CONTENTS
NEWS FEATURES PERSPECTIVES
2 12 42 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE THE SLIME AND GRIME DUE DILIGENCE Science matters THAT STICK TO SHIPS Focus on exposure 4 20 44 MEMBER UPDATE ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Making gures and slides for everyone, 7 28 including the colorblind JOURNAL NEWS ANNUAL AWARDS 7 Glycan selection in the brain 46 8 Deciphering how barbiturates work ESSAY 9 Tracing damage pathways 20 46 Trump’s travel ban in diabetic kidney disease 48 e travel ban is why I can’t be at 10 Making the most of niacin treatment the ASBMB annual meeting 9 49 Empowering immigrants in rural America 50 Losing my doomsday clock to start graduate school 51 Science in the post-truth age 52 THE DO-OVER Finding the right t 10 28 46 Annual Aards
12 52 Researchers are trying to exploit the biochemistry of marine organisms to stop the persistent problem of biofouling on ships. THE DO-OVER
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
THE MEMBER MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Science matters OFFICERS COUNCIL MEMBERS By Natalie Ahn Natalie Ahn Squire J. Booker President Victoria J. DeRose Wayne Fairbrother Steven McKnight Karen G. Fleming n April 22, people will gather States policy that Government should Past President Rachel Green in more than 300 cities across foster the opening of new frontiers. It Jennifer DuBois Susan Marqusee Jared Rutter Secretary O the U.S. and around the world opened the seas to clipper ships and Celia A. Shi er for the March for Science (www. furnished land for pioneers. Although Toni M. Antalis Michael Summers Treasurer marchforscience.com). e goals of these frontiers have more or less disap- ASBMB TODAY EDITORIAL the march are many, but in general, peared, the frontier of science remains. EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ADVISORY BOARD it aims to celebrate science and its It is in keeping with the American Natalie Ahn Rajini Rao Steven McKnight Chair vital public service role, promote tradition — one which has made the Co-chairs, 2017 Annual Charles Brenner respect for research and the scienti c United States great — that new fron- Meeting Program Past Chair Committee Ana Maria Barral method, and defend the importance of tiers shall be made accessible for devel- Cheryl Bailey Floyd “Ski” Chilton evidence-based thinking and decision- opment by all American citizens.” Our Chair, Education and Henrik Dohlman making. mandate was then and still remains to Professional Development Peter J. Kennelly Committee Beronda Montgomery e American Society for Bio- uncover the realities of how the world A. Maureen Rouhi Daniel Raben chemistry and Molecular Biology works and train new generations to Chair, Meetings Committee Melissa Vaught Binks W. Wattenberg wholeheartedly supports the e orts take this knowledge farther. Takita Felder Sumter of the March for Science. Scientists at science increasingly is dis- Chair, Minority Aairs ASBMB TODAY Committee at all career stages work every day to torted for political gain is deeply trou- Angela Hopp maintain the ow of new knowledge bling to me. It’s not that I’m surprised omas Baldwin Executive Editor, Chair, Public Outreach [email protected] through evidence-based research when people sometimes make irratio- Committee Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay and logic. We train young scientists nal statements with no basis in fact. Wesley Sundquist Managing Editor, Chair, Public Aairs [email protected] in critical thinking skills and the I’ve raised teenagers and have been a Advisory Committee John Arnst scienti c method. While interpreta- teenager myself, so I’m not pointing Amnon Kohen Science Writer, tions of experimental observations can any ngers. But, as a scientist, I worry Chair, Publications [email protected] Committee Valery Masterson and do vary, we hold ourselves to high when people started believing things Designer, Lila M. Gierasch standards for rigorousness and impar- that are obviously false. As scientists, [email protected] Editor-in-chief, JBC Ciarán Finn tiality, and we strive to reach unbiased we hold ourselves to standards dictat- A. L. Burlingame Web Editor, conclusions as much as humanly ing that statements must be grounded Editor, MCP c [email protected] possible. in evidence, and it is unacceptable Edward A. Dennis Allison Frick Editor-in-chief, JLR Media Specialist, Science and the scienti c method to discount or reject facts without [email protected] William L. Smith are unquestionably nonpartisan. e evidence-based justi cation. Barbara Gordon Editor-in-chief, JLR Executive Director, political aliations of the scientists So what can we, as individuals, do? [email protected] doing the experiments should have First, attend the March for Science no bearing on the interpretations of wherever you will be on April 22 and data. Likewise, illnesses and disease are show the world how important science For information on advertising, contact Pharmaceutical equal opportunists — they welcome is to everyone. en, in the coming Media Inc. at 212-904-0374 or [email protected]. members of all political parties. years, become an ambassador for sci- Everyone deserves to bene t from ence. Engage with nonscientists and the discoveries of science; everyone policymakers to explain what you do, www.asbmb.org/asbmbtoday bene ts when science is supported in how research expands the frontiers of PRINT ISSN 2372-0409 a bipartisan manner, as has been the knowledge and why science is essential Articles published in ASBMB Today re ect solely case for the past 72 years. Vannevar for national prosperity. the authors’ views and not the o cial positions of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Bush’s report “Science — the Endless For many of us, reaching out to Biology or the institutions with which the authors are a liated. Mentions of products or services are Frontier” is just as relevant today as it nonscientists and policymakers isn’t not endorsements. was in 1945: “It has been basic United our strong suit. We’d rather spend 12
2 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 hours analyzing data than two minutes your lab and institution (www.asbmb. the PAAC town hall on April 24, chatting with the other person in the org/Advocacy/PAAC/). Finally, this where we will discuss the impacts of elevator. e ASBMB has developed magazine is a great way to publish the political landscape on biomedical many resources to help you begin. your ideas and thoughts on the impor- research (for more details, see page An online course developed by the tance of science in society. You can 26). Public Outreach Committee will help submit your pieces to Many people I’ve met have told you learn how to communicate your [email protected]. me how they’ve resolved to stand up work to nonscienti c audiences (www. If you’re attending the 2017 actively for science. If ever there has asbmb.org/Outreach/Training/ASC). ASBMB Annual Meeting in Chicago, been a time to reinforce the impor- e Public A airs Advisory Com- both the POC and PAAC have tance of scienti c knowledge and mittee organizes yearly Hill Day visits organized events to help you get evidence-based thinking to policymak- to Capitol Hill, an e ective way for started in engaging with nonscientists ers and to the world, it is now. Let’s American citizens to communicate the and policymakers. On April 22, the build a bridge between marching for importance of science to policymak- POC will hold outreach events for science today and establishing lifelong ers. e PAAC’s Advocacy Toolkit will meeting attendees in Chicago, which teach you how to work with Congress; will have a satellite March for Science; Natalie Ahn write letters to senators, representa- you can nd out about these events ([email protected]) of the University of Colorado, Boulder, is tives and local newspaper editors; and on the POC’s website (www.asbmb. president of the ASBMB. host visits by members of Congress to org/Outreach/). You also can attend
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 3 MEMBER UPDATE
Sumter is first Winthrop where she will lead interdisciplinary Committee’s male scholar-athlete of research in hematopoiesis and func- the month at the Presidents’ Athletic provost’s faculty fellow tions of megakaryocytes and platelets. Conference. Winthrop Ravid is the founding director of e committee selects one male University has the Evans Center for Interdisciplin- and one female student-athlete each named Takita ary Biomedical Research and of the month who excels both on the eld Felder Sum- Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research and in the classroom. ter, professor Oce at Boston University. Her A three-year starter on the school’s of chemistry, research focuses on investigating blood basketball team, Vrabel is the team’s as its inaugu- and vascular pathologies. second-leading scorer while ranking SUMTER ral provost’s fourth in the conference in rebound- faculty fellow. Wilson heads tribal ing through the team’s rst 15 games. e Provost’s Faculty Fellows e Westminster College junior
Program recognizes outstanding health research office is a biochemistry major with a 3.55 faculty members by providing them David cumulative GPA. He is a member of with opportunities for administrative R. Wilson the All-College Honors Program and development and leadership. Sumter has been chemistry club. He also serves as the will represent the oce of the provost appointed as treasurer of the institution’s student on special projects and routine oce the director chapter of the ASBMB. operations. of the tribal Sumter is the chair of the Ameri- health research WILSON Brunori elected vice can Society for Biochemistry and oce at the Molecular Biology’s Minority A airs National Institutes of Health. president of the Accademia Committee. She is involved in the Established in 2015, the tribal Nazionale dei Lincei Interactive Mentoring Activities for health research oce was created to Grantsmanship Enhancement initia- ensure participation and collaboration Maurizio tive to assist early-career scientists on NIH policies and programs with Brunori, who are transitioning to independent tribal nations. professor faculty positions. Wilson previously served as a pub- emeritus of lic health adviser and the American biochemistry Ravid earns Fulbright Indian/Alaska Native policy lead at the at Sapienza University of Department of Health and Human BRUNORI Scholar Award Services Oce of Minority Health. Rome, was Katya He also served on the ASBMB’s elected vice president of the Acca- Ravid, Minority A airs Committee and is demia Nazionale dei Lincei in Italy professor of an adjunct faculty member of the and president of the class of physical medicine and Center for American Indian Health at sciences. biochemistry the Johns Hopkins School of Public Brunori’s primary research interests at Boston Health. lie in the study of protein structure, University function, folding and dynamics. School of Among his many honors, Brunori is RAVID Vrabel recognized for Medicine, is a member of the American Academy a Fulbright Scholar Award recipient. academics and athletics of Arts and Sciences, a member and Established in 1946, the Fulbright In Decem- fellow of the Biophysical Society, and Program promotes excellence in ber, Jarret a member of the European Molecular scholarship through grants supporting Vrabel of Biology Organization. academic collaboration and exchange Westminster e Accademia Nazionale dei around the world. Ravid will matricu- College was Lincei, founded in 1603, was named late later this year. named the after the lynx to represent the acute Ravid will serve as an adviser at the Student-Ath- perception needed for greater scienti c University of Strasbourg in France, VRABEL lete Advisory insight.
4 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 Charpentier and Doudna win Japan Prize Emmanuelle Charpentier and Upcoming ASBMB events and deadlines Jennifer A. Doudna have received the 2017 Japan Prize for their MAY development of the genome-edit- May 2: Special Symposium: Evolution and Core Processes in Gene ing tool CRISPR/Cas9. Awarded Expression oral abstract deadline since 1985, the Japan Prize recog- May 5: IMAGE Grant Writing Workshop application deadline nizes outstanding contributions May 9: Special Symposium: Evolution and Core Processes in Gene to science and technology that Expression early registration deadline also promote peace and prosper- May 9: Special Symposium: Transforming Undergraduate ity for humankind. CRISPR/Cas9 has revolution- Education in the Molecular Life Sciences early registration ized genetic engineering by allow- deadline ing for faster and more ecient May 11: Webinar: Careers beyond the bench in industry editing of parts of the genome. May 15: e Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship for CRISPR/Cas9 has shown the Undergraduates application deadline potential for a wide range of May 24: Special Symposium: Evolution and Core Processes in applications that greatly would Gene Expression poster submission deadline a ect genetic research. May 31: Special Symposium: Transforming Undergraduate Charpentier is the direc- Education in the Molecular Life Sciences poster submission tor at the Max Planck Institute deadline for Infection Biology in Ger- many and a visiting professor JUNE at Umeå University in Sweden. June 8: Special Symposium: Evolution and Core Processes in Gene Doudna, a professor of chemistry Expression registration deadline and of molecular and cell biology June 15: at the University of California, Special Symposium: Transforming Undergraduate Berkeley, is the Li Ka Shing Education in the Molecular Life Sciences registration deadline chancellor’s chair in biomedical June 22: Special Symposium: Membrane-Anchored Serine science and an investigator with Proteases oral abstract deadline the Howard Hughes Medical June 22–24: IMAGE Grant Writing Workshop Institute. June 29: Special Symposium: Membrane-Anchored Serine Proteases early registration deadline
JULY July 13–16: Special Symposium: Evolution and Core Processes in Gene Expression, Kansas City, Mo. July 20–23: Special Symposium: Transforming Undergraduate Education in the Molecular Life Sciences, Tampa, Fl. July 20: Special Symposium: Membrane-Anchored Serine CHARPENTIER DOUDNA Proteases poster abstract deadline
Erik Chaulk ([email protected]) is a peer-review coordinator and digital publications web specialist at the ASBMB.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 5 The Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship for Undergraduates
Benefits: : $2,000 toward tuition for one academic year. Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for an additional scholarship in subsequent years. Requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident. Students with DACA status also are eligible. Must be a full-time student at an accredited two- or four-year institution located in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours or equivalent, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have faced significant educational, social, cultural or economic barriers in pursuit of education. Must also be committed to diversity on campus and in the scientific community as a whole and be an ASBMB member (membership can be processed at time of application). Application deadline: May 15
Learn more at www.asbmb.org/MinorityAffairs/UndergraduateScholarship/
6 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 JOURNAL NEWS Glycan selection in the brain By Amber Lucas
Humans always have had an inter- est in understanding how we evolved to be what we are today. One of the “ is is a complicated evolutionary story — it is di cult ways that humans are di erent from to prove what really happened during millions of years of most other mammals is loss of an evolution.” — Ajit Varki enzyme called CMP-Neu5Ac hydrox- ylase, or Cmah for short. In a paper in the Journal of Biological Chemistry ganglioside activity was a ected by the tionary selection for suppression of that was selected as one of the Editors’ incorporation of Neu5Gc. Ganglio- Cmah expression in the vertebrate Picks, Yuko Naito-Matsui and others sides are glycosphingolipids that con- brain, so Varki and colleagues decided in Ajit Varki’s lab at the University tain sialic acids and, in their Neu5Ac to explore whether Neu5Gc produc- of California, San Diego, explored state, interact with myelin-associated tion in the brain increased susceptibil- how the suppression of Cmah in the glycoprotein, known as MAG, which ity to microbial toxins. Sialic acids are known to be recognized by virulence brain may confer subtle evolutionary is thought to mediate the preservation factors, such as bacterial adhesins or advantages. “ is is a complicated of myelination and axonal outgrowth. viral agglutinins, and previous work evolutionary story — it is dicult to Varki’s team collaborated with by James and Adrienne Paton of the prove what really happened during the team of Ronald Schnaar at Johns University of Adelaide in Australia millions of years of evolution,” says Hopkins University. By staining with identi ed subtilase cytotoxin as a Varki. “However, this complexity may an antibody containing the ganglio- bacterial toxin that preferentially also attract readers, because all of us side binding domain of MAG, the recognized Neu5Gc. e investigators are the results of such evolution.” investigators found that Neu5Gc incorporation disrupted the interac- administered subtilase cytotoxin to Neu5Ac is a sialic acid found on wild-type and NCmahTg mice and the surface of all vertebrate cells. Most tion between gangliosides and MAG. Images of the major axon tract in the monitored their survival rate. Indeed, other mammals use Cmah to con- NCmahTg mice showed higher central nervous system also showed vert Neu5Ac into a similar sialic acid susceptibility to subtilase cytotoxin, a signi cant reduction in myelina- known as Neu5Gc in all tissues except indicating that loss of Neu5Gc in the tion, with some large axons showing in the brain, where Cmah is not pres- brain may have evolved as a protective complete loss of myelination. ent in neural cells. e tissue-speci c measure against such virulence factors Next, Varki and colleagues repression of Cmah in the neural cells targeting the brain. conducted a series of neuronal and of mammals and the complete loss Protection of brain function is behavioral tests to determine if the of Cmah in humans led to the idea paramount to survival and reproduc- that the loss of this enzyme may hold NCmahTg mice had any neurological tive tness. It makes sense that, over evolutionary advantages. impairments. Neu5Ac is a compo- millions of years, vertebrates evolved To begin to understand what selec- nent of several neural cell-surface mechanisms that provide even a tion processes led to the suppression of structures; myelination is important small protective advantage. “Humans Neu5Gc production in the vertebrate for motor coordination and balance. completely lack Neu5Gc because of a brain, Varki and colleagues created a NCmahTg mice displayed slight mutation in the Neu5Gc-synthesizing mouse model called NCmahTg that defects in hind-limb extension and a enzyme,” says Varki. “ e present expressed Cmah in the brain. ese shorter stride compared with wild- work could potentially contribute to mice showed a dramatic increase in type mice. e NCmahTg mice also understanding how human brains the Neu5Gc/Neu5Ac ratio as well as were shown to have impaired memory. became di erent from those of other incorporation of Neu5Gc into neural While the phenotypes were mild, they related species.” cell-surface structures, such as ganglio- did show a negative impact on neuro- sides and polysialic acid. nal function of Neu5Gc production in Amber Lucas Once they had achieved a func- the brain. ([email protected]) is a e mild neural phenotypes did graduate student at Carnegie Mel- tional model system, Varki and lon University. colleagues wanted to test whether not seem to explain fully the evolu-
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 7 JOURNAL NEWS Deciphering how barbiturates work By Nathalie Gerassimov
Modern medicine would be remain essential in the treat- unthinkable without the use of ment of epilepsy and as an anesthesia during surgical procedures. intravenous general anesthetic. In a recent paper in the Journal Anesthetics act by decreasing of Biological Chemistry that was the relay of information in the selected as one of the Editors’ Picks, nervous system. Speci cally, Marc Delarue of the Pasteur Institute anesthetics a ect several types in France and colleagues solved how of membrane-embedded ion a class of drugs called barbiturates channels. e principal targets function to induce anesthesia. “ is of barbiturates are thought work describes, for the rst time, the to be anionic and cationic three-dimensional structure by X-ray pentameric ligand-gated ion crystallography of barbiturates bound channels, known as pLGICs. to the target receptor,” says Zaineb Although there is some evi- Fourati, one of the rst authors on the dence to show that barbiturates paper. She adds, “Understanding the bind to the cylindrical pore mechanism underlying anesthetics’ of the ion channel, the exact action is the rst step toward the con- nature of this interaction is ception of better ones that are more unclear. speci c and with less side e ects.” To understand this interac- Barbiturates, a class of drugs tion better, Delarue and col- derived from barbituric acid, made leagues used the bacterial pH- their debut in Germany in 1903. gated receptor GLIC, which eir name is thought to be a fusion has high structural similarity of “Barbara” and uric acid, a com- to mammalian pLGICs. ey ponent of urine. Sources are divided rst showed that the bacterial IMAGE COURTESY OF MARC DELARUE on which female inspired the name, version of the channel behaved Researchers unveil barbiturates’ mechanism of action. who could have been St. Barbara or much like its eukaryotic “ is work partly reveals how someone less than a saint. counterpart by demonstrating that a barbiturates induce anesthesia,” says e rst commercially available speci c barbiturate called pentobarbi- Fourati. “As these drugs act on the form of barbiturates was marketed as tal can inhibit the electrical current of nervous system, it is very important to sleeping pills. Other medical applica- the bacterial GLIC channel. address the exact mechanism of their tions of barbiturates soon emerged, Next, the investigators used three action, and the structure provides a including as anesthetics, sedatives and barbiturate derivatives — bromobar- direct proof of a molecule binding to a anticonvulsants, which led to their bital, thiopental and selenocyanobar- given site.” widespread use in the rst half of the bital — that were modi ed chemically She and her colleagues think that 20th century. However, the side e ects such that they displayed an unusual the knowledge gained in this study of barbiturates led to their regulation electron scattering behavior to help can help design a new generation of and decreased popularity. assign bound ligands in the X-ray barbiturates not only for anesthesia “Uncontrolled use of barbiturates structure unambiguously. e inves- but also for psychiatric and neurologi- could have hazardous consequences, tigators showed that all three barbi- cal disorders. from addiction to death by overdose,” turate derivatives bound to the closed says Fourati. “One concrete example GLIC channel deep within the central is the presumably intentional death pore, and they used computational Nathalie Gerassimov of the famous Marilyn Monroe due simulations of the channel in open (nathalie.gerassimov@gmail. com) is a Ph.D. student at Johns to a barbiturate overdose in the early and desensitized states to support their Hopkins School of Medicine. 1960s.” Nevertheless, barbiturates ndings further.
