Pipettes and Politics

In conversation with... Sannie Culbertson by ASBMB

In conversation with... Chris Heinen by ASBMB

The first growth factors identified and studied during the early 1970s were Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). It was soon demonstrated that EGF and NGF mediate their cellular and physiological effects by binding to specific cell membrane receptors: the EGF receptor (EGFR) and the NGF receptor (NGFR), respectively. The mechanisms of activation and signaling of these receptors were compared to those of insulin and IGF1, which bind and activate the Insulin Receptor (IR) and IGF1 Receptor (IGF1R). These comparisons gained further significance with the discovery that EGFR, NGFR, IR, IGF1R, and many other membrane receptors belong to the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family of cell signaling molecules. Early insights into the activation and signaling mechanisms of EGFR revealed that ligand binding to its extracellular domain induces and stabilizes the formation of EGFR dimers. This dimerization plays a critical role in activating the receptor's intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Through an intermolecular process, this activation leads to the autophosphorylation of multiple tyrosine residues in the C-terminal tail of EGFR. The cytoplasmic domain of EGFR serves not only as an enzyme that phosphorylates various substrates but also as a scaffold that recruits and regulates multiple signaling proteins through complex formation. While different ligands induce RTK dimerization and activation through variations on a shared theme, this paradigm is universal among all RTKs and is similarly observed in the activation of other surface receptors. Further important discoveries regarding the mode of action of EGFR and other RTKs made during the 1970s and 1980s include the following: Signaling Modules: Molecules containing SH2, SH3, and other small protein modules were found to play key roles in mediating cellular activities downstream of RTKs and many other signaling molecules. Ligand-Dependent Endocytosis: Ligand binding to the extracellular domain of RTKs stimulates receptor-mediated endocytosis and intracellular trafficking ,which are essential for proper signal transduction. Oncogenic Mutations: A variety of gain-of-function oncogenic mutations were identified in EGFR and other RTKs. These mutations were shown to be critical drivers of many human cancers. These early discoveries, along with others made during the 1980s, laid the conceptual groundwork for the development of targeted therapies. They paved the way for the discovery and clinical application of more than 50 targeted small-molecule cancer drugs and therapeutic antibodies, which have significantly improved patient outcomes in oncology.

The joy of teaching lies not only in helping students surpass their own expectations but in the collaborative process that makes learning a shared journey. In my approach, fostering a love for science and learning happens through meaningful collaboration—with students, colleagues, and the broader academic community. I believe that when we embrace collaboration, we empower students to actively engage with material, rediscover their scientific curiosity, and take ownership of their learning. By creating discussion-based classrooms and utilizing evidence-based pedagogies, I work alongside students to foster inquiry and critical thinking, helping them develop the skills to ask insightful questions and seek meaningful answers. Incorporating my own research into the classroom enriches this process, bringing real-world insights and cutting-edge developments into our discussions. This not only keeps students connected to the latest in the field but also demonstrates the dynamic relationship between teaching and research. Collaboration with peers further enhances my teaching by enabling me to share ideas, refine methods, and experiment with new approaches. While challenges such as administrative pressures and discipline-specific cultures can pose obstacles, our commitment to supporting one another's growth—through both successes and setbacks—strengthens the teaching community as a whole. This collaborative mindset not only enhances student engagement and critical thinking but also fosters a deeper love for the work we do and a shared passion for teaching and learning that transforms the classroom experience. A good teacher, by necessity, is also a good researcher—constantly questioning, experimenting, and refining their approach to foster an environment of collaborative inquiry and growth.

The study of DNA damage has broad relevance to human pathophysiology with its involvement in birth defects, cancer, premature aging syndromes, and certain neurologic disorders. Single strand breaks (SSBs) are among the most common form of endogenous DNA damage. Here we will describe mechanisms by which SSBs threaten genome integrity in mitotic and post-mitotic cells. If they are not resolved in a timely manner, SSBs can derail passing replication forks converting them to toxic double strand breaks (DSBs). These so called “collapsed forks” arise spontaneously in every S phase and are believed to be the primary physiological trigger of homologous recombination. We will describe a recent study using the CRISPR/Cas9 nicking enzymes to examine the interaction of the human replication machinery with SSBs. We combine direct analyses of DNA end structures at sites of DNA nick-induced fork collapse with detailed mapping of repair factor binding to establish a comprehensive high-resolution view of how replication-coupled DSBs are generated, processed, and repaired. Our recent studies have also identified unexpected high levels of single strand breakage in neurons, which arise during metabolic processes intrinsic to neuronal development, differentiation, and maintenance. The source of this “programmed” DNA breakage in neurons will be described, and how this physiological process can be corrupted to drive neurodegenerative diseases and neurotoxicity after chemotherapy. Through these basic research efforts, we hope to identify vulnerabilities specific to cancer cells and to discover mechanisms underpinning chemotherapy-induced neurotoxities, which may contribute to new preventive and treatment strategies.

