FEBRUARY 5, 2010 The Second Best Thing About Payday VOL. LXII, NO. 3 The Revolution Continues Green Offers Tour of Genomic Landscape, Circa 2010 By Rich McManus ABOVE · NIAID’s Alonda LeCounte sacrificed a kidney to benefit her stepfather. See story here is a good reason that Lipsett on p. 7. TAmphitheater was jammed with at- features tendees as NHGRI began its modestly titled Current Topics in Genome Analysis 1 course—an institute staple since 1995— Green Presents Challenges of Genomic Medicine on Jan. 12. The 11-lecture series that ends Mar. 23 was launched by NHGRI di- 3 rector Dr. Eric Green, who in 90 minutes Greider Explains Science Behind Her Nobel Prize surveyed highlights of what mankind has learned of its genetic heritage start- 5 ing before Mendel (1865) to the present. Harvard’s Frenk Lectures on Global Health A postdoctoral fellow at the outset of the Human Genome Project in 1990, NHGRI director Dr. Eric Green 7 Green offered a robust primer of a field NIAID Employee’s Generosity Offers that literally exploded during the “genomic revolution” of the 1990s. Having a front- Stepfather New Life row seat at what is arguably the most significant scientific endeavor of the past century 12 gives Green both authority and a rich fund of metaphor: the 3 billion base pairs NHGRI Fellow Plays with ‘Rock Stars see genome, page 6 Of Science’ Anything Is Possible Nobelist Nirenberg, MIT’s Herr Works to Discoverer of the Make Physical Genetic Code, departments Disabilities a Thing Mourned Of the Past By Alan Schechter Briefs 2 By Valerie Lambros Milestones 9 Dr. Marshall Warren NIMH’s Innova- Nirenberg, who discov- Digest 10 tion Speaker Series ered the genetic code Feedback 11 is intended to bring used by virtually all liv- astounding people to ing organisms to trans- NIH to offer lectures, but few speakers leave late the information in DNA molecules into audiences with the feeling of awe that the protein structure, died of cancer Jan. 15 in New institute’s guest, Dr. Hugh Herr of MIT, did York after an illness of several months. His recently. work is considered one of the major milestones of biological research during the last century. “Some time ago, I attended a workshop and we talked about the traits of innovative, creative “Marshall’s wish to explore turned into a reve- people,” said Dr. David Armstrong of NIMH lation about biology that is almost unmatched in his introduction of Herr. “The characteristic in terms of its consequences for understanding that stuck with me most was this ability and of life,” said NIH director Dr. Francis Collins. willingness to persist and persevere even when “He was not only a scientist’s scientist, but a obstacles appear to be insurmountable. That’s mentor’s mentor...we mourn the loss of a true Hugh Herr.” scientific hero.” The NIH Record is recyclable as office white paper. Within 30 seconds of starting his talk, Herr Nirenberg’s initial contribution to solving see herr, page 4 see nirenberg, page 8 sciences in clinical research from Duke University School of Medicine. The degree requires 24 credits of graded course work, plus a research project for which 12 units of credit are given. The program is designed for part-time study, allowing the student briefs to integrate the program’s academic training with his or her clinical training. Robbins To Present DDM Seminar, Feb. 18 Applications are available in the Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education, Bldg. The 2009-2010 Deputy Director for Management 10, Rm. B1L403 or via email from Benita Bazemore Seminar Series,“Management and Science: at [email protected]. Additional informa- Partnering for Excellence,” continues on tion regarding coursework and tuition costs is Thursday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. available via the program web site at http://tpcr. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10, with Dr. Steve mc.duke.edu. Robbins in a presentation on “Diversity and Inclusion 2.0: A 21st Century Approach.” He will Enrollment in the program is limited. Interested discuss ways to leverage diverse perspectives individuals should inquire with their NIH insti- for creativity, innovation and achievement of tute/center regarding funding for participation. organizational goals. He is the author of What Email queries about the program may be ad- If?: Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue dressed to [email protected]. The deadline for and editor of Inclusion Insights. Videocasting applying is Mar. 15. Successful applicants will be and sign language will be provided. Individuals notified by July 1. who need reasonable accommodation to attend should call (301) 496-6211 or the Federal Relay NCI Offers Online Course for Health Professionals Service at 1-800-877-8339. For more information about the series, visit www.ddmseries.od.nih. The National Cancer Institute announces the avail- gov or call (301) 