8 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 JOURNAL NEWS Tracing damage pathways in diabetic kidney disease By John Arnst
Diabetic kidney disease in kidneys of male and is the most common cause female normal and diabetic of kidney failure and can animals. e research- occur as a complication ers then performed an of both Type I and Type enrichment analysis of their II diabetes. In a paper own data and a publicly published in the journal available gene-expression of Molecular & Cellular data set generated from Proteomics, researchers at kidneys of patients with the University of Toronto diabetes. With the analy- and the Institut Hospital sis, the researchers were del Mar d’Investigacions able to group and visual- Mèdiques in Spain report a ize signi cant functional link between the proteomic Patients with diabetic kidney disease can have kidneys with scarred glomeruli. categories. ey found that changes caused by high lev- oxidative stress was elevated study. In traditional SILAC, which els of male sex hormones and impaired signi cantly in the testosterone-treated stands for stable-isotope labeling of energy metabolism in diabetic kidney samples from their dataset as well as in amino acids in cell culture, the amino disease. the kidneys of diabetic patients. acids in cells are labeled with nonra- “It’s been reported in previous e researchers then decided to dioactive isotopes and quanti ed by clinical studies that male sex hor- analyze oxidative stress levels and the mass spectrometry. mones predispose (patients) to many sex di erences in their animal groups, kidney diseases and lead to a more e SILAC variant, known as nding that the stress levels were rapid progression and increased “spike-in,” enabled the investigators increased in males of both normal severity of kidney disease,” says Sergi to bypass diculties involved with and diabetic animals. “It’s a result that Clotet, the rst author on the paper labeling the primary proximal tubular suggests that male sex is associated and a postdoctoral researcher in the cells, which don’t grow well in SILAC with more severe kidney disease,” says laboratory of Ana Konvalinka at the media, by labeling only transformed Clotet. University of Toronto. “Our ndings proximal tubular cells. e labeled Clotet and colleagues intend to col- proposed this novel link between male transformed cell lysates then were lect kidney biopsies from diabetic and sex (hormones), energy metabolism combined with the unlabeled and nondiabetic male and female donors and oxidative stress in the kidneys of stimulated primary cell lysates. to validate their ndings further as diabetic animals, which are indicators e investigators stimulated pri- well as to look for biomarkers that of mitochondrial damage.” mary cells with 100 nanomolar doses could indicate early onset of diabetic Diabetic kidney disease causes the of a sex hormone, either estradiol or kidney disease. “ at could be a clustered kidney capillaries, known dihydrotestosterone, and subjected noninvasive way to predict sex-speci c as glomeruli, to leak high levels of pro- them to mass spectrometry to identify progression of diabetic and nondia- teins, such as albumin, into urine. e the changes in metabolic regulation betic kidney diseases,” says Clotet. “At leakage eventually leads to anemia, caused by each hormone. the end of the day, we want to explore chemical imbalance in the blood- After performing subsequent bio- more personalized treatments for stream and overall decline in kidney informatics analyses, the researchers kidney disease.” function. e disease can be stemmed noticed that energy metabolism was if caught early on but may be exacer- impaired in the cells exposed to dihy- John Arnst ([email protected]) is bated in men by elevated androgens. drotestosterone. ey validated their ASBMB Today’s science writer. Clotet and colleagues used a varia- Follow him on Twitter at twitter. results by examining the expression of com/arnstjohn. tion of the SILAC technique for their key enzymes involved in metabolism
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 9 JOURNAL NEWS Making the most of niacin treatment By Sapeck Agrawal
Niacin, better known gradual termination of as vitamin B3, acutely the treatment. A set of lowers plasma levels of control animals received free fatty acids, which saline treatment. e helps to deter insulin investigators found that resistance. However, the plasma FFA and tolerance to niacin is triglyceride levels as known to develop over well as triglycerides in time and can cause FFA the heart and liver were levels go back up to, lowest among animals or even become higher that experienced treat- than, pretreatment ment during the feeding levels. Long-term use of phase. Glucose control niacin also is associ- also improved markedly ated with worsening of in those animals. e glycemic control, casting master regulatory genes doubt on the value of A ball-and-stick model of niacin responsible for de novo lipogenesis were down- the niacin treatment. identify the most synergistic treatment regulated in the liver of these animals. In a recent study published in the regimen. Journal of Lipid Research While the exact reason behind , a team For the rst part, the investigators this phenomenon is unknown, the led by Tobias Kroon at the Swedish delivered niacin via subcutaneous investigators believe it has something University of Agricultural Sciences implants to the rats for 12 hours. ey to do with the fact that reduced FFA and AstraZeneca in Sweden explored gave half of the animals an infusion supply resulting from niacin treat- strategies to develop a niacin-dosing of glucose to simulate a meal. e ment provided much-needed insulin regimen that would maximize meta- other half didn’t receive any glucose. sensitivity during feeding, when there bolic control and minimize tolerance At the 13th hour, they either abruptly is an in ux of dietary carbohydrate in to niacin in a rat model of Type 2 stopped the niacin treatment or gradu- the system. diabetes. ally stepped it down until completely “ e main challenge (with niacin Niacin is known to lower plasma terminating it at the 16th hour. treatment) that we overcame in our FFA levels by functioning as an ago- e investigators analyzed the work was nding this magic right nist to G-protein–coupled receptors metabolic responses by measuring way,” says Kroon. At the moment, that regulate lipolysis. In diabetics, plasma levels of FFA, glucose, insulin niacin is prescribed to be taken at high amounts of FFA, triglycerides and triglycerides. As the team had bedtime, which, for most people, is and glucose logjam into the blood hypothesized, plasma FFA rebounds the fasting phase. “ e data raise the after a meal and overwhelm the insu- were lowest among animals that question of whether alternative dosing lin machinery, leading to insulin resis- experienced a gradual termination schedules in humans might improve tance. Kroon’s team wondered how of niacin treatment during glucose the current clinical use of niacin,” niacin could be made to work most infusion. Plasma insulin levels showed explains Kroon, although he cautions, eciently to lower these high amounts the same trend. ey concluded that “ e ultimate proof of these ideas will of FFA and glucose in blood. niacin treatment should be terminated require future studies in people with To nd out, Kroon and colleagues gradually while the animals are in the diabetes.” conducted a two-part study. e rst fed state. part examined the e ects of a sudden For the second part of the study, or gradual withdrawal of niacin treat- the investigators treated two sets of Sapeck Agrawal ment on metabolism. e second part ([email protected]) animals with niacin for ve days — is a science writer. used the better withdrawal strategy one in the feeding phase, the other alongside feeding or fasting periods to in the fasting phase — followed by
10 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 The American Society for Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
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APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 11 FEATURE
12 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 The slime and grime that stick to ships Barnacles, tubeworms and bacteria use a bevy of biochemical signals and tethers to inhabit ship hulls at great cost to maritime industries By John Arnst
hen a barnacle wants to stick is operating at high speed. However, to something, it opens up each comes with its own drawbacks. W a capillary and bleeds. e To overcome the shortcomings of sticky torrent of enzymes and brous foul-release and antifouling coatings, a tissues that follows gloms onto a ship third variety of coatings, which exploit hull, dock or any other submerged the biochemistry that fouling organ- surface and calci es into a perma- isms use to stick to hulls, are being nent scab. While this is great for the developed. But experimental coat- barnacle, who now has a home and ings can be dicult to assess in the can begin seriously to consider starting dynamic environment of the ocean; a family, it’s bothersome for a ship’s even the most promising coatings operators, as the growing masses of sea being tested in laboratories are leagues creatures stuck to the vessel add drag, away from making their way to the increase wear and tear on the ships ship hulls being colonized in thou- and make trips more expensive. sands of ports worldwide. is phenomenon, known as So, in the meantime, fouling is an biofouling, has addled ships for as inevitability. long as humans have roamed the seas. e ancient Phoenicians, one of the First contact earliest seafaring societies, reportedly Barnacles and tubeworms are some coated the bottoms of their tublike of the most prominent and visible ships with pitch or copper to repel the biofouling organisms that gather on organisms that liked to colonize them. marine surfaces, but the sticky micro- Ship design has evolved greatly over bial lms that they share space with the millennia, but biofouling organ- almost always beat them to the hulls. isms remain a signi cant problem “When a new surface is put in the even in the age of supercarriers and water — for example, a brand-new, stealth destroyers. A study published newly painted ship — it’s colonized by in 2010 estimated the annual cost of microbes very rapidly,” says Benjamin biofouling to the entire U.S. Navy Van Mooy, a chemical oceanographer to range from $180 million to $260 at Woods Hole Oceanographic Insti- million. tution. Once attached, the microbes ere are two dominant methods quickly establish a slimelike coating. for handling biofouling organisms: “ at’s like a green, slippery lm, and kill the adhering microorganisms with it’s all made of microbes,” he says. antifouling coatings before they can Like many bio lms, the slime IMAGE COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS settle or provide a foul-release surface A Phoenician ship carved on the face of a sarcophagus that dates from that they’ll slide o once the vessel CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 the 2nd century.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 13 IMAGE COURTESY OF MICHAEL HADFIELD The calcarerous tubes created by Hydroides elegans
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 sor and director of the hydrodynamic laboratory at the U.S. Naval Academy. provides a matrix for signaling and Even if a coating can shear organ- other interactions among bacteria, and isms o at 10 knots, it doesn’t do it is held in place by a sticky, transpar- much good when a ship is in port for ent polysaccharide glue. But because months at a time, which is standard of the diversity of bacterial species in operating procedure in ports from the lm, not all of those interactions Norfolk, Virginia, to Oahu, Hawaii. are in the best interest of a bacterium’s neighbors. “For every group of organisms Teeming with tubules that’s trying to get a competitive Hyroides elegans is a tubeworm advantage by signaling and coordinat- that would love to settle down on ing by signaling, there’s also another the underside of a ship’s hull. In their group of organisms that’s trying to get mature form, the tubeworms, also a competitive advantage by disrupting known as hydroides, form tubes made the signaling of their competitors,” of calcium carbonate that are a major explains Van Mooy. contributor to biofouling in temperate e members of that bacterial com- waters around the world. munity, which can include photo- According to Michael Had eld, a synthetic cyanobacteria, diatoms and professor at the University of Hawaii other heterotrophic bacteria, all have at Mānoa, these calcareous “squiggly evolved adaptations for a relatively sta- tubes” beleaguer dock workers tasked tionary life on a surface. “ ey’re not with maintaining the ships at Pearl the same microbes that are oating Harbor. He says that port workers around in the water, so it’s not like the report the tubes “build up on the big ship hull is ypaper,” says Van Mooy. propellers of an aircraft carrier a layer e slime coatings are “the Achilles a couple of centimeters deep in a mat- heel of antifouling and fouling-release ter of one to two months.” coatings,” says Mike Schultz, profes- e tubeworms have a quick
14 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 lifecycle and are capable of settling to undergo metamorphosis, it is the down to begin developing their crusty only bacteria known to use the syringe tubes within ve days of hatching mechanism. In the journal Scienti c from an egg. e metamorphosis from Reports, Had eld and his colleagues a free-swimming lamentous larvae recently described the mechanisms to a stationary, plume-crested adult that other common members of begins when a tubeworm is jabbed by marine bio lms use to spur hydroides a nanometer-scale harpoon red by metamorphosis. Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea, a Regardless of which bacteria help bacterium sometimes found in marine to initiate it, the entire metamorphosis bio lms. process for the tubeworms takes less Once hit by a bacterial harpoon, a than 12 hours, and before long the tubeworm quickly secretes a mucus mature tubeworms are ready to start strand to tether itself to the surface, reproducing again. Under ideal cir- followed by a primary tube made up cumstances, the turnaround time for of proteins and bers. Within this a generation is about three weeks. e tube, the tubeworms undergo meta- worms are proli c breeders too. “ e morphosis and swap out the bands of females will spawn over and over, and cilia that had allowed them to swim they spawn about 2,000 eggs every IMAGE COURTESY OF MICHAEL HADFIELD and feed for a large plume of tentacles. time they do,” says Had eld. “ ey’re An adult Hydroides elegans tubeworm After completing metamorphosis, little reproductive machines.” the worms build a calci ed tube that Combined with the surge in global sticks perpendicularly to the surface of shipping routes, this has made the the ship or dock. tubeworms’ presence both ubiquitous If the juvenile tubeworms are and genetically indistinct in major unable to nd a surface, they can ports around the world. remain as larvae for seven weeks “ is sort of warm-water biofoul- or longer. is relative longevity is ing community is just about uniform essential, as the interactions between all the way around the world,” says hydroides and the harpooning bacteria Had eld. “ ese organisms have been occur by chance, in the complete spread by ship trac around the world absence of signaling molecules from since the late 1400s.” the bacteria. e lack of signaling molecules Blistering, bleeding wasn’t con rmed until Had eld and his colleagues published a paper in barnacles Science in 2014. Up to that point, Barnacles are arguably the organ- “people were under the impression isms most associated with biofouling, that bacteria were just producing in part because the hundreds of di er- passive molecules,” says Nicholas ent species colonize a wide variety of Shikuma, an assistant professor at marine surfaces, ranging from rocks San Diego State University who was a and docks to whale ns. eir interior co-author on that paper. “We gured base and stalks are hidden by hard, out that the bacteria were produc- calci ed plates and encircled by a ing these very complex structures cuticle made of chitin. that are syringelike,” says Shikuma. Barnacles begin their lives as one- He and colleagues hypothesize that eyed larvae that consist of a head and these nanometer-scale syringes poke tail. e barnacles swim, eat and pass the tubeworm larvae and act as “the through a series of ve molting phases, stimulant for settlement and meta- winding up as antennae-wielding morphosis.” larvae in search of homes. While P. luteoviolacea isn’t the only bacteria that can induce hydroides CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 15 Barnacles on the propeller and rudder of a ship CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Some species of barnacle also calcify the area beneath them to stick more During this exploration process, rmly in place. the barnacles produce an adhesion “It’s like you’ve cut yourself. You’ve protein that alerts them to a suit- got a scab, and your body reworks able surface. Once a surface has been underneath that scab,” says Rittschof. found, “the larvae will stop exploring, “In the barnacles, the scab never falls settle and send out signals to attract o .” other larvae,” says Julius Vancso at the University of Twente in e Nether- lands. “ en, a colonization of the Kill or release surface starts.” e global uptick in ocean travel After a barnacle has settled, it will following the 15th century spurred eventually grow and molt, producing innovation for keeping ships free from a new cuticle in a manner similar to biofouling organisms. Around the an insect producing a new exoskel- mid-18th century, the pitch-based eton. As this cuticle widens, it cuts mixtures that had been the most into both the underlying surface and widely used coatings were supplanted the barnacle, causing the crustacean by copper as the ocial standard for to bleed into the space below. e the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. blood forms a clot, which sticks to the According to Stephen McElvany, underlying surface. As the molting continues, the barnacle also forms the program ocer overseeing the open-ended capillaries whose secre- Oce of Naval Research’s antifouling tions spot-weld the crustacean in place and fouling release coatings program, to the surface beneath. the U.S. Navy uses two primary types While the blood is owing, “all of coatings, which are copper oxide- the enzymes you can imagine in your based ablatives and silicone-based blood clotting system are there,” says foul-release coatings. Daniel Rittschof at Duke University, e copper-oxide coating is a who helped pioneer models for study- remnant of the older way of tackling ing barnacle growth. is immune biofouling that Rittschof calls “mix response helps to wipe out the bacte- and kill.” In this method, biocidal rial populations near the barnacle. compounds that leach into the water
