ASBMB Staffer Involved in Katrina Relief · 23 ‘Dimmer Switch’ for Genes 24 DNA Structure and Genomics Rearrangements 25 SACNAS Honors Phillip Ortiz 26 New Technique for Creating

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f e a t u r e s4 Katrina Makes Cuts in Research Likely

6 Science Committee Chair to Receive Schachman Award

8 ASBMB-Amgen Award to Ali Shilatifard

10 Special Events at Centennial Celebration

12 Protein Synthesis, Post-translational Modification and Degradation

18 Signaling in Aging and Disease

20 William Smith to Receive Rose Award

22 New Understanding of DNA Repair

23 ‘Dimmer Switch’ for Genes

24 DNA Structure and Genomics Rearrangements

25 SACNAS Honors Phillip Ortiz

26 New Technique for Creating Human Stem Cells

28 Consortium to Focus on Tissue Research

29 Life Science Salaries Report

d e p a r t m e n t s4 News From the Hill

9 ASNBMB Reminiscences

30 Biotech Business

32 Calendar

A M E R I C A N S O C I E T Y F O R B I O C H E M I S T R Y A N D M O L E C U L A R B I O L O G Y

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O N T H E C O V E R :

14 ASBMB StafferInvolved in KatrinaRelief

8

NOVEMBER 2005, Volume 4, Issue 8

20

BRONZE AWARD WINNER 2003

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE:MOST IMPROVED MAGAZINE

COLUMNS & EDITORIALS

DESIGN & LAYOUT

ASBMBToday NOVEMBER 20052

Dear Editor, I found the article in your Septem-

ber issue, Intelligent Design Does NotBelong In the Science Classroom,very interesting. While agreeing withmuch of it, I feel compelled to pres-ent a somewhat different perspective.First, I think that Creationism andIntelligent Design should not be evenremotely connected; they are drasti-cally different and any confusionbetween them should be avoided.

Second, I do not agree that Intelli-gent Design seeks the “why” of naturalphenomena. I see Intelligent Design asa perfectly normal scientific hypothesisaimed at explaining “how” (your defi-nition) the astoundingly complex uni-verse being revealed by currentresearch has produced things thatactually work (like us).

It seems to me that the time hasarrived for the scientific community todrink a healthy draft of humility.Remember the recent “one gene, oneprotein” dogma? How many of us canencompass current transcription andtranslation theory, or the onslaught ofproteomics? It does seem that it’s timefor the science community to developsome kind of forum for serious dia-logue about Intelligent Design. I donot believe that philosophy courses,on the educational side, are appropri-ate for teaching ID, because they arenot scientific enough.

Thanks for the opportunity for dis-cussion.

Sincerely, Thomas R. Blohm, Ph.D.

6468 Old Barn Ct.Cincinnati, OH 45243

Writer Sees Need forSerious Dialogue AboutIntel l igent Design

A S B M B C o u n c i l

OfficersJudith S. Bond PresidentHeidi E. Hamm President-electPeggy J. Farnham SecretaryKenneth E. Neet TreasurerMerle Olson Treasurer-elect

Council MembersWilliam R. Brinkley CouncilorJoan W. Conaway CouncilorRobert A. Copeland CouncilorLila M. Gierasch CouncilorFrederick P. Guengerich CouncilorWilliam J. Lennarz CouncilorPeter J. Parker Councilor William S. Sly CouncilorWilliam L. Smith CouncilorSuzanne Pfeffer CouncilorLinda Pike Councilor

Ex-Officio MembersGeorge M. CarmanChair, Meetings CommitteeGeorge M. CarmanLaurie S. KaguniCo-chairs, 2006 Program CommitteeJ. Ellis BellChair, Education and ProfessionalDevelopment CommitteeJuliette BellChair, Minority Affairs CommitteeWilliam R. BrinkleyChair, Public Affairs Advisory CommitteeAnthony E. PeggChair, Publications CommitteeHerbert TaborEditor, JBCRalph A. BradshawEditor, MCPEdward A. DennisEditor, JLR

ASBMB Todayis a monthly publication

of The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Editorial Advisory BoardIrwin FridovichRichard W. HansonBettie Sue MastersJ. Evan SadlerRobert D. Wells

CommentsPlease direct any comments or questionsconcerning ASBMB Today to:John D. ThompsonEditor, ASBMB Today9650 Rockville PikeBethesda, MD 20814-3996Phone: 301-634-7145; Fax: 301-634-7126E-mail: [email protected]

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L E T T E R S

T e l l U s W h a t Y o u T h i n k

ASBMB welcomes letters regarding matters that are of concern to thescientific community and to the nation at large, as well as commentsconcerning articles that have appeared in ASBMB Today. Letters mustbe suitable for publication and the editor reserves the right to edit allletters. Letters should be sent to John D. Thompson, Editor, ASBMBToday, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3996 or by email [email protected]. Letters must be signed and must containthe writer’s address and telephone number. The editor reserves theright to edit all letters.

Strong Interdiscipl inary Science Requires Strong Discipl inary Training

NOVEMBER 2005 ASBMBToday 3

From the Desk of the Pres ident :

Dr. Judith Bond

These projects required the best effortsof computational scientists, bio-chemists and molecular biologists.Industry has long recognized the valueof teams of specialists to discover, eval-uate, develop and introducechemotherapeutic agents into clinicaluse. In my own experience, I havecalled upon experts in electronmicroscopy to visualize the meprinmetalloproteases, upon immunologiststo probe the interactions betweenthese enzymes in inflammation, uponhuman geneticists to map the meprinloci and to discover potential candi-date genes for inherited disease.

The collaborators I have soughthave been strong independent scien-tists, well versed in their disciplines.They also have a passion to solveproblems, a willingness to exchangeviews with confidence, the mutualtrust and respect of colleagues, and adesire to advance knowledge and

understanding taking precedence overpride and ego. The key element ofstrong interdisciplinary science is tobring together teams committed toaddressing important problems, themembers of which have complemen-tary skills based upon strong trainingand achievement in their respectivedisciplines. Although scientists fromdifferent disciplines may rely on simi-lar methods and technology, the prob-lems addressed are framed fromdifferent perspectives, and call upondifferent bodies of literature/knowl-edge. The proposition that discipline-based departments can be merged intoumbrella administrative units fails torecognize the substantial differencesand uniqueness of the disciplines. Ittakes a village of disciplines to solvecomplex scientific problems!

Judith BondASBMB President

t a recent meeting of theAssociation of American Med-ical Colleges (AAMC) for

Chairs of Basic Science Departments inMedical Schools, several issues wereaddressed relating to “The ChangingOrganization and Missions of Basic Sci-ence Departments” and “Dealing withthe Hard Landing” (referring to theend of the period of the doubling ofNIH funding for biomedical research).

There was an underlying theme sug-gesting (a) “the future is not what itused to be” (Yogi Berra quote), and (b)Basic Science Departments need toengage in ‘interdisciplinary research’,‘big science’, ‘translation research’, orbecome obsolete. Some suggest BasicScience Departments are ‘silos’ andbarriers to interdisciplinary research.Yet most will admit that in order tohave strong interdisciplinary researchwe need strong disciplines and trainingin depth in disciplines.

Is there a conflict here? It seems tome that our organizations need to sup-port strong disciplinary departmentsthat are training our future scientists,and lower the barriers between depart-ments to engage in interdisciplinaryresearch. Science has increasinglyapplied its methodology and expertiseto solve more complex and sophisti-cated problems, and has evolved fromsolitary scholarship to collaborationsin which individuals with complemen-tary expertise come together to addressa particular problem.

There are many examples of success-ful team research, such as the globalcoordination of multidiscipline teamsto determine the entire genomes ofselected bacteria, plants and animals.

A

Renew Your 2006 Membership OnlineASBMB 2006 dues renewal notices have beenmailed to all members. You can now makepayment online at the ASBMB website:www.asbmb.org, by clicking on “member-ship” and then “renew your dues now.”Your membership includes a free subscription to our monthly magazine, ASBMB Today, plus free subscriptions to JBC Online andMCP Online. You also receive special member rates for Biochemistry andMolecular Biology Education, The Journal of Lipid Research and Trends inBiochemical 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 2006 edition ofthe Annual Review of Biochemistry through ASBMB.If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

N E W S F R O M T H E H I L L


this was only a down payment onrepairing the damage the stormwrought; as much as $200 billionmight ultimately be spent. The Houseleadership at first intended simply tospend the additional money on hurri-cane relief and not revisit earlier spend-ing decisions (the House had passed allof its appropriations bills before theAugust recess). But rank and file Housemembers balked after receiving an ear-ful of criticism about out-of-controlspending during visits home. Thus,they began to agitate for offsettingspending cuts to help alleviate the neg-ative effects on the deficit the Katrinaspending entailed. The House leader-ship quickly backed off their initialintent not to offset Katrina spending,and now have adopted in principle theidea of spending cuts that they hadderided mere weeks earlier.

Not that the House-passed spendingbills are generous. The 2006 budgetresolution—the annual spending blue-print that sets the maximum level ofdiscretionary spending for the comingyear—limited the appropriations com-mittees to a total of $843 billion tofund all federal programs except forinterest on the national debt, socialsecurity, and a few other programs, thespending levels for which are man-dated by law. Thus, in the House ver-sion of the Labor/HHS bill, NIH (likeall biomedical research, NIH spendingis considered discretionary) received a0.5% increase, for a total of $28.5 bil-lion, slightly above the President’srequest level of $28.45 billion. TheSenate was comparatively more gener-

ous; the Senate appropriations com-mittee approved a 3.7% increase forNIH, which (if the Senate number ulti-mately prevails) would give NIH a totalof $29.4 billion for 2006. However, noone now seriously expects even theHouse-approved figure to be signedinto law. Instead, several options areon the table, none of them good forbiomedical research.

First, the current CR is set to expireon November 18. However, someHouse members are touting the possi-bility of a year-long CR, which wouldkeep discretionary spending at 2005levels. This would result in the federalgovernment spending $29 billion lessthan the budget resolution. While abill proposing a year-long CR has notbeen introduced yet, the fact thatHouse members are seriously consider-ing it makes it a viable possibility.

A ‘ ha ircut ’The second option is to give the

budget a “haircut,” to use Rep. Jim Nus-sle’s (R-IA) colorful term describing whathe has in mind. Nussle is chairman ofthe House Budget Committee, which isresponsible for setting the level of eachyear’s budget resolution. The 2006budget resolution of $843 billion is 2.1%larger than 2005, in line with the Presi-dent’s request (most of the House-passed2006 appropriations bills reflect the Pres-ident’s spending requests).

However, Nussle said on October 4,“In consultation with House SpeakerHastert, I will propose an amendmentto the budget for fiscal year 2006 call-

ives and property were not theonly valuable commoditiesdestroyed or damaged as a

result of Hurricane Katrina’s catastrophicvisit to the gulf coast on August 30. Fed-eral funding for scientific research mayalso have been dealt a body blow as aresult of the storm’s ripple effects. Insome ways, these are as damaging as theactual storm surge itself; the effects aresimply more long-term.

Government by “CR”In what has become an annual fall

ritual, Congress (specifically, the Senate)once again failed to complete work onall appropriations bills by October 1, thebeginning of the new fiscal year. Inorder to keep the government fundeduntil all spending bills are signed intolaw, Congress approved a continuingresolution, known colloquially as a“CR,” to fund the government untilNovember 18. The CR freezes federalspending at 2005 levels, even thoughboth the House and Senate Labor/HHSbills (which fund the National Institutesof Health) propose modest increases inspending for NIH this coming year.However, the level of spending neededto alleviate the effects of Hurricane Kat-rina now makes it likely that a spendingfreeze at the 2005 level may be the bestwe can expect for scientific research in2006. And, as explained below, itincreasingly looks like even the modestgoal of remaining at 2005 spending lev-els may be a pipedream.

In the weeks following the hurri-cane, Congress approved two Katrinaspending bills totaling $62 billion, but

Katrina’s Storm Surge Makes CutsLikely In Research SpendingL

by Peter Farnham , CAE , ASBMB Pub l i c A f fa i rs O f ficer

Continued on page 7

Each bi-monthly issueprovides college, university,and medical schooleducators with:

• Methods of assessing theeffectiveness of neweducational approaches

• The latest teachingtechniques and practices

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• Simple, proven lab experiments

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science and technology.” When askedto comment on the view that biomed-ical research is over-funded at theexpense of adequate funding forresearch in the physical, scientific andgeological sciences, Boehlert said that“It’s not that the NIH is over-funded;it’s that the physical sciences areunder-funded. These disciplines are allneeded; science is of a piece. Even [for-mer NIH Director] Harold Varmusonce said that more money ought tobe spent on the physical sciences. Wehave to make sure that Congress pro-vides the resources necessary to bringthis about.”

