DOCSLIB.ORG

AT BERKELEY MCB SPRING 1998 Newsletter for Members and Alumni of the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
AT BERKELEY MCB SPRING 1998 Newsletter for Members and Alumni of the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley AT BERKELEY MCB SPRING 1998 Newsletter for Members and Alumni of the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley Graduate Admissions Committee, under the We were all greatly saddened by the loss Message from academic and administrative leadership of of our dear friend and colleague, Marian David Drubin and Eileen Bell, has enrolled a Koshland (see page 4-5). Marian represented new class of 45 students, 10 of whom have the best of citizenship and scholarship here at the Chair independent fellowships (NSF, HHMI, Cal and in the larger academic arena. She DOD, and University). Congratulations to continued to teach, supervise research, and I hope you enjoy our inaugural edition of the the faculty and student members of the serve as Head of the Graduate Affairs Unit MCB at Berkeley Newsletter. MCB was born Graduate Admissions Committee and the even as she labored in declining health. I must almost ten years ago, and we have grown to Graduate Affairs Unit staff for another out- recount a personal anecdote concerning my such an extent that I felt it was necessary to standing year. Although it is premature to initial encounter with Marian. The Koshland’s create a vehicle of communication connecting make a public announcement, we have every invited me to a party at their home shortly the Divisions of our far-flung enterprise. In indication that our faculty recruitment for after I arrived in Berkeley in 1976. The addition, we have trained a generation of stu- 1998-99 will also be a smash- Biochemistry Department had dents and fellows who have gone on to their ing success. As of this writ- just returned from its annual own careers and who may be interested in the ing, it appears that we will Asilomar retreat where Dan current affairs of our Department. We intend secure 4 or 5 new faculty, and I had enjoyed our first to publish the Newsletter once a semester to each one the top choice of encounter of the humorous provide a survey of the Department’s student the relevant faculty search kind on stage in front of our and faculty research and training activities that committees. Our success in colleagues. Marian’s first words have made this Department the largest acade- recruiting comes, in part, to me were: “Dan tells me mic unit on campus. This first issue covers the from the enthusiasm we you’re funny; OK, Schekman, news from the 1997-98 academic year. communicate to our prospec- make me laugh!” I knew from Among the highlights of the year are the tive students and faculty. that moment that Marian significant honors and achievements that our Thanks to all who have would expect nothing less than students and faculty have garnered (see pages pitched in. precision in my science and 9-12). Also, MCB is expanding its interactions I particularly wish to acknowledge my my humor! We remember her fondly, and with other departments on campus. Two of predecessors, Co-Chairs John Gerhart and applaud the decision of our campus adminis- the new MCB faculty have joint appointments Alex Glazer and before them Gunther Stent, tration to rename the Bioscience and Natural (see pages 2-3), and MCB is leading the effort who led the Department through the worst Resources Library in her honor. to establish a Center for Neuroscience which days of the California recession. Each year Finally, I want to thank Laura Williams, will unite faculty from various departments of their term brought a shrinking state budget our Newsletter editor. Laura is a PhD graduate (see page 8). and a declining faculty census brought of ours from the Kane/Chamberlin lab who We have had a tremendous year recruit- about by early retirements. In spite of these has decided to make a career in scientific ing graduate students and new faculty. Our limiting financial and personnel resources, publishing. Laura gained experience as the they managed to staff courses and provide editor of the Women in Cell Biology column administrative services for an increased under- in the American Society for Cell Biology graduate enrollment and for an expanding Newsletter. I am certain that her efforts here MCB at Berkeley is a publication of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology effort to secure extramural support. Now will set high standards for future MCB at at the University of California, Berkeley. that the recession is over and the State and Berkeley Newsletters. EDITOR: Laura Williams the University are being more generous with Have a good summer. DESIGN: Betsy Joyce resources, I look back with respect at the Send comments and questions to ability of John, Alex, and Gunther not only RANDY SCHEKMAN [email protected] (e-mail) to keep us afloat, but to allow us to prosper as MCB Co-Chair a department. NEW FACULTY Rebecca Heald, CDB Rebecca Heald became an Assistant the assembly of bipolar mitotic Professor of Molecular and Cell spindles in Xenopus egg James Berger, BMB Biology in July, 1997. extracts. These results showed that spindle assembly can James Berger will join the Future Projects at Berkeley: Education: occur in the absence of centro- Biochemistry and Molecular My lab will continue in these • B.A. in Chemistry, 1985, somes or kinetochores. I also Biology Division as an Assistant areas, studying the structure Hamilton College, Clinton, NY. showed that spindle pole for- Professor on July 1, 1998. He and function of enzymes and • Ph.D., 1993, Harvard Medical mation was dependent on the is currently a Fellow at the enzyme complexes involved in School, Thesis Advisor: Frank microtubule-based motor, Whitehead Institute at MIT. replication and chromosome McKeon. cytoplasmic dynein, both in structure. • Thesis project: I identified phos- the presence and absence of Education: phorylation sites in the nuclear