OCTOBER 2002 www.asbmb.org

Constituent Society of FASEB

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY THE ASBMB ANNUAL MEETING 2003 Completely Restructured & Completely Unconventional SEE PAGE 12

ALSOIN THIS ISSUE

Senator Harkin Visits Dr. Hendrix’s Lab Page 2

‘Balance’ Is the Refrain on Science Appropriations Page 3 ASBMB NUCLEIC ACID STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND PROCESSING MEETING planned for EB 2003 in San Diego!

ASBMB Annual Meeting ExperimentalBiology in Conjunction with Experimental Biology 2003 April 11 – 15, 2003 • San Diego, California

Organized by Michael Dahmus, UC, Davis, and 2003 Myron F. Goodman, Univ. of Southern California

April 11-15 Plenary Lecture MARVELOUS MACROMOLECULAR MACHINES OF GENE EXPRESSION San Diego, CA Thomas A. Steitz, HHMI, Yale, Univ.

Macromolecular Complexes Replication, Recombination, Repair Additional Speakers STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY OF EUKARYOTIC GENE EXPRESSION SOS TRANSLESION SYNTHESIS REQUIRES E. COLI DNA will be chosen from the *Stephen K. Burley, Structural GenomiX, Inc., POLYMERASE V AND TWO NON-FILAMENTOUS RECA MODES abstracts submitted to San Diego, CA OF ACTION *Myron F. Goodman, Univ. of Southern California the ASBMB Nucleic TAILS OF THE REPLICATION FORK. UNRAVELING DNA Acid Structure, Function REPLICATION IN THREE DIMENSIONS ASSEMBLY OF THE DNA NUCLEOTIDE EXCISION REPAIR and Processing topic *Tom Ellenberger, Harvard Medical School MACHINERY IN HUMAN CELLS *Richard D. Wood, University of Pittsburgh Cancer categories. Abstract THE DETAILED WORKINGS OF A CHROMOSOMAL Institute deadline: 11/13/02 REPLICATION MACHINE Mike O’Donnell, HHMI, The Rockefeller University DOUBLE-STRAND BREAK REPAIR BY HOMOLOGOUS RECOMBINATION Travel Awards STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF PROKARYOTIC TRANSCRIPTION Patrick M. Sung, Univ. of Texas Hlth. Sci. Ctr. at Available for Seth Darst, The Rockefeller University San Antonio

Undergraduates, Regulation of Gene Expression DYNAMIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DNA DAMAGE REPAIR Graduates, COUPLING TRANSCRIPTION TO CHROMATIN AND RNA PROTEINS Postdoctoral Fellows PROCESSING Roland Kanaar, Erasmus Univ., Rotterdam, Netherlands *Stephen Buratowski, Harvard Med. Sch. and Undergraduate Emerging Areas of RNA Processing Faculty MECHANISMS OF TRANSCIPTION BY RNA POLYMERASE II AND III ALTERNATIVE SPLICING AND THE REGULATION OF NEURONAL *Nouria Hernandez, HHMI, Cold Spring Harbor Lab. GENE EXPRESSION *Douglas L. Black, HHMI, UCLA MECHANISMS OF ATP DEPENDENT CHROMATIN REMODELING ENZYMES Invited speaker #2 - TBD Geeta Narlikar, Massachusetts Gen. Hosp. Invited speaker #3 - TBD Invited speaker #4 - TBD Invited speaker #4 – TBD *denotes chairperson

More Information: ASBMB Meetings Office, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814 “TRANSLATING Tel: 301-634-7145•Fax: 301-634-7126•Email: [email protected] • www.asbmb.org THE GENOME” www.asbmb.org

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OCTOBER 2002, Volume 1, Issue 7 features

4 BAMBED Today: An Update

7 Report Required on Toxin, Pathogen Use in Labs

8 Energy Blocker May Treat Cancer

9 Researchers Spot Defect that Causes Muscular Dystrophies 2 10 Bristol-Myers Squibb Award ON THE COVER: 15 JLR Institutes Papers in Press 12 The ASBMB Annual Meeting; 16 Consortium for Archaeal Genomics Completely Restructured 18 Protein ‘Gatekeepers’ Identified

Cover photo by James Blank 19 NIGMS Funds Research Centers /San Diego CVB 22 Search Journals on HighWire

departments 2 News From the Hill 6 NIH News 8 Members in the News 20 Biotech Business 23 Career Opportunities 24 Calendar NEWS FROM THE HILL Senator Tom Harkin Visits

ASBMB Today ASBMB Member’s Lab is a monthly publication of The American Society for By Peter Farnham, Public Affairs Officer Biochemistry and Molecular Biology t was an honor and a privilege Officers to show him how doubling “I the NIH budget has helped Bettie Sue Masters President Robert D. Wells Past-President patients, students, and physician scien- Albert E. Dahlberg Secretary tists in his home state.” This was Dr. Kenneth E. Neet Treasurer Mary Hendrix’s assessment of Senator Thomas Blumenthal Councilor Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) recent visit to her Judith Bond Councilor University of Iowa laboratory. William Lennarz Councilor Dr. Hendrix, a member of the Alexandra C. Newton Councilor ASBMB’s Public Affairs Advisory Com- Merle S. Olson Councilor mittee and a former FASEB President, is Peter Parker Councilor also Deputy Director of the Holden SENATOR TOM HARKIN studies tissue from a Cecile M. Pickart Councilor Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Cecil B. Pickett Councilor breast cancer tumor during his visit to Dr. Mary University of Iowa. The lab studies the Vern L. Schramm Councilor Hendrix’s University of Iowa laboratory. composition and structure of tumors James T. Stull Councilor from prostate, breast, and ovarian can- approved an FY2003 appropriation for cer patients. NIH of $27.3 billion. The appropria- Non-Voting Members Dr. Hendrix hosted the Senator’s visit tion still must be acted upon by the George M. Carman as part of a fact-finding trip he was con- full Senate, and in the House. Chair, Meetings Policy Committee ducting during Congress’s August While the Senate Subcommittee fig- Claudia Kent ure is likely to be approved in the Sen- Vern L. Schramm recess to ascertain the impact of dou- Co-chairs, 2003 Program Committee bling of the NIH budget on research. A ate, the situation is far more Marion H. O’Leary spokesman for the Senator told ASBMB problematic in the House, where the Chair, Education and Professional budget allocation for the Labor/HHS bill Development Committee Today that “the Senator wanted to William R. Brinkley interact with individuals who had ben- is more than $4 billion short of what is Chair, Public Affairs Advisory Committee efited by the doubling of NIH, and to needed to fund it at a level approaching Phillip A. Ortiz understand how new knowledge is the Senate version. House conservatives Chair, Minority Affairs Committee translated into patient care.” recently forced the leadership to intro- Herbert Tabor Editor, JBC A group of breast cancer survivors duce a bill that precisely mirrors the Ralph A. Bradshaw also accompanied the Senator during President’s request; however, GOP mod- Editor, MCP his visit. “If you have [breast cancer] in erates informed the House leadership your family, and your mother had it that the bill as introduced was so short and you’re a young woman, that’s got of funds that they would not support it. Comments to be a fearful thing,” Senator Harkin The House leadership then withdrew Please direct any comments or questions the bill the same day they introduced it. concerning ASBMB Today to: said. “I feel deeply that this is one of the illnesses we need to place on the The Harkin visit is a very good exam- John D. Thompson shelf of history.” ple of outreach by members of the sci- Editor, ASBMB Today 9650 Rockville Pike Dr. Hendrix also thanked the Sena- entific community. Arranging a Bethesda, MD 20814-3996 tor for his efforts to bring about the congressional visit to one’s laboratory is Phone: 301-634-7145 Fax: 301-634-7126 doubling of the NIH budget, an effort always a good idea, and ASBMB’s public E-mail: [email protected] begun with the Fiscal Year 1999 appro- affairs staff can help you arrange such a

For information on advertising priation and almost completed this visit. If you are interested in hosting contact FASEB AdNet at 800-433-2732 year. Senator Harkin’s Appropriations such a visit, please contact the Society’s ext. 7175 or 301-530-7157, or Public Affairs Officer, Peter Farnham, at email [email protected]. Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education, which funds the NIH, [email protected]

2 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 N EWS FROM THE HILL ‘Balance’ Is the New Refrain On Science Appropriations By Peter Farnham, Public Affairs Officer he chorus is becoming louder same day when it became clear that at and other domestic issues in hopes of and louder in the waning least 30 Republican House moderates countering the Republicans’ traditional T days of the 107th Congress. It would not vote for it. In a House election year strengths of defense, goes something like this—the life sci- where the Republicans have only a six- security, and combatting terrorism ences as a whole have been funded seat majority, this kind of opposition abroad and at home. extremely well the past five years, due from within one’s own party is impos- The balance issue regarding science to the doubling of the budget for the sible to combat. Thus, even though the funding plays out most overtly at the National Institutes of Health. Now that President’s bill completes the five-year National Science Foundation. In late the NIH budget is almost doubled, it is doubling of NIH, there are so many July, NSF received a very good increase time to start funding the other scien- other popular programs underfunded of almost 12% in the Senate Appropria- tific disciplines again, all of which in it that it has no political support have been languishing at least since beyond House conservatives. To argue that NSF 1999. “Balance,” so goes the chorus, Second, education programs are biological sciences must be restored to the federal govern- attracting a great deal of support in could be cut because ment’s approach to funding the scien- Congress this year, and there is consid- tific enterprise. erable fear that increased funding for the life sciences were On the surface, this all sounds emi- education will soak up even more of doing very well over all nently reasonable—who could be the very limited discretionary funds “reflects a opposed to “balance?” But as in all currently available. Even as stalwart a misperception of NSF’s seemingly simple situations, the reality supporter of NIH as Senator Edward is much more complex, and full of pit- Kennedy (D-MA) has indicated that role in funding falls for everyone concerned. education funding may be at the top biological research.” First, the NIH budget is not doubled of his priorities this year. In this elec- yet. Fiscal Year 2003, the last year of tion year, the Democrats—eager to tions Committee’s VA/HUD bill. Fur- the five-year doubling plan, is not build their majority in the Senate and thermore, NSF’s research programs completed, and it is becoming more take back the House—are pushing this received an overall increase of almost and more difficult to see how the dou- 15%, also excellent news. In addition, bling will be accomplished this year. Tell Us What the Senate report on NSF decreed that The Senate Appropriations Committee every research program at NSF—save has approved a bill completing the You Think one—receive increases ranging from 12 doubling, but it has not been approved to 20%. The one program that did not by the full Senate. We appreciate receiving letters receive an increase of this magnitude Even more serious is the fact that the that are suitable for publication was Biological Sciences. House version of the Labor/HHS bill is from ASBMB members regarding The Senate Appropriations Commit- nowhere near being completed—in issues of importance or comment- tee recommended that biology research fact, an actionable bill has not even ing on articles appearing in ASBMB receive an increase of 3.4%. been introduced. Appropriations Com- Today. Letters should be sent to the The report language was silent on this mittee chair Bill Young (R-FL) intro- editor, John Thompson, at the glaring disparity, although Senate staff duced the President’s Labor/HHS bill address found at left. Letters must have informed us that the “balance” on September 5 to meet a pledge by be signed and must contain the issue was paramount. “Life sciences have the leadership that the Labor/HHS bill writer’s address and telephone been doing very well on a macro level,” would be dealt with in early Septem- number. The editor reserves the one Senate staff member informed us, ber, but the House leadership pulled right to edit all letters. “and the committee thought that there the bill off the legislative calendar that continued on page 17