Science is not performed in a vacuum, and scientists do not make strides without other who have helped them along the way. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have had many mentors who have been instrumental in my scientific journey. Now with a career in academia, I have worked hard to improve academia for scientists at all levels, especially those that have been historically marginalized. I will discuss my scientific career path through the lens of all the people that have supported, encouraged and inspired me throughout the years.

A multitude of hydrophobic lipids are present within the cell. Their distribution between the aqueous milieu of the cytosol and amphipathic membranes, and between different organellar membranes, is remarkably variant. In addition to their direct involvement as substrates and intermediates for energy storage and utilization, lipids play key roles in determining membrane physical-chemical properties as well as in regulating gene expression and intracellular signal transduction pathways. Intracellular lipid-binding proteins (LBPs) are thought to participate in establishing and maintaining the spatial and compositional variabilities in membrane structure and in regulating the activities of lipid involvement in metabolism, cell signaling, and gene regulation. Discerning their precise functions at the molecular level, however, has posed challenges. While in vitro studies establish binding affinities and specificities, and structural determinants of lipid binding and LBP-membrane interactions, intracellular activities and physiological functions are less amenable to reductionist methodologies. The LBP field has therefore used a combination of biochemical, biophysical, molecular genetic, and physiological approaches to undertake analysis of the specific functions of these proteins. This talk will focus on studies of two types of LBPs, the large multigene family of Fatty Acid Binding Proteins (FABPs) which present with distinct and overlapping tissue distributions, and the cholesterol-binding protein Niemann Pick C2 (NPC2), expressed in the endolysosomal compartment in all tissues. Initially named according to the first tissue in which they were identified, it is now known that the mammalian FABP family is comprised of a dozen separate gene products with unique and intersecting tissue expression patterns. All bind long chain fatty acids, thus we asked why so many different proteins had evolved, and why multiple FABPs may be expressed in a single cell type. We demonstrated that, despite similar tertiary structures and equilibrium binding properties, different members of the FABP family have dramatically different mechanisms of ligand transport to membranes and have identified the protein structural domains responsible for these differences, and the membrane properties that promote FABP-membrane interactions. Studies of mice null for different FABPs, particularly those that are co-expressed in the small intestine, have further revealed the unique functions of these proteins in fatty acid and endocannabinoid uptake and transport. Indeed, the effects of FABPs are evident not only in their tissues of origin, but also in their regulation of peripheral tissues and systemic metabolism. The cholesterol-binding NPC2 protein, unlike the FABPs, is expressed in all tissues. We demonstrated its role in intracellular cholesterol transport, and its functional and specific interaction with the unique lysosomal phospholipid lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA; also known as bismonoacylglycerol phosphate or BMP). We have further shown that enrichment of NPC1-deficient cells with LBPA via its metabolic precursor phosphatidylglycerol, leads to sterol redistribution and clearance via exosome biogenesis and the stimulation of autophagy. Thus, cellular cholesterol reduction using LBPA enrichment is being explored as a new therapeutic approach to the neurodegenerative storage disorder, Niemann Pick C.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the fastest-growing etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This work identifies novel gene and lipid associations in human MASLD-driven HCC that may be exploited for therapeutic benefit. Methods: Human HCC tumor (n=8) and adjacent non-tumor samples (n=8) were obtained from the Biospecimen Procurement and Translational Pathology Shared Resource Facility at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. All patients met cardiometabolic MASLD criteria and were negative for viral hepatitis. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used for pathological determination of tumor and adjacent nontumor tissue. Lipids were extracted using a methyl-tert-butyl ether extraction method and subjected to lipidomics by the West Coast Metabolomics Center. RNA was isolated and used for bulk sequencing. Data were analyzed using paired nonparametric analyses via a Wilcoxon or Mann-Whitney test, as appropriate. Results: Histological analysis by H&E showed significant lipid vacuole accumulation in HCC tumors relative to nontumor tissue. Lipidomic analysis revealed significant increases in long-chain nonesterified monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs; C16:1, C18:1, C20:1) and MUFA-enriched phospholipids (PC30:1, PC32:1, PE32:1, and PC36:1) in tumors relative to nontumor tissue. No significant differences were observed in nonesterified polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; C18:2, C20:4, and C22:6), PUFA-enriched phospholipids (C36:4, C38:4, C38:6, C40:6), or in fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs; C38:2, C38:4, C38:6). However, both MUFA- (C14:1, C18:1) and PUFA-enriched acylcarnitines (C18:2, C18:3) were collectively reduced in human tumors. Differential analysis of RNA sequencing revealed fatty acid oxidation genes (CPT1A, CPT2, ACADL, ACADM, ACADS, HADHA) were significantly reduced in tumor versus nontumor tissue. Further, genes involved in de novo lipogenesis were largely dysregulated (e.g. no differences in SREBF1 or FASN; increases in ACLY, ACACA, and SCD1; decreases in ACSL1) in tumor versus nontumor tissue. Conclusions: These results suggest human HCC tumors exhibit a reduced capacity to undergo mitochondrial β-oxidation resulting in accumulation of free and esterified MUFAs with concomitant reductions in MUFA-carnitines. Current studies are underway to determine the mechanisms by which impairment of hepatic MUFA catabolism via FAO promotes the development of HCC in mice.

