Highlights from the 2008 ASBMB Annual Meeting

see inside for a preview of next year’s annual meeting

June 2008

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ORG-027-ORFSketchV7.indd 1 1/24/08 4:45:45 PM contents June 2008 On the Cover: The 2008 Annual Meeting society news in San Diego is a wrap, but you can read highlights 2 From the Editor about this year’s event 3 President’s Message throughout the issue. 4 New Glycerolipids Review Series in JLR 5 Washington Update 10 ASBMB Members elected to Academies 11 ASBMB Small Meeting on Transcriptional Regulation of Chromatin special interest 22 Return to Sender! See what’s in store annual meeting for the 2009 ASBMB Annual Meeting. 12 12 Overview of New Orleans 2009 14 A Recap of San Diego 2008 18 Special ASBMB Video Centerfold: Dynamic Research 20 The Graduate and Postdoctoral Development Workshop 21 Public Affairs Events at ASBMB 25 Education and Professional Development Events 26 Minority Affairs Events at ASBMB science focus 32 Highlights of Annual Meeting Scientific Symposia Learn how to return article proofs in pdf format. 22 departments 6 News from the Hill 8 Member Spotlight 24 Education and Training 28 Career Insights podcast summary 30 BioBits Download the May ASBMB AudioPhiles JLR News Podcast and hear about a new genetic locus for triglycerides levels and a potential new marker for resources myelin damage. This and other podcasts are available at: Scientific Meeting Calendar http://www.faseb.org/asbmb/media/media.asp (online only)

June 2008 ASBMB Today 1 firstsecond from words the editor A monthly publication of The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Looking Back, Officers Heidi E. Hamm President Moving Forward Gregory A. Petsko President-Elect Mark A. Lemmon Secretary By Nicole Kresge Merle S. Olson Treasurer Council Members nother ASBMB annual meeting has come and gone, and we at ASBMB Alan Hall Kuan-Teh Jeang A would like to thank all the participants, attendees, and staff who helped Suzanne R. Pfeffer Linda J. Pike John D. Scott Joan A. Steitz make San Diego 2008 a great success. Kevin Struhl James A. Wells For those who were not able to attend, or those who would like to relive Ex-Officio Members Ellis Bell the experience, ASBMB Today once again offers a comprehensive meeting Chair, Education and Professional overview. In this issue, we provide summaries of many of the meeting events, Development Committee Laurie S. Kaguni including the public affairs sessions, educational sessions, graduate and post- Chair, Meeting Committee doctoral workshops, and minority scientist events. We also highlight a few of George Hill Chair, Minority Affairs Committee the outstanding scientific symposia, and we include a special video center- Kendall J. Blumer Anna Marie Pyle fold section looking at some of the real time imaging studies presented at the Co-chairs, 2008 Program Committee meeting this year. Be sure to log on to the online version of our magazine Mary J. C. Hendrix Chair, Public Affairs Advisory Committee to capture the full experience of this dynamic research! Also make sure to Robert E. Rhoads check out the 2008 Award Lecture streaming presentations online at Chair, Publications Committee Herbert Tabor www.asbmb.org later this month! Editor, JBC Ralph A. Bradshaw This issue also features a A. L. Burlingame preview of the 2009 meet- Co-editors, MCP Edward A. Dennis ing, which will be held April Editor, JLR 18-22 in New Orleans, the ASBMB Today home of jazz and beignets. Editorial Advisory Board Alex Toker Don’t forget to mark your Chair calendars! Greg P. Bertenshaw Craig E. Cameron A. Stephen Dahms Irwin Fridovich Richard W. Hanson Elizabeth A. Komives Bettie Sue Masters Luke A. O’Neill Duanqing Pei Carol C. Shoulders Robert D. Wells ASBMB Today Nicole Kresge Editor [email protected] Nick Zagorski Science Writer [email protected] Nancy J. Rodnan Director of Publications [email protected] Barbara Gordon Executive Director [email protected]

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2 ASBMB Today June 2008 president’smessage Our Science Policy Fellowship Program BY HEIDI HAMM

s my presidency winds down—this will be my last monthly e-newsletter on govern- Acolumn in this space as your president—I have been ment affairs, mailed to the 1,800 or thinking about what lies ahead for the Society and for bio- so members of our Local Advocates medical research in particular. As Yogi Berra is reputed to Network—a list she also worked to expand during her first have once said, “It’s tough making predictions—especially months with the staff. about the future!” But, as tough as it might be to make Angela is also working on the ASBMB website hand- predictions, I think one that I am safe in making is that it in-glove with other staff members, as this link between is not going to be getting easier any time soon to obtain an ASBMB and the world at large is updated, expanded, NIH grant. This is why public policy is critically important and made more user friendly. In the area of public as we look ahead; our new members must have the tools affairs, members will have the option to subscribe to the and know-how to cope with what is likely to be an increas- e-newsletter and join the LAN. We are also hoping to set ingly tough funding environment. up an interactive forum, targeting students and post-docs, This is why I am so pleased that the Society established that will provide a space for information on education, an ASBMB Science Policy Fellowship in 2007. Under the career development, public affairs and advocacy, “science program, a new Ph.D. (not beyond the post-doc stage) culture,” and other issues of interest to this key group for comes to Washington to spend 1 year working in the the Society’s future. Be looking for the new site to come on ASBMB public affairs office with our Director of Public line soon. Affairs, Pete Farnham. Pete is very experienced and we Angela has also served as an advocate for the Society were confident when we set up the program that he would and for getting involved in public policy. She has attended do well as a mentor for our Fellow. the Science and Technology Policy graduate student The fellowship program is designed to provide new forum at the National Academy of Sciences, spoke at an Ph.D.s who have little or no public policy experience with a undergraduate career event at the University of Richmond, broad background in the issues of science policy and advo- participated in a variety of NIH-arranged meetings on cacy. A goal of the program is that Fellows will leave with a women’s careers in biomedical research, will be presenting better understanding of the American scientific enterprise a poster at the Gordon Research conference on Science and and how policy decisions affect researchers, along with the Technology Policy in Big Sky Montana in August, and has knowledge to effectively communicate and advocate for a attended numerous other meetings. She has also helped to better understanding of scientists’ concerns and work. arrange Capitol Hill visits for visiting ASBMB members, The Fellow participates in a range of activities, includ- attended hearings for the Society, written contributions for ing Congressional meetings and hearings, agency briefings, ASBMB Today, participated in various coalition meet- seminars, and advocacy coalition meetings. The Fellow ings, and made herself highly useful to the Society’s public will also have significant freedom to follow specific topics affairs efforts. and issues that are of interest to him or her. It is hoped that One of our long-term goals in creating this fellowship this fellowship will serve as a training program to encour- was to develop a cadre of individuals, who are well-versed age young scientists to get involved in the important policy in the complexities of biomedical research as well as the issues faced by researchers. processes by which policies affecting research are made. Our first Fellow came on board in October 2007. Her Many of our future Fellows will go on to careers in science name is Angela Hvitved, a Ph.D. graduate in biochemistry policy, and we look forward to having continuing interac- from Rice University. Angela, who is smart, hard-working, tions with them as our Society faces new challenges. We are and clearly interested in policy matters, has worked out now evaluating a very qualified group of applicants for Sci- extremely well. Among her growing list of contributions ence Policy Fellow, and we are looking forward to getting to the public affairs office, Angela started ASBMB’s new to know our next Fellow come September 2008.

June 2008 ASBMB Today 3 asbmb news New Thematic Review Series on Glycerolipids to Begin in June Issue of JLR BY MARY L. CHANG

lycerolipids are the subject of a new thematic review of cells in the early phases of Gseries that will debut in the June issue of the Journal apoptosis. PS has also been of Lipid Research. JLR associate editor Stephen G. Young observed to have important roles in activating signaling of the University of California, Los Angeles, is coordinating proteins and directing certain proteins to membranes during the series, during which one review will appear in each issue endocytosis. PE appears to play a role in heart and liver until February 2009. cell activities, as well as contractile ring disassembly during The class of glycerolipids encompasses the wide range cytokinesis. PE also supplies the ethanolamine moiety to of lipids containing glycerol. One such group is the triglycer- some cell-surface signaling proteins. ides (fatty acid esters of glycerol). Most fat in food and in the Cardiolipin is found in ATP-producing membranes such human body exists as triglycerides. Elevated levels of trig- as bacterial plasma and mitochondrial membranes. In the lyceride in a person’s blood may be linked to coronary artery August review, Michael Schlame of the New York University disease, the most common form of heart disease, and/or School of Medicine will present a comprehensive look at undiagnosed or untreated diabetes mellitus. Another class prokaryotic and eukaryotic cardiolipin synthesis and the dif- of glycerolipid is the phospholipid, which is amphipathic in ferences between them with respect to biological function. nature and is an important component of most animal cell The unique acyl remodeling of cardiolipin will be addressed membranes. Distinguishing features of a phospholipid are as interest in this process has increased due to the abnor- its polar head group and two hydrophobic hydrocarbon tails mal cardiolipin identified in some human diseases such (usually fatty acids). Phospholipids have been shown to as diabetes, heart failure, and Parkinson syndrome. How have both structural and regulatory functions. cardiolipin is incorporated into biological membranes and A major type of phospolipid in mammalian cells is the possible relationship of cardiolipin degradation to the phosphatidylcholine (PC), which derives its polar head processes of apoptosis and mitochondrial fusion will also be group from choline, a natural amine and essential nutrient. discussed. In the June review, Zhaoyu Li and Dennis E. Vance of the Biosynthesis of bacterial phospholipids for the cyto- University of Alberta, Edmonton, will discuss the activity plasmic membrane and the regulation of this synthesis by and homeostasis of both compounds in mice. Embryonic acyltranferases will be reviewed in September by Yong-Mei death, muscular dystrophy, and gonadal dysfunction have Zhang and Charles O. Rock of St. Jude Children’s Research been observed in mice with deficiencies in choline kinases Hospital. The acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) is the most or phosphocholine transferases (enzymes involved in the important donor of acyl groups in bacterial phospholipid synthesis of PC). In the liver, phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis. The amount of long-chain acyl-ACP, the N-methyltransferase is important in PC biosynthesis; when end product of fatty acid biosynthesis, has been linked mice do not have this enzyme and are fed a choline- to regulation of bacterial membrane phospholipids and deficient diet, they die from steatohepatitis and hepatic therefore assembly of the membrane. Interestingly, PlsY, the failure. Li and Vance’s review will also explore how choline most prevalent glycerol-phosphate acyltransferase among imbalance is resolved in the body by choline recycling and bacteria, has been found in the major human Gram-positive redistribution. pathogens that use this enzyme pathway exclusively for In July, Jean E. Vance, also of the University of Alberta, phospholipid biosynthesis. Thus, the distinctive bacte- Edmonton, will review the synthesis and roles of the amino- rial acyltransferases are potentially viable targets for future phospholipids phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidyle- antibacterial compounds. thanolamine (PE) in vital cell processes. PS has been of Be sure to check back in October for a look at the sec- recent research interest for its exposure on the external face ond half of JLR’s new glycerolipid review series.

4 ASBMB Today June 2008 washington update FASEB Genetic Nondiscrimination Laid to Rest as a New Primate Research Bill Arises BY CARRIE D. WOLINETZ

ust as the biomedical research community celebrated Great Ape Protection Act Ja major congressional victory in April, a newly intro- However, another new piece of legislation was introduced duced piece of legislation showed that there was still work that has the potential to disrupt ongoing medical research. to be done. The Great Ape Protection Act (H.R. 5852), cosponsored by Representatives Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Thomas Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Allen (D-ME), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Bruce Braley (D-IA), The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) John Campbell (R-CA), Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), James was passed in the Senate by a vote of 95-0, clearing a Langevin (D-RI), and Dave Reichert (R-WA), was intro- major hurdle on the eve of National DNA Day. “This long- duced in the House on April 17. The legislation would overdue legislation will provide the necessary protections end all invasive research on great apes (chimpanzees, against misuse of genetic information, allowing us to fully gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons) in addition to realize the potential of personalized medicine,” praised mandating federally supported permanent retirement for FASEB President Robert Palazzo. all great apes currently used in federally funded research. GINA had been stalled for a year in the Senate due to Closely related bills specifically aimed at chimpanzees a hold on the bill placed by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK). have already been signed into law. In 2000, the Chimpan- The delay was particularly frustrating because in the zee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection decade since the first genetic nondiscrimination bill had (CHIMP) Act was passed unanimously by both the House been introduced, the Senate had unanimously passed and the Senate, requiring the government to provide for the legislation multiple times only to have it languish in retirement of chimpanzees who are identified as no longer the House. When the House passed GINA last year and being needed in research. While the CHIMP Act did the President declared his support in a public speech, reserve the right of the government to retrieve the animals the bill seemed destined to become law until Senator in the event of a public health emergency, this provi- Coburn’s objection was raised. Fortunately, advocates sion was later removed by passage of an amendment and Senate leadership were finally able to overcome the in December 2007. Earlier that year, the National Center objection, and GINA will soon be headed to the Presi- for Research Resources had announced it would make dent’s desk for signing. Palazzo offered congratulations to permanent a decade-long moratorium on federal funding colleagues in the gene sciences, patient advocacy, and of chimpanzee breeding for research purposes. medical research communities “who have worked tire- Unfortunately, the Great Ape Protection Act, which lessly with policymakers for more than a decade to pass is strongly supported by groups such as the Humane these critical protections.” “These dedicated grassroots Society of the United States, defines “invasive research” efforts, together with the work of lawmakers like Sena- quite broadly and would prohibit activities such as blood tors Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) draws or sedation, even if the research was for the medi- and Representatives Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Judy cal benefit of apes. FASEB is currently examining the Biggert (R-IL), deserve enormous credit for making GINA potential impact of the legislation, which has been referred a reality.” he said. to the House Energy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, and “Scientists rely on voluntary participation in research Ways and Means committees. No Senate equivalent has studies to further advance our understanding of the func- yet been introduced. tioning of genes in health and disease—voluntary participation which is deterred by fears over genetic discrimina- Carrie D. Wolinetz is Director of Scientific Affairs and Public tion,” Palazzo added. “Establishing legal protections for Relations for the Office of Public Affairs at the Federation of genetic information is a critical step forward for our clinical American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). She can and translational enterprise.” be reached at [email protected].