16 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 IMAGES COURTESY OF KELLI HUNSUCKER AT THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY From left: A foul-release surface; same surface after seven months in a marine environment; and immersed surface after a cleaning that sloughs off marine organisms surrounding the ship are mixed into but what happens then is the fouling the paints applied to the hull. that gets on there is easy to peel o ,” Copper primarily works by poi- says McElvany. “If a barnacle sits on soning metabolic pathways, such as there, you can just peel it o easier photosynthesis, says Van Mooy. e than (if it were on) a steel surface or pathway is essential for the cyano- a copper paint surface.” Once a ship bacteria and diatoms that make up leaves port and hits speeds of 10 to a marine bio lm. On commercial 20 knots, he says, the hydrodynamic vessels, this approach reached an apex motion of the water against the ship of sorts with organotins, which are hull shears o the lm and crust. compounds based on tin linked with While they’re more environmen- hydrocarbons. tally friendly than the copper ablative At concentrations on the micro- coatings, silicone paints are more gram level, organotins, which were expensive and less durable. When highly e ective at keeping hulls clean, some species of barnacles move in and work by interfering with an organism’s the surfaces get scratched, the easy- energy production. However, at thou- release properties diminish. sand-fold lower concentrations, the “Barnacles are famous for digging compounds cause female mollusks to under softer coatings and getting a transform into males, which had dev- grip that way,” says Anne Meyer at the astating e ects on the French oyster University of Bu alo. “ ey actually shery in Archaron Bay in the 1970s. cut into the coatings.” e compounds, which weren’t ever However, if barnacles can be implemented in U.S. Navy ships, were prevented from attaching altogether, banned in 2001 by the International the cutting and glomming processes Maritime Organization’s International can’t damage coatings. Working Convention on the Control of Harm- with colleagues at the Agency for ful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships. Science, Technology and Research e less harmful silicone coatings, in Singapore, which is known as which are used in both military and A*STAR,Vancso used atomic force commercial vessels, are rubbery and microscopy to determine the isoelec- similar to caulk coatings in our homes. tric point of the adhesion protein that “It’s not exactly like your bathtub, CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 17 developed by Vancso’s colleagues at A*STAR has been tested only on small substrates under controlled laboratory conditions. “It is not uncommon for the technology to take decades, 10 or 20 years, to develop,” says Anbanan- dam Parthiban, a colleague of Vancso’s at A*STAR. For one or all PHOTO COURTESY OF GLENN BATUYONG A ship receives a high-power wash to remove barnacles and other marine hitchhikers. Biofouling continues to exact a cost on vessels in a number of ways. (See CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 box “Scenes inside tubes.”) “Mariners barnacles use to stick to surfaces. have been faced with ship-hull fouling e researchers can use this since they went to sea, and so it just information to engineer a surface kind of goes to show what an incred- Scenes inside tubes that exploits electrostatic attraction ibly enduring problem this is, that it’s persisted for centuries,” says Van Biofouling is also a problem to interfere with barnacle adhesion. “We’ve reasoned that if we can control Mooy, who is exploring antifouling in the coolant pipes of a ship’s solutions for deep-sea sensors used in engine. “If you get too much the adhesion between this adhesion protein … and eventually prevent scienti c research. barnacle growth in your inlet “Various antifouling strategies pipes, then you can restrict the that adhesion, then these larvae would explore, see nothing and then die, have been tried, but there’s been no ow of coolant, which will limit magic bullet,” he says. “I wouldn’t say how fast you can run until you because they stay alive in the meta- morphic cycle for a couple of days,” ‘boutique antifouling’ methods, but can clean it out,” says Vic Raines, I think that certain types of shipping a chief engineer with American says Vancso. is type of surface and the experi- are going to have to have certain types President Lines, an international of fouling-release and antifouling for- container shipping and ocean mental coatings being pursued by the Oce of Naval Research both belong mulations that are best suited to what freight provider. they’re doing.” e primary method of deal- to a third category of coatings that seek to make ship surfaces essentially Like many of his colleagues, Vansco ing with clogged engine tubes is concerned about the matter of is overengineering. Raines gives invisible to the organisms by exploit- ing their biochemistry. speci city versus targeting all biofoul- the ship’s cooling system as an ing organisms with a single coating in example. “Cooling is one of those According to McElvany, these experimental coatings include poly- the future. things that only really matters “ e next question is, all right, when you run out of it,” he says. mers that are amphiphilic, containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic we’ve prevented attachment of bar- rough overengineering, or nacles, which is an important fouling building more pipes than the entities on their polymer chains. ese each repel certain swaths of fouling species, but what about other fouling engine requires to be cooled at its species?” says Vancso. “Can we ever highest speeds, the cooling system organisms. Other coatings involve zwitterions, which cause a positive have a generic recipe for a universal can a ord to lose eciency due coating which, if you would apply to barnacles choking o pipes. and negative charge separation at a distance of two or three carbon to the hull of a ship, would prevent Other methods of dealing attachment of all these fouling species? with fouling organisms in the atoms. is charge separation creates a highly ordered water layer at the paint And that’s a big question that still coolant pipes include running needs some answering.” electrical currents through copper surface due to hydrogen bonding with plates to release ions and using the water molecules, which prevents electrical currents to generate organisms, such as barnacles, from John Arnst ([email protected]) is sodium hypochlorite, also known sensing and settling on the hull. But the experimental coatings ASBMB Today’s science writer. as bleach, from the oxygen and Follow him on Twitter at twitter. sodium chloride in sea water. are just that, for the time being. e com/arnstjohn. coating that exploits isoelectric points
18 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 19 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
20 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Saturday, April 22 Monday, April 24 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Graduate Student and Postdoc Career Development Event ASBMB Award Lectures Advance registration required 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Scientific Symposia, Issues in Depth, Undergraduate Orientation and Poster Competition Education & Professional Development Advance registration required 12 – 2:30 p.m. 4 – 5:15 p.m. & 6:30 – 7 p.m. Posters, Networking, and Meet the Speakers Science Outreach Posters 12:30 – 2 p.m. 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Advocacy town hall Exploring Careers Speed-Networking Event for Undergraduates Presented by the Public Affairs Advisory Committee 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. 2:30 – 4 p.m. Herbert Tabor Research Award Opening Lecture Alice and C.C. Wang Award in Molecular Parasitology Symposium 7 – 8:30 p.m. 2:30 – 5:45 p.m. EB Welcome Reception Spotlight Sessions, Education & Professional Development 6:15 – 7:45 p.m. Sunday, April 23 Learning Labs & Success in Science Workshop Series 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. ASBMB Award Lectures Nothing Academic: A Night of Science-Themed Improv
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 9 – 11 p.m. Scientific Symposia, Issues in Depth, Education Young Experimental Scientists (Y.E.S.) Mixer & Professional Development 12 – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 Posters, Networking, and Meet the Speakers 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ASBMB Award Lectures ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contributions 10 – 12 p.m. to Education Award Lecture Scientific Symposia, Issues in Depth 1 – 3 p.m. 12 – 2:30 p.m. Tang Prize Award Lecture and Reception Posters, Networking, and Meet the Speakers 2:30 – 5:45 p.m. 12:30 – 2 p.m. Spotlight Sessions, Education & Professional Development NIH Workshop: Funding Opportunities 6:15 – 7:45 p.m. 2:30 – 5:45 p.m. Learning Labs & Success in Science Workshop Series Spotlight Sessions 7:30 - 9 p.m. 6:15 – 7:45 p.m. ASBMB Welcome Reception Learning Labs & Success in Science Workshop Series Sponsored by the Minority Affairs Committee 7:30 – 9 p.m. Women Scientists Mentoring and Networking Event
Wednesday, April 26 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. ASBMB Award Lectures 10 – 12 p.m. Scientific Symposia 12 – 2:30 p.m. Posters, Networking, and Meet the Speakers
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 21 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Rare bacterial outbreak in the Midwest By Hailey Gahlon
n November 2015, a deadly was described in 1959 by bacteriolo- underlying genetic clues as to what outbreak of a rare bacterial species gist Elizabeth O. King while she was caused the outbreak. Nicholson pro- I began in the U.S. Midwest. e working at the CDC; the bacteria vided the Hoyt laboratory with some a ected states included Wisconsin, were named in her honor. Elizabeth- of the outbreak strains. Illinois and Michigan. e outbreak kingia are Gram-negative bacteria Rita Flores, a graduate student in led to 20 deaths of elderly or immu- commonly found in soil and water. the Hoyt lab, and colleagues identi- nocompromised persons; it remains e strain responsible for the out- ed a homologous double transposon unclear whether the bacterial infection break, E. anophelis, rst was isolated region in a few of the strains from alone or a combination of the infec- in the midgut of the Anopheles the outbreak. eir data suggested tion and pre-existing health conditions gambiae mosquito from the McCarthy that these DNA rearrangements were was the cause of death. e culprit was Islands in Gambia in 2011. Before recent genetic events. e conserved a little-known bacterial species called that time, only two other species of homologous region was about 63 Elizabethkingia anophelis. Elizabethkingia had been proposed kilobases in length and was anked by A group of researchers from Peter based on 16S rRNA sequence similar- typical mobile genetic elements. Hoyt’s laboratory at Oklahoma State ity studies, E. meningoseptica and E. Further, there was variation in University now are reporting on the miricola. In 2011, another species, E. the length of the conserved region transposon genome rearrangements endophytica, was reported in some depending on the strain. For example, that are unique to the Elizabethkingia specimens of sweet corn. All Eliza- the shortest conserved region was strains from the outbreak. bethkingia strains isolated to date are found in the E. anophelis PW2809 According to the Centers for Dis- resistant to many common antibiotics. strain, while the longest was found ease Control and Prevention, the out- e Hoyt lab was interested in Eliz- in E. anophelis NUHP-1, miricola break was a rare occurrence, as only a abethkingia years before the outbreak. ATCC and the four strains from the few cases of E. anophelis typically are Hoyt explains his department head, outbreak. Importantly, the location con rmed in the U. S. every year. John Gustafson, got him interested of these transposons in the CDC From November 2015 to January in these bacteria. At the time, the outbreak strains was di erent from 2016, 67 cases were reported to the Gustafson group was isolating bacteria other strains. e a ected genetic Wisconsin Division of Public Health; that cause mastitis in dairy cows. e location occurs in a gene coding for of those, 63 were con rmed. With the Hoyt lab was interested in trying an A/G-speci c adenine glycosylase, outbreak spreading across state lines, to separate the di erent species of which is much like the E. coli MutY the CDC began an investigation last Elizabethkingia; it’s still unknown how that is involved in DNA repair. is year to understand the outbreak bet- many species may exist in the genus. genetic change in the outbreak strains ter. ey found that the median age Hoyt says that he found the could have resulted in aberrant glyco- of the patients infected was 72 years genomes of Elizabethkingia intriguing. lytic function or increased mutagenic old, and 47 percent were female. e According to him, the bacterial genes potential. infections presented predominantly e ectively move like “liquid;” they are Additionally, Flores and colleagues in the blood. ey resulted in sepsis highly mobile and able to rearrange identi ed a toxin–antitoxin complex and were highly resistant to several rapidly. unique to the strains given to them by antibiotics. the CDC. is toxin–antitoxin, along To this day, the source of the Studying the with the disruption in the adenine outbreak remains unknown. ere is glycosylase function, could have no evidence to link the outbreak to outbreak strains increased the survival of E. anophelis, contamination in health-care prod- Hoyt explains that he and his possibly underlying the phenotypic ucts, food, water or patient-to-patient colleagues read about the outbreak changes associated with the outbreak transmission. and knew that the CDC would get strains. involved. Gustafson contacted the Starting research CDC and was put in touch with The aftermath Ainsley Nicholson, a microbiologist, on Elizabethkingia who had been working on sequencing of the outbreak e genus of Elizabethkingia rst the outbreak strains and looking for Hoyt explains that some event,
22 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
IMAGE COURTESY OF PETER HOYT A Petri dish wih Elizabethkingia anophelis growing on it such as altered gene expression or the occurring in the Midwest. Despite these advances in understand- acquisition of new toxins, enabled the e Hoyt laboratory now is ing Elizabethkingia, it still is not bacteria to mutagenize rapidly. Fur- interested in understanding more understood how or where the bacteria ther, Hoyt notes that Elizabethkingia about the evolutionary mechanisms were able to infect their immuno- are essentially “reservoirs of antibiotic of the bacteria that allow them to compromised hosts. But the work in Hoyt’s and other laboratories is resistance” for other bacteria, as most recombine so frequently. By analys- helping researchers better understand bacteria have the ability readily to ing the sequences of the bacteria, the how bacteria like Elizabethkingia drive take up DNA from other bacteria in investigators found a high frequency deadly outbreaks. their surrounding environment. e of antibiotic-resistance genes as well as e researchers will present their relatively ubiquitous presence of Eliza- genes involved in creation of mobile results at the 2017 ASBMB Annual bethkingia, coupled with their ability genetic elements. ese features could Meeting at the 1:15 p.m. poster ses- easily to rearrange their genome, pro- a ord the bacteria increased opportu- sion on April 23 in McCormick Place vide the rst clues regarding how E. nities for recombination and may have in Chicago. anophelis caused the recent outbreak. driven the observed cases from the Using high-throughput sequencing, outbreak. Hailey Gahlon the CDC was the rst to con rm in Flores notes that no cases have been ([email protected]) is a Marie Curie postdoctoral research patient samples that the E. anophelis reported since last June and that the fellow at Imperial College London. strain was responsible for the outbreak outbreak appears to have subsided.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 23 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Accelerating evolution to break open a toxin By John Arnst
omitoxin makes animals — surprise — vomit. e fungal V toxin also causes gastroenteritis, anorexia and immunosuppression. e compound is produced by the fungi Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum, which can colo- nize wheat and similar crops. While regulations by the U. S. Department of Agriculture prohibit its presence in food produced for human consump- tion at one part per million, a lack of similar restrictions for animal produce IMAGE COURTESY OF COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION, AUSTRALIA results in weight loss and death Blight in barley crops caused by Fusarium graminearum among pigs and cattle. Contamina- Myung Soo Ko. its gene into expression plasmids and tion normally leads to the destruction “Another reason why we chose this transformed them into E. coli, where of infected crops. To come up with enzyme is because its catalysis takes the protein was directed to the outer a solution, researchers at San Diego place in two steps,” says Love. “It’s a membrane by a leader sequence in the State University are using directed pretty standard mechanism.” plasmid. Once the mutated enzymes evolution to transform an enzyme In the rst step, the enzyme forms were anchored there by the BSD found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa to a covalent bond with the substrate. protein elements, the researchers cen- degrade vomitoxin, which is formally Amino acids at the enzyme’s active site trifuged the bacteria and conducted known as deoxynivalenol. then continue the catalysis and break the catalytic analysis on the bacterial Cif, shorthand for cystic brosis bonds within the substrate, which, in surface using the standard epoxide conductance regulatory inhibitory fac- this case, is the epoxide ring. substrate epibromohydrin. tor, is a virulence factor secreted by P. However, the Cif enzyme wasn’t e researchers plan to evolve the aeruginosa. e bacterium is especially made to bind to vomitoxin’s epoxide enzyme to hydrolyze progressively dangerous when it colonizes the lungs ring, so the researchers took to mutat- larger epoxy substrates rather than of people with cystic brosis. As its ing its active site until it would. seeking a mutation that immediately name would suggest, the Cif enzyme In this process, “you randomize the would cause the Cif enzyme to digest plays a key role in this process. DNA of the gene that codes for Cif,” vomitoxin. e Cif enzyme is a member of the says Love. “ at creates diversity, so “Instead of hitting the home run, epoxide hydrolase class of enzymes you have thousands, if not billions, we’re hoping that we’re going to hit that break open the carbon–oxygen of enzymes that are pretty much singles along the way,” says Love. “At epoxide ring of many small organic the same but have di erent amino the end of the project, we’ll have an molecules by converting the oxygen enzymes in the active sites.” enzyme that can successfully hydrolyze bonds into two hydroxyl groups with at vast pool of mutated enzymes the epoxide deoxynivalenol.” the addition of a water molecule. requires a ltering process, however, e researchers will present their Vomitoxin’s structure contains an so the researchers developed a system results at the 2017 ASBMB Annual epoxide ring, which made the Cif known as bacterial surface display, or Meeting at the 12:30 p.m. poster ses- enzyme an appealing choice for the BSD. e system uses a combination sion on April 25 in McCormick Place researchers. “Our goal is to evolve of fused protein elements, anchor- in Chicago. this enzyme into a new enzyme that ing transmembrane proteins and the can bind and degrade the mycotoxin uorescent protein mCherry to drive compound vomitoxin,” says John the expression of a desired protein John Arnst ([email protected]) is Love. Love is the primary investigator on the outer membrane of Esch- ASBMB Today’s science writer. Follow him on Twitter at twitter. on the work that will be presented at erichia coli. To express the Cif protein com/arnstjohn. the meeting by his graduate student, in this manner, the researchers cloned
24 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
An evening of science-themed improv By Geo Hunt
