discoveries of my entire career is no the field to consider a novel regula- of Cambridge before joining the more than looking for base pairing tory mechanism relevant to both faculty of Yale. She has received many between RNA molecules and how normal cellular function and disease,” awards and honors, including election that simple interaction contributes Neugebauer said. to the National Academy of Sciences, to gene expression. I am enormously Steitz also contributed to the field the National Medal of Science, the indebted to the many talented of RNA biology through her dedi- RNA Society Lifetime Achievement students and postdocs who have cated mentorship of scientists at all Award and the Rosalind Franklin joined me in this somewhat esoteric Herbert Tabor Research Award stages in their careers. She is a found- Award for Women in Science. quest. ing member of the RNA Society and Steitz will receive her award dur- –ni Joa Ste tz Steitz recognized for her significant serves as an editor for several eminent ing the Experimental Biology 2015 journals, including RNA and the conference in Boston, where she will Kathleen McCann (Kathleen. contributions to the field of RNA biology Journal of Cell Biology. She is hailed deliver the opening lecture of the [email protected]) is a graduate as an exemplary role model for young ASBMB meeting. Her presentation, student in the genetics depart- By Kathleen McCann female scientists and is devoted to “Noncoding RNAs: small, large and ment at Yale University. the training and advancement of viral,” will take place at 6 p.m. Satur- Joan Steitz of Yale University has won nate the many functions of RNA in through was the discovery with her the American Society for Biochemis- gene expression. M.D./Ph.D. student Michael Lerner try and Molecular Biology’s Her- Joseph Gall, a longtime mentor that small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, bert Tabor Research Award for her and colleague of Steitz, remarked that now known as snRNPs, are involved outstanding and numerous contribu- Steitz “almost single-handedly estab- in pre-mRNA splicing. In a landmark EARL AND THRESSA STADTMAN DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST tions to the field of RNA biology. lished several of the most important paper, Steitz’s group was the first to This award honors scientists who have features of RNA transcription, splic- propose that the small nuclear RNAs Dixon recognized for outstanding contributions impacted significantly the field and ing and translation.” of the snRNPs base-pair with the the scientific community through Just five years after joining the Yale splice sites of the pre-mRNA to facili- to scientific research and leadership their excellent research. Steitz is the faculty, Steitz made the fundamental tate removal of introns. This hypoth- first woman to receive this award discovery that a short, seven-nucle- esis “galvanized the mRNA process- By Aditi Dubey since its inception in 2004. otide sequence in mRNA base-pairs ing field for decades to come” said Steitz is a pioneer in the field with the ribosomal RNA to initiate Christine Guthrie of the University Jack E. Dixon at the University of contributions toward understanding research,” Minor J. Coon, professor of gene expression. “Steitz’s work protein synthesis in E. coli. Susan of California, San Francisco. Steitz’s California, San Diego, won the Earl enzymes that remove phosphate from emeritus at the University of Michi- throughout her career has touched Baserga, a professor at Yale and for- lab subsequently has elucidated the and Thressa Stadtman Distinguished proteins (phosphatases) through his gan Medical School, wrote in his all aspects of the central dogma,” mer postdoctoral fellow in Steitz’s function of the snRNPs in pre- Scientist award from the American work characterizing several members nomination letter. said Karla Neugebauer, a colleague of lab, explained that this finding is mRNA splicing and was one of the Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- of the protein-tyrosine phosphatases, Dixon was born in Nashville and Steitz at Yale University. The central important “because it meant that discoverers of the minor spliceosome, lar Biology in recognition of his work or PTPases, superfamily. received his B.A. in zoology from dogma states that DNA is transcribed RNA uses the chemistry of its bases which excises a distinct class of rare on eukaryotic signal transduction “His scientific achievements are University of California, Los Ange- into RNA, which is then translated to carry out its function in gene introns. and, in particular, reversible phos- outstanding, and he continues to les, in 1966. He went on to earn his into protein. Indeed, Steitz has made expression.” Steitz has explored other funda- phorylation. be a powerful advocate for excel- many seminal discoveries that illumi- Steitz’s most influential break- mental aspects of RNA structure Dixon has made several seminal lence in biochemical and biomedical Continued on page 26

24 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 25 Continued from page 25 wrote David Pagliarini, assistant pro- Plenary Lecturer, FRITZ LIPMANN LECTURESHIP fessor at the University of Wisconsin, Ph.D. in chemistry from University Madison. “The guidance and mentor- of California, Santa Barbara, in 1971. ship I received from him have truly Klevit, pushing ‘physical techniques to their limits He completed his postdoctoral train- shaped me as a scientist.” ing in biochemistry as a National During his tenure as vice-president to solve truly important biological problems’ Science Foundation postdoctoral and chief scientific officer at the By Maggie Kuo fellow in the laboratory of Nathan O. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kaplan at UCSD. He then began his Dixon was instrumental in develop- Rachel E. Klevit, professor of bio- tions of the BRCA1 enzyme, she biochemistry there. career as a faculty member at Purdue ing programs that support young chemistry at University of Wash- recently discovered a new class Klevit will give her lecture, “Struc- University, where he discovered the scientists and establishing the open- ington, will give the Fritz Lipmann of ubiquitination enzymes that tural, functional and mechanistic first dual-specificity phosphatase access policy that allows the work of I am extremely pleased about this VH1, encoded by Vaccinia virus. He Lecture at the 2015 American Society has implications in understanding diversity in protein ubiquitination,” HHMI researchers to be shared with honor. Earl and Thressa were role also showed that the virulence plas- for Biochemistry and Molecular the development of Parkinson’s on Tuesday, March 31, at 8 a.m. the scientific community. The HHMI models for me when I was a young mid of Yersinia pestis produces the Biology annual meeting. The society disease. in Room 253 A/B/C in the Boston Early Career Scientist Program, the scientist. I had the pleasure of most active PTPase ever described, issues the award every two years to A defining characteristic of her Convention and Exhibition Center. Hughes Collaborative Innovation knowing them and interacting with in that it drastically affects the host’s recognize researchers who’ve contrib- approach is “a willingness to boldly Awards and a collaboration with the them over a number of years. They immune defenses and results in the uted conceptual advances in bio- push the biophysical methods to Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation also trained so many outstanding pathogenicity of these bacteria. chemistry, bioenergetics or molecular extract the most important biologi- for plant science research are exam- people. It is just great to be a small With these key discoveries, Dixon biology. cal insights from the system under ples of innovative programs developed part of their legacy. quickly established himself as an – Jack E. Dixon Klevit’s “research contributions study,” writes Lila M. Gierasch at the under Dixon’s leadership to support expert in the field. He went on to have made a profound impact on University of Massachusetts. scientists and their career paths. define several members of this new the way we understand many very Besides her many significant sci- In addition to his role at HHMI, Stadtman way.” The ASBMB estab- family of phosphatases and discovered important aspects of biological entific contributions, Klevit is known Dixon has served as the president lished the award in their names to a novel mechanism of their cata- chemistry,” writes Trisha N. Davis for her commitment to the scientific of the ASBMB and is a member of preserve their legacy and honor basic lytic action. His work is considered of University of Washington in her community and training young the National Academy of Sciences, research scientists who exemplify to have, as Coon said, “radically nomination letter. “Her research has scientists. “Her graduate students the American Association for the those qualities. advanced the molecular basis of been instrumental in understand- are enthusiastic about science – they Advancement of Science and the Earl Stadtman once said: “Produc- It’s a special honor to be recognized pathogenesis.” ing the mechanism of disease of two love working for her,” writes Rape. Institute of Medicine. He is a foreign tive laboratories are not merely the by ASBMB with a Fritz Lipmann Among Dixon’s recent notable scourges, breast cancer and Parkin- “Rachel is also most welcoming member of the Royal Society. He has reflection of good scientific discipline Award. One of my guiding principles discoveries are the identification of son’s. Moreover, she has changed the to young colleagues that have just received several awards and fellow- and expert direction but depend is to apply chemical concepts and PTEN tumor suppressor as a phos- way research in this area is done.” entered her field, and she supports ships in recognition of his contri- almost as much on the establishment intuitions to understand biology, phoinositide phosphate and myo- Klevit is recognized for innova- them heavily during their first hard butions to the research enterprise, of a congenial atmosphere in which and this practice led Lipmann to tubularin — a protein mutated in tively using physical methods to years as principal investigators,” he including two previous awards from science can flourish as a consequence his groundbreaking and seminal muscle myopathies. He also has iden- determine the structure and function continues. “These characteristics the ASBMB, the William C. Rose of free thought, unguarded exchange contributions. When teaching tified novel covalent post-translational of proteins. Her most lauded contri- make Rachel one of the most cher- Award in 2003 and the ASBMB- of ideas, critical discussion and a undergraduate students, I encourage modifications, such as hydroxylation, butions are using nuclear magnetic ished and important members of the Merck Award in 2005. respectful interaction among all of its them to think conceptually rather and O-linked glycosylation of peptide resonance spectroscopy to solve the ubiquitin community.” than learn by rote. The many Earl and Thressa Stadtman, after personnel.” hormones. His laboratory contin- structure of the Cys2-His2 zinc Klevit has served on numerous talented students, postdoctoral fellows, whom Dixon’s latest ASBMB award Dixon will give his award lecture, ues to pursue key questions on cell finger fold, a common motif present study sections for the National Insti- collaborators and colleagues with is named, were outstanding biochem- titled “Novel kinases that phosphory- growth and differentiation through a in many DNA-binding proteins, tutes of Health and the California whom I have had the pleasure to comprehensive study of PTPases. ists and mentors. According to a late proteins and proteoglycans in the and defining the BRCA1-mediated Breast Cancer Program and was a associate over the years have provided Scientists mentored by Dixon historical exhibit dedicated to the two secretory pathway,” at the ASBMB ubiquitination system that is funda- member of the editorial board for the a fertile and fun environment in describe him as a supportive, scientists at the National Institutes of annual meeting in Boston. It will be mental to the pathogenesis of breast Journal of Biological Chemistry. which to try to better understand approachable and encouraging adviser Health, their laboratories conducted at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, March 29, in the cancer. Klevit received her D. Phil. in how molecules make biology work. who allows his trainees to develop research held to the highest standard Ballroom West on the third level of Klevit is considered a pioneer in chemistry from Oxford University – Rachel E. Klevit their projects with freedom while still of scientific rigor while also fostering the Boston Convention & Exhibition using NMR to study ubiquitina- in England. She did her postdoctoral giving them the requisite guidance a congenial environment for train- Center. tion enzymes. “Indeed, she is the training at Duke University Medical and advice. They speak of his invest- ing and mentoring future scientists. Maggie Kuo was an intern at Aditi Dubey (dubeyad@scarlet- unmatched leader in the analysis Center and University of Washing- ment in their careers and his honest, The tadtmansS were known to credit ASBMB Today when she wrote this mail.rutgers.edu) is a graduate of ubiquitination by NMR,” writes ton. She then joined the research enthusiastic and collaborative attitude junior scientists generously for their story. Today she is a writer at the student studying the mechanism Michael Rape of the University of faculty of the department of chemis- American Physiological Society. toward scientific discovery. ideas and results on publications. of selenocysteine incorporation at California, Berkeley, in his letter of try at University of Washington She earned her Ph.D. in biomedi- “I am indebted to Jack for so much Colleagues came to refer to this Rutgers University Robert Wood cal engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Johnson Medical School. support. Along with her investiga- and later became professor of of my professional development,” model of scientific research as “the

26 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 27 ASBMB AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION ASBMB Young Investigator Award Colleagues recognize Bell for his role Saphire, a ‘leading light in molecular biology in numerous education and society initiatives and human health’ By Joseph P. Tiano By Maggie Kuo