Boehlert has served on the ScienceCommittee since taking office in 1983,and was elected chairman in January2001. The committee has jurisdictionover all federal non-military scientificand technology research and develop-ment (R&D) programs, including theNational Science Foundation, and fed-eral spending on these programs totals

more than $30 billion a year. In hisfirst speech as chairman, Boehlertpledged to “build the Science Commit-tee into a significant force within theCongress,” and “to ensure that wehave a healthy, sustainable, and pro-ductive R&D establishment, one thateducates students, increases humanknowledge, strengthens U.S. competi-tiveness and contributes to the well-being of the nation and the world.”

One of Boehlert’s top priorities is sci-ence and math education, and severalof the Science Committee’s major ini-tiatives in both K-12 and undergradu-ate education were signed into law aspart of the Investing in America’sFuture Act, which put the National Sci-ence Foundation on track toward dou-bling its budget over five years.

Following the tragic events of Sep-tember 11, 2001, the Science Commit-tee played a key role in thedevelopment of legislation establishingthe Department of Homeland Security,

herwood Boehlert (R-NY),Chairman of the House Com-mittee on Science, is the 2006

recipient of the Howard K. SchachmanPublic Service Award. In announcingthe award, ASBMB President JudithBond noted that Boehlert has been “anoutstanding advocate and supporter ofscientific research” for his entire careerin Congress.

Boehlert has been in the House ofRepresentatives since January 1983and according to his official biography,“has earned a reputation for independ-ence, moderation and thoughtful lead-ership.” This is evident in many ways,including through what he has chosento display on the walls of his personaloffice. Instead of the usual display ofplaques, awards, and “grip ‘n’ grin”photos showing the member standingnext to a famous—or not-so-famous—public personality, Boehlert’s officewalls are covered with framed copies ofthe title pages of legislation he hasauthored or championed, along withthe pens used to sign them into law.There are at least two dozen such dis-plays on Boehlert’s office wall, cer-tainly the most this writer has seen inany congressional office.

Boehlert is well known as a cham-pion of the federal investment in sci-ence and technology. As he toldASBMB Today, “We need to convincethe American people that we need agreater investment in science and tech-nology. We once were so far ahead inthe science and technology race thatwe’d look behind us and couldn’t evensee who was second. Now we lookbehind us and they’re breathing downour necks. We’ve got to invest more in

S

Science Committee Chairman Sherwood BoehlertBy Peter Farnham , CAE , ASBMB Pub l i c A f fa i rs O f ficer

Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Chairman of theHouse Committee on Science.

“ We once w e re s o f a rahe ad in the s c i enc eand t e chno lo gy ra c etha t w e ’ d l ook b eh indus a nd cou ldn ’ t e v en s e ewho w a s s e cond . Nowwe l ook b eh ind us a ndthe y ’ r e b r ea th ing dow no ur ne ck s . We ’ v e g o t t oi nv e s t more in s c i enc eand t e chno lo gy. ”


to public service in support of bio-medical science, as exemplified bythe award’s namesake. HowardSchachman served as chairman ofASBMB’s Public Affairs AdvisoryCommittee from 1989 to 2000, andmade numerous contributions tobiomedical research policy in bothgovernmental and non-governmen-tal capacities as well as firmly estab-lishing the ASBMB Public Affairs

Advisory Committee as effective andinfluential.

The Schachman Award is givenannually, and consists of a permanentkeepsake, an honorarium of $5,000, anopportunity to deliver a talk or lectureat the Society’s annual meeting, andtravel expenses to the meeting.

ASBMB offers its heartiest congratu-lations to Mr. Boehlert, its 2006Schachman Award recipient.

ensuring the creation of an undersecre-tary for science and technology at thenew department.

Recognizing that innovation is thekey to U.S. economic success, Boehlerthas also focused his efforts onstrengthening the U.S. research enter-prise and American industry. InDecember 2003, President Bush signedinto law Boehlert’s 21st Century Nan-otechnology Research and Develop-ment Act, which authorized a betterfunded and coordinated interagencyprogram in nanotechnology, anemerging field of science that theNational Science Foundation estimateswill be a $1 trillion industry within thenext decade. Science Committee legis-lation was also signed into law last yearto strengthen U.S. supercomputingcapabilities. On September 21, 2005,the House passed committee legisla-tion to help domestic manufacturersremain globally competitive.

Concerned that unnecessary visadelays would discourage the world’stop students and researchers frombecoming part of the U.S. researchenterprise, Boehlert also led a success-ful effort to reduce the waiting time forvisas through a series of hearings and aGovernment Accountability Officestudy. Boehlert is also known as astaunch environmentalist, and one ofhis legislative initiatives of which he ismost proud is the Clean Air ActAmendments of 1990, which attackedthe problem of acid rain, at the timeespecially affecting the Adirondacks.

The Howard K. Schachman PublicService Award, established by theASBMB in 2001, recognizes individu-als who best demonstrate dedication

Selected as 2006 Schachman Award Recipient

ing for additional savings—in bothmandatory and discretionary spend-ing—to make a down payment on dis-aster relief.” While he does notmention a specific figure here, Nusslehas been talking up the possibility ofeliminating almost all of the increasein discretionary spending in the 2006budget resolution; he is proposing a2% cut in all discretionary spending—hence the term, “haircut.”

A haircut—or a clipjob?

Unfortunately, such a proposal playsout very adversely at NIH. Biomedicalinflation is usually in the range of 3-4 %each year (it is always higher than gen-eral inflation), so any increase less thanthis amounts to a cut in NIH funding,since NIH needs at least an inflationaryincrease to support the current level ofeffort. Thus, the House-approved figureof less than a 1% increase would alreadyput NIH behind inflation. A 2% cut ontop of that would be even more damag-ing. Pay lines in the institutes are plum-

meting, according to recent participantsin study section deliberations at NIH; in some study sections, pay lines are approaching the levels prevalent inthe late 1990s, before the doubling took place.

But more broadly, across-the-boardcuts are almost always bad public pol-icy. The essence of politics is makingchoices, and across-the-board cuts bydefinition do not make choices; rather,they treat all programs alike withoutany effort to discriminate based on thevalue of spending programs. Biomed-ical research has long been consideredone of the best ways to spend publicmoney. To cut spending at what hasbeen called one of the “crown jewels”of the Federal government strikes manyobservers as short-sighted at best.

Unfortunately, the ripple effects ofHurricane Katrina have rendered unlikelyeven a modest increase in biomedicalresearch spending this year. One can onlyhope that as 2007 spending plans beginto develop, someone in Congress will seethe danger to the public health that Kat-rina’s ripples are causing.

Continued from page 4

Research Spending cont inued …

A S B M B C e n t e n n i a l C e l e b r a t i o n : C h e m i s t r y o f L i f e


“By systematically fractionating andassaying rat liver nuclear extracts, Shi-latifard single-handedly identified andquickly purified a novel RNA poly-merase II elongation factor. This pro-tein unexpectedly turned out to be arat homolog of the product of thehuman ELL gene, which undergoesfrequent translocations with the tritho-rax-like MLL gene in acute myeloidleukemia. This work, which providedthe first hints of possible biologicalfunctions of the ELL gene product, waspublished in 1996 in Science.”

Since starting his own laboratory in1997, Shilatifard has been extremelyproductive. Much of his early inde-pendent work involved in depth bio-chemical studies of ELL. He first purifiedand characterized a multi subunit ELLcomplex (Shilatifard, 1998). One inter-esting property of this complex was thatit failed to repress transcription initia-tion by RNA polymerase II, unlike theisolated ELL protein. The purification ofthe complex paved the way for thecloning of ELL associated proteins. Thecloning and characterization of the firstassociated protein was reported the fol-lowing year (Schmidt et al., 1999). Theprotein that was cloned, EAP30, pro-vides significant insight into the func-tions of the endogenous ELL complexbecause of its homology to a well-char-acterized yeast protein called SNF8. Inaddition, EAP30 appears to be responsi-ble for derepression of the RNA poly-merase-inhibitory activity of purifiedELL. As part of his comprehensiveanalysis of ELL proteins, Shilatifard iso-lated a novel member of the ELL family,called ELL 3.other aspects of chromatin.

“Dr. Shilatifard is a clear and prolificwriter, whose views on pol II elonga-tion and histone modifications have

appeared in numer-ous reviews andbook chapters, inaddition to theother 40 or sohigh-quality publi-cations he has gen-erated. He has alsoleveraged his scien-tific skills in support of the broadergene regulation community,” notedMichael Carey, Director of the JonssonCancer Center Gene Regulation Pro-gram at UCLA. “It is a great honor toteach the Cold Spring Harbor GeneExpression Course and Dr. Shilatifard isan instructor and soon to be chair ofthe course.”

Shilatifard is on the editorial boardof the Journal of Biological Chemistryand is a member of the MGC2 studysection, where many transcriptionalregulation grants are reviewed. Mostimportantly, in addition to his numer-ous invited talks and seminars, Shilati-fard recently organized theASBMB-sponsored 2005 Transcrip-tional Regulation by Chromatin andRNA Polymerase II meeting atGranlibakken. This meeting was ofnote because it was the subject of twojournal reviews due to the timelynature of the material.

On the personal side, Shilatifardpresents entertaining yet scientifi-cally rigorous seminars, and addition-ally is an individual who goes to greatlengths to provide advice and inspira-tion to younger colleagues. In sum-mary, Ali Shilatifard is an outstandingscientist, scholar and teacher, whohas made seminal contributions tounderstanding the molecular mecha-nism of disease at a very early stage inhis career.

li Shilatifard, Professor, Depart-ment of Chemistry, St. LouisUniversity has been selected to

receive the ASBMB-Amgen Award. TheAward is made to a new investigator(defined as an individual with no morethan 15 years experience since receipt ofa doctorate) for significant achievementsin the application of biochemistry andmolecular biology to the understandingof disease. However, the implications forhuman disease should be evident. Nom-inations must be originated by Societymembers, but the nominees need not beASBMB members. The Award consists ofa silver and crystal commemorativesculpture, a stipend, an unrestrictedresearch grant, and transportation, andexpenses to present a lecture at the 2006ASBMB Annual Meeting and CentennialCelebration, April 1-5 in San Francisco.Recent recipients of this award wereBarry Forman in 2005, Steven C. Almoin 2004, Wesley Sundquist in 2003,Joseph Heitman in 2002, and ThomasRied in 2001.

“We first became acquainted withAli,” recalled Joan and RonaldConaway, Investigators at the StowersInstitute for Medical Research, in theirletter nominating Shilatifard for theaward, “when he came to our labora-tory approximately 10 years ago to dopostdoctoral research. As a postdoctoralfellow, Ali initiated an ambitious bio-chemical search for novel RNA poly-merase II elongation factors. Althoughhe realized the potential rewards ofsuch research, he also realized the risks,because of the enormous amount ofwork required to identify and purifysuch transcription factors. Ali succeededrapidly in this endeavor, however, mak-ing it clear that he was among the verybest of the crop of young scientists.

AASBMB-Amgen Award Goes to Ali Shilat ifard

Dr. Ali Shilatifard

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When I wasworking for myPh. D. in biochem-istry at the Univer-sity of Chicago,my supervisor Bir-git Venneslandsuggested I presenta paper on some ofmy research at a FASEB meeting in Detroit. (The year was either1947 or 1948, as I recall.) When the abstracts came out, welearned that I would be speaking on the afternoon of the last dayof the meetings, and was indeed the last paper in that session.

One or more of the experienced graduate students in thedepartment—-Eugene Kennedy, Morris Friedkin, Irving Zabinas I recall—-warned me that being the last speaker on the lastafternoon would probably mean that few if anyone would bethere to hear my paper. I was pretty disheartened by theirwarnings and spoke to Dr. Vennesland about the matter. Shereplied to the effect that she was confident that I would have areasonable audience and tried to make me feel more optimisticabout giving my first paper at a FASEB meeting.

When the fatal day came and I went up to the podium topresent my work, I saw that Dr. Vennesland was as good as herword. In the audience were Carl and Gerty Cori, Sarah Ratner,Albert Lehninger and Frank Putnam (both of whom were assis-tant profs at Chicago (and outranked by Vennesland at thattime). I think Konrad Bloch and Herbert Anker were also there.