n April 24, comedian Mike Abdelsayed will lead a team of O improv professionals from One Group Mind to put on “Nothing Aca- demic: A Night of Science- emed Improv” at e Comedy Clubhouse in Chicago. e improv comedy show, which is sponsored by the Public Outreach Committee of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- lar Biology, will present an example of science communication in action. e POC constantly is looking for innovative ways to engage ASBMB members in communication and out- reach activities, so the idea for doing a science-themed improv event at the PHOTO COURTESY OF ONE GROUP MIND 2017 ASBMB Annual Meeting made Members of the One Group Mind improv comedy collective perform. sense, given the location. “One perk of represented a fun way to communi- mix it up a bit.” attending the ASBMB annual meeting cate science,” she says. e “Nothing Academic” event is is getting the chance to explore a new Fun is one thing, but how does part of a series of outreach activities city!” says POC member Niki Woito- improv actually relate to science? organized by the POC at the ASBMB wich, a Chicago resident. “Chicago As Abdelsayed sees it, science has annual meeting that help bring sci- is the birthplace of improvisational “become a far more collaborative ence to the public. For Woitowich, comedy, and this event allows ASBMB e ort, one that requires communica- these events represent an opportunity meeting attendees to get a feel for the tion with each other, teamwork.” for scientists to take part in outreach Windy City through its rich cultural at, he points out, “is what improvi- activities. “We can have a signi cant scene.” impact on the cities we visit every year Another POC member, Teaster sation is. It’s essentially teamwork on steroids.” by providing programming both for Baird Jr., adds that “using this our attendees as well as the local com- medium makes science and scien- For the POC, this improv event represents a perfect complement to munity,” she says. tists more accessible and real to the Baird takes it a step further. “Given public.” the committee’s more formal science- communication e orts, which include today’s political climate,” he says, “I To help the ASBMB put on the think it’s even more important for us “Nothing Academic” event and con- themed training workshops and the online training course “ e Art of as scientists to get out in the general nect with comedian Abdelsayed and public to remind them, and ourselves, Science Communication.” his team, the POC reached out to that we are citizens of humanity, just So what can prospective attendees the Chicago Council on Science and like them, who want to make our expect from the “Nothing Academic” Technology, known as CST. CST is communities better.” event? According to Abdelsayed, a nonpro t STEM education group To purchase tickets for the improv players from e Comedy for adults with a long track record event, visit www.ticketsource.us/ Clubhouse will use suggestions, based of running events in the Chicago event/169512. area. CST Director of Programs and on science, from audience members Public Relations Andrea Poet was to build a long-form improvisational immediately on board with the idea of piece around that topic. But, says Geoff Hunt ([email protected]) a science-themed improv show. “We Abdelsayed, given the unpredictable is the ASBMB’s public outreach manager. Follow him on Twitter at wanted to do something di erent than nature of improv, “we’ll probably twitter.com/thegeoffhunt. a traditional lecture, something that (also) have some interactive stu and
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 25 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Advocacy town hall By Benjamin Corb
his year, the American with which the ASBMB can Society for Biochemistry provide you to help you be T and Molecular Biology’s the best advocate you can be. Public A airs Advisory Com- For example, we can gather mittee is trying something new data to support your case and at the 2017 ASBMB Annual give you online training tools Meeting in Chicago — an designed speci cally with the advocacy town hall. e past scientist in mind. 12 months have seen many With our event scheduled upheavals, mainly in the form just days after the country- of the 2016 election and its wide March for Science, we aftermath. e scienti c enter- hope you will bring your prise has been caught up in the energy and enthusiasm to upheavals as well, with Presi- this session and learn how we dent Donald Trump’s executive can help you to continue to orders on immigration and his have your voice heard in the administration’s handling of U.S. Congress year-round. issues such as the A ordable We want to build on the Care Act, climate change and energy from the March for vaccine safety. Science events and turn that In light of these events, it energy into action. is fair to assume that there is a renewed interest in science Not able to attend the policy and the impact that meeting? We’ll have some Washington, D.C., is having on people cover the event on the scienti c enterprise. To help Twitter as it unfolds, so even those interested in understand- if you’re not in Chicago, ing better how the government’s on the panel. you’ll be able to participate decisions a ect science, we have taken e town hall will start with brief online. Search for the hashtag #Policy- that old slogan, “You’ve got questions, presentations from Sundquist, Lauer TownHall. You will be able to follow we’ve got answers,” to heart in design- and me, but the rest of the event will the conversation and ask questions to ing an open-ended town hall. be driven by the questions you bring panelists. e PAAC put together a panel of to us. Have questions over how a spe- is is the rst time the ASBMB experts who are prepared to answer ci c piece of legislation will a ect your has designed an interactive advocacy your questions and provide insights lab, or how the community is working event like this during the annual meet- on the topics and issues that are of to improve training for graduate ing. We’re hoping your enthusiastic greatest importance to you. e PAAC students and postdoctoral research- participation will help us to ensure chair, Wes Sundquist from the Univer- ers? Bring them! Have concerns over that this event becomes a staple at sity of Utah, will update attendees on funding levels and pay lines? Bring ASBMB annual meetings. the ASBMB’s e orts on sustaining the them, too! e advocacy town hall will be at biomedical enterprise. Michael Lauer, Besides your questions, we also 12:30 p.m., April 24 in room W184d the deputy director of extramural will discuss how the ASBMB does in McCormick Place. research at the National Institutes of advocacy on behalf of its members Health, will answer grant policy ques- and what role you can play in these tions. As the public a airs director for e orts. We will discuss our annual Benjamin Corb (bcorb@asbmb. the ASBMB, I work regularly on the August advocacy campaign, which org) is director of public affairs at the ASBMB. Follow him on Twitter front lines of science policy as your brings scientists to their elected state at twitter.com/bwcorb. voice to policy makers, so I too will be ocials. We will describe the resources
26 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Continue the conversation on Twitter! By Allison Frick
ou’ve just attended one of the new and fascinating spot- Y light sessions at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- lar Biology’s annual meeting. You’re inspired and want to nd out what other attendees are saying about the session. What’s one easy way to keep the conversation going and learn more about an area of biochemistry and molecular biology that interests you? It’s hashtags. is year, we’ve assigned hashtags to speci c topics to help attendees who share common interests connect on Twitter. When you send a tweet, be it a comment or a picture, simply include the relevant hashtag. at will add your tweet to the stream of tweets with the same hashtag. Depending on whether your Twit- ter account is set to private or public, including a hashtag will allow anyone who clicks on or searches for that hashtag to see your thoughts and join in the conversation. On the right is a handy list of the hashtags. Remember to follow @ASBMB and use #ASBMB2017. We’ll also be posting on Twitter infor- mation about lectures, workshops and spotlight sessions to keep you up to date on the meeting.
Allison Frick ([email protected]) is the ASBMB’s print and digital media specialist. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/allisonfrick.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 27 ANNUAL AWARDS Annual Aards
29 ASBMB AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION 30 BERT AND NATALIE VALLEE AWARD IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE 31 WALTER A. SHAW YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD IN LIPID RESEARCH 32 ASBMB–MERCK AWARD 33 HERBERT TABOR RESEARCH AWARD 34 AVANTI AWARD IN LIPIDS
35 RUTH KIRSCHSTEIN DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE AWARD 36 DELANO AWARD FOR COMPUTATIONAL BIOSCIENCES 37 ALICE AND C. C. WANG AWARD IN MOLECULAR PARASITOLOGY 38 EARL AND THRESSA STADTMAN DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST AWARD 39 ASBMB YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD 40 WILLIAM C. ROSE AWARD
41 MILDRED COHN AWARD IN BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
28 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 ASBMB AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION Dolan recognized for ‘transformation of teaching and learning’ By Adriana Bankston
Erin Dolan, the Georgia Athletic experiences meaningful. According to Association Professor for innovative Sarah Elgin of Washington University science education at the University in St. Louis, who wrote a nomination of Georgia, won the 2017 American letter, this paper “provides a frame- Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- work for thinking about assessment, lar Biology Award for Exemplary about outcomes we might hope for Contributions to Education. e and could measure. I believe this award recognizes those who encour- paper has had a very signi cant impact age e ective teaching and learning of on the eld.” biochemistry and molecular biology. Dolan also supports biology educa- Daniel Leahy at the University of tion research in her role as editor-in- Texas at Austin said in his nomina- chief of LSE. Kimberly Tanner of San tion letter that Dolan’s “commitment “I am honored and humbled to be Francisco State University, a founding recognized by my colleagues and the to evidence-based transformation of editorial board member of LSE who society with the award. It is exciting teaching and learning is visionary.” also nominated Dolan for the award, to see an in uential organization like As the former executive director writes of Dolan’s “unwavering” focus ASBMB reward eorts to promote on evidence-based understanding of the Texas Institute for Discovery teaching in ways that are consistent Education in Science at UT Austin, of science education. She also notes with how people learn.” Dolan’s ability to “raise the level Dolan led the Freshman Research Ini- — ERIN DOLAN tiative, the nation’s largest university of research in the eld of biology undergraduate research program that education by coaching and not sham- uses “learning objectives to guide ing, supporting and not dismissing, gives rst-year students the opportu- student work, case studies and other individuals aspiring to participate in nity to engage in research with faculty in-class activities to get students’ the emerging eld of discipline-based and graduate students through a minds engaged and challenged, and biology education research.” three-semester lab course. In addition constructed-response assessments Dolan earned her Ph.D. at the to guiding the FRI, she established that demand deep understanding and University of California, San Fran- the Texas Institute for Discovery problem solving.” cisco. She began teaching biochemis- Education in Science, an institute for Dolan’s contributions to teach- try at Virginia Tech and then moved education innovation with the mission ing re ect her desire to help faculty to UGA. She then was the executive to enhance the college’s leading role become better teachers. She partici- director of TIDES before returning to in science, technology, engineering pated in the inaugural meeting of a the UGA. and mathematics education. TIDES national initiative to de ne threshold Dolan will receive her award during is focused on student programs that concepts in undergraduate biochemis- the 2017 ASBMB Annual Meeting foster experiential and engaged learn- try education. in Chicago, where she will deliver an ing, development programs for STEM She also took part in a think-tank award lecture. e presentation will faculty, and studies determining the meeting to promote course-based take place at 12:30 p.m. April 23 in e ectiveness and impact of education undergraduate research experiences in room W184bc in McCormick Place. programming. biochemistry and molecular biology. Paula Lemons, who supported is resulted in a report published Dolan’s nomination, is a fellow Adriana Bankston in CBE: Life Sciences Education in ([email protected]) is a instructor of the Introduction to 2014. In this report, Dolan and her former scientist with a passion for Biochemistry course Dolan teaches colleagues delineated what made improving training and policies for at UGA. Lemons noted that Dolan course-based undergraduate research junior scientists.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 29 BERT AND NATALIE VALLEE AWARD IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE Evans recognized for gene-expression research By Aditi Dubey
Ronald M. Evans, a professor and mal physiology or disease. the director of the Gene Expression “His achievements and contribu- Laboratory at the Salk Institute for tions in research, albeit in a very Biological Studies in La Jolla, Califor- di erent focus area, have inspired me nia, and a Howard Hughes Medical and further taught me to think inno- Institute investigator, has won the vatively, insightfully and tirelessly,” 2017 Bert and Natalie Vallee Award wrote Vivian Tang, a graduate student in Biomedical Science given by the at the University of Western Australia, American Society for Biochemistry in her nomination letter. and Molecular Biology. Evans won Work done by Evans has led to the the award for his contributions to the establishment of principles of DNA eld of nuclear hormone signaling and recognition and receptor heterodimer “I am honored to be selected as formation and to the discovery of the metabolism. His work has advanced the recipient of the 2017 Bert and genetic code for hormone response. signi cantly our understanding of Natalie Vallee award in Biomedical the molecular processes that under- Science. While research can become a Several new drugs for the treatment lie obesity-related diseases, such as world unto itself, the Vallee Award is of diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes. a reminder that science and discovery respiratory distress syndrome and e award was established by the has a very human side that touches diabetes have been developed using his Vallee Foundation in 2012 to encour- us all.” discoveries. age creativity, originality and leader- — RONALD M. EVANS Evans has been honored with sev- ship in biomedical research. Both Bert eral prestigious awards, including the and Natalie Vallee were prominent physiology. Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research scientists who conveyed their passion Evans’ notable achievements Award, the Gairdner International for biomedical research through their include the identi cation and charac- Award, the Alfred P. Sloan Medal and work and teaching. e award honors terization of the rst nuclear hormone the Wolf Prize in Medicine. Evans was elected to the National Academy of scientists who have made outstand- receptor, the human glucocorticoid Sciences in 1989 and to the Ameri- ing international accomplishments in receptor. His group subsequently can Academy of Arts and Sciences basic biomedical research. identi ed more than 50 members of in 1997. In 2005, he received the Evans earned his B.A. from the the nuclear receptor superfamily and Grand Medaille, the highest honor of University of California, Los Angeles, their ligands. ese include PPARγ the French National Academy. Evans where he also later obtained his Ph.D. and PPARδ, which are critical for fat is also the March of Dimes chair in He went on to do postdoctoral work metabolism, the thyroid-hormone molecular and developmental biology with James E. Darnell at e Rock- receptor, the vitamin-D receptor and and was awarded the March of Dimes efeller University, where he worked on the retinoid-X receptor. In addition, prize in developmental biology in mechanisms of mRNA transcription his work has provided a basis for dif- 2003. and translation. In 1978, Evans joined ferential regulation of gene expression Evans will receive his award during the Salk Institute, where he continued by nuclear hormone receptors: Evans’ the 2018 ASBMB Annual Meeting in his research on regulation of gene lab has demonstrated that subtle San Diego, where he will deliver an expression by fat-soluble hormones as changes in cDNA of nuclear hormone award lecture. well as studying basic cellular metabo- receptors are sucient to alter their
lism of sugars and fats. His work respective ligands, co-activators and Aditi Dubey ([email protected]) is has informed much of our current repressors, which in turn are capable a postdoctoral associate at New understanding of the role of nuclear of altering the set of downstream York University. receptors in both normal and disease genes activated in conditions of nor-
30 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 WALTER A. SHAW YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD IN LIPID RESEARCH Fairn recognized as ‘one of the most promising lipid researchers’ By Adriana Bankston
Gregory Fairn, an assistant profes- terol intracellular distribution and sor at the University of Toronto and movement,” according to Zaremberg. sta scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital His laboratory recently generated a in Toronto, won the 2017 Walter A. uorescent cholesterol sensor suit- Shaw Young Investigator Award in able for live-cell imaging and electron Lipid Research for his discoveries in microscopy. e biosensor has “enor- the eld of lipid biology. mous potential and will surely become In his letter supporting Fairn’s a widely used tool in the near future,” nomination for the award, David said Grinstein. Byers at Dalhousie University said, Fairn also has earned numerous “Greg Fairn has developed from one awards attesting to his contributions of the very best graduate students I to the eld of lipid biochemistry, such have encountered to one of the most “It is a great honor to be nominated as the Exceptional Trainee Award from promising lipid researchers. He is for this award by colleagues and the Hospital for Sick Children, a New rapidly becoming a leader in the lipid- mentors who helped shape my career. Investigator Award from the Canadian research eld not only through his Walt and Avanti Polar Lipids have Institutes for Health Research and an scienti c excellence and creativity but been very active and supportive of Early Research Award from the prov- also by virtue of his positive attitude, lipid research over the years. I am ince of Ontario. collegiality and work ethic.” truly humbled to receive the Walter Fairn will receive his award during Fairn’s career began in the lab of Shaw Young Investigator Award. I’d the 2017 ASBMB Annual Meeting Christopher McMaster at Dalhousie like to thank ASBMB for the award, in Chicago, where he will deliver an University, where he investigated the and the great mentors, colleagues, award lecture. e presentation will regulation of lipid metabolism and trainees and funding agencies for take place at 11:40 a.m. April 23 in vesicular transport in the trans-Golgi their work and support over the room W183c in McCormick Place. years.” using yeast genetics. According to — GREGORY FAIRN McMaster, who nominated Fairn Adriana Bankston for this award, Fairn “made a major ([email protected]) is a breakthrough in our understanding in mammalian cells using biophysical former scientist with a passion for techniques in the laboratory of Sergio improving training and policies for of how cells target lipids and proteins junior scientists. to organelles within the cell.” During Grinstein from the Hospital for his graduate studies, he published 11 Sick Children and the Univer- papers, six of them as rst author. sity of Toronto. Grinstein also Continuing his work in the eld supported Fairn’s nomination of lipid biochemistry during his for the award. “While he learned postdoctoral studies, Fairn examined virtually all we have to o er, I negatively charged lipids and “uncov- think we learned even more from ered a critical role of these lipids in him,” said Grinstein in his letter the regulation of cell polarization, of support. phagocytosis and macropinocytosis,” In his own laboratory at the said Vanina Zaremberg at the Univer- University of Toronto since 2012, sity of Calgary, who supported Fairn’s Fairn continues to “lead the lipid nomination for this award. During eld with his pioneering discov- this time, Fairn became pro cient in eries on the interdependence of conducting studies of lipid biology phosphatidylserine and choles-
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 31 ASBMB–MERCK AWARD Frydman’s protein-folding work defines ‘the forefront’ By Adriana Bankston