496-3271. ability of Including Clinical Trials in Your Practice, a new interactive, online course for oncology professionals. This free tutorial is geared toward STEP Forum on Patient Advocacy and NIH The NIH Record is published biweekly at those who are interested in incorporating clinical Bethesda, MD by the Editorial Operations The staff training in extramural programs (STEP) trials into their oncology practices. Branch, Office of Communications and Public committee will present an Administrative Strate- This new course emphasizes the importance of Liaison, for the information of employees of gies forum on the topic “Patient Advocacy & NIH: the National Institutes of Health, Department clinical trials, discusses challenges trial investiga- of Health and Human Services. The content is Marriage by Choice or Necessity?” on Tuesday, tors face and offers solutions. It is a narrated tutorial reprintable without permission. Pictures may Feb. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Natcher consisting of 8 modules and includes case studies be available upon request. Use of funds for conference center, Rms. E1/E2. and exercises to enhance the user experience. printing this periodical has been approved by the director of the Office of Management and The role of patient advocacy groups in promot- With this course, oncologists will understand the Budget through September 30, 2010. ing public health issues has been controversial. process and steps involved in weaving NCI- Growing from social movement advocacy To receive alerts to our latest issue, send an sponsored clinical trials into their practice. It can for faster development of AIDS treatments also serve as an orientation or a refresher on best email to [email protected] with the words to current public-private partnerships, the “Subscribe NIHRECORD” in the message body. practices. relationship between NIH and patient advocates NIH Record Office Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B41 has come a long way. Should the practice of To access the course, see www.cancer.gov/clinical- Phone (301) 496-2125 Fax (301) 402-1485 involving advocates in NIH activities become trialscourse?cid=ctcourse_record. Web address http://nihrecord.od.nih.gov more commonplace? How and when should they serve as consultants for clinical research, in peer Editor Sailing Association Open House, Feb. 25 review or as program advisors to the institutes Richard McManus The NIH Sailing Association invites everyone to its [email protected] and centers? This STEP forum will discuss ways to facilitate working with advocacy groups and open house on Thursday, Feb. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Assistant Editor explore the benefits to NIH staff, scientists, the FAES House at the corner of Old Georgetown Rd. Carla Garnett advocates and, most importantly, patients. and Cedar Ln. Would you like to learn to sail? Can [email protected] you imagine being part of a group of skilled sailing Staff Writers instructors, enthusiasts and boat owners? The club NIH-Duke Training Program in Clinical Research Jan Ehrman offers instruction, sailboats for charter, racing, [email protected] Applications are being accepted for the cruises, parties and fun. Open house is $5 at the Valerie Lambros 2010-2011 NIH-Duke Training Program in door and includes pizza and sodas; cash bar for [email protected] Clinical Research. Implemented in 1998, the beer and wine, $1 each. Look for NIHSA posters and The NIH Record reserves the right to make program is designed primarily for physicians flyers around campus. For more information, visit corrections, changes or deletions in submitted and dentists who desire formal training in the www.recgov.org/sail. copy in conformity with the policies of the quantitative and methodological principles of paper and HHS. clinical research. Courses are offered at the Clinical Center via videoconference technology. Academic credit earned by participating in this program may be applied toward satisfying the degree requirement for a master of health 2 2 FEBRUARY 5, 2010 FEBRUARY 5, 2010 VOL. LXII, NO. 3 graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley. Hudson shared photos and humor- ous stories of Greider from that period. To the crowd’s delight, she also Above, NHGRI director Dr. Eric Green and NIH had pictures of the Nobel chief of staff Dr. Kathy Hudson (r) welcome Nobel Prize ceremony, which Prize winner Dr. Carol Greider to NIH. At right, she attended as a guest of Greider, an expert on telomerase, delivers NHGRI’s Greider’s. annual Trent Lecture. “When I told a friend at photos: bill branson NIH that I was going to miss a meeting because 2009 Nobel Laureate Greider Delivers I had to go to Stockholm, she said I have the best girlfriend story ever...my Trent Lecture friend won the Nobel Prize,” Hudson said. Nobel Prize winner Dr. Carol Greider present- Greider then took the podium.