The American Society for Biochem- exceptional training opportunities for Erica Ollmann Saphire, professor of University said. It predicted that the istry and Molecular Biology named undergraduates. He was one of the immunology and microbial science at Ebola receptor was in the endosome J. Ellis Bell of the University of original members of the NSF’s highly The Scripps Research Institute, is the and not on the cell surface, where the Richmond the winner of its Award influential Vision and Change work- recipient of the American Society for rest of the field was looking. Saphire for Exemplary Contributions to ing group, which has catalyzed the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology then solved the structures of the Education. modernization and incorporation of Young Investigator Award. Her suc- Sudan virus glycoprotein and Mar- Bell, a professor of chemistry, has research into biology education. cess solving the structures of complex burg virus glycoprotein. These struc- mentored several graduate students Lisa Gentile, a dean at Westmin- viruses has pushed forward the effort tures, Stahelin wrote, “have become a and dozens of undergraduates who ster College, said, “One of the many to develop treatments to fight Ebola critical roadmap for development of have gone on to graduate school. things I appreciate about working and other deadly viruses. Saphire’s lifesaving antibody therapies against He has spent his entire career mak- with Ellis is his willingness to brain- work has deepened researchers’ under- Ebola and related viruses.” ing huge contributions to student storm and then roll up his sleeves to It’s an honor to receive this award, standing of fundamental principles of Saphire’s recent work is considered This is an award to be shared with education, especially in the field of help implement good ideas.” and I would like to thank the biochemistry and molecular biology. widely as the most fantastic of her many others. I am fortunate to work biochemistry and molecular biology, Bell is the longest-serving member amazing undergraduates with whom This award recognizes outstanding already impressive accomplishments. alongside gifted collaborators and where his research interests lie. of the ASBMB Educational and Pro- I have had the privilege of working contributions to biochemistry and Saphire demonstrated that the Ebola the talented postdocs, students and He has had such an impact on fessional Development committee. over the years — they have been a molecular biology by early-career sci- virus matrix protein VP40 folded into technicians in their labs and my many of these students that they He founded the society’s Undergradu- true inspiration to everything I have entists. “In the 10 years of her inde- multiple, distinct, 3-D structures, own. Credit also goes to my field. credit him for a large part of their ate Affiliate Network and its news- tried to do — and my faculty friends pendent career, Dr. Saphire has inge- each form having a different func- The community of Ebola virus success. Stacy Horner, one of Bell’s letter, Enzymatic. The UAN serves and colleagues around the nation niously applied structural biology and tion in the virus life cycle. “This is researchers pulled together this year students while he was at Gustavus undergraduates as a biochemistry who have contributed much to any protein biochemistry to the problems remarkable,” Stahelin said, “because, to advance basic research, diagnostics Adolphus College, remarked in club and provides resources for those successes I have had. of global health, making fundamental as molecular biologists, we learned a and treatments in order to alleviate – J. Ellis Bell what suffering we could during this support of Bell’s nomination for the interested in teaching, outreach and new discoveries along the way in how central dogma that a protein sequence outbreak and prepare for any re- award, “From mentoring to teaching research. Bell also is editor-in-chief proteins behave,” George N. Phillips defines its single and particular struc- emergence. me in class and challenging me to of the “Mentoring in Academia and been a willing partner in ventures Jr. of Rice University said. “I don’t ture, which, in turn, defines its func- – l Erica Ol mann Saphire think at a higher level, Dr. Bell played Industry” series published by Springer that touch on any of these areas.” know of any other young structural tion.” Her findings are “a thought- a critical role in my development as Science+Business Media. In just the past five years, Bell’s biologist with such insight and who provoking expansion of the central a young scientist. I am incredibly Along with all his work toward NSF grants have supported the train- has made so many textbook discover- dogma of molecular biology,” said structures and provide biochemical thankful to Dr. Bell for his guidance improving biochemistry education, ing of 37 undergraduates, four high- ies this early in her career.” Phillips, “revealing new ways informa- sights, they are being used right now and support during my early years in Bell also maintains an active research school and middle-school students, As a Ph.D. student, Saphire solved tion is encoded in the genome and in clinic to diagnose disease and save college.” program focused on understanding and two K – 12 teachers. the crystal structure of a broadly neu- compelling the field of structural biol- lives.” Bell began his career at the Uni- protein structure-function relation- Bell will receive his award during tralizing antibody against HIV-1. Her ogy and biochemistry to re-evaluate Saphire earned her bachelor’s from versity of Rochester before moving to ships. More specifically, he is inter- the ASBMB annual meeting, which “findings immediately guided accinev when we think ‘the’ structure is solved Rice University, where she worked Gustavus Adolphus College, where he ested in how dynamic aspects of pro- will be held in conjunction with the design,” Robert V. Stahelin of the rather than ‘a’ structure is solved.” under Kathleen Matthews, winner of taught biochemistry for 10 years. He tein structure, such as changes caused Experimental Biology 2015 research Indiana University School of Medi- Saphire also is “an extraordinary ASBMB’s William C. Rose Award. “I joined the University of Richmond in by post-translational modifications or conference. His award lecture will cine at South Bend said, “but, for the citizen of the community, not just am thrilled to join Kathy at ASBMB 2001. At each institution, he created ligand binding, are involved in both be titled “Don’t teach biochemistry, wider field of immunology, it was and by doing science in her laboratory this year,” Saphire said. “She turned biochemistry and molecular biol- catalysis and allosteric regulation of teach students!” It will take place at still remains the only structure of the at Scripps but also by going into me on to research in biochemistry ogy degree programs that integrate multisubunit proteins. 12:15 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in entire human antibody.” the field,” Rossmann praised. “She and has always been my model for research into learning experiences. “(What) stands out most about Room 253 B/C of the Boston Con- Saphire’s first discovery as an inde- travels to Africa (for a collaboration) how to be a scientist and a scientific Bell also served as a program Ellis,” Gentile said, “is his commit- vention & Exhibition Center. pendent investigator was the structure to develop her proteins into diag- citizen.” Saphire went on to earn her director at the National Science ment to research with a diverse group of the Ebola virus surface glycopro- nostics, to understand the ecology of Ph.D. from The Scripps Research Foundation’s Division of Molecular of undergraduates as well as his com- Joseph P. Tiano (tiano233@ Institute. She continued onto a hotmail.com) is a postdoctoral tein. That “revolutionized thought these diseases and see the interaction and Cellular Biosciences, where he mitment to outreach – high-school, fellow at the National Institute in the field of ilovirusF cell entry,” between pathogen and host,” wrote postdoctoral fellowship at Scripps and awarded and managed cutting-edge middle-school, elementary-school of Diabetes and Digestive and Michael G. Rossmann of Purdue Stahelin. “Her proteins not only solve Continued on page 30 research programs that provided teachers and students. He has always Kidney Diseases in Bethesda, Md.

28 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 29 Continued from page 29 will deliver her award lecture, “The Maggie Kuo was an intern at institutions.” NIH but of education in the sciences. such research, and that our recent molecular toolkit of viral hemorrhagic ASBMB Today when she wrote this Moran represented Kansas’ 1st Whether speaking to the citizens of spending on science has been at a later joined the faculty there. fevers.” The presentation will take story. Today she is a writer at the Congressional District for 14 years Kansas or his colleagues in the Sen- standstill.” Saphire will receive her award place 3:55 p.m. March 29 in Room American Physiological Society. She earned her Ph.D. in biomedi- before his election to the U.S. Senate ate, Sen. Moran has argued repeatedly Both DeLauro and Moran have at the Experimental Biology 2015 257A/B in the Boston Convention cal engineering at Johns Hopkins University. in 2010. He has championed legisla- that tax dollars spent on the NIH been invited to give remarks and conference in Boston, where she and Exhibition Center. tion to prioritize research at the NIH are a wisely spent investment in the receive their awards at a reception and spoken about the importance of future of America,” said Gerald M. after the ASBMB spring Hill Day. biomedical research on the Senate Carlson at the University of Kansas floor and in multiple news publica- Medical Center and a member of the Erica Siebrasse (esiebrasse@ HOWARD K. SCHACHMAN PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD tions. PAAC. “He realizes that support of asbmb.org) is the education “During his time in the Senate, scientific research must be nonparti- and professional development Sen. Moran has been a consistent san, that other countries are spending manager for ASBMB. Follow her on U.S. Rep. DeLauro and U.S. Sen. Moran and vocal booster not only of the proportionately more than we are on Twitter at twitter.com/ericasieb. recognized for their support of science By Erica Siebrasse AVANTI AWARD IN LIPIDS The American Society for Biochem- istry and Molecular Biology Public Reue recognized as a ‘leader in the field Affairs dvisoryA Committee awarded the Howard K. Schachman Public of lipid and energy metabolism’ Service Award to U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and U.S. Sen. By Mark Stewart Jerry Moran, R-Kan. Howard K. Schachman served as Karen Reue, professor and interim lin sensitivity in skeletal muscle, and the PAAC chair for more than 10 chair of human genetics and professor lipid homeostasis in the aging brain. years. Shortly thereafter, in 2001, the of medicine at the University of Cali- Recently, Reue’s laboratory identified committee instituted the Schachman fornia, Los Angeles, won the Avanti a role for lipin-1 in autophagy, which Award, which recognizes up to two Dr. Schachman has dedicated It is an honor to receive the Howard Award in Lipids from the American may relate to the disease symptoms of individuals each year for their dedica- his professional life to educating K. Schachman Public Service Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- lipin-1-deficient individuals. tion to public service in support of generations of scientists, and I am Award. By supporting biomedical lar Biology. The award recognizes “The lipin proteins are now biomedical science. honored to receive this award named research, we are saving lives today Reue’s novel contributions to our studied in numerous laboratories in DeLauro has spent 25 years repre- after him. As a cancer survivor, I and investing in our future. Given understanding of lipid metabolism several countries, an indicator of the senting the people of Connecticut’s know the importance of biomedical the vast amount of progress made and homeostasis. important biological role of the lipin 4th District in the U.S. House of research, and I am in awe of what over the last century and the great Reue’s scientific success is, in part, proteins,” says Rudolf Zechner of the Representatives. During that time, our scientists do. The scientific and potential current research holds, due to “her expertise in both mouse Institute of Molecular Biosciences in I am truly honored and excited to medical breakthroughs supported now is not the time for our nation she has been a champion of bio- genetics, especially as applied to lipid Graz, Austria. receive the Avanti award, which by NIH have allowed millions of to waiver on its commitment to medical research and has introduced metabolism, and molecular biology,” Reue’s lab also identified an previously has been presented to some Americans to live happier, healthier advancing medical research. This numerous bills in support of the said Peter Edwards at the Univer- additional novel gene, Diet1, isolated of my personal heroes in the field of and longer lives. This award is dedication will benefit our children lipid research. I acknowledge the enterprise. Most recently, DeLauro sity of California, Los Angeles, who from a mouse strain resistant to high inspiration to keep fighting for and our country for generations many wonderful mentors, colleagues co-sponsored the Accelerating Bio- nominated Reue for the award. blood-cholesterol levels. Inactivating funding so we can ensure those to come by saving lives, improving and trainees who have influenced my medical Research Act, which would Using naturally occurring muta- mutations in Diet1 impair signal- breakthroughs keep happening for health, growing the economy, work over the years. restore the National Institutes of tions in mice and positional cloning, ing from the intestine to the liver, Health’s purchasing power. years to come. reducing health care costs and – Karen Reue – U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. strengthening America’s role as a Reue identified the lipin gene family resulting in excess cholesterol being Thomas D. Pollard at Yale Uni- global leader in innovation. (lipin-1, lipin-2 and lipin-3). The converted to bile acids. These bile versity, a constituent of DeLauro, cholesterol homeostasis. It is hoped – U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan three lipin proteins are phosphatidate acids are secreted into the intestine said, “I am blessed to be represented ates that fundamental knowledge phosphatases required for the conver- and subsequently are excreted from that such studies may explain why in Congress by Rosa DeLauro, a about biological systems is required sion of phosphatidic acid to diacylg- the body. These metabolic changes certain people are resistant to hyper- fellow cancer survivor, who is more to understand human disease well tion depends on hard work and lycerol. Reue’s work has demonstrated prevent the accumulation of excess cholesterolemia. “The significance of enthusiastic about the value of basic enough to develop rational strategies a long-term investment by the that lipin proteins play critical roles cholesterol in the blood. Diet1 in physiology and its potential biomedical research than anyone else for prevention and cures. She also federal government working with in adipogenesis and triacylglycerol Future work will explore the role as a therapeutic target have been at the national level. She appreci- appreciates that getting this informa- our educational and research storage, energy metabolism and insu- of Diet1 genetic variants in human Continued on page 32