June 2008 ASBMB Today 5 news from the hill SBIR Reauthorization Bill Passes House but Set-Aside Does Not Go Up BY PETER FARNHAM

n late April, the House approved HR 5819, a reauthoriza- provision was stripped from the bill before final passage. Ition bill for the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Many academic research groups opposed the original Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTP) Program. The wording, including FASEB, the Association of American bill as debated on the House floor would have, among other Medical Colleges, and the Association of American Universi- provisions, raised the set-aside for grants to small busi- ties. According to FASEB’s letter to Rep. Ehlers, “Increas- nesses from the budgets of all federal agencies that fund at ing the set-aside at a time when budgets of the science least $100 million in extramural research. However, thanks agencies have stagnated will result in funding cuts for the to an amendment offered by Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI), this peer-reviewed basic and applied research that fuel innovation… the Small Business Administration opposes increasing the set-aside for the SBIR program, citing both the lack of an empirical basis for such an increase and the effective reduction in funding that would remain available for agencies’ core research programs.” Without the Ehlers amendment, the small business research set-aside for the SBIR program would have increased from its current level of 2.5% to 3%, and the set-aside for STTR would have doubled from 0.3% to 0.6%. Eleven federal agencies would have been affected, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. As much as $650 million would have been shifted from peer-reviewed basic and applied research available for any scientist to apply, to being set aside exclusively for small business, according to a White House statement of administration policy. The White House said that “… reducing these [peer-reviewed extramural research] funds directly undermines efforts by the Administration, Congress, and a broad coalition of business and academic leaders to enhance the Nation’s competitiveness through increased support for high-priority basic research activities.” The bill does increase available awards from $100,000 to $300,000 for phase one and $750,000 to $2.2 million for phase two. In an increasingly rare display of bipartisanship in the House, Appropriations Chair David Obey (D-WI) made the following statement in support of the Ehlers amendment: “Let me simply say this bill is intended to increase the small business set-aside for these research programs. That does no harm for a large agency whose budget has been rising, such as the Department of Defense, but it can do immeasurable harm to the crown jewel of our research agencies in this country, the National Institutes of Health. If we were to do what this bill does to NIH, it would result

6 ASBMB Today June 2008 news from the hill

in $187 million less being available for traditional medical research grants at medical research centers and universi- NIH Seeking Ideas on How ties. I think that that is not a good idea. The President’s bud- to Spend Roadmap Money get has already reduced the number of grants that NIH will The NIH Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives be able to provide by almost 500 grants. This will add about (OPASI) announced in late April that it is seeking to identify another 500-grant reduction to the President’s budget. That major challenges to health research, as well as new and innova- would mean that we would be supporting a grant level for tive solutions for these challenges. OPASI Director Alan M. the traditional NIH grants at about 1,100 fewer grants than Krensky issued the following announcement on April 22: was the case in 2007. I think that is a very bad idea. There- Dear Colleague: fore, when the bill comes before us, I would urge support of I invite you to participate in a process designed to identify major, cross-cutting challenges to health research and to the Ehlers amendment, which will correct the problem with articulate solutions to these challenges. The NIH Roadmap respect to the National Institutes of Health. for Medical Research, funded via the NIH Common Fund, is I know that some people will say, ‘Well, we’re not a series of programs that collectively seek to transform the reducing the number of grants, we’re simply shifting the way health research is conducted so that treatment, diagnosis, prevention, and/or understanding of human disease nature of grants from traditional grants to small business may be accelerated. Roadmap programs are intended to grants.’ But the fact is that the success rate for small be stimulatory and are therefore supported by the Common business grants under this bill is expected to rise to 52%, Fund for a maximum of 10 years. These programs accept whereas the success rate for applications for traditional a high degree of risk to approach complex problems in new ways, to develop transformative tools and technolo- NIH grants is expected to decline to 18%. That is a dispar- gies, and/or to address fundamental knowledge gaps that ity that the scientific community and the country at large impede progress in many disease areas. Each Roadmap simply cannot afford. program cuts across the missions of NIH Institutes and NIH believes that there will not be sufficient high-quality Centers as well across diseases and is expected to acceler- ate research on many diseases and conditions. grants under the small business set-aside to pass peer On April 22, 2008, NIH released a Request for Informa- review over time, and that means they would simply have to tion (RFI) (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/ lapse back precious research money that could be used for NOT-RM-08-014.html) inviting input and ideas from the heart disease, for Parkinsons, for cancer, things like that. scientific community, health professionals, patient advocates, and the general public about major cross-cutting So I would strongly urge, when this bill comes before challenges and possible solutions. Collecting these ideas is us, to vote for the Ehlers amendment as a way to address an initial step in the process of identifying a new cohort of that balance.” Common Fund/ Roadmap programs for Fiscal Year 2011. This RFI provides an opportunity for respondents to submit The bill now goes to the Senate, where it will be consid- their own ideas. NIH expects to spend $30 to 50 million per ered in the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Commit- year from within the currently projected Roadmap budget tee, chaired by Senator John Kerry (D-MA). for new 5-year initiatives.

More information on this request can be found at: Peter Farnham CAE is ASBMB’s public affairs officer, a position he http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/ has held since 1985. He can be reached at [email protected]. Peter Farnham

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for your Info and FREE SAMPLES via website: www.brandtech.com/UV-free asbmb member spotlight Bertino Granted Outstanding Fanning Elected to German Achievement Award National Academy of Science Joseph R. Bertino, Interim Director and Ellen H. Fanning, a professor at Vanderbilt Chief Scientific Officer of The Cancer University, was recently elected to the Institute of New Jersey and University German National Academy of Science Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at (Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher the University of Medicine & Dentistry, Leopoldina). Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, was The German Academy of Sciences is recently granted the American Association the world’s oldest continuously existing for Cancer Research (AACR) Joseph H. academy for medicine and natural sciences Burchenal Memorial Award for Outstanding with a tradition of 355 years and more than Achievement in Clinical Research. 1,250 members all over the world. The academy maintains a The AACR and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. established this network with scientific institutions of other European and non- award in 1996 to recognize outstanding achievements in clinical European countries, organizes a large number of national and cancer research. The award honors the late Joseph H. Burchenal, international meetings and symposia, and issues statements and Honorary Member and Past President of the AACR and a major recommendations. figure in clinical cancer research. Bertino presented his award Fanning studies DNA replication and damage repair in mam- lecture at the AACR annual meeting this past April. malian cells. Specifically, her laboratory is mapping the protein Bertino has been a leader in defining the mechanism of action interaction surfaces between the viral DNA helicase T antigen, DNA of and resistance mechanisms to methotrexate and related impor- polymerase-primase, and replication protein A. She is also using tant chemotherapeutic agents. These studies have ranged from biochemical and genetic tools to elucidate how these interactions characterization of the target of the drug, dihydrofolate reductase, promote primer synthesis. Another aspect of Fanning’s research to translational regulation of this enzyme, to the discovery of gene program is the study of the role of protein phosphorylation in regu- amplification as a mechanism of resistance in rodent systems. He lating the initiation of DNA replication in a cell-free system. was the first to demonstrate that dihydrofolate reductase gene amplification occurs in blasts from patients with acute lymphoblas- tic leukemia who are resistant to methotrexate. Loeb Granted Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship Endowed Chair Established Lawrence A. Loeb, Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Director of in Honor of Brinkley the Joseph Gottstein Memorial Cancer Baylor College of Medicine’s Board of Research Laboratory at the University of Trustees in Houston, Texas, recently Washington, was awarded the American announced the establishment of the William Association for Cancer Research (AACR) R. Brinkley/BRASS Endowed Chair, named in Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship honor of Bill Brinkley, senior Vice President this past April. and Dean of the Graduate School of The AACR Princess Takamatsu Memorial Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Lectureship was established in 2007 to recognize an individual Medicine. scientist whose novel and significant work has had or may have Brinkley, the first holder of the Chair, has a far-reaching impact on the detection, diagnosis, treatment, or served as Dean of the graduate school for the past 17 years and prevention of cancer and who embodies the dedication of the has led the school to its present standing as one of the nation’s Princess to international collaboration. leading centers for graduate education. Funding for the Chair Lawrence A. Loeb was honored for “his leadership in developing was provided by friends of the Graduate School known as Baylor the concept of cancer as a mutator phenotype, based on his investi- Research Advocates for Student Science (BRASS). gations of fidelity of DNA synthesis and mechanisms of spontaneous BRASS President Diana Brown said, “as the Dean of the and chemical mutagenesis. He is also honored for pioneering the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, William R. Brinkley, creation of novel biologically active enzymes generated by random Ph.D., has championed BRASS and recognized its existence as an nucleotide substitutions in defined regions of genes encoding the important element in the overall success of the graduate school. enzymes that correspond to their catalytic domains.” In gratitude for Dr. Brinkley’s long-standing support of its mission, Loeb is well known for performing mechanistic studies of DNA BRASS recently voted to name its endowed chair in his honor.” transactions that contribute to genome stability, as well as his work Brinkley served as Chair of ASBMB’s Public Affairs Advisor on DNA replication fidelity. Committee from 2000 to 2007 and was a member of the ASBMB Council.

8 ASBMB Today June 2008 asbmb member spotlight Please submit news about yourself to [email protected] de Mendoza Awarded Scott Elected Fellow of Bernardo Houssay Prize Royal Society Edinburgh Diego de Mendoza, Professor of Microbiology John D. Scott, Senior Scientist at the and Genetics at the University of Rosario and Vollum Institute and Professor of Director of the Institute of Molecular and Biochemistry at Oregon Health & Science Cellular Biology of Rosario, National Council University, was elected a fellow of the Royal for Scientific and Technical Research Society Edinburgh, the national science (CONICET), in Argentina, was presented with academy of Scotland. a Bernardo Houssay prize by Argentinean The Royal Society of Edinburgh is President Nestor Kirchner. The prize for Scotland’s national academy of science Science, Technology, and Innovation is and letters. Its membership consists of over awarded annually for outstanding work in one of six scientific fields. 1,400 peer-elected fellows, who are known as Fellows of the Royal de Mendoza studies prokaryotic lipid metabolism. Specifically, Society of Edinburgh, denoted FRSE in official titles. The Society he and his colleagues have been studying how bacteria exert organizes public lectures and promotes the sciences in schools control over the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway and membrane throughout Scotland. phospholipid formation. His current research focuses on defin- Scott’s research focuses on the specificity of signal transduc- ing the regulatory signals and proteins that control lipid synthesis, tion events that are controlled by anchoring proteins that facilitate understanding the detailed mechanism of sensors and transcrip- rapid signal transduction by optimally positioning protein kinases tion factors, and determining the high resolution structure of two and phosphatases in the vicinity of their activating signals and key regulatory proteins. close to their substrates.

Scanlan Honored with Tannenbaum Recipient of Cope Scholar Award Cancer Research Award Thomas Scanlan, Professor of Physiology Steven R. Tannenbaum, Underwood and Pharmacology at the Oregon Health & Prescott Professor of Toxicology and Science University’s (OHSU) School of Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Medicine, was recently honored with the Institute of Technology, recently received the American Chemical Society’s C. Cope American Association for Cancer Research Scholar Award. (AACR) Award for Outstanding Achievement The award, which was presented to in Chemistry in Cancer Research. Scanlan and nine other recipients, recog- The AACR and its Chemistry in Cancer nizes and encourages excellence in organic Research Working Group established chemistry. It consists of $5,000, a certificate, and a $40,000 the award in 2007 to recognize the importance of chemistry to unrestricted research grant to be assigned by the recipient. advancements in cancer research. The award is given for out- Scanlan, who studies chemical and biological aspects of standing, novel, and significant chemistry research that has led steroid and thyroid hormone action, has been director of the to important contributions to the fields of basic cancer research, OHSU Department of Physiology and Pharmacology’s Program in translational cancer research, cancer diagnosis, the prevention of Chemical Biology since the program was launched in 2006. The cancer, or the treatment of patients with cancer. program develops small molecules that interact with biological Tannenbaum was chosen for his “research which has been target proteins. of major significance to cancer research; contributions from his Some of the compounds that Scanlan has developed include laboratory have been of seminal importance to advances in our a selective thyromimetic that is about to be tested in a Phase II knowledge of chemical carcinogenesis, molecular epidemiology clinical trial as a potential cholesterol-lowering drug, and a novel of cancer and, more recently, anticancer drug development and thyroid hormone metabolite that is in preclinical development as evaluation.” Tannenbaum received the award at the AACR annual a possible treatment for human injuries and diseases for which meeting this past April. reducing metabolic demand may prove beneficial. Following an early career in food chemistry and nutritional biochemistry, Tannenbaum’s research has focused on the formation, distribution, and metabolism of nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds and their significance as environmental carcinogens. He also studies molecular epidemiology and the development and application of ultramicroanalytical tools for xenobiotics drugs and metabolites.