As my years of association with Birgit Vennesland went on,I realized what a supportive supervisor she was. I’ve tried to“pay her back” by providing such support to my studentsover the years.

Eric E. ConnProfessor Emeritus of Biochemistry, University of California at Davis

AS BM B ReminiscencesAs part of our Centennial Celebration, we recently asked members

to contribute reminiscences of their early thoughts about becoming ascientist, their experience as postdocs, their first paper published, theirfirst lecture at an ASBMB Meeting, the friendships and connectionsthey formed with other ASBMB members, their impressions of the firstASBMB meeting they attended, and anything else they thought perti-nent. Here is the first such contribution received. We believe you willfind it interesting, and we look forward to receiving and publishingmore reminiscences. Please send to them to [email protected].

Dr. Birgit Vennesland, at left, and Dr. Eric E. Conn



bands and enjoying the many authen-tic tastes of San Francisco. The Birth-day Bash is a ticketed event open to allEB registrants. The cost to ASBMBmembers is $15. The cost to all otherEB registrants (including Biochemistrynonmembers) is $25. Costs willincrease after February 3, so make sureto register early for this event! Ticketswill be mailed with your registrationmaterials.

ASBMB 5K Fun RunMonday, April 3Rise and run with your fellow run-

ning enthusiasts, while taking in thescenic streets of San Francisco! TheASBMB 5K Fun Run will be held Mon-day, April 2 at 7:00 a.m. Runners willmeet at the ASBMB Lounge in theMoscone Convention Center (West).The Fun Run entry fee is $20 for all run-ners. Costs will increase after February3, and there will be no same-day regis-tration. T-shirts and refreshments willbe available for registered participants.The Fun Run will be held rain or shine.Detailed information can be found atwww.faseb.org/meetings/eb2006.

Themat ic Recept ionsMonday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 4Each of our 13 scientific theme

meetings will host a reception immedi-ately following their afternoon sym-posia. All session attendees arewelcome to continue the scientific dis-cussion, meet the speakers, and net-work with other attendees in theirfield. Check the meeting program forschedule information.

An Even ing w ith theSan Franc iscoSymphony

Monday, April 3A unique opportunity to experi-

ence one of the nation’s premierorchestras awaits you in San Fran-cisco. As a special highlight of theASBMB/JBC Centennial Celebration,we have arranged a private perform-ance for our members, EB meetingattendees, exhibitors, and guests.Hear the classics or discover newfavorites and thrill to the excitementof listening to the music of the SanFrancisco Symphony. Casual attire ispermitted. A limited number of tick-ets are available for an evening withthe San Francisco Symphony, so weurge you to purchase your ticketsbefore the Early Registration dead-line, February 3, when ticket priceswill increase. The cost to ASBMBmembers is $15. The cost for all otherEB registrants, including Biochem-istry nonmembers, is $25.

How to Pub l ish in theJourna l of B io log ica lChemistry (JBC )

Monday, April 3JBC is setting up a lunchtime work-

shop for authors interested in submit-ting their work to the JBC. Thisworkshop will be led by JBC AssociateEditors. Space is limited, however theworkshop may repeat on subsequentdays based on the level of interest.Workshop registrants will receive addi-tional information after the early regis-tration deadline, February 3.

he American Society for Bio-chemistry and Molecular Biol-ogy will include, as part of the

2006 Annual Meeting, a series of spe-cial events to add to your experienceand honor of the centennial anniver-sary of ASBMB and the Journal of Biolog-ical Chemistry (JBC). All ASBMB and EBparticipants are invited to attend. Astickets are limited, we urge you to regis-ter and at the same time purchase yourtickets for these special events.

Open ing Centenn ia lCe lebrat ion

Saturday, April 1The meeting will kick off with the

Opening Centennial Celebration hon-oring the accomplishments, endeav-ors, and contributions of our members.This reception will immediately followthe Herbert Tabor/Journal of BiologicalChemistry Lecture which will open the2006 Annual Meeting. This event isfree for ASBMB registrants. The cost toall others is $15. Tickets ordered andpaid for in advance will be mailed withyour registration materials.

ASBMB/JBC B irthdayBash , A Taste of SanFranc isco

Sunday, April 2Come celebrate with us! ASBMB and

JBC will celebrate their hundredthanniversary with a huge “BirthdayBash” on Sunday, April 2. Revelers willbe entertained by jugglers, mimes, for-tune tellers, and other entertainmentwhile listening and dancing to one ofSan Francisco’s favorite entertainment

T

Special Events Wil l HighlightAS BM B/J BC Centennial Celebrat ion



ribosome. A part of his presentation isthe observation that while tRNAs varywith respect to their individual kineticor thermodynamic properties in thesteps of protein synthesis, the overallbalance is such that essentially alltRNAs are equivalent (this in spite often-fold differences in some steps). Toachieve this, the aminoacyl-tRNAs playan active role in decoding where eachtRNA sequence has evolved to meetthe idiosyncratic needs of their cog-nate amino acid and anticodon.Finally, Dr. Jamie Cate (University ofCalifornia, Berkeley) will report onprogress in obtaining a high resolutionX-ray structure of the E. coli ribosome.

This will be our first opportunity toview the whole ribosome at atomic res-olution. In addition, the structure isextremely important since althoughsome structural information on ther-mophilic bacterial ribosomes has beenavailable for almost 5 years, virtuallyall biochemical and molecular geneticexperiments are performed using theEscherichia coli system. This uniquecoupling of the structure and functionof both tRNA and the ribosome with adetailed kinetic analysis of protein syn-thesis is not be missed.

New V iews on How toStudy Prote inB iosynthes is

The second symposium will focus onthe “struggles” to understand the com-plex mechanisms in play in the initia-tion of eukaryotic protein synthesis.The focus on initiation reflects themany biological intricacies thatmanipulate the expression of specificproteins as a function of development,stress, or viral infection.

The first talk by Dr. Jon Lorsch (JohnsHopkins University School of Medicine)

will cover basic pathway aspects of initi-ation as viewed by an enzymologist. Hisprevious efforts allowed for the determi-nation of 2 GTP-dependent steps in thispathway and his current studies exam-ine the AUG codon-dependent hydroly-sis of the GTP in the ternary complex(eIF2•GTP•Met-tRNAi) on the 40S sub-unit. Much to his amazement, itappears that the key regulatory step isnot the hydrolysis of GTP, but the “irre-versible step” of Pi release.

The second talk by Dr. ChristopherHellen (SUNY Downstate Medical Cen-ter) examines the results obtainedusing several standard biochemicaltechniques combined with “toe print-ing”, the mapping of the location ofan mRNA on the 40S subunit usingreverse transcriptase. Like Dr. Lorsch’sefforts, a key feature in this study is theuse of individually purified reagents(translation initiation factors, mRNAs,ribosomal subunits). This has allowedhe and his wife, Tatyana Pestova, todefine the elements necessary for thecorrect formation of the 40S pre-initia-tion complex whereby the ternarycomplex, start codon and 40S subunitare correctly positioned in what is tobecome the P site of the ribosome.

Key in their findings is that specifictranslation factors are required for dif-

he ideal goal of this theme isto go from free amino acidsto proteins to protein process-

ing to protein turnover at the molecu-lar level. Given the restriction of time,this will not be accomplished in allareas. Each symposium will have threeadditional talks selected from submit-ted abstracts.

Molecu lar Mechan ismsof Prote inB iosynthes is

This symposium will provide whatmost of us have looked for since thedetermination of the genetic code, thehow’s and whys of the predominatestep in protein biosynthesis, the elon-gation cycle. In this cycle, the ribo-some bound mRNA is decoded by aprocess that encompasses the steps ofprotein synthesis involving binding ofan aminoacyl-tRNA to its correctcodon, the subsequent formation of apeptide bond and translocation to getback to the starting point.

Using a variety of rapid kinetic invitro methodologies, Dr. Marina Rod-nina (University of Witten/Herdecke)and colleagues have been able to isolateintermediates of the steps of elongationand with structural data on variousribosome•aminoacyl-tRNA complexes,have constructed a mechanistic inter-pretation of the entire process of elon-gation. From this, it is now possible tologically interpret what happens whenthe decoding process is perturbed by anantibiotic or mutation.

In a companion series of experi-ments, Dr. Olke Uhlenbeck (North-western University) has taken the focalpoint of the tRNA molecule to deter-mine its contribution to the specificityof aminoacylation, binding to EF1Aand interactions at the surface of the

T

Protein Synthesis, Post-translat ional

Dr. William Merrick

Organ izer : W i l l i am Merr ick , Case Western Reserve Un ivers i ty

S a n F r a n c i s c o , C a l i f o r n i a , A p r i l 1 - 5 , 2 0 0 6


ties. Using several novel biochemicalapproaches that she has developed, Dr.Deutsch will define the stages of andcompartments in which secondary,tertiary and quaternary structures ofthe channels are acquired.

The final presentation in this sym-posium will focus on how polypep-tides are correctly folded to yieldbiologically active molecules. Dr.Judith Frydman (Stanford Univer-sity) will present her work on eukary-otic, cytosolic chaperones. Giventhat unfolded polypeptide chainshave a strong tendency to eitheraggregate or misfold, the role ofchaperones is critical to provide aprotected folding environment thatsequesters folding intermediatesfrom the bulk cytosol. The mecha-nism of action of the Hsp70 familymembers as well as the ring-shapedchaperonin TRiC/CCT and the pre-foldin/GIMc complex will be dis-cussed as well as their relativecontribution to cellular folding.

Prote in Mod i ficat ionand Turnover

The fourth symposium will begin toaddress the fate of proteins followingtheir initial synthesis. Bacterial systemspose a problem when ribosomesbecome entangled with damaged ortruncated mRNAs.

Dr. Robert Sauer (MIT) will presenthis work on how the tmRNA/SmpB sys-tem functions in bacteria. Thisuniquely prokaryotic system representsa quality control system whereby ribo-somally bound, incomplete proteinsare tagged and degraded. Specializedadaptor proteins that couple ATP bind-ing and hydrolysis to conformationalchanges allow these proteases to unfoldstable native proteins despite the radi-

cally different sequences and physicalproperties of the polypeptides to bedegraded. A part of the quality controlsystem in eukaryotes is the determina-tion of how protein substrates are rec-ognized and then targeted to theproteasome for degradation.

Dr. Jeffrey Brodsky (University ofPittsburgh) will present his use of pro-teomics and genomics to address themechanism of action of the ER associ-ated degradation pathway (ERAD path-way). Using yeast as a model system,Dr. Brodsky has been able to show thatsmall heat shock proteins (originallyidentified in yeast) also impact the cys-tic fibrosis transmembrane conduc-tance regulator biogenesis inmammalian cells. Current efforts areaimed at delineating how factors inthe different stages of the ERAD path-way impact protein biogenesis in thesecretory pathway.

The final presentation by Dr. MarlaBerry (University of Hawaii at Manoa)will examine how the unusual aminoacid, selenocysteine (the twenty firstamino acid) is incorporated into pro-teins. Uniquely, this amino acid is incor-porated into the growing polypeptidechain in response to the normal termi-nation codon UGA. Unlike severalenzymes that contain and use a singleselenocysteine, the selenoprotein P geneencodes as many as 18 UGA codons.Efforts to identify the factors involved inselenocysteine incorporation intoselenoprotein P have identified a num-ber of proteins, several of which containputative NLS and NES sequences. Thecoordinated effort of these proteins isrequired to not only accomplish seleno-protein P synthesis, but also to circum-vent possible nonsense-mediated decaydue to the many potential stop codonsin the mRNA.

ferent mRNAs (they differ dependingon the mRNA) and the ability to deter-mine when in the assembly pathwayspecific factors appear to function. Thefinal talk by Dr. William Merrick willserve as a reminder of how little isknown about the initiation process. Byusing rabbit reticulocyte lysates (whichfunction at or near the in vitro rate) andby either the addition of translation ini-tiation factors or inhibitors of transla-tion (Pdcd4, human P56, mouse P56), itis becoming clear that some of the basictenets of the “80S Initiation Pathway”may not be valid, especially as applies toIRES-mediated translation initiation.

Co- and Post-Trans lat iona l Events

The third symposium is designed toprovide a view of how proteins emergefrom the ribosome and become func-tional proteins. Dr. Arthur Johnson(Texas A & M University System HealthScience Center) will introduce thistopic from the early steps in peptideelongation to the secretion of the grow-ing polypeptide chain into the endo-plasmic reticulum (ER). His unique useof fluorescence methodologies has pro-vided insights into how early the grow-ing polypeptide chain begins folding,aspects of the structure and function ofthe protein trafficking machinery andhow the permeability barrier of the ERmembrane is maintained.