Judith Frydman, a professor at associated with a growing number of Stanford University, has won the 2017 human diseases. According to the late American Society for Biochemistry Lindquist, “her work holds important and Molecular Biology–Merck Award. implications for a number of human e award recognizes outstanding diseases that result from misfolding of contributions to research in biochem- proteins, in particular neurodegenera- istry and molecular biology. tive diseases.” Frydman has made discoveries in Frydman has approached her stud- chaperone-mediated protein folding ies with an “enormous intellectual and protein quality control. Her work rigor and dedication to quality, and uncovered basic principles of chaper- with a remarkable sense for biologi- one function during de novo protein cally signi cant questions,” said Hartl. “It is such an honor to receive the synthesis as well as during quality con- Walter further acknowledges that Fry- Merck award. Our work highlights trol, when protein misfolding occurs. how an incredibly elaborate network dman’s work encompasses “an innova- Correct folding of cellular proteins of chaperones controls and monitors tive, comprehensive and most elegant is a fundamental problem in biology every aspect of the life of proteins in integration of molecular chaperone and is essential to human health. “Her the cell, from birth to death. e function with cellular physiology and work encompasses an impressive string sheer elegance and complexity of pathologies.” He adds that Fryd- of path-breaking discoveries,” said this machinery, and its relevance man’s “work continues to de ne the Peter Walter of the University of Cali- for therapies for many misfolding forefront of a rapidly growing eld, fornia, San Francisco, who nominated diseases, make for an exciting and her contributions mark signi cant Frydman for this award. challenge in years to come.” milestones of our collective progress.” Frydman’s postdoctoral men- — JUDITH FRYDMAN Frydman has a Ph.D. in biochem- tor, Ulrich Hartl at the Max Planck istry from the University of Buenos Institute of Biochemistry, recounts physics, biochemistry and genetics.” Aires in Argentina. Frydman’s honors in his nomination letter how Fryd- In her own laboratory at Stanford, include the Distinguished Young man identi ed and characterized the Frydman is characterizing the process Scholars Award from the W.M. Keck eukaryotic cytosolic chaperonin com- of protein quality control in eukary- Foundation and the Merit Award plex TRiC/CCT system, including its otic cells. In a 2008 Nature paper, Fry- from the National Institute of General structure and mechanism, in a series dman’s group showed that eukaryotic Medical Sciences. She has organized of publications from his laboratory. cells have distinct quality-control and chaired a number of conferences Frydman’s identi cation of TRiC as a compartments that channel misfolded on protein folding and homeostasis. eukaryotic chaperonin similar to, but proteins to di erent cellular fates. is Frydman will receive her award distinct from, bacterial GroEL was a work relies on the sequestration of during the 2017 ASBMB Annual “tour-de-force and elucidated the fact misfolded proteins into spatially and Meeting in Chicago, where she will that protein folding begins co-trans- functionally distinct compartments, deliver an award lecture. e presenta- lationally in eukaryotic systems,” said including a compartment that serves tion will take place at 8:45 a.m. April the late Susan Lindquist of the Massa- as a reservoir for subsequent protein 26 in room W183ab in McCormick chusetts Institute of Technology in her repair/ubiquitination followed by Place. nomination letter of Frydman for this proteasomal degradation and another award. Hartl also said, “ ese studies compartment that sequesters termi- are among the nest demonstrations nally aggregated proteins. Adriana Bankston ([email protected]) is a of how one can dissect the mechanism Frydman’s work on protein former scientist with a passion for of a complex macromolecular machine homeostasis is also instrumental, improving training and policies for with a range of methods from bio- as dysfunction of this machinery is junior scientists.
32 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 HERBERT TABOR RESEARCH AWARD Gottesman wins for post-transcriptional regulation work By Mariana Figuera-Losada
Susan Gottesman of the National community. In their letters of support Cancer Institute has won the 2017 for Gottesman’s nomination, Bon- Herbert Tabor Research Award for her nie L. Bassler at Princeton University work on post-transcriptional regula- and Tina M. Henkin at Ohio State tion in bacteria. e Tabor award rec- University highlighted the fact that ognizes outstanding scienti c accom- Gottesman sel essly has encouraged plishments, excellence in biological the advancement of their careers chemistry and molecular biology, despite not having been their ocial and signi cant contributions to the mentor. is shows Gottesman’s com- community of scientists. e award is mitment to being a “leader, a teacher named after the Journal of Biological and a mentor in the truest sense,” Chemistry’s former longtime editor wrote Bassler. at the National Institutes of Health. “I am extremely honored to receive Gottesman has served on the Gottesman’s work has unveiled the the Herbert Tabor Research Award boards of the American Society for role that energy-dependent prote- from ASBMB and to have my name Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, olysis plays in protein turnover and associated with Herb Tabor as well as the Genetics Society, the American how small regulatory RNAs in uence the impressive list of previous winners. Academy of Microbiology and the regulatory circuits. Her research has Herb Tabor is the ultimate example National Academy of Science as well shown that bacteria possess complex of someone who has, throughout as the Howard Hughes Medical Insti- mechanisms of post-transcriptional his career, combined service to the tute’s scienti c advisory board. She gene regulation and inspired similar scienti c community with excellent was elected to the National Academy research in eukaryotes. science in a way that the rest of us can of Sciences in 1998 and the American Early on, Gottesman and col- only hope to emulate.” Academy of Arts and Sciences the fol- laborators de ned the regulatory — SUSAN GOTTESMAN lowing year. mechanisms for energy-dependent Gottesman earned her Ph.D. at proteolysis during stress. ey used Harvard University and moved to Escherichia coli to construct vari- proteins interfere with adaptor func- the NIH to pursue a postdoctoral ants. ese constructs allowed them tion. Several of these anti-adaptor pro- fellowship. In 1974, she became a to identify the Lon ATP-dependent teins have been shown to be expressed research associate at the Massachu- protease as a regulator of bacterial di erently to speci c stresses. setts Institute of Technology and, in capsule synthesis, cell division follow- Gottesman and her team also 1976, returned to the NIH as a senior ing DNA damage, and bacteriophage found that the expression of RpoS investigator. She later became chief of lambda development via degradation protein is a highly regulated process the biochemical genetics section at the of regulatory proteins. that depends on novel small RNAs. NCI and co-chief of the laboratory of Collaborations with Michael DsrA is one of these small RNAs that molecular biology. Maurizi and Sue Wickner at the NCI activates the translation of RpoS at Gottesman will receive her award allowed Gottesman to identify the low temperatures. RprA and ArcZ are during the 2017 ASBMB Annual ATP-dependent Clp proteases and the two other small RNAs that have been Meeting in Chicago, where she will chaperone function of their ATPase described that also function positively deliver an award lecture. e presenta- domains. Recently, she and her col- to regulate RpoS translation. tion will take place at 5:30 p.m. April laborators have shown that regulated Lawrence E. Samelson at the NCI 22 in the Skyline Ballroom W375c in proteolysis controls the levels of the pointed out in his nomination letter McCormick Place. transcription factor RpoS in response that a number of parallels can be to stress and various growth condi- drawn between Tabor’s career and that Mariana Figuera–Losada tions. Degradation of RpoS requires of Gottesman. Both developed their ([email protected]) is an ClpXP protease and an adaptor groundbreaking work at the NIH and associate scientist at Albert protein that delivers RpoS to ClpXP; demonstrated an unmatched commit- Einstein College of Medicine. under stress conditions, anti-adaptor ment to the service of the scienti c
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 33 AVANTI AWARD IN LIPIDS Haucke’s work has “high impact” in membrane biology By Courtney Chandler
Volker Haucke, professor of have led to a new model for intracel- molecular pharmacology and director lular membrane transport in which at the Leibniz Institute for Molecular phosphoinositides play a key role in Pharmacology in Germany, has won determining organelle identities. the Avanti Award in Lipids from the Haucke’s ndings have therapeutic American Society for Biochemistry potential. “Targeting phosphoinosit- and Molecular Biology. Haucke is ide-metabolizing enzymes might open being recognized for de ning the roles new therapeutic avenues for the treat- of membrane lipid homeostasis in cel- ment of diseases such as cancer and a lular transport. disorders,” said Brügger and Söllner. Haucke’s “ ndings are of key In her letter of support for Haucke’s importance for cell physiology and nomination, Lois Weisman at the pathophysiology,” said Britta Brügger “I feel truly honored to receive University of Michigan described and omas Söllner at the Heidelberg the Avanti Award in Lipids from Haucke as “an outstanding researcher University Biochemistry Center, who the ASBMB for our work on who has had a tremendous impact on nominated Haucke for the award. phosphoinositides in membrane current understanding of the roles of Haucke has made several contri- tra c and organelle identity. is is phosphoinositide lipids in membrane butions to de ning lipid functions. also an honor for the entire lab and trac.” Much of his research has focused its members, past and present. I am Haucke, an elected member of the on the role of lipids in exocytic and extremely grateful to a terri c group European Molecular Biology Organi- endocytic tracking, speci cally in of people with whom I have had and zation, earned his Ph.D. in biochem- neurotransmission. He has character- have the privilege to work.” istry from the University of Basel and ized speci c lipid-binding endocytic — VOLKER HAUCKE did postdoctoral work at Yale Univer- adapters that recycle membrane pro- sity and the Howard Hughes Medical teins found in synaptic vesicles. ese Institute. He was recruited as an inde- tosis. vesicles serve as stores for neurotrans- pendent group leader at the University In their nomination letter, Brügger mitters until their release into nerve of Göttingen, and then he moved to and Söllner said Haucke “has con- synapses. He further has de ned the the Freie Universität Berlin to serve tributed tremendously to our under- as full professor of biochemistry. In synaptic-vesicle membrane proteins as standing of biological processes that having roles in the coordinated pro- 2012, he was recruited to his current are based on endocytosis, including position. He is also a faculty member cesses of neurotransmitter release and the regulation of neurotransmission, synaptic vesicle regeneration. of the Freie Universität Berlin, where demonstrating essential roles of lipids he holds a professorship for molecular Haucke’s team also has investi- in organelle homeostasis.” pharmacology. gated a group of phospholipids called Haucke’s recent work focuses on Haucke will receive his award dur- phosphoinositides. e researchers how phosphoinositide metabolism ing the 2017 ASBMB Annual Meet- described the cellular function of the a ects endosomal processes. His ing in Chicago, where he will deliver phosphoinositide phosphatidylinosi- research shows that spatial and tem- an award lecture. e lecture will take tol-(3,4)-bisphosphate as a key player poral restrictions of phosphoinositide place at 8:45 a.m. April 25 in room in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. metabolism help to maintain mem- W183ab in McCormick Place. eir work provided the rst de ned brane identities during exocytic and function for this lipid in cellular pro- endocytic tracking. Furthermore, he cesses. It was an unexpected result that and his colleagues found that regula- Courtney Chandler forced the lipid community to rethink tion of this metabolism is critical for ([email protected]) is a what it knows about phosphoinositide cargo delivery to the cellular surface. graduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. involvement in this type of endocy- is nding and subsequent research
34 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 RUTH KIRSCHSTEIN DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE AWARD Robinson honored for helping disadvantaged high-school students By Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay
Douglas N. Robinson, professor decided to formalize the opportunity of cell biology at the Johns Hopkins in the form of SARE. University School of Medicine, won Of the 37 scholars who have come the 2017 Ruth Kirschstein Diversity through SARE to date, 23 have in Science Award for developing the reached college age and matriculated Summer Academic Research Experi- into four-year colleges with partial or ence program. e SARE program full scholarships. Half of the students helps disadvantaged teenagers in have chosen science, engineering, inner-city Baltimore get experience math or health-related majors. in biomedical research as well as aca- Peter Devreotes, the director of the demic tutoring. e American Society department of cell biology at Hopkins, for Biochemistry and Molecular explained in his nomination letter Biology’s Minority A airs Committee “Science provides innovative that Robinson won a Health Career selects the winners of this award. solutions for health, environmental Opportunity Program grant through Named after Ruth L. Kirschstein of and technological challenges. Often the Health Resources and Services the National Institutes of Health, the overlooked is that science can and Administration to expand the scope of award honors outstanding scientists should provide career opportunities SARE to the greater Baltimore area as who are committed to helping under- to everyone, regardless of their well as the rest of the country. In the represented minorities enter the sci- socioeconomic background. Dr. expanded format, the program also enti c enterprise and thrive within it. Kirschstein paved the way opening now serves disadvantaged undergradu- Kirschstein was renowned for science doors for all through science. I am ates and postbaccalaureate students. and public service. After working on deeply honored to be recognized by In his letter supporting Robinson’s the polio vaccine, Kirschstein became this award.” nomination, Bill Bement at the Uni- the rst woman to direct an NIH — DOUGLAS N. ROBINSON versity of Wisconsin–Madison wrote, institute, the National Institute of “Doug Robinson is one of an incred- General Medical Sciences. Later, she times higher than the national aver- ibly rare group: full-time researchers served as deputy director and acting age. Robinson developed SARE nine who nevertheless make major educa- director of the NIH. Kirschstein was tion contributions well beyond the years ago as a way for promising but an advocate for training, particularly expectations that come with a faculty disadvantaged students to get trained for underrepresented minorities. position.” Bement closed his letter by in academic and professional skills as Robinson studies how di erent saying that Robinson was “an ideal well as to build a network of mentors. cells take on their distinctive shapes. candidate” for the award. Robinson got the inspiration for By understanding the fundamental Robinson will receive his award SARE when he and his wife, Lisa principles that underlie cell morphol- during the 2017 ASBMB Annual Naeger, began taking Sunday dinners ogy, Robinson’s team aims to parse out Meeting in Chicago, where he will how cell shape in uences diseases such to the Boys Hope house. e house, deliver an award lecture. e presenta- as pancreatic cancer, chronic obstruc- and the subsequent Girls Hope house, tion will take place at 9:15 a.m. April tive pulmonary disease and degenera- are supported by the Boys Hope Girls 25 in room W183ab in McCormick tive motor neuron diseases. Hope organization, which provides at- Place. But Robinson and his team also risk children with homes, education, and nancial and emotional support. work to bring people into the labora- Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay tory who otherwise wouldn’t have the At the dinners, Robinson and Naeger ([email protected]) is privilege of doing research. About 34 heard the teenagers express interest in the managing editor of ASBMB percent of children in Baltimore grow research. After bringing two teenagers Today. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/rajmukhop. up in poverty, which is almost three into his laboratory, Robinson’s group
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 35 DELANO AWARD FOR COMPUTATIONAL BIOSCIENCES Shoichet wins award for informatics tools for drug discovery By Dawn Hayward
Brian Shoichet, a professor of phar- interactions with enormous impact on maceutical chemistry at the University drug discovery and enzymology.” of California, San Francisco, won the As the DeLano Award celebrates 2017 American Society for Biochem- the development and dissemination istry and Molecular Biology DeLano of computational tools, Andrew Lee Award for Computational Biosciences. Hopkins of the University of Dundee Shoichet works on the development of noted in his letter of support for docking methods and screening librar- Shoichet’s nomination that Shoichet ies and applies these tools in particular indeed ts the bill. “In the spirit of to G-protein–coupled receptors. the ASBMB DeLano Award, Professor e Shoichet lab seeks to improve Shoichet has made multiple informat- on traditional docking methods with ics platforms of his research readily accessible to the scienti c community new tricks of the trade. His lab has “My reaction to getting the award to accelerate their own research,” he generated several distinct binding was excitement to have the work of wrote. pockets that mimic typical protein the lab recognized, and melancholy Shoichet earned his bachelor’s cavities with which a promising small remembering Warren Delano and degree in chemistry from the Mas- molecule could dock. is allows even his contributions. He came out of sachusetts Institute of Technology failed predictions to help in the search UCSF’s graduate program and made and his Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry for targets that match each small important scienti c contributions from UCSF. After postdoctoral fel- molecule tested. as well as his contributions to open lowships at UCSF and the University In addition, the Shoichet lab works science. He was an ever more central of Oregon, Shoichet held a faculty with libraries containing millions of member of our community at the position at Northwestern University small molecules, looking to enhance time of his untimely death.” before being recruited back to UCSF. these libraries with the addition of — BRIAN SHOICHET bio-relevant molecules. is elevates Shoichet won the PhRMA Founda- tion Career Award and the National molecular docking projects to the level Science Foundation Career Award. of traditional high-throughput screen- A key test of these methods has He also has served on the scienti c ing methods. been on GPCRs. e Shoichet lab, in collaboration with Bryan advisory board for the National Insti- Roth of the University of tutes of Health RoadMap Chemical North Carolina, has char- Libraries and Screening Initiative acterized several orphan and the NIH Centers for Biomedical GPCRs, including GPR68. Computing. is work utilized another Shoichet will receive his ASBMB aspect of Shoichet’s tool- award during the 2017 ASBMB box, the chemical probe, Annual Meeting in Chicago, where which identi ed GRP68’s he will deliver an award lecture. e role in fear-based learning. presentation will take place at 9:15 In his letter nominating a.m. April 26 in room W183ab in Shoichet, UCSF colleague McCormick Place. Matthew Jacobson wrote, “Brian is distinct in that Dawn Hayward (dhaywar5@jhmi. he has extended the reach edu) is a graduate student at the of computational model- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. ing to study protein-ligand