June 2008 ASBMB Today 9 asbmb news

Michael R. Botchan, professor of biochemistry and Four ASBMB molecular biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley Members Elected to Kenneth A. Dill, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, and biophysics, Department of Pharmaceutical National Academy Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco Carol L. Prives, DaCosta Professor of Biology, Department of Sciences of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City Four ASBMB researchers are among the 72 Anjana Rao, professor of pathology and senior investigator, Immune Disease Institute, Harvard Medical new members and 18 foreign associates elected School, Boston to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 2008. Election to the NAS is considered one of the most prestigious honors a scientist can receive, and ASBMB is proud to recognize its members whose distinguished scientific

achievements have been so honored this year. Botchan Dill Prives Rao

Philip C. Hanawalt, Howard H. and Jessie T. Eight ASBMB Members Watkins University Professor of Biology, Stanford Elected to American University, Stanford, CA Richard Kolodner, executive director, Ludwig Academy of Arts and Institute for Cancer Research; professor of cellular and molecular medicine, professor of medicine, Sciences and Moores Cancer Center member, University of California, San Diego ASBMB would also like to recognize the following researchers who were among the 190 fellows and John Kuriyan, Chancellor’s Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology and Chemistry, University of 22 foreign honorary members elected this past year California, Berkeley; investigator, Howard Hughes to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Medical Institute one of the oldest and most prestigious honorary Jeffrey Victor Ravetch, Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Professor; head of the Laboratory of Molecular societies in the United States. Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New Barbara A. Baird, Horace White Professor of York City Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Bruce William Stillman, president, Cold Spring Ithaca, NY Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY Graeme I. Bell, Louis Block Distinguished Service Kevin Struhl, David Wesley Gaiser Professor of Professor in Medicine and Human Genetics, Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Chicago Harvard Medical School, Boston

Baird Bell Hanawalt Kolodner Kuriyan Ravetch Stillman Struhl

10 ASBMB Today June 2008 asbmb news Special ASBMB-sponsored Symposium: Transcriptional Regulation by Chromatin and RNA Polymerase II BY ALI SHILATIFARD

ukaryotic DNA is several meters long and must be involved in regulating the initiation and activation of tran- Ecompacted into chromatin in a way that still enables scription. Ronald Conaway of the Stowers Institute will chair access to the genes. The human genome encodes more the third session, “Transcriptional Elongation and Termina- than 30,000 distinct proteins, and the interaction of eukary- tion.” This session will bring together the diverse roles of the otic RNA Polymerase II (RNA Pol II) with chromatin plays RNA Pol II elongation factors and chromatin in the proper a pivotal role in regulating the expression of these genes. regulation of gene expression. Unfortunately, we still possess rudimentary knowledge of Tony Kouzarides of the Gurdon Institute will chair the genome packaging and how the transcriptional machinery fourth session, “Chromosome and Chromatin Modifica- and its regulatory factors interact with the gene-coding tions.” Presentations in this session will cover recent studies sequences. Yet this process underlies all gene expression of histone and transcription factor modifications and mRNA and is fundamental to development and differentiation. A synthesis regulation. Yi Zhang of the University of North central challenge to current research is determining how the Carolina will chair the fifth session, “Chromosome and Chro- synthesis of messenger RNA from such a large number of matin Demodifications,” which will explore macromolecular diverse protein-coding genes by RNA Pol II is coordinated. complexes involved in unmodifying post-translationally mod- There are many implications of defining the molecular ified histones. I will chair the sixth session, “Chromosome, mechanisms of gene expression by chromatin and RNA Pol Chromatin, and Transcription II,” which will explore the role II and its impact on our understanding of cellular develop- of many macromolecular complexes implicated in transcrip- ment and disease. To address those implications, ASBMB is tional regulation. In the penultimate session chaired by Mike bringing together investigators for a focused meeting Octo- Levine of the University of California at Berkeley, “Chromatin, ber 16-20, 2008 in Granlibakken, Lake Tahoe, titled Tran- Transcription, and Development,” recently identified roles scriptional Regulation by Chromatin and RNA Polymerase II. for chromatin and transcription factors in development and Confirmed speakers so far include: Peter Becker, Shelley disease pathogenesis will be discussed. Berger, Joan Conaway, Jean Marc Egly, Tony Kouzarides, To conclude the meeting, Boyana Konforti, editor of Mike Levine, Eric Olson, Frank Pugh, Danny Reinberg, Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, will chair an inter- Ramin Shiekhattar, Henk Stunnenberg, Robert Tjian, Jerry active review session during which attendees can discuss Workman, and Yi Zhang. The plenary lecture, “Chromatin the topics covered throughout the meeting and possible and Transcription,” given by Robert Roeder of the Rock- future questions for the field. efeller University, will describe recent work from his labora- Due to a limit of ~250 participants, we anticipate spaces tory on transcriptional regulation by RNA Pol II. In addition for this meeting will fill quickly. In this event, however, we will to invited presentations, numerous talks will be chosen from make a concerted effort to ensure that every research group submitted abstracts. wishing to participate will be represented. See you at Lake Defining how changes in chromatin and chromosome Tahoe in October! structure regulate transcription and development will be the focus of the first Transcriptional Regulation by Chromatin and RNA session, “Chromosome, Chromatin, and Polymerase II: A special ASBMB-sponsored symposium Transcription I,” chaired by Frank Pugh OCTOBER 16-20, 2008 – GRANLIBAKKEN, LAKE TAHOE of Penn State University. Robert Roeder Organizer: Ali Shilatifard, Stowers Institute for Medical Research will chair the second session, “Transcrip- Registration and abstract deadline: September 5, 2008. Status (talk/poster) of submit- tional Initiation/Activation and Chromatin,” ted abstracts will be posted on the ASBMB web site by mid-September. For more information and to register, please visit the Meetings page at www.asbmb.org. which will focus on the role of the factors

June 2008 ASBMB Today 11 2009 annual meeting

And finally, cell signaling will be highlighted in the Sig- Preview of the naling thematic group with symposia titled “Principles of Receptor Signaling” and “Lipid Signaling and Metabolism.” 2009 Meeting There will also be a special symposium celebrating the BY JAMES HURLEY AND JOAN CONAWAY 50th anniversary of the Journal of Lipid Research. The program committee is excited about making a push hen the two of us set out to draft a program for the for a greener ASBMB meeting. Watch for more information W2009 annual meeting, we needed a simple unifying as we move forward with this. vision as a starting point. The function and compartmental- We look forward to seeing all of you in the Big Easy in ization of the cell struck us as apt. Cellular compartments, 2009. delimited by membranes, are the cornerstone of the organization of the eukaryotic cell. Bacteria, which lack membrane-bound organelles, are also organized into specialized 2009 ANNUAL MEETING subcellular regions. Molecular structure is the underlying PROGRAM DIGEST basis of most of modern biochemistry and molecular biology, and we wanted the meeting to have a strong emphasis Nuclear Transactions RNA: Processing, on structural approaches. Together with ASBMB president Thematic Group Transport, and Regulatory Mechanisms Heidi Hamm and the rest of the program committee, we are DNA Replication, Repair, Organizers: Traci Hall (NIH) and very pleased to bring you a 2009 meeting rooted both in and Recombination Ben Blencowe (University of Toronto) Organizers: Wei Yang (NIH) and the cellular function and the structural principles of proteins, Symposia: Anindya Dutta (University of Virginia) Ribonucleoproteins nucleic acids, and lipids. Symposia: RNA Regulation and Transport The biggest cellular compartment, the all-important Biochemistry of DNA Replication Initiation RNA Structure and Recognition nucleus or in bacteria the nucleoid, will get a lot of attention DNA Replication Origins RNA Processing in this meeting. The Nuclear Transactions thematic group DNA Repair and Genetic Diseases Protein Synthesis, will include “DNA Replication, Repair, and Recombination,” Folding, and Turnover Mechanism of DNA Repair, “Chromatin Regulation,” “Gene Regulation: Transcription Replication, and Recombination Thematic Group Initiation and Elongation,” and “RNA: Processing, Transport, Chromatin Regulation Protein Synthesis and Regulatory Mechanisms.” The nuclear transactions Organizers: Trevor Archer (NIH) and Turnover theme is a big tent, and there will be plenty of coverage of and Ronen Marmorstein Organizers: Ada Yonath (The Wistar Institute) (Weizmann Institute) and Chris Hill (University of Utah) prokaryotes, “nuclear” notwithstanding. Symposia: Nothing could be more fundamental to biochemistry than Histone Modifications Symposia: Ribosome Structure protein folding. The Protein Synthesis, Folding, and Turnover Chromatin Recognition and Function and Assembly group includes themed meetings on “Protein Synthesis and Regulation of Translation Chromatin Remodeling and Protein Targeting Turnover” and “Protein Folding, Aggregation, and Chap- Genomic Chromatin Proteasome Structure erones.” Talks will span folding from the perspectives of Gene Regulation: and Function physicists to physicians, and everything between. Transcription Initiation Ubiquitin Pathway and Targeting Both fundamental and applied aspects of molecu- and Elongation Organizers: Seth Darst lar structure are central to this meeting. The Molecular Protein Folding, (Rockefeller University) and Aggregation, and Structure and Dynamics theme encompasses meetings Jesper Svejstrup (Cancer Research UK) Chaperones on “Structural Enzymology and Enzyme Mechanism” Symposia: Organziers: Rob Tycko (NIH) and and “Drug Design.” The drug design themed meeting is Multisubunit RNA Polymerases: Judith Frydman (Stanford University) Lessons from the Structures Symposia: intended in part to highlight the contributions of Society Initiation: Mechanisms Chaperone Machines and members from industry. and Regulation Cellular Protein Folding Much of the action in the cell, such as signal transduc- Initiation: Dynamics Protein Folding and of Transcription Aggregation Diseases tion, transport, and metabolism, occurs at membranes. The Elongation and Termination Molecular Structure Cell Systems and Metabolism thematic group will include of Amyloid Fibrils Fundamental Principles meetings on “Membrane Dynamics and Organelle Biogen- of Protein Aggregation esis” and “Metabolism and Disease Mechanisms.”

12 ASBMB Today June 2008 2009 annual meeting

2009 ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM DIGEST continued

Molecular Metabolism and Promoting Understanding Structure Disease Mechanisms of the Molecular Nature and Dynamics Organizers: Sean Oldham Thematic Group (Burnham Institute) and Jürgen Wess (NIH) of Life Processes

Structural Enzymology Symposia: www.asbmb.org and Enzyme Metabolic Signaling in Mechanisms Senescence and Aging Organizers: Richard Armstrong Signaling Pathways (Vanderbilt University) and Involved in Diabetes Brian Crane (Cornell University) Metabolic Signaling Symposia: and Obesity/Metabolic Structure and Enzymology Syndrome of Membrane Proteins Metabolism and Prediction of Enzyme Nutritional Signaling Function Nitric Oxide Generation Signaling and Response Thematic Group Mechanisms of Principles of Photochemical Sensors Receptor Signaling Drug Design Organizers: Mark Lemmon Organizers: Daria Hazuda (Merck) (University of Pennsylvania) and and Brian Shoichet (University Alex Toker (Harvard University) of California, San Francisco) Symposia: Symposia: Tyrosine Kinases in Cancer Membrane Proteins Transmembrane as Targets Signaling by GPCRs High Content Approaches Signaling in Bacterial HOW TO Target Identification Receptor Systems and Pathway Mining Proteolysis and PUBLISH… Polypharmacology/ Receptor Signaling in the Networks/Drug Repurposing Lipid Signaling Journal of Cell Systems and Metabolism Biological and Metabolism Organizers: Suzanne Scarlata (State University of New York, Chemistry Thematic Group Stony Brook) and Membrane Dynamics Russell DeBose-Boyd (University and Organelle of Texas, Southwestern) Biogenesis Symposia: Role of Membrane Major Organizers: David Lambright Domains in Cell Signaling Process of Research (University of Massachusetts) Reasons for a and Frances Brodsky (University Phosphatidylinositol Completion of Research of California, San Francisco) Signaling and Metabolism Paper Being Preparation of Manuscript Symposia: Mechanisms for Lipid Rejected Submission of Manuscript Organelle Biogenesis Storage and Transport and Evolution Novel Lipid-mediated 1. Inappropriate for Assignment and Review Cargo Sorting and Signaling Events the JBC—does not Decision Vesicle Targeting follow Guidelines Rejection Revision Special Symposium: for Editorial Trafficking Mechanisms Resubmission and Pathogen Subversion Sponsored by Journal Decisions. of Lipid Research on Re-review Membrane Dynamics 2. Describes poorly and Transport the Occasion of Its designed and/or Acceptance 50th Anniversary poorly controlled Publication Organizer: Steve Young (University studies. of California, Los Angeles) 3. Does not fall into For more information see upper 15% of a For up-to-date details visit scienti c area. editorial guidelines at www.asbmb.org/meetings 4. Poorly written www.jbc.org/misc/ manuscript. edpolicy.shtml 2008meeting highlights A Very Happening Meeting BY NICK ZAGORSKI AND ANGELA HVITVED

rom the first slide to the last round of applause, the Science Focus article), those in attendance, especially F2008 ASBMB Annual Meeting proved to be another younger scientists, could partake in many other fun and smashing success and, undoubtedly, a tremendous educational events. experience for the faculty, post-docs, students, and The 2008 meeting kicked off in earnest on Satur- other attendees who arrived in sunny San Diego. And, day evening, April 5, with the Herbert Tabor/ Journal of while science—in the forms of symposia, posters, award Biological Chemistry Lectureship, featuring distinguished lectures, and even informal collaborations discussed over biochemist I. Robert Lehman of Stanford University, lectur- pizza at the thematic receptions—was the main order of ing on DNA replication and latency in the Herpes Simplex business at the annual meeting (see the accompanying virus. Immediately following the lecture, meeting attendees

Scott Strobel receives the Schering-Plough Research Institute Award from Yale colleague Anna Marie Pyle.

Peter Bruns (left), I. Robert Lehman (center) HHMI Vice-president receives his Herbert Tabor/Journal for Grants and Special of Biological Chemistry Lecture- Programs, congratu- ship award. Also pictured are Heidi lates Michael Summers Hamm and Herbert Tabor. on his ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contri- butions to Education.