The subsequent presentation by Dr.Carol Deutsch (University of Pennsyl-vania) will advance this type of studyone level higher with her report onhow voltage-gated potassium (Kv)channels are made and put togetherand how they work. Kv channel pro-teins are oligomeric and their precisesubunit composition dictates their bio-physical and pharmacological proper-

Modificat ion and Degradat ion


Gulf Coast city to assist with recoveryefforts. The Category 4 hurricanecame ashore just west of Biloxi onAugust 30, and the resulting stormsurge put almost 8 feet of water inTurner’s house.

Turner and 18 friends and familymembers took shelter in his attic dur-ing Katrina’s landfall. “The waterrose to about six inches from theentrance to the attic,” he said. “I wasstarting to think about cutting a holein the roof, but I don’t think we’dhave been able to hold on out therethe way the wind was blowing.” For-tunately, the water stopped risingbefore this became necessary, and itreceded a short time later as Katrinamoved further inland.

This was only one of the many sto-ries told to Farnham during his weekin Biloxi in late September. He wentthere with a group of volunteer reliefworkers from Good ShepherdLutheran Church, in Alexandria, Vir-ginia. Farnham took down a van loadof sorely needed bleach, laundry deter-gent, and other cleaning supplies, alldonated by ASBMB and FASEB staffers.

’ve never heard a noise likethat in all my life, when Kat-rina came ashore,” Biloxi,

Mississippi, resident James Turner toldASBMB’s Peter Farnham during Farn-ham’s recent trip to the storm-battered

“IBy Peter Farnham , CAE , ASBMB Pub l i c A f fa i rs O f ficer

Continued on page 16ASBMB’s Peter Farnham, at left, with volunteers Bruce Purdy, Denise Elfes, Otto Stahley, andCorinne Berkseth, all members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

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ous kinds of mold that had alreadybegun to grow. The weather was hotand humid, and unless the house driedout, the mold would spread andwithin a few weeks the house would berendered uninhabitable.

Bethel Lutheran Church was thecenter for Lutheran disaster reliefefforts in Biloxi. In addition to coordi-nating efforts to clean out houses, thechurch also maintained a food and

clothing bank and a medical clinic.However, most religious denomina-tions had major relief efforts going on,as did both the Red Cross and Salva-tion Army.

The Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency (FEMA) was also present,but according to Farnham, did little toalleviate its poor reputation. “Fifty vol-unteers were living at Bethel,” Farn-ham noted, “with one shower.” FEMA

“These were much needed and appre-ciated,” Farnham said.

The volunteers spent most of theirtime trying to salvage houses that weredamaged during the storm. “We had apretty ruthless triage system going on,”Farnham said. “We’d only work onhouses that were still on their founda-tions, structurally sound, and that wereowned by the people living in them.We’d also select houses where the own-ers were low-income, elderly or dis-abled, and thus needed the help.”

The help consisted of completelyemptying a house of its contents, andthen stripping out the ruined drywalland insulation and removing all theflooring. “We’d then power-wash thestuds and interior siding,” Farnhamsaid, “and spray fungicide all around.”This was necessary because of the vari-

Continued from page 14


Farnham said the tripwas a very demandingexperience, both physi-cally and emotionally,but one he hopes to doagain. “Helping thesepeople was something Ihad to do,” he toldASBMB Today. “And

everyone was so grateful. One familyeven cooked us barbecue. Here’s some-one who had just lost everythingexcept the framework of his house,and he and his wife are cooking barbe-cue for us. This was pretty typical; thepeople of Biloxi we met were just ter-rific. I hope we helped them in someway, if only a little.”

had set up headquarters across thestreet in a local community center,with six showers in the locker roomsby the indoor pool there. FEMA hadbeen allowing the volunteers to usethe showers after working in theneighborhoods all day, but stoppeddoing so after one of the cleaning staffcomplained that the volunteers hadmade the showers dirty. Eventually,after lengthy negotiations betweenBethel’s pastor and FEMA, the agencyrelented and as of this writing the vol-unteers are once again being allowedto shower at FEMA. “I’m glad someoneover there at FEMA came to theirsenses,” Farnham said, “but it nevershould have been an issue in the firstplace. You get dirty, cleaning out thesehouses all day.”



Culotta (Johns Hopkins) will discussmechanisms of metal homeostasis andenzymes that confer protection againstoxidative stress. Dr. Ding Xue (Univer-sity of Colorado, Boulder) will presentfunctional genomic approaches toidentify new mechanisms involved inapoptosis and cell stress in C. elegansthat lead to cell killing, phagocytosis,and DNA degradation.

Ce l l Pro l i ferat ionChair: Natalie Ahn, University of Col-orado at Boulder

The speakers will discuss signaltransduction pathways that promotecell transformation, which involves acomplex interplay between diversemechanisms that control prolifera-tion, invasive behavior, and cell size.Emerging evidence reveals new effec-tors and downstream targets thatextend in new directions classic mech-anisms linked to growth factor recep-tor pathways. Dr. Adrienne Cox (U.North Carolina) will discuss theimportance of the R-Ras family of small GTPases, which exhibits transforming properties aspotent as oncogenic Ras proteins, andalso plays unique roles in mediatingintegrin-dependent migration andinvasiveness in cancer cells. Dr. JohnBlenis (Harvard Medical School) willdiscuss cellular signal transductionthrough the mammalian target ofrapamycin (mTOR), a key pathwaythat coordinates cell growth with cell

proliferation byregulating riboso-mal biogenesis andprotein translation,through mecha-nisms that aretightly regulated bytuberous sclerosiscomplex (TSC)-1/2,PTEN, and LKB1tumor suppressor proteins. Dr. NatalieAhn will discuss functional pro-teomics strategies for identifyingdownstream targets of signaling path-ways, and how these yield novelinsight into the function of RhoGTPase signaling in cancer.

Te lomeres andSenescence Chair: Judith Campisi, LawrenceBerkeley Laboratories

The speakers will focus on the prob-lem of replication at chromosomeends, and how the control of telomerelength by telomerase reverse transcrip-tase (TERT) modulates processes of cellsenescence, immortalization andtumorigenesis. Shortened telomerelength has been shown to be causallylinked to cell cycle arrest and senes-cence, whereas mechanisms that pre-vent shortening are associated withcell immortalization and transforma-tion. Thus, TERT and regulators oftelomere biology are exciting new tar-gets for cancer therapeutics throughthe development of small molecule

his symposium will coverthemes related to signal trans-duction mechanisms and

intracellular communication. Specialemphasis will be directed towards cel-lular pathways and molecular eventsthat are relevant to diseases caused bycell stress and dysregulation of cell pro-liferation or apoptosis, and how thesemechanisms may be linked to cellularprocesses controlling senescence,aging, and immortalization. Each ses-sion will feature three invited speakersand three short talks chosen from sub-mitted abstracts.

Apoptos is and Ce l lStressChair: Sue Goo Rhee, NHLBI, NIH

The speakers will present signaltransduction mechanisms underlyingthe cellular responses to environmen-tal stress and programmed cell death.Key to these are signaling pathwaysthat control intracellular redox bal-ance, through pathways involving pro-tein covalent modification andproteolysis, protein-protein interac-tions, and enzyme regulation. Theseare linked to mitochondrial functionand caspase pathway activation of pro-teasome activity. Dr. Sue Goo Rhee(NIH) will discuss pathways responsiveto oxidative stress, the intracellularmessenger functions of hydrogen per-oxide, and regulatory mechanisms thatcontrol signaling effectors via proteina-ceous cysteine oxidation. Dr. Valeria

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Symposium on SignalingOrgan izer : Nata l i e Ahn , Professor, Department of Chem istry and B iochem istry and Howard

Hughes Med ica l I nst i tute , Un ivers i ty of Co lorado at Bou lder

Dr. Natalie Ahn

S a n F r a n c i s c o , C a l i f o r n i a , A p r i l 1 - 5 , 2 0 0 6


organismal lifespan by several molecu-lar regulators and events. Theseinclude insulin, NAD+-dependentdeacetylases, and oxidative damage,which are known to mediate other cel-lular processes, but only recently havebeen linked to aging. How these effec-tors control organismal longevity andhow they may be linked mechanisti-cally are emerging areas of research. Inthis session, Dr. Anne Brunet (StanfordUniversity) will discuss how mam-malian Sir2 deacetylase controls thecellular response to stress by regulatingthe FOXO family of Forkhead tran-scription factors, which function as

sensors of the insulin signaling path-way and regulators of longevity. Dr.John Denu will explore the enzymol-ogy of NAD+-dependent histone/pro-tein deacetylases, explaining themolecular basis for Sir2 activation byresveratrol, a polyphenol in wineshown to enhance lifespan. Dr. Dou-glas Wallace (University of California,Irvine) will discuss a free radical theoryof aging, which involves increasedoxidative stress and the generation ofreactive oxygen species (ROS) causedby mutations that lead to mitochondr-ial dysfunction in age-related degener-ative diseases.

inhibitors, vaccines, or genetic thera-pies. Signal transduction mechanismsthat enable cells to respond to telom-ere length are still poorly understood,but emerging evidence reveals diverseconnections with DNA damage andrepair mechanisms, causing shortenedtelomeres to trigger DNA damageresponses that mediate cell cyclearrest, and enabling telomere bindingproteins to hide chromosome endsfrom DNA repair enzymes. In this ses-sion, Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn (UCSF)will present work on mechanisms ofaction of telomeres and telomeraseand the effects of altering their func-tions, Dr Jerry Shay (U. Texas South-western Medical School) will discussthe roles of telomeres and telomeraseon cell senescence and immortaliza-tion, and Dr. Judith Campisi will dis-cuss how signaling pathwaysinvolving tumor suppressor genescontrol senescence phenotypes andinfluence organismal aging.

Ag ingChair: John Denu, University of Wis-consin

The speakers will highlight newmolecular mechanisms that controlthe process of organismal aging.Although the aging phenotype isfamiliar to everyone, an understandingof how this process is controlled mech-anistically is only in its nascent stages.Genetic experiments in several specieshave now demonstrated control of

The Kennedy Krieger Institute has an exceptional opportunity available for a Biochemist for our Neurogenetics Department.Responsibilities will include generating, verifying and interpretingautomated test result fatty acid reports from the GC and GC/MSrequirements; ensuring prompt and accurate communication ofdiagnostic results; troubleshooting the performance of GC andGC/MS; and fatty acid analysis for newborn screening.

The candidate we seek will have a Master’s degree in Biology,Chemistry, Human Genetics or related science (Ph.D. preferred), andat least 5 years experience in a CLIA-certified analytical diagnosticlaboratory (experience in a laboratory using GC/MS for the analysisof lipids highly desirable). At least 3 years supervisory/managementexperience required.

We offer a competitive salary & excellent benefits, including pension, tuition reimbursement, and 401 (k). Please apply online atwww.kennedykrieger.org.EOE

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in Ag ing and Disease



cDNA for the enzyme and the deduc-tion of its primary structure.

This crucial accomplishmentlaunched structural studies of theenzyme that continue to be essentialfor mechanistic understanding of thebiochemistry and pharmacology ofthe catalytic process. Mutagenesis ofthe cDNA and structure-functionanalysis of the protein revealed criticalresidues essential for catalysis, andprovided important new insights intothe mechanisms of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin. His work with the biochemistry and pharmacology of prostaglandin synthase 1 wasextended to prostaglandin synthase 2and provided critical insights intomechanisms of differential inactiva-tion of catalytic activities. Dr. Smith’smost recent work has been stronglyand clearly focused upon fundamentalstructural questions concerning thebinding of fatty acid substrates to theenzyme and the mechanisms of multi-ple product generation. Each of theadvances described above have beenmajor steps in the understanding ofthe biochemistry of prostaglandinsthat have extremely important impli-cations for human medicine.

