ISICR OFFICERS President - Bryan Williams Secretary – Sidney Pestka Treasurer – Pete Knight

March 1998 Volume 5, No.1 A Message from the efforts on our behalf and I am 1998 Meeting sure we are in for a great meeting Oct. 25-30, 1998 ISICR President both scientifically and socially. Jerusalem Joint ISICR/ICS The next three meetings of the http://www.kenes.com/Cyto98/ ISICR will occur outside the USA (the base of the majority of ISICR WWW SITE our members) and while these www.bioinformatics. sites attest to the international weizmann.ac.il/ISICR/ status of our society, it also means we have to pay extra

ISICR BUSINESS OFFICE attention to retaining present [email protected] members and recruiting new TEL: 301-571-8319 It is with great pleasure and ones. The Society has a lot to FAX: 301-530-7049 humility that I take up the reigns offer members, including this

ISICR NEWSLETTER of the Presidency of the ISICR. excellent, informative newsletter, EDITORS Bob Friedman is a hard act to generous travel awards (with a follow but did an excellent job of funding rate for applications that Howard Young keeping me informed and must be the envy of any other [email protected] involved during my tenure as organization) reduced Fax: 301-846-1673 President-Elect. I will do registration rates at the annual likewise for President-Elect meeting, and a reduced Pat Fitzgerald-Bocarsly Kathy Zoon to ensure our Society subscription rate for the Journal [email protected] remains on a steady course and of and and Fax: 973-972-7293 serves its members well. We Research. I will be working have a few challenges ahead, the closely with Delores Francis in Paul Drew first of which is to prepare for the DrewPaulD@ our FASEB office and our joint meeting with the ICS exchange.uams.edu FASEB advisor George Galasso Fax: 501-686-6382 in Israel in October. In my case along with Sid Pestka and this task is considerably eased by Eleanor Kells in our Rutgers having Jan Vilcek as President of secretariat to stabilize and the ICS. Jan has been a member increase our membership base. I of ISICR since its inception and have also appointed new understands very well the inner members to the Membership workings of both Societies. We Committee who represent the are determined to do all we can next wave of interferon and to make this joint meeting a cytokine biologists to help us success and urge members to with our recruitments. In fact support the meeting by their new members have been added to

Picture courtesy of the Centre for Microscopy and attendance and participation. all the committees and an Microanalysis, Univ. of Queensland Ray Kaempfer is making tireless updated list can be found in this issue of the newsletter. It is an exciting time for INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR I especially welcome these new interferon and cytokine INTERFERON AND CYTOKINE members and know we can count researchers. We have been at the RESEARCH on them to be active participants forefront of new discoveries in OFFICERS on their respective committees. signal transduction and the President (1998- 1999) translation of this work into the BRYAN R.G. WILLIAMS Our Society benefits from the clinical arena is just getting (Cleveland, Ohio USA) active participation from many underway. New ways of using fine women scientists. Therefore in the clinic and new President-elect (1999-2000) it is with pleasure that I announce indications for interferons and KATHRYN C. ZOON the establishment of a new award other are being (Rockville, Maryland USA) to recognize and promote young investigated. An important task women scientists. The Christina for the Society will be to ensure Secretary (1998-2000) Fleischman Young Investigator the standards we have set for SIDNEY PESTKA Award has been established by assaying these biological (Piscataway, New Jersey, USA) Bob Fleischman in memory of response modifiers are adhered to Christina, an active participant in and that new standards Treasurer (1996-1998) our society for many years until introduced are met with general ERNEST KNIGHT, JR. her recent untimely death. It is acceptance. Our Standards (Wilmington, Delaware USA) Bob's hope that the establishment Committee under Sid of this award will lead others to Grossberg's chairmanship is BOARD OF DIRECTORS consider donating awards to the performing an invaluable task in (1997-1998) Society. On another sad note, this regard and this area will FILIPPO BELARDELLI Dr. Yasuiti Nagano a pioneer in remain an important (Rome, Italy) interferon research died on responsibility of the Society. OTTO HALLER February 9, 1998. He was 91 Finally, ensuring the success of (Freiburg, Germany) years old. Dr Nagano our annual meetings depends on ERNEST KNIGHT, JR. independently discovered ongoing participation between (Wilmington, Delaware, USA) interferon that he called virus the Meetings Committee chaired SIDNEY PESTKA inhibiting factor. He was a major by Chris Czarniecki and the local (Piscataway, New Jersey, USA) contributor over many years in organizers. We also depend on ROBERT SCHREIBER areas of the induction of your input and support. I am (St Louis, Missouri, USA) interferon by endotoxin and other always pleased to exchange ideas BRYAN R. G. WILLIAMS agents. He was head of the about the ways we are doing (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) Nagano Laboratory of things and can be most easily KATHRYN C. ZOON Hayashibara Biochemical Labs in contacted by email at (Rockville, Maryland, USA) Okayama, Japan and an [email protected] Honorary Member of our ADVISORY BOARD Society. With the passing of I look forward to hearing from ROBERT M. FRIEDMAN pioneers such as Dr. Nagano we you and serving you as President (Bethesda, Maryland, USA) lose touch with our history but for 1998, 1999. SAMUEL BARON hopefully the new Archives Bryan Williams (GALVESTON, TEXAS, USA Committee established by Bob ERNEST C. BORDEN Friedman and chaired by Norman FAMOUS QUOTE (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA) Finter will ensure an historical What you will do matters. All EDWARD DE MAEYER record of all our endeavors is you need is to do it. (Orsay, France) preserved for posterity. Judy Grahn FERDINANDO DIANZANI (Rome, Italy)