30 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 31 Continued from page 31 University of California, Los Angeles, “The lipin protein family, cellular New York at Buffalo. After spend- in 2012 and election to the National in Ballroom West on the third level after which she began her postdoc- lipid storage and disease,” at 3:05 ing the early years of his career in Academy of Sciences in 2014. of the Boston Convention and widely recognized,” says Stephen toral training at The Rockefeller Uni- p.m. Monday, March 30, in the industry, he joined UT-Southwestern Chen will receive his ASBMB Exhibition Center. Young at the University of California, versity in New York. Reue returned Ballroom West, on the third level of in 1997. award at the Experimental Biology Los Angeles. to UCLA and rose through the ranks the Boston Convention & Exhibition Chen previously won the Robert 2015 conference in Boston. He will Umesh D. Wankhade (udvets@ Alan Attie from the University to professor. Reue’s work has been Center. A. Welch Foundation Norman Hack- present his award lecture, “Enemy gmail.com) is a postdoctoral of Wisconsin-Madison said Reue funded continuously by the National erman Award in Chemical Research within — immune and autoimmune fellow at the National Institute of “thinks deeply about important ques- Institutes of Health. Mark Stewart (mstewa10@ in 2005, the National Academy of responses to cytosolic DNA and Health’s diabetes, endocrinology gmail.com) earned a Ph.D. from and obesity branch. tions in biology and finds elegant Reue will receive her award during the University of Alabama at Sciences Award in Molecular Biology RNA,” at 8 a.m. Monday, March 30, ways to study them.” Zechner added the ASBMB annual meeting, held in Birmingham. He now works at that “a hallmark of her research is the conjunction with the Experimental the Institute of Medicine of the comprehensive nature of the studies.” Biology 2015 conference in Boston. National Academies, in Washington, D.C., as a research associate. Reue earned her Ph.D. from the She will deliver an award lecture, BERT AND NATALIE VALLEE AWARD IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE Eisenberg lauded for contributions to understanding Plenary Lecturer, ASBMB-MERCK AWARD of amyloid fiber structure and its role Chen recognized for his contributions to understanding in neurodegenerative diseases protein ubiquitination and innate immune signaling By Umesh D. Wankhade By Umesh D. Wankhade David Eisenberg, a professor at the lished the first atomic-resolution University of California, Los Angeles, structure of an amyloid fiber. His Zhijian “James” Chen, professor of Chen and colleagues recently discov- is the second winner of the American work led to other researchers deter- molecular biology and a Howard ered a new pathway, called the cGAS Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- mining the atomic-level structures Hughes Medical Institute investigator pathway, that activates the immune lar Biology’s Bert and Natalie Vallee of more than 100 other fibers. These at the University of Texas South- system in response to microbial and Award in Biomedical Science. structure determinations have revo- western Medical Center at Dallas, host DNA. The award was established by the lutionized the field. won the 2015 American Society for “By establishing in vitro assays to Bert and N. Kuggie Vallee Founda- Eisenberg’s work enabled the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology- purify, clone and characterize new tion in 2012 to recognize established development of algorithms to Merck Award, which recognizes out- components of the NF-kB signal- scientists with outstanding accom- predict segments of proteins with standing contributions to research in ing pathway, Chen was the first to plishments in basic biomedical high propensity to form amyloid biochemistry and molecular biology. demonstrate that protein ubiquitina- research. Eisenberg’s research focuses fibers and provide useful hypotheses How nice it is to receive an award Chen received this award for his tion could have a regulatory role in primarily on protein interactions as for amyloid-forming mechanisms in named for a scientist whose lectures I work on the mechanisms of cell signal transduction through protein I am thrilled and humbled to see well as the structural underpinnings many disease-related proteins. His heard when I was an undergraduate. signaling, inflammation and innate kinase activation, distinct from my name next to my scientific idols for the conversion of normal proteins research also opened up the possibil- But my name as the sole recipient masks immunity. In the mid-1990s, his the traditional role of ubiquitin in who received the ASBMB−Merck to the amyloid state and the conver- ity of true atomic-level drug-design the fact that the recognized work is the group unraveled an unanticipated targeting protein degradation by the award before me. It is a great honor sion of prions to the infectious state. approaches to prevent fiber forma- product of more than a dozen scientists function of ubiquitin as an activator proteasome,” said Eric Olson of UT- to receive this award on behalf of a Sabeeha Merchant and James tion. Eisenberg’s group has worked in our group. Perhaps more than most of protein kinases in cytokine signal- Southwestern in his nomination letter wonderful team of dedicated and Bowie at UCLA, who nominated on drug design too, and several laboratories, we work as a group, ing. Until that point, conventional about Chen. Olson added, “Chen’s talented students and postdoctoral Eisenberg for the award, said in candidates are in development. with diverse backgrounds and skills thinking dictated that ubiquitin only most recent discovery of the cGAS fellows at UT–Southwestern combining to produce each finding. We had one molecular function – to tag pathway is especially thrilling and has their nomination letter, “David’s Although Eisenberg started his who made the discoveries that are achievements are truly remarkable, career looking at protein structure tackle hard problems, gaining confidence other proteins for destruction by the important implications for numerous recognized by the award. from each other that we can overcome cell’s proteasome. diseases.” not only because of their enormous and binding affinity, he developed –inm Zh jia “Ja es” Chen fundamental impact on the fields of an interest in the role of aberrant the obstacles that we invariably Chen also found that mitochon- Steven McKnight, a professor at encounter along the path. Much of dria contribute to the body’s immune UT–Southwestern and the ASBMB’s medicine, but also because success proteins in neurodegenerative dis- was so improbable. He has trans- eases. Eventually, his combined pas- my pleasure in science comes from our response. For example, his group president, said: “The Merck Award the field of biomedical research.” cooperative mode of scientific discovery. formed the field of amyloid diseases sion for medicine and basic research identified MAVS, a mitochondrial from the American Society for Bio- Chen earned his undergraduate – David Eisenberg protein critical for immune defense chemistry and Molecular Biology is degree in biology from Fujian Nor- and is exceedingly deserving of this led him to consider fundamental against many RNA viruses, including one of its most coveted prizes. Past mal University in China. He earned recognition.” scientific questions about neurode- influenza, West Nile and hepatitis C. winners constitute a ‘who’s who’ in a Ph.D. from the State University of In 2005, Eisenberg’s group pub- generative diseases. Continued on page 34

32 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 33 Continued from page 33 National Academy of Sciences. He ture, “The amyloid state of proteins,” Schools of Natural Science and Engi- and as an associate editor from 1994 ture at the ASBMB annual meeting has received numerous awards, such at 8:45 a.m. Monday, March 30, in neering and to provide support and to 1999. She led Rice University’s in conjunction with the Experimental Eisenberg began his career as an as the Amgen Award of the Protein Ballroom West on the third level mentoring for new faculty members. biochemistry and cell biology depart- Biology conference in Boston. Her undergraduate at Harvard University Society in 2000 and the Harvey of the Boston Convention and “I can attest to her total lack of ment from 1987 to 1995 and served lecture, “A tale of two proteins,” will under the tutelage of protein scientist International Prize in Human Health Exhibition Center. selfishness, her openness and frank- as dean of its Wiess School of Natural be at 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, John Edsall. He became interested in 2009. ness, and the very strong example she Sciences from 1998 to 2009. Simulta- in the Ballroom West on the third in the computational and physical Eisenberg will receive his award Umesh D. Wankhade (udvets@ sets for scientific quality and ethics,” neously, she helped found the Keck level of the Boston Convention & sciences as well as the biochemical at the ASBMB annual meeting, held gmail.com) is a postdoctoral Royer said. Center for Computational Biology Exhibition Center. sciences. Eisenberg went on to get a in conjunction with the the Experi- fellow at the National Institute of Matthews has been a fellow of and the Gulf Coast Consortia, which D. Phil. at Oxford University in the mental Biology 2015 conference in Health’s diabetes, endocrinology Elizabeth Meier (meier.lizzie@ and obesity branch. the American Association for the support many successful graduate- U.K. In 1989, he was elected to the Boston. He will deliver an award lec- gmail.com) is a third-year Ph.D. Advancement of Science since 1996 student and postdoctoral training student at Johns Hopkins School and served on the editorial board and research programs in the larger of Medicine, where she studies of the ASBMB’s Journal of Biologi- Houston area. bacterial cell division in Erin cal Chemistry from 1989 to 1994 Matthews will give her award lec- Goley’s lab. WILLIAM C. ROSE AWARD Matthews recognized for ‘total lack of selfishness, her openness and frankness’ Alice and C.C. Wang Award in Molecular Parasitology Cowman ‘a world leader in malaria research’ By Elizabeth Meier By Maggie Kuo The American Society for Biochem- faculty member in 1972 and today is tion-sponsored ADVANCE program istry and Molecular Biology has the Stewart Memorial professor there. to increase the number of women Alan F. Cowman, professor and head Burnet Institute wrote in his letter of to create a genetic knockout in P. fal- chosen Kathleen S. Matthews at Rice “Along the way, Kathy became and minorities at Rice University’s of the Division of Infection and support for Cowman’s nomination. ciparum by genetically manipulating University as the recipient of the Wil- interested in other bacterial repres- Immunity at the Walter and Eliza Malaria is a mosquito-borne infec- its genome. The feat was followed by liam C. Rose Award for her ground- sors, eukaryotic transcription factors, Hall Institute of Medical Research in tious disease that is a major cause of breaking biophysical and biochemical Ubx and p53, and even proteins as Melbourne, Australia, is the recipi- illness in approximately 100 coun- research on DNA-binding proteins, materials, the studies of which … ent of the 2015 American Society for tries. More than 300 million people particularly Escherichia coli repressor have provided reference points for Biochemistry and Molecular are infected by the parasite, and up to proteins and the Hox protein Ultrabi- her continuing understanding of lac Biology’s Alice and C.C. Wang Award 800,000, mostly children, die every thorax from Drosophila melanogaster. repressor,” explained Catherine Royer in Molecular Parasitology. year. The oseR award recognizes excep- of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, The award is given to researchers From the start of his career, the tional contributions to biochemical who collaborated with Matthews as a who have made significant contribu- findings and technologies produced and molecular biological research as graduate student at the University of tions to the field of molecular para- from Cowman’s laboratory have been well as an investment in the training Illinois. sitology. Recipients of this award are revolutionary for the field of malaria and education of young scientists. In addition to her significant This honor is especially meaningful internationally recognized scientific biology. His early work identified “I feel strongly that (Matthews’) scientific contributions, the award leaders who have made important mutations in P. falciparum genes that because it encompasses so many It is a great honor to receive the Alice work over the past 40 years has recognizes Matthews’ outstanding former students and colleagues, discoveries in the field and continue conferred resistance to anti-malarial established in textbook detail the mentorship to emerging scientists. to lead the forefront of research in the drug compounds. “The work provided and C.C. Wang award, and I thank whose passion and diligence have Alice and C.C. for their continued molecular mechanisms for allosteric She has supervised 33 Ph.D. students, shaped the direction of work in my area. Cowman was awarded for his an understanding of the evolution induction of the E. coli lac operon 21 of whom were women or minori- work on understanding Plasmodium of resistance to those compounds support of parasitology research. This laboratory. This recognition also award recognizes the many talented by sugar and DNA binding to LacI,” ties, three female M.A. students, and reminds me of my gratitude for the falciparum, the protozoan parasite and, as a direct result, provided the said John S. Olson of Rice University, more than 130 undergraduate stu- that causes the most severe form of information to allow the study of the graduate students and postdocs who special guides who nurtured my own have been so pivotal to the work done who nominated Matthews for the dents, more than half of whom were malaria in humans. geographical spread and emergence scientific growth. Mentoring has been by the lab over the years. I would award. women or minorities. She has also “Professor Alan Cowman has made of drug resistant P. falciparum in a constant joy and a deep source of like to thank them and the many Matthews graduated from the won numerous universitywide teach- a number of profoundly important endemic areas, giving rise to a new energy and passion for the research collaborators with whom I have University of Texas at Austin with a ing awards, including three esteemed discoveries over the past 25 years of field of molecular epidemiology,” endeavor in my life, and more has worked. B.S. in chemistry in 1966 and earned George R. Brown awards for superior been learned from this process than his research career in malaria that see Doug Hilton of the Walter and Eliza –n Ala F. Cowman her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the teaching. was given! him recognized as one of the very top, Hall Institute of Medical Research University of California, Berkeley, in Furthermore, Matthews helped – Kathleen S. Matthews possibly the actual top, in the field wrote in his nomination letter. 1970. She joined Rice University as a found the National Science Founda- internationally,” Brendan Crabb of the Cowman’s laboratory was the first Continued on page 36