centrosomes, but that centro- • B.S. in Biology, 1990, Why are you excited about lamin proteins that when somes, when present, consti- University of Utah. working at Berkeley? Berkeley mutated prevent nuclear lamina tute dominant sites for spindle • Ph.D., 1995, Harvard offers the opportunity to inter- breakdown in mitosis. These pole assembly. University, Thesis Advisors: act with students and faculty results showed that phosphory- James C. Wang and Stephen in numerous and diverse areas lation just outside of the large Current Projects: I am follow- C. Harrison. of science, all within an envi- coiled-coil domain controls the ing up on my postdoctoral • Thesis Project: My thesis ronment known for scientific assembly dynamics of these project to study mitotic spindle involved using X-ray crystal- excellence. intermediate filament-type pro- assembly. We would like to lography to determine the teins. I also showed that overex- identify proteins on mitotic three-dimensional structure What is the most rewarding pression of positive cell cycle chromatin that stabilize micro- of a type II DNA topoiso- achievement in your career regulatory proteins could cause tubules. We would also like to merase, an enzyme that so far? Determining the struc- premature entry into mitosis in reconstitute kinetochore func- untangles and unknots DNA ture of a protein. The process the absence of complete DNA tion on beads. in the cell. The structure is similar to building a jigsaw replication and that this could provided a molecular model puzzle in three dimensions, be rescued by overexpression of Why are you excited to be for demonstrating how the and it yields a vast amount of a negative regulator. These working at Berkeley? enzyme can physically trans- biochemical information about results showed that cell cycle There are so many interesting port one DNA through a protein’s function in a short progression in vertebrate cells is people and projects; the place is another. time. regulated by a balance between both diverse and friendly. positive and negative regulators, Current Project: While a Personal information: just as in yeast. What is the most rewarding Fellow at the Whitehead Married to Marian Feldman achievement in your career Institute, the focus of my who will graduate this June Postdoc: so far? It has been extremely work has been to understand with a Ph.D. in Art History • 1993-97, European Molecular rewarding to get the lab started the structural basis by which from Harvard. Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and to have students to interact proteins convert cellular ener- Heidelberg, Germany, with and to teach. gy into motion and work. In American Cancer Society particular, we study enzymes Postdoctoral Fellowship, Personal information: I enjoy that unwind, move, and Advisor: Eric Karsenti. bicycling, reading, and music. manipulate DNA and RNA in • Project: I developed a system in the cell. which plasmid DNA-coated beads were sufficient to induce 2 Carlos Bustamante, BMB Carlos Bustamante will begin a joint appointment as a Professor of Dan Portnoy, BMB Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physics on July 1, 1998. He is currently a Professor at the Current Projects: I started University of Oregon where he has working on the intracellular been since 1991. From 1982 to bacterial pathogen Listeria Dan Portnoy is a Professor of 1990, he was on the faculty of the monocytogenes in 1986 after my University of New Mexico. first time, the potential energy Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, postdoc, and I have been ever function of globular proteins. In and he has a joint appointment since. I view L. monocytogenes as Education: addition, we will be investigating with the School of Public Health. In the bacteriophage Lambda of the behavior of DNA and RNA July, 1997, he moved his lab from • B.S. in Biology, 1973, intracellular pathogens. We are Universidad Peruana Cayetano polymerases as molecular motors the University of Pennsylvania analyzing every detail of the by using laser tweezers.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 72 New Members Chosen by Academy Search
    72 New Members Chosen by Academy Search: Subscribe to our FREE e- newsletter! NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL June 18, 2004 Current Operating Status About the National Academies Current Projects News Office Publications For Congress Members' Site Marian Koshland Science Museum Giving to the National Date: April 20, 2004 Academies Contact: Office of News and Public Information Directories 202-334-2138; e-mail <[email protected]> Contact Us Site Map FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Career Links 72 New Members Chosen by Academy Employment Internships WASHINGTON -- The National Academy of Sciences today announced the Fellowships & Postdoc election of 72 new members and 18 foreign associates from 13 countries in Career Guides recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. News Links The election was held this morning during the business session of the 141st annual News Archive meeting of the Academy. Election to membership in the Academy is considered Reports & Events one of the highest honors that can be accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer. Those Top News elected today bring the total number of active members to 1,949. Science in the Headlines The National Academies Op- Foreign associates are nonvoting members of the Academy, with citizenship Ed Service outside the United States. Today's election brings the total number of foreign associates to 351. The National Academy of Sciences is a private organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to the furtherance of science and its use for the general welfare. It was established in 1863 by a congressional act of incorporation, signed by Abraham Lincoln, which calls on the Academy to act as an official adviser to the federal government, upon request, in any matter of science or technology.