36 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 ALICE AND C. C. WANG AWARD IN MOLECULAR PARASITOLOGY Sibley recognized for research on the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii By Aditi Dubey
L. David Sibley, the Alan A. & at Stanford University, he discovered Edith L. Wol distinguished professor that common strains consist of three of molecular microbiology at Wash- abundant genotypes. After moving to ington University School of Medi- his current institution, Sibley contin- cine in St. Louis, won the American ued his work on T. gondii. Society of Biochemistry and Microbi- “It is his completely fearless ology’s Alice and C.C. Wang Award in approach, scienti c excellence and Molecular Parasitology. Sibley is rec- rigor that has allowed David to use ognized for his work on mechanisms his expertise in molecular parasitology that help a pathogen adapt inside cells. to cross disciplines and provide novel e Alice and C.C. Wang award insights that are broadly relevant to recognizes scientists who have made understanding the outcome of host- seminal contributions to the eld of “I have known and admired Alice pathogen interactions,” said Christo- and C.C. Wang for their many molecular parasitology through novel pher A. Hunter at the University of contributions to the eld of molecular and signi cant discoveries. e award Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary parasitology over many years, and it Medicine, in his letter supporting honors the legacy of the renowned is a real honor to be nominated for Sibley’s nomination. parasitologists C.C. and Alice Wang. this award by my colleagues. I am Sibley is a recipient of the Bur- Sibley’s group investigates the intra- humbled to be chosen among so many roughs–Wellcome Award in Molecular cellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. excellent candidates.” Parasitology, the Molecular, Cellular A common parasite associated with — L. DAVID SIBLEY HIV, T. gondii is capable of infecting and Immunoparasitology Scienti c almost all warm-blooded animals, but Excellence Award from the Ameri- the parasite. is especially harmful to those with can Society for Tropical Medicine Not only has Sibley’s research estab- compromised immune systems. To and Hygiene and the Distinguished lished T. gondii as a model system for most people, it is best known as the Investigator Award from Washington molecular parasitology, but his work organism that causes toxoplasmosis, University School of Medicine. also has set a paradigm for under- “Sibley is an outstanding scientist a condition that can be contracted standing the biology of other patho- regardless how he is measured, or through ingestion of oocysts shed by gens, such as the malarial parasite. who he is measured against,” wrote cats or consumption of undercooked Boris Striepen at the University of Striepen. “He is one of the brightest meat harboring tissue cysts. Georgia, wrote in his letter of support stars of molecular parasitology and his Sibley’s achievements include for Sibley’s nomination, “David began accomplishments make him a natural elucidating how the organism invades these studies at a time when T. gondii candidate for the letter and spirit of the host and achieves virulence by was far from being a model system, in the Alice and C.C. Wang Award.” outwitting the cellular pathways of fact it was a rather obscure pathogen, Sibley’s award lecture will take place the host cell. Sibley’s work led to studied by a handful of investigators during the 2017 ASBMB Annual development of classical genetic maps around the world — he has main- Meeting in Chicago at 2:30 p.m. April for the parasite in order to dissect the tained his position at the very cutting 24 in W184a in McCormick Place. genetic footprint and the molecular edge of that question for more than mechanism of its virulence. His work thirty years.” has advanced our understanding of Sibley earned his doctorate at Loui- Aditi Dubey ([email protected]) is processes such as cell motility and pro- siana State University, where he stud- a postdoctoral associate at New York University. tein secretion and how these processes ied macrophage interactions with T. are regulated during host invasion by gondii. During his postdoctoral stint
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 37 EARL AND THRESSA STADTMAN DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST AWARD Taylor wins award for work on protein kinase A By Dawn Hayward
Susan S. Taylor, professor of ti c research, mentorship and science chemistry and biochemistry as well statesmanship. Mark A. Lemmon of as pharmacology at the University of the Yale University Cancer Biology California, San Diego, has won the Institute wrote in his letter of support 2017 American Society for Biochem- for Taylor’s nomination, “Susan Taylor istry and Molecular Biology Earl and was a frequent visitor to the Stadt- ressa Stadtman Distinguished Sci- mans’ laboratories at (the National entist Award. Taylor has done pioneer- Institutes of Health), and indeed has ing structural studies of protein kinase described herself as ‘a surrogate mem- A, revealing fundamental themes for ber of Earl’s family.’” all protein kinases. Taylor received a bachelor’s degree In 1991, the Taylor group solved in chemistry from the University of the structure of the catalytic sub- “I was thrilled and deeply honored to Wisconsin–Madison and a Ph.D. unit of PKA, which proved to be a receive the news from Natalie Ahn in physiological chemistry from the prototype for nearly all other pro- that I had been selected for the 2017 Johns Hopkins University. She then tein kinases. Her structural analyses Earl and ressa Stadtman Award. held two postdoctoral positions at the uncovered detailed insights into the Although I have never worked in Medical Research Council Laboratory mechanisms of ATP and peptide bind- Dr. Earl Stadtman’s lab, I have of Molecular Biology in the U.K. and ing and phosphate transfer as well as always considered him to be a close UCSD. the roles of autophosphorylation and friend and would visit with him Among other awards, Taylor has open versus closed conformations. every time that I came to NIH. Earl won the ASBMB William C. Rose ese studies were complemented by and ressa are both role models for Award, an American Association for her structural analyses for the type future generations.” the Advancement of Science fellow- 1α and type IIβ regulatory subunits — SUSAN S. TAYLOR ship and the Federation of American of PKA, which revealed how cAMP Societies for Experimental Biology is recognized by two tandem binding comparing kinases and found another Excellence in Science Award. She also sites linked allosterically. unifying theme: the hydrophobic served as president of the ASBMB. e Taylor group then solved the spine that is present in all active pro- She was elected into the National structures of PKA holoenzyme. is tein kinases. is feature has proven Academy of Sciences, the National work showed how the regulatory sub- invaluable for inhibitor development. Academy of Medicine, and the Ameri- unit inhibits the catalytic subunit by In addition, Taylor collaborated with can Academy of Arts and Sciences and served on the fellowships advisory forming an R2C2 holoenzyme complex the late Roger Tsien of UCSD to mea- where two regulatory subunits block sure cAMP levels and PKA activity in panel for the Packard Foundation and the activity of each catalytic subunit. living cells. From this, she discovered the General Motors Cancer Research Sequential and allosteric binding a nuclear export signal in the protein Foundation Awards Assembly. of cAMP to the regulatory subunit kinase inhibitor. Taylor will receive her award during initiates conformational changes that With the later discovery of proteins the 2017 ASBMB Annual Meeting lead to the dissociation of the catalytic known as AKAPs and the mechanism in Chicago, where she will deliver an activity of the C-subunit, which can of allosteric activation of the RAF award lecture. e presentation will then bind its substrate. P. Boon Chock kinase, the Taylor group solidi ed take place at 9:15 a.m. April 23 in of the National Heart, Lung and themselves as leaders in the eld. room W183ab in McCormick Place. Blood Institute states that this molecu- “Her research provides fundamental lar switch is a fundamental regulator breakthroughs in our understanding of many biological events and de nes of the catalytic action and regulation Dawn Hayward (dhaywar5@jhmi. edu) is a graduate student at the a mechanism that is adapted in di er- of protein kinases,” states Chock. Johns Hopkins University School ent ways by protein kinases. e Stadtmans, for whom this of Medicine. Next, the Taylor group began award was named, exempli ed scien-
38 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 ASBMB YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD Urban, a ‘fearless young scientist’ in protease research By Courtney Chandler
Siniša (Sin) Urban, a professor of fellow of the Packard Foundation. molecular biology and genetics at the ese systems have allowed Urban Johns Hopkins University, received better to investigate how intramem- the American Society for Biochem- brane proteases function. He has istry and Molecular Biology’s Young proposed a mechanism that is driven Investigator Award for his work on by kinetics and not substrate binding elucidating the mechanisms of intra- anity. is represents a paradigm membrane proteases. shift in the understanding of this class Urban’s research represents a of enzymes, which previously had relatively new eld that has developed been assumed to act in an anity- largely due to his work. “While many speci c manner. young faculty follow ‘hot’ trends, Urban also investigates the role (Urban’s) work is rigorous and extraor- “ e privilege of curiosity-driven of rhomboid proteases in medically dinarily innovative in an area that research is its own reward, but I’m relevant parasites, such as those that he himself created,” Nobel laureate truly honored to have our work cause malaria. Protozoal diseases are Carol Greider of the Johns Hopkins recognized in this way by our enormous health burdens and often University said in her letter nominat- ASBMB colleagues and friends. is lack adequate treatments. His research ing Urban for the award. is especially inspiring for the younger on the role of rhomboid proteases in Urban studies rhomboid proteins, members of our small and emerging disease progression represents a prom- a group of proteases present inside the intramembrane proteolysis eld.” ising area for development of novel lipid bilayer of cell membranes that — SINIŠA URBAN protozoal treatments. Urban is a hands-on scientist and cut other transmembrane proteins. In “spends half his time at the bench” addition to characterizing the mecha- as a J.B. & Millicent Kaye Prize fellow according to Greider. He also “devotes nisms of these unique enzymes, he in cancer studies in Cambridge before time to teaching and mentoring, also has identi ed roles for rhomboid moving to Harvard University as a fel- including serving as Director of proteases in protozoal pathogens. low for the Society of Fellows. Admissions for the Johns Hopkins “Very few investigators work at the In 2006, he was recruited to the Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular intersection of these dicult areas,” Johns Hopkins University, where he Biology (BCMB) PhD program at explained Greider, “but what is clear has expanded his work of revealing the the School of Medicine,” said Greider, molecular basis of rhomboid func- from Dr. Urban’s work is that it is an adding that Urban “will continue to area of great current and future tion and its role in disease. He has contribute breakthroughs to our scien- importance.” published papers in various journals, ti c community here and abroad.” Despite being early in his career, including Cell, Nature and Molecu- Urban will receive his award during Urban already has made numerous lar Cell, that de ne the structure the 2017 ASBMB Annual Meeting contributions to his eld. Urban of rhomboid enzymes and describe in Chicago, where he will deliver an discovered and described the molecu- a novel method to study enzyme award lecture. e presentation will lar function of the classical rhomboid kinetics in the membrane in real take place at 9:15 a.m. April 24 in gene during his graduate training in time. “He decided that achieving a room W183ab in McCormick Place. the Medical Research Council Labora- real understanding of intramembrane tory of Molecular Biology in the enzymes required developing cutting U.K. For this discovery he has been edge biophysical approaches that were Courtney Chandler awarded many prizes, including the absent in his eld,” said Greider. For ([email protected]) is a graduate student at the University Sandler Prize by the Genetics Society this work, Urban also was named a of Maryland, Baltimore. of America. Urban continued his work Blavatnik Foundation scholar and a
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 39 WILLIAM C. ROSE AWARD Wickner honored for contributions to cell biology By Sapeck Agrawal
is year’s recipient of the Ameri- was that the so-called NSF (NEM- can Society for Biochemistry and sensitive transport factor) protein Molecular Biology’s William C. Rose functions to disassemble SNARE pro- Award is Bill Wickner, a professor teins after fusion to permit SNARE of biochemistry and cell biology at protein reutilization, rather than Dartmouth Medical School. catalyzing membrane fusion per se. He Established more than three carried out highly detailed biochemi- decades ago and named after a former cal analyses of the individual steps president of the American Society of underlying the fusion of yeast vacuoles Biological Chemists, ASBMB’s precur- in vitro and in cells.” sor, the Rose award recognizes out- Wickner has won numerous honors standing contributions to biochemical and accolades, including election to and molecular biological research and “We tackled protein translocation the National Academy of Sciences in a demonstrated commitment to the and membrane fusion as 1996, an American Cancer Society training of younger scientists. reductionists, piggybacking on the Faculty Research Award, a Gug- “Wickner’s biochemical studies are genetics work of Beckwith, Yoh genheim Fellowship, and a Merit responsible for our rst understand- Wada, Emr, Stevens and Schekman, Award from the National Institutes ing of how proteins are transported developing rapid quantitative assays of Health. He also was elected to be across membranes in bacteria. His with puri ed organelles and then a foreign associate of the European subsequent work has illuminated the reconstituting and exploring the Molecular Biology Organization and a processes of membrane fusion and biology with puri ed proteins and member of the American Academy of inheritance, two fundamental prob- lipids. I’m deeply grateful to my Arts and Sciences. lems in eukaryotic cell biology. He is a brilliant lab mates and to my revered Embodying the true spirit of scien- consummate biochemist who deserves teachers, Gene Kennedy and Arthur ti c education and collaboration and to be recognized for his outstanding Kornberg.” that of the William C. Rose Award, research contributions and extremely — BILL WICKNER Wickner has been “an outstanding dedicated mentorship,” said Suzanne and proli c mentor” to a long list of Pfe er of Stanford University in her history by being the “ rst to recon- budding and now successful scien- nomination letter. stitute bacterial protein translocation tists, which includes “46 postdoctoral Wickner’s scienti c career, which into proteoliposomes using puri ed fellows, 17 graduate students, and 13 spans over 40 years and has produced components. His lab, and that of technicians,” Pfe er said. more than 200 publications, began Shoji Mizushima, showed that SecY, On his lab webpage, Wickner with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry SecE and SecG form a basic unit of describes himself as “an over-aged from Yale University in 1967 and the translocon that can translocate a postdoc” and a “lab rat” who simply then an M.D. from Harvard Medical preprotein when supplemented with loves “talking and doing science.” School. At Harvard, Wickner worked SecA and ATP. Importantly, Wickner Wickner will receive his award dur- with “a pioneer in lipid biosynthesis, also showed that protein transloca- ing the 2017 ASBMB Annual Meet- Eugene Kennedy,” wrote Pfe er. tion requires a membrane potential in ing in Chicago, where he will deliver Wickner conducted his postdoc- bacterial cells,” wrote Pfe er. an award lecture. e presentation toral work with yet another scienti c In 1993, Wickner moved to will take place at 8:45 a.m. April 23 in legend, Arthur Kornberg, at Stanford Dartmouth Medical School, where he room W183ab in McCormick Place. University, where he co-discovered the served as chairman of the biochemis- role of an RNA primer in DNA repli- try department. His group researched cation along with Randy Schekman. mechanisms responsible for mem- Sapeck Agrawal brane fusion, this time in eukaryotic ([email protected]) Wickner’s next stop was a profes- is a science writer. sorship at the University of California, cells. According to Pfe er, “one of Los Angeles, where his group made Wickner’s most important discoveries
40 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 MILDRED COHN AWARD IN BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY Yang a “highly accomplished crystallographer” By Courtney Chandler
Wei Yang, an investigator and sec- the NIH in his letter of support for tion chief of structure and mechanism Yang’s nomination. “ is combination at the National Institutes of Health, of talents has enabled her to obtain has won the Mildred Cohn Award deep insights into several important in Biological Chemistry from the biological systems in the general eld American Society for Biochemistry of DNA repair and recombination.” and Molecular Biology. e Cohn Yang earned her Ph.D. from award honors the rst president of the Columbia University in 1991. As ASBMB and recognizes scientists who a graduate student in Wayne Hen- have advanced our understanding of drickson’s laboratory, Yang, along biological chemistry through physi- with Robert Crouch of the NIH, cal methodologies. Yang received the determined the rst crystal structure award in recognition of her work on “I am thrilled and deeply humbled of RNase H bound to its RNA/DNA elucidating the structure and func- to receive the Mildred Cohn Award substrate, thereby establishing how tion of proteins involved in genome in Biological Chemistry. Dr. Cohn, this protein removes the RNA primers maintenance. an extraordinary scientist, mentor made during DNA replication. She and former ASBMB president, was Philip Hanawalt of Stanford characterized the structure and func- a pioneer and both a role model and University wrote in support of Yang’s tion of the UvrD helicase. is work inspiration to me and my generation nomination, saying he could “think of revealed a distinct role for UvrD heli- of women scientists.” no person more deserving than Wei case in mismatch repair in addition to — WEI YANG Yang for this recognition of a woman its traditional role in repairing DNA who has made substantial advances in lesions produced by ultraviolet light. understanding biological chemistry eta, her team elucidated the molecu- Yang went on to postdoctoral fel- using innovative physical approaches.” lar mechanism Pol eta uses to bypass lowships at both Columbia University Much of Yang’s work has focused ultraviolet-induced DNA lesions and and Yale University. In 1995, she was on structural characterization of avoid mutations and malignancy. recruited to the NIH as a tenure-track proteins involved in DNA mismatch “She moves smoothly from one investigator at the National Institute repair and translesion DNA synthesis. eld to another,” said Hanawalt in his of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney She has solved the crystal structures letter, “always providing the insights Diseases. of bacterial MutL, MutS, MutH and that are derived from her understand- Yang is a member of both the DNA helicase II proteins in complex ing of fundamental crystallographic National Academy of Sciences and the with their DNA substrates. is approaches.” American Academy of Arts and Sci- work, plus activity assays, serves as the In more recent work, Yang and ences. She has received the Dorothy foundation for understanding how the her team used time-resolved crystal- Crowfoot Hodgkin Award from the mismatch repair system recognizes and lographic techniques to study the Protein Society and the Bea Singer removes mismatched DNA to ensure mechanism of DNA synthesis. is Young Investigator Award from the high delity during DNA replication. allowed them to construct the rst Gordon Research Conference on In collaboration with Roger Wood- detailed picture of phosphodiester Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis. gate of the NIH, Yang’s team deter- bond formation by a human poly- Yang’s award lecture will take mined the rst crystal structure of a merase, which included a description place at 8:45 a.m. April 24 in room Y-family DNA polymerase complexed of the transient recruitment of a mag- W183ab in McCormick Place. with a DNA lesion and engaging in nesium ion and interactions needed bypass synthesis. Subsequently, in for nucleotide addition. Courtney Chandler collaboration with Fumio Hanaoka “Dr. Yang is both an outstanding ([email protected]) is a graduate student at the University in Japan, who discovered human crystallographer and an outstanding of Maryland, Baltimore. Y-family DNA polymerase eta, or Pol biochemist,” said Martin Gellert of
