CONTENTS
NEWS FEATURES PERSPECTIVES
2 14 22 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE QUANTUM BIOLOGY COORDINATES CONTINUES TO INTRIGUE Exiting the hobbit hole 5 10 NEWS FROM THE HILL 24 What’s on tap for 2016 MINORITY AFFAIRS 24 Research spotlight 6 26 Committee update MEMBER UPDATE 28 8 EDUCATION NEWS Why should you be an ASBMB 8 NIH retiring 50 reserve chimpanzees Student Chapters adviser? 9 Proteins get their own periodic table 12 30 10 CAREER INSIGHTS JOURNAL NEWS Working at a PUI 10 Implicating proteins in synaptic plasticity 11 When the good and the bad make the ugly 24 12 JLR co-editor in chief steps down 13 e details of DNA end resection 7
14 Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay on the comeback of quantum mechanics in molecular biology.
22
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
THE MEMBER MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY PCP addict By Steven McKnight OFFICERS COUNCIL MEMBERS Steven McKnight Squire J. Booker President Karen G. Fleming Gregory Gatto Jr. o — I’m not talking about Were it up to me — and as I have Natalie Ahn Rachel Green phencyclidine or angel dust but admitted over and over, it is not — I President-Elect Susan Marqusee instead PCP as an abbreviation would never fund a research project Jared Rutter N Karen Allen Secretary Brenda Schulman for three words: phenomenon, curios- that did not do one of two things. A Michael Summers ity and paradox. worthy project should either question Toni Antalis Treasurer ASBMB TODAY EDITORIAL My 1973 edition of Webster’s our existing assumptions or propose ADVISORY BOARD New Collegiate Dictionary de nes a an uncharted pathway directed toward EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Charles Brenner phenomenon as “a rare or signi cant an unexplained biological phenom- Squire Booker Chair fact or event,” a curiosity as “one enon. Wei Yang Michael Bradley Co-chairs, 2016 Annual Floyd “Ski” Chilton that arouses interest especially for Knowing that my advice is anti- Meeting Program Cristy Gelling uncommon or exotic characteristics,” thetical to the status quo, I start with Committee Peter J. Kennelly and a paradox as “a tenet contrary to the truth-in-advertising warning that Rajini Rao Peter J. Kennelly received opinion.” I’m always on the the thoughts presented herein are Chair, Education and Yolanda Sanchez Professional Development Shiladitya Sengupta lookout for any PCP worthy of study. anti-professional. Follow this advice, Committee Carol Shoulders Once I nd a good one, I see the and you are almost certain to get your Daniel Raben opportunity to make a discovery. grant application triaged. Chair, Meetings Committee ASBMB TODAY Angela Hopp Before discussing ways of nding PCPs abound in biology. ey hit Takita Felder Sumter Executive Editor, Chair, Minority A airs PCPs, let’s rst question the value of us in the face without even looking for [email protected] Committee this strategy. them. Some may defy conventional Lauren Dockett omas Baldwin Managing Editor, With respect to practicality wisdom and be paradoxical, others Chair, Outreach Committee [email protected] (careerism), this approach is a bad may constitute little more than weird Wes Sundquist Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay idea. Committing to a project that is curiosities, and still others may rest Chair, Public A airs Chief Science Correspondent, Advisory Committee [email protected] unusual, exotic or contrary to opinion on a newly observed phenomenon of Blake Hill Valery Masterson is not easy. Granting agencies tend to interest. Chair, Publications Designer, choke on ideas that are new, di er- I bump into PCPs on a regular Committee [email protected] Lauri Pantos ent or a challenge to conventional basis. Here are several examples that F. Peter Guengerich Manager of Publications wisdom. ey want us to add incre- I thought of without getting up from Interim editor-in-chief, JBC Technology, [email protected] mentally to the existing knowledge my chair. Herbert Tabor Ciarán Finn Co-editor, JBC Web Publication Assistant, base; they want to know that what Starting with the phenomenon c [email protected] A. L. Burlingame we propose in our grant applications category of the PCP triad, I recount a Editor, MCP Allison Frick Media Specialist, will work. Nothing I’ve ever known conversation I had recently with my Edward A. Dennis [email protected] for sure will work and proceeded to colleague, Betsy Goldsmith. Betsy William L. Smith Barbara Gordon do has added anything of signi cance. is interested in how cells respond to Co-editors, JLR Executive Director, [email protected] If a project is perceived as likely to changes in osmotic pressure. Much to succeed, building on what already is her surprise, Betsy found an enzyme known and accepted, it is far more that is pressure sensitive and involved For information on advertising, contact Pharmaceutical Media Inc. at 212-904-0374 or [email protected]. digestible to most review committees in a signaling cascade that responds than a project seeking to challenge to extracellular osmolarity. How crazy dogma or break new ground. and cool is this? An enzyme that is
www.asbmb.org/asbmbtoday PRINT ISSN 2372-0409 Correction Articles published in ASBMB Today re ect solely the authors’ views and not the ocial positions of e article “More good news about aspirin” in the October 2015 issue of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular ASBMB Today incorrectly referred to salicylate as an acetylated form of Biology or the institutions with which the authors are aliated. Mentions of products or services are aspirin. It is an unacetylated form of aspirin. not endorsements.
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2 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 pressure sensitive! Betsy sticks her the ultraconserved intronic elements technical hurdles might be way too enzyme in a test tube, pumps up the of the NPAS3 genes as to its protein- high, or our instincts may simply be pressure, and the enzyme activates coding exons. is is a curiosity. dead wrong. magically. Talk about a cool phenom- I’ll close with a paradox. Several PCP projects are risky. We all know enon! years ago, my trainees and I stumbled this. What if our system of grant fund- Moving to the curiosity category, I onto the fact that low-complexity ing, instead of betting on sure winners turn to a gene my lab has studied for a sequences associated with many DNA guaranteed of incremental advance, while — the gene encoding a tran- and RNA regulatory proteins can instead demanded that each funded scription factor that we call neuronal polymerize into amyloidlike bers. project aim at a unique phenomenon, PAS domain protein 3, or NPAS3. Intuition and certain experimental curiosity or paradox? A small fraction e NPAS3 gene has ridiculously large observations led us to hypothesize that of the annual budget of the National introns. Two of the introns span nearly there might be biologic utility to LC Institutes of Health is indeed devoted a million base pairs. Geez, it takes the sequence polymerization. Whether to high-risk, high-reward projects — RNA polymerase II enzyme ve to 10 we are right or wrong on this remains perhaps 1 percent in aggregate. Why hours simply to transcribe the gene open to question. e paradox that is do we not devote a higher fraction of from end to end. Other genes are big, clear, however, is that the amyloidlike biomedical research funding to crazy so the whalelike size of NPAS3 introns bers polymerized from LC sequences exploration? is not all that perplexing. Cool and are labile. is is crazy. As visualized e success rate of PCP-funded unexpected is the fact that the introns by electron microscopy, LC amyloids projects would be modest. Many of the NPAS3 gene contain hundreds look just like pathogenic amyloids that would fail. By contrast, the small of ultraconserved elements 100 to 300 are rock solid and at the heart of many number of wins might accelerate base pairs in length. ese elements forms of neurodegenerative disease. our understanding of how biological have been conserved for upward of How can two amyloid bers look the systems actually work. e careers half a billion years, going back to the same yet be entirely di erent with of scientists crazy enough to expend evolutionary time when our ancestors respect to lability? their shot on the goal of a four-year diverged from teleost sh. I happen to believe that these three period of grant funding on a wild and e intronic sequences of the PCPs are pregnant with discovery. crazy project might well decay and die NPAS3 gene are conserved to an at is the good news, and that is on the journey. Despite this risk, I’m extent equal to the handful of exons what causes me to adore my job. e thinking that the line for those bold that encode the polypeptide sequence bad news is that I can’t be sure that enough to give PCP a try might be of the NPAS3 protein. If we knew studies of Betsy’s pressure-sensitive long. nothing about exons, introns, proteins enzyme, the ultraconserved intronic — nothing about the central dogma elements of the NPAS3 gene or our Steven McKnight (steven. of molecular biology — yet were able labile amyloids will illuminate our [email protected]) is president of the American to sequence and comparatively align understanding of biology. Instincts tell Society for Biochemistry and the NPAS3 genes from dozens of me they will, but these are the sorts of Molecular Biology and chairman vertebrates, evolution would be telling projects that most grant review groups of the biochemistry department at the University us to pay just as much attention to would automatically reject — the of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
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4 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 NEWS FROM THE HILL What’s on tap for 2016 By Benjamin Corb
s the calendar turns to 2016, our propriations opportunities. is year those society members who want to attention shifts to what con- the Senate is expected to release and play more active roles in our advocacy A cerned scientists can expect from discuss its own bill aimed at help- e orts, including developing local Washington during a presidential elec- ing researchers: the Innovation for opportunities for postdocs to present tion year. Let’s dust o the crystal ball Healthier Americans Act. ese two their science in a way that promotes and make some predictions for the bipartisan legislative initiatives, which not only amazing research but also coming year. are intended to help the research pride in their home states. We’re community develop treatments for continuing to strengthen and broaden Funding those su ering with diseases, have the our blog (policy.asbmb.org), so it’s the potential to move quickly and become source for goings-on in Washington, With the 2015 Bipartisan Budget D.C., that may a ect your laboratory. Act, we got a total spending level feel-good stories of bipartisan legislat- ing done right in 2016. We’ll also be publishing a monthly established for scal year 2017. Add advocacy newsletter to make infor- this to the scal year 2016 spend- mation even more accessible to you. ing bill, which provided measurable Sustaining the enterprise Finally, we are beginning an analysis increases to the National Institutes of Over the past several years, the of basic science study sections at the Health’s budget, and it feels as though American Society for Biochemistry NIH to try to identify ways the NIH a lot of the scal advocacy heavy and Molecular Biology’s Public A airs can better serve the needs of the basic lifting has been done. Considering Action Committee has focused on science community. that 2016 is not only a presidential the issue of sustaining the biomedi- is year, like every year, is about election year but also an election year cal research enterprise. We are very our members — how we can best for the entire U.S. House of Repre- excited to announce that next month serve you and represent you to the sentatives and one-third of the U.S. we will hold a stakeholders summit policymakers here in the capital. If Senate, we know that Congress will on the topic. During the summit, you like what we’re doing, have ques- be in recess more often than usual, thought leaders will develop ideas tions about what we’re doing or want leaving less time for legislating. us, about how best to sustain the enter- to share your ideas, reach out to us. we anticipate a continuing resolution prise, and following the summit, the We’d love to hear from you. will be the most likely outcome of the ASBMB will announce an advocacy We are available via email at appropriations process this year. strategy designed to implement those publica [email protected] or on Twitter anks to the hard work of U.S. ideas. (www.twitter.com/ASBMB). Reps. Fred Upton, R–Mich., and Dianna DeGette, D–Colo., who New initiatives Benjamin Corb (bcorb@asbmb. pushed the 21st Century Cures Act org) is director of public affairs through the House of Representatives Your public a airs sta isn’t stop- at ASBMB. last summer, the research community ping with funding and sustainability. should keep an eye out for nonap- We’re exploring new ways to engage
Interested in science policy? Follow our blog for news, analysis and commentary on policy issues a ecting scientists, research funding and society. Visit policy.asbmb.org.