OCTOBER 2002 ASBMBToday 3 BAMBED Today: An Update iochemistry and Molecular Biol- A. Stephen Dahms, and Multimedia in Biotechnology is a vital industrial ogy Education (BAMBED) will Biochemistry and Molecular Biology area for which biochemical educators B soon complete its first year of Education edited by Graham Parslow. are preparing many of their students, publication by ASBMB, which Editors- In the PBL section, BAMBED has but the industry often complains that in-Chief Judith G. Voet, Department of been publishing both problem sets and students arrive ill prepared. The Chemistry, Swarthmore College, and tests, in addition to assessment of the Biotechnology Education feature aims Donald Voet, Department of Chemistry, teaching method. to “educate the educators” on the University of Pennsylvania, credited for having “significantly improved the pro- duction of the journal and actively sponsoring new educational ventures.” The Need for BAMBED By Dr. Richard W. Hanson Mission There are major problems facing mediary metabolism among students BAMBED’s mission is to assist in the education in the areas of biochem- of biochemistry. This has the teaching of biochemistry and molecu- istry and molecular biology at all lev- expected result of fewer faculty mem- lar biology at the college, graduate and els in the curriculum and there are bers working on research in metabo- medical school level throughout the relatively few organized forums for lism. In fact, many departments of world. Its main audience is instructors the discussion of these problems. In biochemistry (including my own) are at universities and colleges who teach my view there is a real need for a pub- currently focusing on structural biol- biochemistry, molecular biology, and lication, such as BAMBED, that will ogy and/or proteomics as a major related fields such as microbiology and systematically deal with the issues research theme. If this trend contin- cell biology. that face biochemistry education ues, I can safely predict that within a today. This is why I have been excited generation there will be no one left in Content about joining the Editorial Board of biochemistry departments that under- BAMBED welcomes articles on teach- BAMBED and am so pleased to have stands metabolism well enough to ing techniques and practice in all areas been asked by Judy and Don Voet to teach the subject to medical students! related to these fields, and on methods contribute several reviews on meta- I hope that BAMBED will take a lead- of assessment of the effectiveness of bolic regulation that have recently ership role in better defining this new educational approaches. The edi- been published in that journal. problem and in suggesting answers. tors also encourage articles on research In addition, I hope that BAMBED Of course there are more than prob- in biochemistry and molecular biology will take on a major problem in bio- lems to consider. Any journal that education, and in particlar articles pro- chemistry that is not, in my opinion, publishes on a regular basis must be viding details of simple, tried and being adequately addressed. This interesting and BAMBED is a very tested, laboratory experiments. Those involves the future of teaching inter- “good read.” Future additions will interested in secondary school out- mediary metabolism to undergradu- contain a continuing series of reviews reach may submit papers aimed at ate majors in biochemistry and in aimed at faculty who teach biochem- increasing awareness of college and medical school courses throughout istry and need the latest ideas on a university faculty toward possibilities the United States. This subject con- specific area of interest written in an for contributing to the ongoing educa- tinues to be critical for an under- accessible manner. The availability of tion of secondary school teachers. standing of the basis of many Donald Nicholson’s Metabolic Min- Each issue contains book reviews, a list diseases, including atherosclerosis, iMaps has been a most delightful of “Websites of Note” collected by the obesity and diabetes. addition to the biochemical education journal’s Multimedia in Education Fea- I have noted from my years as literature. I have real confidence that ture Editor, and a Meetings Calender. Chair of the Biochemistry Depart- BAMBED, under its new leadership, ment at Case Western Reserve Univer- will become a timely and interesting Features sity in Cleveland that the revolution journal for all of us who have the BAMBED has three feature sections in molecular genetics that has great good fortune to teach biochem- in each issue, Problem-Based Learning occurred over the past 25 years has istry to our students. It is certainly off (PBL) edited by Harold B. White III, greatly reduced the interest in inter- to a very good start in that direction! Biotechnology Education edited by

4 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 ASBMB MOLECULAR BASIS OF CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL

nature of biotechnology and its related BIOLOGY MEETING industries, with the goal of providing planned for EB 2003 in San Diego! guidance for the development of improved education of future workers in the biotechnology industries. In April 11-15, 2003 addition to providing the biochemical San Diego, CA and molecular biological content so ExperimentalBiology important to the field, educators are ASBMB Annual Meeting encouraged to introduce their students in Conjunction with Experimental to other aspects of the industry. 2003 Biology 2003 Multimedia now pervades biochemistry and molecular biol- Organized by Nahum Sonenberg, McGill Univ. and ogy education, yet many educators still struggle with how to Natalie G. Ahn, Univ. of Colorado use computers effectively and to assess the results of their use. The Multimedia in Education feature provides discussions of how leaders in the field have dealt with these problems. In Plenary Lecture addition, BAMBED has initiated a program of publishing Joan V. Ruderman, Harvard Med. Sch. metabolic minimaps by Donald Nicholson. Post-transcriptional Mechanisms New Directions *Paul Macdonald, Univ. of Texas, Austin Paul F. Lasko, McGill Univ. A relatively new field, Bioinformatics, is growing rapidly, Betsy Goodwin, Univ. of Wisconsin and BAMBED seeks to serve as a forum for discussion of how Invited Speaker #4 - TBD to bring it into the undergraduate curriculum as well as teach it at the graduate level. The journal encourages articles Cell Cycle that deal with this important new field. *Tin Tin Su, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder BAMBED has solicited short reviews from those active in Conly Rieder, Wadsworth Center, NY State Dept. of Hlth. the field on current topics of biochemical interest as well as Yixian Zheng, HHMI, Carnegie Inst. of Washington overviews of classical topics and historical aspects by those Peter K. Jackson, Stanford Univ. who participated in their development, with the aim of pro- viding educators with background material for the prepara- Morphagens and Development tion of lectures. For example, BAMBED has published articles *Brad Olwin, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder by Dr. Daniel Koshland on the hidden assumptions in the 3- Michael Rudnicki, Ottawa Health Research Institute point attachment model of how proteins discriminate chiral David Ornitz, Washington Univ., St. Louis molecules; a memoir by Dr. Mildred Cohn on biochemistry Invited Speaker #4 – TBD in the first half of the twentieth century; a discussion by Dr. Perry Frey on surprises and revelations in biochemistry in Organogenesis the second half of the twentieth century; and have initiated *Susan Mango, Huntsman Cancer Inst., Univ. of Utah a series of articles on important aspects of metabolism that Didier Y.R. Stainier, UCSF began with a paper by Dr. Richard Hanson and colleagues on James Posakony, UCSD metabolic and genetic aspects of the gluconeogenic enzyme Invited Speaker #4 – TBD phosphenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). *denotes chairperson Additional Speakers will be chosen from the abstracts submitted to the 2003 Subscriptions ASBMB Molecular Basis of Cell and Developmental Biology topic (print subscription includes free on-line access) categories. Abstract deadline: 11/13/02 Institutional Subscription ...... $350.00 Travel Awards Available for Undergraduates, Graduates, Individual Non-member Subscription . . .$125.00 Postdoctoral Fellows and Undergraduate Faculty ASBMB Member Subscription ...... $100.00 All prices are in U.S. Dollars. More Information: ASBMB Meetings Office, BAMBED is a calendar year subscription with 6 issues. 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814 For shipping BAMBED printed version to non-U.S. Tel: 301-634-7145•Fax: 301-634-7126• Email: [email protected] • www.asbmb.org addresses add $20. NIH NEWS

NIH Institutes Get New Directors NIH Director Elias Zerhouni last month announced the appointment of new directors for two NIH institutes. National Institute of from the Medical School. He did his Dr. Li replaces Dr. Raynard Kington, Mental Health internship at Berkshire Medical Center, who has served as Acting Director of Thomas R. Insel, M.D., was named Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and his resi- NIAAA since January 2002 following the Director of the National Institute of dency at the Langley Porter Neuropsy- retirement of Director Enoch Gordis. Mental Health (NIMH). Dr. Insel, who chiatric Institute at the University of The author of more than 400 journal is currently Professor, Department of California San Francisco. articles and book chapters, Dr. Li has Psychiatry and Director of the Center produced ground-breaking research in for Behavioral Neuroscience at Emory Alcohol Research several areas, including alcohol metab- University School of Medicine, Institute olism and animal models of alco- Atlanta, Georgia, is expected to begin Ting-Kai Li, M.D., was named as the holism. He is a major participant in his appointment in mid-November. new Director of the National Institute two NIAAA-supported research consor- Dr. Insel will oversee the NIMH’s $1.3 on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism tia — the Collaborative Study on the billion research budget that provides (NIAAA). Dr. Li is currently Distin- Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) and support to investigators at universities guished Professor, Department of Med- the Integrative Neuroscience Initiative throughout the country in the areas of icine, and of Biochemistry and on Alcoholism (INIA). basic science; clinical research, includ- Molecular Biology at Indiana Univer- Dr. Li received his medical degree ing large-scale trials of new treatments; sity School of Medicine in Indianapo- from Harvard University in 1959. He and studies of the organization and lis, where he also serves as Director of joined the faculty of Indiana Univer- delivery of mental health services. The the Indiana Alcohol Research Center. sity School of Medicine in 1971 and Institute also administers an in-house He is expected to assume his new served as the Associate Dean for research program at the NIH. duties within the next few weeks. Research from 1986-2000. Dr. Insel first joined NIMH in 1979 as a clinical associate in the Clinical Neu- NSF Grants Address Challenges in Biology ropharmacology Branch, and went on A new funding opportunity at NSF, tific concepts and research tools of to hold several administrative and lead- Frontiers in Integrative Biological biology, math and the physical sci- ership posts. During his 15 years at Research (FIBR), is a competition for ences, engineering, social sciences and NIMH before heading to Emory in research grants of up to $5 million to the information sciences. Applicants 1994, he conducted research in Obses- address major challenges in biology. are encouraged to focus on the biologi- sive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), initi- FIBR encourages investigators to iden- cal significance of the question, to ating some of the first treatment trials tify major questions in biology and to describe the integrative approaches, for OCD using serotonin reuptake develop integrative approaches to and to develop a research plan, which inhibitors. Five years later, Dr. Insel address them by integrating all avail- is not limited by conceptual, discipli- launched a research program in social able scientific concepts and research nary, or organizational boundaries. neuroscience, focusing on the neurobi- tools both from within and outside of Particularly encouraged are the ology of complex social behaviors in the biological sciences. inclusion of young scientists trained animals. Using molecular, cellular, and The FIBR program seeks to support in an interdisciplinary environment pharmacological approaches, Dr. Insel’s integrative research which addresses or in non-biological disciplines, and laboratory has demonstrated the impor- major questions in the biological sci- partnerships with minority serving tance of the neuropeptides, oxytocin ences. FIBR encourages investigators to and primarily undergraduate institu- and vasopressin, in maternal behavior, identify major under-studied or unan- tions and community colleges. pair bond formation, and aggression. swered questions in biology and to The program announcement can Dr. Insel graduated from Boston Uni- develop innovative approaches to be found at http://www.nsf.gov/pub- versity where he received a B.A. from address them by integrating the scien- sys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf02154. the College of Liberal Arts and an M.D.