FASEB president Robert Palazzo and ASBMB ASBMB president President Heidi Hamm present Heidi Hamm a special award to Wil- presents the liam Brinkley (center), William C. recognizing his many Rose Award years of public affairs to John Scott. service to ASBMB.

14 ASBMB Today June 2008 2008meeting highlights A Very Happening Meeting BY NICK ZAGORSKI AND ANGELA HVITVED

had a chance to unwind and recover from their jet lag tions at the Graduate and Post-Doc Career Development at the Opening Reception and Dance. Accompanied by Workshop (see the accompanying story on Development refreshments and live music (the soothing sounds of “The Workshop). Kicks”), attendees young and old had the first of many The meeting also featured a pair of events geared opportunities to interact with their colleagues and to meet towards women and minority scientists. some new ones. On Tuesday, April 8, ASBMB hosted the Minority Scien- The rest of the meeting featured many other networking tists Networking Mixer, an informal luncheon where young opportunities, such as the Scientific Thematic receptions, minority investigators would have a chance to interact with Young Experimental Scientists (YES) mixer, and recep- their peers while also receiving advice from professors and

C. David Allis (center) receives the ASBMB- Merck Award from Ken Koblan of Merck Research Laboratories and Heidi Hamm.

(Left to right) John Scott, Heidi Hamm, Alexandra Newton, and Walter Shaw get together at the presentation of the Avanti Award in Lipids, won by Newton.

A. Joshua Wand presents the Herbert A. Sober Memorial Lectureship to S. Walter Englander.

Mina Bissell accepts the FASEB Excellence in Science Award from Robert Palazzo, Heidi Hamm, and Anne Reifel Miller of Ely Lilly.

June 2008 ASBMB Today 15 2008 meeting highlights continued

educators on career opportunities, mentoring options, women pursuing non-research career paths, the work they and other pertinent issues. Over 50 young scientists of do, and how they got there. Adele Wolfson moderated the diverse backgrounds attended the mixer, and they were panel discussion, and women from a wide range of profes- able to meet several distinguished researchers, including sions talked about their backgrounds as well as what ASBMB president Heidi Hamm, MAC chair George Hill, they like best (and sometimes least!) about their chosen MAC member Phil Ortiz, and 2008 ASBMB award winner occupations. Michael Summers. Although the career paths covered the gamut from Once again the Women Scientists Networking Recep- science writer to scientific recruiter for industry, there tion provided an excellent opportunity for socializing and was a general theme of feeling unfulfilled by benchwork learning about the careers and experiences of col- and a strong desire for a career that utilized a broader set leagues. The focus of this year’s event was a panel of of skills than the lab requires. Opportunities in industry

ASBMB 5K FUN RUN Results Women First Place Emma Hart, Mayo Clinic Second Place Sarah Everman, Arizona State U. THird Place Erika Wisdom, TTUHSC SOP Men First Place Vincent Pialoux, U. of Calgary Second Place Simon Doessing, Bispebjerg Hospital Third Place Michael Turner, U. of Pittsburgh

And they’re off! This year’s meeting saw the return of the ASBMB 5K Fun Run.

Meeting attendees unwind at the Opening Night Reception and Dance.

16 ASBMB Today June 2008 2008 meeting highlights continued

Scientists get together at one of the ASBMB Thematic Receptions.

Adele Wolfson included a project manager at a small biotech firm and moderates the a talent recruiter. A program director from the National Women’s Scientist Science Foundation detailed her journey from academia Networking Event to a federal agency, and self-employment options were described by a science writer and an independent consul- tant. Following the presentations, attendees, including the current and a previous president of ASBMB, mingled over appetizers and spoke one-on-one with the panelists about their experiences. Many younger members took advan- editors provided some tips and tricks, such as George tage of the opportunity to learn more and seek advice on Carman noting that JBC has always prided itself on having making the transition to a career outside of the lab. clear and detailed “Methods” sections, so this is an area to For people who stay in the lab, publishing still remains pay close attention to when submitting. a critical component. Keenly aware of this, ASBMB held Finally, outside of the convention center, Sunday morn- a lunchtime workshop in collaboration with Cadmus ing, April 6, saw the return—by popular demand—of titled, “How to Publish in the JBC.” Over 100 people from the ASBMB Fun Run, which was sponsored this year by around the globe registered for this event, perhaps best Avanti. One hundred and sixty-five running/jogging/walk- defined as a workshop designed to make the submis- ing enthusiasts registered for this 5K event, which wound sion process less painful to everyone. Both JBC Editor its way through San Diego’s picturesque Marina Park. Herb Tabor and Deputy Editor Robert Simoni attended The local weather proved cooperative this year, and all of the luncheon along with several Associate Editors and the participants had a great time running amidst the cool Cadmus staff. morning air; for those who missed it this year, the Fun Run The event began with informal introductions, followed will no doubt make its return at future meetings. by a presentation by A.E. William Smith on the editorial If you were unable to attend this year’s conference in process and workflow for the roughly 11,000 papers that San Diego, fret not! Slides from several award lectures and get submitted to JBC each year. Next, Cadmus art direc- other presentations will be posted on the ASBMB web tor Chris Everett discussed how to submit digital art and site in the coming months. And, as always, it’s never too figures, and stressed the importance of maintaining image early to start making your poster or your travel plans for integrity in the modern Photoshop world. The workshop next year’s meeting in New Orleans, from April 18–22 (see wrapped up with a Q&A session, during which other JBC accompanying 2009 preview).

June 2008 ASBMB Today 17 2008 meeting highlights continued ASBMB Today Online Special: A Dynamic Annual Meeting

he faculty and students dancing at the Opening processes in real time (and in vivid color, too). TNight Reception weren’t the only ones ‘moving Below is a sample of some of this year’s talks, and shaking’ at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Numerous highlighting the broad reach of dynamic research, from researchers presented talks detailing their work genes to proteins to cells to embryos. in molecular and cellular dynamics, discussing Scroll and click the mouse over the still the tools and strategies used to observe biological images to play the videos.

RNA Transport and Localization Robert Singer at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine believes that truly understanding gene expression requires knowing the fate of individual molecules. Therefore, a big aspect of his research is characterizing the real-time movements of mRNA-protein complexes (mRNPs) in mammalian cell nuclei. By generating inducible genes bearing downstream MS2 stem loops, Singer can visualize the developing transcripts and monitor their movement patterns using MS2-tagged fluorescent proteins. With this method, he has been able to follow the transcription process in detail and has helped resolve some controversies. For example, this movie, detailing mRNP movement in the nucleoplasm, confirms many beliefs that motility is not directed, but governed by diffusion (transcripts are in green, the gene locus is in red, and the movie is courtesy of: Shav-Tal, Y. et al. (2004) Science, 5678,1797–1800).

New Strategies for Imaging Protein Localization and Dynamics Jin Zhang at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is visualizing kinase and phosphatase signaling dynamics using FRET-based biosensors. One such biosensor for phosphoinositides is shown above; it consists of two fluorescent proteins (yellow and cyan), a PH domain that specifically binds

to PIP3 and PI(3,4)P2, and a PH pseudoligand. As PIPs accumulate, they compete with the pseudoligand for binding, thus unblocking the PH domain and bringing the fluorescent peptides together. The result is a kaleidoscopic color change that reveals when and where these important second messen- gers are being generated in a cell. The video highlights one example, showing NIH3T3 cells being stimulated with platelet derived growth factor. (Biosensor figure courtesy of: Anan- thanarayanan, B, Ni, Q, and Zhang, J. (2005) PNAS, 102, 15081–15086).

18 ASBMB Today June 2008 2008 meeting highlights continued ASBMB Today Online Special: A Dynamic Annual Meeting

Cell Migration Gaudenz Danuser at The Scripps Research Institute combines live cell imaging with computational analysis to reconstruct the intracellular and cell boundary forces that act in concert to mediate morphological dynamics. Such high- resolution image analyses of the molecular activities during cell protrusion are crucial to begin unveiling the complex orches- tration of mechanical and chemical processes that mediate coordinated cell movements during directed migration. This video and adjoining vector map demonstrate the numerous forces at work as an epithelial cell maneuvers its actin filaments, myosin motor proteins, and other components of the cytoskeleton to undergo a wound healing response, retracting in the left half and protruding in the right.

Live Imaging of Developmental Processes Charles Little at Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC), along with KUMC colleagues Andras Czirok and Brenda Rongish, combine their skills to study the motion of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins during embryogenesis. A major concept underpin- ning their work is relative motion analysis, which compares the amount of cell movement relative to ECM fibers. Their findings have surprisingly shown that most cellular motion is not active “migration” but in fact passive, tissue-based motion, observations that have a profound conse- quence for understanding the roles of both the ECM and the chemical signals purported to guide embryonic cells during early morphogenesis. This video provides a good highlight of tissue-based motion in an early stage developing quail. The epiblastic cells are in green, and the ECM protein fibronectin is in blue. As the cells “ingress” through the primitive streak, note the considerable motion of the fibronectin that appears to be moving into and then “rolling up” on each side of the streak.

June 2008 ASBMB Today 19 2008 meeting highlights continued ASBMB Hosts Graduate and Postdoctoral Development Workshop BY NICK ZAGORSKI

kay, you’ve just finished that last experiment and are Sommer Barnard PC, talked about patent law. Oready to start writing your dissertation. Then what? Following a networking luncheon, select travel awardees Maybe you want to postdoc somewhere, although you’re gave oral presentations about their posters. Graduate stu- worried about how to nail that interview. Or maybe you’re dents Matthew Buczynski of UCSD, Monica Rodrigo Brenni considering other options, but you’re not exactly sure what of UCSF, Shonoi Barnett of the University of Buffalo, and Rui careers are out there. To help enterprising young scien- Ma of the University of Notre Dame presented first. Buc- tists facing either scenario, ASBMB set up a professional zynski reported on the inflammatory response to the Lyme development program at this year’s meeting.The program disease bacterium, Brenni talked about polyubiquitination opened on Friday night with a lecture by Oregon Health & determinants on the Ubc1 protein, Barnett went over the Science University professor and ASBMB council member effects of site-directed mutations on OMP decarboxylase, John D. Scott to honor the graduate, postdoctoral, and and Ma discussed the mechanisms of apoptosis by L-PPMP minority student travel awardees. With a little help from video and cis-Platin. Postdoctoral students Yuhui Wang of UC-Berkeley, Matthew Gentry of UCSD, Michael Holinstat of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Carmen Otilia Catanescu of the Cleveland Clinic presented second. Wang shared data detailing how pre-adipocyte factor 1 inhibits adipocyte differentiation, Gentry highlighted the evolutionary conservation of the laforin protein, Holinstat talked about the temporal regulation of Rap1 in platelet aggregation, and Catanescu went over the molecular targeting of proteins by l-homocysteine. The students and postdocs then split up into separate panel sessions tailored to their needs. On the student side, The students and post-docs listen attentively as panelists discuss strategies for success. John Denu of the University of Wisconsin, Kim Orth of UT-Southwestern, and University of Wisconsin postdoc- clips of ASBMB luminaries such as President Heidi Hamm toral fellow Ann Miller held a panel on achieving success and 2008 meeting award winner Alexandra Newton relating in graduate school. Their talks included tips on finding that their personal experiences, Scott discussed the four “M’s” of perfect postdoc position, becoming a mentor even while academic success: motivation, mentoring, manuscripts, and you’re still learning, and, perhaps most important, learning to membership. He also stressed the educational and social manage time effectively so that you can get those research value of conferences like the ASBMB meeting. results while still enjoying the full graduate life and having Saturday featured a full slate of events during which reg- fun beyond the bench. On the postdoctoral side, profes- istered students and postdocs could glean more advice on sors Lee Limberd of Vanderbilt and Peter Kennelly of Virginia how to take the next step. A morning panel session featured Tech and Arizona State University postdoctoral fellow Miti five speakers with science Ph.D.s offering insight into differ- Shah shared their perspectives on making the most out of ent career choices available to young scientists. Newton dis- your postdoctoral experience. The talks highlighted how the cussed the “traditional path” of tenured academic research postdoc fits in to the “seasons” of a scientific career, and and Neena Grover talked about faculty life at primarily how it is necessary to use this time to evolve an independent undergraduate institutions like her school, Colorado College, research plan and create your own brand. The panelists also where the emphasis is on teaching. Outside of academia, provided tips and tricks on succeeding in strenuous faculty James Paterniti of Amylin Pharmaceuticals discussed the interviews and, similar to the graduate sessions, relayed the opportunities available in the biotechnology sector, Molecular importance of balance; postdocs are more than just publica- Cell editor Feng Chen detailed the experience of overseeing tion machines. Perhaps the best take-home message from a scientific journal, and John Emanuele, Jr., an attorney with both sessions was: “Don’t be a lab rat.”