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 5 MEMBER UPDATE
Ohsumi to receive leading advocate for communication considered an uno cial ambassador between policy makers and scientists. for the university. Rosentiel Award As part of his new role, he will con- Goldberg has contributed ground- Yoshinori tribute to policy at state and national breaking research on malaria and Ohsumi, a levels, working in tandem with other was director of the school’s medical cell biologist leading o cials in the scienti c com- scientist training program from 1997 at the Fron- munity to shape the development of to 2007. tier Research scienti c research and education. Goldberg has had a highly deco- Center at the Yamamoto also will help maintain rated career, and in 2013 the Ameri- Tokyo Institute UCSF’s ranking as the No. 1 public OHSUMI can Society for Biochemistry and of Technology, recipient of National Institutes of Molecular Biology recognized him will receive the 45th Lewis S. Rosen- Health funding and its reputation as with the Alice and C. C. Wang Award stiel Award for Distinguished Work one of the primary institutions for in Molecular Parasitology. in Basic Medical Research. Brandeis science research and education in the University presents the award annually country. Zuk tapped to direct to scientists whose discoveries are of Yamamoto brings a wealth of particular originality and importance knowledge and experience to his new NIGMS division to basic medical research. Brandeis is position. He joined the UCSF faculty Dorit Zuk recognizing Ohsumi for his “pioneer- in 1976 and has served as professor of has been ing discoveries of molecular pathways cellular and molecular pharmacology, selected as the and biological functions of protein vice dean of the School of Medicine, director of degradation by autophagy.” and the vice chancellor for research the National Autophagy is a form of degrada- — all positions he will continue Institute of tion and recycling and elimination to occupy. Yamamoto also runs a General Medical of unnecessary cellular components. ZUK research lab that studies signaling and Sciences’ Divi- Ohsumi used budding yeast as a transcriptional regulation by nuclear sion of Genetics and Developmental model organism to identify pro- receptors. Biology. To help advance prevention, tein components of the autophagic treatment and diagnosis of a variety machinery as well as mutations in WUSTL’s Goldberg named of diseases, GDB funds research that many of the genes that code for these studies the cellular and molecular proteins. He and his colleagues also distinguished professor mechanisms underlying inheritance, discovered some of the regulatory Daniel E. gene expression and development. proteins of autophagy. Goldberg has A molecular biologist with a According to Brandeis, though “the been named the background in science policy and lysosome was rst identi ed in the rst David M. communication, Zuk is a former 1950s, it was not until Dr. Ohsumi’s and Paula L. deputy editor of Cell and was the edi- work that the many protein compo- Kipnis distin- tor of Molecular Cell. Previously the nents of this degradative machine were guished profes- GOLDBERG identi ed.” sor at Washing- science policy adviser to the National Written by Alexandra Pantos ton University School of Medicine in Institutes of Health deputy director St. Louis. Goldberg is a professor of for extramural research, she currently Yamamoto appointed medicine and molecular microbiology serves as director of the O ce of and has been co-chief of the school’s Policy, Communications and Strate- UCSF vice chancellor division of infectious diseases for 15 gic Alliances at the NIH’s National Keith Yama- years. Center for Advancing Translational moto is the is professorship honors the late Sciences. inaugural vice David Kipnis, a pioneering scien- Zuk also has held science policy chancellor for tist and educator who was with the fellowships with the American science policy university for nearly 50 years, and Association for the Advancement of and strategy at his wife, Paula Kipnis. David Kipnis Science and the American Academy of the University of was instrumental in developing the Arts and Sciences. She has been with YAMAMOTO California, San university’s medical school, which he the NIH since 2007. Francisco. Yamamoto long has been a led for two decades. His late wife was Written by Erik Chaulk
6 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 Baumann a BioArt contest winner Heinz Baumann at the Roswell Cancer Research Institute in Bu alo, N.Y., is one of the 2015 winners of BAUMANN the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology BioArt contest. e con- test highlights artistry in biomedical and life sciences by recognizing the often spectacular images and videos produced in the course of research. Laboratory-based images produced by federally funded investigators, contrac- tors, trainees or members of FASEB societies are eligible for the contest. labeling in a mouse model. Cell descendants carried on Baumann is part of a research group that seeks to a color induced in their parent cells, and the technique identify genetic changes that contribute to pancreatic created a stunning, colorfully abstract proof of concept cancer. e team labeled and tracked the tumor origins image. of cancer cells through the use of “confetti” uorescent Written by Erik Chaulk
Upcoming ASBMB events and deadlines Jan. 9: ASBMB workshop Developing and Sharing Best Practices: From Concept to Classroom,
JAN. Melbourne, Fla. Jan. 23: ASBMB workshop Developing and Sharing Best Practices: From Concept to Classroom, Hattiesburg, Miss. Jan. 23: ASBMB workshop Developing and Sharing Best Practices: From Concept to Classroom, New York City Jan. 28: Late-breaking abstract deadline for the ASBMB 2016 Annual Meeting, San Diego
Feb. 23: Discounted housing closes for the ASBMB 2016 Annual Meeting, San Diego
FEB. Feb. 27: ASBMB workshop Developing and Sharing Best Practices: From Concept to Classroom, Westerville, Ohio
Mar. 1: Early discounted registration closes for the ASBMB 2016 Annual Meeting, San Diego
MAR. Mar. 1 – 4: ASBMB is a sponsor at the Deuel Conference Mar. 15: Accreditation deadline
Apr. 2 – 6: ASBMB annual meeting APR.
