Photoacoustics used to detect metastatic melanomaA recent publication in Optic Letters by MU scientists has generated quite a buzz in the national and international media. Read about the science. At left are two of the paper's authors, John Viator, assistant professor of biological engineering, and Paul Dale, associate professor of clinical surgery, just prior to a CNN video shoot for the "Welcome to the Future" program. The segment will air on CNN the week of November 20.
NSF Grant Focuses on Providing Better Opportunities to Women Faculty at MU
MU has received nearly $500,000 from the National Science Foundation to conduct a three-year study aimed at developing a more diverse workforce through the advancement of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The study will be led by Jackie Litt, associate professor of sociology and director of the Women and Gender Studies Program at MU. Read more...
MU Interdisciplinary Center on Aging Receives Award
The Board of Trustees of the John A. Hartford Foundation and RAND, recently announced that the MU Interdisciplinary Center on Aging is one of seven institutions nationwide to be awarded a two-year $200,000 grant for the development of a new center focused on improving the health of older adults through innovative, interdisciplinary research.
South African herb appears to increase fertility in heat-stressed male lab mice, MU work shows
An herb used by South African natives to ease heat stress has increased fertility in male lab mice subjected to heat stress treatments-a finding that may help the nation's livestock industry, according to Bill Lamberson, MU professor of animal sciences. Read more...
MU Study Identifies Enzyme Responsible for Brain Deterioration in Alzheimer's Patients
MU researchers James Lee, assistant professor of biological engineering, and Grace Sun, professor of biochemistry and pathology and anatomical sciences, hope their findings will lead to a medical breakthrough. Read more...
More new publications and grants...
N
ick Kalaitzandonakes appointed as Interim Director, MU Life Sciences & Society ProgramDr. Kalaitzandonakes is MSMC Endowed Professor of Agribusiness in the Agribusiness Research Institute, as well as Director of the Economics and Management of Agrobiotechnology Center at MU. His research, teaching and outreach focus on the economics and policy of agrifood biotechnology and other agribusiness innovations. Dr. Kalaitzandonakes worked closely with former LSS director Leonie Marks, and will ensure that the activities of the program, particularly the March 2007 Symposium, continue as the search for a permanent director moves forward.
McQuinn Atrium in the Bond LSC will have a stunning new addition in the coming months. Al and Mary Agnes McQuinn, who gave generously to the Life Sciences Center during construction, have now funded a hanging sculpture titled "Joy of Discovery" which will be installed in the atrium in the spring of 2007. Artist and architect Ken vonRoenn of Louisville, KY was chosen through a competitive process to design and create the artwork. Read more...
New instruments coming to the EM Core
The University of Missouri has been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health to enable the Electron Microscopy Core to purchase a new transmission electron microscope (TEM). The new microscope will be equipped with a high resolution digital camera eliminating the need for film which will significantly reduce the cost of TEM to Core clients. It will be capable of electronic image rotation for orienting specimens in the field of view and tomography for constructing 3-dimensional images of thick samples, and with accessories, and of being operated remotely. This capability could be added in the future if there is demand for it from clients. We anticipate installation of the new instrument by June 2007.
We have also received NSF funding to purchase a multi-functional scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Shubhra Gangopadhyay of the College of Engineering led the effort to obtain the NSF funds, which were matched by contributions from many participating units on campus. The new instrument will expand the types of SEM applications available to users. It will be capable of operating under conditions that allow viewing of uncoated specimens at close to atmospheric pressures. Thus, for example, live plant and animal specimens can be viewed and monitored at high magnifications. The instrument will also be capable of performing electron beam lithography, enabling users to etch patterns on biological or materials specimens. The new instrument will complement but not replace the current Core SEM. Installation is anticipated by July 2007.