During the last eight years of hiscareer at Michigan State University, Dr.Smith served as Chair of the Depart-ment of Biochemistry and MolecularBiology. In this role he was exception-ally effective in guiding the direction ofthe department and maximizing theresources available. He took the lead onpersuading the biological sciencedepartments to do joint recruiting ofstudents, in a unique but effectiveumbrella program which preserved theindependence of departments and theircurriculum. He was also a leader in con-vincing the administration that sup-port of cutting edge research facilities iscrucial to the growth and success of thebiomedical research enterprise. On aday-to-day basis, he dedicated time andenergy to the challenging job of Chairof a large department that served fourDeans, each with a different agenda.This was a hard job, but Dr. Smith didit with good organization, good humor,and good sense.

illiam L. Smith, Professor andChair of the Department ofBiological Chemistry, Univer-

sity of Michigan Medical School, hasbeen selected to receive the William C.Rose Award in Biochemistry. TheAward recognizes outstanding contri-butions to biochemical and molecularbiological research and a demon-strated commitment to the training ofyounger scientists, as epitomized bythe late Dr. Rose. Nominators andnominees need not be members of theSociety. The Award consists of aplaque, stipend, and transportation tothe 2006 Meeting to present a lecture.Past recipients of the award includeFrederick P. Guengerich in 2005, Sun-ney I. Chan in 2004, Jack E. Dixon in2003, Gordon Hammes in 2002, andMarc W. Kirschner in 2001.

As a graduate student Dr. Smith pro-vided some of the earliest biochemicalcharacterizations of the oxygenationof fatty acids, and identified one of thefirst examples of suicide inactivationof an enzyme. As his career pro-gressed, antibodies to prostaglandinsynthase were developed and used tolocalize the enzyme in specific organsand tissues. This work was followed bymore detailed enzyme localization tothe endoplasmic reticulum andnuclear envelope at the subcellularlevel. In addition to his work withprostaglandin synthase, he success-fully identified the association ofprostanoid receptors with G-proteincoupled receptors. Continued workwith the prostaglandin synthase ulti-mately led to the identification of the

W

Will iam L. Smith to ReceiveWill iam C. Rose Award

Dr. William L. Smith

S upp or t o f cu t t ing edg er e s ea rch f a c i l i t i e s i sc r uc ia l t o the g row th

an d s uc c e s s o f th eb i omed i ca l r e s ea rch

ent e rp r i s e .


Dean at the Keck School of Medicine ofthe University of Southern California.During the six months that he hasserved as Interim President of CIRM, Dr.Hall has led scientific and administrativeplanning, has worked with the ICOC toestablish CIRM policies, and has begunto build a scientific and administrativeteam through hires of key personnel.

“Stem cell research is one of the fron-tiers of modern biomedical science andthe CIRM will help American sciencetake the lead in this area. The opportu-nity for me to continue as President inthis exciting program is simply tooimportant to forego.” said Dr. Hall. “Wemust build our scientific enterprise so

that we may contribute to the ongoingdiscoveries leading to therapies that areoccurring world-wide.”

About C IRMGoverned by the ICOC, CIRM was

established in 2004 with the passage ofa statewide ballot measure, which pro-vided $3 billion in funding for stemcell research at California universitiesand research institutions, and calledfor the establishment of an entity tomake grants and provide loans forstem cell research, research facilities,and other vital research opportunities.For more information, please visit:www.cirm.ca.gov.

he Independent Citizens Over-sight Committee (ICOC) forthe California Institute for

Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)announced today that it has appointedZach Hall as permanent President ofCIRM, following an extensive search.

When Dr. Hall joined the CIRM inMarch 2005, he brought a distinguishedbackground in academic and scientificleadership—including past positions asDirector of the National Institute ofNeurological Disorders and Stroke, Exec-utive Vice Chancellor of University ofCalifornia, San Francisco, and, mostrecently, Director of the Zilkha Neuroge-netic Institute and Senior Associate

Zach Hall Appointed Permanent President OfCali fornia Inst i tute For Regenerat ive MedicineT


quently, his laboratory developed asmall peptide that interferes withATF2 function, efficiently blockingmelanoma growth in mouse models.Ongoing studies are devoted to screen-ing for compounds that mimic thepeptide’s actions and to allow for fur-ther development of the peptidetoward clinical assessment.

“Until our recent studies, we werecertain that the mechanism by whichATF2 affects melanoma growth wasprimarily through its established func-tion in the regulation of proteinsimportant in cell cycle and cell deathcontrol. We were therefore most sur-prised to find an uncoupled functionfor the same protein,” said Ronai.

The finding of ATF2’s novel func-tion in DNA repair was serendipitous.As Shoichi Takahashi, a postgraduateresearcher, was testing for thechanges in ATF2 in human cancers,he “lost the signal” for ATF2. “Later,”Dr. Ronai said, “we did experimentsthat showed the signal was lostbecause a protein kinase, ATM, modi-fied ATF2 enough to interfere withdetection of the ATF2 signal. Soon,work performed by AninditaBhoumik confirmed that ATF2 is reg-ulated by ATM and that this regula-tion is central to the cell’s ability toinitiate DNA repair processes follow-ing ionizing irradiation or otherexposures that cause breaks in DNA.A likely way in which ATF2 works isto halt the cell’s cycle to allow repairof damaged DNA before such damageresults in mutation.”

Ronai and his colleagues are nowdetermining how molecules like ATF2can balance their dual roles. “Highdoses of radiation, as well as changesthat take place in cancer and patho-

logic situations, can activate bothfunctions of ATF2, which is expectedto disturb the otherwise conservedbalance between its role in gene regu-lation and the DNA damageresponse. We need to find out whichof the two functions is more domi-nant under these circumstances inorder to devise ways to regain theproper balance,” he said.

The Ronai lab’s work on ATF2 wasstarted at Mount Sinai School of Medi-cine in New York City, from which DrRonai and his colleagues recently relo-cated to the Burnham Institute. Thisstudy was carried out in collaborationwith Wolfgang Breitweiser and NicJones of the Paterson Institute forCancer Research, Manchester, Eng-land, and Yosef Shiloh, of Tel AvivUniversity, Israel. The study was sup-ported by a grant from the NationalInstitutes of Health.

*ASBMB Member

Burnham Institute study hasfound that a protein knownfor its role in gene regulation

has another important function, thatof initiating DNA repair. The study,published in the May 27, 2005 editionof Molecular Cell, points to new targetsfor the treatment of cancer.

Ze’ev Ronai,* Director of the Insti-tute’s Signal Transduction Program,and his colleagues found that the pro-tein ATF2 (Activating TranscriptionFactor-2) is activated by a proteinkinase called ATM (Ataxia-Telangiecta-sia Mutated), which stimulates DNArepair. ATF2’s role in regulating expres-sion of proteins that control cell cycleand programmed cell death is wellestablished. The current study is thefirst to demonstrate ATF2’s role inDNA repair, an intracellular processthat prevents formation of geneticmutations, including those that lead to cancer.

“This is the first time we’ve seen aprotein which has been implicated ingene regulation possess an independ-ent function—in DNA repair—whileboth functions are independent fromone another,” said Ronai. Dr. Ronai’slaboratory has been studying ATF2with the goal of understanding its rolein regulation of cell cycle and pro-grammed cell death. These studiesevolved from the finding that ATF2has an important role in the develop-ment and progression of melanomatumors. Inhibition of ATF2 was foundto sensitize melanoma to various treat-ments, both in tissue culture and inanimal models.

“Melanoma is usually resistant tochemotherapy, but we found that byinhibiting ATF2, it became more sensi-tive to treatment,” Ronai said. Conse-

A

New Understanding of DNA RepairMay Pave Way to Cancer Treatments

AS BM B Members NamedCAMBRIDGE, MA - At an induc-

tion ceremony here on Saturday,October 8, the American Academy ofArts and Sciences officially welcomedits 225th class of Fellows.

Among the new fellows are ASBMBmembers Jack D. Griffith, Kenan Dis-tinguished Professor of Microbiologyand Immunology at the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill; andRowena Green Matthews, ResearchProfessor and G. Robert GreenbergDistinguished University Professor ofBiological Chemistry at the Universityof Michigan Medical School and LifeSciences Institute; Norris Professor ofBiochemistry and Biophysics at theUniversity of Pennsylvania School of


the way a dimmer switch does to regu-late lighting in a gradual manner.”

In studying this fine-tuning, the teamdiscovered that conventional wisdomfailed to fully describe how proteinsfunction. It was known that proteinshave regions with parts that are fixed inspace with a definite structure, and otherparts that are randomly positioned. Itwas thought that the structured regionsdid most of the work, while the unstruc-tured regions served only minor roles,such as tethering parts together.

“Scientists understand how a mole-cule works in part because we under-stand the shape or structure,” Gravesexplains. “But what we discoveredtakes us beyond knowing the structure.Our data were about features that arenot fixed in space, but that are flexibleand changing.”

The team used a nuclear magnetic res-onance, NMR, to observe how theatoms of a molecule behave inside amagnetic field. They found that unstruc-tured regions of the Ets-1 protein wereaffecting the structured regions in thework of controlling genes. “In fact,”Graves reports, “the region’s unstruc-tured nature appears to be an essentialrequirement.” NMR showed that phos-phate addition to this unstructuredregion caused a gradual decline in DNAbinding, gradually turning a gene off.

According to Pufall, “Ets-1 provides aremarkable illustration of how ele-gantly proteins are put together - form-ing a distinct shape, but with theversatility to respond to the changingneeds of the cell, however subtle.”

The findings have long-term impli-cations for the study of all proteins,because, according to Graves, any pro-tein has the potential to be organizedthis way, with structured and unstruc-tured regions that work together .

* ASBMB member

protein that was thought tosimply turn genes on and offnow looks to be more like a

cellular “dimmer switch,” researchersfrom Huntsman Cancer Institute at theUniversity of Utah, reported in the July1, 2005, issue of the journal Science.

The scientists showed for the firsttime that when certain parts of a pro-tein molecule?flexible, randomly struc-tured regions believed to be onlyminor players in the protein world?aremodified they become important inturning genes on and off.

Huntsman Cancer Institute scientists,led by Barbara Graves,* Professor andChair of the Department of OncologicalSciences at the University of UtahSchool of Medicine, and doctoral stu-dent Miles Pufall, studied Ets-1, a proteinknown as a transcription factor thathelps read genetic information. This fac-tor serves as a cell’s librarian, helpingfind the right genetic instructions.

How much information the librarianprovides, and how accurate that infor-

‘Dimmer Switch’ For Genes A

mation is, must be tightly controlled.Without the right information, cellscan’t behave properly, and may, as inthe case of cancer, grow out of control.One way proteins are controlled occursafter a cell creates a protein. After theprotein is made, it can acquire post-translational modifications, which arelike decorations on a beaded necklace.These modifications give the proteindifferent properties.”

The “decorations” that were studiedwere phosphate molecules, which pre-viously had been shown to build up onproteins until a certain number accu-mulated. The result, according to thestudy, has been described in the past asa sharp on-off switch of protein activity.

“What we found was that each timewe added a phosphate to a particularunstructured region of Ets-1, there wasan effect on the protein’s ability tobind to a gene. Binding was weakened,but it was a gradual weakening. Thatisn’t typical,” Graves says. “Instead ofacting like an on-off switch, it behaved

to American Academy’s 225th Class of ScholarsMedicine; Stephen C. Kowal-czykowski, professor of microbiologyand molecular and cell biology at theUniversity of California, Davis; andNancy Goldman Nossal, chief of theLaboratory of Molecular and CellularBiology at the National Institutes ofHealth.

The 196 Fellows and 17 ForeignHonorary Members who make upthe American Academy’s 225thclass are leaders in scholarship,business, the arts and public affairs.They come from 26 states and 10countries and include Nobel andPulitzer Prize laureates, MacArthurand Guggenheim fellows. A com-plete list of new members is avail-

able on the Academy’s website at:www.amacad.org

Founded in 1780, the AmericanAcademy of Arts and Sciences is anindependent research center thatconducts multidisciplinary studiesof complex and emerging problems.Current Academy research focuseson: science and global security;social policy; the humanities andculture; and education. With head-quarters in Cambridge, Massachu-setts, the Academy’s work isadvanced by its 4,600 elected mem-bers, who are leaders in the aca-demic disciplines, the arts, businessand public affairs from around theworld. (www.amacad.org)


triplexes, cruciforms, tetraplexes,sticky DNA, bent DNA, slippedstructures, and left-handed Z-DNA.Second, these discoveries herald anew era of potential therapeuticswhich modulate the conformationof DNA. Prior to these discoveries,this concept could not have evenbeen considered.