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 7 NEWS NIH retiring 50 reserve chimpanzees By Chris Pickett
he National Institutes of Health announced that it is ending its T chimpanzee research program and will retire all of the agency’s remaining chimpanzees. e news comes two and a half years after the NIH announced plans for a dramatic reduction in the number of chimpan- zees used for biomedical research. In 2013, the NIH retired the majority of its chimpanzees and kept 50 in reserve for research needs. e new move will retire these 50 chimpanzees. “We reached a point where … the need for research (using chimpanzees) has essentially shrunk to zero,” said NIH Director Francis Collins in an interview with Nature. “I think this is the natural next step of what has been a very thoughtful ve-year process of trying to come to terms with the bene ts and risks of trying to perform research with these very special ani- mals.” e original set of retirements came NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH after a 2011 report by the National Pumpkin is a retired chimpanzee living at the Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico. Academies made a series of recom- the USFWS closed this loophole and been moved to sanctuary facilities. mendations for improving the treat- listed captive chimpanzees as endan- Second, Chimp Haven in Louisiana, ment of research chimpanzees. Since gered along with their wild brethren. the only federally accredited facility to the 2013 announcement, the number is ruling does not eliminate the handle retired research chimpanzees, of requests to use chimpanzees for possibility of conducting research on is nearing capacity. While the NIH no research has dropped so signi cantly chimpanzees, but it does add new longer owns chimpanzees for research that the NIH decided the mainte- rigorous requirements for justifying purposes, the agency will still pay for nance required for the remaining 50 new chimpanzee research, including a chimpanzee facilities for several years chimpanzees was not worth the price. determination that any research would until the entire U.S. research chim- A rule change by the U.S. Fish and have to bene t wild chimpanzees. panzee colony is moved to retirement Wildlife Service also may have played While the NIH has committed to locations. a part in the NIH’s decision. Until retiring its entire chimpanzee colony, Chris Pickett (cpickett@asbmb. mid-2015, wild chimpanzees were the speed with which retirement will org) is a policy analyst at the listed as an endangered species, but a be accomplished is not clear. First, ASBMB. loophole exempted captive chimpan- only a portion of the chimpanzees zees from protected status. In June, slated for retirement in 2013 have
8 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 NEWS Proteins get their own periodic table By Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay
uch like Legos, evolution, combined in very proteins can come speci c ways, give rise to M together in a almost all known structures number of ways to create of protein complexes,” says complex structures. e Ahnert. various ways make it hard e investigators say to organize protein com- that the fact that almost plexes into categories. all known protein com- But now, in a paper just plexes could be arranged out in the journal Science, into a periodic table is researchers describe an revealing and will help approach to classify protein understand how protein complexes that creates a complexes come about. periodic table, like the EMBL-EBI / SPENCER PHILLIPS “Most heteromeric protein periodic table that’s used An interactive periodic table of protein complexes. complexes — ones with in chemistry to organize more than one protein type But by organizing the di erent ways elements. “We’re bringing a lot of — consist of identical repeated units order into the messy world of protein protein comes together into a table, of several protein types,” says Ahnert. complexes,” says Sebastian Ahnert at Ahnert, along with Sarah Teichmann “Because of this, heteromeric protein the University of Cambridge. Ahnert at the European Molecular Biology complexes can, in fact, be viewed as is the rst author on the paper. Laboratory–European Bioinformatics simpler, homomeric protein com- Many proteins spend much of their Institute, Joseph Marsh at the Univer- plexes — ones that only consist of a time interacting with other proteins sity of Edinburgh and others, wanted single type of protein — if we think and assembling into complexes in to see if some of the fundamental of these repeated units as larger ‘single order to carry out their functions. But steps in protein complex evolution proteins.’” the interactions and functions are spe- would become apparent. ci c, much like in the way di erent ey did. e investigators orga- Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay Lego bricks can latch onto each other nized complexes based on simple rules ([email protected]) is only in certain ways. e underlying so that they could nd the most basic the chief science correspondent for ASBMB. Follow her on Twitter principles of protein interactions and structures. “In the end, we discovered at twitter.com/rajmukhop. assembly are not yet fully understood. that three possible steps of interface
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 9 JOURNAL NEWS
Implicating proteins in synaptic plasticity By Mariana Figuera–Losada
he activity of synapses, those Spence and Scott H. Soderling at fundamental biochemical units Duke University covers the molecu- T and cellular structures that lar processes involved in the regula- allow nerve-impulse transmission tion of synaptic cytoskeleton within between neurons, is not constant. the dendritic spines in the context Rather, synaptic strength can of human neurodevelopmental and weaken or intensify over time in psychiatric disorders. is review response to activity levels and other emphasizes actin lament assembly factors. Changes in activity also are and disassembly and its role in associated with changes in the size synaptic plasticity, because it is the and shape of synapses. is synaptic most abundant cytoskeleton com- plasticity is thought to play a criti- ponent in the dendritic spines. cal role in various forms of learning Finally, Beatriz Alvarez–Castelao and memory, and understanding its and Erin M. Schuman at the Max molecular bases has become a thriv- Planck Institute for Brain Research ing area of neuroscience research. discuss an important mechanism Synapses contain hundreds of of inducing long-term synaptic proteins, including neurotrans- plasticity that involves regulation mitter receptors, cell-signaling of synaptic protein synthesis and molecules, sca olding proteins proteasome-dependent degradation. and cytoskeleton components. phosphorylation, ubiquitination and e authors present an exhaustive ese proteins are involved directly palmitoylation — on the stability, discussion of the evidence to date that in synaptic activity. To understand tra cking and synaptic expression explains where and how synaptic pro- how the brain truly works, we need of ionotropic glutamate N-methyl- tein turnover occurs; which proteins to comprehend the role of proteins in D-aspartic acid, or NMDA, and are a ected by these processes; and the synaptic plasticity. α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4- long-term e ects of these events on e Journal of Biological Chem- isoxazolepropionic acid, or AMPA, learning, memory and behavior. istry recently published a collec- receptors, the workhorses of excitatory Understanding how changes in tion of thematic minireviews edited synapses. e review also addresses synaptic activity are connected to by Roger J. Colbran of Vanderbilt the e ects of these modi cations on modulation of protein expression and University. Titled “Molecular Mecha- two major forms of synaptic plasticity: degradation, post-translational modi- nisms of Synaptic Plasticity,” the series long-term potentiation, or LTP, and cations and cytoskeleton dynamics is includes four reviews that discuss long-term depression, or LTD. essential to determining the molecular recent advances in understanding the Kevin M. Woolfrey and Mark bases of physiological and pathologi- mechanisms that modulate synaptic L. Dell’Acqua at the University of cal processes that occur in the human protein production and function as Colorado provide an additional in- brain. In addition, this knowledge well as the e ects of these mechanisms depth discussion of post-translational could contribute to the develop- on synaptic plasticity. modi cations. ese authors discuss ment of novel therapies for disor- Marc P. Lussier at the University experimental evidence supporting the ders — such as Parkinson’s disease, of Quebec at Montreal, Antonio idea that the balance between phos- schizophrenia and autism — that have Sanz–Clemente at Northwestern phorylation and dephosphorylation of been associated with unresponsive or University and Katherine W. Roche at glutamate receptors and ion channels overactive synapses. the National Institute of Neurological mediates LTP and LTD. Moreover, Disorders and Stroke discuss one of the dynamics of these signaling events the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity are dictated by the association of pro- Mariana Figuera-Losada ([email protected]) is an in the rst review. e authors detail tein kinases and protein phosphatases associate scientist at Albert the consequences of three types of with postsynaptic sca old proteins. Einstein College of Medicine in post-translational modi cations — Next, a minireview by Erin F. the Bronx.
10 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 JOURNAL NEWS
When the good and the bad make the ugly By Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay
t rst, no one took them seri- held a faculty position. Beckman was recognized as an oxidant and nucleo- ously. In 1991, Rafael Radi, a tenure-track assistant professor who phile that can attack mitochondria A Joseph Beckman, Kenneth had done a postdoctoral fellowship and lead to cell death by a slew of Bush and Bruce Freeman published with Freeman. oxidation and nitration reactions. a paper in the Journal of Biologi- In the PNAS paper, the authors Radi explains that peroxynitrite has a cal Chemistry demonstrating that described how nitric oxide reacted dual personality. It can be “liberated a molecule called peroxynitrite, with superoxide to form peroxynitrite. by our immune cells to kill invading the product of a reaction between “We proposed that nitric oxide was pathogens,” says Radi. But he adds nitric oxide and superoxide radicals, toxic because it reacted with superox- that the molecule has been implicated selectively attacked sulfhydryls in ide to form peroxynitrite,” explains in atherosclerosis, hypertension, type proteins. “Nobody believed much of Beckman. 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative con- any of it,” recalls Beckman at Oregon Radi, who had ditions, such as amyotrophic lateral State University. “It was considered an joined the Free- sclerosis. unproven theory. I was surprised we man group as a Peroxynitrite even got the paper accepted in JBC.” postdoctoral fellow, can break down Today, “Peroxynitrite Oxidation had been working to form secondary of Sulfhydryls” is recognized as a JBC RADI on oxygen radicals molecules, such as Classic (1). e paper has been cited at the Universidad de la República nitrogen dioxide in the scienti c literature more than in Uruguay (he later returned to the and hydroxyl radi- 2,100 times. institution as a principal investigator). FREEMAN cals. Freeman says Until 1990, the chemistries of For the JBC paper, he and Beckman nitrogen dioxide is nitric oxide and oxygen radicals were analyzed the reaction kinetics of per- capable of nitrating protein tyrosine thought to be unrelated. Nitric oxide oxynitrite with bovine serum albumin and tryptophan residues and unsatu- was known to physiologists as the and cysteine and discovered that rated fatty acids. e latter reaction molecular radical that caused vasodila- peroxynitrite was capable of directly leads to products with signaling capa- tion, played a role in neurotransmis- oxidizing sulfhydryls, much more bilities that modulate metabolic and sion and killed invasive pathogens. so than hydrogen peroxide. “ is inammatory responses. e fatty- e chemistry of superoxide and other completely opened a new paradigm of acid reaction with nitrogen dioxide is oxygen radicals fell under the purview oxygen-radical-dependent toxicity by being scrutinized as a drug target. of biochemists interested in the dam- means of the crosstalk with the nitric But back in the early 1990s, “it age wreaked by these reactive entities. oxide pathway,” says Radi. Bush, took a few years and redundant ways Neither group considered that its the third author on the paper, was a to show that these reactions were radical of interest had anything to do research technician who later became of any importance in biology,” says with the other. a lawyer. Radi. Beckman sees the silver lining at view was Radi says he and Beckman found in having naysayers: Not too many challenged in 1990 inspiration from Clint Eastwood’s others were interested in working on with a paper in the 1966 movie “ e Good, the Bad peroxynitrite. e eld was left wide Proceedings of the and the Ugly.” It was unthinkable to open for investigators like him, Radi National Acad- physiologists that nitric oxide could and Freeman to get a head start on emy of Sciences, “be converted in such a nasty mol- peroxynitrite research. He says, “ e BECKMAN with Beckman as ecule just because of the reaction with moral here is don’t get discouraged the rst author and Freeman as the superoxide,” says Radi. “Nitric oxide if people don’t immediately jump to corresponding author. At that time, was the good guy. Superoxide was the your ideas.” the group was at the University of bad and peroxynitrite the ugly.” Alabama at Birmingham. Freeman ese days, peroxynitrite is Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay ([email protected]) is the chief science correspondent for ASBMB. Follow her on Twitter REFERENCES at twitter.com/rajmukhop. 1. Radi, R., et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2666, 4244 – 4250 (1991).