34 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 35 Continued from page 35 vaccine has completed Phase 1 clinical lives and health outcomes – some- tion of protein motions as the next Klinman served as the president of trials, which were funded by the Bill thing very few researchers can ever critically under-understood area in the ASBMB from 1998 to 1999. She the first large-scale knockout screen in and Melinda Gates Foundation and hope to claim in their lifetime.” enzymology.” has received many awards, including malaria biology. The screen identified the Grand Challenges Foundation. Cowman received his Ph.D. from JoAnne Stubbe of the Massachu- the Merck Award from the ASBMB proteins key to the parasite’s survival The quality of his work is reflected the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of setts Institute of Technology added, in 2007 and the National Medal of in the host. “This was a significant in his extensive publication record, Medical Research. After a postdoctoral “Judith’s contributions have received Science in 2014. leap in the field, and the genetic with many in the “world’s most pres- fellowship at the University of Cali- international recognition and have Previous Cohn award recipients technology he created is now used in tigious scientific journals, where they fornia, Berkeley, Cowman returned to established her as arguably the best include Lila M. Gierasch (2014) and every malaria research laboratory in belong,” B. Brett Finlay of the Uni- the institute and has been there since. chemist studying detailed enzymatic Jennifer A. Doudna (2013). the world,” Hilton continued. versity of British Columbia wrote in Cowman will receive his award mechanisms, in the world.” Klinman will give an award lecture The impact of Cowman’s work his letter of support. This award will during the 2015 Experimental Biology Klinman’s pioneering discover- at the ASBMB annual meeting held I am deeply honored to be this expands beyond the scientific com- add to a long list of honors already conference in Boston, where he will ies have positioned her both at the in conjunction with the Experimental year’s recipient of the Cohn award. munity into the realm of public deliver his award lecture. The presen- forefront and interface of chemistry, bestowed upon Cowman, including Biology conference in Boston. Her Mildred prevailed in the absence of health. The tools developed during tation, titled “Moving in and renovat- biochemistry and biophysics. induction as a Howard Hughes Medi- lecture, “Moving through barri- opportunities for women in science, ing: invasion and remodeling of the “One of the most admirable char- his early work to monitor molecu- cal Institute International Scholar, ers: unlocking the mysteries of how was a model for how women can lar markers of drug resistance have a fellow of the Australian Academy human erythrocyte by the malaria acteristics of Judith is her willingness enzymes really work,” will be at 2:30 successfully combine family with been used to determine which drugs of Science and a fellow of the Royal parasite,” will take place at 9:45 a.m. to set aside old theories and embrace p.m. Sunday, March 29, in Ballroom career, worked alongside many giants would be most effective in patients Society. March 30 in the Boston Convention new theories in an effort to explain West on the third level of the Boston in biochemistry and pioneered the in specific endemic areas. Using the “Working in a highly competitive and Exhibition Center, Room 253 A. the experimental data and understand Convention & Exhibition Center. use of NMR to understand enzyme genetic technology he had developed, field, on an organism that is notori- the underlying fundamental prin- mechanism. She was a remarkable Cowman and his laboratory collabo- ously difficult to manipulate, his labo- Maggie Kuo was an intern at ciples,” said Sharon Hammes-Schiffer scientist and mentor whose deep ASBMB Today when she wrote this from the University of Illinois at Elizabeth Meier (meier.lizzie@ rated with Stefan Kappe at the Seattle ratory relentlessly makes significant story. Today she is a writer at the gmail.com) is a third-year Ph.D. understanding of science and the Biomedical Research Institute to leaps in our understanding of malaria American Physiological Society. Urbana-Champaign. student at Johns Hopkins School world were an inspiration to me and create the first genetically engineered pathogenesis,” Finlay wrote. “These She earned her Ph.D. in biomedi- A member of both the American of Medicine, where she studies all who were privileged to know her! live attenuated malaria vaccine. The breakthroughs have changed people’s cal engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Academy of Arts and Sciences and bacterial cell division in Erin –i Jud th Kl nman the National Academy of Sciences, Goley’s lab.

MILDRED COHN AWARD IN BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY Klinman touted for ‘her willingness to set aside WALTER A. SHAW YOUNG INVESTIGATOR IN LIPID RESEARCH AWARD Brügger lauded for ‘execution of quality science old theories and embrace new theories’ By Elizabeth Meier and outstanding productivity’ By Samarpita Sengupta Judith Klinman of the University of Cohn, with respect to outstanding of Pennsylvania in 1966. Thereafter, California, Berkeley, won the Ameri- scientific achievement and advanc- she pursued postdoctoral studies at Britta Brügger of Heidelberg Uni- is of functional significance, is “a real described Brügger’s studies as original can Society for Biochemistry and ing the cause of women in science,” the Weizmann Institute of Science in versity is the winner of the Ameri- tour-de-force,” Bankaitis said, “that and impactful and the result of Molecular Biology’s Mildred Cohn affirmedatalie N G. Ahn of the Israel in physical organic chemistry can Society for Biochemistry and has broad implications for protein- longstanding collaborations. Not only Award in Biological Chemistry for University of Colorado Boulder, who and at the Fox Chase Cancer Center Molecular Biology’s Walter A. Shaw lipid interactions in integral mem- has Brügger demonstrated excellent her far-reaching contributions to the nominated Klinman for the award. in biochemistry. In 1978, she began Young Investigator in Lipid Research brane proteins.” scholarship in her career, he said, but field of mechanistic enzymology. “As the first woman professor in her professorship at UC Berkeley, Award for her work on lipid-protein Using quantitative lipidomic strat- she also has “amply demonstrated The Cohn award honors the scien- any of the physical sciences at UC where she remains to this day. interactions and lipid sorting. egies, Brügger’s group has achieved execution of quality science and out- tific accomplishments and character Berkeley, the first tenured female In his letter of support of Klin- “Britta Brügger is simply a win- several exciting new discoveries. It standing productivity.” of the late Cohn, the first president professor in the UC Berkeley chem- man’s nomination, Amnon Kohen of ner,” declared Vytas A. Bankaitis found that HIV-1 morphogenesis Brügger earned her undergradu- of the ASBMB. The award recognizes istry department and later as the first the University of Iowa emphasized of the Texas A&M Health Science requires a specific lipid microenviron- ate degree in Germany at Frankfurt scientists who have advanced signifi- woman chair of the chemistry depart- “her discoveries of new biological Center, who nominated Brügger for ment, that p24 cargo receptors need University. She earned her Ph.D. in cantly the understanding of biological ment, she has been instrumental in cofactors that result from auto-cata- the award. Brügger’s work, which specific lipid-protein interactions, the laboratory of Felix Wieland at the chemistry using innovative physical changing attitudes toward women in lyzed post-translational modification showed that the binding of the and that sphingomyelin nanodo- Ruprecht Karls University in Heidel- approaches. science.” of natural amino acids; the elucida- transmembrane domain of the p24 mains exist and are defined by the berg. After a two-year postdoctoral “Judith Klinman’s accomplish- Klinman earned her Ph.D. in tion of quantum mechanical effects in cargo receptor proteins to a specific interactions of specific sphingomyelin ments truly parallel those of Mildred organic chemistry from the University biological catalysis, and the identifica- molecular species of sphingomyelin species with cholesterol. Bankaitis Continued on page 38

36 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 37 Continued from page 37 scientific interaction, that their com- 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, in These simulations are of great interest tific world. Recently, Pande teamed mittee members be easy to interact Room 252A/B of the Boston Con- in disease research, such as that into up with Google to use its cloud- fellowship at the Sloan Kettering with, and that their committee mem- vention & Exhibition Center. Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and cancer. based computer systems to simulate Institute in the laboratory of James bers exhibit the scientific honesty of “He built a novel vision and an the receptor-site transformations in E. Rothman, Brügger returned to providing the critical input needed,” important enterprise in computational G-protein-coupled receptors. Also, in Germany and the lab of her graduate he explained. “Frankly, I find faculty biology,” said Ken Dill of Stony Brook collaboration with Pande’s lab, Sony mentor. In 2002, she took a staff- who fit all of these criteria to be in University, who nominated Pande for just released its Folding@home app scientist position at the Heidelberg short supply. My opinion is that the award. He “has gotten thousands for smartphones, which can be down- University Biochemistry Center. In Britta Brügger is one such faculty of people involved in caring about loaded from Google Play. 2014, she accepted a faculty position member. As a matter of principle, is protein structures and pharmaceutical John Kuriyan at the University of at Heidelberg University, and she is there any higher compliment one can discovery and wanting to help.” California, Berkeley, who wrote in now a dean there. offer a colleague than seeking his/her Born in Trinidad to Indian parents, support of Pande’s nomination for I’m truly honored to receive the With several publications in counsel in the training of one’s gradu- Pande trained as a physicist. He the award, described Pande as “one 2015 DeLano award. I got to top-tier journals, memberships in ate students?” earned his bachelor’s degree in physics of the most prominent of the current know Warren DeLano and greatly I am thrilled and very honored to academic societies and now awards, Instituted in 2010, the Walter A. from Princeton University and his generation of leaders in the field and appreciated his vision for scientific be this year’s recipient of the Walter Brügger has left her mark in the field Shaw Young Investigator in Lipid software. That vision has made an Shaw Young Investigator Award. Ph.D. in physics from the Massachu- certainly one of the most creative.” of lipid research already. Despite Research Award, named after the impact in my own work and in I share this award with my co- setts Institute of Technology. At MIT, Pande will receive the award at the being so successful, Bankaitis said, countless others throughout the world. founder of Avanti Polar Lipids, workers in the laboratory and am where he also completed a postdoc- ASBMB annual meeting, held in con- Brügger is modest and humble. She –ae Vij y Pand recognizes scientists with 10 or fewer grateful to my collaborators for their toral fellowship, he worked under junction with the Experimental Biol- is careful in her analysis and does not years of experience who have made important contributions, helping us Toyoichi Tanaka and Alexander Yu ogy conference, in March in Boston. overstate her science, he added. significant contributions to lipid to study protein-lipid interactions in Grosberg. His award lecture, titled “Understand- Preethi Chander (chander. Bankaitis also said that, given the research. The winner each year is a truly interdisciplinary way. Many Along with exploring questions in ing protein folding yields important [email protected]) earned a opportunity, he would value Brügger’s invited to give a talk at the society’s Ph.D. in structural biology from thanks also to the German Research theoretical and biophysical chemistry, insights into protein conformational Purdue University and completed contributions to his students’ thesis annual meeting and receives a plaque Foundation. Without its support, this Pande pushes the limits of super- changes,” will be at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, a postdoctoral fellowship at the committees. “I always counsel my and a cash prize of $2,000. Mary L. work wouldn’t have been possible. computing paradigms. Folding@ March 31, in Room 253 A/B/C of National Institutes of Health. She works at the students in the importance of choos- Kraft won the award last year. –ta Brit Brügger home has become the most powerful the Boston Convention & Exhibition National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., as a health science program administrator. ing the right faculty for their commit- Brügger will give her award lec- supercomputer cluster in the scien- Center. tees, that they should choose faculty ture, titled “From lipidomics to cel- whose scientific insight they espect,r lular functions: lipids as modulators Samarpita Sengupta (samarpita. [email protected]) that their committee members be well of protein activity,” at the ASBMB is a postdoctoral fellow in the respected by the broader scientific annual meeting in Boston. She will pediatrics department at the community, that their committee give her talk during the “Lipid magic: University of Texas-Southwestern RUTH KIRSCHSTEIN DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE AWARD Medical Center at Dallas. members be available to them for How do they do it?” symposium at JoAnn Trejo recognized for her support of underrepresented minorities DELANO AWARD FOR COMPUTATIONAL BIOSCIENCES By Joseph P. Tiano Folding@home founder Pande The American Society for Biochem- mother’s strong work ethic along and to underrepresented students and istry and Molecular Biology named with her teachers’ support for helping fellows in particular.” JoAnn Trejo at the University of her become a leading educator and Trejo earned her bachelor’s degree ‘a creative leader in molecular dynamics’ California, San Diego, the winner world-class researcher in the field of in toxicology and biochemistry at the By Preethi Chander of the Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in molecular pharmacology. “These prin- University of California, Davis. She Science Award. The award recognizes ciples served her well and have guided then earned her Ph.D. in the lab of outstanding scientists who show a all aspects of her life,” said Susan S. Joan Heller Brown at UCSD. When Vijay Pande, the mastermind behind putational technologies that enable folding and computational drug strong commitment to mentoring Taylor, who nominated Trejo for the Trejo was challenged in those early the Folding@home project, is the life-science research at the molecular design require large amounts of com- and encouraging underrepresented ASBMB award. “(She) has continued years, Brown said, “she really showed 2015 DeLano Award for Compu- level. putational power. The Folding@home individuals to enter the sciences. to be remarkable not only for her her colors, responding in ways that tational Biosciences recipient. This The Folding@home project pushes project uses the idle processing power Trejo was the youngest of five creative research that is pioneering truly proved her capabilities.” Trejo award recognizes Pande, a professor of the frontiers of scientific crowdsourc- of thousands of volunteered comput- children in a family of migrant farm new frontiers at the interface between then completed a postdoc in the lab chemistry at Stanford University, for ing. Molecular dynamics techniques ers around the world; each solves workers led by a single mother with lipids, proteins and membranes but his innovative development of com- used to explore questions in protein subtasks within the greater problem. little education. She credits her also by her dedication to academics Continued on page 40