International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research 2 ION GRESSER Robert Silverman (1996- Alfons Billiau, (1996- (Villejuif, France) 1998)Thomas C. Cesario Ad hoc 1998)Lawrence Blatt, (1998- SIDNEY PESTKA (1998-2000) 2000) (Piscataway, New Jersey, USA) Janine Doly, Ad hoc (1998- Ronald Bordens, (1998- 2000)Huub Schellekens, Ad hoc 2000)Marcello Criscuolo (1998- COMMITTEE MEMBERS (1998-2002) 2000) George Stark Ad hoc (1998- Norman B. Finter, (1996- ARCHIVES COMMITTEE 2002) 1998)Masayoshi Kohase, (1996- Norman Finter (1998-2000), MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE 1998) Chairperson Heinz-Kurt Hochkeppel (1998- Anthony Meager, (1996-1998) Samuel Baron (1998-2000) 2000), Chairperson Daniela Novick, (1996-1998)Christian Alfons Billiau (1998-2000) Frances R. Balkwill (1996-1998) Ross, (1996-1998) Ferdinando Dianzani (1998- Miklos Degré (1996-1998) Huub Schellekens, (1996-1998) 2000) Antonis Koromilas (1998- 1998 ISICR Awards Robert Friedman (1998-2000) 2000)Aseem Kumar (1998-2000) Yoshimi Kawade (1998-2000) Eliane Meurs (1998-2000) The ISICR Awards Committee Peter Staeheli (1996- invites nominations for 1998 AWARDS COMMITTEE 1998)Howard Young (1998- Milstein Awards, the Christine Keiko Ozato (1998-2000), 2000) Fleischman Award and Honorary Chairperson NOMENCLATURE COMMITTEE Membership. The deadline for Ferdinando Dianzani (1996- Erik Lundgren, (1996-1998) the nominations is May 1, 1998. 1998) Chairperson Ara Hovanessian (1998-2000) Eleanor Fish, (1996-1998) The Milstein Award ($20,000) Ian Kerr (1998-2000) Paul Herzog, (1998-2000)Jerome Individuals who have made Paula Pitha-Rowe (1998-2000) Langer, (1998-2000) exceptional contributions to Yukio Mitsui (1998-2000) Bernard Lebleu, (1998-2000) research related to interferons Ganes Sen (1998-2000)Stefanie R. Michael Roberts, (1996- and cytokines either in a basic or Vogel (1996-1998) 1998)Juana Wietzerbin, (1996- clinical field. Milstein awards are 1998) made possible by the generous FINANCE COMMITTEE PUBLICATIONS gift of Mr. and Mrs Seymour Ernest Knight, Jr (1995-1998), COMMITTEE Milstein through the Milstein Chairperson W. Robert Fleischmann, Jr., Foundation. This award Felippo Belardelli (1998-2000) (1998-2000), Chairperson represents a pinnacle of scientific Robert Friedman (1998- Antonina Dolei, (1996-1998) achievement in our field and an 2000)Sohan Gupta (1996-1998) Patricia Fitzgerald-Bocarsly, important landmark of the

(1998-2000) society. The 1997 winners were Masayoshi Kohase (1998-2000) Yoh-ichiro Iwakura, (1996-1998) Dr. James Darnell and Dr. All Officers Dhan Kalvakolanu, (1998- George Stark, sharing with Dr. Ian Kerr. MEETINGS COMMITTEE 2000)Radha Maheshwari, (1996- 1998)Sandra Pelligrini, (1998- Christine Czarniecki (1998- Honorary Membership 2000), Chairperson 2000) Jun Utsumi, (1996-1998) Individuals who have dedicated Raymond Kaempfer (1998-2000) much of their career to the Michael Katze (1998-2000) Phillip Marcus, ex officio interferon/cytokine field and Santo Landolfo (1998-2000) have made substantive Allan Lau (1998-2000)Larry STANDARDS COMMITTEE Sidney Grossberg, (1997-1999), contributions. Honorary members Pfeffer (1996-1998) Chairperson are the treasure of the society Paula Pitha-Rowe (1996-1998) who provide us with a historical Yu-ichiro Sato (1998-2000) perspective and valued research tradition. The 1997 recipients of Milstein Foundation. We urge provided primarily through the Honorary Membership were Dr. every eligible individual to apply membership fees, based on the Ion Gresser and Dr. Gerhard for the awards. Don't miss the scientific merit of the abstract Bodo. opportunity, since there are only and financial necessity. However, four years in your career in this award does not exempt We invite your nominations for which you are able to receive this payment of the registration fee. eligible candidates for prestigious award! We also ask more senior Please note that there are no age symbols of recognition by our laboratory advisers to encourage restrictions to this award. Send society for outstanding their associates to apply. Send your meeting abstract and a note achievements. A brief exposition your 1998 Meeting abstract and explaining the need for Travel of the reason for your nomination CV to Dr. Keiko Ozato, Chair, Award to the Dr. Keiko Ozato, and other supportive documents ISICR awards Committee, Bldg 6 Chair ISICR Awards Committee (such as CV, if available) should Rm 2A01, National Inst. of (the deadline is the same as that be sent to the 1998 ISICR Health, LMGR/NICHD, of the Meeting abstract). The President, Dr. Bryan Williams, Bethesda, MD 20892, TEL: 301- ISICR anticipates making Dept Biology-NN1-06, 496-9184, FAX: 301-480-9354, approximately fifty awards this Cleveland Clinic Fndn, 9500 Email: [email protected] year. Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH We plan on having a check-off 44195, TEL: (216) 445-9652, box in the abstract form for easy FAX : (216) 445-6269, e-mail: identification of the eligible WWW [email protected] candidates. A brief note describing your accomplishment, COPE: Cytokines Online Pathfinder The nominations will be collated, as well as a letter of Encyclopaedia http://www2.lmb.uni- and passed on to the Chair of the recommendation from your muenchen.de/cgi-bin/cope.pl Awards Committee in May. This adviser, are strongly encouraged. committee will then prepare a The deadline is the same as that Horst Ibelgaufts' Hypertext short list of candidates and vote of the Meeting abstract for the Information Universe of for winners of the awards. As 1998 ISICR Annual Meeting. Cytokines Version 2.0 is now specified in the ISICR The 1997 Young Investigator available. Constitution, the final vote of the Awards were presented to Dr. H IBELGAUFTS GENZENTRUM UNI Awards Committee is subject to Michael Gale, Jr., Dr. Suzanne MUENCHEN the approval of the Board of Kadereit and Dr. Gero Ultra posse nemo obligatur Directors of ISICR. Waschutza Remove last two ff from ibelgaufff to obtain a functional email address. Young Investigator Awards The Christina Fleischmann Memorial ($ 1,000) Award to Young Women Amino Acid and Peptide Eligibility : ISICR members and Investigators Nomenclature are less than four years after ($ 1,000) http://www.qmw.ac.uk/~ugca000/iupa receiving a Ph.D or M.D degree The rules for this new ISICR c.html