6 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 Reports Required on Toxin and Pathogen Use at Research Labs ew federal rules require that Control and Prevention (CDC) in the pathogens called “overlap agents” must almost 190,000 research facili- case of human pathogens, and the report to both CDC and APHIS. These N ties report on whether they Animal and Plant Health Inspection are agents that could be used to harm possess or use any of over 70 pathogens Service (APHIS), a USDA agency in the either humans, plants, or livestock. and toxins that could be used for case of plant or livestock pathogens. Facilities that do not possess or use bioterrorist attacks against humans, In general, any researcher at a facility any of these pathogens still must report agricultural plants or livestock. The using or possessing a human or animal this information to HHS and APHIS. new rules took effect September 10. toxin—referred to as a “select agent”— Declaring nonpossession, according to White House Science Adviser John was to have reported this information to CDC, “is a critical means of ensuring Marburger stressed that the new rules a designated official at the facility. The that DHHS is knowledgeable of the focus on research that could be used to official was to have collated all informa- potential universe of possessors of regu- build weapons of mass destruction, and tion on pathogen use and possession at lated agents and is necessary in order to that most biological research would not the facility, and submitted the informa- effectively carry out the statutory be affected by the new rules. tion to the CDC by September 10. intent of responsibly governing the The new rules—an outgrowth of Facilities possessing or using plant and transfer, possession and use of biologi- bioterrorism legislation President Bush livestock pathogens must also report this cal agents and toxins.” signed in mid-June—were developed information—however, APHIS does not For the complete list of pathogens extremely rapidly. The two federal require facility reports until October 8. and toxins affected by the new rule, agencies to which research facilities In addition, facilities possessing or check “What’s New” on the ASBMB must report are the Centers for Disease using any agent from a third category of website at www.asbmb.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Exciting ASBMB education program planned for EB 2003 in San Diego!

The ASBMB Education and Professional Development Committee and Minority Affairs Committee Present: The Future of the Profession Organized by A. Stephen Dahms, California State Univ. System Biotechnology Program (CSUPERB) Recruiting, Educating and Mentoring the ASBMB Graduate/Postdoctoral Travel Award ASBMB Annual Meeting Experimental Biologists of the Future Symposium in Conjunction with Chaired by: A. Stephen Dahms, CSUPERB Experimental Biology (held jointly with all participating EB 2003 societies) Transitioning from Academia to Industry: A Best 2003 Practices Approach for Faculty and Students On Being a New Faculty Member: Myths and Realities Chaired by: David Jensen, SearchMasters Intl. April 11 – 15, 2003 Chaired by: J. Donald Smith, Univ. of Massachusetts, Dartmouth San Diego, California Women Scientists’ Mentoring Session/Reception The GRE Advanced Examination in Biochemistry Chaired by: Marilee Benone-Parsons, Univ. of Michigan, Dearborn Travel Awards Available and Molecular and Cell Biology: An Analysis of the for Undergraduates, First 10 Years ASBMB Seventh Annual Undergraduate Student Chaired by: John A. Boyle, Mississippi State Univ. Research Achievement Award Poster Competition Graduates, Postdoctoral Sponsored by the Biochemical Journal Fellows and Special Symposium In Honor of Ruth L. Kirschstein Undergraduate Faculty Chaired by: Robert D. Wells, FASEB President Diversifying the Profession Chaired by: Philli A. Ortiz, Empire State Coll., and Juliette Bell, Fayetteville State Univ.

More Information: ASBMB Meetings Office, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814 Tel: 301-634-7145•Fax: 301-634-7126•Email: [email protected] • www.asbmb.org MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Energy Blocker May Be Potential Liver Cancer Treatment team of Johns Hopkins Uni- aged by chemoembolization,” says first tant Professor of Radiology, tested a versity researchers has identi- author Jeff Geschwind, M.D., Associate dozen or so possible energy-blocking A fied and successfully tested in Professor of Radiology and Director of molecules in the lab to find ones that animals a potential new treatment for Interventional Radiology. “The differ- could kill liver cancer cells. liver cancer, a disease for which there ence was quite dramatic.” In 2001, the team reported that are few effective treatments. Dr. Pedersen cautions that before 3- already-available 3-bromopyruvate was Writing in the July 15 issue of Cancer bromopyruvate could be tested in head and shoulders above the rest, in Research, the scientists reported that only humans, scientists would need to learn part because it blocks both ways cells cancer cells were killed when the com- how normal cells protect themselves, make energy (in the form of a mole- pound, 3-bromopyruvate, was given to whether the compound causes long- cule called ATP). “3-Bromopyruvate rabbits with experimental liver tumors. term damage to normal tissues, and how looks like a chemical found in our own “It’s very exciting because we increasing the dose affects the animals. body,” says Dr. Ko, who used 3-bro- expected the compound to be pretty “We assume some level of the com- mopyruvate in her graduate work years toxic, but somehow normal cells in the pound would be toxic,” added Dr. Ped- ago. “It shows a possible drug doesn’t rabbit protect themselves against it,” ersen. “Any drug can be toxic, it’s a have to be fancy or expensive; this is said ASBMB member Peter Pedersen, matter of determining the limits.” just as simple and as good as can be.” Ph.D., Professor of Biological Chem- Some 16,600 new cases of primary Building on those laboratory studies, liver cancer are expected this year in the researchers now have tested the “Any drug can be the United States, but tumors that compound’s effects in an animal model toxic, it’s a matter spread to the liver from elsewhere (so- of liver cancer. Team member and called metastatic tumors) frequently pathologist Michael Torbenson, M.D., of determining hasten death from other, more preva- saw damage only to the tumor when he the limits.” lent types of cancer, such as skin, examined the tumor, liver, and other colon, breast and prostate cancers. If possibly affected organs from the rab- —Dr. Peter Pedersen laboratory tests with other cancer cell bits. The researchers don’t understand istry, who has spent two decades types are promising, the compound how normal cells resist the compound’s studying energy production in cells might be useful for treating any tumor effects, but cancer cells’ greater use of and how it relates to cancer growth. in the liver, not just ones originating glucose to make energy may play a role. “We even injected it into a vein so it there, the researchers say. In another experiment, the was distributed throughout the rabbit, Two years ago, frustrated because researchers discovered that small and we still didn’t see any apparent most patients die within six months, tumors in the lungs, buds from the toxicity. It’s sort of amazing.” Dr. Geschwind approached Dr. Peder- original tumor in the liver, weren’t A single injection of the compound sen with the idea of finding a new way affected by arterial delivery of 3-bro- cells directly into the artery that feeds to treat liver cancer. The plan: Identify mopyruvate, but were substantially the tumor killed a lot of the cancer potential new drugs and use intra-arte- reduced by intravenous injection. cells, but left healthy liver alone. The rial delivery, a procedure with which “It might be logical to treat tumors researchers compared 3-bromopyru- Dr. Geschwind has considerable expert- in the liver by direct intra-arterial vate to a currently used treatment for ise, to get them directly into the tumor. injection, and then use an intravenous human liver cancer, called chemoem- The timing was right, because Dr. injection to kill cancer cells that have bolization, which delivers a dose of Pedersen had learned enough about spread,” suggests Dr. Pedersen, “but chemotherapy to the tumor and also the role of energy production in liver knowing whether this is so is still a blocks off the artery that feeds it. cancer over the previous two decades long way off.” Another author is Dr. “With 3-bromopyruvate in the rab- to warrant looking for a possible new Carolyn Magee of the Russell H. Mor- bits, healthy liver seems to be spared, drug. Biological chemist Young Ko, gan Department of Radiology at the but sections of healthy liver were dam- Ph.D., an ASBMB member and Assis- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

8 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 Researchers Identify Defect that Causes Rare Muscular Dystrophies ubtle defects in the processing glycan is defective in muscle-eye-brain properly to the extracellular matrix of a single protein that pro- disease and Fukuyama congenital mus- and are easily damaged.” He and S vides structural integrity to cular dystrophy. Separate genes had his colleagues hypothesize that sev- muscle cells can lead to several devas- already been identified as defective in eral genes defective in these rare tating forms of muscular dystrophy, these syndromes, but researchers did forms of muscular dystrophy are according to studies by Howard not understand the underlying mecha- involved in the biochemical path- Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) nism despite having information on way that leads to glycosylation of researchers and their colleagues at the the genes involved. dystroglycan. University of Iowa. Dr. Campbell and his colleagues Added evidence for the importance The scientists, approached the problem by studying of dystroglycan glycosylation came HHMI Investiga- the large complex of proteins when Dr. Michele and his colleagues tor Dr. Kevin involved in several known muscular discovered that a commonly used Campbell, an dystrophies. These proteins, called mouse model of muscular dystrophy, ASBMB member, the dystrophin-glycoprotein com- the myd mouse, has a defect in the and Dr. Daniel E. plex, protect muscle cells from dam- Michele of the age as they stretch and contract. “When the sugars are University of They also help hold the cells in missing, it is like Iowa, reported place by acting like a molecular Vel- in two papers Dr. Kevin Campbell cro that binds individual cells to the Velcro without the published in the July 25 issue of the extracellular matrix, providing a loops—it can’t stick.” journal Nature that defects in enzymes bridge critical for the physical responsible for the processing of the integrity of muscle. —Dr. Kevin Campbell structural protein dystroglycan are the In the most common form of mus- underlying cause of several rare forms cular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular biochemical pathway that adds sugar of muscular dystrophy that affect mus- dystrophy, the dystrophin protein, molecules to the dystroglycan protein cles and cause additional developmen- which provides an anchorage inside in muscle and brain. tal brain abnormalities including the cell, is absent. In the dystrophies In addition to muscular dystro- mental retardation. Dr. Campbell studied, the defect is in phy, this mouse had neuronal The new findings will immediately anchoring the cell to the extracellular migration defects very similar to help doctors in providing accurate matrix that surrounds it. that seen in the patients Dr. Michele diagnosis and appropriate genetic The researchers discovered that studied. The loss of the binding of counseling to patients and their fam- while the core dystroglycan protein dystroglycan to matrix disrupts ilies. In the longer term, knowing the is present on cell surfaces, it is miss- anchoring sites at the surface of the underlying cause of the muscular ing distinctive sugar molecules that brain that are crucial for normal dystrophies will help researchers tai- decorate the protein. The process of neuronal migration. In human lor their interventions, according to adding sugars to proteins, glycosyla- patients, this type of neuronal Dr. Campbell. The disorder also dis- tion, is an important finishing step migration defect results in abnormal rupts an important component of in the processing of many proteins smoothing of the brain surface. learning and memory, so he is hope- and provides a distinctive marking “In both the mouse and patients, ful that his team’s studies will that allows binding partners to rec- the only defect is in glycosylation; all improve understanding of possible ognize the proteins. the other (dystrophin-glycoprotein links between muscle physiology and “When the sugars are missing, it complex) components are there,” said neurobiology. is like Velcro without the loops—it Dr. Campbell. “This shows the impor- The two articles described experi- can’t stick,” said Dr. Campbell. “As tance of the dystroglycan link to the ments that demonstrate that dystro- a result, the cells don’t adhere extracellular matrix.”