20 ASBMB Today June 2008 2008 meeting highlights continued ASBMB 2008 Public Affairs Recap BY ANGELA HvitveD

t this year’s Experimental Biology meeting in San ASBMB Members” focused on advocacy training with the ADiego, the ASBMB public affairs office participated in goal of taking the “fear of the unknown” out of congres- two sessions covering a broad range of issues that con- sional meetings. Robert Wells, a member of the public cern our members. A session called “Peer Review at NIH: affairs advisory committee and chair of the legislative Making Sure the System Works” was cosponsored by all issues subcommittee, chaired the event. The session societies participating in the meeting. It featured an overview opened with a short training video produced by ASBMB of and an opportunity to comment on the recently released that followed two congressional visits by a delegation of report regarding the National Institutes of Health peer scientists—one in which participants make a variety of review system and proposed changes. As regular read- mistakes and another in which they conduct a success- ers of ASBMB Today know, the NIH has ful advocacy visit. Gary Kline, a senior been undergoing an agency-wide review The session policy advisor for Representative Brian of their peer review system in an effort to Bilbray (R-CA) and the guest speaker optimize efficiency and ensure that the was standing at the session, described a day in the needs of both the research community room only, and life of a House member and provided and the public are met. This process was participants the audience with insight into how initiated in the summer of 2007 and has Congress works and the demands involved an in-depth attempt to engage continued to that legislators face. His presentation all of the various affected communities line up at the offered a unique perspective on the through open houses and requests for difficulties of advocacy, and he reiter- information. Two working groups were microphone ated the importance of participating in established, one of which (the Advisory until the room the legislative process. Committee to the Director Working was needed for Attendance at this event was disap- Group) was co-chaired by ASBMB mem- pointing, underscoring the difficulty of bers Lawrence Tabak and Keith Yama- the next event getting large numbers of scientists to moto. This group released a report in participate actively in science advo- February 2008 with their initial recommendations, followed cacy. Wells reviewed a letter that he and ASBMB Public by a period for public comment. Affairs Director Peter Farnham published in Science Speaking to a packed room, Tabak and Yamamoto about the lack of political involvement by scientists and presented an overview of their report “2007-2008 Peer the excuses given for it (Wells, R. D., and Farnham, P. Review Self-Study” and fielded questions and comments (2006) Science 314, 1081). He discussed briefly his own from the audience. The session was standing room only, advocacy experiences, noting that “one person can and participants continued to line up at the microphone make a huge difference in Washington; I know this from until the room was needed for the next event, reflecting personal experience. Take the initiative and get involved.” the tremendous interest in this review process. It was The public affairs office is ready to help ASBMB clear that some of the recommendations in the report members by setting up appointments, providing literature were more welcome than others, but those closely fol- and background information, and even joining congres- lowing the process noted that some of the most unpopu- sional visits. You can find more information on our web lar ideas already had been left out of the final draft. site, www.asbmb.org. Just click on the “Advocacy” link Although the formal comment period has ended, attend- or email our office, [email protected]. We hope ees were assured that the working group would remain you will make an effort to get involved in advocating for responsive to the community as NIH moves forward with science; we need all the help we can get. pilot testing of various recommendations. You can view the full report at enhancing-peer-review.nih.gov. Don’t Angela Hvitved received her bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry hesitate to contact the public affairs office with any ques- and philosophy from Iowa State University and her Ph.D. in tions or concerns. biochemistry from Rice University. She is currently the ASBMB The ASBMB public affairs session “Advocacy for science policy fellow and can be reached at [email protected].

June 2008 ASBMB Today 21 publishing series Return to Sender! Which Method of Returning Proofs Is More Efficient?

The Annotated PDF incorrect annotating. Some text boxes This article is fourth in a series on Before beginning this process, you were used; however, the blue carets publishing your research in the must have the correct tools. You will should have been changed to text Journal of Biological Chemistry. need the full version of Adobe Acrobat boxes also. The series will address a variety of (not just Reader). The final product Figure 5 has text comment boxes but these should have been changed issues that authors may have when should mimic hand-marked proofs. There is a 5-step process: to text boxes. writing and submitting articles to 1. Indicate deletions in text by Figure 6 shows yellow balloon the JBC. The articles are written by highlighting the area and using the messages that should have been Cadmus Communications, a Cenveo Cross-out text tool. Select: changed to text boxes. company, which is responsible • Tools menu for the editing, production, and • Commenting The Scanned PDF printing of JBC articles. • Highlight text tool or Cross-out If the process outlined above is sim- text tool ply too much of a hassle, consider an 2. Use the Pencil tool to also indicate alternative option. You may mark the deletions in the margin with the e hear you and we agree… proofs by hand with a pen and then proofreading symbol. Select: scan the proofs and forms into a PDF returning proofs elec- • Tools menu W document, which may be sent as a tronically can be far more efficient. • Drawing markups PDF attachment to e-mail. Although • Pencil tool Together, ASBMB and Cadmus have this process still involves paper, it has adopted a process that allows you to 3. Insert new text using the Call-out the benefits of time and postage sav- tool icon. Select: mark up and send back your proofs ings associated with returning proofs • Tools menu electronically. via e-mail. This is faster, less expen- • Drawing markups sive, and more environmentally • Call-out tool Express Mail friendly than returning proofs via 4. Resize and move the text box so that If you do not have access to a scanner, express mail. However, as with all it appears in white space and does not cover any correction. See Figure sending the hand-marked proofs and good things, there are some caveats 1. forms back by express mail is another (discussed below) for ensuring that 5. Use text boxes for responses to your acceptable choice. your proofs are annotated appropri- queries. See Figure 2. So there you have it! If you are ately. Now you have more choices: If you have correctly performed this feeling adventurous and ready to try annotate the PDF on-screen, mark process the proofs should look like something new, follow the steps for Figure 3. the first option above to return anno- up a hard copy and scan it to PDF As you can see from the illustra- tated PDF files. Whichever method format, or send the marked copy via tion above the properly annotated you consider, please choose the one overnight mail. Which is best for proofs mimic the hand-marked that will ensure that all alterations are your situation? proofs. Figure 4 shows an example of clear and easily understandable.

22 ASBMB Today June 2008 publishing series Figure One Figure FOUR

Figure TWO

Figure FIVE

Figure THREE

Figure SIX

June 2008 ASBMB Today 23 educationandtraining 2008 National Postdoctoral Association Meeting Recap BY IAN M. BROOKS

ith approximately 40,000 postdocs facing a dearth at length of the policymaking processes in Washington, Wof academic faculty positions in a time of uncertain explaining that change takes time in this top-down situ- funding, the role and place of the postdoc within academia ation. The lack of any imminent increase in NIH funding needs to change. In order for this to happen, postdocs levels means that things aren’t going to change anytime must be provided with the tools they need to enter, sur- soon in academia. Because of this many postdocs are vive, and flourish in a modern global marketplace. This already looking at career options beyond the lab bench. was the message presented to the more than 250 delegates, There is still, however, a lack of so-called “soft” or “trans- representing research universities, institutes, and founda- ferable” skills in the population. Postdocs have excellent tions in the U.S. and Canada, who gathered in Boston, postgraduate level training in their field of expertise, MA, April 25-27 for the 2008 National Postdoctoral Asso- but this often doesn’t cover essentials, such as time and ciation (NPA) annual general meeting. personnel management, effective communication, dealing An all-day session on Friday, April 25 was aimed spe- with the media, and so forth. cifically at representatives from postdoc associations and To this end, the closing session on Sunday, April 27, their administration colleagues in postdoc offices (PDOs). chaired by Joan Chesney, director of the Office of Aca- Estimates showed that approximately one-half of the post- demic Programs at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, doctoral delegates were attending for the first time, dem- focused on the efforts of her committee to create a system onstrating an increasingly active movement for change of six core competencies for postdocs. These competencies within the postdoctoral community, as well as increasing are loosely modeled on the current system employed by awareness of the NPA and its mission. Using anonymous medical schools to track faculty and residents in the latter electronic “voting” technology, delegates were able to stages of their training. They include building specific interactively discuss the progress made so far on the 2000 skills in scientific knowledge, research skill develop- COSEPUP report “Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience ment, communication skills, professionalism, leadership for Scientists and Engineers.” The NPA was formed in 2003 and management skills, and the responsible conduct of to aid implementation of the action items identified in the research. However, Thomas Gething, director of the Office report. The general consensus among delegates and leaders of Postdoctoral Affairs at the University of Washington, was that, although great strides have been taken in recent urged those PDOs not already part of their institutional years to improve the working conditions of postdocs, there graduate schools to merge as soon as possible. Many of was still much room for improvement when it came to giv- the mechanisms for training postdocs in certain of the ing postdocs a voice. competencies are already in place for graduate students, The overarching theme of the conference was finding suggesting the movement for change within academia may ways to help provide postdocs with the alternative training have other implications than just the further training of required to make them, as the scientists of today, employ- postdocs. able in the job market within, or more likely outside of, the traditional academic career path. Although research Ian Brooks received his BSc in Animal Physiology from The labs are often supported by a variety of sources, most draw University of Leicester, UK, and a Ph.D. in Biology from their major funding via R01 grants from the National the Pennsylvania State University in 2003. He is currently Institutes of Health (NIH). The issue of the current NIH a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Tennessee budget plateau was addressed in the keynote address deliv- Health Science Center in Memphis. In addition to his ered by Sharon L. Hays, associate director of the Office research he is a regular contributor to www.Lablit.com of Science and Technology Policy (standing in for John (http://www.Lablit.com) and maintains a blog on the Nature Marburger, science advisor to the President). Hays spoke Network (http://network.nature.com/blogs).

24 ASBMB Today June 2008 educationandtraining

2008 Undergraduate The Continuing Evolution of Poster Competition Awards Education and Professional Proteins Area Best Poster Winner Patrick James Knerr University of Delaware Development at ASBMB 2008 Proteins Area Honorable Mentions Teresa R. Brown Texas Woman’s University BY ELLIS BELL Ilka Decker University of Toledo Stephanie Marie Dreher University of Delaware Abby Goltz he annual meeting in San Diego saw several innova- Tom Baldwin from the Univer- Hope College Brent Keller Ttions in the programming of the Education and Profes- sity of Arizona. Minot State University sional Development (EPD) Committee. On Saturday, April On Sunday, after the highly TaeSoo Kim SUNY Stony Brook 5 there were two morning workshops for primarily under- successful “Classroom of the David E. Lapham Alma College graduate institution faculty, one led by Duane Sears from Future” symposium, organized Virzhiniya Lekova University of Richmond the University of California, Santa Barbara on assessment by Adele Wolfson from Wellseley, Hao Li issues and the other led by Marilee Benore Parsons from the the ASBMB Education award University of Wisconsin-Madison Jane A. Macdonald University of Michigan, Dearborn, along with Mark Wallert was presented to Mike Summers Alma College Systems Biology Area Best Poster Winner and Joe Provost from Minnesota State University Moorhead from University of Maryland, Jason Andrew Metcalf on the integration of real research into course work. Both Baltimore County for his work Washington University Systems Biology Area Honorable Mentions programs were well-attended and provided many opportu- on the Meyerhoff Scholars Stephanie Culver University of Delaware nities for interaction and networking. program. EPD-sponsored events Carolyn Reeves Dominica The highlight of the day is always the Undergraduate then continued with a very well University of Delaware Andrew William Harmon Poster Competition, and this year was no exception. Over attended Grant Writing Work- University of Delaware Rachel L. Kubiak 150 undergraduates presented their work to a panel of volun- shop for young faculty, given by Grand Valley State University Brian Reon teer judges. The organizing committee, chaired by Kathleen Parag Chitnis from the National Louisiana State University Kevin Ro Cornely and the various Graduate Program sponsors of the Science Fooundation, and the University of California Los Angeles event, deserves much credit for the success of the competi- always successful Women’s men- Lissette S. Velasquez tion, as do many volunteers who helped judge the event. toring reception, organized by The University of Arizona Ryan Matthew Wood Each student received written feedback after the competition, Adele Wolfson. Virginia Commonwealth University Signaling Area Best Poster Winner and 4 theme winners were selected along with a number of In 2009, EPD programming Aly Bourreza honorable mentions (see box). The awards, sponsored by will be along the same lines as University of Delaware Signaling Area Honorable Mentions Springer, were made at the Education Award Plenary Lecture this year, with the addition of a Vivek Dhaval Desai University of Delaware on Sunday. Immediately after the competition there was a number of cross-disciplinary ses- Andrew Kekupa’a Knutson special session for students interested in attending graduate sions. This year there were many University of Notre Dame Jason D. Mintz school, organized by Peter Kenelly from Virginia Tech and “education” sessions throughout Rutgers University Jonathan M. Rawson the week, however, these were Grand Valley State University sponsored by other societies. Nucleic Acid Area Best Poster Winner Krista Neal For next year’s meeting, there University of Delaware Nucleic Acid Area Honorable Mentions is a push to have these sessions Karen Borchert jointly sponsored and attended Carleton College Melissa Warriner by meeting societies. Look for University of Delaware Ken H. Loh ASBMB to be a co-sponsor of Harvey Mudd College one or more of these sessions.