Associate Director sought for Molecular Cytology Core
The Molecular Cytology Core is looking for an Associate Director for its campus-wide light microscopy imaging facility. Applicants should have experience in widefield and confocal microscopy, image processing/analysis and immunocytochemistry. The AD will be responsible for training users, maintaining instruments and developing protocols for a campus-wide multi-user facility. PhD desirable but not required for individuals with extensive experience. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Experience in a multi-user core facility would be viewed positively. Electron microscopy is not a component of this core facility. Women and minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appropriate candidate is hired. This is a full-time, benefit eligible position. Opportunities for professional development will be encouraged. Address applications (CV and 3 letters of reference) or inquires to: Thomas E. Phillips, PhD, Division of Biological Sciences, 2 Tucker Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211-7400 (PhillipsT@missouri.edu; 573-882-4712).
Cell & Immunobiology Core Facility offers a variety of services:
Our tissue culture lab offers acquisition, storage, and maintenance of your cell lines. We also perform B-cell fusions, making hybridoma monoclonal antibodies to proteins, including synthetic peptides. The Reagent Supply Center offers Invitrogen/Gibco, Bio-Rad and Hyclone products at a substantial savings! And our Flow Cytometry Core can offer simple 1 laser/3 color analysis to 10 parameter/8 color high-speed cell sorting with our three state-of-the-art instruments. Please visit our website at www.biotech.missouri.edu/cic or call (573) 884-7315 for more information.
April 16-20, 2007
Missouri Life Sciences Week
Major speakers for this annual event will include John Doebley (UW-Madison), John Allman (CalTech), Alan Cooper (U. of Adelaide), and Virginia Valian (Hunter College/CUNY). The week will also feature MU's largest science poster session with 300+ posters, workshops, SPARC, vendor show, core facilites exhibits, and an auction of lab equipment and supplies (mostly new, plus a few demo models) donated by our scientific vendors.
Fall Saturday Morning Science schedule
Departmental/Divisional Seminar Series Links
Biochemistry Bond Life Sciences Center Series Interdisciplinary Plant Group Molecular Microbiology & Immunology Plant Sciences Saturday Morning ScienceSubmit events for inclusion on the calendar
With support from the NIH EXPRESS grant, the Louis Stokes MoAMP grant, and funds from the MU Monsanto Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 20 MU undergraduates attended the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) November 8-11 with Dr. Linda Blockus, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. This is the largest group of undergraduates from MU to attend this national conference which attracts nearly 2000 minority students from around the country to hear scientific speakers, attend poster sessions, and talk with graduate recruiters. Eight MU students presented their own research to attendees: Ashley Acevedo (MU Mentor: Bill Folk, biochemistry), Aminata Coulibaly (Agnes Simonyi, biochemistry), Louis Jamtgaard (Vladislav Glinskii, biochemistry), Abraham Leuth and Njabulo Ngwenyama (both with Shuqun Zhang, biochemistry), Lauren Lewis (Charles Brown, biomedical sciences), Dante' Smith (Elizabeth Rogers, plant sciences), and Catherine Stricklin (Linda Bullock, nursing).
Olga Baker from the Gary Weisman lab received the “Most Outstanding Faculty-Translational/ Clinical Research Poster Award” on the Oral and Craniofacial Biology Symposium hosted by the UMKC School of Dentistry in celebration of its 125th Anniversary. The meeting was held in Kansas City Marriot Downtown hotel (Kansas City, Missouri) on October 9-10 2006. Danny Rome (former undergrad from the Weisman lab now at the UMKC Dental School) received the “Most Outstanding Student Biology Research Research Poster Award” at the same meeting.
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Inside Life Sciences at MU published monthly
This newsletter is a service provided by the Bond Life Sciences Center as a source of information for the MU life sciences community. Please help us keep it relevant and interesting by sending news, announcements, and suggestions for future issues. We welcome news from the core research facilities, research and service centers, academic departments, divisions, schools, colleges, and individual investigators/research teams.
Questions or suggestions? Contact Ginny Booker at 882-4544 or gbooker@missouri.edu.
Copyright © 2006 Curators of the University of Missouri
Published by the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center
Published by the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center