OCTOBER 2002 ASBMBToday 9 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Seidmans Share Bristol-Myers Squibb Award For Achievement In Cardiovascular Research hristine E. Seidman, M.D. and some gene mutations have a signifi- Jonathan G. Seidman, Ph.D. cantly reduced life expectancy while C received the Twelfth Annual individuals with other mutations may Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distin- have a near normal life expectancy. guished Achievement in Cardiovascular Some gene mutations produce less car- Research for their outstanding contribu- diac hypertrophy than β-cardiac heavy tions to cardiovascular biology and med- chain gene mutations while cardiac tro- icine through their research of inherited ponin T mutations are associated with human pathologies. The husband-and- very poor clinical outcomes. Sarcomere Bristol-Myers Squibb Award recipients Christine E. wife team, who were the first to elucidate protein gene mutations account for Seidman, M.D. and Jonathan G. Seidman, Ph.D. the cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopa- some cases of elderly onset cardiac thy (HCM), share a $50,000 cash prize also served as an inspiration to other hypertrophy, a trait that had not been and each received a commemorative sil- scientists throughout the world.” recognized as inheritable before results ver medallion at a dinner held in their The Seidmans were the first to eluci- of the Seidman studies demonstrated honor on June 24 in New York. date the cause of HCM as genetic the genetic cause. Dr. Christine Seidman, an ASBMB mutations in proteins of the sarcom- The Seidmans’ initial studies on member, is a Professor in the Depart- ere, the functional unit of striated car- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1989 ments of Medicine and Genetics at diac muscle. In 1989, they localized a spurred interest and provided impetus Harvard Medical School and a Howard mutation to chromosome 14 and for scientists at other institutions in the Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) within three months had identified United States and throughout the world investigator. She joined the faculty at the β-cardiac myosin heavy chain to pursue genetic defects as etiologies Brigham and Women’s Hospital in (BMHC) as the locus of the mutation. responsible for cardiomyopathies. More Boston in 1986 and is Attending Physi- Subsequently, they have identified four than 100 different disease-causing cian and Director of the Cardiovascu- other gene mutations that cause HCM: mutations have been identified, and sci- lar Genetics Service. cardiac troponin T on chromosome 1, entists anticipate that the work of the Dr. Jonathan Seidman is the Henri- cardiac myosin binding protein-C on Seidmans will play a pivotal role in etta B. and Frederick H. Bugher Profes- chromosome 11, α-tropomyosin on developing new models for diagnosis sor of Cardiovascular Genetics at chromosome 15 and β-cardiac myosin and treatment for hypertrophic car- Harvard Medical School and is also an heavy chain, a second disease gene on diomyopathy. HHMI Investigator. He has been a chromosome 14, which is related to β- Their studies have also led to an member of the Genetics Department cardiac myosin heavy chain but which understanding of the molecular genetic at Harvard Medical School since 1981. causes elderly onset HCM. basis for dilated cardiomyopathy, a dis- “Through molecular genetics, the The two used their discoveries to order characterized by enlarged cham- Seidmans established the fundamen- develop genotype-phenotype correla- ber volumes of the heart with tal basis of understanding the causes tions in families with HCM and devel- diminished contractile function. and clinical implications of hyper- oped mouse models of the disease. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most trophic cardiomyopathy and other Their studies allowed scientists to common cause of heart failure requir- inheritable heart diseases,” said understand the pathogenesis of the ing cardiac transplantation. They also Richard Gregg, M.D., Vice President, hypertrophy and cardiac failure, and to identified mutations in sarcomere pro- Clinical Discovery, Bristol-Myers provide prognostic information to teins β-myosin heavy chain, troponin T Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Insti- patients and families, including chil- and titin, the nuclear envelope protein tute. “Not only have they made enor- dren at risk. The Seidmans demon- lamin A/C, and a transcription factor mous contributions to science with strated a significant correlation between that cause inherited human heart their landmark studies, but they have genotype and survival; individuals with failure, data that implies multiple

10 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 ASBMB METABOLISM PATHWAYS AND REGULATION MEETING planned for EB 2003 in San Diego!

April 11-15, 2003 San Diego, CA

ExperimentalBiology pathways can be triggered to cause contractile dysfunction ASBMB Annual Meeting and cardiac decompensation. in Conjunction with Experimental Their research has subsequently localized abnormal genes 2003 Biology 2003 responsible for a rare form of congenital heart disease, atrial septal defects in the Holt-Gram syndrome, to chromosome Organized by Luciano Rosetti, Albert Einstein Coll. of Med. 12q2. The mutated gene in this syndrome of heart disease, the first gene characterized that causes congenital heart disease, is a Plenary Lecture transcription factor, TBX5. More recently, the Seidmans have M. Daniel Lane, Johns Hopkins Univ. Sch. of Med. been mapping genetic loci for simple atrial septal defects. These studies culminated in their major discovery that muta- Novel Signaling Pathways Involved in Leptin tions in another transcription factor, Nkx2.5, cause congenital Action and Regulation of Energy Balance heart disease and conduction defects seen on an electrocardio- *Barbara B. Kahn, Beth Israel Deaconess gram. These studies proved that congenital heart disease does Michael Schwartz, Univ. of Washington have a genetic basis, but that the expression of the mutations Jeffrey Friedman, HHMI, Rockefeller Univ. varies among individuals. Both concepts are considered revolu- Luciano Rossetti, Albert Einstein Coll. Med. tionary contributions to understanding the pathogenesis of Novel Mechanisms for Insulin Resistance pediatric heart disease. *Morris J. Birnbaum, HHMI, Univ. of Pennsylvania Sch. of Med. Philipp Scherer, Albert Einstein Coll. Med. JBC Editor Receives Prestigious Mitchell A. Lazar, Univ. of Pennsylvania Humboldt Award Invited Speaker #4 – TBD Transcriptional Regulation by Insulin Charles E. Samuel, Professor and Chair of Molecular, *Domenico Accili, Columbia Univ. Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University Bruce Spiegelman, Dana Farber Cancer Inst. of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), has received the Marc Montminy, Salk Inst. Humboldt Research Award to Invited Speaker #4 – TBD Senior Scientists for his lifetime achievements, especially his work New Insight Into Beta Cell Biology *Peter Arvan, Albert Einstein Coll. Med. on the infection-fighting inter- Randal J. Kaufman, Univ. of Michigan feron molecule. The award was Donald F. Steiner, HHMI, Univ. of Chicago presented to Dr. Samuel, an Lydia Aguilar-Bryan, Univ. of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Ctr. ASBMB member and Associate Editor of the Journal of Biological *denotes chairperson Chemistry, at a ceremony in Additional Speakers will be chosen from the abstracts submitted to the Dr. Charles E. Samuel Berlin in June. ASBMB Metabolism Pathways and Regulation topic categories. The Humboldt Forschungspreise award is given annu- Abstract deadline: 11/13/02 ally in several disciplines to foreign scientists and schol- Travel Awards Available for Undergraduates, Graduates, ars who have gained international eminence. The awards Postdoctoral Fellows and Undergraduate Faculty honor “lifetime achievement in research and teaching.” Dr. Samuel’s was in recognition of his work on the inter- More Information: ASBMB Meetings Office, feron system and virus-host interactions, carried out at 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814 UCSB over the past 25 years with numerous graduate Tel: 301-634-7145•Fax: 301-634-7126• students and postdoctoral fellows. Email: [email protected] • www.asbmb.org ASBMB

AnnualBy Kelly A. Gull Meeting Manager, Meetings and Education Programs t’s completely uncon- “Iventional. The ASBMB has not attempted anything like it in the past and we anticipate a positive response from the member- ship.” These are the words George Carman, Chair of the ASBMB Meetings Com- mittee, uses to describe the 2003 ASBMB Annual Meet- ing Program. Next year the ASBMB will meet with the 2003 Experimental Biology Meeting in San Diego, April 11-15. It will be the third year in a row that ASBMB will meet with EB. “The first year we joined the EB Meeting was a little rough,” said Dr. Carman, “Members were used to the ASBMB’s previous meeting format and timeline. Abstracts were due in November instead of January and the meeting itself was held in April instead of the usual month of June. No matter how many meeting announcements were sent to the membership, either by mail or electronically, there was no guarantee that everyone would recog- nize the changes.” After joining the EB meeting, the ASBMB maintained its Annual Meeting format which was standardized in 1998. Dr. Edward Dennis, University of California, San Diego, who chaired the Annual Meeting in 1996, first instituted