Ellis Bell is currently Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program at the University Craig Cameron of Penn State with the undergraduate award of Richmond. He is also Chair of the ASBMB Education and winners (from left to right, Aly Bourreza, Jason Andrew Metcalf, Professional Development Committee. Patrick James Knerr, and Krista Neal)

June 2008 ASBMB Today 25 firstminoritysecond affairs words Mirror to the Society BY GARRY D. DOTSON

e have recently attended our annual ASBMB meet- On Tuesday, the MAC sponsored a Minority Scientists’ Wing, which was held from April 5-9 in San Diego, Networking Mixer and Luncheon. This annual event fosters CA. The Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) sponsored a interactions between scientists who are at various stages of symposium focusing on healthcare disparities with respect to their professional careers. I had the opportunity to be seated mental health. A preview of the symposium was highlighted at the same table as the President of ASBMB, Heidi Hamm, by George Hill, Chair of and listen to her engage students, encouraging them to the ASBMB MAC, in the get involved in ASBMB. Also, in attendance was Michael October issue of ASBMB Summers (University of Maryland Baltimore County), who Today. The first session, earlier in the week had received the ASBMB Award for “Health Disparities in Exemplary Contributions to Education for his work with Alzheimer’s Disease: the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. Many of the students Advances in Understand- who attended the mixer were energized by this networking ing Disease Pathogen- opportunity and were seen throughout the remainder of the esis,” was organized by meeting at the MAC-sponsored technical sessions. Takita Sumter (Winthrop The third session, “Integrating Discovery and Appli- University) and chaired cations,” was organized by Craig Cameron (Penn State by Hill. Thomas Montine University) and Jerome Nwachukwu (New York University (University of Washing- School of Medicine). Nwachukwu also served as the chair. ton), Lisa Gentile (Uni- This session highlighted advances in technologies that will versity of Richmond), most certainly impact industrial and biomedical research and Mohamed Farah for years to come. James Sherley (Boston Biomedical (Johns Hopkins University Research Institute) presented his research on adult stem cell MAC chair George Hill talks School of Medicine) gave expansion technologies, where he described the mathemati- to attendees at the Minority Scientists’ Networking Mixer presentations. Montine cal modeling of adult stem cell growth patterns, which and Luncheon. presented the “complex displayed asymmetric cell kinetics. Pamela Sharpe (DuPont convergence” of diseases, Central Research and Development) presented research which underlie and define dementia, and Farah and Gentile on industrial biotechnology, which highlighted the meta- presented talks on the enzymes β-secretase and γ-secretase, bolic engineering of a methanotrophic bacterium for the respectively, which are important in amyloid plaque forma- production of caratenoids used in commercial aquaculture. tion in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Cameron closed the third session by presenting a strategy The second session, “CNS Diseases: Depression and Anxi- that could be applied universally to virus attenuation for ety,” was organized and chaired by Marcos Milla (Roche Palo vaccine development. Alto). Milla gave an overview of how depression and anxiety The final symposium, “Drug Abuse,” was organized and are over-represented in both minorities and underserved chaired by Phillip Ortiz (Empire State College). Presenta- populations. Charles Chavkin (University of Washington) tions were given by Habibeh Khoshbouei (Meharry Medical presented his research on stress-induced dysphoria, which Center), Diwahar Narasimhan (University of Michigan), is mediated by the κ-opioid system. Satinder Singh (Oregon Nancy Zahniser (University of Colorado), and Sanika Health and Sciences University) presented x-ray crystal- Chirwa (Meharry Medical Center). Khoshbouei described lographic model studies she has performed on the LeuT her research on methamphetamine addiction, showing neurotransmitter sodium symporter in complex with various the partitioning of dopamine transporters within a mem- inhibitors. Renee Martin (Roche Palo Alto) ended the second brane microdomain in response to methamphetamine. session by giving a kinetic and thermodynamic assessment of Narasimhan presented his work on thermal stable cocaine inhibitors of the serotonin transporter (SERT). esterase with possible applications in preventing lethal-

26 ASBMB Today June 2008 firstminoritysecond affairs words

The Networking Luncheon also provided scientists with an opportunity to network and discuss minority issues with colleagues.

ity and addiction associated with cocaine, and Zahniser tural diversity in the fields of biochemistry and molecular showed from her research individual differences in cocaine biology by increasing the participation, visibility, and status activation mediated by inhibition of striatal dopamine of minorities within ASBMB. This is part of the overall goal transporters. Chirwa gave the final talk on the effects of in of ASBMB, which is to advance the science of biochemistry utero exposure to methamphetamine on offspring. and molecular biology through publication of scientific Overall, the MAC symposium was very well organized and educational journals, organization of scientific meet- and the presentations were of the highest quality. However, ings, advocacy for funding of basic research and education, I personally would have liked to see a much higher atten- support of science education at all levels, and promoting the dance at each of the technical sessions. diversity of individuals entering the scientific workforce. In Over the past six months, the following articles have other words, “minority affairs” are “Society affairs.” appeared in the “Minority Affairs” section of ASBMB Today: In his autobiography “Mirror to America,” the renowned “Minority Student Conferences: ASBMB’s Involvement,” historian and academician John Hope Franklin holds up the “The Future of Minority-targeted Programs and Groups,” tapestry of his vast life experiences as a reflective surface to “Pathways to Excellence and Equity in Research Science,” show attributes of American society over the span of his life. “Do We Actually Need to Care about Minorities and Diver- As with Franklin’s life, the experiences of those under-rep- sity?”, “Are Molecular Biologists and Biochemists Doing resented in the sciences can provide a society with a unique Enough?”, and “Undergraduates from Historically Under- vantage point from which to survey its progress and to plot represented Groups—How Do We Capture Them?” These effectively a more inclusive future course. articles have been written or solicited by members of the At next year’s annual meeting in New Orleans, make it MAC and represent some of the major issues and challenges your point to attend a MAC-sponsored event. I assure you it facing the scientific community with respect to the minority will be time well spent! populations it serves and those within its ranks. Throughout these articles one comes across words and phrases such as Garry D. Dotson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of medicinal visibility, participation, education, professional develop- chemistry in the College of Pharmacy at the University of ment, opportunities, leaky pipeline, under-representation, Michigan, where he studies prokaryotic biosynthetic pathways as and healthcare disparities. These terms are used in the dis- possible targets for the development of antimicrobial medicinals. cussion of an array of issues that fall under the purview of He currently serves as a member of ASBMB’s Minority Affairs minority affairs. The mission of the MAC is to increase cul- Committee. He can be reached at [email protected].

June 2008 ASBMB Today 27 firstcareersecond insights words Linking Teaching, Research, and Service at an Undergraduate Institution BY NEENA GROVER

y path to becoming an under- best combination of teaching and Mgraduate professor started dur- research are often devoted to under- ing my postdoctoral years when the graduate education and are known department needed someone to teach as PUI (primarily undergraduate the organic and biochemistry courses institutions). All good undergraduate to the nursing students. When asked, institutions get many applicants for I was willing to give it a try. Up to this each position and have the luxury to Grover point, I had evaluated teaching only interview candidates that have teach- through the lens of research faculty ing and research experience with Neena Grover is an Associate Profes- who often complained about their undergraduate students. I got a 1-year sor and the Chair of the Department onerous teaching responsibilities and sabbatical replacement position that of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the lack of intelligence of their stu- gave me a chance to learn to teach full Colorado College. She was trained dents. You can imagine my surprise time (14 credit hours per semester) in the laboratories of Holden Thorp when I found teaching to be a fun and along with developing research ideas at the University of North Carolina at rewarding activity with fully engaged suitable for undergraduate students. I Chapel Hill and Olke Uhlenbeck at the students. Thus began my exploration used the time to make myself com- University of Colorado at Boulder. She into a career that included teaching. petitive by learning about educational has trained over 62 undergraduate I didn’t get my undergraduate research, developing relevant techno- students in her research laboratory in education in this country, so I had no logical skills, and developing reason- the last 8 years. Her current research idea about the different kinds of posi- able expectations for undergradu- is in the area of small RNA thermo- tions that are available. I didn’t know ate research. A lot of preparation dynamics and metal-RNA interac- the difference between a research and oodles of luck got me multiple tions. She is the Southwest Regional university, a master’s degree granting offers. I accepted a faculty position at Director of ASBMB’s Undergraduate institution, a community college, or a Colorado College and have found it Affiliate Network and is the Outreach private liberal arts college. As I began to be rewarding on levels beyond my Editor for the ASBMB Educational researching the difference between expectations. and Professional Development publi- the various options, I became aware Most academic tenure track posi- cation Enzymatics. of the problems in our educational tions have three components that system. I knew immediately that I are considered important: teach- wanted to improve the quality of ing, research, and service. At most lence in teaching is expected along science education and make science schools, course evaluations have to with developing an externally fund- fun for a larger number of people. be good, but your publication record able research program. Working with Many schools have teaching posi- and your ability to bring in the money students effectively is the key to suc- tions, but not all of these come with are of primary importance. At a good cess at an undergraduate institution. start up funds or the expectation to undergraduate institution, all three An undergraduate professor ide- do research. Schools that have the components are important. Excel- ally does not separate teaching and

28 ASBMB Today June 2008 firstcareersecond insights words

bers taking their adminis- “ I knew immediately that I wanted trative tasks seriously. Liberal arts institutions to improve the quality of science also allow faculty to teach in areas outside of their education and make science fun for specialization. Thus, I get a larger number of people. to teach courses such as ” Gender and Science and research into two non-overlapping College, I have been the only bio- can develop new courses for the 1st components, as research with under- chemist in the department. Thus, I year students or on topics of general graduate students is mostly teaching had to learn about many different interest. The introductory science and research on improving teaching areas of biochemistry. I also read courses at all educational institutions is scholarship. Ideally, the service one literature in diverse fields from educa- are in desperate need of creativity. chooses to get involved in serves both tion and psychology to gender studies There is much to be done to prepare your teaching and research goals. An to improve as an educator and to find all students to live in this techno- undergraduate professor is a teacher- interconnections between science and logically driven, scientific world. It scholar. A successful teacher-scholar what is traditionally considered non- is really no surprise that a majority brings research into teaching, teaching science. My goal is to encourage stu- of our students cannot tell us why into research, and engages the local dents with diverse backgrounds and seasons change let alone make intel- communities while doing all this. skills to stay in science. Thus, I have ligent decisions on stem cell research. How does one integrate teaching, to learn to teach in new ways. Teach- Undergraduate education needs scholarship and service? For the most ing is one of the fun parts of my job; people with a high level of motiva- part, one does not have to reinvent “ A successful teacher-scholar brings the wheel but learn to adapt and adopt research into teaching, teaching ideas. Methods of integrating research into research, and engages the local into teaching, such communities while doing all this. as Problem-based ” Learning, have already been devel- it is challenging and time-consuming tion and creativity to reform what we oped. I also integrate Service Learn- and requires constant tweaking, but teach and how we teach it. ing into my courses; for example, I it is also very rewarding. Students The perks of being at an undergrad- teach nucleic acid chemistry using generally rise to the standards we set. uate institution are that I get to be cre- the HIV/AIDS-based Problem-based If we prepare them properly, they ative and have fun in my research and Service Learning problem that I have can do just about anything. The most in my classroom and still train bright, written. Students learn the concepts difficult part of the job is perhaps creative students in my research area from current research on human finding a balance between adminis- so they can go on to graduate schools. immunodeficiency virus (HIV), trative responsibilities and being a I can do the same things as anyone else design research projects to learn teacher-scholar. Most undergradu- or can use the flexibility in this posi- nucleic acid techniques, and present ate institutions are primarily faculty tion to try new things. I can write and workshops on HIV prevention to the governed and expect faculty to be review papers, sit on panels, and orga- local community and work at local active participants in their depart- nize meetings but can also be involved AIDS counseling centers. Students ment, division, and the college. The with students to develop creative ways who work in my research laboratory level of these responsibilities changes to work on significant issues in our also do Service Learning as part of at different stages of one’s career, but community. As with all fun things, the their projects. success of an institution depends on a only problem is finding the time to do For most of my time at Colorado reasonable number of faculty mem- everything.

June 2008 ASBMB Today 29 biobits asbmb journal science

A Bigger Carbohydrate Pancreatic Cells Can Binding Family Change Their Spots Protein-carbohydrate interactions are central to nu- Increasing evidence merous cellular processes, from breaking down sugars is revealing that even for energy to distinguishing a host from a pathogen. terminally differenti- One group of proteins that make such interactions ated cells retain the possible is the carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) ability to convert to family, a set of ancillary proteins that are components other cell types. The of larger multimodular enzymes. 50 CBM families are pancreas is a prime currently known, but this JBC paper pushes that num- example of trans- ber to 51. The researchers performed structural and differentiation, as functional studies on putative CBMs from two glyco- exocrine cells that aid side hydrolases of the pathogenic bacterium Clostrid- in digestion have been ium perfringens. These new CBMs, GH95CBM51 shown to convert to and GH98CBM51, did not display much sequence The mechanism of pancreatic hormone-secreting similarity to existing families, but the crystal structures cell transdifferentiation from endocrine cells. The digestive acinar cells to insulin- showed that they formed β-sandwich folds character- secreting endocrine cells. mechanism behind istic of this class. The CBMs had different specificity; this conversion is GH98 was restricted to binding glycans bearing blood largely unknown, as is why plasticity seems largely group A/B antigens, whereas GH95 bound numerous confined to in vitro studies. This JBC paper helps galacto-configured sugars. A bioinformatic analysis solve both mysteries by demonstrating that cadher- of this new family revealed ~60 CBM51s clustered in-mediated cell-cell adhesion is critical in inducing into six subfamilies, including modules found in both transdifferentiation of mouse pancreas cells. Follow- pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. ing enzymatic disruption of intercellular contacts, exocrine cells dedifferentiate, form tiny spherical structures held together by cadherin, and then transform to endocrine cells; neutralizing cadherin-mediated adhesion freezes the cells in a dedifferentiated state. In addition, this process activates PI3 kinase, which is critical for completing the transformation. This study may help develop new cell-based therapies for diabetes, and it also explains the rarity of in Surface representations of the binding sites of the two new vivo exocrine-to-endocrine conversions, as even in members of CBM family 51: GH95 (A, with bound methyl- β-D-galactose) and GH98 (D, with bound blood antigen severe cases of pancreatitis or cancer cell-cell con- trisaccharide). tacts are not completely destroyed.