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 11 JOURNAL NEWS
JLR co-editor-in-chief steps down By Mary L. Chang
oseph L. Witztum has stepped “From the beginning, we worked down as co-editor-in-chief of closely together with a shared goal J the Journal of Lipid Research. of continuing and expanding on the A distinguished professor at the almost 50-year tradition of JLR of University of California, San Diego, being the leading journal in lipid Witztum joined the JLR leadership metabolism. Over the rst ve years, as deputy editor in 2003. In 2008, he we doubled the number of submis- was named co-editor-in-chief along- sions and brought the acceptance rate side Edward A. Dennis. to about 30 percent. We expanded the JLR Associate Editor William ematic Review Series and, for our Smith at the University of Michigan 50th anniversary, published a special was named Witztum’s replacement golden issue with 75 reviews covering as co-editor-in-chief. His term began the latest in all of lipid metabolism. Jan. 1. DAVID AHNTHOLZ We also initiated the JLR Lectureship Witztum has worked in the eld Joseph Witztum at selected specialized lipid meetings of lipoprotein metabolism for more for his detailed reviews of submitted each year.” than 40 years, much of that time with work. He evaluated every submitted Witztum graduated magna cum the late Daniel Steinberg, who invited manuscript to determine if it met the laude with a bachelor’s degree in him to join the faculty at UCSD in journal’s stringent submission guide- chemistry from Vanderbilt University 1979. e two worked on deciphering lines and took extra time to consult in 1965 and earned his medical degree how oxidized, low-density lipopro- with one or more associate editors at Washington University at St. Louis teins and the body’s immune system about papers that went to peer review. in 1969. An internship and residency played roles in atherogenesis. Stein- If he didn’t feel a manuscript met the in internal medicine at Mt. Sinai berg and Witztum led the clinical journal’s guidelines or felt it was more Hospital in New York City and a posi- trial unit at UCSD as one of the units suitable for publication elsewhere, tion as chief medical o cer at Win- of the Coronary Primary Prevention Witztum would write a detailed letter nebago Indian Hospital on a Native Trial (1). e 10-year study, which to the authors explaining his decision. American reservation in Nebraska ended in 1984, was the rst large, ran- He made it a priority to respond to followed. He later took a fellowship domized, double-blind study to show authors quickly, maintaining that if in endocrinology and metabolism and a statistically signi cant decrease in he were submitting a manuscript to then a faculty position at Washington heart disease as a result of cholesterol- the JLR he would want to be shown University in St. Louis before being lowering drug therapy. Witztum and similar respect. recruited to UCSD in 1979. Witztum Steinberg’s results sent ripples through e journal sta regularly received has an active research lab and is an the medical community and signi - positive replies from authors about internist, continuing to see patients in cantly changed how physicians treated Witztum’s decision emails. ey a lipids clinic. patients’ high cholesterol levels. were often e usive in their praise of For his many contributions to According to Dennis, also of Witztum, thanking him for the care the journal, Witztum was honored UCSD, “Joe is one of the foremost he took with his letters. A recent at a special dinner in New York in researchers on lipoprotein metabolism email reads, “ ank you very much October. He won’t be cutting his ties and especially the role of oxidized for taking the time to write such a to the journal completely, however. As LDL in the pathogenesis of athero- considered and informative decision of Jan. 1, he will become an associate sclerosis, and his knowledge and wis- letter. It has been very much appreci- editor. dom in this area have been invaluable ated by the authors and a pleasant for the JLR. It has been a wonderful change from the standard rejection Mary L. Chang is publications period of working closely with such a letter issued by many journals.” manager at ASBMB. creative and devoted scientist.” Dennis says he and Witztum roughout his time at the oversaw signi cant milestones during journal, Witztum was recognized their time together at the journal.
12 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 JOURNAL NEWS The details of DNA end resection By Aurelia Syngkon
ells are exposed con- tinuously to challenges, C such as ionizing radia- tion and collapsed replication forks, that cause double- strand DNA breaks. Such breaks can lead to cell death or provoke chromosomal rearrangements that make a cell susceptible to cancer. As a result, cells have adapted a couple of highly e cient repair systems to keep these double-strand DNA breaks in check. e most common repair mechanism is nonhomolo- gous end joining, which reat- taches broken DNA strands DNA end resection is required for all recombination processes. The resection of the 5’-terminated DNA strand is required for with minimal processing and all recombination pathways, including the SSA, synthesis-dependent strand annealing, and canonical double-strand break repair pathways. DNA end resection prevents mutagenic NHEJ. Microhomology mediated end-joining was omitted from the without regard to missing scheme and text for simplicity. nucleotides. e other repair mechanism, which is less Based on various biochemical resects ssDNA. Exo1, however, does error-prone, is homologous recom- and genetic studies, the author is in not have to pair up with a helicase. It bination, in which a single-strand support of a short-range bidirectional can degrade directly the 5’-terminated end within dsDNA. overhang invades a similar or identical resection model. He writes: “(U)pon e author also highlights the strand from a sister chromatid and the initial endonuclease cleavage, the regulation of the resection process by uses it as a template to repair breaks. Mre11 exonuclease proceeds back → phosphorylation of the Sae2 protein, is repair process is the focus of a towards the DNA end via its 3’ 5’ which in turn activates Mre11. is recent minireview published in the exonuclease activity.” is would control mechanism is carried out Journal of Biological Chemistry. explain how MRX is able to resect by cell-cycle protein kinase CDK “ e repair of DNA double-strand DNA with secondary structures or (Cdc28) to ensure DNA is resected breaks by homologous recombination proteins dangling on their sides and only in the S/G2 phase of the cycle commences by nucleolytic degrada- obstructing exonucleases. “ e endo- where homologous template is avail- tion of the 5’-terminated strand of the nuclease cut can create an entry point able and also by DNA-damage check- DNA break,” which results in 3’-over- for long-range resection enzymes,” Cejka writes. point proteins in response to breaks. hangs, explains author Petr Cejka at is is how cells decide if DNA resec- the University of Zurich. e second step is carried out by either the helicase/nuclease activity of tion would be a viable option, and In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevi- then the “nucleases team up with the Sgs1–Dna2 enzymes or the nucle- siae, end resection has two steps right partners to initiate (homologous ase activity of Exo1 enzyme, which e rst step depends on a com- recombination),” writes Cejka. plex of three proteins — a nuclease, advances the process by resecting long Mre11; an ATPase, Rad50; and an stretches of DNA. e Sgs1–Dna2 tag Aurelia Syngkon (aurelia. associated protein, Xrs2 — together team unwinds dsDNA in the 3’→ 5’ [email protected]) is a direction using Sgs1 helicase, while biotechnologist and a former termed the MRX complex. Mre11 postdoctoral research fellow in the has both an endonuclease and 3’→5’ Dna2 nuclease loads onto the other biochemistry and pharmacology exonuclease activity. strand in the 5’→3’ direction and department at New York University.
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 13 FEATURE
Quantum biology continues to intrigue
‘It’s an attractive idea that nature has adopted, and optimized, fundamentally quantum phenomena’
By Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay
14 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 hat if you were told that a Jim Al-Khalili at the University of single proton or electron can Surrey, who has gone as far as giving a W inuence the behavior of an TED talk and co-writing a book with entire biological molecule? Would you McFadden on quantum biology called snort with derision or give the idea “Life on the Edge,” says that the eld some serious thought? needs to be treated with caution. “We e loosely de ned eld of quan- have to be skeptical,” he says. tum biology, which is permeated in equal parts by speculation, skepticism Quantum mechanics and unbridled excitement, looks to that strange realm of physics called brushes against genetics quantum mechanics where energy e concept of quantum biology starts acting funny. Researchers work- rst arose in the late 1920s. Quantum ing in this niche are asking if some physics was in its heyday after the dis- critical biochemical reactions rely on covery that particles existed as discrete the split personality of energy as waves packets of energy that could act like and particles. waves. e word “quantum” refers to Super cially speaking, quantum those wave-particle packets of energy. mechanics pervades all chemical reac- When quantum physicists estab- tions including ones in the specialized lished the mathematical basis for collection called life. “If you delve into quantum mechanics in the early 20th chemistry deep enough, you inevitably century, they “strode out of their labs come across quantum mechanics, in around Europe, arrogantly looking the sense that the orbital structure of around for other problems to solve,” atoms is based on quantum mechan- says Al-Khalili. “ e biologists looked ics,” says Johnjoe McFadden at the like they needed some help — they University of Surrey in the U.K. So, in couldn’t understand what a gene was.” a sense, he adds, “quantum mechanics At this time, biologists were is everywhere.” wrestling with understanding what a Quantum e ects tend to fade at the gene was made of, how it functioned level of whole atoms and molecules. and how it propagated from one At this level, classical mechanics, generation to the next. It was natural the realm of forces laid out by Isaac for scientists to wonder if genetics at Newton and others, begins to dictate the atomic level could be explained the movements of objects. Quantum by quantum phenomena. After all, mechanics also is thought to be most certain areas of physics and chemistry, noticeable at temperatures close to such as condensed-matter physics and absolute zero. e general thinking computational chemistry, make sense goes that there is no way quantum only in view of quantum mechanics. e ects could persist at the relatively Why would biology be di erent? balmy temperatures of life. Physicists who pondered the But what if — just what if — they atomic and molecular processes of life did? included Max Delbrück and Erwin A pressing problem with the eld Schrödinger. Delbrück was an author of quantum biology is the inability to on a paper that considered the e ects test and prove unequivocally many of of ionizing radiation on genetic mat- the ideas within its purview. For that ter. at paper, “On the nature of reason, even the most ardent support- gene mutation and gene structure,” ers of quantum biology are its biggest inspired Schrödinger’s book “What is skeptics. “I’m always the biggest critic Life?” e book devoted much atten- as well as a fan,” says Greg Scholes of tion to quantum e ects in biology, Princeton University, who is studying with Schrödinger postulating how quantum e ects in photosynthesis. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 15 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 But, he adds, “my sense is that it has really not (been) established yet that order at the level of the hereditary any of these phenomena are genuinely material could lead to order on the quantum mechanical.” organismal level. Much of the skepticism is rooted “What is Life?” is said to have moti- in the fact that quantum mechanical vated James Watson and Francis Crick experiments are hard to do. Typical to think about the structure of DNA. experimental conditions in quantum In 1953, Watson and Crick published mechanics are near absolute zero, the double-helix structure. “What under vacuum and vibrationally came thereafter was that there was this isolated — hardly physiological. Bio- strong sense that quantum mechan- chemical analyses are another ball of ics was no longer needed in biology,” wax. Measuring quantum phenomena says Al-Khalili. “Molecular biology in molecular biology can be an artful was doing very well without quantum arrangement of experimental compro- mechanics, thank you very much.” mises. But then the problem becomes e notion that quantum e ects proving that the quantum e ects being may play important roles in molecu- measured in experimental systems lar biology went out of fashion. But beginning in the 1970s, quantum actually happen in the real world. It’s e ects started to be considered again challenging to show unambiguously in disparate subject areas: Do quan- quantum e ects in biological experi- tum phenomena occur when some ments. species of birds migrate? Are they And then comes the question of present during the rst stages of pho- relevance — are quantum phenomena tosynthesis? Do they inuence enzyme making a di erence in biochemical catalysis? processes, or can they simply occur without having any meaning- Biological relevance ful e ects? e very fact that most molecular biologists and biochemists What makes quantum biology of don’t contemplate quantum mechan- today di erent from the science of yes- ics in their line of work says some- teryear is that researchers are designing thing. “Right now, biologists don’t experiments and developing theo- care” about quantum mechanics, says retical models based on experimental Scholes. “We have to listen to that. It data. As Alexandra Olaya–Castro at means we haven’t proven biological the University College London says, relevance.” quantum biology is “now driven by experiments.” But hesitation abounds in calling The poster children quantum biology an actual eld of So far, researchers have demon- study, even among the scientists who strated quantum e ects most clearly in work on quantum phenomena in vari- enzyme catalysis and photosynthesis. ous biological processes. “I’m not sure Both areas are most advanced in their about calling it quantum biology. It’s experimental data and theoretical clearly in vogue at the moment,” says underpinnings. Another line of work Peter Hore at the University of Oxford is avian migration; the centuries-old in the U.K., who is interested in question of how migratory birds understanding the molecular mecha- navigate from one part of the globe to nism by which migratory birds sense another continues to dog researchers. Earth’s magnetic eld. “It’s an attrac- Enzymes. Judith Klinman at the tive idea that nature has adopted, and University of California, Berkeley, optimized, fundamentally quantum has been studying quantum e ects in phenomena for its own purposes.” enzyme catalysis since the late 1980s.