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 41 DUE DILIGENCE Focus on exposure By Kaoru Sakabe
n past columns, I’ve made the within the linear range of the signal point that gure preparation so you can properly quantify it. Once I begins at data acquisition, but I you’ve scanned your lm, you can use haven’t really explained my reason- either Photoshop or ImageJ to look at ing in depth. So here, I’ll ll you in. the histogram of your image. A telltale Once you’ve snapped your picture or blip at either end of the histogram will exposed your Western blot, that image tell you that you need to adjust your becomes the version of record for your acquisition settings or use a di erent experiment. If the data you’ve col- exposure of your lm (Figure 1). lected is poor quality from the outset, e histogram is also useful in tell- your gure is already compromised. ing you if your image has been over- One way to tell if you’ve nailed adjusted during gure preparation. images are captured. If the pixels are your image’s acquisition parameters After you’ve adjusted the brightness or clustered at either end, you’ve likely is to look at your image’s histogram. contrast settings of your image, make oversaturated or underexposed your Being able to interpret the histogram sure to check the histogram one nal image. For example, aggressively correctly can tell you if you can move time. If the histogram has shifted too forward with snapping the next pic- adjusting the black levels of an immu- far to the left or to the right, you’ve ture of your mutant phenotype or if no uorescence image to reduce the likely truncated the pixels that were at you need to tinker with the acquisi- background eliminates hallmarks of a the ends of the distribution, and your tion settings. true experimental image. On the other image is now overly adjusted (Figure If you’re a digital photography hand, oversaturation leads to loss of 2). If your histogram shifts too far to a cionado, you probably are very ne details and makes it impossible to either end, the resulting image may familiar with histograms and the quantify the signal. Why? From the raise ags with reviewers or the jour- information they contain. Here’s point of view of the detector, i.e., the nal, because it may look like you’re a quick overview for those not yet camera or lm, once it has recorded trying to hide something. Remember, accustomed to viewing them: A the maximum amount of signal, it there’s no need to hide your true histogram of an image displays the cannot register any more. If you’ve hit experimental results! distribution of pixels in the image, the limit on either end of the histo- Doing your due diligence at the showing a graph of the number of gram, the detector won’t be able to tell image-acquisition phase will save you pixels with a given intensity. For an you if a band or a cell feature is two time as you prepare your gures for eight-bit grayscale image, there are times or 20 times more intense than a publication, which could be months 256 possible intensities ranging from neighboring band or cell. or even years after you initially 0 (black) to 255 (white) for each pixel If you’re acquiring images on a acquired your data. Going back and in the image. e histogram will not microscope or gel-documentation repeating an experiment because an tell you how these pixels are distrib- system, the hard part already is done immuno uorescent image was under- uted in space, just the distribution of for you, because these instruments exposed or a band was completely the pixel intensity. typically show you the histogram of blown out can be frustrating, to say Ideally, you want the pixels to the image you’ve just acquired. If you the least, so use these tips to make the lie between the two extremes. is are using lm, take multiple exposures most out of your data. ensures that the ne details of your of your blot to make sure you are
Doing your due diligence at the image-acquisition Kaoru Sakabe ([email protected]) is the data phase will save you time as you prepare your gures for integrity manager at the ASBMB. publication.
42 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 Figure 1. A spike on the histogram at 0 (red arrow) indicates that a Western blot was burned out (all black); a spike at 255 would have indicated that the blot was overexposed (all white).
Figure 2. (A) The original capture of an immunoblot (B) Some of the levels were adjusted, but the pixels were still distributed between the two extremes. (C) The immu- noblot was overly adjusted. The corresponding histogram shifted to the right, indicating that the majority of the pixels now were white.
Please come visit me and the editors of the Journal of Biological Chemistry at the 2017 ASBMB Annual Meet- ing in Chicago! We will be discussing how to publish in the journal. We encourage you to bring any questions you may have about preparing your manuscript, presenting your data, and making sure your reporting is transparent and reproducible. e session will be at 6:15 p.m. April 25 in room W184a, McCormick Place.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 43 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Making figures and slides for everyone, including the colorblind By Robert Roskoski Jr.
olor coding of objects is a useful and important way to convey One in 12 males and one in 200 females are red-green C information in biochemical colorblind. In an audience of 100 men and women, about studies. Examples include double staining in confocal micrographs and four people may be colorblind. the use of a range of colors to denote yellow and blue, while the secondary and result in red-green colorblindness. variable gene expression. However, one in 12 males and one in 200 colors are purple, green and orange Note in Figure 1 that blue and yellow females are red-green colorblind. In (Figure 1). Visual color is sensed by are perceived identically by normal an audience of 100 men and women, three types of retinal cone cells cor- and red-green colorblind individuals. about four people may be colorblind. responding to the primary colors of For both protanopes and deuter- For e ective communication, we must red, yellow and blue. Defective red anopes, distinguishing red from green consider colorblind scientists when cone cells result in a color blindness is more dicult than distinguishing making gures and PowerPoint slides. called protanopia (from Greek “prot” yellow from green (Figure 1). Avoid Colorblindness is not the loss of for the “ rst” type of cone), while having red and green lines cross or perception of all colors (a condition defective green cone cells result in placing red and green objects close to called monochromacy). Rather, col- deuteranopia (from Greek “deuter” each other (Figure 2). Although yellow orblindness makes it dicult for the for the “second” type of cone). Both has good color character for both the person to distinguish between certain of these de ciencies are transmitted protanope and deuteranope, it may colors. e primary colors are red, by X-chromosome-linked inheritance be too close to white for the normal
IMAGES COURTESY OF ROBERT ROSKOSKI JR. Figure 1. A color wheel illustrating the colors as seen by (A) a normal individual, (B) a deuteranope or (C) a protanope
44 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 Figure 2. A gene-expression profile indicated by red, black and green matrices eye to distinguish unless it has a black be better to use sky blue or Carolina or you can download the program border or background. Black, white blue for highlighting. With care, two and make analyses and revisions as and gray are easily di erentiated by di erent shades of blue may be dis- necessary. is is the procedure for nearly everyone. tinguishable. It helps to examine such generating the gures for this piece. Of all of the hues, blue is perceived gures generated on a color printer For additional advice on preparing uniformly as a color by all individuals. to ensure that di erent shades of blue color gures, visit j y.iam.u-tokyo. e color should be used rst when can be di erentiated. If it makes no ac.jp/html/color_blind. generating colored images and slides, di erence whether an object is red or A suitably made color gure may followed by yellow or green, depend- black, it’s all right to use red for the be worth more than a thousand words ing upon the background. Red is many people for whom red is a favor- because of the additional information perceived as black by protanopes ite color. Be aware, however, that the that color coding conveys. However, (Figure 1), so red print over a black protanope will see it as black. White, the coloring should be made so that it background may be invisible to them. gray and black are not colors, but they can be perceived and di erentiated by Also, the use of dark-red text for are distinguishable and useful. all scientists, colorblind or not. emphasis when incorporated within You can check your colored gures a string of black text will not be for how the colorblind perceive them Robert Roskoski Jr. ([email protected]) is the scientific perceived di erently by protanopes. by using the freeware at vischeck.com. director of the Blue Ridge Institute Moreover, dark-blue text may be per- You can upload your gure and see for Medical Research. ceived as black by everyone, so it may how it appears to a colorblind person,
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 45 ESSAY
Trump’s travel ban By Lana Saleh
n Jan. 27, President Donald J. My mother was instructed to report months. I was one month from losing Trump issued his rst execu- to the embassy for an interview as a my status as a child according to the O tive order on immigration that necessary last step for approval of her criteria of the INS. My parents scram- temporarily suspended the admission immigrant visa application. bled to make all the travel arrange- of refugees and barred citizens from e immigration process took a ments so that my mother, my two seven countries that are predominantly total of 10 years, from the initial ling younger sisters and I could immigrate Muslim — Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, in 1986 until acceptance in 1996. to the U.S. before I turned 21. Sudan, Libya and Yemen — from During that decade, several applica- Upon our arrival at the John F. entering the U.S. on any visa. I felt tion forms were lled out, and legal Kennedy airport, we were escorted outraged and frustrated. I am Muslim. documents, such as birth certi cates, to the INS oce, where my mother I am also a Palestinian refugee who marital papers, bank records, employer handed a sealed envelope given to us immigrated to the U.S. I fear that records and education certi cates, by the U.S. consular ocial in Syria the American dream is fading away were obtained. Family photographs to the ocial in the room. I felt my for many young immigrants with the and even utility bills were presented. mother’s sense of apprehension and enforcement of executive orders of this Medical examinations were per- relief as she extended the envelope kind. formed. Fees were paid. All these she had clutched to her chest tightly things were done to satisfy the require- during the 12-hour trip from Beirut ments of the I-130 application. to JFK, afraid that she would lose it My story My mother, my two younger sisters or that it would disappear into thin In August 1996, my mother and I set out for the interview at the air before the nal interview, which received a call from the U.S. Embassy U.S. Embassy in Damascus. Unfor- would dictate the fate of a decadelong in Damascus, Syria. She was being tunately, my eldest sister was not part process and her children’s future. noti ed that the I-130 application of the immigration process, since she When the INS ocial nally “Petition for Alien Relative” had been was no longer recognized as a child by stamped a temporary green-card visa accepted by U.S. Immigration and the time our petition was approved. At seal on our passports, granting us Naturalization Service. e petition the end of the interview, the consular entry to the U.S. as lawful permanent had been led by her mother, my ocer granted us acceptance and a residents, my mother’s eyes lled with grandmother, who was a U.S. citizen. visa for travel to the U.S. within six tears. She realized her children would
46 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 have a more hopeful path than her So with the enactment of President or born abroad to U.S.-citizen parents. own in a dreamland called America. Trump’s travel ban, I fear the loss of In fact, six of the 2016 American My mother and father’s families many talented scientists and engineers, Nobel laureates are immigrants. e were expelled from their homes in who will be deprived of the hope president of the Association of Ameri- northern Palestine during the 1948 for peace, freedom and opportunity can Universities, Mary Sue Coleman, Palestinian exodus. My mother’s to work in a land that always has estimated 17,000 students from the family became refugees in Syria, and extended the promises of peace, free- seven countries a ected by the rst my father’s family sought refuge in dom and opportunity to the world. travel ban currently study at American Lebanon. Both families knew extreme universities. poverty and struggle. As children, my The facts If the travel ban is implemented, parents worked in farms and factories many sectors of the American econ- to help their families survive the hard- On March 6, Trump revised the omy are expected to su er. In fact, ships they faced after being forced to travel ban to remove Iraq from the list many life scientists, including myself, abandon their homes and start from of countries. He claims the necessity view Trump’s actions as destructive to scratch in foreign lands. My parents of this travel ban on the grounds of the foundations of academic and sci- got married in 1970 and settled in protecting the country from a ood enti c institutions. Trump’s discrimi- Lebanon. But in 1975, the country of dangerous terrorists. is claim natory travel order threatens the para- began to witness 18 long years of war. has not been supported by facts. No digm of open, free and timely global My maternal uncle, who is a medi- terrorist attacks have been committed scienti c exchange and decreases the cal doctor, was the rst to immigrate on U.S. soil by nationals of the seven e ectiveness of development and to the U.S. Various family members, a ected countries since 1975, and innovation. e ability of foreign including us, followed. In 2001, my the ban ignores the rigorous process researchers in the U.S. to travel abroad mother, my sisters and I took an oath of vetting applicants for visas by U.S. to attend scienti c meetings and con- of allegiance to the U.S. and became Citizenship and Immigration Services. ferences will be restricted, as will the American citizens. Later that year, we Trump’s initiative also ignores the ability of foreign scientists to attend led I-130 petitions to bring my older facts demonstrating the productivity scienti c meetings or visit scienti c sister and father to the U.S. and contributions of immigrants to institutions in the U.S. Such execu- the U.S. workforce. Analysis of the tive orders also greatly will impede the U.S. Census Bureau data between global recruitment of scienti c talent Worried about the future 2010 and 2013 by the Pew Charitable and, ultimately, reduce American My sisters and I now live in vari- Trusts demonstrates that immigrants scienti c competitiveness on the world ous parts of the U.S. with our own make up 13 percent of the popula- stage. A failure to sustain an in ux of families. I am married to a Korean- tion and 17 percent of the workforce. international talent combined with a American whose family immigrated to A report by the National Science decrease in expenditure in life-science the U.S. when he was 2-years-old. My Foundation states that 18 percent of research and development, which the husband and I are both accomplished all scientists and engineers in the U.S. U.S. has been witnessing since 1999, scientists with jobs in biotechnology. in 2013 were originally immigrants. implies a grim prospect for the future is country granted me the oppor- Of these foreign-born scientists, 63 of science and engineering in this tunity to live in a place free of war percent were naturalized U.S. citizens, country. Our scienti c prominence and turmoil and focus on obtaining a 22 percent were permanent residents must not be bartered for short-term Ph.D. in biochemistry and co-author- and 15 percent were holders of tempo- partisan gains. ing 26 peer-reviewed scienti c articles. rary visas. Additionally, 57 percent of To paraphrase the words of Beverly We have two beautiful daughters, who these immigrants were born in Asia; Gage in her Jan. 31 New York Times are half Palestinian-American and half 6 percent were born in Africa. ese Magazine piece on the history of Korean-American, which is a rare mix are the two continents harboring the American resistance: It is time for all that one would nd only in a society seven countries named in the rst Americans to think about where they like the U.S. with such diverse cul- travel ban. want history to go. tural, racial and religious backgrounds. e NSF also reports that immi- We believe that our family is an grant scientists and engineers were Lana Saleh ([email protected]) example of the American dream and more likely to earn postbaccalaure- is a staff scientist at New that ours is the story shared by mil- ate degrees in 2013 than were U.S. England Biolabs and a member lions of immigrants who helped make citizens who were born in the U.S., of the ASBMB Minority Affairs this country into what it is today. Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory Committee.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 47 ESSAY The travel ban is why I can’t be at the ASBMB annual meeting By Adel Rezaei Moghadam