12 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 The Call for Abstracts has been mailed to all members. Abstract Deadline—November 13, 2002. Completely Restructured the format. After going through the attendees was the fact that EB meets in nal of Biological Chemistry. Claudia Kent planning process, he thought it would the Spring, a time when it is difficult served as an Associate Editor of JBC be helpful to future program chairper- for faculty to leave their campuses. from 1994 to 2000. During that time sons if there were documentation of The Meetings Committee realized she headed the Committee which the design he used. Subsequently, he that the idea of satellite meetings had revised the Table of Contents of the presented a meeting planning guide to to be reconsidered. In fact, while they JBC in 2001,” Dr. Schramm continued. the ASBMB Council. In 2000, he were at it, they decided to look at the “It was an extremely difficult task to became the first chairperson of the entire meeting structure and see how undertake and a lot newly created ASBMB Meetings Com- ASBMB members could best be served of time went in to mittee which deliberates policies con- at the EB 2003 meeting. The Commit- changing the JBC cerning all ASBMB meetings. The tee reconsidered the four-theme Table of Contents,” program planning guide promoted an approach. Were the themes too broad? said Dr. Kent. “Sci- annual meeting with four general Too narrow? Were members able to ence is constantly themes and four complimentary spe- find their particular scientific interest evolving and jour- cialized satellite meetings to be held the at the meeting? Was there a subject of nals need to keep weekend before the annual meeting. interest for all ASBMB members each up with the ASBMB Meetings day of the meeting? All the questions changes. I am glad Committee Chair “The idea was to have were thoroughly discussed and a new to see the hard George Carman scientific sessions in every meeting layout began to take shape. work of the Committee put to use in Vern Schramm, Albert Einstein Col- other areas of the Society. We have 13 subject area every day.” lege of Medicine and Claudia Kent, sections in the JBC. For the meeting we University of Michigan, co-chairs of decided to consolidate a little and nar- — Dr. Vern Schramm the 2003 Program Planning Commit- rowed the themes down to ten scien- However, joining with EB, which tee, presented the radical idea. “The tific subjects, plus the science education boasts an attendance of nearly 13,000, conception of the new format began theme,” she explained. “Even that was presented different challenges. The EB with the question, hard to do,” she admitted. meeting is a five-day meeting and is the ‘Who is our con- The subjects had to be pared down annual meeting for six other societies stituency? What due to the other revolutionary idea in most years. Adding the ASBMB satel- science are they that Drs. Schramm and Kent had in lite meetings to this already large meet- doing and where mind. They wanted to run all eleven ing meant a seven-day commitment could we find the themes concurrently every day at the from members who wanted to attend information?” meeting, morning and afternoon. everything. Obviously, being away said Dr. Schramm. “The idea was to have scientific ses- from labs and other commitments for “The answer was ASBMB Program sions in every subject area every day. this amount of time is difficult, as well right under our Committee Co-Chair We felt that the old format could as expensive. Another factor affecting noses – The Jour- Dr. Claudia Kent sometimes limit the themes to areas of

OCTOBER 2002 ASBMBToday 13 ASBMB Travel Awards are available for undergraduates, post-docs, graduate students and undergraduate faculty members. Check the ASBMB website at www.asbmb.org for more details. research that may be too focused for Committee decided to call each theme a first,” said Dr. Kent. “You also like to ASBMB members who are working in meeting. The concept is that a member present your research to the public, the broad areas of scientific research could potentially come to the EB meet- which is why we’ve made changes in represented in the Journal of Biological ing and participate for four of the five the structure of the symposia within Chemistry. I know it sounds like we’re days in a meeting close to their interest, each thematic meeting too. The ASBMB trying to ‘please everyone all the time’ for example a “Glycobiology Meeting.” has always prided itself in the fact that and in fact, we are,” said Dr. Schramm. “Everyone is interested in what others they select speakers from the abstracts The idea evolved even further and are doing in their particular area, but submitted to the meeting. We wanted to instead of calling them themes, the you usually like to focus on your field expand the opportunities for the atten- dees to participate. Instead of a schedule heavy with invited speaker talks, we ASBMB’s New Format: decided to triple the Eleven Thematic Meetings within the number of presenta- National Meeting Every Day! More tions selected from Opportunities to Present Your Research! the abstracts,” she continued. Over 300 scientists will be selected from the abstracts submitted to ASBMB Topic Categories to make oral presentations. Scientific sessions Over 300 speak- corresponding to the Thematic Meetings will be held each day in which ers will be chosen speakers from the volunteered abstracts will present. Oral presenters will also from the abstracts present a poster at the meeting. submitted to each ASBMB Program thematic meeting. Committee Co-Chair Thematic Meetings This year, those Dr. Vern Schramm Meeting I: Molecular Basis of Cell Meeting VII: Genomics, selected from the abstracts will also be and Developmental Biology Proteomics and Bioinformatics expected to present posters at the Organized by Nahum Sonenberg, Organized by Patricia Babbitt, UCSF meeting so authors may receive even McGill Univ. and Natalie G. Ahn, Meeting VIII: Protein Synthesis, more visibility and the audience has Univ. of Colorado Folding and Turnover another chance to have some discus- Meeting II: Glycobiology Organized by Cecile M. Pickart, sion time with the author. In previous Organized by Gerald W. Hart, Johns Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Sch. of years, these authors have not been Hopkins Sch. of Med. Hygiene and Pub. Hlth. asked to present a poster. “The ASBMB Council and I are Meeting III: Lipid Signaling, Meeting IX: Nucleic Acid excited about the possibilities,” said Metabolism and Transport Structure, Function and Bettie Sue Masters, Robert A. Welch Organized by Dennis R. Voelker, Processing Professor at the University of Texas Natl. Jewish Med. Res. Ctr. Organized by Michael Dahmus, Health Science Center and President of UC, Davis Meeting IV: Biological Catalysis the ASBMB. “I like to tell everyone to Organized by Tadhg Begley, Meeting X: Membrane Assembly think ‘out of the box’ and Vern and Cornell University Interaction and Transport Claudia, as well as the Meetings Com- Organized by Stephen H. White, mittee, have lived up to my expecta- Meeting V: Metabolism – UC, Irvine tions. We are looking forward to a Pathways and Regulation positive response from the member- Organized by Luciano Rosetti, Albert Meeting XI: The Future of the ship. We want everyone to submit Einstein Col. of Med. Profession their abstracts for consideration and Organized by A. Stephen Dahms, Meeting VI: Signaling Pathways join us in San Diego in April. Mark California State Univ. System Organized by Natalie G. Ahn, Univ. your calendars now and have your col- Biotechnology Program of Colorado and Nahum Sonenberg, leagues and students do the same. The McGill Univ. abstract deadline is November 13th and we all know how those dates can For the latest program information visit www.asbmb.org sneak up on you,” she cautioned.

14 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 JLR Institutes Papers in Press; Mandatory Online Submissions rudy M. Forte, Editor-in-Chief Thematic Review Series. This has been branes and Polar Lipid Dynamics. The of the Journal of Lipid Research a highly successful endeavor, given the JLR is very interested in your input T (JLR), marked her fourth year in large number of “hits” on these articles into the Thematic Reviews, and I that position with a report to the reader- as they appear online. These reviews would be very happy if readers would ship on progress made in the past year are designed to focus on an area of cur- let me know what area they feel is and changes anticipated in the future. rent interest in the field of lipid “ripe” for a review series. In addition to Following is the substance of that report: research. Reviews on various topics suggestions on review topics, we would The Journal continues to prosper and within the area of interest appear in a like to have volunteers to coordinate the number of submissions is increasing. series in consecutive months. The first and edit the series. This increase is probably due, in part, to series focused on the ABC Transporters, In addition to Thematic Reviews, JLR the inauguration of online submissions the second on Regulation of Sterol/Lipid also publishes regular review articles. in January 2002. The online submission Metabolism and Transport, and the third We encourage such reviews and look process has gone smoothly and has (current) series on Lipases and How forward to suggestions for review top- been highly successful. As of April 2002, They Modulate Gut Uptake and Plasma ics from the readers of JLR. 86% of submitted papers were received Disposal of Lipids. The fourth series, As always, we look forward to your electronically. The high number of coordinated and edited by Linda Pike comments and suggestions. online submissions in such a short and Dennis Voelker, will commence in Trudy M. Forte, Editor-in-Chief period of time suggests that authors find January 2003, and is entitled Mem- Email: [email protected] this a more convenient and rapid method for submitting manuscripts. To speed the process even more, JLR has adopted an electronic review process that has considerably decreased the turnaround time from submission to first decision for a manuscript. To fur- ther improve the efficiency of the sub- mission and review process, the JLR will make online submission of manuscripts mandatory on January 1, 2003. The Journal has recently instituted JLR Papers in Press (PIPs). Newly accepted papers will be published online in searchable PDF format on a twice-monthly basis (on the 1st and 16th of each month). The PIP reduces the time to publication, since it will appear 8-12 weeks before the print ver- sion. The date the PIP appears is the citable date of publication for the paper, for the purpose of establishing priority. Each PIP has a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) that needs to be used when citing the paper. For more infor- mation on JLR PIPs, the reader should visit the JLR web site (www.jlr.org). One year ago JLR inaugurated its

OCTOBER 2002 ASBMBToday 15 Consortium for Archaeal Genomics and Proteomics Established at Penn State The Consortium for Archaeal Genomics and Pro- outgrowth of the NSF-funded Penn State Center for Microbial teomics has been established at Pennsylvania State Structural Biology, which Dr. Ferry also directs. Daniel Jones, a C University under the leadership of ASBMB member senior scientist and the director of the Penn State Mass Spec- James G. Ferry, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Bio- troscopy Facility, will assist consortium researchers in their stud- chemistry and Molecular Biology, with support from the ies of cellular proteins with the analysis of two-dimensional National Science Foundation which is anticipated to exceed gel-electrophoresis patterns. $1.3 million over the next four years. The consortium will “By exploring the metabolic diversity of our model organism research the structure and function of the genes and proteins we hope to discover novel enzymes and proteins with potential of organisms classified in the Archaea, the grouping that is uses in biotechnology,” Dr. Ferry says. The consortium’s model thought to include the organisms living today with the most organism and others like it, which produce methane, are ancient evolutionary lineages. ancient microbes whose direct ancestors are thought to have Of the three domains in which living things are classified, evolved at the time of the origin of life. “One expected outcome the Archaea domain is likely the least familiar to most peo- of the project is a more thorough understanding of the origin ple—but Dr. Ferry and his research team aim to make it much and early evolution of life, a goal that dovetails with those of more well known to scientists by revealing many of its secrets. the Penn State Center for Astrobiology, of which our lab is a Unlike organisms in the other two domains—the Bacteria and member,” Dr. Ferry commented. “In addition, anaerobic micro- the Eucarya, which include plants, animals, fungi, algae, and bial food chains are essential links in the global carbon cycle, other familiar organisms—the Archaea domain includes exotic annually producing nearly a billion tons of methane, a potent forms of bacteria that live in extreme environments such as greenhouse gas, so a better understanding of this process will hot springs and salt lakes. have global environmental significance.” “Our efforts are expected to greatly expand the knowledge of novel biochemical and molecular biological characteristics of the Archaea, some of which are totally unique while oth- ers are a blend that appears to be ‘borrowed’ from both the Bacteria and Eucarya,” Dr. Ferry says. The consortium’s results are expected to contribute to a fundamental understanding of the Bacteria and Eucarya domains, as well. The consortium is a collaborative research effort led by Penn State that includes researchers at the Whitehead Insti- tute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Institute for Genomic Research, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of Maryland Center for Marine Biotechnology. The model organism chosen for the project was first discov- ered by Ferry’s laboratory living in oxygen-starved marine sedi- ments from the Scripps canyon near La Jolla Shores in California. This species, named Methanosarcina acetivorans, ranks as the most metabolically diverse of all the Archaea because it has the largest genome yet sequenced from an Archaea organ- ism—4.5 million base pairs. “Our basic approach is to exploit this genomic sequence through the use of DNA microarrays to identify the genes that are regulated in response to environmental changes,” Dr. Ferry explains. Researchers in the consortium also plan to supplement this approach with genetic and bioinformatic techniques used in genomics research and with enzyme techniques used in pro- teomics research. The consortium’s research on proteins is an