38 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 39 Continued from page 39 Committee. ference in Boston. Her award lecture, In 2013, Trejo became director of “Exploring GPCR-biased signaling of Shaun Coughlin at the University the Institutional Research and Aca- from inside and outside the cell,” of California, San Francisco, where demic Career Development Award, or will take place at 3:05 p.m. Sunday, she focused on vascular cell biology. IRACDA, Postdoctoral Training Pro- March 29, in the Ballroom West on She took her first faculty position gram at UCSD. IRACDA is a unique the third level of the Boston Conven- at the University of North Carolina, National Institutes of Health-spon- tion and Exhibition Center. Chapel Hill, in 2000 and then moved sored program designed to develop a to UCSD, where she was promoted to diverse group of highly trained scien- The American professor a few years ago. tists to address the nation’s biomedi- Throughout her academic career, cal research needs, and this position Society for Biochemistry Trejo has been a champion for diver- represents a tremendous honor for sity. She has trained 25 students and Trejo and reflects her commitment fellows and 23 undergraduates, many to diversity in science. Trejo received and Molecular Biology of whom were women and from the 2014 UCSD Chancellor’s Award groups underrepresented in science. for Excellence in Postdoctoral Scholar “Her own experiences have trans- Mentoring. You have the drive and we have the resources to formed her into a passionate advocate Trejo’s research focuses on under- help you take your career to the next level. for (underrepresented minorities), and standing the regulation of G protein- I am truly honored to receive the she has used this passion creatively to coupled receptor signaling, specifically Ruth Kirchstein Diversity in Science mentor at all levels and to build new the mechanisms responsible for regu- Award. Diversity is imperative for programs and new awareness in her lating signaling by protease-activated the advancement of science and we ASBMB Member Benefits: colleagues,” Taylor said. receptor-1. PAR1 is a GPCR for the must cultivate talent with inclusion Trejo is a member and served as coagulant and anticoagulant prote- of individuals from across the • Reduced publication fees and FREE color in all ASBMB journals* the diversity coordinator of UCSD’s ases. Trejo has made numerous novel social spectrum. Ruth Kirchstein • Free online access to all ASBMB journals: umbrella Biomedical Sciences Gradu- discoveries related to the regulation was a champion for individuals ate Program and the Medical Scientist of GPCR signaling and has published underrepresented in science and • Journal of Biological Chemistry Training Program. In addition, she more than 60 papers on this topic. receiving this award is a real is active on many national advocacy Trejo has led two Gordon Con- inspiration. • Molecular & Cellular Proteomics committees, including the American ferences; has received many hon- –n JoAn Trejo • Journal of Lipid Research Society for Cell Biology’s Women in ors, including the American Heart Cell Biology and Minority Affairs Association’s Established Investigator Joseph P. Tiano (tiano233@ • Free print subscription to ASBMB Today, the member magazine committees, the Society for the Award; and has given many keynote hotmail.com) is a postdoctoral Advancement of Chicanos and Native addresses. fellow at the National Institute • Discounts on registration for ASBMB meetings Americans in Science, and the Key- Trejo will receive her award during of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in Bethesda, Md. stone Symposia Diversity Advisory the Experimental Biology 2015 con- • Job postings and career workshops • Travel awards • A voice on Capitol Hill

*Must be a regular member publishing as the corresponding author.

www.asbmb.org/memberbenefits

40 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 feature

tacks of Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream these medical schools a lot of credit pints fill grocery-store freezers for seeing that my future was going S around the world, the sky-blue to be much better served somewhere containers embellished with fluffy else,” says Greenfield, his amusement white clouds and flavor name puns apparent. hinting at the brand’s quirky irrever- Meanwhile, Cohen was unsuc- ence. So it might come as a surprise cessful at trying to sell his pottery. that a critical part of the brand’s “We probably had no choice but to global success is rooted in the staid start our own business,” he recalls. world of science. “My biochemistry The friends contemplated opening a background allowed me to come up restaurant because, as Cohen wryly with the world-famous Ben & Jerry’s notes, “the only thing we were really ice-cream formula,” asserts Jerry interested in doing was eating.” But a Greenfield. friend informed them that breaking With his friend and business part- into the restaurant business was tough ner Ben Cohen, Greenfield parlayed and suggested instead that they focus the scientific knowledge he gained as on making a single food item. a lab technician and medical school So Cohen and Greenfield turned Jerry Greenfield I mages courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s hopeful into the development of the their attention to bringing a big-city internationally renowned ice cream. food trend to the rural college-town There now are more than 600 Ben & setting in which they both hoped to Jerry’s scoop shops in 35 countries, live. In the 1970s, the trendy choices and annual sales of the ice cream were either bagels or home-made ice reach $500 million. cream. The machinery for bagels was too expensive. That left ice cream. Rejection Greenfield and Cohen met in junior Informal ice-cream high school in the 1960s in upstate New York, where they were, accord- education ing to Cohen, the “two slowest, fat- In 1977, Greenfield and Cohen each test kids in gym class.” While Cohen plopped down $2.50 to pay for a cor- didn’t have much interest in school respondence course from Pennsylva- (and eventually dropped out of col- nia State University on how to make lege to become a potter), Greenfield ice cream. They next splurged on the had an aptitude for math and science. textbook “Ice Cream,” the so-called Because he “wasn’t driven to do bible of ice-cream making written something else,” Greenfield decided by Wendell S. Arbuckle, a professor to become a doctor. of dairy science at the University of The first step in the process was Maryland. Arbuckle and his wife, to get a bachelor’s degree in biology Ruth, were so famous for their knowl- from Oberlin College in Ohio. To edge of ice cream that they were bolster his medical-school applica- known as “Mr. and Mrs. Ice Cream.” tions, Greenfield then did stints as a Their studying complete, Green- technician in biochemistry labs at the field and Cohen set out to establish Public Health Institute of the City the now-iconic Ben & Jerry’s ice of New York and the University of cream. Greenfield applied his scientist North Carolina. scrutiny to the tiniest details of the But his lack of passion and drive process, focusing in particular on for medicine was apparent. Greenfield the workings of the single five-gallon freely admits he was “a middle-of- ice-cream maker he and Cohen had the-pack kind of person” and was at their disposal. “Jerry’s knowledge rejected from medical schools twice. “I give the admissions people from all Continued on page 44

42 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 43 ous mixtures of milk fat, egg yolks, sugar and water along with chunks of cookies and candy (Cohen’s preferred childhood additive). The Americone Dream The perseverance and hard work paid off in 1978 when Ben & Jerry’s opened its first ice-cream parlor in a repurposed gas station in Burlington, Vt. “We were doing everything in this very small machine and doing every- thing by hand,” Greenfield recalls. As the scoops became more popular and demand began to rise, Greenfield says that the company had to pay atten- tion to ensure that they got the same quality of ice cream from the higher- In the early days of Ben & Jerry’s, the duo made their Continued from page 43 ice cream in old-fashioned machines like this one. volume manufacturing processes. of science and math really came in The first franchised Ben & handy,” Cohen acknowledges. Jerry’s scoop shop opened in 1981 During the late 1970s, other ice- in Shelburne, Vt., and the company cream makers were pooh-poohing continued to expand. Ten years the old-fashioned freezing method, after they opened their first parlor, in which the outside of an ice cream Greenfield and Cohen were named maker barrel is packed with ice and the “U.S. Small-Business Persons of rock salt while the internal dasher the Year” by President Ronald Reagan churns and whips the ingredients. in a White House Rose Garden cer- Convinced that the ice-and-rock-salt emony. Ben & Jerry’s now offers more mix was still workable, Greenfield than 70 unique flavors, including pressed ahead with a method that Cherry Garcia, Karamel Sutra and, commercial ice-cream makers thought Greenfield’s own favorite, Americone would work only in people’s homes. Dream. Additional tinkering with the Greenfield and Cohen sold their freezing process, again informed company to the consumer goods by Greenfield’s knowledge of scien- conglomerate Unilever in 2000, but tific processes, helped the duo with Greenfield says Ben & Jerry’s retains another aspect of the signature ice its reputation of being “a little off- cream. “Part of what makes ice cream beat, unconventional, irreverent and smooth and creamy is that there is air antiauthoritarian.” He acknowledges whipped into ice cream,” points out that such impudence would not have Greenfield. The balance of air, water flown in his original chosen field of Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay and solid must be just right to make medicine. “I think Ben & Jerry’s has ([email protected]) the ice cream rich and dense. “The is the senior science writer for gotten a lot of freedom to create the ASBMB. Follow her on Twitter at larger the ice crystals are, the more kind of business we want to create twitter.com/rajmukhop. Geoffrey icy and granular the ice cream tastes. and do it with our own rules that Hunt ([email protected]) is That’s something you don’t want,” people in science, and certainly doc- the ASBMB’s public outreach cautions Greenfield. coordinator. Follow him on Twitter tors, don’t have.” at twitter.com/thegeoffhunt. Both Just as important was the flavor. Nonetheless, Greenfield proudly writers contribute equally in cre- Cohen and Greenfield experimented states, his training “was put to incred- ating and developing the profiles for the D“ efying extensively to come up with the ibly good use.” Millions of satisfied Stereotypes” series. perfect recipe, incorporating vari- customers agree.