16 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 She seems surprised that her body of to take place, very close together — so work is held up as one of the prime close that that the hydrogen can move examples of quantum biology. “I never like a wave to get from one site to thought it would be called a eld,” she another. says. e emerging picture is a “very Over the years, Klinman’s group di erent view of catalysis,” says Klin- and collaborators have shown man. “ e role of the whole protein, that hydrogen tunneling occurs in through these uctuating conforma- enzymes. e fact that electrons can tions, is to bring things so close that tunnel, which means to cut across an quantum mechanics starts to take energy barrier instead of going over over, even at room temperature.” it, is undisputed. Hydrogen tunnel- Photosynthesis. A longstanding ing is another matter. Hydrogen is question in biology is how the energy 2,000 times heavier than an electron. from sunlight gets transferred through It wasn’t clear, when Klinman and her chlorophyll molecules to the photo- team began looking at isotope e ects synthetic reaction centers with nearly in enzymatic reactions in the late 100 percent e ciency and within 1980s, that this heavy entity had that picoseconds. requisite quantum duality of wave and In 2007, Graham Fleming’s group Researchers are trying to determine if quantum particle. at Berkeley published a paper that phenomena are present during the first stages of But in doing the kinetic isotopic suggested a role for quantum mechan- photosynthesis. e ect experiments with enzymes ics in photosynthesis. ey described such as alcohol dehydrogenase and their analysis of the Fenna–Matthews– soybean lipoxygenase for more than Olson complex. e FMO complex two decades, Klinman and colleagues appears in green sulfur bacteria that showed that hydrogen tunneling was live in the Black Sea and other sul de- occurring in biological molecules at rich waters. e FMO complex room temperature. e experiments contains a type of chlorophyll, a class involved replacing hydrogen with its of molecules that can absorb photons heavier isotopic counterpart deute- and transfer the electronic excitations, rium and measuring how the catalytic which are created during the absorp- pace of the enzyme changed. tion process, to the reaction center of Initially, Klinman says, the data the photosynthetic apparatus. ese suggested that a simple tweak to an electronic excitations are quantum existing theory based on semiclassical mechanical entities called excitons. mechanics would explain what was e investigators used an ultrafast going on. But as more data accumu- spectroscopic technique that allowed lated, it became obvious the tweak them to study the complex. In analyz- wouldn’t su ce. A new explanation ing the data, “we saw a long-lived was needed. “I didn’t really believe it oscillatory signal that was lasting far at rst,” says Klinman, recalling her longer than we would have expected,” reaction when she rst had to consider says Greg Engel, who was the rst that quantum mechanical behavior author on the paper as a postdoctoral was occurring. fellow working with Fleming. “It was at new explanation was that a lasting, interestingly, on the timescale hydrogen, like an electron, was cut- of the energy transfer times in these ting through an energy barrier rather complexes.” than going over the hump. New data e collective electronic excita- suggest motions of the enzyme are tions of interacting chlorophylls were critical for the quantum phenomenon thought to cause the oscillatory signal. to occur. e motions of the enzyme How the oscillatory signal came about bring two sites, the acceptor and became a pressing question in the donor that are needed for the reaction CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 17 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 “What we need is to develop new kinds of measurements,” says Scholes. eld. But after years of debate, says e kind of new measurements he’s Olaya–Castro, a quantum phenom- thinking of will allow researchers actu- enon was the answer. e data sug- ally to see the energy moving through gested that the energy was traveling the chlorophyll molecules to the reac- by multiple routes in the chlorophyll tion centers. molecules simultaneously, all within a But that’s easier said than done. couple of picoseconds. “We lose so much information as McFadden uses a tra c jam to complexity scales,” says Scholes. explain the quantum phenomenon: “ at’s one of the issues here. We “You can go one way or another way can do these pretty deep analyses and to escape the tra c jam. But you incisive experiments on these isolated never know, once you’ve taken one light-harvesting complexes, but what route, whether the other route would happens when you have 100 of them have been better. But for the energy in European robins navigate during migration using working together in an organism magnetoreception. photosynthesis, it travels through all which has other things to worry about routes and then crashes down on the as well?” one that works out the best.” Avian magnetoreception. Before A criticism of the 2007 observation the onset of winter every year, Euro- was that the isolated FMO complexes pean robins make their way from were analyzed at 196 °C, a tempera- Scandinavia to the Mediterranean or ture far from being physiologically North Africa. Since the 19th century, relevant. In 2009, the group of Ian zoologists have wondered if migratory Mercer at University College Dub- birds follow the Earth’s magnetic eld. lin reported similar observations at It wasn’t until 1976, with work done ambient temperatures with the light- by the husband–wife team of Wolf- harvesting complex II of a photosyn- gang and Roswitha Wiltschko, that thetic bacterium. In 2010, Scholes’ the answer became obvious. Yes, birds group demonstrated the phenomenon like the European robins navigate by in aquatic algae, and Engel, now an magnetoreception, which means by independent investigator at the Uni- sensing the Earth’s magnetic eld. But versity of Chicago, repeated the FMO now the question was how. experiments at higher temperatures. In 2000, Klaus Schulten’s group e observation has been extended at the University of Illinois Urbana– beyond bacteria and algae to protein Champaign proposed that magneto- complexes in spinach. reception relied on cryptochromes, a As more research has gone into class of molecules ubiquitous in many the mechanism of excitation trans- species, as the internal compass in fer within chlorophyll molecules, birds. it’s becoming apparent, as it has for Cryptochromes are found in the enzyme catalysis, that speci c motions eyes of most animals. Although cryp- of the pigment are critical for allowing tochromes are implicated in regulating the quantum phenomenon to occur. circadian rhythms, Schulten’s group “Normally in biology, you focus on put forward the idea that crypto- the paradigm of structure–function, chromes play a role in photosensitive but these observations are adding an magnetoreception. Inside the crypto- element to that paradigm that should chrome, the authors suggested, there be structure–dynamics–function,” was a coupling between unpaired elec- notes Olaya–Castro. tron and nuclear spins. e coupling However, researchers still feel they is a quantum phenomenon known as are not getting a proper look at the entanglement. mechanism of excitation transport. e proposal had a historical
18 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 There are hints that cryptochromes in monarch butterflies, which migrate, are sensitive to magnetic effects. context. Back in the 1970s, Schul- are challenging experiments to do,” ten originally had suggested that, in notes Hore, whose group has being the presence of light, unpaired spins working in the area. coupled in a way that was sensitive to Just on the molecular-biology front, a magnetic eld. e 2000 paper by “we have no idea about what the envi- Schulten’s group pinpointed the spins ronment of these proteins might be to cryptochromes, which “gave us all a inside the cell,” says Hore. “We really speci c molecule to think about,” says have no idea about what the binding Hore. (In their book, Al-Khalili and partners are of the cryptochromes in McFadden call that paper “one of the the context of magnetic sensing. It’s classic papers of quantum biology.”) almost certain the proteins will have Since then, there are some hints to be immobilized to stop them rotat- that cryptochromes in fruit ies and ing inside the cell, because if they do monarch butteries (like European rotate then they won’t be able to sense robins, monarch butteries also the rotation of the magnetic eld, migrate) are sensitive to a magnetic merely its presence. at’s not enough eld. For example, in 2008, Steven for a compass.” Reppert’s group at the University en come the issues of proving of Massachusetts published a paper that the phenomenon actually hap- demonstrating that fruit ies missing pens. All molecules possess thermal cryptochromes were insensitive to energy simply because of their random magnetic eld e ects. motions. is energy may override e question now dogging weak magnetic e ects. Skeptics have researchers studying avian magneto- pointed out that because the Earth’s reception is how a single molecule magnetic eld is so weak (refrigera- sitting in an animal’s eye can sense tor magnets are stronger than Earth’s Earth’s very weak magnetic eld, do magnetic eld), any interactions of some quantum mechanics and set the a molecule with the magnetic eld animal