Organized by James R. Lupski, Bay-lor College of Medicine, and RobertD. Wells, Institute of Biosciences andTechnology, the meeting in Marchwill cover genome structure and howit relates to susceptibility to DNArearrangements causing genetic disor-ders and will discuss a variety of non-B DNA structures and how they areinvolved in human genetic disease.Dr. Evan Eichler of the University ofWashington, Seattle, will present a keynote lecture on the interrela-tionships between human genetics,genomics, and non-B DNA structuresin disease etiologies. In addition therewill be talks by invited speakers aswell as poster sessions featuring thework of most of the participants. Themeeting will be held in the audito-

rium of the Insti-tute of Biosciencesand Technology,which is a part ofthe Texas A&MUniversity SystemHealth ScienceCenter.

The symposiumis sponsored by the American Societyfor Biochemistry and Molecular Biol-ogy (ASBMB), Baylor College of Med-icine (Department of Molecular andHuman Genetics), Texas A&M Sys-tem Health Science Center, Instituteof Biosciences and Technology,Houston (TAMUHSC), March ofDimes, New England BioLabs, Inc.,Athena Diagnostics, Inc., and Centerfor Genome Research-Institute ofBiosciences and Technology.

Registration forms and appropriatefees are available on-line andabstracts may be submitted for theposter sessions before Friday, January13, 2006. More detailed information,including programs and registrationmaterials, can be found atwww.asbmb.org/meetings.

pproximately 125 to 150researchers will gather at theInstitute of Biosciences and

Technology in Houston, Texas for athree-day symposium on DNA struc-ture and how atypical DNA conforma-tions result in human genetic disease.The symposium, titled “DNA Struc-ture, Genomic Rearrangements, andHuman Disease,” runs from March 12to 14, 2006.

In recent years, major advanceshave been made in our understand-ing of the types of conformationsadopted by segments of DNA, theirbiological func-tions, and theirmedical conse-quences. Theseadvances stemfrom the dramaticprogress in theareas of humangenomics, genet-ics as related to hereditary diseases,medicine, biochemistry, and DNAstructural biology. As a result, it isnow possible to identify a role fornon-B DNA conformations in the eti-ology of at least 50 human geneticdiseases including neurofibromatosis,chronic myeloid leukemia andWilliams-Beuren syndrome. Further-more, recent work has demonstratedthat non-B DNA conformationsdemarcate the breakpoints involvedin gross deletions in DNA and thatthese gross deletions are responsiblefor the above diseases.

These discoveries are of extremeimportance for at least two reasons.First, they provide unequivocal evi-dence for the biological roles ofnon-B DNA structures such as

A

Experts on DNA Structure and GenomicRearrangements to Meet in Houston

Dr. Robert D. Wells Dr. James B. Lupski


minority scientists.All must have ad e m o n s t r a t e drecord of encour-aging minoritystudents to pursueadvanced sciencedegrees.

The majority ofDr. Ortiz’s work has been related to thestudy of diabetes mellitus, applicable toinsulin secretion and insulin responsive-ness in adipose tissues. During his previ-ous faculty appointment at SkidmoreCollege from 1993 to 2001, Ortiz servedas chairperson of Skidmore’s Diversityand Affirmative Action Committee. Aschair of the Minority Affairs Committeeof ASBMB he participated in the settingof the society’s agenda and sessions forits annual meetings, organized educa-tional opportunities, and contributed totask forces organized by NIH.

In accepting the award, Ortiz said,“Words cannot express the great honorI feel in receiving this award. I have

always regarded SACNAS as an organi-zation that highly values strong men-toring, and I feel humbled to beincluded among those people who havebeen honored with this recognition.”

Addressing the many students at themeeting, Ortiz noted that in the nearfuture they will be invited to graduateand offered the following advice:

“In our lives we all face situationsthat frustrate us, but good may arisefrom them if we use these frustrationsas motivators. In New York when stu-dents are graduating, the college presi-dent bestows their degrees and tellsthem that they are now allowed ‘allthe rights and privileges associatedwith their degrees.’ From the very firsttime I heard this phrase at a collegecommencement, I felt it was incom-plete. A diploma is not an entry ticket,but rather it is an empowerment andan obligation. Shouldn’t we be tellingthe students that they now have ‘allthe rights, privileges, and responsibili-ties associated with their degrees.’”

hillip Ortiz, of the Center forDistance Learning at EmpireState College, Saratoga

Springs, New York was presented withthe Distinguished Undergraduate Insti-tution Mentor Award for 2005 at therecent annual convention of SACNAS,the Society for Advancement of Chi-canos and Native Americans in Science.

This award recognizes those whohave dedicated themselves to science,education and mentoring. Awardeesare those who have reached the top oftheir field and continue to serve asrole models for the next generation of

SACNAS Honors Phil l ip Ort izP

Dr. Phillip Ortiz

AS BM B WelcomesNew Ph.D.s

ASBMB extends its congratulationsto these individuals who recentlyreceived their Ph.D. degrees. Inrecognition of their achievement,ASBMB is presenting them with afree one-year membership in theSociety. The new Ph.D.s are listedbelow with the institution fromwhich they received their degree.

Jennifer AurandtUniversity of Michigan MedicalCenter

Eddy BraceUniversity of Michigan MedicalCenter

Barry G. GarchowMichigan Technological University

Steven P. WilkinsonUniversity of California, San Diego

Xiaonan ZhuUniversity of North Carolina,Chapel HIll* Candidates with an asterisk were previous Associ-ate members who met the requirements for a free

one-year membership.


strated that they had achieved fusionof the two cell types by searching thefused cells for two distinctive geneticmarkers present in the somaticfibroblast and stem cells. Theresearchers were also able to furtherconfirmed that fusion occurred bystudying the chromosomal makeupof the fused cells. Their analysesshowed that the hybrid cells were“tetraploid” - meaning they con-tained the combined chromosomesof both the somatic cells and theembryonic stem cells.

One of their key findings was thatfusion cells have the characteristics ofhuman embryonic stem cells. “Our

assays showed that the hybrid cells,unlike adult cells, showed the devel-opment potential of embryonic stemcells,” said Eggan. “We found theycould be induced to mature intonerve cells, hair follicles, muscle cellsand gut endoderm cells. And, sincethese cell types are derived from threedifferent parts of the embryo, thisreally demonstrated the ability ofthese cells to give rise to a variety ofdifferent cell types.”

Furthermore, he noted that geneticanalyses of the fused cells revealed thatthe somatic cell genes characteristic ofadult cells had all been switched off,

while those characteristic of embry-onic cells had been switched on. “Withthe exception of a few genes one wayor the other — which is perhapsbecause these cells are now tetraploid— the hybrid cells are indistinguish-able from human embryonic stemcells,” he said.

“The long term goal for this experi-ment was to do cell fusion in a waythat would allow the elimination ofthe embryonic stem cell nucleus to cre-ate an embryonic stem cell from thesomatic cell,” said Melton. “This paperreports only the first step toward thatgoal, because we end up with atetraploid cell. So, while this does notobviate the need for human oocytes, itdemonstrates that this generalapproach of cell fusion is an interest-ing one that should be furtherexplored.”

The researchers also performedfusion experiments using pelvic bonecells as the somatic cells and a differenthuman embryonic cell line, to demon-strate that their technique was notrestricted to one adult cell type orembryonic cell line.

In both cases, the researchersobserved extensive reprogrammingof the somatic cells. “We were sur-prised at how complete the repro-

esearchers have developed anew technique for creatinghuman embryonic stem cells

by fusing adult somatic cells withembryonic stem cells. The fusioncauses the adult cells to undergogenetic reprogramming, which resultsin cells that have the developmentalcharacteristics of human embryonicstem cells, and may permit scientists toderive new human embryonic stemcell lines without the need to usehuman embryos.

The researchers said that while thetechnique might one day be usedalong with SCNT, technical hurdlesmust be cleared before it sees wide-spread use. It is considered more likelythat it technique will see immediateuse in helping to accelerate under-standing of how embryonic cells“reprogram” somatic cells to anembryonic state.

Senior author Kevin Eggan andHoward Hughes Medical Institute Inves-tigator Douglas A. Melton,* both at Har-vard University, led the research team.Their findings were published in theAugust 26 issue of the journal Science.

Eggan, Melton and their colleaguesdecided to pursue their alternativeroute after other researchers had shownthat genetic reprogramming can occurwhen mouse somatic cells are fused tomouse embryonic stem cells. The scien-tists knew that if their studies were suc-cessful, it would provide the researchcommunity with a new option for pro-ducing reprogrammed cells usingembryonic stem cells, which are moreplentiful and easier to obtain thanunfertilized human eggs.

In the studies, the researchers com-bined human fibroblast cells withhuman embryonic stem cells in thepresence of a detergent-like sub-stance that caused the two cell typesto fuse. The researchers demon-

RNew Technique Developed for Creat ing

“ The l ong t e r m goa l f o rth i s exp e r iment w a s t odo c e l l f u s i on in a w a ythat w ou ld a l l ow thee l i m ina t i on o f thee m br yon i c s t em c e l lnuc l eus t o c r ea t e a ne m br yon i c s t em c e l lf ro m the s oma t i c c e l l . ”

—Douglas A. Melton

Dr. Douglas A. Melton

embryonic stem cell from a somaticcell is by nuclear transfer into oocytes.Taking advantage of this current capa-bility — such as colleagues in SouthKorea and other countries are doing —is critical if we are to maintain theprogress necessary to realize theextraordinary clinical potential of thistechnology.”

Eggan added that the most realis-tic current promise of the fusiontechnique is in studying themachinery of genetic reprogram-ming of somatic cells by embryoniccells. “It is extremely difficult tostudy the reprogramming processusing eggs, because in the case ofhumans it is very difficult to obtaineggs in any quantity and difficult orimpossible to genetically manipulatethem,” he said. “But embryonicstem cells can be grown in largequantities. We can isolate the com-ponents of the reprogrammingmachinery, and we can geneticallymanipulate the cells to analyze thereprogramming process.”


gramming was,” said Eggan. “I thinkwe were expecting that there wouldbe more ‘memory’ of the adult statethan the embryonic in the hybridcells. It was quite clear, when welooked at these hybrid cells, thatthey had completely reverted to anembryonic state.”

Melton said that the remainingtechnical hurdle is figuring out a wayto eliminate the embryonic stem cellnucleus in the hybrid cell, causing itto have a normal number of chromo-somes. One problem, said Melton, isthat the nucleus in stem cells is large,occupying nearly the entire cell.Thus, it is not practical to physicallyextract the nucleus, as is currentlydone with oocytes, which have a rel-atively small nucleus. An alternativeapproach of destroying the embry-onic stem cell nucleus with chemi-cals or radiation would induceapoptosis, he said.

Melton emphasized that “at thisstage in our understanding, the hardfact is that the only way to create an

Human Stem Cells

ASBMB Journals Get RSS Feeds

In August, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Journal of LipidResearch, and Molecular and Cellular Proteomics all started offering RSSfeeds. The feeds are a quick and easy way to get citation and abstractinformation for articles from all three journals in one place. Thismakes it easier for our journal readers to stay on top of the latestdevelopments in scientific research.

RSS, which stands for “Rich Site Summary,” “RDF Site Summary,” or“Really Simple Syndication” is a way to keep track of news and otherupdates from several different websites. Instead of having to go to thewebsite, the website sends the user a message every time there issomething new. Messages from selected websites are gathered by apiece of downloadable software known as an RSS Reader which thendisplays feed from all of the websites in one place.

To learn more about RSS and how to subscribe to our journal feeds, go to the journal websites at www.jbc.org, www.jlr.org, andwww.mcponline.org and click on the orange RSS link.

FEDERATION OF AMERICAN

SOCIETIES FOR EXPERIMENTAL

BIOLOGY

Executive Director/Chief Operating Off icer

The Federation of American Societies forExperimental Biology (FASEB) invites appli-cations for the position of Executive Director.

Located in Bethesda, MD, FASEB is acoalition of 23 independent Member Societiesrepresenting the interests of biomedical andlife scientists. The purposes of the Federationare to bring together investigators in biologicaland medical sciences; to disseminate informa-tion on the results of biological researchthrough publications and scientific meetings;and to serve in other capacities in which theMember Societies can function more effi-ciently as a group than as individual units.

The Executive Director reports directly tothe President/Board and is the chief operatingofficer of the corporation, responsible forimplementing business, financial, publication,advisory, public relations, educational, andother programs and policies approved by theBoard. He/she provides leadership and direc-tion to approximately 90 professional, techni-cal and clerical support staff and manages anannual operating budget of $15.5 million.