44 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 45 education

two semesters a year has gone from take the first step, and a very good what the pedagogical-transformation a traditional 50-minute talking-head step for any new faculty members, ruckus is all about attend as well. Teaching old (and new) model to one in which students postdoctoral students or graduate Your eyes certainly will be opened to interact much more in peer groups students who envision themselves some fantastic new educational con- solving problems and discussing key teaching undergraduates is to cepts. And if you are willing to open concepts. attend the upcoming Transforming your minds to the fact that there just dogs new tricks These changes have not all Undergraduate Education in the may be a better way to disseminate occurred overnight; rather they have Molecular Life Sciences meeting in your course material, you too will get The benefits from attending an ASBMB evolved (and continue to evolve) July. to experience classes that a lot more through small, discrete modifications. I would suggest that established fun to teach. student-centered education symposium As in any long journey, you have to faculty members who are wondering By James T. Hazzard James T. Hazzard (jhazzard@ ReferenceS email.arizona.edu) has been 1. http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309085357 course coordinator for an upper- 2. http://visionandchange.org/ division biochemistry laboratory course at the University of Arizona he American Society for guided-inquiry, researchlike labora- College. The primary benefit of this 3. news.sciencemag.org/education/2014/05/lectures-arent-just-boring-theyre-ineffective-too-study- since 2000. Biochemistry and Molecular tory experiences, especially at institu- education-focused meeting was that finds T Biology will host its fourth tions where these lab courses offer the we were able to have meaningful dia- undergraduate education meeting closest thing students may have to a logues (which have continued in the July 30 through Aug. 2 at Missouri research project. ensuing years) with people who actu- Western State University. Society Not being an expert in the educa- ally had carried out such transforma- members might reasonably ask, tion field, I often find pedagogically tions in lecture or laboratory courses, “How does the ASBMB benefit from focused publications filled with bewil- resulting in much greater engagement sponsoring these meetings?” That dering terminology and methods of of their students in the curriculum. It Practicing best practices is best answered by the title to the statistical analysis that are quite for- often is difficult to have these kinds 1964 Bob Dylan song “The Times eign to my more physical-biochemis- of conversations at national meetings They Are A-Changin’,” which per- try-oriented mind. Often these same due to time constraints. fectly describes the attitude driving articles provide ample justification for Another great aspect of attend- transformations in the field of science changing your pedagogical approach ing this small meeting came about education, for which many in the without the nuts-and-bolts, how-to when, as part of a workshop headed ASBMB have been strong advocates. information. by a National Science Foundation Beginning with the publication of Finally, being rather conserva- program director, we wrote proposals “BIO 2010” and more recently with tive, I initially viewed these calls for describing how we would use fund- the release of “Vision and Change,” transformation at the annual ASBMB ing from that agency to alter one of sponsored by the American Associa- education-focused symposia with a our courses. This thought-provoking tion for the Advancement of Science, great deal of skepticism. After all, I exercise was, for me, the beginning of calls have gone out urging educators had designed from scratch a biochem- a major overhaul of our biochemistry to transform the way we disseminate istry laboratory course that received laboratory course, which has since information to undergraduates in our rave reviews from students, who often gone from a traditional method-and- lecture and laboratory courses (1, 2). stated it was the best course they had technique-based course to one in A recent Science magazine report ever taken at our university. How which 60 percent of the semester is entitled “Lectures aren’t just boring, dare anyone suggest that we could devoted to a guided-inquiry, research- they are ineffective, too” (3) indi- design a better course? And several like experience. cated that the era of the talking-head, faculty members in my department Now when students join our class 50-minute lecture format, which told me bluntly, “If it ain’t broke, at the beginning of the semester, originated in the Middle Ages, is don’t fix it!” rather than saying, “You will learn Image courtesy of Michael Carastro, University of Tampa drawing to a close, replaced by a more The problem was that I began to how to do this and that,” we tell them student-centered and peer-learning have a nagging feeling that maybe, they are joining a long-term research An-Phong Le of Florida Southern College (left), Sergiy Borysov of the University of South Florida (center) and approach to science education. if it was not exactly broken, our lab project for which the ultimate objec- Jewels Morgan of Georgia State University (right) participate in the Designing Scientific Teaching Tools for BMB For our laboratory courses, course could perhaps be improved tive is to produce site-specific muta- Education workshop in Tampa, Fla., in January. The 20 attendees broke into groups. Each developed a broad science-education experts have dramatically. tions of E. coli alkaline phosphatase. learning goal, specific learning objectives, expected outcomes and assessment questions, and tools. Later, each been urging us to do away with the Finally, in 2009, I attended In a similar manner, my whole presented its work. For a detailed report on the event and its outcomes, visit www.asbmb.org/education/enzymatic. traditional methods-and-techniques the first ASBMB-sponsored small approach to the biochemistry lecture programs and replace them with education conference at Colorado course that I teach to nonmajors

46 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 47 minority affairs

‘An accumulation of societal and structural impediments’ Inspiring students with By Karl S. Booksh

disabilities to earn STEM wo years ago, Sharon Rozovsky “reading day” activities before spring uates identifying as having disabilities, and I started an undergradu- semester finals of my freshman year. I I seldom noticed graduate students at T ate research program at the remember lying on the field, unable to national conferences or other institu- University of Delaware for chemistry feel my arms or legs, thinking, “Never tions with visible disabilities. I did not doctoral degrees and biochemistry students with dis- let anybody see that you are hurt.” hear tales of encouraging participation abilities. This unique program offers Such an attitude prompted me and inclusion. research, mentoring and community- to spend the first part of my career Instead, their experience was of building opportunities to outstand- denying that I had a disability and marginalization and the need to fight ‘Simple accommodations can create a dramatic difference’ ing scholars who happen to have a led me to approach challenges as if for access to a level playing field in recognized disability that impacts one they were personal attacks rather than each class. Some schools were worse By Sharon Rozovsky or more aspects of their lives. impersonal societal constructs. I spent than others, but nobody seemed to The core of the program is an the next summer in rehab at Craig have had as ideal an experience as I eight-week residency laboratory expe- Hospital in Denver learning how to did. y colleague Karl Booksh and I rience culminating with a presenta- navigate the world from a wheelchair The few faculty members I knew are the organizers of an under- Despite my concerns, the group seemed to bond almost tion at the university undergraduate who had progressed through school with only minimal use of my hands. M graduate research experience instantly. Participants were amazingly encouraging and research poster day. During the two I returned to classes at the Uni- while identifying as having disabilities program that offers students with dis- months, we discuss the intersection versity of Alaska, Fairbanks, the next were all at smaller, less research-inten- abilities scientific internships, advice treated each other much like brothers and sisters. Over time, between disability and career. Topics academic year and graduated with sive institutions. To this day, I know and connections with other students they chose to disclose many personal experiences. include navigating graduate school, a bachelor’s — cum laude — in of no other chemistry or biochemistry who face similar life circumstances. research expectancies, and strate- chemistry. My undergraduate research professor at an institution classified Last year, we advertised the program gies for disclosure of disabilities and by the Carnegie Foundation as “very mend our discouragement over grant cial accommodations, most of which experience at UAF, with two pub- nationally and ran it for the first time requesting accommodations. high research activity” who identified writing. During these conversations, were easy to anticipate ahead of time, lished papers, led me to graduate in its full scope with eight students. I was impressed with how quickly as having a disability as an undergrad- Karl often described his mentoring such as the use of an American Sign school and a career as a university The program’s long-term goal is to the students integrated into their uate or graduate student. activities with the community of sci- Language interpreter and the con- professor. I earned a doctorate from increase the participation of students respective laboratories and formed a entists with disabilities and pondered struction of a small platform to wheel the University of Washington and with disabilities in science, engineer- mutual support network. For most of ‘There is no single cause’ out loud about what type of programs our friendly service dog, who stayed completed a postdoctoral fellowship ing, technology and math professions. the students, this was their first expe- would be most effective to increase in a cage, in and out of the lab. How- at the University of South Carolina National demographics bear out these It combines conventional aspects of rience in a real research laboratory and before joining the faculty at Arizona observations. undergraduate research programs with the participation of this community ever, some accommodations we hadn’t their first experience being encouraged State University. People with disabilities comprise 13 the added layer of forming a commu- in STEM professions. I thought initially thought about, like using an to consider graduate school. Further- Along the way, I was fortunate percent of the U.S. noninstitutional- nity willing to discuss specific themes Karl’s ideas were genuinely creative, interpreter to describe the surround- more, it was their initial first-hand to find mentors who did not see my ized population between 18 and 49 shared by this particular group. and I asked if I could participate. ings for the visually impaired during encounter with the notion that people disability as a source of limitations. years old. Students with disabilities Each participating student worked In the next few months, Karl and visits to museums and reducing envi- with disabilities can easily surpass Instead, the faculty advisers saw my are interested in STEM at the same for eight weeks with a research group I wrote several grant applications to ronmental noise and dimming lights fund this program and also a separate for students on the neurobiological societal expectations that limit their past successes as evidence of hard proportion as students without dis- and presented his or her work at the program focusing on graduate train- spectrum. Luckily, the students had accomplishments. work, creativity and the ability to over- abilities (21.7 percent to 23.1 percent end of the summer. The student I ing. The next year, we initiated the much patience for us as we were come obstacles. Consequently, honors for matriculating freshmen and 20.3 mentored came with a large and very undergraduate program on a small learning the ropes. ‘Far from typical’ and awards followed: National Sci- percent to 21.3 percent for those lovable service dog. The dog quickly entering graduate school). Yet less than scale, with only a few participants, Simple accommodations can cre- Many view my path to the professori- ence Foundation Graduate Research became bored with the lab work, but 2 percent of STEM doctoral degrees using funds from our respective ate a dramatic difference: meeting ate as typical, potentially ideal. Yet Fellowship Honorable Mention, the student and I had a lot of fun. from U.S. institutions are earned by National Science Foundation grants. a student ahead of the program to it was very different from the early American Chemical Society Graduate students with disabilities. This statistic Subsequently, we won a dedicated familiarize him or her with the lab, career trajectories of most science, Fellowship, NSF Postdoctoral Fellow- Getting the program off has not changed since the passage of grant from the NSF that helped us covering travel expenses for a parent technology, engineering and math ship, and Camille and Henry Dreyfus the Americans with Disabilities Act the ground launch the full program this past to help a student settle in, asking the students with disabilities. New Faculty Fellowship. summer. student what information to share in 1991. There are so few STEM Karl and I started collaborating when I did not grow up identifying as After I received tenure, I realized with group members. Some of the postdocs with disabilities that the NSF I joined the department of chemistry having a disability: I broke my neck that my experience was far from typi- most frequent requests we had does not present these demographics. in 2008, and we became good friends. ‘Learning the ropes’ the day after my 19th birthday while cal for students with disabilities in STEM. While I saw many undergrad- Continued on page 50 We’d regularly chat after meetings to Part of the NSF grant supported spe- Continued on page 51 playing flag football during organized