in the right direction. “ ose CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 19 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 drawing board to try other theoreti- cal frameworks, “if your results say will get swamped by the molecule’s hydrogen doesn’t tunnel across DNA thermal e ects. strands, then it doesn’t,” says Al- e answer to the skeptics is tim- Khalili. “You have to live with it. You ing. “If you manage to do the process can’t just make stu up. at’s where fast, before the thermal e ects take we are at the moment.” over, that thermal energy becomes e one thing experts unanimously irrelevant,” says Schulten. say is that they need new technologies And then comes the task of proving and methods to delve deeply into the biological relevance. In nonbiological questions being asked about quantum molecules, quantum entanglement is e ects in biology. Without having the known to happen. “But the entangle- experiments that unequivocally show ment doesn’t give you anything extra,” that quantum e ects are taking place says Hore. e entanglement simply in molecular biology, Olaya–Castro exists. e same may apply to radical says the eld will remain hung up on pair spins in biological molecules; the the question, “Are you sure you’re see- quantum entanglement may not exert ing quantum e ects?” any e ects. “We need to move this eld for- ward to actually say for sure, ‘Yes, here Be skeptical, is the proof that it is quantum,’ so we can move on now to address what is, not dismissive I think, the most important question: ere are more ideas in quantum ‘What advantage does this bring to biology. Olfaction, the science of how biology?’” she says. we smell, has been linked to quantum But until that happens, the eld e ects. So has consciousness, with will be hounded by skepticism. How- proposals that quantum processing ever, skepticism, which the experts of atomic spins may be at the core of welcome because they say it makes for consciousness or that voltage-gated better science, isn’t the same thing as ion channels may act as the centers outright dismissal. Some experts say for quantum e ects. ese areas are their ideas get rejected outright by surrounded by more skepticism and biologists who have built entire careers controversy than the other areas of without having to ponder the vagaries quantum biology. of the quantum world. “Quantum mechanics is required Al-Khalili and McFadden are study- to explain so much that underpins ing whether hydrogen tunneling can physics and chemistry. It’s not beyond cause DNA mutations. e idea goes the bounds of possibility that it can back to the Swedish physicist Per-Olov underpin, in a very real and nontrivial Lowdin, who proposed in 1963 that way, certain mechanisms and phe- hydrogen tunneling occurs between nomena in biology,” says Al-Khalili. the paired bases of A, T, G and C, “But just because you’ve not had to creating tautomers of the nucleotides learn quantum mechanics and have that then mismatch during DNA the headaches of guring out how a replication. particle can be in two places at once, But the experiments, which McFad- it doesn’t mean quantum mechanics den’s group is now planning, are doesn’t happen in biology.” di cult to interpret. e theoretical modeling by Al-Khalili’s group so far Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay has shown that the amount of hydro- ([email protected]) is gen tunneling occurring in DNA is so the chief science correspondent for ASBMB. Follow her on Twitter rare that it’s insigni cant. Although at twitter.com/rajmukhop. Al-Khalili’s group is going back to the
20 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 21 Exiting the hobbit hole By Bree Yanagisawa
’m a pretty big “Lord of the Rings” fan. I read the books for I the rst time when I was in high school and can still remember sitting in a bedroom in my parents’ house, looking out across the front yard, and imagining a vast landscape of trees, mountains and hobbits to rescue. What I really saw out that bed- room window was the same thing that unfolded every day: my neighbors’ house across the street, their tram- poline springing as the kids bounced around. I saw my health teacher running down the street and barely registered the all-too-familiar warning barks of my dog as she passed by our front door. Indeed, it would be hard to picture any life more removed from the tumultuous scenes playing out in the pages of those fantastical books than mine. I grew up in rural Minnesota. e The author and her husband, David Yanagisawa, in Baltimore. friends and family that were impor- away from home. As I packed my But once my classes started my tant to me were all within driving dis- things and shopped for decorations feelings of excitement began giving tance, and I easily got from my home for my new place, I felt excited. I was way to doubt. Some of the people I to town without needing to know a nally about to step out my front was meeting disagreed with what I single street name. Nearly all of my door and embark on an adventure of thought, and I found myself having to life had been spent within a two- or my own. o er reasons for my beliefs — some- three-hour radius of my parents’ I remember my family moving thing, it turns out, I did very badly. house. At the time, I felt little need to me into my dorm. My younger sister I had never before had my beliefs venture farther. helping to cart the boxes of belong- challenged and was at a loss as to how My hometown was comfortable. It ings from the only home we’d ever to defend them. I began to question was safe. It was all I knew. It was my known to this new, foreign place. myself deeply. Did I even have reasons hobbit hole. My mom meticulously helping me for what I thought? And then came my senior year of organize my desk while my dad hung Over the next three months, I high school. ere were no colleges my pictures on my new wall. Every- spent most of my time isolated in my in the immediate area, but I applied one gathered before my door to say dorm room. When I was in class, I to the schools that were closest, never their goodbyes. Rolling my eyes at the would scan the hundreds of unfa- even bothering to look outside the tears running down my mom’s face, miliar faces and feel my heart sink. state. I ended up at a small private I assured them all I’d be ne, hugged I didn’t like the school. No, I hated college in Minneapolis, about an hour them and sent them on their way. it. I cherished Fridays, when my dad
22 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 would pick me up to go home for the transient. Instead of hiding away, I felt weekend. is place wasn’t my home, myself undergoing another personal and it would never be my home. transformation. ese new di erences I was miserable. I wanted nothing weren’t a threat to me; they were an more than to pack up my belong- opportunity. Another chance to push ings and go back to the place where myself and challenge my beliefs and everything was how I expected and shape myself into a more informed every shared idea aligned with my way person. An opportunity to respond, of thinking. not with defensiveness and anger, but But I didn’t do it. Somehow, I with empathy and a desire to under- made it through that rst semester. stand. And then you know what? It got Over my past three years in Balti- better. I made new friends and went more, I have learned so many impor- to their rooms after classes instead of tant things about the people around locking myself in my own. I chose me and, in doing so, about myself. to stay in Minneapolis on weekends And it’s all because I engaged in the instead of returning to my parents’ very anxiety-inducing interactions that house. I met people from various once were so threatening to me. backgrounds who actually forced me Di erences can be scary. ey The author back in her hometown on her grand- threaten what we think we know. But to think about things in a di erent parents’ lawn with mother Deb Woelfel, father Bob light. I began to stop seeing di erent Woelfel, and sister Jenna Woelfel. learning from others who think dif- opinions as threats. I slowly came to ferently from you is not only a useful drove across the country to my new understand the type of truth these path to take; it’s a necessary one. Too home of Baltimore. interactions could provide. often we are allowed to remain safe in But when I arrived, I felt myself fall I lived in Minneapolis for two years our own hobbit hole, surrounded only into that all-too-familiar mindset. is after I graduated, and I loved it. e by our own beliefs. My advice? Break place was so di erent from anything I diversity of people, ideas and options out of that place, step out your front had experienced. e people thought no longer felt like a threat to me. But door onto a new path and don’t ever and acted di erently, and the aca- even as I grew more comfortable in stop walking. Maybe I’ll see you out demic environment di ered from that this new life, I knew I wanted to do there. of my small college. I thought I had something other than the technician made such progress in Minneapolis, job that I’d landed. I applied and was Bree Yanagisawa but I panicked again. I felt myself accepted into graduate school at Johns ([email protected]) is retracing my steps, backing away into Hopkins. I packed up all my belong- a graduate student at the Johns the comfort of my hobbit hole. Hopkins School of Medicine ings again — this time one husband, e panic turned out to be lighter and managing editor of the one dog and one cat heavier — and this time and my discomfort more Biomedical Odyssey blog.