Qualified applicants should have execu-tive/administrative experience with a record ofachievement and leadership in academic,association or other non-profit organizations.Candidates will have a with proven adminis-trative and leadership capabilities, excellentinterpersonal and communication skills,knowledge and understanding of the legisla-tive process, public policy, knowledge of cur-rent trends/issues facing the biological and lifesciences, and a strong sense of diplomacy. Anadvanced degree (M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.,) ishighly desirable.

Qualified candidates should send resume,cover letter and references (electronic attach-ments preferred) to: [email protected] or mailmaterials to:

FASEB PresidentAttn: Human Resources9650 Rockville PikeBethesda, MD 20814

To view a complete job description visit ourweb site at: www.faseb.org/hr/employ.html.

FASEB is an Equal Opportunity Employer


the logjams that face commercial tissueengineering. One partner, the NationalCenter for Biomedical Engineering Sci-ence in Galway, Ireland, will look at therapid manufacture of biocompatiblescaffolds for large bones.

“Cells grow on the scaffold to pro-duce a femur, or whatever,” said Dr.Peter McHugh, research director forbiomechanics at the NCBES. “We wantto find the optimal scaffold and speedup the production process.”

It’s a good example of what the proj-ect involves. Researchers need to differ-entiate stem cells to grow bone, findthe right growth factors, develop a 3-Dscaffold and then grow the cells on it.Each step needs to advance to create aviable product. A lot of the work willtweak existing techniques to makethem commercially viable. “They aremajor tweaks,” Williams said.

The research draws on a wide rangeof expertise, from gene therapy andmolecular biology to engineering likerapid prototyping and materials sci-ence, making it one of the largest proj-ects in tissue engineering in the world,McHugh said.

While the effort is extremely ambi-tious, Williams believes they will betesting new treatments in the clinic infour years.

The researchers also want to under-stand how stems cells grow into othertypes of cells. No one is sure how itworks, Williams said. “We haveempirically worked out how to do itin many cases. But this project wantsto turn that empirical knowledge intoa model.”

The EU research will primarily useadult stems cells for their work, whichavoids ethical problems, and Williamsbelieves they’ll be more effective.Although embryonic stem-cell research

is allowed in Europe, many Europeancountries like Germany and Italy havea Catholic base. Embryonic stem-cellresearch requires destroying a veryyoung embryo to obtain the cells, sothe work is controversial to Catholicsand other groups that believe lifebegins at conception.

Williams believes the United King-dom is a leader in embryonic stem-cellresearch. One U.K. team recentlydeveloped populations of neural stemcells from a fetus. Meanwhile in theU.S., President Bush forbids federalfunding for any research that destroysembryos.

So, is the United States fallingbehind the rest of the world? “No, Idon’t think so,” said Williams, whobelieves states like California are veryeffective at funding this research.

“Actually it’s quite interesting. I’dsay that America is probably scientifi-cally ahead, while we find that Singa-pore and Shanghai and Seoul arepractically ahead, because they havefar less constraints. I think Europerepresents a very, very good, solidmiddle ground—following normalethical paradigms but developingpractical applications.”

Dr. William Wagner, deputy directorof the McGowan Institute for Regener-ative Medicine at the University ofPittsburgh, partly agrees, at least whenit comes to the uncontroversial adultstem-cell research.

“But in embryonic, I think there’ssome truth that we’re falling behindbecause there’s a lot that we can’t do,”Wagner said. “I think, particularly inAsia, you see a lot of advances that arenot happening in the U.S. If youpolled U.S. scientists, I think therewould be a sense that the U.S. is fallingbehind.”

research consortium inEurope plans to make tissueengineering that uses stem

cells both clinically and commerciallyviable in the next four years.

The $32 million project, funded bythe European Union, gathers 23 ofEurope’s leading companies andresearch centers from 13 countries. It’sa who’s who of European biotech, withpartners like the UK Centre for TissueEngineering and the National Centrefor Biomedical Engineering Science inGalway, Ireland.

The project hopes to give biomedicalcompanies the jump start they need toturn a profit through tissue-engineeringtechnologies— that is, producing skin,bone and cartilage for the treatment ofdiabetic wounds, shattered or diseasedbones and many other conditions.

“Despite plenty of progress, tissueengineering has not achieved tremen-dous clinical success or commercialsuccess,” said Dr. David Williams,director of the UKCTE and scientificlead in the program, called SystemsApproach to Tissue Engineering Prod-ucts and Processes and thankfully nick-named Steps.

“At the moment we can successfullyproduce a very small amount of tissue,but nothing good enough to replacelarge areas of skin or cartilage,” he said.“We want scale up the process.”

A lot of the science is there, he said,but gaps remain and some currentmethods are inefficient. For example,scientists can take stem cells from bonemarrow or blood and get them to pro-duce tissue, but it takes weeks ormonths. That makes it not only slowbut expensive. “We want to producetissue faster,” Williams said.

The partners will work on a widerange of problems in parallel, tackling

AEuropean Consort ium to Focus on Tissue Research


gender; age; years since highest degree;level of supervisory/managerial respon-sibility; and numerous cross-tabs of thevariables.

The highest median incomes (allbetween $101,325 and $94,500) arefound in the Mobile, Alabama; John-son City/Kingsport, Tennessee;Wilmington Delaware; New Jerseysuburbs of Philadelphia; and Kalama-

zoo, Michigan areas. The lowest arefound in the Tallahassee, Florida;Greenville/Spartanburg, and Colum-bia, South Carolina; and Tampa/St.Petersburg, Bradenton/SarasotaFlorida areas (all between $50,000and $52,000).

Compensation varies considerablyfrom one type of employer to another.Median incomes are highest in law

firms, health practitioners’ offices, andpharmaceutical manufacturing firms($175,000, $130,000, and $95,000respectively); and lowest in primaryschools ($48,600), secondary schools($49,500), and state governments($53,000).

Life scientists with under one year ofprofessional experience have a medianincome of $35,000, as opposed to the

30-plus-year veteran with amedian income of$106,764.

By primary area of special-ization, the highest medianincomes are found in noso-comial infections, pathol-ogy/ infectious diseases, andradiation (all between$135,000 and $98,375). Thelowest are found in bacterialvirology, mycology, andwildlife biology (all between$45,000 and $49,602).

Those life scientists withno supervisory responsibil-ity have a median income of$52,000. For those supervis-ing 10 or more professional& sub-professional employ-ees, it is $126,000.

Compensation of Life Sci-entists in the United Statesof America – 2005 is avail-able for $495 from Abbott,

Langer & Associates, Inc.,Dept. NR, 548 First Street, Crete, IL60417 (www.abbott-langer.com). Alsoavailable is a Findpay Program, whichpermits the user to determine paylevels of each survey job on the basisof two or more variables simultane-ously. The software alone may be pur-chased for $990; both the softwareand the printed report are availablefor $1,245.

he median annual incomereported in a recent survey ofthe compensation of life sci-

entists was $69,000, according to Dr.Steven Langer, President of Abbott,Langer & Associates, Inc., a Crete, Illi-nois-based management consultancy.The composite highest-income practi-tioner in this field (salary plus cashbonus and/or cash profit sharing), tak-ing into account the size ofthe organization, is a collegeor university departmenthead (11-12 monthappointment—tenured)with a median income of$153,450. Far toward theother end of the incomespectrum, laboratory techni-cians have a median annualincome of $35,000.

E-mail invitations to par-ticipate in the survey weresent to subscribers of TheScientist magazine, to regis-trants on The Scientist website who identified them-selves as U.S.-based profes-sional life scientists, and tomembers of the AmericanSociety for Microbiologyand the American Societyfor Biochemistry & Molecu-lar Biology. An invitation toparticipate was also printedin The Scientist. Usableresponses were received from over12,000 individuals. The results are con-tained in a 983-page survey report.

Income data are reported by region,state, and metropolitan area; type ofemployer; size of organization; level ofeducation; length of experience; pri-mary area of specialization; primary jobactivity; level of professional responsi-bility; industry or service of employer;

Life Scient ist Salaries Reported T

Research Vice Presidents/Directors $108,300 - $203,950 “Distinguished” Researchers $108,337 - $160,510 Professors $103,000 - $155,260

(11-12 month appointment, tenured)Chief Operating Officers $ 95,000 - $230,000 Research Section Heads $ 90,000 - $146,750 Research Managers $ 89,750 - $147,375 Presidents/Managing Directors $ 80,000 - $185,000 Laboratory Directors $ 75,000 - $130,000 Research Unit Supervisors $ 71,000 - $111,984 Government Section Heads $ 70,000 - $133,500 Professors $ 68,237 - $105,000

(9-10 month appointment - tenured)Senior Consultants $ 53,126 - $ 95,000 Laboratory Managers $ 51,000 - $ 75,500 Assistant Professors $ 48,000 - $ 64,640

(9-10 month appointment - on tenure track)Intermediate Researchers $ 40,000 - $ 65,950 Secondary School Teachers $ 40,000 - $ 60,000 Post-Doctoral Researchers in Academia $ 35,000 - $ 43,500

(11-12 month appointment)Intermediate Research Technicians $ 29,017 - $ 42,875

The middle-50% median total cashcompensation of some of the jobsincluded in the survey report are:

B I O T E C H B U S I N E S S N E W S


was rung to begin that morning’s trad-ing, a Huntingdon spokesman says thatCass was approached by Exchange Pres-ident Catherine Kinney, who told himthe listing was going to be postponed.She gave no explanation for the delay.”

Huntingdon has been the target ofanimal activists for well over a decadeand was delisted from the LondonStock Exchange after a sustained cam-paign against its shareholders and bro-kers. The company then moved itsheadquarters to New Jersey andbecame the sole subsidiary of LSR,which is currently traded on NAS-DAQ’s over-the-counter market.

In its September 26 issue, The Scien-tist reported that pressure from an ani-mal rights group led the New YorkStock Exchange to postpone the listingof Life Sciences Research.

According to the article by StephenPincock, “on the morning of Septem-ber 7, Brian Cass, CEO of contractresearch firm Huntingdon Life Sci-ences, was standing in an anteroom ofthe New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)chatting to officials, waiting to go ontothe floor of the exchange where Hunt-ingdon’s U.S. parent company, Life Sci-ences Research (LSR) was due to belisted … But minutes before the bell

Animal Rights Extremists Ge t Stock Exchange to Block Research Firm

India’s bulk drug manufacturersare facing shrinking volume in theirtrade with China, as imports of Chi-nese pharmaceuticals has shrunkdrastically as that country hasdecided to give more priority to itsown domestic industry.

As a result paracetamol prices inIndia, have shot up to 150 rupees perkg from Rs140 in just two months.Ciprofloxacin prices, too, have surgedabruptly, up to Rs1,300 per kg asagainst the normal market range ofRs900-1,000 per kg. Also fueling theincrease has been a rise in the price ofcrude oil and chemicals

“The whole industry depends onthe supply from China. When pricesgo up there, it has a cascading affecton the Indian industry. With pricesrising there, it hardly takes a day tosee a similar rise in the Indian indus-try. But when prices go down there,it takes months for prices to see a fallin the domestic markets,” explained

Kiran Waghela, owner of ChamundaPharma, a leading Mumbai-basedbroker, which has figured in numer-ous bulk drug and pharmaceuticaltrades and other related dealingsbetween Indian and Chinese traders.

“Chinese traders are currently notinterested in supplying to India, asthey now want to supply to thecountry’s domestic industry first. Thegovernment, too, has put emphasison the domestic industry. Further,the traders there want to cash in onthe emerging opportunity withoutany risks,” Waghela added.

India’s pharmaceutical industry usu-ally faces a slack period in the winterseason, from December to February, inwhich demand is generally less fromthe urban as well as the rural India.However, this year, the downturn isexpected to worsen, as diarrhea andother diseases have spread in manyregions due to massive floods, thus cre-ating a huge demand for medicines.

Low Chinese Imports Hit India’s Drug Makers

by John D . Thompson , Ed i tor

James C. Greenwood, President andCEO of the Biotechnology IndustryOrganization, said in a statement thathe was “dismayed that biomedicalresearch has taken a backseat to thepressure tactics of animal rightsextremists.” Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environmentand Public Works Committee, wrote ina letter to the exchange that “it seemsto me unimaginable that this country’sworldwide symbol of the integrity ofthe capital markets, the NYSE, wouldcapitulate to threats, or even the merethreat of threats, from a single issueextremist group.”

Animal rights groups, meanwhile,have trumpeted the delay as a victory.According to The Scientist, Camille Han-kins, of Animal Liberation and WinAnimal Rights (WAR), said “Brian Cassmay be on Wall Street for the day, butWAR will be there every day after that.”