16 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 Balance … Continued from p. 3 tists—many of whom are ASBMB It is unclear where the groundswell for were a lot of compelling opportunities in members working in non-biomedical cutting biology to fund other science other areas that needed to be funded.” areas of biology and chemistry—for disciplines at NSF has come from. How- ASBMB President Bettie Sue Masters, NIH’s success. She went on to note that ever, after years of ASBMB and other life in a letter sent to VA/HUD Subcommit- ASBMB was not asking for double-digit sciences organizations advocating for tee Chair Barbara MIkulski (D-MD) on increases for NSF biology programs at NSF as a whole, and not differentiating September 4, noted the Society’s con- the expense of other disciplines, but between scientific disciplines at NSF, it is cern about the Senate decision, saying rather, only that the NSF’s biological now the sad case that at NSF—the most that to argue that NSF biological sci- sciences programs be treated the same interdisciplinary of all federal science ences could be cut because the life sci- as the other science directorates. funding agencies—this kind of balka- ences were doing very well over all Unfortunately, it may be too late to nization of science, where one discipline “reflects a misperception of NSF’s role bring about remedial action in the Sen- is pitted against another, has resurfaced. in funding biological research.” ate; however, ASBMB has also written Thus, under the harmonious chorus Dr. Masters noted that NSF life sci- similar letters to the House, where action of “balance”, growing discordance can ences research does not focus on bio- to counter the Senate’s recommendation be detected. And, unless the chorus medical problems, and that holding is more probable. The letters are available begins to change a bit in coming NSF life sciences to a 3.4% increase for reading on the ASBMB public affairs months, it is likely that the cacaphony penalizes non-biomedical life scien- website under “policy statements”. underlying it will grow louder. Renew Your Membership Online

ASBMB dues notices have been mailed to all members and you can now make payment online at the ASBMB website: www.asbmb.org. Click on “Renew Now” in the “What’s New” box.

New for 2003 — Membership Cards The renewal notice includes your new ASBMB membership card. And don’t forget, your membership includes a free subscription to our monthly magazine, ASBMB Today, plus free subscriptions to JBC Online and MCP Online. You also receive special member rates for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, The Journal of Lipid Research and Trends in Biochemical Sciences, as well as the print versions of JBC and MCP.

ASBMB members may also register for the Annual Meeting at discounted rates. In addition, you can order your 2003 edition of the Annual Review of Biochemistry through ASBMB.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

OCTOBER 2002 ASBMBToday 17 Virginia Researchers Identify Protein ‘Gatekeepers’ Switching Action in Cell Nucleus switching mechanism that new component, know if it helps the controls the entry of proteins called Npap60 truck select different A into cell nuclei, where genetic (nuclear pore-asso- types of cargo.” material is stored, has been identified ciated protein) How such selec- by researchers at the University of Vir- attaches to its truck tion might take ginia Health System. in three different place is the next “The paper marks an advance in our ways, depending step in the research understanding of how cells sort mole- on whether the by Dr. Macara and cules that are to be sent to different truck is in the cyto- Dr. Mark E. Lindsay Dr. Mark E. Lindsay, Dr. Ian G. Macara places inside the cell,” said the princi- plasm picking up cargo, en route a medical and doctoral degree student at pal investigator, ASBMB member Ian inside the tunnel, or in the nucleus the University of Virginia School of Med- G. Macara, Professor of Pharmacology making its delivery. icine who initiated and led the study. at the University of Virginia Markey “It’s something no one would notice “Cargo entry into the nucleus is used Center for Cell Signaling. unless they take this component apart for many different functions of living “We call the molecules that are and look at how each small bit works,” organisms,” said Dr. Macara. “Proteins being moved around the cell ‘cargo,’ Dr. Macara said. “If you just asked how activate genes by entering the nucleus, and each type of cargo has a zip code the intact Npap60 binds to its truck, it and viruses must enter the nucleus in attached that determines the address would always look the same, but by order to replicate. If we know how within the cell to which it must be looking more closely you see this amaz- importins recognize nuclear entry delivered. We study proteins called ing switch mechanism. The way it works codes, we may find out the mecha- ‘importins,’ which are like trucks that is very unusual, and is contrary to what nism for allowing or barring entry of carry the cargo into the center of the scientists previously thought was the viruses or proteins that switch on cell, the nucleus,” he said. “We have function of Npap60. Now, we want to genes to cause disease.” discovered a new component of one of these trucks that helps load the cargo, and ensures correct delivery. It may ASBMB Welcomes New Ph.D.’s also help the truck distinguish among ASBMB extends its congratulations to these individuals who recently received different nuclear entry codes.” their Ph.D. degrees. In recognition of their achievement, ASBMB is presenting The nucleus of a cell is surrounded by them with a free one-year membership in the Society. The new Ph.D.’s are listed a wall that separates the DNA from the below with the institution from which they received their degree. rest of the cell. This wall contains thou- Marco Boorsma, Institute of Katrina A. Lehmann, University of sands of tunnels, called pores, through Biotechnology, Switzerland Utah School of Medicine which the trucks and their cargo travel. Millions of cargo molecules are carried Luis G. Brieba, University of Texas Su Li, University of Utah School of in and out of each nucleus every Health Sciences Center Medicine minute. This heavy traffic of proteins Tristan Fiedler, University of Miami Hanwen Mao, Kent State University through the wall occurs in every living Rachel N. Fish, University of School of Biomedical Sciences organism except bacteria. California, Berkeley Kwan Y. Thai, Purdue University Understanding the details of how Diana S. Gomez-Garzon, University Oya Yazgan, Texas Tech University things get in and out of the nucleus is of Puerto Rico School of Medicine Health Sciences Center important, Dr. Macara said, because viruses such as HIV have stolen the Julie J. Hong, Purdue University Brian C. Yowler, Penn State cargo codes and use the trucks to move Promjit Jutabha, Virginia Tech University College of Medicine their components in and out of the College of Agriculture & Life Daniel P. Zelinski, Purdue University nucleus. This allows them to take con- Sciences Qin Zhao, Purdue University trol of the cell and to replicate within it. Dong Yul Kim, Purdue Unversity The Virginia study found that the

18 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 NIGMS Funds Complex Biomedical Systems Research Centers he National Institute of Gen- lion to investigate how groups of genes University of New Mexico in Albu- eral Medical Sciences has control a variety of key biological querque, to develop plans to establish T established Centers of Excel- processes, including the development the Center for Spatiotemporal Model- lence in Complex Biomedical Systems of embryos and the functional and ing of Cell Signaling Networks. The Research. NIGMS anticipates spending mechanical organization of cell struc- project’s goals are to use computa- a total of $25.5 million over the course ture and motion. Outreach activities tional modeling to understand com- of five years to support the centers. will include creating and disseminat- plex cell signaling circuits and to Scientists have acquired a mass of data ing to the scientific community soft- disseminate knowledge and tools to on the characteristics and functions of ware to visualize and model data, the broader research community. The individual biological molecules. The hosting guest researchers and teaching center will recruit new faculty to con- focus now is on investigating how these yearly apprenticeship courses to recruit duct computational biology research molecules interact. Central to this effort undergraduate biology students to and provide training programs for is modeling and predicting the behavior careers in computational biology. undergraduate, graduate and postdoc- of complex biological systems, which Case Western Reserve University in toral students to learn how to conduct draws on the expertise and approaches Cleveland was awarded $2.4 million to interdisciplinary research to analyze of quantitative scientists, including create the Center for Modeling Inte- complex biological systems. mathematicians, physicists, computer grated Metabolic Systems (MIMS), an scientists, and engineers, as well as those effort to mathematically model and of biologists. simulate metabolism in skeletal mus- Grandfather’s Parkinson’s cle, brain and liver tissue in response to The title of an article in the “We expect these centers stresses associated with exercise, diet August issue of ASBMB Today, to lead the way in and oxygen supply. MIMS will extend “Grandfather’s Parkinson’s Could Be training the next its reach beyond Case Western Reserve Fragile X Syndrome,” should have by establishing a partnership with been “Grandfather’s Parkinson’s generation of researchers Cleveland State University, which has Could Be Related to Fragile X Syn- in computational biology.” a substantial population of undergrad- drome.” The omission of the words —Dr. Judith H. Greenberg uate students who are members of “related to” in the headline could be minority groups that are underrepre- seen to imply that Grandfather’s “NIGMS is excited about the oppor- sented in biomedical research careers. Parkinson’s is Fragile X Syndrome. tunity to nurture the growth of this In addition, NIGMS will support As stated in the first paragraph of important new area of biomedicine,” three planning grants to lay the the article, “Recent studies at the said Dr. Judith H. Greenberg, Acting groundwork for future centers of excel- California School of Medicine at Director of NIGMS. “We anticipate that lence at: Davis reveal that grandfathers of the new centers will develop creative Boston University to conduct a pilot mentally impaired children could approaches to address significant bio- study of the interactions between two easily be misdiagnosed as suffering medical problems by combining the signaling pathways controlling cell from Parkinson’s Disease (PD) or expertise of outstanding scientists growth and death in human cells. The other movement disorders, when, in working across disciplinary boundaries. effort will also organize a large group fact, the brain pathology causing We also expect these centers to lead the of faculty members representing com- their tremor and motor problems way in training the next generation of puter science, experimental and clini- may be something entirely different. researchers in computational biology.” cal science, and statistics to begin Their symptoms could be the result The new centers are designed to sup- planning a cross-disciplinary educa- of mild changes in the fragile X gene port the development of multi-investi- tional program for undergraduates. responsible for their grandchild’s gator teams that can address University of California, Irvine, to retardation,” grandfather’s Parkin- biomedical complexity through foster collaborations between research son’s cannot be Fragile X syndrome. research, training, workshops, sym- faculty members in cell biology, devel- We apologize for any misunder- posia and other forms of outreach. opmental biology, physiology and standing caused by the omission The University of Washington, Fri- medicine. The group plans to devise of the words “related to” in the day Harbor Laboratories, San Juan software engineering principles to sim- headline. Island, Washington received $2.1 mil- ulate large biological systems.