48 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 49 Continued from page 49 across the past 25-years while it has to local awards, which lead to more Continued from page 48 definition of students with disabili- not want their disabilities to define remained stagnant for students with opportunities, which lead to larger ties as a community be considered them or influence whether they were I have come to believe that there is were uncomplicated: securing disabilities.) awards and so forth. On the other an intrusion? Would our students admitted into a graduate program. no single cause for the disproportion- single-occupancy rooms to allow for hand, students who are impeded in wish to share their experiences with But many of us left thinking that the ately low advanced-degree attainment down time or providing direct con- their first few steps quickly fall behind us all? Would our group sessions feel decision was more nuanced and com- in STEM for students with disabili- The Matthew Effect tact with housing services. and never regain an advantage in the contrived? plex than we originally perceived and ties. Instead, there is an accumulation Common assumptions by faculty Ultimately, the main challenge was race for recognition. Despite my concerns, the group tightly coupled with identity. of societal and structural impediments members about the appropriate path no different than that encountered It is now en vogue to focus on seemed to bond almost instantly. Should we not seek to be accepted that hinder progress for these students to (and through) graduate school are with any student we mentor: how just the negative side of the Matthew Participants were amazingly encour- for who we are? We are all part of as a class. biased against students with disabili- to make research an educational and Effect and to contemplate how so- aging and treated each other much a minority group, of a hierarchical Expectations for students with ties: students with disabilities are more enjoyable experience given the stu- like brothers and sisters. Over time, power structure, and we all are con- disabilities are lower; there is a relative likely to attend small undergraduate called microaggressions harm groups. dent’s personality and interests. they chose to disclose many personal currently insiders and outsiders. I am lack of encouragement, mentoring and institutions, more likely to pursue But it is clear that the constant negoti- experiences. the outsider in our cohort, because role models at all levels. Our belief their degrees part time, less likely to ating for accommodations, being split Group sessions One group discussion that stood I do not have a neurobiological or in a meritocracy stigmatizes and pre- engage in undergraduate research, away from your peer group to receive Unique to our program were discus- out was about disclosure: How and physical disability. Yet questions of vents people from requesting needed and less likely to be supported on a accommodations and having to sions held in group meetings that when should a disability be disclosed inclusiveness, exclusiveness and self- accommodations, even when the research assistantship awards in gradu- repeatedly defend your capabilities all concentrated on preparation for when applying to graduate school? identification lie at the heart of our accommodations are unrelated to the ate school. take a toll on your ability to succeed graduate school and how physical and How does disclosure factor into program and are common to all of essential tasks at hand. Many institu- Furthermore, studies have shown and excel. learning disabilities may influence selecting a mentor or socializing with us. Being a part of this discussion still tions are still unprepared or unwilling that “solo status” (a feeling of isolation In a system where awards and this choice. peer students? resonates with me. to provide needed accommodations in or being in a fishbowl when a person honors are required to succeed, and Personally, my main apprehen- Karl was instrumental in sharing a timely manner; students must antici- is the only member of an underrepre- given that these awards go to only Sharon Rozovsky (rozovsky@udel. sion involved group dynamics. Why insights from his many years of men- pate, identify and negotiate accommo- sented group) and “stereotype threat” the top 2 percent, it does not take edu) is an assistant professor in would a group of strangers discuss toring students with disabilities as well the chemistry and biochemistry dations anew each semester. (feeling at risk of confirming the much unintended bias to derail an personal questions of identity? Would as his own personal experiences. Most department at the University of The availability of federal sup- negative stereotypes of your underrep- exceptional candidate. However, I Delaware. port for inclusion in STEM fields resented group) suppress the perfor- contend that the positive aspects of discussions about disclosure and the students started out thinking they did sends a strong message regarding the mance of underrepresented minori- the Matthew Effect are personally importance of broadening participa- ties. While people with disabilities empowering — each of us can reach tion to institutions. The 2010 Federal in academia have not been explicitly out to one or two students a year and Inventory of Funding shows a 20-fold studied, it is reasonable to assume make a profound difference in career difference between federal support such effects are in play. trajectories. Perhaps you will encour- targeted to underrepresented minori- The cumulative effect of such small age a future colleague. ties in postsecondary STEM and that societal and structural biases has been Karl S. Booksh (kbooksh@udel. targeted to students with disabilities. termed the Matthew Effect, inspired edu) is a professor of chemistry (Perhaps not coincidentally, STEM by the biblical passage regarding the and biochemistry at the University doctoral attainment has been steadily rich getting richer and poor getting of Delaware. increasing for blacks and Hispanics poorer. Research opportunities lead

50 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 51 minority affairs Advocating for equity in STEM By Shaila Kotadia and Sabriya N. Rosemond From diapers to dissertation early 200 women and a few like frauds or that they don’t belong. a basis to fight harassment that occurs men arrived at the University The climate of the workplace and the in the workplace. Seek out individuals Having a baby in graduate school N of California, Berkeley, last fear that you are in a program or lab at your host institution who specialize fall for an event called Expanding only to meet a demographic quota are in enforcing these laws to fight against By Jen McGlaughon Potential: A Workshop on Navigat- two factors. This presentation sparked unlawful behavior. ing the Hurdles Faced by Women in discussion between undergraduates STEM Fields. The all-day workshop, and higher-level STEM attendees on Negotiation is expected ust like most fifth-year gradu- how to employ effective approaches to co-organized by the Synthetic Biology Alan Sachs of Life Technologies ate students, I have a number of cope with impostor syndrome, con- Engineering Research Center and insisted that “it is expected that you J things on my mind: writing my firming the age-old advice that peer the California Institute for Quantita- negotiate” when you’re up for a new thesis, finishing projects and figur- support is key to retention. tive Biosciences at Berkeley, offered job. “What’s not expected is that ing out what to do after graduation. informational sessions, panels and a you will take the first offer and say However, in the past several months, speed-networking session, all with Beyond teachable nothing.” Remember, he added, that a you might say my mind has become the intent of opening the discussion moments counteroffer can extend beyond your occupied with a few other things as about systemic issues that women face salary to include various “intangibles,” well: baby names, nursery themes, Julia Chang, a Ph.D. candidate at we had the stability to start a family. am fortunate to have a very under- and promoting career development. including stock options, moving daycare facilities, and the list goes on. UC Berkeley, bristled at the idea that When I expressed concern to my standing adviser. I am also fortunate Here we’ve collected some of the best costs, vacation time, bonuses and so After much consideration, my hus- victims of discrimination should mother once that I was not making that the graduate school has some pieces of advice and most compelling forth. Sachs insisted that people not band and I made the decision to have turn those incidents into teachable as much money as I had envisioned great resources for graduate students insights from speakers and attendees. be afraid to negotiate, because once a a baby while I was still in school. This moments. “(I) felt like individuals myself making before starting a with families, including the option company makes an offer it is unlikely was not a choice that came easily or were being evaluated on how well family, she was quick to remind me Implicit bias to retract it. After all, he said, the quickly. In fact, I can remember many of a six-week parental accommoda- they are able to turn these micro- and sleepless nights wondering if we knew that while she was pregnant, she and tion period and grant programs to Anne MacLachlan, a senior researcher worst that it will do is say no. macro-aggressions into teachable what we would be getting ourselves my father both unexpectedly lost help cover the cost of daycare. Also, I with UC Berkeley’s Center for Studies Learn more about the inaugural moments, rather than strategize about into. Before coming to this decision, I their jobs. She told me that even the know that I can turn to any number in Higher Education, defined implicit Expanding Potential workshop and policies that would hold the people in had to reevaluate the timeline that 10 best-laid plans do not always work of graduate students in my program bias as a combination of unconscious watch videos of the speakers at syn- positions of power — the ones likely years ago I had somehow established out how you imagined, but you who have recently had children when- beliefs that govern our attitudes and berc.org/expanding-potential. to hold and state discriminating views in my mind: go to graduate school, work with what you have. While we ever I need advice. behavior toward others. If someone — accountable to do better.” This get married, find a job, buy a house may not have the money to buy a Someone once told me that if says something discriminatory, she criticism highlights a topic brought Apply today to win and then start a family, in that order. top-of-the-line $1,100 stroller (yes, you wait for everything to be perfect said, you should ask him or her to up several times during the workshop a grant from the As I approached my fifth year of this stroller exists), we certainly have before starting a family, you might repeat it. This allows that person to about the age difference between some Expanding Potential graduate school and a 30th birthday, the means to provide for a baby. As be waiting forever. With this line of reflect on his or her language, thereby of the speakers and attendees. Younger Seed Projects. Up to $5,000 is available I wondered: Who says it has to be for the flexibility, being a graduate thinking, there will always be some- focusing on how the comment may women are less accepting of the norms for diversity initia- done in a certain order? There are student allows my schedule to have thing holding you back. The impor- come across with an unintended nega- for dealing with micro- and macro- tives. To learn more, plenty of graduate students, including a little more versatility than a 9-to-5 tant thing is that you are ready. The tive connotation. This removes the aggressions, which suggests that a visit synberc.org/ several in my own program, who have job. There is no way to know that closer I get to my due date in May, blame and turns the focus away from positive shift is taking place in the expanding-potential-seed-projects. become mothers while working on a wherever I end up next, whether in a the more anxious I become, yet I am the person who received the state- STEM landscape toward standing up Ph.D. Why not me? While it might postdoc position, a job or a fellowship eager to start this new chapter, even ment and instead makes the assailant for one’s right to fair treatment. not be the right decision for everyone, program, I will have the same benefit. take responsibility for his or her poor Shaila Kotadia (skotadia@ if 20-year-old me thinks the chapters we felt that it was the right time for Secondly, and maybe most choice of words. berkeley.edu) is the education and are a little out of order. But then I ask Handling harassment outreach manager, and Sabriya N. us for several reasons. importantly, is support. A supportive myself, what does she know anyway? Both MacLachlan and Padilla recom- Rosemond (sabriya.rosemond@ One of the reasons that came to spouse, a supportive family, a sup- Imposter syndrome mended seeking out institutional gmail.com) is the diversity mind was stability with flexibility. portive adviser, a supportive graduate fellow for the Synthetic Biology Jen McGlaughon (jla254@cornell. Maria Padilla from UC Berkeley’s offices that handle harassment and Engineering Research Center. Between my stipend as a graduate program: You get the idea. I remem- edu) is a graduate student in the Office of Harassment and Discrimina- becoming familiar with harassment Both co-organized the Expanding student (I am lucky to have a fairly ber being very nervous to tell my molecular biology and genetics tion said most people with impostor policies. For example, Title IX is not Potential workshop. generous one) and my husband’s job adviser that I was pregnant, which in department at Cornell University. syndrome are successful, but they feel exclusive to sports and can be used as as a research technician, we felt that hindsight I realize was ridiculous. I

52 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 53 Taking stock By Preston Hensley

ecently Bruce Alberts and co-authors concluded that bio- It’s one thing to have an opinion. It’s another to act on it. R medical research in the U.S. has become an “unsustainable hypercom- in grades and papers (the University fun, so back I went (and, importantly, petitive system that is discouraging of California, Santa Barbara) to one I was allowed to). So that was a mini even the most outstanding prospective where everything was measured in fish (but now slightly more conscious) students from entering our profes- (Egegik, Alaska). internal sabbatical. sion” (1). They noted that we are pro- The coolest guy in town caught ducing about 8,000 Ph.D.s per year the most fish, the second coolest guy The tools of democracy Image courtesy of Bettmann/Corbis/AP Images Image courtesy of the Washington Star and only about 20 percent of recent caught the second most fish, and so But the break wasn’t quite as clean as Philip Berrigan (left) and his brother, Daniel Ber- The author participates in a demonstration on May 5, 1971, in Washington, D.C. He recalls: “This photo was Ph.D.s obtain academic positions. forth. (There was a scale factor for the rigan, both Roman Catholic priests, watch two taken at about noon on the first day of the demonstration onM Street. This was a show of force by then- As they and others (2) point out, size of the engine in your boat, but that, really. We were in the middle of baskets of draft board records burn on May 17, 1968, President Nixon. These were National Guard troops. I was reminding them that this was just a demonstration this is a complex problem affecting that just made the math more com- the Vietnam War, and my draft num- after the records were removed from the Cantonsville, and to keep their guns in their pockets. Remember that this was just a little over a year since the student war Md., draft board office. The Berrigans were arrested protestor killings by National Guard troops at Kent State University. Memories were still vivid.“ the long-term competitiveness of the plicated.) At the end of the summer, ber was 34. In 1969, we had a con- scripted (drafted) military, in contrast along with the seven other participants, including U.S. biomedical research enterprise, I hitchhiked from Fairbanks, Alaska, three other priests. Dan Berrigan was a mentor to I was there for grad school. He spoke rights movement. and they make a number of specific to San Francisco. That took about a with the volunteer military of today. the author: “He spoke in poetry and of the moral in poetry and of the moral alterna- Also in those days, I saw many who recommendations. week and provided stories upon sto- These numbers were determined by alternative to war.” tive to war. He later served two years dropped out of school. The ones who For those who are graduate stu- ries. That was my first break from my lottery. If you had a low number, you in federal prison for an exercise of didn’t come back (that I know of) did dents or postdoctoral fellows, these trajectory since childhood. And it set were off to Vietnam; if you had a high It’s another to act on it. For me, conscience: using homemade napalm interesting things. Most of my friends observations are sobering. So the an internal precedent, though I didn’t number, you were not. Mine was not there were a few years of demonstra- to burn draft files in the parking lot of question is where one goes from here. appreciate that at the time. high, and I was classified 1A, or fit tions. Demonstrations change you. then were high-energy physicists. a Maryland draft board. The answer is personal and not easy to In the middle of my graduate for service. My conscientious objector Before I went to my first (protesting One became an electrician, one a A note here — during all these come to, as the pressure to continue career at Cornell University, I woke petition had been turned down, so the firing of Clark Kerr, the Univer- carpenter, one an investment banker, demonstrations, I had little hope of on is great and few graduate or post- up and realized that I was there by Canada was on my horizon. Remem- sity of California president, by the one a professor at Maharishi Univer- really changing anything. The mood doctoral programs are set up to help choice as much as by lack of choice. ber the line from Samuel Johnson university regents upon the election of sity and one a teacher. Many never of the country was not supportive of young scientists explore alternatives. I had just kept taking the next step. I about facing the gallows in the morn- Ronald Reagan as governor), Steven came back. But the ones who did had the counterculture and the anti-war What I describe here is my odyssey was pretty unhappy but couldn’t tell ing focusing the mind? It does. Goodspeed, then dean of students at new focus and much more realistic movement. I was there because my through graduate school. It’s a prod- anyone why, especially me. So I just At that point, I was pretty involved UCSB, made the following observa- attitudes about school and career. schoolmates (and former football uct of the times, the 1960s and ’70s, stopped going into the lab. in the anti-war movement, and then tion: The most affected people in a This leaves me with the following teammates) were getting killed. Sitting and not unlike many others from that Those were relaxed times, and my an interesting opportunity came up. demonstration are the demonstra- advice. At some break in your career tors. That is exactly true. And when around listening to the Rolling Stones period. It’s certainly not meant as a boss, Stuart Edelstein, was forgiv- The 1971 May Day protests were — after high school, undergrad, you take the next step and go to jail, was just not on. model except in one respect: From ing. Not sure that would work now. being organized, and the goal was for grad — stop and get out of town. Do you cross another line. Now life is However, with the release of the something really orthogonal with your time to time, during the early phases I went to live with my friends on a people from all around the country serious, and you get a sense of what is Watergate tapes in 1974, it became life — Peace Corps or something in of your training (or life), it’s good to farm (hippies – you know the story) to go to Washington, D.C., to block reasonable to do when push comes to clear that those demonstrations did that line. Something where you have take a break. and milked cows and cut hay. Then all the roads into town, to stop the I hitched from New York to Califor- government and stop the war — civil shove. It’s a significant investment in have an effect on the occupants of to leave the country and, importantly, nia and back and all through eastern disobedience. With 200,000 others, your understanding of what citizen- the Oval Office. That was satisfying. do things for other people. Going to Measured in fish Canada (maybe 20,000 miles). The I was off. I was arrested twice in the ship means. I didn’t fully get that for a It took another four years for the war the developing world is a good choice. After undergrad, I took off the sum- best of times. Great for recharging next four days, along with 14,000 while (maybe a decade or so). to stop, but the point remains that The point here is to find out who you mer and did commercial salmon your humanity batteries. of my brothers and sisters (the most A role model for me back then really big, really bad things can change are, what your natural gifts are. That’s fishing in Alaska. I moved from a Then one day I woke up again and arrests for any event in U.S. history). was Dan Berrigan. He was the Jesuit when we use the tools available in our world where everything was measured doing calculations seemed like lots of It’s one thing to have an opinion. chaplain at Cornell University when democracy. Remember also the civil Continued on page 56