Divergent Modes of Glycan Recognition by a New Family of Carbohydrate-binding Role of Cadherin-mediated Cell-Cell Modules Adhesion in Pancreatic Exocrine-to- Endocrine Transdifferentiation Katie J. Gregg, Ron Finn, D. Wade Abbott, and Alisdair B. Boraston Kohtaro Minami, Hirotoshi Okano, Akinori Okumachi, and Susumu Seino J. Biol. Chem. 2008 283, 12604-12613 J. Biol. Chem. 2008 283, 13753-13761

30 ASBMB Today June 2008 biobits asbmb journal science For podcasts of more ASBMB journal highlights go to www.asbmb.org/media

Molecular Marker Profiling Zebrafish for Myelin Damage Development Free radical damage is believed to contribute to the With their high progression of many diseases of the central nervous fecundity, short system. Especially vulnerable to free radical peroxida- gestation, and tions are the polyunsaturated fatty acids enriched in large, transpar- the brain, such as adrenic acid (AdA) in myelin and ent embryos, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in neuronal membranes. zebrafish have

However, while F4-neuroprostanes derived from DHA become an ideal provide stable and selective markers of oxidative dam- model to study age to neuronal membranes, a reliable marker for myelin embryonic damage is lacking. In this JLR paper, the researchers development The overall protein profile (as determined by 2D-PAGE followed by MALDI-TOF/ combined AdA with a free radical initiator and found in vertebrates. TOF) of a zebrafish embryo at 72 hours post-fertilization. products that closely resembled F2-isoprostanes that are In this MCP produced from arachidonic acid oxidation, just two car- paper, the

bons longer. These F2-dihomo-isoprostanes were also far authors created high quality protein profiles of two more abundant in oxidized extracts of myelin compared separate stages of zebrafish embryo growth (72 to samples of gray and white matter. The researchers and 120 h postfertilization) to better quantify how applied this new marker to tissue samples of Alzheimer’s protein expression changes during this develop- disease (AD) patients and found that white matter axons ment process. They used two different approaches

in AD had higher levels of both F4-neuroprostanes and (electrospray ionization and matrix-assisted laser

F2-dihomo-isoprostanes compared to age-matched con- desorption ionization mass spectrometry analysis) trols, suggesting that AD damages both the axons and that identified 1384 and 477 unique proteins, respec- surrounding myelin in white matter. tively, with about 30% overlap between the two data sets. Combining the two approaches, this study provides peptide-level evidence for over 1500 genes in zebrafish embryos, of which around 15% were hypothetical, predicted, or unannotated. Analysis of changes in protein expression revealed that proteins involved in energy production, transcription/translation, and cell cycle control were more abundant at 72 hpf compared to 120 hpf, which is consistent with the faster cellular growth and protein synthesis earlier Mass spectrometry analysis reveals that the oxidation of adrenic acid (A) produces multiple isoprostanoids in development.

that more closely resemble F2-Isoprostanes (B) than F4-neuroprostanes (C). Analysis of the Zebrafish Proteome during Embryonic Development F2-dihomo-isoprostanes Arise from Free Radical Attack on Adrenic Acid Margaret B. Lucitt, Tom S. Price, Angel Pizarro, Mike VanRollins, Randall L. Woltjer, Huiyong Yin, Weichen Wu, Anastasia K. Yocum, Jason D. Morrow, and Thomas J. Montine Christoph Seiler, Michael A. Pack, Ian A. Blair, Garret A. FitzGerald, and Tilo Grosser J. Lipid Res. 2008 49, 995-1005 Mol. Cell. Proteomics 2008 7, 981-994

June 2008 ASBMB Today 31 sciencefocus A Sampling of ASBMB 2008 Symposia BY NICK ZAGORSKI

he scientific presentations assem- tremendous infrastructure. Hurdles like as John S. Lazo at the University of Tbled for the 2008 Meeting gave these are the reason most academic labs Pittsburgh managed to do. With a scientific gourmands another vast buf- generally only involve themselves in the few months and the efforts of just a fet of the latest innovations, emerging first step of drug development: target single talented graduate student, Peter trends, therapeutic breakthroughs, and identification (although large medical McDonald, Lazo developed a clever unexpected connections in the fields of institutes can also carry out clinical tri- siRNA screen to determine if poten- biochemistry and molecular biology. als, the last step of the process). tial drugs are viable by seeing if their Attendees had over 60 different sympo- However, in these changing times, mechanisms are different than existing sia to choose from, and while this year’s academic institutes may want to drugs. Using microtubule destabilizers meeting wanted to spotlight systems reconsider their role in this process, as the model, they subjected cells to biology and the increasing discipline of and in this symposium a group of the minimum drug levels that pro- RNA biology, the composition of the intrepid researchers discussed how duced toxic effects; next they passed scientific talks once again encompassed they have taken a bigger role in drug over a small siRNA library over the every area of basic biological research. development—conducting validation cells to see which ones enhanced tox- The selected summaries below repre- and optimization studies—given their icity. Such a screen provides the added sent just a tiny smattering of some of available resources. benefit of finding combinations that the fascinating research heard at the Colleen Niswender, part of Jeffrey may work synergistically. San Diego convention center: Conn’s research group at Vanderbilt University, was interested in finding Enzymes as Drug Discovery in a way to improve upon dopamine Drug Targets Academic Settings replacement therapy in treating dis- Speaking of drug development, speak- Finding that next great drug is no eases like Parkinson’s. The group sought ers at this symposium discussed how walk in the park; the discovery and to discover new positive allosteric they were trying to “teach an old development of a typical pharmaceuti- modulators (PAMs) of the mGluR4 dog new tricks,” so to speak. Enzyme cal requires 12-14 years and tens of receptor, similar to a recently identi- inhibitors like penicillin and its related millions of dollars, not to mention fied compound called PHCCC. They B-lactam antibiotics have been drug first managed to identify mainstays for years, but microbes and 400 PAMs using a high- cancer cells are building up stiff resis- throughput screen, and then tance to current agents. narrowed down the list by Vern Schramm at the Albert means of a clever assay that Einstein College of Medicine talked coupled glutamate recep- about one such new avenue in drug tor activation to potassium identification: transition state ana- channel activity. Niswender logues. As enzymes convert a substrate and her colleagues used the into a product, they proceed through assay to find a very potent a high-affinity chemically unstable and selective PAM that has state known as the transition state. By already shown some prom- combining isotope-effect experiments ise in rodent Parkinson’s using isotope-labeled substrates with models. computational chemistry, Schramm Universities can even can generate maps of electrostatic A general model of the screening approach John Lazo help out without high- potential in an enzyme active site. and Peter McDonald use to find new therapeutic drugs. throughput technology, With that information, he can design

32 ASBMB Today June 2008 sciencefocus

transferring enzymes that rounding healthy tissue or plucking out help create glycoproteins, tiny lesions on blood vessels. macromolecules essential Thomas Montine at the University for pathogenic microbes. of Washington has been using LCM to One approach he detailed analyze neuronal inclusions, the dense was his development of protein aggregates inside cells that fluorescent probes that are “calling cards” of many neuronal he could incorporate into diseases, including multiple sclerosis, glycoprotein synthesis Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. pathways, enabling him In his discussion, he addressed some to “see” glycoconjugates new insights into the composition of in living cells. With these two types of inclusions: neurofibril- probes, he could employ a lary tangles (NFTs) and Lewy bodies. visual screen for new sugar While these protein aggregates are transferase inhibitors. primarily composed of PHF-tau (NFT) By looking at electrostatic similarity, Vern Schramm can design compounds that mimic enzyme transition states, Wong mentioned his and a-synuclein (Lewy), Montine’s like these immucillins targeting purine nucleoside lab is working on multiple LCM analysis uncovered 71 and 42 phosphorylase (PNP). enzyme targets, includ- other proteins in these tangles, many ing transglycosylases and of which had previously not been chemically stable molecules that closely transpeptidases, using structure-based, associated with these structures. resemble the transition state and confer mechanism-based, and screening- One interesting result was validating extremely tight binding. based protocols to find new drugs. He GAPDH (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate Schramm went over one of his closed by highlighting that all three big success stories, analogues for the approaches are inter-related, and new enzyme purine nucleoside phospho- drug identification efforts really should rylase (PNP). This purine degrader is use all three to find the best candidates. vital for proper T-cell function, and genetic deficiency in PNP leads to Laser Capture apoptosis for rapidly dividing T-cells. Microdissection for Inhibition of PNP can be used to treat Molecular Analysis leukemia (overactive T-cell division) Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is and autoimmune disease (T-cell clones a powerful new tool (first developed a attacking self-epitopes). To combat little over a decade ago) that’s expedit- the former, Schramm developed an ing the analysis of complex cell and analogue of the PNP transition state tissue samples. In simple terms, this called Immucillin-H (now in clinical innovative approach allows a researcher trials). A second-generation analogue to literally grab a selected area of a (DADMe-Immucillin-H) acted as an biological specimen and pull it out of “ultimate inhibitor;” A single oral does the surrounding tissue. of this immucillin, which binds over 2 With LCM, it becomes easier to million times tighter than the substrate, remove specific cell or tissue subtypes rapidly depleted blood PNP activ- from a sample, reducing the levels of ity and was effective for the average contamination; thus, LCM is a great lifespan of a red blood cell. way to acquire pristine samples for Chi-Huey Wong at the Scripps genomic and proteomic studies, and Using LCM, researchers like Thomas Research Institute provided an over- researchers presented data on LCM’s Montine can pluck protein aggregates view of his research endeavors, which use on a variety of tissues, such as right out of cells, such as this look at finding drugs for the sugar extraditing cancerous cells from sur- neurofibrillary tangle.

June 2008 ASBMB Today 33 science focus continued

dehydrogenase) as a component of this ketogenic effect with a sugar analog simply prevent farnesylation in the first NFTs, suggesting this protein should called 2-Deoxy-D-glucose, which can place. That was one topic covered by not be considered a housekeeping gene trick AMPK into thinking the cell’s Stephen Young of UCLA, whose lab is in studies of diseased neurons. sugar levels are low and so the neu- heavily involved in studying lamin A Montine noted that another advan- rons try and conserve energy and not processing. He noted that while FTIs tage of LCM is the ability to determine become so overactive. (farnesyl transferase inhibitors) do structural information that can be Roopra noted enthusiastically that produce improvements in two different difficult to obtain with antibodies. these results highlight the potential of mouse models of progeria, these inhibi- He showed how LCM enabled him to using metabolic drugs as a new thera- tors do fall short of being a complete uncover the poly-ubiquitination pat- peutic approach. The AMPK activat- cure, because unfarnesylated lamin terns on the Tau protein, which may ing drug Metformin, for example, is A cannot reach the proper locations promote aggregation. widely used by diabetics, and at proper in the nucleus, thus still leaving the doses could slow down neuronal nuclear lamina somewhat deficient. Metabolism and stimulation without adversely affecting Young also went on to discuss some Neurodegeneration other brain activity. recent work that revealed interesting Over the past several years, research correlations between individuals with has begun to reveal that the metabolic Post-Translational progeria and AIDS patients taking network is far more connected to other Modifications protease inhibitors. These anti-HIV molecular pathways than previously A protein’s story is not complete once drugs inhibit the farnesyl-cleaving anticipated. This symposium featured that final amino acid gets attached enzyme ZMPSTE24, thus producing researchers discussing one such area during translation. Following synthe- phenotypes similar to progeria. This where metabolism is finding new sis, proteins can still undergo a host of connection helps better explain some importance: neuronal development, changes that will affect their structure of the frequent side effects of protease function and degeneration. and function. These post-translational inhibitors, such as gaunt facial features One critical protein that spans both modifications can be either reversible and increased atherosclerosis risk. these areas is AMP-activated kinase, or permanent, and include processes or AMPK. This kinase acts like a cell’s such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, Drug Abuse energy monitor; when energy stores and ubiquitination. The popular drug of choice may are depleted, such as during hypoxia One of the more unusual protein cycle, but drug abuse remains a major or hypoglycemia, AMPK cranks up modifications occurs with the struc- problem. To effectively combat drug its activity, phosphorylating a host of tural protein lamin A; this compo- abuse and addiction, we really need other proteins to limit energy expen- nent of the nuclear lamina undergoes to understand the molecular basis of diture and boost energy production. multiple modifications including the how the various psychoactive, mood It may not be a surprise that AMPK addition of a farnesyl would be vital in the brain, which uses chemical group that is up a tremendous amount of energy to subsequently cleaved maintain its continual flow of informa- off. While the purpose tion. However, even neurons do need of this very temporary to control their output, because if they modification remains don’t problems like epileptic seizures somewhat mysterious, can occur. it is certainly essential; Avtar Roopra at the University of mutations that prevent Wisconsin-Madison discussed some of farnesyl cleavage of his research investigating the metabolic lamin A produce aspects of epilepsy. He noted that peo- severely brittle cell ple with epilepsy have long been able to nuclei, and as a result somewhat control seizures with the aid progerias, the prema- of extremely-low sugar ketogenic diets, ture aging disorders. Stephen Young has found that Farnesyl transferase inhibitors suggesting glucose levels regulate nerve Perhaps then it can alleviate some progeria symptoms by preventing bad over-activity. He managed to mimic might be better to lamin A (in red) from reaching the nuclear envelope.