Every year up to five Young award are the same as for the A WWW version of the IUPAC- Investigator Awards are Milstein Young Investigator IUBMB recommendations on presented to ISICR members Award (see above) except for Amino Acid and Peptide who have made notable gender. Nomenclature published in Eur. contributions to either basic or Travel Awards J. Biochem. 138: 9-37 (1984) has clinical research within four ISICR members who intend to now been prepared for the years after receiving their Ph.D attend the 1998 ISICR/ICS joint Internet. This version or M.D.. This award is provided meeting in Jerusalem are eligible incorporates all published by the generous gift of the for Travel Awards. They are corrections, and others detected

International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research 4 during the preparation of the http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/~mat http://dot.imgen.bcm.tmc.edu:93 Web version. These corrections hbio/r-munro/dragon.html 31/seq-search/protein- are all clearly marked so that Andras Aszodi search.html). readers can correct their hard copy versions. In addition to the Advanced BLAST2 This server will be continuously Search Service original document there are four http://www.bork.embl- updated so that the formates and addenda published in the heidelberg.de:8080/Blast2/ links to other searchable Newsletter of the Joint databases and sequence retrieval Biochemical Nomenclature This BLAST2 search service is infosystems might slightly Committees. Appropriate links to based on the Washington change in the future. Thanks! the addenda are added in the University BLAST 2.0a6 Version Yan P. Yuan, Jianmei Lai, and Peer main text. (BLAST2). BLAST2 differs Bork. Bork Group - Biocomputing

Gerry Moss from BLAST1 in providing Unit - EMBL e-mail [email protected] gapped alignments for your http://www.bork.embl-heidelberg.de/ Department of Chemistry query sequences. In addition, we at DKFZ - M. Vingron's Bioinformatics Queen Mary & Westfield College have incorporated a parser that group: Mile End Road, London E1 4NS http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/tbi/ allows an overview of the HSP hits aligned against your query DRAGON CENSOR Version 4.17.6 sequence. When using this server http://charon.lpi.org/~server/censor.h http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/~mathbio service, you'll receive your result tml /a-aszodi/dragon.html in HTML so that you can easily scroll around the BLAST output. The CENSOR e-mail server DRAGON is a protein modelling As the BLAST2 version supports allows users to send in query tool using Distance Geometry. It the use of multiprocessors and sequences and have them aligned was developed at the Division of this BLAST2 server has been set against a reference collection of Mathematical Biology of the up on a multiprocessor system, human or rodent repeats (Jurka, National Institute for Medical your search request will usually et al., 1992; Jurka, 1995b). The Research in London between be completed quickly. The homologous portions are then 1993 and 1996. DRAGON Washington University BLAST "censored". Censoring means attempts to predict the tertiary 2.0 version [Vers. 2.0a6] has replacing the aligned portions structure of a small soluble been kindly provided by Warren with x's in the query sequences. protein, given its sequence, the Gish via the St. Louis server The server automatically secondary structure and possibly (http://blast.wustl.edu/). In classifies all known repeats and a set of interresidue distance BLAST2, gapped alignments are adds the classification to the restraints. If the structures of integral to the database search report. To access this service, e- some of the sequences in the itself, yielding significantly mail your sequence(s) to the multiple alignment is known, increased sensitivity. The input following address: then you can attempt form to this server is designed [email protected]. The comparative modelling. according to the advanced blast server currently accepts and DRAGON communicates with version provided by NCBI censors human and rodent you through a simple command- (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/cgi sequences. To choose which line interface that is used to -bin/BLAST/\ nph- reference collection your specify parameter values and blast?Jform=1). The idea for the sequence should be run against, input filenames. Further output format is adapted from the include the keyword "HUM" for information and references can BEAUTY BLAST- the human collection or "ROD" be found at: postprocessing server at the for rodent (without quotes) as the http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/~mat Baylor College of Medicine first line of your e-mail message. hbio/a-szodi/dragon.html#moinfo (Houston, The sequence description should follow. For backward Internet), and by presenting them databases for other types of compatibility, if no keyword is in a way facilitating a quick information. given, the human collection is the overview of the cellular used by default. functions, the loci, important Integrins homologous genes and certain http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanav For instructions on using the medical aspects of human genes. eral/9629