54 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 55 comfort zone and, importantly, to get in touch with others doing the same We have lived a very privileged life — handfed for all these thing. After this journey, you may return years. We have an obligation to our fellows — who, by to academics or a related effort as I accident of birth, did not have this opportunity — not to did, refreshed and revitalized, or you waste this (our) opportunity. may continue in a newly discovered passion as many of my friends have. Both are equally great. We have lived a very privileged forms of national service that is avail- It’s sort of the advice given in life — handfed for all these years. We able – Teach for America, AmeriCorps, the last few paragraphs of a recent have an obligation to our fellows — the Peace Corps and so forth. These advertisement promising to make you who, by accident of birth, did not are redeeming programs, and many a “Confident and Successful Industry have this opportunity — not to waste have student-loan repayment opportu- Professional” (3). But realize that this (our) opportunity. Again, a moral nities. And they will be life changing. industry in many ways is not much alternative to injustice and inequality. Student debt is the largest form of a change. There are lots of alterna- This isn’t meant as national policy, of citizen debt in the country. If you tives to consider. In contrast with the of course, but personal suggestion. were designing a country, would you same advertisement, I would advise It may or may not work for you, but put a $50,000 to $100,000 financial you not to overthink it. Go with your I’ll bet it does. Listen to about 10 barrier to college entry in the way of instincts. Or (if your instincts are not TED talks and ask yourself, “Where the youth of your nation? Would you yet informed — which is likely) meet did those people come from?” Very strap students with essentially a mort- some interesting person and go with few come from career-development gage prior to their first day on the job? him or her. programs. One you might especially I’m not sure. If political activism is an enjoy is by Zack Kopplin. As a high- option for you, what about pushing school student, he organized 78 Nobel for a national plan to forgive student Image courtesy of Hensley Take action laureate scientists in a campaign loans? The author went to Haiti in 2012 with his daughter. He recalls: “My part in this exercise was to do a basic dental inspection of 300 beautiful children over the period of These are very difficult times in the a week at an open-air church. There’s nothing I can tell you about what I saw that you haven’t heard many times on the news. But when you’re there and you’ve been a against the Louisiana Science Educa- There are a lot of things that need parent, it doesn’t take long before you begin to relate to those kids as your own. Parent genes are strong.” world. We need revolutionaries. So tion Act, a creationism law. It’s an help in our country. Probably at the be one. example of what you can do even if top of the list is primary and sec- Forty percent of the world’s Continued from page 55 similarly when I was 16. So I guess wrote the prescriptions, but it’s hard the odds against you are great. (Kop- ondary education. There are many population doesn’t have potable water. this was passing it forward. to imagine how any were filled. plin won the Howard K. Schachman opportunities there. Or one way to a lifelong process, but this will be a From 2000 to 2003, 769,000 children My part in this exercise was to I felt like, if I were 20 again, I Public Service Award from the Ameri- understand the issues around legisla- big step in that direction, and at a under 5 years old in sub-Saharan do a basic dental inspection of 300 would go to medical school so that I can Society for Biochemistry and tive reform in immigration is to work critical time. Africa died each year from diarrheal Molecular Biology in 2014.) beautiful children over the period of would have a practical skill to use in in an immigrant community for a few It’s also interesting who you meet diseases. Help change that. But many, my wife among them, a week at an open-air church. There’s the world. We have enough scientists years. There are many opportunities when you’re on these journeys — A country’s access to medicines and will say, “Wise up, hippie free spirit! nothing I can tell you about what I in the U.S. to handle all our bio- there also. other people doing just what you are treatments depends on a number of These are not the ’60s. Students have saw that you haven’t heard many times chemical needs. We don’t have enough I don’t mean to speak casually (broadly) doing. It’s invigorating and factors: efficient regulation, provision crushing student debt. These are very on the news. But when you’re there physicians (and resources) to handle about the issues that our students and supportive, and many will be friends and use of products; and policies on different times. They are older and and you’ve been a parent, it doesn’t our world health needs. Seeing it with postdocs, or our nation, are facing. for life. Some you may marry. selection, pricing and supply. It also have families.” And that is the truth. take long before you begin to relate to your own eyes changes everything. They are as serious as it gets, and depends on a qualified health work- So what to do? those kids as your own. Parent genes And that’s really the point of this it’s not a time to play. It’s your life With your own eyes force, information systems, function- First of all, regardless of time and are strong. whole discussion. (and maybe your family obligations) ing health infrastructure and good circumstance, we all have responsibil- In 2012, I accompanied my daughter The majority had health issues. we’re talking about. But this can be governance. There are a lot of oppor- ity for our lives. The bold experiment on a trip to Haiti as part of a high- For a few, it was quite serious, but for Courage a time to take stock of where we are tunities here. Work with the World is always the best choice. It may take school project she and a friend had most, $10 in medicine would take as individuals and where we are as a So, to students, I say maybe it’s time Health Organization and governments different forms depending on the organized. My father had helped me care of it. A Haitian doctor with us nation and to make some courageous to stop and think a bit. Maybe it’s of relevant countries in one of those times, but those choices are there. decisions. time for an internal sabbatical, and capacities to improve those conditions. One reasonable choice is one of the the more radical the course change the better. This advice may seem to Preston Hensley (cphensley@ We have enough scientists in the U.S. to handle all our gmail.com) spent 10 years in aca- be imprudent and impractical and to ReferenceS demia, 20 in big pharma and five biochemical needs. We don’t have enough physicians (and make little (or no) financial sense. But 1. http://www.pnas.org/content/111/16/5773 in biotech. Today he works in com- resources) to handle our world health needs. it works, and the only way to find that 2. http://acd.od.nih.gov/biomedical_research_wgreport.pdf putational biology and is earning his high-school STEM teaching credentials. new trajectory is to step out of your 3. http://cheekyscientist.com/leave-academia/

56 ASBMB Today MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 ASBMB Today 57 How to meet rock stars From project to runway and pageant beauties By Andrea Hadjikyriacou By Eleftherios P. Diamandis s a female scientist who loves to shop while working many A hours in the lab, I started a fashion blog in August 2012 called n 1996, I was on a lecture tour to hear the roar of the crowd that sig- “PhDFashionista” to show others that to five major cities in India. I naled the entry of a rock star. It was being a scientist doesn’t mean you I gave one lecture in Bombay (now Robert Plant, the lead singer of the have to be boring! known as Mumbai). While there, I legendary rock group Led Zeppelin. There’s a certain stigma that being was staying at the famous Taj Mahal He was accompanied by his girlfriend in science means you are a nerd or Hotel. Returning from a dinner to and a couple of others. I asked Robert awkward, and I am trying to break the hotel one of these nights, my if he would pose for a picture with those expectations by showing that traveling companions and I noticed me, and he graciously agreed. you can still have a great sense of style that there were hundreds of people I was very excited and asked one while being successful and working waiting outside. Curious, we asked of the staff who else was staying in hard in research. I also find practi- the staff why all these people were the hotel. She mentioned Bryan cal outfits to wear to work while still waiting. We were told that the next Adams, the Canadian rock star. I tally, we had dinner at that hotel on looking fashionable and obeying the evening, the MTV Music Awards decided to use an alternative way to that evening. I took my chances and rules of the University of California, were to take place with participation reach Bryan Adams. I wrote a letter asked the guards of that private party Los Angeles, for lab-acceptable of rock stars from all over the world, to him, mentioning how much I to let me in, showing my business clothing. most of them staying at Taj Mahal. liked his music and that I was a fel- card and claiming that I was a profes- On my blog, I post not only outfit Being a music lover and celebrity low Canadian keen to meet him and sor of the winner at the University of details but also beauty and makeup seeker, I decided to sit in the lobby asking him to autograph two of his Athens. To my surprise, the guards tutorials, looks, inspiration for vari- of the hotel just in case any rocker CDs, which I happened to have with believed me and allowed me enter the ous holiday outfits, and more! I love showed up. It didn’t take much time me at that time. (That was before the party, where I had a chance to shake to shop, and this gives me an outlet iPod was invented.) I put the letter the hand of my compatriot and Miss to post about what I enjoy doing in and the CDs in a big envelope, and I World 1996. my free time, when I am not in the requested that a staff member deliver My India trip was very rewarding lab, and also has helped me build a the package to his room. The next for the science and my exposure to community with other fashion blog- day, to my astonishment, I found a the culture of India. But the most gers who aren’t necessarily in science voice message from Bryan Adams exciting moments were in Mumbai, but with whom I have something in on my hotel phone noting that he where I met three international per- common. was sorry to have missed me (we had sonalities under unexpected circum- Andrea Hadjikyriacou ([email protected]) is a been out for dinner) and that he had stances. signed the two CDs and left them doctoral candidate at the University of California, One of the many outfits thatA ndrea Hadjikyriacou wears to the lab. Find details about the clothes at Los Angeles. with the concierge. Eleftherios P. Diamandis www.phdfashionista.com. Around the same time, the Miss ([email protected]) is a professor and head of the clinical World Competition was taking biochemistry division at the place in Bangalore. During our stay University of Toronto and holds Andrea Hadjikyriacou will be an official American in Mumbai, there was a party in a an endowed chair in prostate cancer biomarkers Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual nearby hotel honoring the winner, at Mount Sinai Hospital and University Health Network. meeting blogger in Boston later this month. Follow her Irene Skliva from Greece. Coinciden- on Twitter at https://twitter.com/phd_fashionista.

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