n Jan. 27, I was shocked to hear I collaborated with Ghavami, and we this support from the society. about the executive order that published several manuscripts and a As an international attendee to the O imposed a 90-day entry ban for book chapter. I was involved in vari- meeting, I started preparing for my travelers from seven countries, includ- ous projects investigating therapeutic U.S. visa application, which involved ing Iran, into the U.S. I am Iranian. applications targeting apoptosis, traveling from Winnipeg to Vancouver With the executive order, I had to give autophagy and the unfolded protein to submit ocial documents. I was up my hope of attending the annual response pathway in cancers. is gave very disappointed when the executive meeting of the American Society for me an opportunity to develop a wide order happened. I couldn’t complete Biochemistry and Molecular Biology range of skills and knowledge in the the application; there was nothing being held this month in Chicago. eld of cancer biology and therapy. I could do. e e ort I put toward I was born in Ardabil, a city in Iran. I took a keen interest in Gordon’s attending this conference was gone. I grew up in a family that had a great research program, which focuses on However, I am very thankful to respect for science and seeking new pediatric diseases involving muscle both my co-supervisors, who have knowledge. My parents inspired me tissue and insulin-resistant cells. My supported me through this process; to learn and improve. My education proposed research combines Gha- their encouragement has helped me. I at primary and secondary school capti- vami’s expertise in cancer biology also appreciate the sympathy and posi- vated me in many ways, and I found with Gordon’s expertise in muscle tivity from my lab mates in a situation myself very passionate about health development to study the regulation that I have no control over. I have science. erefore, I picked the eld of programmed cell death in alveolar been overwhelmed by the support I of experimental sciences as my major rhabdomyosarcoma for the potential have received from my family, friends, in high school, and I was very eager to of developing novel cancer therapies. colleagues and ordinary Canadians. pursue my educational goals at one of A few months ago, my co-super- ere are many students and scien- the best universities in my country. visors encouraged me to submit an tists a ected by this travel ban. I think At university, I began working as abstract to the 2017 ASBMB Annual it is unfair for students and young a research assistant in order to gain Meeting. is meeting is a prestigious trainees who cannot attend these experience and to expand my interests conference in the eld of molecular events. I spent months planning for in science. My research experiences biology. At this conference, I would this conference that would bene t my led me to participate in many national have an enriching experience by training. It is a shame that I am put in and international conferences, work- attending biochemical and molecular this tough circumstance that I could shops and training programs. biology presentations, networking not have foreseen. As I found myself curious and pas- with my peers and participating in I am lled with regret that I can’t sionate about molecular biology, bio- career-development workshops. I accept the ASBMB travel award and chemistry and cell science, I wanted was keen to learn about the latest attend the meeting this year. However, to do more research. I applied to the innovations in cell science and cancer I always will be grateful for receiving University of Manitoba in Canada and therapy. In addition, attending this this honorable travel award, and I look began in a master’s program in Janu- conference would provide me with forwarding to attending the meeting ary 2016. I chose Joseph Gordon and a great opportunity to interact with at a better time. Saeid Ghavami as my co-supervisors, established scientists and graduate as they are world-class researchers in students and forge new collaborations. Adel Rezaei Moghadam their respective elds of muscle devel- After submitting my abstract, I was ([email protected]) is a graduate student at the University opment and cancer biology. excited to later receive an ASBMB of Manitoba. Prior to starting my master’s degree, travel award. I felt honored to receive
48 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 ESSAY Empowering immigrants in rural America By L. So a Gonzalez
stumbled upon United Speakers not know. I went through ESL classes works with the lone social activist in when I was a rst-year transfer starting in third grade and was helped the severe cases of workers’ abuse. I student at Truman State Univer- so much by the few teachers who It has been uplifting to see new sity. e university is in Kirksville, didn’t feel burdened by a child who Truman students come to United Missouri, about four hours away from didn’t speak a word of English for Speakers and be overwhelmed by the St. Louis. e group’s goal is to help most of the year. work needed from them but yet give the rural communities of Kirksville Once I learned English, I became hours of their time every single week. and nearby Milan through English- my parents’ translator. I spent parent- As I often tell them, it is a di erent as-second-language classes, social teacher conferences translating conver- world from the safety of campus and activism and other needs. I feel blessed sations for them and put in years the city suburbs we grew up in. e to have the opportunity to place my of reading and understanding bills, need, so painfully present in Kirksville heart and soul into this group. letters, contracts and medical informa- and Milan, has driven me to start Why do I believe that outreach and tion for them. My responsibilities as more ESL classes, hold ACT-prep service to immigrants is an impor- a child prepared me well for United classes for young immigrants inter- tant social issue? Why is this social Speakers. ested in leaving the factory, invest in issue relevant to scientists? Now, and In the rolling hills of pork and corn getting more help from the language particularly during the years I served agriculture of Kirksville and Milan, it faculty at Truman, and motivate as president and vice president of is a surprise to nd booming immi- friends and students who thought this student-run organization, I have grant communities. e communi- they were inadequate for teaching and seen my story and my parents’ stories ties are made of new francophone outreach. If you are willing, you are re ected in the individuals I’ve taught African families as well as people from prepared. ere is no more to it. or served. I’ve had the experience of Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala. I understand how highly improb- being an immigrant, which has driven e Hispanic community has been able stories, with patience, extraordi- me to provide language services. present for as long as the Smith eld nary tenacity and just a bit of luck, I have lived with the fear that I pork company has been in these rural become possible. It is because of this didn’t deserve to have a full educa- towns of 14,000 (Kirksville) and that I would argue that the scienti c tion, internalizing what some teachers 2,000 people (Milan). community needs to dive into the and professors had told me. After e heartland of America seems uncomfortable topic of immigration all, as I was told by these teachers unprepared for these immigrant and political asylum. e potential and professors, why would a former communities, but it is exactly for this that the scienti c community, and the undocumented child of modest eco- reason that I grew to love the work so country as a whole, will nd in immi- nomic means amount to much? I was much and why United Speakers has grants is unsurpassable. New genera- fortunate to be young enough when built such a strong link to the com- tions are laying their foundations in my father petitioned permanent resi- munities in both Milan and Kirksville. this nation for the very rst time. dency for us. Despite the 12-year wait, My parents could rely on church at immense task needs to involve during some of which I returned to organizations, nonpro ts and wisdom everyone, scientists included. Mexico by myself, I was able to return from more stablished immigrants and pursue my dreams. in St. Louis. But the immigrants in Now, as someone who is at the Kirksville and Milan have none of L. Sofia Gonzalez ([email protected]) is a senior threshold of graduate-school deci- that. United Speakers serves as transla- at Truman State University. She sions, I know that I have come this tors for court cases, helps the sole ESL was a recipient of the Marion far because of people and a country teacher in the schools, o ers the only B. Sewer Distinguished that invested in a stranger they did adult ESL classes in both towns and Scholarship for Undergraduates in 2016.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 49 ESSAY Losing my doomsday clock to start graduate school By Charles Brenner
hen I was a sophomore thaw of the Cold War allowed at Wesleyan Univer- me to experience more space in W sity, Ronald Reagan which to express my creativity. defeated Jimmy Carter to My son was in in college become the 40th president of when Donald Trump defeated the United States. It was 1980, Hillary Clinton to become the and the Bulletin of Atomic 45th president of the United Scientists moved its Doomsday States. e Bulletin pushed Clock forward to seven min- the clock forward to 11:57:30 p.m., which is the closest it has utes to midnight. In 1981, the been to midnight in my life- clock was set to four minutes time. My son and most of the to midnight, and in 1984, the college students I teach don’t clock was set to 11:57 p.m. yet know what their life’s work During those years, I kept a will be and whether they will clock in my bedroom that was need advanced training. Many set to the Doomsday Clock. of them are uncertain about My clock was a Russian pocket their future because of current watch that my grandfather events. had given me. While the clock Just like Wesleyan students served an important notice of in the early 1980s, they want the state of the world, look- to be politically active. I sup- ing at that clock made me feel port their e orts to agitate for con ned and limited in what I research and teaching. speech, education, equality of could accomplish. Returning to the U.S., I decided opportunity, peace and freedom of I studied molecular biology at that I would take the plunge and expression. I remind them that a part Wesleyan. When I graduated in 1983, invest in my own education. I was of freedom of expression can be nd- I took my rst job at Chiron Corp. working at the DNAX Research Insti- ing your own voice in the classroom With so much global uncertainty, I tute when the Doomsday Clock was and in the laboratory, thereby advanc- wasn’t sure what to do with my life, pushed back to 11:54 p.m. in 1988. ing the boundaries of what is known. I am grateful that external forces and I could not commit to going to Around that time, I lost my doomsday in the late 1980s and early 1990s pro- graduate school. It was obvious to me clock. While it had sentimental mean- vided me with enough space to go to that there was a world of discoveries ing as a gift from my grandfather, that graduate school. But I could not have that could be made in biochemistry clock was holding me back. I needed done so had I not lost my doomsday and molecular biology, but I wasn’t to suspend temporarily my disbelief in clock. entirely sure that there was going to be the future to create one for myself. a world as we knew it. I was in graduate school at Stanford I enjoyed the opportunity to visit a University when the Berlin Wall was Charles Brenner biotechnology center in a developing demolished and the Soviet Union ([email protected]) is the Roy J. Carver Chair and head of country in late 1985. It was there that collapsed; the clock was pushed back biochemistry at the University of I realized that my greatest contribu- to 11:50 p.m. in 1990 and 11:43 p.m. Iowa. Views expressed are tion to the world might be through in 1991. ere’s no question that the his own.
50 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 ESSAY Science in the post-truth age By Jennifer DuBois
he results are in: Denmark is a Part of the problem may stem from obvious conclusion that the sun circles prison. how scientists talk about science. the Earth, just as medieval mariners T In Hamlet’s dark mood, Experimental science is rooted in the suspected the world was not at. Denmark felt like, and therefore was, scienti c method, which is itself a However, their questions were not a prison. As he famously explained, form of inductive reasoning based on grounded in feelings, preferences or “ ere is nothing either good or bad, systemic observations. ere’s the rub: personal agendas but rather a rising but thinking makes it so.” Inductive reasoning, or “the infer- tide of countermanding observations. e statement speaks to the current ence of general laws from particular Abraham Lincoln is said to have zeitgeist. e Oxford Dictionaries instances” (thank you again, Oxford observed: “You can fool all the people named “post-truth” as its 2016 word Dictionaries), easily can be misused some of the time, and some of the of the year, de ning it as “relating to or mistrusted by those not practiced people all the time, but you cannot or denoting circumstances in which in the art. Members of the American fool all the people all the time.” By objective facts are less in uential in Society for Biochemistry and Molecu- letting the air out of the emotional shaping public opinion than appeals lar Biology are familiar with the adage appeals — the marketing — we may to emotion and personal belief.” from enzymology in which we say that hope to cut down the number of e American Merriam–Webster we never can prove that a mechanism people in the middle category. Science dictionary acknowledged a related is true; we only can falsify particular education and outreach have a vital phenomenon earlier, giving its 2006 steps. role to play in demonstrating how to word of the year to comedian Stephen is falsi cation criterion, in turn, use inductive reasoning — the scien- Colbert’s “truthiness” — believing comes from a philosophy of science ti c method — to construct a credible something that feels true, even if it is that sets a very high bar for truth. An argument. Embedded in that notion is not supported by fact. observation, however often made, is that every argument based on observa- A climate of post-truth may not just that: an observation. Bertrand tion has limitations and the reason for be such a big problem if you happen Russell illustrated the shortcomings of those quali cations and wiggle words to be in marketing. However, for the inductive reasoning with his story of a that we insert at the conclusion of rest of us, particularly those of us in turkey. is turkey woke every morn- every scienti c paper. the scienti c community, the sway of ing expecting to be fed as he always Truth may be for the saints and feelings over fact-based arguments is had been without fail, only to have his philosophers. Experimental science troubling. head cut o on Christmas Day. Albert and those who invoke it are limited to e line between fact and belief, Einstein is reputed to have summed theories: proofs beyond a reasonable even in matters of science, has grown up the problem of induction with the doubt. Such proofs cannot be com- more and more nebulous. A co-worker adage “No amount of experimenta- municated adequately in a brisk 140 teaching an introductory chemistry tion can ever prove me right; a single characters of text, and they rarely leave course recently described an inci- experiment can prove me wrong.” one with a satisfying, truth-y feeling. dent. While explaining the infrared Observations, even repeatedly Science education and outreach must spectrum of carbon dioxide to his made, can appear to lie. And scien- become more engaging and compel- class, he commented on the connec- tists, rather than proclaiming climate ling than ever if an informed scienti c tion between carbon dioxide, infrared change and its anthropogenic causes as viewpoint is going to compete — for absorption and global climate change. fact, instead describe a series of obser- the public’s minds if not their hearts After the lecture, a student in a state vations with which that conclusion is — in 2017. of some agitation expressed her sur- consistent. prise that the professor was allowed to e general public is right to be Jennifer DuBois air his personal opinions in a univer- skeptical, just as our graduate students (jennifer.dubois1@montana. sity lecture. e professor did a double absolutely must be, if we are to have edu) is an associate professor at take: Had climate change become the any hope for scienti c progress. Montana State University and the new evolution? Copernicus was right to question the secretary of the ASBMB.
APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY 51 THE DO-OVER Finding the right fit By Rachel Fairbank
he summer before my senior In a little while, I’m set to graduate discoveries. I loved thinking about the year of high school, I worked with an MFA in creative writing. Dur- big picture. T in a developmental genet- ing these years, as I wrote my rst full Most of all, I loved hearing stories ics lab at Cornell University, where draft of a book and started my rst about science. My favorite classes I screened for mutations suppress- science-writing job, I’ve had the time were the ones where we learned the ing the sma-9(cc604) mutation in the to re ect on my decisions. Some days, stories behind the discoveries. Barbara nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. My when I think about all of the false McClintock toiling in obscurity adviser was a brand-new faculty mem- starts and odd paths I’ve traveled in with her rows of corn as she discov- ber and optimistic enough to give my life, I wonder how I could have ered transposable elements. Hilde a chance to a lost and confused high- been so lost, so confused, so aimless. Mangold performing the tiny, delicate school student. After the summer On the worst of these days, I cave in experiments demonstrating the ended, I continued to work in the lab. to regret about all the time I’ve lost. process of embryonic induction only Its culture of learning and questioning Of all my regrets, the biggest to die in a gas explosion before her lled a need in me. one is this: I spent too much of my results were published. As these experiments progressed, life wanting to be someone else. Like Even the scientists around me con- I remained lost and confused about Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters chopping tained a treasure trove of stories. My my life. Research o ered escape o their toes to t into a golden slip- adviser at Cornell did her postdoc- from a dicult family situation and per, I chopped o pieces of myself in toral fellowship in Andy Fire’s lab challenged me on an intellectual the hopes of tting into a profession during the years when he performed level. Although close, research was not when instead I should have focused on the experiments demonstrating gene the perfect t. My search had not yet nding what t me. silencing could be triggered by tiny ended. One side of me longed for creativ- snippets of double-stranded RNA. e As a college freshman, I chose ity. Another side of me longed for lab next door to us had published the music as a major. At age 21, I changed logic. As a music major, I zeroed in on paper that laid the foundation for this my major to biology. roughout science. As a science major, I indulged discovery. During my nal semester this time, I continued working in the my creative impulse with music of college, my favorite class, which I genetics lab. Before I knew it, I’d put and writing. Back and forth I renamed “scientist story time,” fea- in seven years, a period during which I went. Science. Art. Science. Art. tured a tag-team of professors that watched the hard work of an entire Forcing myself into a mold was turned each subject into a story about lab grind toward a pathway describ- exhausting. In a never-ending battle the scientists behind the discovery. ing cell-fate speci cation decisions in of fear and doubt, I questioned my Eventually, I stumbled onto the a C. elegans cell lineage. abilities and the future. In my second idea of science writing and found my Eventually, I graduated with a year of the developmental biology way to a writing program where I bachelor’s degree in biology and program, I was hit by a car walk- learned to lean into my storytell- headed to the wilds of Texas for a ing to school. In the aftermath of ing impulse. Once that happened, Ph.D. program in developmental biol- recovery, as I returned to school, I was the puzzle pieces fell into place. ogy at Baylor College of Medicine. At forced to confront the reality that I e doubt and anxiety disappeared, age 26, crippled with anxiety result- hadn’t found my vocation yet. As a replaced by the con dence that I’d ing from an accident, I dropped out researcher, I was nervous and absent- nally found the career that t. of graduate school, leaving research minded, with a habit of going o on behind. At 29, I entered graduate tangential literature searches. school again, this time in creative writ- Soon enough, I had to sit down Rachel Fairbank ing at the University of Houston. and think about who I was and what I ([email protected]) is a At 30, I nally found my vocation: loved to do. I loved the rush of analyz- science writer and graduate student in creative writing. science writing. ing results. I loved learning about new
52 ASBMB TODAY APRIL 2017 APRIL 2017 ASBMB TODAY c3