34 ASBMB Today June 2008 science focus continued

altering agents work in the brain. The presenters at this symposium tried to shed some light on the mechanisms of drug action, especially those that affect the neurotransmitter dopamine. Habibeh Khoshbouei at Meharry Medical College examined the differences between amphetamine and the methamphetamine. These two drugs act in a complex manner by com- peting with dopamine for reuptake into neurons following release into the synapse, and stimulating more dopamine release once back inside the nerve. Meth is more potent of the two because it can work at lower resting One possible model developed by Habibeh Khoshbouei of how membrane microdomains potentials, and is also better at releas- contribute to methamphetamine’s increased effect over dopamine transporters. ing intracellular calcium stores in cells. Khoshbouei did add though the initial burst is greater, these ani- Much like gene-modulating proteins, that meth may be more than just a mals return to baseline more quickly. microRNAs can act as both onco- stronger version of amphetamine. She Low responders, though, have more genes and tumor suppressors, and conducted some FRAP (Fluorescence insensitive transporters and don’t up- their important role in cancer was Recovery After Photobleaching) regulate as quickly and/or as much. highlighted by Frank Slack at Yale experiments with dopamine trans- Zahniser suggests that this lack of University. porters and noted that both control up-regulation may contribute to a Slack focused on let-7, a highly and amphetamine treated cells had more addictive phenotype, as low- conserved (~800 million years) similar recovery times, while meth responding rats tend to show behav- microRNA, first identified in C. treated cells had far less recovery. She iors associated with greater reward elegans as an inhibitor of cell divi- thinks meth may promote association and motivation for cocaine. sion. Let-7 binds to complementary of dopamine transporters with some sites in the 3’-untranslated region of other mobile membrane microen- Roles for Small the Ras gene, thus it interacts with vironments, which may relate to its Non-Coding RNAs one of the major cancer genes. In enhanced effects. When you consider that the aver- mice and humans, let-7 is particularly Compared to meth, cocaine oper- age human has roughly the same abundant in the lungs, making it an ates by a fairly simple mechanism; it number of protein coding genes as attractive target for new lung cancer binds to the dopamine transporter the 1,000-cell nematode C. elegans, therapies. Slack noted let-7 treatment and slows down transport, thus it strongly suggests that other factors proved successful in both cell culture increasing the time dopamine spends are involved in human complexity. and xenograft studies, leading him in the synapse. Nancy Zahniser and Those factors are undoubtedly in the to try his luck on animal models. He her lab at University of Colorado non-genic portions of DNA, which then discovered that nasal admin- Denver have been looking at how rises in abundance in higher organ- istration of let-7 to a mouse model such a straightforward mechanism isms. And it’s one of the smallest non- of RAS –activated lung cancer could can produce drastic differences in the coding elements in the genome that’s slow down tumor growth, as well as behavioral responses of animals given been making big headlines of late: the radiosensitize the cancer cells for equal doses of drug. microRNAs. added therapeutic effect. The variation likely lies in how the MicroRNAs are tiny chains, dopamine transporters respond to the around 18-24 nucleic acids long, Nick Zagorski, Ph.D., a graduate of presence of cocaine; in high respond- that have been emerging as key gene Johns Hopkins and Cornell Universities, ers, the transporters rapidly up-reg- expression regulators by attaching is a science writer for ASBMB. He can be ulate in response to cocaine, so while to and inhibiting mRNA transcripts. reached at [email protected].

June 2008 ASBMB Today 35 career opportunities Biology of Signaling in the Visit www.asbmb.org for additional listings and the latest career opportunities Cardiovascular System A workshop sponsored by the North American Vascular Biology Organization University of Chicago September 11-14, 2008 Cape Cod, Massachusetts RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR) Organized by: POSITION Timothy Hla, University of Connecticut Research Associate (Assistant Professor) Position available and in the Department of Neurology to study the molecular and Michael Simons, Dartmouth Medical School cellular pathogenesis of prion diseases (Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Gerstmann-Straussler, etc.) and other neurodegenerative The Vascular Cell Surface Luisa Iruela-Arispe • Robert Friesel • David Cheresh • Helmut Augustin disorders. Candidates must have a doctorate in Biological J. Silvio Gutkind • Nigel Mackman • Tatiana Byzova • Christiana Rurhberg Sciences, Molecular Biology, or a related field with at least Phosphorylation Cascades four years of experience in experimental neuroscience. Two Dario R. Alessi • John Blenis • George Yancopoulos • Kenneth Walsh major areas of focus will involve cell biology studies and con- Intracellular Transducers and Nodes struction and analysis of transgenic mouse models. Salary Jonathan Stamler • William Sessa • Sankar Ghosh • Kimberly Dodge-Kafka Signaling in Development will be commensurate with background and experience. David M. Ornitz • Jan K. Kitajewski • Anne Eichmann • Michelle D. Tallquist Send curriculum vitae, a personal research statement, Post-translational Signals names of three references, and up to five best Joseph G.N. Garcia • Martin A. Schwartz • Stefan Offermans publications to Dr. James A. Mastrianni as hard copy: Extracellular Stimuli Department of Neurology, MC2030; University of Elena Tzima • Gregg L. Semenza • Mark H. Ginsberg • Horace M. DeLisser Chicago; 5841 South Maryland Avenue; Chicago, IL System Integration and Quantitative Approaches 60637 (FAX 773-702-5670) or via e-mail to: jmast@ Leslie M. Loew • Jan E. Schnitzer • Charles Serhan • Sudhansu K. Dey neurology.bsd.uchicago.edu with Microsoft Word and PDF files as needed. Abstract submission deadline: JULY 1 Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled. For more information go to: The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. www.navbo.org/BSCVS or call (301) 760-7745

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and synthesizing the primary research literature in 37 disciplines ph 800.523.8635 within the Biomedical, Life, Physical, and Social Sciences. (Toll Free US/CAN) ph 650.493.4400 | fax 650.424.0910 Access Today Via Your Institution’s Subscription at (Worldwide) email [email protected] www.annualreviews.org online www.annualreviews.org 2008 ASBMB Special Symposia Series Glycobiology of Human Disorders Symposium October 9-13, 2008 Emory University Conference Center, Atlanta, GA Organizer: Richard D. Cummings, Emory University Transcriptional Regulation by Chromatin and RNA Polymerase II October 16-20, 2008 Granlibakken, Lake Tahoe Organizer: Ali Shilatifard, Stowers Institute for Medical Research Plenary Lecturer: Robert G. Roeder, The Rockefeller University Cellular Lipid Transport: Connecting Fundamental Membrane Assembly Processes to Human Disease October 22-26, 2008 Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Canmore, Alberta, Canada Organizers: Dennis R. Voelker, National Jewish Medical Research Center, Jean Vance, University of Alberta, Edmonton, and Todd Graham, Vanderbilt University Plenary Lecturer: Robert Molday, University of British Columbia Post Translational Modifications: Detection and Physiological Evaluation October 23-26, 2008 Granlibakken, Lake Tahoe Organizers: Katalin F. Medzihradszky, and Ralph A. Bradshaw, UCSF Plenary Lecturer: M. Mann, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried

Meeting Registration and Abstract Submissions for all 2008 ASBMB Special Symposia will be accepted beginning in June, 2008. To Register Visit Us Online www.asbmb.org/meetings scientific meeting calendar

17th International Gordon Research JUNE 2008 Symposium on Microsomes Conference—Membranes: and Drug Oxidations Materials and Processes Immunobiology and JULY 6–10, 2008 August 10–15, 2008 Pathogenesis of SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY NEW LONDON, NH Influenza Infection http://mdo2008.org www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2008&pr JUNE 1–3, 2008 ogram=membranes ATLANTA, GEORGIA Second Warren Workshop http://web.mac.com/tcassin/ on Glycoconjugate Analysis iWeb/IPIRC/HOME.html HUPO 7th Annual JULY 9–12, 2008 World Congress DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE AUGUST 16–21, 2008 FASEB Summer http://glycomics.unh.edu/ AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS WarrenWorkshop/index.htm Research Conferences www.hupo2008.com JUNE–SEPTEMBER 2008 E-mail: [email protected] VARIOUS LOCATIONS The XXth International Tel.: 514-398-5063 http://src.faseb.org Fibrinogen Workshop JULY 10–13, 2008 VENICE, ITALY Fifth International Conference American Diabetes Sponsored by the International Fibrinogen on Biology, Chemistry and Association 68th Research Society Therapeutic Applications Scientific Sessions Contact: Dr. Mattia Rocco of Nitric Oxide JUNE 6–10, 2008 ([email protected]) AUGUST 24–28, 2008 SAN FRANCISCO, CA http://alisf1.univpm.it/XXifw/ BREGENZ, AUSTRIA http://scientificsessions.diabetes.org www.register123.com/event/profile/web/ The 22nd Symposium of the index.cfm?PKwebID=0x9794672ae 90th Annual Meeting Protein Society—Proteins: of the Endocrine Society Machines of Life Glutathione and Related JUNE 15–18, 2008 July 19–23, 2008 Thiols in Microorganisms SAN FRANCISCO, CA SAN DIEGO, CA AUGUST 26–29, 2008 www.proteinsociety.org www.endo-society.org/apps/Events/Event. NANCY, FRANCE cfm?EventID=1253 E-mail: [email protected] Contacts: Jean-Pierre.jacquot@scbiol. Tel.: 301-634-7277 uhp-nancy.fr, Pierre.Leroy@pharma. Understanding Aging: uhp-nancy.fr FASEB Summer Conference: Biomedical and https://matar.ciril.fr/THIOL/homephar.php Molecular Mechanisms Bioengineering Approaches Involved in the Nutrient JUNE 27–29, 2008 30th European Peptide Control of Cellular Function LOS ANGELES, CA Society Symposium and Metabolism www.mfoundation.org/UABBA AUGUST 31–SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 JULY 20–25, 2008 HELSINKI, FINLAND CAREFREE, AZ www.30eps.fi/ 33rd FEBS Congress & https://secure.faseb.org/faseb/meetings/ E-mail: [email protected] 11th IUBMB Conference Summrconf/Programs/11715.pdf Tel.: 358-(0)9-5607500 JUNE 28–JULY 3, 2008 ATHENS, GREECE Gordon Research Conference— www.febs-iubmb-2008.org Membrane Transport Proteins July 20–25, 2008 SEPTEMBER 2008 LUCCA, ITALY JULY 2008 www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2008&pr 14th International ogram=membtrans Bioinformatics Workshop Trends in Enzymology 2008 on Virus Evolution and JULY 2–5, 2008 Society for Developmental Molecular Epidemiology ST MALO, FRANCE Biology 67th Annual Meeting SEPTEMBER 1–5, 2008 Organizers: Susan Miller and Bernard Badet JULY 26–30, 2008 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA http://TinE2008.org PHILADELPHIA, PA www.kuleuven.ac.be/aidslab/veme.htm www.sdbonline.org/2008Mtg/webpage.htm E-mail: [email protected] Workshop: Biology of Signaling Sporadic Neurodegeneration: in the Cardiovascular System Natural Genetic Engineering Genes, Environment and and Natural Genome Editing Therapeutic Strategies SEPTEMBER 11–14, 2008 JULY 3–6, 2008 HYANNIS, MA JULY 31– AUGUST 1, 2008 www.navbo.org/BSCS08Workshop.html SALZBURG, AUSTRIA BOSTON, MA www.naturalgenome.at www.biosymposia.org/content26843.html Email: [email protected] Tel: 888-854-0800 or 781-681-235 AUGUST 2008 ASBMB Today June 2008 scientific meeting calendar

Symposium on Extracellular Cellular Lipid Transport- The 48th American Society for and Membrane Proteases in Connecting Fundamental Cell Biology Annual Meeting Cell Signaling Membrane Assembly DECEMBER 13–17, 2008 SEPTEMBER 18–21, 2008 SAN FRANCISCO, CA AMES, IA Processes to Human http://ascb.org/meetings/ www.bb.iastate.edu/~gfst/homepg.html Disease OCTOBER 22–26, 2008 CANMORE, ALBERTA, CANADA APRIL 2009 International Conference Organizers: Dennis R. Voelker, on Structural Genomics National Jewish Medical Research SEPTEMBER 20–24, 2008 Center; Jean Vance, University of 3rd International Congress OXFORD, UK Alberta, Edmonton; and Todd Graham, on Prediabetes and the www.spine2.eu/ISGO Vanderbilt University Metabolic Syndrome— www.asbmb.org/meetings Epidemiology, Management, and Prevention of Diabetes World Congress on the and Cardiovascular Disease Insulin Resistance Syndrome Post Translational APRIL 1–4, 2009 SEPTEMBER 25–27, 2008 Modifications: Detection NICE, FRANCE LOS ANGELES, CA & Physiological Evaluation www.kenes.com/prediabetes www.insulinresistance.us OCTOBER 23–26, 2008 GRANLIBAKKEN, LAKE TAHOE ASBMB Annual Meeting 13th International Congress Organizers: Katalin F. Medzihradszky APRIL 18–22, 2009 on Hormonal Steroids and and Ralph A. Bradshaw, UCSF www.asbmb.org/meetings NEW ORLEANS, LA Hormones & Cancer www.asbmb.org/meetings SEPTEMBER 27–30, 2008 QUEBEC CITY, CANADA www.ichshc2008.com/ Transcriptional Regulation by Chromatin JUNE 2009 and RNA Polymerase II OCTOBER 16–20, 2008 OCTOBER 2008 VIII European Symposium GRANLIBAKKEN, LAKE TAHOE of the Protein Society Organizer: Ali Shilatifard, Stowers JUNE 7–11, 2009 Institute for Medical Research 17th South East Lipid ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Plenary Lecturer: Robert G. Roeder, Research Conference Organizer: Andreas Plückthun The Rockefeller University OCTOBER 3–5, 2008 (University of Zurich) www.asbmb.org/meetings PINE MOUNTAIN, GA www.proteinsociety.org www.selrc.org 3rd EuPA Meeting— Mitochondrial Biology in NOVEMBER 2008 Clinical Proteomics Cardiovascular Health and June 14–17, 2009 Diseases Stockholm Sweden OCTOBER 6–7, 2008 2nd Latin American Protein http://www.lakemedelsakademin.se/ BETHESDA, MD Society Meeting templates/LMAstandard.aspx?id=2529 www.mitochondrial2008.com NOVEMBER 4–8, 2008 E-mail: [email protected] ACAPULCO, GRO. MEXICO Tel.: 443-451-7254 www.laproteinsociety.org APRIL 2010 Translating Science into Health: Cytokines in Cancer 2008 Annual Meeting of ASBMB Annual Meeting and Infectious Diseases the Society for Glycobiology APRIL 24–28, 2010 OCTOBER 12–16, 2008 NOVEMBER 12–15, 2008 ANAHEIM, CA MONTREAL, CANADA FORT WORTH, TX www.asbmb.org/meetings www.cytokines2008.org www.glycobiology.org

48th ICAA/IDSA AUGUST 2010 46th Annual Meeting DECEMBER 2008 October 25–28 14th International Washington, DC The Annual Meeting of Congress of Immunology www.icaacidsa2008.org the American Society AUGUST 22–27, 2010 for Matrix Biology (ASMB) KOBE, JAPAN DECEMBER 7–11, 2008 www.ici2010.org SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA www.asmb.net/