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 23 MINORITY AFFAIRS
Research spotlight A Q&A with Vimbai Chikwana of Dow AgroSciences By Andrew Macintyre
Tell us about your current signi cantly as a scientist through the ing techniques that can shed light on numerous challenges I encountered. previously inaccessible information — career position. Toward the end of my graduate school is critical to stay ahead in science. I have been working as a research work, in collaboration with Manal biochemist since August 2014 at Dow Swairjo’s lab at Western University of What is the biggest AgroSciences, a company that discov- Health Sciences, we solved the crystal ers, develops and brings to market structure for one of the proteins I challenge that you have crop protection and plant biotechnol- was working on. I enjoyed prob- faced in pursuing your ogy solutions for the growing world. I ing the protein structure–function career? What have you am part of a team that is dedicated to relationship so much that I looked increasing crop yield through targeted for a structural biology lab for my done to overcome it? pest management control. postdoctoral work. As a postdoctoral e biggest challenge that I am still fellow under the mentorship of Tom faced with is accepting that experi- What are the key Hurley at Indiana University School ments fail more often than I want experiences and decisions of Medicine, I was able to pursue them to and that this is simply a fact mechanistic enzymology and some of pursuing scienti c research. It’s that have enabled you structural biology. important to remember that nobody to reach your current My current research utilizes techni- knows the outcome of an experiment; cal skills and training acquired in if the result is 100 percent certain, position? these three labs. then there is a chance the experiment I never considered pursuing a has already been performed; repeat- research career, because there were no What skills did you learn ing it is generally not as challenging role models for me when I was think- during your scientific or intellectually satisfying. Working ing of what I might do with my life. in discovery-based science is excit- For my undergraduate degree, I only training that prepared you ing because we work at the edge of joined a research lab because it was a for your current role? knowledge, and recognizing that most requirement to graduate with honors. of the reward comes from the journey I chose to join a lab that worked on e broad-based scienti c knowl- of discovery is an important element drug metabolism at the University of edge I acquired during my train- of research. Zimbabwe under the supervision of ing via coursework, mentoring and Stanley Mukanganyama. I was com- performing research was critical for What advice would you pletely transformed by the end of my me to get hired into my current posi- nal year performing research; I not tion. Having an analytical approach give to young people who only thoroughly enjoyed learning how to outlining scienti c questions, want to pursue a career designing impactful experiments, and to plan and design experiments but similar to yours? also realized that the discovery process being able to objectively interpret was extremely ful lling. and analyze data are also important Be exible and always be willing I was admitted to Portland State skills. Teamwork is important, as most to learn. Research projects will come University for graduate school, where scienti c projects require multidis- and go, but the techniques and what I joined a biochemistry lab focused ciplinary approaches to support or you learn along the way will stay on unveiling the enzymatic mecha- disprove testable hypotheses. Last but with you. No person is an island. nisms involved in tRNA modi cation not least, keeping up with scienti c Projects that are impactful tend to be under the supervision of Dirk Iwata- literature — critically evaluating it as large and require a number of people Reuyl. In graduate school, I grew well as keeping up with new, emerg- with diverse skill sets to move them
24 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 forward, so try to collaborate only my work but of my peers as much as possible because too. Dr. Hurley — patience; science is quite social in this in a crystallography lab, there regard. Be nice to people is no such thing as instant not only because this is the grati cation. right thing to do but also Lastly, Grete Waitz, the because you never know when Norwegian school teacher someone will have something who won more New York that you want or need. Try to City Marathons than any- always remember the bigger one else — her humility and picture and let that guide you athleticism made her a role in your experimental design. model for young runners and Set goals, as these will help women. She was a pioneer; to keep you on track. Aim to at the time of her rst New design experiments that will York victory in 1978, just advance the project regard- 10.5 percent of entrants were less of whether the outcome women. In 2010, 36 percent is positive or negative. Never of entrants were women. stop asking questions: Why Waitz taught me that the road is this experiment important? less travelled is a di cult one Who cares about the result? but that no obstacle is too Is it of any bene t? While Vimbai Chikwana great if one perseveres. you might not have all the my thoughts and plan ahead without answers, it’s still important to keep distractions. I also enjoy hiking, trav- What is it that keeps you asking questions. Lastly, and possibly elling and gardening. most importantly, enjoy your work, motivated? because when you love what you do it What was the last book you I am part of a company that is never feels like you are working. working toward making agricultural read? practices more sustainable. rough What can young scientists “Please Understand Me: Character increasing crop yield, we can enable do to learn more about & Temperament Types” by David farmers to better feed the ever-growing Keirsey and Marilyn M. Bates. world population, projected to grow careers in your field? up to 9 billion by 2050. As land I think it is important for aspiring Do you have any heroes, resources become ever more limited, young scientists to seek opportuni- there is a greater need to increase food ties to perform research from an early heroines, mentors or role production on the viable agricultural age. ere are a lot of opportunities in models? If so, describe land that is available. In economics colleges and universities for research, how they have influenced they call it supply and demand — if and they need to take the time to seek we do not increase food production as these and learn about the numer- you. demand goes up, then food is going to become very expensive. Not all coun- ous elds that await them. For those My research supervisors all taught tries have the resources to continue already involved in research, I cannot me something valuable that has making enough a ordable food for over-emphasize the importance of net- shaped me into the scientist that I their people using traditional farming working and attending conferences. am today, in addition to the technical practices. I am in a position to make Get a mentor, someone who wants skills. If I had to name some attributes a positive impact and nd solutions you to succeed in the competitive eld from each one, this is what stands to the food problem, which keeps me of science who will push you to reach out for me: Mukanganyama inspired motivated. your full potential. me by his excitement and passion for science; he set the path for my career. What are your hobbies? Iwata-Reuyl — I learned perseverance Andrew Macintyre (amacintyre@ asbmb.org) is an education I love to ride my bike and jog. I in his lab; there is always a way to nd and professional development enjoy the solitude I get from both answers to challenging questions. I manager at the ASBMB. activities. It gives me time to organize also learned to be very critical of not
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 25 MINORITY AFFAIRS Continuity and expansion for minority affairs By Marion Sewer
n 2015, the American I Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol- ogy’s Minority A airs Commit- tee continued its work to diversify the scienti c workforce and spearhead new initiatives that promote inclu- sivity, engage and expand membership, and o er career development and outreach oppor- tunities. ACTIONFOTO CONVENTION PHOTOGRAPHY MAC members Marion Sewer and Takita Sumter, with Ruth Kirchstein Diversity Award winner JoAnn Trejo at the 2015 ASBMB annual meeting. 2015 her e orts to increase diversity of the students who are interested in bio- At the 2015 ASBMB annual meet- professoriate. chemistry and molecular biology and ing, the MAC sponsored sessions e MAC’s Grant Writing and in diversifying STEM disciplines. Five that targeted constituents at various Mentoring Workshop continued to be students from universities across the stages of career development. We held a valuable opportunity for junior fac- country were awarded $2,000 each to symposia linking the gut microbiome ulty members and postdocs who are help defray the continually mounting to health disparities; spotlighted the seeking extramural funding for inde- costs of their education. FASEB Minority Access to Research pendent research. e 2015 workshop e MAC and the ASBMB’s Careers graduate student travel featured peer mentoring by previous Student Chapters Steering Committee award winners at the MAC network- workshop attendees, presentations also aligned in 2015 to help existing ing reception; and o ered professor by representatives from the National ASBMB Student Chapters partner rounds, a mentoring program that Institutes of Health and the National with minority-serving institutions and paired the travel award winners with Science Foundation, and discussions bolster participation in the society. mentors o ering career advice and by an experienced group of ASBMB e MAC joined forces with the guidance on navigating the meeting. members committed to mentoring Public Outreach and Education and Also at the meeting, JoAnn Trejo, and o ering constructive feedback on Professional Development Com- a professor of pharmacology at the applications. mittees to run ASBMB’s Hands-on University of California, San Diego, During the year, the MAC estab- Opportunities to Promote Engage- received the 2015 Ruth Kirschstein lished the Distinguished Under- ment in Science program, a platform Diversity Award, which recognized graduate Scholarship, which supports for immersing budding K – 12 scien-
26 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 tists in research through neighboring careers include teaching, science preparation, strategies for training and universities. policy, science communication and mentoring students and postdocs, and outreach. e workshop will help par- career development advice. 2016 ticipants develop and re ne individual Finally, a series of MAC-sponsored development plans tailored to their symposia at the 2016 ASBMB Annual Looking forward to 2016, the career goals, get real-time feedback on Meeting will provide an update on MAC will continue its collaborations key job application components and novel research being carried out on with the ASBMB’s Student Chapters establish a network of mentors who nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and and Public Outreach committees with are more closely aligned with their explore why minorities disproportion- an eye to expanding initiatives. We desired future positions. ately opt out of academic careers. also are excited in particular about e MAC will hold its Grant Keep an eye on the ASBMB developing a workshop that will target Writing and Mentoring Workshop website and ASBMB Today for more graduate students and postdoctoral in the summer of 2016 and continue about all of the MAC’s exciting 2016 scientists interested in careers that to extend the one-on-one mentoring initiatives. We welcome your partici- are not research intensive. Coined begun during the workshop through- pation and support for these e orts! “Beyond the Bench,” this initia- out each participant’s grant-writing tive grew out of the realization that and submission processes. A Web- Marion Sewer (msewer@ucsd. most trainees matriculate into careers edu) is a professor at the Skaggs based forum also is being developed School of Pharmacy and Pharma- outside the realm of faculty positions so workshop participants can continue ceutical Sciences at the University at large research institutions. ese to exchange best practices for proposal of California, San Diego.