OCTOBER 2002 ASBMBToday 19 BIOTECH BUSINESS NEWS

by John D. Thompson, Editor

Biotech Giant Buys Stake in Dendreon Seattle-based Dendreon has struck a Genentech will pay for the most genetic approaches to cancer: Its deal in which one of the biotech expensive clinical trials and be respon- breast-cancer drug, Herceptin, zeroes in industry’s leading companies, Genen- sible for manufacturing. It will share in on a gene that is active in about one- tech, will potentially pay more than the profits. fourth of breast-cancer patients. $110 million to team up and develop Gold said Genentech was one of Dendreon believes its gene is unusual cancer drugs aimed at a specific gene. many bidders for its gene, and it was because it is common in cancer cells Under the agreement, Genentech is chosen because of the cash it offered and seldom found in healthy cells. The buying an equity stake in Dendreon and its experience with cancer drugs companies’ next job is to create anti- and paying an upfront fee and a series using different scientific approaches. bodies or conventional chemical com- of milestone payments that will kick in Page Sargisson, a spokeswoman for pounds that will kill cancer cells. Gold as experimental drugs progress. The Genentech, said her company has the said it could be two more years before news continued the Seattle biotech scientific ability and the money to try that work is tested in humans. company’s quick reversal of fortune. several simultaneous approaches to Mark Monane, an analyst with Dendreon Chief Business Officer develop drugs homing in on Den- Needham & Co., told the Seattle Times Mitchell Gold stressed that the com- dreon’s gene. She said prostate cancer that the news was significant because pany isn’t giving away the farm to will be the first target. it diversifies Dendreon, allowing it to Genentech. The company will keep Dendreon has discovered and move forward on several approaches to rights to co-promote future products in patented a gene called Trp-p8, that it drugs, some of which are more proven the U.S. It will conduct some of the says is found in a range of cancers, in the eyes of investors than Den- early clinical trials and will hang on to including prostate, breast, lung and dreon’s method of stimulating the a double-digit chunk of future profits. colon. Genentech has experience in immune system. Bioinformatics Seen as Critical New Human Component in Drug Discovery Genome Database Bioinformatics, a combination of late, and integrate data in a way that Biomax Informatics AG, of Martin- information technology (IT) and accelerates research, rather than act- sreid, Germany, has launched a human biological sciences, is becoming rec- ing as a bottleneck.” genome database that is both automati- ognized as a critical component of Bioinformatics and molecular cally and manually annotated. discovery by both pharmaceutical modeling technologies have the The new database has a price advan- and pure IT companies. potential, within three to five years, tage, according to a company “With the massive quantities of to hugely decrease the risk, cost, and spokesman who said, “With Celera, data now available to researchers, expertise required for the early stages you’re talking at least $10,000 a year to computers have become essential,” of drug development, target selec- license the database. Ours costs as little according to Technical Insights Ana- tion and validation. as $500 a year for academics and lyst Katherine Austin, a consultant New analysis by Technical $1,500 a year for institutions.” with Frost & Sullivan. “However, Insights, a business unit of Frost & The Biomax human genome data- having the data in the computer Sullivan, Bioinformatics, reveals that base uses publicly available does not mean that it can be used in three fields will be most affected by sequence data. The genes are identi- any meaningful way. The challenge advances in bioinformatics, all with fied automatically with the FGE- for bioinformatics developers is to the goal of structure-based drug NESH++ gene modeling software design platforms that can manage, design: genomics, proteomics, and developed by Softberry Inc. in retrieve, organize, compare, manipu- combinatorial chemistry. Mount Kisco, New York.

20 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 British Biotech Lifted by Antibiotic Research Deal Biotech Deals Key British Biotech Plc has recruited a antibiotic drugs generally take less privately owned U.S. firm, GeneSoft time to develop than cancer drugs, to Pharmaceutical Inc., to help develop what could be the which dominate the rest of British first new class of antibiotics in 30 Biotech’s portfolio. years. Analysts said the project offered Success the best hope of recovery for the com- Pharmaceutical giants should pany, once the flagship of the UK DSM to Buy Roche’s get the new products they crave biotech sector before it was hit by a Vitamins, Fine Chemicals from biotech, said Jan Leschly, string of product failures. Chairman and CEO of New Jer- Biotech and pharmaceutical compa- Unit for $2.22 Billion sey-based venture capital firm nies are striving to find new classes of Care Capital LLC, in his keynote antibiotics to treat infectious diseases Dutch chemicals group DSM has address at IBC’s Drug Discovery after the emergence of drug-resistant that it would buy Swiss pharmaceu- Technology conference in August. bacteria has become one of the biggest tical group Roche’s vitamins and Even mega-mergers can’t keep problems in modern medicine. fine chemicals division for $2.22 bil- up with pharmaceutical compa- British Biotech’s strategy is to target lion. DSM Chairman Peter Elverding nies’ new chemical entity require- an enzyme, polypeptide deformylase, said the deal would be concluded at ments, he said, adding, “To which bacteria need to grow. “Gene- the start of 2003, but still requires maintain a 12% growth rate, Soft is not particularly well known, the approval of anti-trust authori- Pfizer/Pharmacia would have to but it does appear to have medicinal ties. The DSM group is reportedly add Amgen in 2003, then Scher- chemistry expertise, which should be trying to change from a petrochemi- ing-Plough in 2004. In 10 years it very useful for this project,” said Mike cals company to focusing on life sci- would have to be a $150 billion Mitchell, an analyst at Evolution Bee- ence products—chemicals and company.” son Gregory. While stressing the proj- biotechnological products—and per- The biotechnology industry, ect was still at an early stage, he said formance materials. meanwhile, is a rich source of one particular attraction was that innovative products, producing a growing number of approvals— $42 Million Slated for more than 120 in the last five years. Large pharmaceutical com- North Carolina Biomanufacturing panies will never give up their North Carolina’s biomanufacturing $42 million in venture capital invest- own research and development industry will get a $42 million boost ments will help build on the state’s exist- because “everyone in the industry this year, and possibly another $108 ing strengths in biomanufacturing and knows R&D is the lifeline,” he million more over the next six years, biotechnology development.” said, but collaborations make from Golden LEAF Inc., the foundation The $42 million for biomanufactur- more sense than ever before. that invests money from the tobacco ing will be invested in venture capital Competition will be tough settlement for the long-term economic funds that will provide funding for though. Leschly pointed out that advancement of North Carolina. bioscience companies developing or “more than 3,000 biotechs have “The North Carolina Biotechnology manufacturing their products in North to survive off deals with 600 mid- Center is delighted that Golden LEAF Carolina. If those investments are suc- sized pharmaceuticals and 40 has recognized the critical importance of cessful, Golden LEAF anticipates mak- global companies. I believe con- biotechnology to the state’s continued ing additional investments of $108 solidation will continue in economic development,” said Dr. Leslie million over the next six years, bring- pharma and biotech.” M. Alexandre, the Center’s President and ing its total investments in the bio- CEO. “The foundation’s commitment to science sector to $150 million.

OCTOBER 2002 ASBMBToday 21 Quick! What are the best articles to read on a new topic? tanford’s HighWire Press directly related by citation to a given 1994. But within last 5-7 years, there allows you to search all of article and are highly-cited themselves. is a wealth of material. S Medline plus over 340 jour- It graphically displays the articles so By default, the map shows only the nals’ full-text at once—including the that you can see which articles cite 10 most highly-cited articles related to JBC, of course! The new site is at which other articles. It sorts the related the one you’ve chosen, but you can http://highwire.stanford.edu. articles by frequency of citation on the ask it to map up to 30 articles (the The new portal from Stanford’s High- topic, and thus helps you prioritize graphic map is hard to read above 20 Wire Press has a tool called “Citation your reading when you are unfamiliar articles). The list of citations is easy Map” to help you answer the question: with a field. It also shows you which to read no matter how many articles “I only have time to scan a few articles authors and which journals appear you ask for. on an unfamiliar topic; which are the most often. This information might, best?” Perhaps you are meeting a new for example, lead you to evaluate other colleague for the first time; perhaps you articles by a key author in the field. have encountered a new topic in refer- You will find a hyperlink titled “Cita- eeing an article; or a new topic in your tion Map” on many items in a search general reading, in a conference, or in a result in the new portal. Click on the lecture; and you want to know what is link to have the system compute a cita- going on in this area that is new to tion map starting from the particular you. Or perhaps you have to give a lec- article that you choose. ture or write a review article and want Take a look at the example Citation help selecting a bibliography. Map shown for 1999 JBC article by Previously, the available tools were a Jaburek et al. The top of the example keyword search, but this might return repeats the full citation to the article. too many articles that are distantly Then a map shows the most recent related to a topic; an author search, articles on the left (a PNAS article from which might return too few articles 2001) and the oldest article on the narrowly focused on a single person’s right (JBC 1994); Jaburek et al. is in the Image 2 – Citation list work; or a related articles search which middle. All articles shown are well- gives you related articles, but no sense cited and the yellow circles show arti- Next to the citation list, you also see of how important they are in the field. cles that are the most highly-cited the list of authors, and you might find The new Citation Map tool provides within the group of related articles. find it useful to explore the work of an a way to identify articles that are The map shows not only the articles author who is unfamiliar to you; click- Image 1 – Citation map cited by Jaburek, but the ing on an author’s name will bring up articles that cite Jaburek, a list of all of his or her articles in the so you can look forward portal, which includes a million High- and backward in time, to Wire-hosted full-text articles, and see what “happened about 12 million Medline abstracts. with” an article’s work More details on how it works can be after it was published. found at this URL: http://highwire. Obviously, the more stanford.edu/help/pop/citemap.dtl recent an article, the Previous issues of ASBMB Today fewer articles will have including topics about the HighWire cited it; articles whose Portal are available online at full-text HTML is not http://highwire.stanford.edu/inthep- online won’t have cita- ress/asbmb/index.dtl. tions and, because of the Next month we’ll look at new tech- limits of online citation niques to further refine your search history, we don’t record when your search retrieves far too many citations prior to many results to examine.