NCI Selects InforSenseTechnology

Integrative analytics specialist InforS-ense recently announced the selectionof its InforSense KDE platform by theNational Cancer Institute (NCI) for usein high-throughput genetic data analy-sis. NCI researchers at the Gaithersburg,Maryland-based Core GenotypingFacility (CGF) will use KDE for rapidapplication development.

According to Dr. Meredith Yeager,CGF Scientific Director, the InforSenseplatform will provide the functionality,flexibility, and scalability the CGFneeds to support its research anddevelop compatible applications for itsCancer Biomedical Informatics Grid(CABIG) initiative.


years. These cells save over two hourscompared to traditional transforma-tion methods, while exceeding effi-ciency claims of establishedcompetitors. It’s truly a revolution in abasic molecular biology technique.The customer simply thaws the cells,adds DNA, mixes and plates immedi-ately. The cells have proved so effi-cient, fast and economical manyresearchers don’t bother with thetedious and low efficiency preparationand use of DIY competent cells any-more and can focus on more impor-tant details.”

With RBC, UBI has a broad range ofmolecular biology kits available includ-ing competent cells, DNA and RNAextraction, plasmid isolation, nucleicacid cleanup, cloning systems, poly-merases, ladders, and proteomics.

Established in 2001, UBI distributesBioinformatic Software, LaboratoryInformation Management Systems(LIMS), Molecular Biology Kits, and Pro-teomics (products and services). RealBiotech Corporation is an internationallife science company with headquartersin Taipei, Taiwan and research partnerslocated in Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

United Bioinformatica Inc. (UBI) hasreached an agreement with RealBiotech Corporation (RBC) to markettheir molecular biology kits in Canada.UBI’s kits are priced 25% or morebelow competitors prices, reportedlydue to its use of post graduates andpost docs in Canadian academic labsto provide marketing and support tothe labs that use its products.

Fionn Quinlan, International SalesManager at RBC, explained, “A combi-nation of proprietary technologiesinvolved in HIT cells have been devel-oped in our labs over the last two

U BI to Marke t Real Biotech’s H IT Competent Cells in Canada

Novart is, Alnylam All iance to Focus on R NAi Therapeut ics Novartis and Alnylam Pharmaceuti-

cals, Inc. have announced a majormulti-year alliance focused on the dis-covery of innovative therapeuticsbased on RNA interference (RNAi). Thealliance will combine the researchexpertise and understanding of diseasemechanism and pathway biology ofNovartis with Alnylam’s leading posi-tion in the field of RNAi.

“This collaboration underscoresNovartis’ commitment to forgingstrategic alliances with partners at theforefront of scientific discovery. RNAiholds great promise as a new therapeu-tic modality for treating many diseases.In particular, this exciting new area ofbiology has potential to target diseasesthat cannot be addressed by traditionalapproaches. This collaboration comple-ments our robust small molecule andantibody-based research programs andwill advance our efforts to developinnovative medicines for patients,” saidMark Fishman, President of the Novar-tis Institutes for BioMedical Research.

Novartis and Alnylam will form a Sci-entific Strategy and Advisory Group toreview the overall strategy for the rele-vant science and clinical applications ofthe collaboration. Chairing the groupwill be Dr. Fishman and Alnylam founderand director Phillip A. Sharp, InstituteProfessor of MIT and 1993 Nobel Laure-ate in Physiology or Medicine.

The agreement has an initial three-yearterm that may be extended for two addi-tional one-year periods. If the collabora-

tion is successful and multiple productsare developed and commercialized, col-lective payments to Alnylam couldexceed $700 million, not including royal-ties. Alnylam retains the rights to developits own proprietary pipeline of RNAi ther-apeutics, including its respiratory syncy-tial virus (RSV) program and otherunpartnered and partnered programs,while Novartis will have a right of firstoffer, subject to prior agreements, shouldAlnylam seek additional partnerships.

GlaxoSmithKline says it willincrease its ability to supply vaccine tothe American market through itsacquisition of new R&D and manufac-turing operations in Marietta, Pennsyl-vania. Previously owned by Wyeth,the 90-acre site will be used to helpdevelop next-generation seasonal andpandemic flu vaccines by focusing onnovel tissue culture technologies.According to GSK CEO J. P. Garnier,

the new technology will complementthe company’s current efforts in egg-based vaccine manufacture.

The move is the latest in the vac-cine market for GSK, which doubledcapacity at its Dresden, Germany,vaccine manufacturing facility inJune and purchased vaccine-special-ist Corixa in July. Terms of the Mari-etta acquisition were unavailable, butGSK employs 270 people at the site.

New Site Wil l Help GS K Boost Vaccine Product ion

B I O T E C H B U S I N E S S N E W S


2005 Congress Expanding Proteomics: New Directionsin Biology, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences andMedicine

December 5-7 • Zurich, SwitzerlandFor information contact: Email: [email protected]; Ph: +41 21 802 1163Website: http://sps05.swissproteomicsociety.org/qsPortal/Home.asp

Cambridge Healthtech InstituteSixth Annual Metabolic Profiling

December 7–8 • Wyndham Palace Resort and SpaContact: Pete DeOlympioPh: 617-630-1359, Email: [email protected]: www.healthtech.com/2005/gfp/index.asp

3rd Cachexia Conference

December 8-10 • RomeFor information contact:Website: www.nataonline.com/LMS-Group/events/2/index.ph

American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting

December 12–14 • San FranciscoContact: John Fleischman; Ph: 301-347-9300Email: [email protected]; Website: www.ascb.org

Non-VesicularIntracellular Traffic

December 15-16 • Goodenough College, London, UKContact: Meetings Office, Biochemical Society, 3rd Floor, EagleHouse, 16 Procter Street, London, WC1V 6NXEmail: [email protected]:www.biochemistry.org/meetings/focused.htm

Pacifichem 2005

December 15-20 • Honolulu, HIFor information contact: Website:www.pacifichem.org/Email: [email protected]

J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 6

Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing

January 3-7 • Wailea, MauiFor information contact: http://psb.stanford.edu/Email: [email protected]; Phone: (650)725-0659

Building Bridges, Forging Bonds for 21st CenturyOrganic Chemistry and Chemical Biology

January 7-9 • Pune, IndiaTel.: 202-872-4523; Email: [email protected]: http://www.ncl-india.org/occb2006/index.htm

N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 5

International Workshop on Biosensors for Food Safetyand Environmental Monitoring

November 10-12 • Agadir, MoroccoContact: Université Hassan II-Mohammedia, Faculté desSciences et Techniques, B.P. 146, Mohammedia, Morocco Email [email protected]: www.univh2m.ac.ma/biosensors

BioConferences International 6th European Biotechnology Symposium

November 13–15 • Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel,CopenhagenContacts: Aimee Burt; 800-524-6266; [email protected] Rivera; 800-524-6266; [email protected]: www.bioconference.com/ebs/

Cambridge Healthtech InstituteSecond Annual Fluorescent Proteins in DrugDevelopment

November 14–15 • Hyatt Regency La Jolla, CaliforniaContact: Pete DeOlympioPh: 617-630-1359, Email: [email protected]: www.healthtech.com/2005/gfp/index.asp

Third Annual World Congress on the Insulin ResistanceSyndrome Clinical manifestations of the InsulinResistance Syndrome - Metabolic Syndrome X

November 17-19 • Palace Hotel, San FranciscoFor information on registration, abstracts submission, accom-modations and exhibits: Ph: 818-342-1889; Fax: 818-342-1538Email: [email protected] : www.insulinresistance.us

D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 5

Xth PABMB Congress: Panamerican Association forBiochemistry and Molecular Biology

December 3-6 • Hotel del Bosque, Pinamar, Province ofBuenos Aires, ArgentinaFor more information contact:SAIB President. Ernesto Podestá: [email protected] Secretary Carlos Argaraña: [email protected], orPABMB Chairman Juan José Cazzulo: [email protected]: http://www.saib.org.ar

C a l e n d a r o f S c i e n t i f i c M e e t i n g s

M A R C H 2 0 0 6

Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on NewAntibacterial Discovery & Development

March 5-10 • Ventura Beach Marriott, Ventura, CaliforniaFor Information: Email:[email protected]: www.grc.org/programs/2006/antibact.htm

RNAi2006: Advances in RNA Interference Research

March 22-23 • St. Anne’s College, Oxford, UKConference Organizer: Muhammad SohailBiochemistry Department, University of OxfordTel: +44 1865 275225; Fax: +44 1865 275259Email: [email protected]: http://libpubmedia.co.uk/Conferences/RNAi2006HomeMay2005.htm

American Chemical Society 231st National Meeting

March 26 – 30 • AtlantaContact: Charmayne Marsh; Ph: 202-872-4445Email: [email protected]; Website: www.acs.org/meetings

Biochemical Society Annual Symposium The Cell Biologyof Inositol Lipids and Phosphates

March 29-31 • University of Birmingham, UKOrganizer: Michael Wakelam, University of BirminghamEarly registration deadline: February 28, 2006 For more information: www.biochemistry.org/meetings

A P R I L 2 0 0 6

American Society for Biochemistry and MolecularBiology Centennial Meeting in Conjunction withExperimental Biology 2006

April 1–5 • San FranciscoFor information contact: www.asbmb.org/meetingsEmail: [email protected]: 301-634-7145; Website: www.asbmb.org/meetings

RECOMB 2006 - The Tenth Annual InternationalConference on Research in Computational MolecularBiology

April 2-5 • Venice, ItalyFor information contact:Email: [email protected]: +39 0415238995; Website: http://recomb06.dei.unipd.it/

47th ENC Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

April 23-28 • Asilomar Conference Ctr., Pacific Grove, CAContact: ENC, 2019 Galisteo Street, Building I-1Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505; Ph: 505-89-4573Fx: 505-989-1073; Email: [email protected] page: http://www.enc-conference.org

Gordon Research Conference on Biology Of Aging

January 29 - February 3 • Ventura, CAChairs: Monica Driscoll, [email protected] J McCarter, [email protected] more information: www.grc.uri.edu/06sched.htm

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 6

The 11th Annual Proteomics Symposium

February 3-5 • Erskine on the Beach, Lorne, AustraliaEmail: [email protected] www.australasianproteomics.org.au/lorne.htm

The 31st Lorne Conference on Protein Structure andFunction

February 5-9 • Erskine on the Beach, Lorne, Australiaemail: [email protected]; www.lorneproteins.org/

Third International Conference on Ubiquitin,Ubiquitin-like Proteins, and Cancer

February 9-11 • The University of Texas M. D. AndersonCancer Center, Houston, Texas This meeting will celebrate the Nobel Prize awarded to AvramHershko, Aaron Ciechanover, and Irwin Rose for their discov-ery of the ubiquitin pathway and the 10th anniversary of thediscovery of SUMO/Sentrin and NEDD8Application and Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday,November 11, 2005; For information contact: Amy HeatonProgram Manager, Department Of CardiologyUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer CenterTel: 713-745-6826; Fax: 713-745-1942 Website: www.sentrin.org

ABRF 2006—Integrating Science, Tools andTechnologies with Systems Biology

February 11-14 • Long Beach, CaliforniaFor Information: www.faseb.org/meetings/abrf2006

G Protein- Coupled Receptors: Evolving Concepts andNew Techniques

February 12-16 • Keystone, ColoradoFor information contact:Ph.: 800-253-0685 / 970-262-1230Email: [email protected]://www.keystonesymposia.org/Meetings/ViewMeetings.cfm?MeetingID=807

Join us for the ASBMB/JBC CentennialCelebration to honor a century of achievementsand contributions of The American Society forBiochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)and The Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC). This grand event will be held next year at the ASBMB 2006 Annual Meeting (April 1-5, 2006, San Francisco, CA, inconjunction with Experimental Biology 2006).

k Special publications which tell the history of ASBMBand The JBC. A collection of Classics, Reflections,scientific landmarks, and the many contributions toscience that have been made by ASBMB members.

k Lectures and commentary by scientific luminaries.

k Displays and demonstrations of both historicinstruments and current state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Join us in 2006 for this special ASBMB/JBCcentennial celebration!

Celebrate the past &l o o k t o t h e f u t u r e

Documents

ASBMB Staffer Involved in Katrina Relief · 23 ‘Dimmer Switch’ for Genes 24 DNA Structure and Genomics Rearrangements 25 SACNAS Honors Phillip Ortiz 26 New Technique for Creating