CENSOR e-mail server put the Most of the associated work is The site features: word HELP on a single line in done automatically by a script > general information about these the body of the mail message and written in PERL that connects to interesting transmembrane send the message to the these databases, requests data, glycoproteins. CENSOR e-mail server address: processes them, and selects > Antibody data and references [email protected] defined items that are (74 are already present) subsequently prepared for being Paul W. Klonowski > Easy access to genbank included in the GeneCards e-mail: [email protected] sequences from the subunits database. Because there are Computer Systems Analyst > and much more Genetic Information Research Institute, always a few cases left where the Palo Alto, California script cannot judge the Medmark Tel: 415.326.5588 information received, ambiguous Fax: 415.326.2001 http://medmark.org. DON'T PANIC! cases recognized by the script are presented to the editor of the Medical Bookmarks provides GeneCards database. After this check, which links to a variety of clinically http://bioinfo.weizmann.ac.il/ usually takes several hours for relevant areas, including cards/ about 1000 new GeneCards, the Immunology, Immunology Although it will take some years new entries are added to the Associations, Publications, etc. until the human genome is totally GeneCards database for public sequenced, and still a much usage. The resulting GeneCards TRANSFAC longer time to learn about the not only contain extracts of the http://transfac.gbf.de/ functions of the products of those data found in other databases, but genes, the complex organization also provide direct links to the The TRANSFAC server now has and the vast amount of respective entries in them, and made accessible the new release biomedical information already the possibility to search one of 3.3 of the TRANSFAC database accessible often cause certain the biggest search engines on the (Heinemeyer et al., 1998, Nucleic problems that are somehow web (namely HotBot) for the Acids Res. 26:364-370): connected to the phenomenon of home pages of researchers and "information overflow" and the any other kind of information TRANSFAC is a database on often very time-consuming related to the gene and its eukaryotic transcription factors process of information retrieval products, or to the diseases that and their binding sites. As new or mining. Thus, many scientists are associated with mutations in features, it visualizes the items of feel that new approaches to the concerned gene, by a single the feature list (FACTOR table) organize scientific information mouseclick. Thus, we hope that as well as element positions are urgently needed. this service will help biomedical within regulatory regions (GENE GeneCards is a database that researchers and other people table). Moreover, the data intends to address some of these interested in detailed biomedical volume has increased comprising problems by integrating data to find the information they now 2285 FACTOR and 4602 biomedical information taken want as fast as possible. In SITE entries. from several sources (GDB, addition, we would like to offer MGD, OMIM, SWISS-PROT, our assistance to people A new extended search option is HGMD, Doctor's Guide to the interested in building similar available. The SRS 5.1.0 version

International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research 6 on the TRANSFAC server also TREMBL is a protein sequence offers access to the databases database supplementing the REM-TREMBL (REMaining TRRD (Transcription Regulatory SWISS-PROT Protein Sequence TREMBL) contains the entries Region Database, Institute of Data Bank. TREMBL contains (25,806) that we do not want to Cytology and [ICG], the translations of all coding include in SWISS-PROT. Novosibirsk, Russia; N. A. sequences (CDS) present in the Weekly cumulative updates of Kolchanov/A. Kel et al.) and to EMBL Nucleotide Sequence TREMBL are available by COMPEL, a database on Database not yet integrated in anonymous FTP and from the composite elements (joint effort SWISS-PROT. TREMBL can be EBI SRS server. We also by ICG and GBF). Available at: considered as a preliminary produce every week a complete http://transfac.gbf.de/srs5/ section of SWISS-PROT. For all non-redundant protein sequence TREMBL entries which should collection by providing three As many users know, the finally be upgraded to the compressed files (these are in the sequence information contained standard SWISS-PROT quality, directory/pub/databases/sp_tr_nr in the SITE table is used by SWISS-PROT accession db on the EBI FTP server): PatSearch 1.1 to interactively numbers have been assigned. sprot.dat.Z, trembl.dat.Z and scan DNA sequences for trembl_new.dat.Z. potential TF binding sites. This RELEASE 5.0 OF TREMBL program is accessible at: This TREMBL release is created ACCESS/DATA ISTRIBUTION http://transfac.gbf.de/cgi- from the EMBL Nucleotide FTP server: bin/patSearch/patsearch.pl Sequence Database release 53 ftp.ebi.ac.uk/pub/databases/trembl and contains 166,361 sequence SRS server: http://srs.ebi.ac.uk:5000/ An updated library of matrices entries, comprising 45,671,684 for transcription factor binding amino acids. TREMBL is split in TREMBL is also available on the sites is provided which can be two main sections; SP-TREMBL SWISS-PROT CD-ROM. used for sequence analysis with and REM-TREMBL: SP- SWISS-PROT + TREMBL is MatInspector release 2.1 (Quandt TREMBL (SWISS-PROT searchable on the FASTA3, et al., 1995, Nucleic Acids Res. TREMBL) contains the entries BLAST2 and Bic_sw servers of 23:4878-4884). This tool is (140,555) which should be the EBI. available at eventually incorporated into TREMBL has been prepared by: http://transfac.gbf.de/cgi- SWISS-PROT. SWISS-PROT Rolf Apweiler, Sergio Contrino, bin/matSearch/matsearch.pl accession numbers have been Wolfgang Fleischmann, Henning or at assigned for all SP-TREMBL Hermjakob, Vivien Junker, Stephanie http://www.gsf.de/BIODV/matin entries. Kappus, Fiona Lang, Michele Magrane, Maria Jesus Martin, Steffen Moeller, spector.html Nicoletta Mitaritonna and Claire (Thomas Werner and coworkers). SP-TREMBL is organized in O'Donovan at The EMBL Outstation - subsections: European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) On behalf of the TRANSFAC team: fun.dat (Fungi): 4694 entries in Hinxton, UK; Amos Bairoch and Edgar Wingender hum.dat (Human): 6101 entries Alain Gateau at the Medical Thomas Heinemeyer inv.dat (Invertebrates): 18423 entries Biochemistry Department of the Ges. f. Biotechn. Forsch. mbH mam.dat (Other Mammals):2444 entries University of Geneva, Switzerland. Abt. Genomanalyse mhc.dat (MHC proteins): 3336 entries Mascheroder Weg 1 org.dat (Organelles): 10561 entries Rolf Apweiler D-38124 Braunschweig phg.dat (Bacteriophages): 1111 entries SWISS-PROT Coordinator Tel.: 49(0)531 6181 427 pln.dat (Plants): 9871 entries EMBL Outstation Fax: 49(0)531 6181 266 pro.dat (Prokaryotes): 34832 entries Email:[email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] rod.dat (Rodents): 5976 entries European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) unc.dat (Unclassified): 109 entries URL: http://www.ebi.ac.uk TREMBL vrl.dat (Viruses): 39943 entries Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, http://www.ebi.ac.uk vrt.dat (Other Vertebrates): 3154 entries Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK

Tel: +44 (1223) 494435 HPs, and Linux. The postscript points and lines, CPK spheres Fax: +44 (1223) 494968 documentation (still being and cylinders, licorice bonds, updated) includes an installation backbone tubes and ribbons, Two-Hybrid Help http://www.fccc.edu/research/labs/gol guide, a users guide, and a cartoon drawings, and others. emis programmers guide for interested VMD can be used to animate and researchers. VMD also provides analyze the trajectory of a We are posting the second, updated on-line help through the use of an molecular dynamics (MD) version of our survey of which false external HTML viewer. simulation. In particular, VMD positives or "trash" are most frequently can act as a graphical front end obtained in library screening using the Interaction Trap (IT) yeast two-hybrid New in this version for an external MD program by system. This information can be better > This biggest improvement in displaying and animating a seen with browsers such as Netscape 1.1 version 1.2b1 support for molecule undergoing simulation or later versions. If you are unable to platforms other than GL-based on a remote computer. The access this information and you would SGIs. In addition to the full program has many features, like a copy of the results emailed or faxed directly to you, please let us source and SGI binary which include: know. The data presented on the WWW distributions, VMD is now > No limits on the number of page will be updated occasionally as available for HP-UX (tested molecules, atoms, residues or new information comes in. If you had under 9 and 10) and Linux. Ports number of animation frames, not completed your IT at the time of the to other platforms, most notably excepting available memory. initial survey, and if now you have information from a screen, we would AIX, will be available soon. >Many molecular rendering and greatly appreciate it if you contacted us; >Greatly enhanced Tcl scripting coloring methods. a copy of our questionnaire is also commands for performing >Stereo display capability. posted at our page (alternatively, it can molecular analysis, writing >Extensive atom selection be sent to you if necessary). Thank scripts, developing tutorials, etc. syntax for choosing subsets of you, again, for your feedback! >New rendering styles, a fast atoms for display (includes Erica A. Golemis, Ilya Serebriiskii (and cheap) solvent accessible boolean operators, regular [email protected] surface and C-alpha and P trace expressions, and more). The Fox Chase Cancer Center method, and improvements to the >Integration with the program 7701 Burholme Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19111 existing styles. 'Babel' which allows VMD to (215) 728-3885 >New output renderer formats: read many molecular data file VMD Postscript, VRML and STL (a formats. Even without the use of Version 1.2b1 stereo-lithography format) Babel, VMD can read PDB files, http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/vm >Support for Amber structure as well as CHARMM- and X- d/ and animation file formats PLOR compatible binary DCD

files and X-PLOR compatible The Theoretical Biophysics VMD is designed for the PSF files. group at the University of Illinois visualization and analysis of >Ability to write the current and the Beckman Institute would biological systems such as image to a file which may be like to announce the availability proteins, nucleic acids, lipid processed by a number of version 1.2b1 of the program bilayer assemblies, etc. It may popular raytracing and image VMD, a package for the be used to view more general rendering packages, including visualization and analysis of molecules, as VMD can read POV-Ray, Rayshade, Raster3D, biomolecular systems. This standard Protein Data Bank and Radiance. software is being made available (PDB) files and display the >Extensive graphical and text- to the structural biology research contained structure. VMD based user interfaces, which use community free of charge, and provides a wide variety of the Tcl package to provide full includes the source code for methods for rendering and scripting capabilities. VMD, documentation, and coloring a molecule: simple >Extensions to the Tcl language precompiled binaries for SGIs,

International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research 8 which enable researchers to write VMD, NAMD, and the entire MDScope their own routines for molecular environment are part of an ongoing Heldin CH; Miyazono K; project within the Theoretical analysis Biophysics group to help provide free, Tendijke P. TGF-Beta Signalling >Modular, extensible source effective tools for molecular dynamics from Cell Membrane to Nucleus code using an object-oriented studies in structural biology. For more Through SMAD Proteins. design in C++, with a information, see Nature. 390(6659): 465-471, programmers guide describing http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/MDScope/ 1997 This project is funded by the National the source code Institutes of Health (grant number PHS >Integration with the program 5 P41 RR05969-04) and the National Kohno K; Kurimoto M. NAMD, a fast, parallel, and Science Foundation (grant number BIR- Interleukin-18, a cytokine which scalable molecular dynamics 9318159). resembles IL-1 structurally and program developed in IL-12 functionally but exerts its conjunction with VMD in the Reviews of Interest effect independently of both. Theoretical Biophysics Group at Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol. the University of Illinois. Aman MJ; Leonard WJ. 86:11-15, 1998 Cytokine Signaling: cytokine See the NAMD WWW home Licinio J; Wong ML. Pathways and inducible signaling inhibitors. page for more info: Mechanisms for Cytokine Signalling of http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/namd Curr. Biol. 7:R784-R788, 1997. the Central Nervous System. Journal of Clinical Investigation. VMD can be used to set up and Baggiolini M; Moser B. Blocking 100(12): 2941-2947,1997 concurrently display a MD chemokine receptors. J. Exp. simulation using NAMD. The Med. 186:1189-1191, 1997 O’Shea JJ; Notarangelo LD; two programs, along with the Johnston JA; Candotti F. intermediary communcations Clemens MJ. PKR- a protein Advances in the Understanding package (called MDComm) kinase regulated by double- of Cytokine Signal Transduction constitute the 'MDScope' stranded RNA. Int. J. Biochem. - The Role of JAKS and STATS environment. The software is Cell. Biol. 29:945-949, 1997 in Immunoregulation and the available via anonymous ftp in Pathogenesis of the directory: Immunodeficiency. ftp://ftp.ks.uiuc.edu/pub/mdscope/vmd/ Duhe R; Farrar WJ. Structural Journal of Clinical Immunology. The filenames of the different and Mechanistic Aspects of 17(6): 431-447, 1997 distributions are: Janus Kinases: How the Two- The complete source: Faced God Wields a Double- Ramshaw IA; Ramsay AJ; vmd-1.2b1.all.tar.gz Edged Sword. Karupiah G; Rolph MS; Precompiled binaries for J. Interferon and Cytokine Res. Mahalingam S; Ruby JC. different platforms: 18:1-15, 1998 Cytokines and Immunity to Viral vmd-1.2b1.bin.IRIX5.tar.gz Infections. Immunological Works for IRIX 5.x and 6.x using Griffin DE. Cytokines in the Reviews. 159: 119-135, 1997