    [Show full text]
  • Marian Elliot Koshland
    NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES MARIAN ELLIOTT KOSHLAND 1 9 2 1 — 1 9 9 7 A Biographical Memoir by R UTH LEVY GUYER Any opinions expressed in this memoir are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Academy of Sciences. Biographical Memoir COPYRIGHT 2007 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES WASHINGTON, D.C. Photo Courtesy Marian Kosshland Science Museum MARIAN ELLIOTT KOSHLAND October 25, 1921–October 28, 1997 BY RUTH LEVY GUYER ARIAN ELLIOTT KOSHLAND WAS AN eminent immunologist. MShe was spirited, practical, insightful, and inventive, and she had tremendous integrity, energy, and smarts. She was also a caring and generous person. I was fortunate to be one of her graduate students at the University of California at Berkeley in the early 1970s. Marian had become a professor in the bacteriology and immunology department at Berkeley shortly before I joined her group. Her laboratory was in the old Life Sciences Build- ing near the (in)famous eucalyptus grove, a campus landmark redolent of medicinal oils and site of commonplace conversa- tions, licit and illicit trysts, and spurned lovers’ fist fights. Marian’s laboratory was large and classic: Rows of tall, stately black benches spanned much of the width of the room, and at the back near the windows that looked out onto the building’s courtyard was a hulking rectangular conference table. That table was where we—the four graduate students, the postdoc from Lausanne, the two technicians, and Mar- ian—gathered every day at lunchtime to eat and to talk about J chain—the joining protein of immunoglobulin molecules that Marian & Co.
    [Show full text]
  • Oralhisttransretro00maririch.Pdf
    University of California Berkeley of Regional Oral History Office University California The Bancroft Library Berkeley, California MARIAN E. KOSHLAND (1921-1997): RETROSPECTIVES ON A LIFE IN ACADEMIC SCIENCE, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES James P. Allison Anne H. Good Catherine P. Koshland Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. Douglas E. Koshland James M. Koshland Hugh O. McDevitt Gail Koshland Wachtel Introduction by Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. Interviews Conducted by Sally Smith Hughes in 1999 and 2000 Copyright 2003 by The Regents of the University of California Since 1954 the Regional Oral History Office has been interviewing leading participants in or well-placed witnesses to major events in the development of northern California, the West, and the nation. Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through tape-recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. The tape recording is transcribed, lightly edited for continuity and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewee. The corrected manuscript is indexed, bound with photographs and illustrative materials, and placed in The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, and in other research collections for scholarly use. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account, offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is reflective, partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. * * * * * if * * * * * * * * ** ** * * * ** * ** * * * * ** * * * * All uses of this manuscript are covered by a legal agreement between The Regents of the University of California and Daniel Koshland, December 14, 1998; Hugh McDevitt dated November 23, 1999; James M.
    [Show full text]
  • In Memoriam Marian Koshland 1921
    In Memoriam Marian Koshland 1921−1997 Jim Allison J Immunol 1998; 161:545-546; ; This information is current as http://www.jimmunol.org/content/161/2/545 of September 25, 2021. Downloaded from Why The JI? Submit online. • Rapid Reviews! 30 days* from submission to initial decision • No Triage! Every submission reviewed by practicing scientists http://www.jimmunol.org/ • Fast Publication! 4 weeks from acceptance to publication *average Subscription Information about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: http://jimmunol.org/subscription Permissions Submit copyright permission requests at: by guest on September 25, 2021 http://www.aai.org/About/Publications/JI/copyright.html Email Alerts Receive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at: http://jimmunol.org/alerts The Journal of Immunology is published twice each month by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc., 1451 Rockville Pike, Suite 650, Rockville, MD 20852 Copyright © 1998 by The American Association of Immunologists All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0022-1767 Online ISSN: 1550-6606. In Memoriam Marian Koshland 1921–1997 It would not be at all an exaggeration to say that Marian Koshland’s career was spectacular. She made very important con- tributions to our field in each and every decade for the past half century. As a graduate student at the University of Chicago in the 1940s Bunny, as she was known, worked on a vaccine for Asiatic cholera. This work not only demonstrated the importance of mu- cosal antibodies in immunity but also led to her lifelong interest in the structure and origin of antibodies.