22 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 Career Opportunities

MOLECULAR BIOLOGIST: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NEW SALLIE ROSEN KAPLAN FELLOWSHIP Plan and conduct lab experiments in a Federation of American Societies for Women in Basic, Clinical, high throughput commercial lab to for Experimental Biology Population and Prevention Science conduct detection of genetically modi- Quick Leonard Kieffer is currently National Cancer Institute fied organisms. Perform genomic DNA recruiting for a new Executive Director The Sallie Rosen Kaplan Fellowship is a isolation and purification, DNA for the Federation of American Soci- new opportunity for women postdoc- sequence analysis, microarray (DNA eties for Experimental Biology (FASEB). toral scientists in cancer research, made possible by a generous bequest biochip) exp., Taqman (real time PCR) Located in Bethesda, MD, FASEB is a to the Foundation for NIH (FNIH). assay and statistical analysis of data for coalition of 21 independent Member Candidates for the Kaplan Fellowship quality control. Advance degree Societies representing the interests of must possess a doctoral degree, have required plus two or more years experi- biomedical and life scientists. The pur- less than 5 years postdoctoral research ence in a molecular genetics laboratory. poses of the Federation are to bring experience, and have U.S. citizenship Resume to Genescan USA, 101 Wood- together investigators in biological and or U.S. permanent residency (green land Hwy, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 medical sciences represented by the card). Fellowship training at the NCI Member Societies; to disseminate FACULTY POSITION can serve as a first postdoctoral assign- information on the results of biologi- University of Florida College of ment, or offer more experienced post- cal research through publications and Medicine doctoral scientists an opportunity to scientific meetings; and to serve in further their training. Program dura- The University of Florida Shands Can- other capacities in which the Member tion is normally 2 to 5 years. cer Center and the Department of Bio- Societies can function more efficiently chemistry and Molecular Biology invite as a group than as individual units. NCI’s Maryland campuses boast the applications for a tenure-track position best funded and equipped research The Executive Director reports directly at the level of Professor. Candidates facilities in the United States. Postdoc- to the President/Board and is the chief should have a PhD or comparable toral fellows have the opportunity to administrative officer of the corpora- degree, a strong record of research interact with internationally renowned tion, responsible for implementing accomplishment in the area of histone scientists from a wide range of disci- financial, publication, advisory, public acetylation/deacetylation and a plines. Starting fellowship stipend is relations, educational, and other pro- demonstrated ability to obtain extra- $35,000 to $45,000 commensurate grams and policies approved by the mural funding. Anticipated start date with level of experience. Kaplan Fel- Board. He/she provides leadership and is January 1, 2003. Salary is negotiable lows will receive first-year stipend aug- direction to approximately 110 profes- and will be based on qualifications and mentation of approximately $10,000. sional, technical and clerical support experience. Applicants should submit Health insurance is provided and staff and manages an annual operating a curriculum vitae and names of three optional family insurance coverage is budget of $14.9 million. references by November 1, 2002 to: available. Michael S. Kilberg, PhD., Universiy of Qualified applicants should have execu- Applications and supporting letters Florida, College of Medicine, Dept of tive/administrative experience with a must be received by February 1, 2003. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Box record of achievement and leadership in Selected candidates will be notified 100245, Gainesville, FL 32610-0245. academic, association or other non- May 1, 2003. Applicants are strongly The University of Florida is an EEO/AA profit organizations. The ideal candidate encouraged to apply online. For institution. will be a distinguished clinician/ important application criteria informa- researcher with proven administrative tion and instructions to apply online and leadership capabilities, excellent or by mail for this special opportunity, interpersonal skills, knowledge and Place your Career please go to our training and employ- understanding of the legislative process, ment website http://generalemploy- knowledge of current trends/issues fac- Ads in ASBMBToday ment.nci.nih.gov or contact: Mr. Lee ing the biological and life sciences, and a Recruitment advertising is available McPhatter, phone: 301-496-4796, fax: strong sense of diplomacy. An advanced in ASBMB Today for $12 per line, 10 (301) 451-6238, email: degree (M.D., Ph.D.) is highly desirable. line minimum. Copy is due by the [email protected] For additional information, please contact: first of the month prior to the issue NCI is an Equal Employment Opportu- month. For advertising information Robert Kuramoto, M.D., or Zack nity and Affirmative Action Employer call Valerie at FASEB AdNet, 800-433- Reynolds of Quick Leonard Kieffer by 2732 ext. 7157 or 301-530-7157, phone: 312-876-9800 or Email [email protected] email: [email protected], Display space is also available for [email protected]. those desiring greater visibility. FASEB is an Equal Opportunity Employer

OCTOBER 2002 ASBMBToday 23 Calendar of Scientific Meetings

OCTOBER 2002 DECEMBER 2002 Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Biochemical Aspects of Health and Disease Societies Biochemical Society Christmas Meeting October 13–17 • Providence, Rhode Island December 16-18 • Imperial College, London Contact: FACSS National Office; Website: http://www.facss.org Abstract deadline: October 7 Early registration deadline: November 4 The 18th International Conference on Arginine and Contact: Meetings Office, Biochemical Society, Pyrimidines 59 Portland Place, London W1B 1QW Ph: +44 (0)20 7580 3481 October 13-17 • Giza, Cairo, Egypt Fx: +44 (0)20 7637 7626 Biennial conference on all aspects of biochemistry and genet- Website: http://www.biochemistry.org/meetings/ ics of uptake and metabolism of arginine and pyrimidines. Contact: Ahmed T. Abdelal, Georgia State University JANUARY 2003 Email: [email protected]; Website: http://www.cas.gsu.edu/icap 18th Enzyme Mechanisms Conference The Applications of Proteomics January 4-8 • Galveston Island, Texas October 16–18 • Lille-Villenueve d’Ascq, France Contact: Andrea Scott; Ph: 979-845-9165; Fx: 979-845-9452 Contact: French Society for Electrophoresis and Proteomic Email: [email protected] Analysis; Tel.: 33-3-20-43-40-97; Website: http://www.chem.tamu.edu/enzyme Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.sfe-ices.org/ FEBRUARY 2003 18th Asilomar Conference on Mass Spectrometry Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium October 18–22 • Asilomar, Pacific Grove, CA February 1-5 • Radisson Deauville Resort, Miami Beach Contact: American Society for Mass Spectrometry Contact: Sandy Black, Executive Director Ph: 505-989-4517; Email: [email protected] Ph/Fx: 423-253-3876; Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.asms.org Website: http://www.med.miami.edu/mnbws

Fourth HUGO Pacific Meeting and Fifth Asia-Pacific MARCH 2003 Conference on Human Genetics Keystone Symposium, Proteomics: Technologies and October 27–30 • Pattaya, Chonburl, Thailand Applications Contact: Tel.: 66-2-8892557-8; http://www.mu-st.net/hugothai/ March 25–30 • Keystone Resort, Keystone, Colorado Contact: Paul Lugauer; Tel.: 970-262-1230 ext. 111 NOVEMBER 2002 Email: [email protected] AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition Website: http://www.keystonesymposia.org November 10-14 • Toronto, Ontario, Canada Contact: AAPS Meetings; Fx: 703-243-9532 Email: [email protected] APRIL 2003 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular First Human Proteome Organizational (HUPO) Congress Biology Annual Meeting in Conjunction with EB2003 November 21–24 • Versailles, France April 11-15 • San Diego, California Contact: http://www.hupo.org Contact: EB2003 Office; Ph: 301-634-7010 Fx: 301-634-7014; Email: [email protected] 3rd Conference of the International Coenzyme Website: http://www.faseb.org/meetings/eb2003 Q10 Association November 22-24 • Metropole Hilton, London, UK. MAY 2003 Contact: Gian Paolo Littarru; Ph: +39 071 220 4674/4319 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.CoenzymeQ10.org 10th Undergraduate Microbiology Education Conference 13th International Conference on Genome Informatics May 16-18 • University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland December 16–18 • Tokyo, Japan Contact: Carlos Pelham; Ph: 202-942-9317 Email: [email protected]; Website: http://giw.ims.u- Email: [email protected] tokyo.ac.jp/giw2002/ Website: http://www.asmusa.org/edusrc/edu4c.htm

24 ASBMBToday OCTOBER 2002 Department Heads Take Note: JUNE 2003 Transposition, Recombination and Applications to Plant Genomics ASBMB Offers Free A Plant Sciences Institute Symposium June 5-8 • Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Membership to Abstracts due April 4, 2003; Registration deadline May 5, 2003 Students may apply for travel grants (applications due April 4, 2003) Contact: Gulshan Singh New Ph.D.s Ph: 515-294-7978; Fx: 515-294-2244 E-mail:[email protected] ASBMB is now offering a free one-year Website: http://molebio.iastate.edu/-gfst/phomepg.html Associate membership to all students who have, within the past year, earned a Ph.D. JULY 2003 degree in the molecular life sciences or related areas. FEBS 2003 Meeting on Signal Transduction July 4-8 • Brussels ASBMB implemented this program as a Contact: V. Wouters; Ph: 32 2 7795959; Fx: 32 2 7795960 way to recognize the significant Email: [email protected]; Website: http://www.febs-signal.be accomplishment of earning the Ph.D., and to provide new Ph.D.s with something tangible Education in the Molecular Life Sciences: The Central and of economic value. Membership in Role of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ASBMB brings with it a free subscription to July 18-20 • University of Toronto, Canada the online versions of the Journal of Biological Contact: Kelly Gull; Ph: 301-634-7126; Email: Chemistry and Molecular and Cellular [email protected] Proteomics, as well as subscriptions to The Website: http://www.richmond.edu/~jbell2/iubmb- Scientist and the Society’s magazine, ASBMB satellite.html Today, discounts on other publications, and a host of other benefits. 19th International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology The Society is asking department chairs to provide ASBMB with the names and July 20-24 • Toronto, Canada addresses of each new Ph.D. recipient from Contact: Congress Secretariat; Ph: 613-993-9431; Email: [email protected] their institutions. Upon receipt of this Website: http://www.nrc.ca/confserv/iubmb2003/ information, we will write the new Ph.D.s to congratulate them on their accomplishment AUGUST 2003 and offer the free one-year membership in ASBMB. Names and addresses of the new Sixth International Symposium on Mass Spectrometry Ph.D.s should be sent to: in the Health and Life Sciences: Molecular and Cellular Proteomics Kathie Cullins August 24-28 • Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco Contact: Marilyn Schwartz; Ph: 415-476-4893 Membership and Subscriptions Manager Email: [email protected] American Society for Biochemistry Website: http://donatello.ucsf.edu/symposium & Molecular Biology 9650 Rockville Pike 16th International Mass Spectrometry Society Bethesda, MD 20814 Conference Email: [email protected] August 31–September 5 • Edinburgh, Scotland,United Kingdom This is an ongoing project; please advise us Contact: John Monaghan; Email: [email protected] whenever a student in your department earns the Website: http://www.imsc-edinburgh2003.com Ph.D., so that we can make this free membership offer to him or her. Drop in MCP ad from film