GL: Brain during Viral Infection - Schmitt E; Rude E; Germann T. vmd-1.2b1.bin.HPUX9.tar.gz Clues to HIV-Associated The Immunostimulatory Works for HP-UX 9 and HP-UX Dementia. Function of IL-12 in T-Helper 10 using Mesa emulated Journal of Clinical Investigation. Cell Development and Its OpenGL: 100(12): 2948-2951, 1997 Regulation by TGF-Β, IFN-γ and vmd-1.2b1.bin.LINUX.tar.gz IL-4. Adorini L (ed): Tested under RedHat with 1.2.13 Hack CE; Aarden LA; Thijs LG. IL-12. Chem Immunol. 68: 70-85, and 2.0.27 kernals, uses Mesa Role of Cytokines in Sepsis. Advances in Immunology 1997 Please email any questions to Andrew Dalke, email: [email protected]. 66: 101-196, 1997 Yoshie O; Imai T; Nomiyama H. Novel Lymphocyte-specific CC Chemokines scientific fact in such readable personalities behind the science and their Receptors. prose. obtained by countless hours of J. Leuk. Biol. 62: 634-644, 1997 The 40 year history of interviews as he traveled the interferon is positioned globe to interview his sources. Book Review prominently in this book, ranging He also tells the stories of A Commotion in the Blood: from in depth descriptions of the individual patients and their life, death, and the immune history of its discovery by Isaacs courageous (and sometimes system by Stephen S. Hall, and Lindenmann to the race to overly naive trusting) roles in the (Henry Holt and Company, New clone it and get it into the clinic. development of immune York, 1997, 457 pages, list price Although I personally have been therapies. $30 but available from in the interferon field for Hall describes the “manic- www.amazon.com for $21 + approaching 20 years, I learned depressive” nature of S/H). much about the personalities immunotherapy research, as each Reviewed by Patricia behind the science from this new “magic bullet” is surrounded Fitzgerald-Bocarsly. book, about the chronology of by hype (driven both by public the discoveries and even about hope and drug company In “A Commotion in the the science itself. For example, propaganda) and the letdown as Blood”, Hall elegantly relates the how did the obscure Sendai virus disappointing results lead to the century-long history of come to be the prototypical perhaps premature dismissal of immunotherapy, beginning with inducer of leukocyte inteferon? newly touted cancer therapeutic Coley’s turn of the century Answer: it happened to be in agents. He points out that it has cancer vaccine (“Coley’s toxins) Kari Cantell’s freezer when he taken nearly 40 years for and ending with the still set out to test various viruses for interferon to find its therapeutic unfolding story of IL-12. The interferonogenesis. niche and one wonders whether book is replete with metaphor to Although this very readable the current political and describe the science of the book is intended for the educated economic pressures of bringing a immune system, making it very layman, I highly recommend it drug to market will result in readable, yet is remarkably for graduate students and post- important missed opportunities. balanced and scientifically docs as well as principal The title of the book is derived accurate in its descriptions. For investigators. An understanding from a statement by the British example, in describing how a of the history of science is royal physician Sir Hans Sloan cancer cell is viewed by the critical for our understanding of who expressed deep foreboding immune system, Hall writes: how we know what we know - about “raising such a commotion “Rather than seeing a dangerous something that is all too often in the blood” through the Royal stranger, as it does when it missed by the youngest Experiment of 1721-1722 where encounters a flu virus, the generation of scientists for whom variolation was performed first immune system sees a wayward a literature search will frequently on a group of prisoners, then uncle - behaving a bit odd, not go beyond the 1993 - present orphans, then the royal children perhaps, but nonetheless a blood selection offered on Medline. to protect them from smallpox. relative... Thus, just as a family Moreover, the personal aspects of Through much of the 20th tends to indulge the erratic science - including the century, we have thought of behaviour of kins, the the inspirations, frustrations, egos, immunotherapy in terms of a war immune system is said to be rivalries, failures and triumphs - stirring up a commotion, and “tolerant” of the slight are almost never recounted in the we have the “war on cancer” and differences in cancer cells”. primary literature. In this regard, “magic bullets”. In the end, Rarely have I seen a writer be so Hall has provided us with however, Hall leaves us at the able to capture the essence of fascinating (and sometimes not waning of the 20th century when too flattering) glimpses into the the molecular and cellular