    [Show full text]
  • In Memoriam Marian Koshland 1921
    In Memoriam Marian Koshland 1921−1997 Jim Allison J Immunol 1998; 161:545-546; ; This information is current as http://www.jimmunol.org/content/161/2/545 of September 27, 2021. Downloaded from Why The JI? Submit online. • Rapid Reviews! 30 days* from submission to initial decision • No Triage! Every submission reviewed by practicing scientists http://www.jimmunol.org/ • Fast Publication! 4 weeks from acceptance to publication *average Subscription Information about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: http://jimmunol.org/subscription Permissions Submit copyright permission requests at: by guest on September 27, 2021 http://www.aai.org/About/Publications/JI/copyright.html Email Alerts Receive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at: http://jimmunol.org/alerts The Journal of Immunology is published twice each month by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc., 1451 Rockville Pike, Suite 650, Rockville, MD 20852 Copyright © 1998 by The American Association of Immunologists All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0022-1767 Online ISSN: 1550-6606. In Memoriam Marian Koshland 1921–1997 It would not be at all an exaggeration to say that Marian Koshland’s career was spectacular. She made very important con- tributions to our field in each and every decade for the past half century. As a graduate student at the University of Chicago in the 1940s Bunny, as she was known, worked on a vaccine for Asiatic cholera. This work not only demonstrated the importance of mu- cosal antibodies in immunity but also led to her lifelong interest in the structure and origin of antibodies.
    [Show full text]
  • I Regional Oral History Office University of California the Bancroft
    i Regional Oral History Office University of California The Bancroft Library Berkeley, California DANIEL E. KOSHLAND, JR. SCIENCE, ACADEMIC SERVICE, PHILANTHROPY Supplementary interview with Robert Tjian Interviews conducted by Sally Smith Hughes in 1998 and 1999 Copyright © 2011 by The Regents of the University of California ii Since 1954 the Regional Oral History Office has been interviewing leading participants in or well-placed witnesses to major events in the development of Northern California, the West, and the nation. Oral History is a method of collecting historical information through tape-recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. The tape recording is transcribed, lightly edited for continuity and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewee. The corrected manuscript is bound with photographs and illustrative materials and placed in The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, and in other research collections for scholarly use. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account, offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is reflective, partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ********************************* All uses of this manuscript are covered by a legal agreement between The Regents of the University of California and Daniel E. Koshland, Jr., dated December 14, 1998. The manuscript is thereby made available for research purposes. All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Oral History Office the Bancroft Library University Of
    Regional Oral History Office University of California The Bancroft Library Berkeley, California MARIAN E. KOSHLAND (1 92 1-1 997): RETROSPECTIVES ON A LIFE IN ACADEMIC SCIENCE, FAMlLY, AND COMMUNITY ACTMTIES James P. Allison Anne H. Good Catherine P. Koshland Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. Douglas E. Koshland James M. Koshland Hugh 0.McDevitt Gail Koshland Wachtel Introduction by Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. Interviews Conducted by Sally Smith Hughes in 1999 and 2000 Copyright O 2003 by The Regents of the University of California Since 1954 the Regional Oral History Office has been interviewing leading participants in or well-placed witnesses to major events in the development of northern California, the West, and the nation. Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through tape-recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. The tape recording is transcribed, lightly edited for continuity and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewee. The corrected manuscript is indexed, bound with photographs and illustrative materials, and placed in The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, and in other research collections for scholarly use. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete amative of events. It is a spoken account, offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is reflective, partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. All uses of this manuscript are covered by a legal agreement between The Regents of the University of California and Daniel Koshland, December 14, 1998; Hugh McDevitt dated November 23, 1999; James M.
    [Show full text]
  • Asbmb Goes to China
    ASBMB ANNOUNCES 2008 AWARD WINNERS September 2007 ASBMB GOES TO CHINA American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Scientists helping scientists… It costs no more to choose the very best for your custom peptides and antibodies… Ac-C T P R Q I pS F N F K-OH All peptides are made in our laboratories 1461.640 with the most rigorous QC in the industry – pSFNFK-H3PO4 -98 623.245 We sequence every purified -H PO peptide we manufacture! 3 4 PhD scientists with over 70 years of 623.0 626.5 combined experience in Chemistry, Mass 293.141 72 Cell Biology and Immunology 1218.599 1169.510 1347.658 536.784 740.405 809.426 1317.591 6 246.072 499.227 972.531 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 Mass Complete antibody protocols and no hidden charges. Phosphospecific antibody experts! Custom peptides up to 100 AAs in length and at purities up to >98%. Peptides for epitope mapping as low as $4/AA. Modifications include phosphorylated amino acids, dye-labeling, cyclic peptides, and peptides with stable isotopes. Experience for yourself why research scientists around the world trust 21st Century Biochemicals for their custom peptides and antibodies! Come speak with our scientists at: Biomedical Research Equipment and Supplies Exhibit at Harvard Medical School Sept. 19 – 20 Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA Nov. 3 – 7 American Society for Cell Biology, Washington, DC Dec. 1 – 5 www.21stcenturybio.com 260 Cedar Hill Street, Marlboro, MA 01752 Made in the P: 508.303.8222 Toll-free: 877.217.8238 F: 508.303.8333 E: [email protected] U.S.A.
    [Show full text]