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 27 EDUCATION Why should you be an ASBMB Student Chapters adviser? By Ann Aguanno & Andrea Anastasio
nitiated in 2000 by J. Ellis Bell, array of resources for chapters and Serving the students, who is at the University of San their leaders, including support for I Diego and the University of travel to the annual meeting and help college and profession Richmond, the American Society for organizing regional conferences, con- Co-curricular activities teach Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ducting outreach and participating in students in many ways, and a student Student Chapters program now boasts science fairs. e society also presents chapter is no exception. 110 chapters and 2,000 student mem- an Outstanding Chapter award each John Tansey, chapter adviser at bers. Formerly known as the ASBMB year and inducts exceptional chapter Otterbein University in Westerville, Undergraduate A liate Network, members in Chi Omega Lambda, the Ohio, says, “Being a chapter adviser the Student Chapters program is an ASBMB Honor Society. gives me a closer interaction with the ever-growing community dedicated students in the major who are not in to supporting undergraduate BMB Guiding tomorrow’s my classes or research lab … (and it) research, education and outreach. It scientists gives us a structure through which also provides an active network for its we can conduct cocurricular activities e primary role of faculty chapter 200 associated faculty advisers. that address many learning outcomes advisers is to guide the club members. that may not otherwise t into the Clubs vary in size from just a few curriculum such as outreach, team- Who are the ASBMB members to 50 students or more, and, Student Chapters although each club is coordinated by work and leadership.” Student chapters also strive to meet advisers? the elected o cers, the faculty adviser mentors the club in a variety of ways. the mission of the ASBMB Student Student Chapters faculty advisers Advisers may help plan events, recom- Chapters organization by supporting work at more than 100 di erent col- mend outreach activities, or consult the research and educational e orts leges and universities across the U.S. on submissions of abstracts and the of chapter members, the institution and Puerto Rico. ey are faculty assembly of posters. ey also mentor at large and the scienti c commu- members at small private colleges students on job and graduate school nity. Outreach activities also extend and large research universities. eir applications, interviews and the this mission beyond the institution, student clubs are independently estab- ASBMB accreditation exams. raising awareness about science to the lished or built around existing clubs Je Boles is an adviser for the club general public. and range from BMB-focused groups at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, to amalgams of biology and chem- Tenn. He says the role is an oppor- Professional development istry clubs. Although many advisers tunity to help students “become and networking are junior faculty, a large number are excellent leaders and explore new tenured, senior faculty. opportunities such as research.” Boles As a member of the ASBMB adds, “I don’t run their club — they Student Chapters, the faculty adviser What do the chapters do? run their club and I truly advise. If has access to networking and profes- they get into trouble, I bail them out. sional development opportunities. Chapters meet regularly, giving at’s happened a time or two over A reception for advisers is held each students a chance to support each the years. at’s active learning, for year at the ASBMB annual meeting, other’s academic progress and work sure … I enjoy being their adviser as I where faculty from across the Student on chapter events. Each chapter elects get to watch them grow in more ways Chapters organization meet, exchange leaders, and the ASBMB o ers an than factual knowledge.” ideas and develop relationships. Fund-
28 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 ACTIONFOTO CONVENTION PHOTOGRAPHY Otterbein University Student Chapter faculty adviser John Tansey, far right, and his students at the 2014 ASBMB Annual Meeting. The Otterbein chapter won the ASBMB’s Outstanding Chapter award in 2014. ing and guided support for regional builds mentorship skills; hones time common goals!” undergraduate research conferences management, organizational and com- Learn more about the ASBMB helps advisers learn how to organize munication abilities; and provides an Student Chapters program. Visit symposia, hone their mentorship skills intellectual challenge. www.asbmb.org/studentchapters and and build collaborations with other Kirsten Fertuck, chapter adviser at join us at the 2016 ASBMB Annual faculty members. Participation in the Northeastern University, says, “One Meeting Student Chapters informa- varied educational and professional- of the things that I really appreciate tional session on Apr. 4 (www.asbmb. development initiatives supported by about the chapter structure is that it org/meetings/AM2016/undergrads). the ASBMB (e.g., regional educational provides clear steps and deadlines asso- conferences, special symposia and ciated with professional-development Ann Aguanno (aaguanno@mmm. grant-writing workshops) provides opportunities for both the adviser and edu) is an associate professor of additional venues for faculty members the students. We all greatly bene t biology at Marymount Manhattan to interact and opportunities for them from having de ned periods within College and chair of the ASBMB’s to grow. the academic calendar in which we are Student Chapters network. e role of chapter adviser itself actively discussing outreach projects, Andrea Anastasio (aanastasio@ fosters faculty development. Guiding regional meetings, the honor society, asbmb.org) is the Student Chapters program coordinator at students in educational and outreach and the certi cation exam — it keeps the ASBMB. activities and in the process of science us organized and working toward
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 29 CAREER INSIGHTS Working at a PUI Faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions on the demands and rewards of their jobs By Andrea Anastasio
rimarily undergraduate institu- course on cancer for rst-year stu- prioritize the development of a new tions are often smaller than dents, which has become one of her course that is going to take time away P large research universities, can favorite courses. from a basket of other duties. be private or public, and o er varying In addition to these responsibilities, According to Chase, PUI faculty levels of resources for students and Furge’s work in the lab also comes must be adaptable to change. Each faculty. Many faculty at PUIs run labs with signi cant mentoring responsi- semester will bring new teaching while maintaining signi cant teach- bilities. “ e instructor, not the lab schedules, research responsibilities and ing loads and regular contact with manager or senior lab technician, departmental duties that also must students. We spoke with PUI faculty serves as the ‘continuity of knowledge’ be balanced with a personal schedule. about how to prepare for a career at a from one generation of undergraduate e challenge of nding enough time PUI and what to expect once you’re in the lab to the next,” Furge says. for everything can be stressful, and in. In Furge’s experience, part of Chase recommends picking a di erent teaching at PUIs is o ering consistent, goal to focus on each semester. She Understand the daily hands-on guidance. It is not enough says this helps to stave o feeling over- just to pose a scienti c question; PUI whelmed. “(Balance) may look di er- expectations faculty also must be ready to guide ent from semester to semester,” Chase Laura Lowe undergraduates in many aspects of says. “If I approach my job with that Furge is the Roger answering the question. Each new attitude, I am inherently happier and F. and Harriet G. group will need to learn how to keep less stressed about making sure that Varney Profes- a lab notebook, handle reagents, clean I am spending enough time in each sor of Chemistry up, analyze data and use equipment. role.” at Kalamazoo is requires patience from instructors FURGE College, a private and a desire to see students embrace Become a mentor liberal arts college of about 1,400 stu- the entire research process. dents in Kalamazoo, Mich. Joining a PUI faculty play a strong men- PUI was the obvious choice for Furge, Find balance toring role in students’ lives, and it who is passionate about working is often the direct interaction with with students. At Kalamazoo, Furge Leah Chase is undergraduates that has driven faculty carries a full teaching load and runs a an associate profes- to choose and keep careers at PUIs. research lab, and her days are packed sor of biology and “(Students’) excitement and enthusi- with answering emails, preparing for chemistry at Hope asm is refreshing,” Furge says, when classes or the lab, meeting with stu- College, a Chris- asked to describe her favorite part of dents, completing departmental tasks, CHASE tian liberal arts the job. “It’s a fun change after strug- grading exams and planning ahead to college in Holland, gling with issues like where to put the next work day. Because she is at a Mich., with a student-to-faculty ratio the electrical outlets in the chemistry smaller school, Furge also nds herself of 13 to 1. For Chase, teaching and laboratory remodel!” teaching classes that are not always in managing a research lab are intercon- Mentoring PUI students means her typical comfort zone. In addi- nected. After being in the job for 15 providing guidance on questions rang- tion to her biochemistry lecture and years, she says any balance between ing from how to nish homework to labs, she has taught organic chemistry teaching and research is a “moving which career path to pursue. It also lecture and labs, general chemistry target.” Chase says the work requires requires a grounding in topics other classes and even a writing-intensive a talent for triaging, like having to than science. Students engage with
30 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 more than just the science department in any research programs they might while on campus, and PUI faculty For more information about develop. Programs requiring speci c, need to provide them with opportuni- interviewing or preparing for a well-developed areas of knowledge ties and networking outside of science. job at a PUI, check out Joseph may not be feasible at PUIs, and ere will be some students who Provost’s article series from the expensive equipment may be beyond decide the sciences are not for them, ASBMB’s Student Chapters blog, the budgets of many PUIs. Unlike and part of mentoring will become e Substrate: larger schools, some PUIs may also helping them nd courses or majors http://bit.ly/1NLU2cg not have lab animals. Faculty need to better suited to their wants and skills. be resourceful when planning research All of this means engaging across Think like an and sometimes nd they must rely on departments and supporting students collaborations with other institutions in balancing all of their academic undergraduate and faculty. responsibilities. Baird says it is also important that PUI faculty understand their audi- Get excited Faculty need mentors too ence so they can develop relevant and appropriate teaching methods. “After PUI faculty Teaster Baird spending so much time in research- members stand a Jr. is an associ- intensive environments, it can be good chance of ate professor in easy to forget what it’s like to be an making a di er- the chemistry undergraduate,” he says. ence in the lives and biochemistry of students. It Preparing to teach at a PUI can PROVOST BAIRD department at mean contacting a local community is a demanding, San Francisco State University, a large college and becoming an adjunct deeply rewarding job for those who public university of around 30,000 faculty member to gain teaching are passionate about teaching. “I never students. He advises those interested experience. Or it can mean taking go home bored or wishing I could in becoming PUI faculty members those teaching assistant positions do something di erent,” says Joseph proactively to seek out mentors who while still in school and searching for Provost, a professor in the chemistry can guide them through the process. professional development sessions at and biochemistry department at the “A lot of the skills and knowledge that conferences like the American Society University of San Diego. “Every day a faculty member needs are not taught for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol- is di erent. Every day. And that is in graduate school or at the postdoc ogy annual meeting. exciting.” level,” says Baird. “ ese skills include managing people and personalities; determining what ‘urgent’ things can Know your environment Andrea Anastasio (aanastasio@ actually wait; navigating the politics of PUIs vary in terms of funding, asbmb.org) is the Student the department, college and univer- resources and academic requirements. Chapters program coordinator at ASBMB. sity; and how to establish relationships Faculty need to be sure that under- with funding agencies.” graduates can be active participants
JANUARY 2016 ASBMB TODAY 31 32 ASBMB TODAY JANUARY 2016 Has your ASBMB membership expired? Visit www.asbmb.org/renew to confirm your 2016 membership is current.
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