International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research 10 science of immunology has Interleukin-2 (IL-2) in William I. Bensinger, Principal advanced us to the point where Patients with Investigator, Ph: 206-667-4933 “Perhaps it is time to retire Regional Lymph Node Fred Hutchinson Cancer militaristic metaphors, and begin Metastases Research Center, Seattle, WA to think in more exalted, uplifting Protocol IDs: MDA-ID-95196, terms... Think of a symphony, NCI-G96-1089, MDA-DM- Phase II Study of Sequential our understanding of it still 95196 Therapy for Lymphoproliferation unfinished.” Agop Y. Bedikian, Principal Following Cardiac Investigator, Ph: 713-792-2921 Transplantation: Modification of Editor’s Note: ISICR members University of Texas - M.D. Immunosuppression, IFN-A, and who would like to comment on Anderson Cancer Center, ProMACE-CytaBOM this book or review other books Houston, Texas (CTX/DOX/VP-16/PRED/ARA- that might be of interest to the C/BLEO/VCR/MTX) membership are encouraged to Phase II Study of Interferon alfa Protocol IDs: SWOG-9239, E- send their comments/reviews to with or without Tamoxifen Prior S9239 the editors. to Surgery Followed by Lode J. Swinnen, Chair, Interferon alfa/Carmustine with Ph: 708-327-3142 TIPS FOR THE FRUGAL or without Tamoxifen for Grade Southwest Oncology Group III/IV and Recurrent Malignant Phase III Randomized Study of In an effort to help all ISICR Gliomas Protocol IDs: HOA-5717, NCI- Conventional Radiotherapy with vs members make the most use of without IFN-B in Patients with Locally their research $$$$, we have V96-0890, UMC-5717 Advanced non-Small Cell Lung Cancer started this new column to let Joseph J. Muscato, Principal Protocol IDs: RTOG-9304 members provide tips that have Investigator, Ph: 573-874-7800 Philip Rubin, Chair, resulted in cost savings. We Boone Hospital Center, Ph: 716-275-2229 welcome all input from members. Columbia, Missouri Radiation Therapy Oncology Saving tubes Group Tired of using microcentrifuge or Phase II Study of Active PCR tubes to dilute samples for Intralymphatic Immunotherapy Phase I/II Study of PBSC analysis on baby gels, even if with IFN-A-Treated Allogeneic Mobilization/Chemotherapy with they were sample packages you Tumor Cells plus GM-CSF and IDA/ARA-C Followed at scooped up at a meeting? Instead CTX for Advanced Pancreatic Progression by PBSC of using tubes, just spot your Adenocarcinoma Transplantation plus CYSP/IFN- buffer (e.g. TE) onto Parafilm. Protocol IDs: SVMC-ONC-222P, G Graft-Versus-Leukemia The drop stays intact and you can NCI-V96-0886 Induction for Chronic mix your running dye and sample Charles L. Wiseman, Principal Myelogenous Leukemia in First right in the drop. Multiple Investigator, Ph: 213-484-7575 Chronic Phase samples will not run together. St. Vincent Medical Center Protocol IDs: CU-CAMP-10, Los Angeles, California, NCI-V96-0873 Gwen Lucille Nichols, Principal CLINICAL TRIALS Phase II Study of Modified Total-Body Investigator, Ph: 212-305-5705 Irradiation plus Herbert Irving Comprehensive Phase III Randomized Adjuvant Busulfan/Cyclophosphamide with Cancer Center, New York, NY Study of Interferon Alfa-2b Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (IFN-A) Alone vs or Marrow Transplantation Followed by Interferon alfa in Stage I/II/III Phase I Pilot Study of High-Dose Biochemotherapy Using Multiple Myeloma Chemotherapy and Interleukin-2- Cisplatin, Vinblastin, Protocol IDs: FHCRC-1060.00, Incubated Peripheral Blood Stem Dacarbazine (DTIC), IFN-A, and NCI-H96-0927 Cells Followed by Additional Interleukin-2 Therapy for Acute Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NCI-T96-0036N Myelogenous Leukemia Wyndham Hopkins Wilson, Protocol IDs: FHCRC-1008.00, Phase II Study of IL-4 in Principal Investigator, NCI-H96-0922 Advanced Indolent B-Cell non- Ph: 301-435-2415 Leona Holmberg, Principal Investigator, Hodgkin's Lymphoma and B-Cell Medicine Branch, National Ph: 206-667-6447 Fred Hutchinson Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA Protocol IDs: E-5Y92

Usha Venkatraj, Chair, Phase II Study of Interleukin-12 Phase II Study of IL-2/GM-CSF Ph: 718-904-2754 (IL-12) in Patients with Plateau in Advanced Renal Cell Eastern Cooperative Oncology Phase Multiple Myeloma Carcinoma Group Protocol IDs: AECM-1199501003, Protocol IDs: E-1A96 NCI-V95-0646 Martha Q. Lacy, Chair, Janice P. Dutcher, Principal Phase II Study of Interleukin-4 Ph: 507-284-8430 Investigator, Ph: 718-920-4674 (IL-4) in Patients With B Lineage Eastern Cooperative Oncology Albert Einstein Cancer Research Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Group Center, Bronx, New York in First or Second Relapse Protocol IDs: SWOG-9711 Phase I Study of Bispecific Phase II Study of Sequential Laurence Elias, Chair, Antibody 520C9xH22 with G- Vaccination with Vaccinia- Ph: 505-272-5837 CSF for Relapsed/Refractory Carcinoembryonic Antigen Southwest Oncology Group Metastatic Cancer that (CEA) Vaccine and ALVAC- Overexpresses HER2/neu CEA Vaccine with the Addition Phase I Study of Recombinant Protocol IDs: MDX-1B-95-2, of Interleukin-2 and Human Interleukin-12 (IL-12) NCI-V95-0658, LAC-USC- Sargramostim (Granulocyte- after High-Dose Chemotherapy 1B952 Macrophage Colony- and Autologous Hematopoietic Jeffrey S. Weber, Principal Stimulating Factor) in Patients Stem Cell Support in Patients Investigator, Ph: 213-764-3919 with CEA Expressing Tumors with Hematologic Malignancies USC/Norris Comprehensive Protocol IDs: GUMC-97118, and Solid Tumors Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA NCI-T97-0033 Protocol IDs: IUMC-9708-05, John L. Marshall, Chair, NCI-T97-0027 Phase I Study of Lethally Ph: 202-687-2198 Vincent T. Michael J. Robertson, Principal Irradiated Allogeneic Pancreatic Lombardi Cancer Research Investigator, Ph: 317-274-0843 Tumor Cells Transfected with Center, Georgetown University Indiana University Cancer Center Granulocyte-Macrophage Medical Center, Washington, DC Indianapolis, Indiana Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) Gene in Patients with Phase IA/IB Pilot Study of Phase II Randomized Pilot Study Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas Bispecific Monoclonal Antibody of EPOCH (Etoposide, Head 2B1 in Combination with Prednisone, Vincristine, Protocol IDs: JHOC-9617, NCI- Granulocyte-Macrophage Cyclophosphamide, and H97-1316 Colony-Stimulating Doxorubicin) with vs without Elizabeth M. Jaffee, Principal Factor/Interleukin-2 for Subsequent Interleukin-12 in Investigator, Ph: 410-955-2957 Refractory Metastatic Untreated Patients and of Johns Hopkins Oncology Center Expressing c-erbB-2 Interleukin-12 in Untreated Baltimore, Maryland Protocol IDs: FCCC-96047, Patients and of Interleukin-12 NCI-B95-000 Alone in Previously Treated Phase I/II Study of Intralesional Louis M. Weiner, Principal Patients with AIDS-Related non- Immunotherapy with a Investigator, Ph: 215-728-2480 Hodgkin's Lymphoma Recombinant Vaccinia Virus Fox Chase Cancer Center, Protocol IDs: NCI-97-C-0040C, Encoding the Gene for

International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research 12 Granulocyte-Macrophage association with New Zealand and New Toyota, Japan Colony-Stimulating Factor in Zealand science. The abbreviation for Brian K. Weaver an Honorary Fellow is Hon. FRSNZ. Stony Brook, NY Metastatic Melanoma Congratulations: Digfeng Zhang Protocol IDs: JMC-94-0843, NCI-H96- Hon. FRSNZ Chongging, PR China 0965 Bryan R.G. Williams Michael Joseph Mastrangelo,

Principal Investigator, RESEARCH ASSOCIATES IN SPACE BIOLOGY Ph: 215-955-8875 SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR Kimmel Cancer Center of MINORITY APPLICANTS Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The advances in the Space Shuttle Program and Randomized Phase II Study of development of the Space Station

Filgrastim and Stem Cell What is this? have allowed the development of Factor (r-metHuSCF) in Priming Photo courtesy of Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, Univ. of Queensland Space Biology Science that of Bone Marrow for Autologous offers exceptional opportunities Transplantation in Patients with NEW ISICR MEMBERS for research. NASA is offering Relapsed or Refractory Research Associate Awards in a Hodgkin's Disease (HD) or Non- The ISICR wishes to welcome the following new members. Contact the special program for minorities at Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) membership office for address and the postdoctoral level for Protocol IDs: RPCI-DS-96-24, email information. scientists to conduct Space NCI-G97-1153 Samita Bhattacharya Biology Research in a university Steven H. Bernstein, Principal Frederick, MD laboratory or nongovernmental Investigator, Ph: 716-845-7611 Daniel J. Carr research institute of your choice Roswell Park Cancer Institute New Orleans, LA that can provide the necessary Buffalo, New York Weihong Chang facilities and research Beijing, PR China environment. Projects should be Raj Kumarie Deonarain RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP London, UK in the gravitational and space NOW! Leon Fischer biology discipline. The awards LAST CHANCE AT THE Chicago, IL are: $20,000 for the first year and CURRENT RATE!! Albert Heim have the possibility of renewal at Hannover, Germany $22,000 for a second year. A decision was made at the ISICR Petros Kirtsis Funding will begin July 1 to Annual Meeting in San Diego to Drama, Greece October 1, 1998. This is a special increase the annual dues for 1999. You Andrzej Konieczny program for minority applicants, are encouraged to take advantage of Cambridge, MA multiple year membership in the and U.S. citizens and permanent John William Ortegel Society. resident aliens with Ph.D., M.D., Chicago, IL D.V.M., D.M.D. or equivalent Vinay Anand Raj Palledonda degrees are eligible to apply. Des Plaines, IL Member Notes PROPOSALS ARE DUE APRIL ISICR President Bryan Williams Aida Sterin Prync Buenos Aire, Argentina 15. 1998. For information and was elected an Honorary Fellow application booklet contact: Dr. of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Gregory A. Skorupa Honorary Fellowship is reserved for Chicago, IL Gerald Sonnenfeld, Dept. of those New Zealand scientists working Yiming Song General Surgery Research, overseas or for foreign scientists who Shanghai, PR China Carolinas Medical Center, P.O. have contributed significantly and with Kothandaraman Subramanian Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232. excellence to New Zealand science. Madison, WI Tel: (704) 355-2639 The criteria for Honorary Fellowship Akio Uemura Fax: (704) 355-7203 are eminence in the field and LODGING: All employees are 1998 Meeting Secretariat encouraged to stay with relatives, Kenes friends or mere acquaintances P.O. Box 50006 while on Government business. If Tel Aviv 61500 weather permits, public areas Israel such as parks, roadside rests and Fax: 972-3-517-5674 parking lots should be used for temporary lodging sites. Bridges Meeting Coordinator and tunnels may provide shelter Smadar Fisher in periods of inclement weather. [email protected] Fax: 972-3-642-2046

MEALS: Expenditures for meals What is this? will be limited to the absolute Photo courtesy of Centre for Microscopy minimum. It should be noted that and Microanalysis, Univ. of Queensland certain grocery chains or NIH REDUCES warehouse clubs provide free INTRAMURAL PROGRAM COSTS! samples of promotional items. NEW TRAVEL RULES FOR STAFF Entire meals can often be ARE ISSUED consumed in this manner. From: Travel Office Travelers should also become Subject: Travel Policy familiar with indigenous roots, berries and other protein sources To: All NIH Travelers available at their destination. If Due to budget constraints, the restaurants must be utilized, following policies have been travelers should seek established regarding employees establishments offering all you traveling on official business. can eat salad bars. This will be especially cost effective to TRANSPORTATION: employees traveling together, as Hitchhiking in lieu of a single plate can be used to feed commercial transport is the an entire group. Employees are preferred choice. Luminescent also encouraged to bring their safety vests will be issued to all own food while on Government employees prior to their business. Cans of tuna fish, Spam departure on Government and Beefaroni can be business trips. Bus transportation conveniently consumed at your will be used whenever leisure, without unnecessary hitchhiking is not possible. bother of heating or other costly Airline tickets will only be preparation. authorized for purchase in extreme circumstances and the ENTERTAINMENT OF GUESTS: In lowest fares will be used. If for lieu of extravagant dinners, a picnic bench, preferably located in the rear of a example, a meeting is scheduled local restaurant, should be identified. in Seattle, but a lower fare can be A garden hose (standard government obtained by traveling to Detroit, issue, no spray nozzle) will be made then the ticket will be issued for available so that liquid refreshments can travel to Detroit. be provided.

International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research 14