Keynote presented by Rohit V. Pappu, Washington University in St. Louis, recipient of the 2025 ASBMB DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences. The ASBMB DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences is given to a scientist for accessible and innovative developments or applications of computation to enhance research in the life sciences at the molecular or cellular level.

My laboratory has made major contributions to our understanding of non-canonical functions for protein kinases by discovering diverse and unanticipated biochemical activities that are performed by this protein superfamily. Protein kinases have been studied for decades and play important roles in many physiological and pathological processes. The textbook view is that these enzymes transfer phosphate from ATP to protein substrates in a process termed phosphorylation. However, my laboratory has overturned this paradigm by discovering new catalytic activities of atypical protein kinases and pseudokinases. For example, we discovered that the predicted pseduokinases SelO, SidJ and nsp12 catalyze AMPylation, polyglutamylation and mRNA capping, respectively. These results have revealed important new insights into the cellular response to oxidative stress and the pathogenic mechanisms employed by bacterial and viral pathogens. Our work on eukaryotic, prokaryotic, and viral kinases has exposed the catalytic versatility of the protein kinase fold and suggests that pseudoenzymes should be analyzed for alternative catalytic activities. In this lecture, I will present our recent discovery of kinases responsible for isoprenoid salvage.

Success in poker requires taking risks based on incomplete information, reassessing as new information emerges, perseverance in the face of adversity, and a healthy dose of luck. The same is true in scientific research. I will speak to how persistence and serendipity helped define my career and why understanding poker fundamentals can up your scientific game.

The rationale, design, and mechanism of GABA aminotransferase and ornithine aminotransferase inactivators will be presented as well as in vitro and in vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetic results, toxicology studies, and a clinical trial with one of the inactivators.

In conversation with... Lou Stancato by ASBMB

In conversation with... Cindy Khuu by ASBMB

In conversation with... Nisha Cavanaugh by ASBMB

In conversation with... Shy Brown by ASBMB

Introduction to In conversation with... by ASBMB

In conversation with... Tom Kiselak by ASBMB

The Alice and C.C. Wang Award in Molecular Parasitology recognizes established investigators who are making seminal contributions to the field of molecular parasitology. David S. Roos is a professor of biology at the University of Pennsylvania. His laboratory studies the biochemistry, cell biology, molecular genetics, genomics and evolutionary biology of protozoan parasites and host–pathogen interactions, with special interest in Toxoplasma, a prominent opportunistic infection associated with immunodeficient states, and Plasmodium, which causes malaria. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

The Walter A. Shaw Young Investigator Award in Lipid Research recognizes outstanding research contributions in the area of lipids by a young investigator. Judith Simcox is an assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her lab studies plasma lipids that regulate metabolic disease and explores how these lipids function using lipidomics, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology techniques. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

*The award lecture and its accompanying slides are also available to watch here: https://youtu.be/AmP_8FG0dDU. The Earl and Thressa Stadtman Distinguished Scientist Award is awarded to a distinguished scientist for their outstanding achievement in basic research in the fields encompassed by the ASBMB. Bruce Stillman is president and chief executive officer of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Stillman's lab studies the process by which DNA is copied within cells before they divide. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

The Avanti Award in Lipids recognizes outstanding research contributions in the area of lipids. Tamás Balla is a senior investigator at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. He leads the Section on Molecular Signal Transduction, which studies the spatial and temporal organization of cellular membrane lipid composition that serves as platforms for intracellular signals that mediate the actions of cell surface receptors. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

*The award lecture and its accompanying slides are also available to watch here: https://youtu.be/h8-_Kyqyoq0. The ASBMB William C. Rose Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education recognizes an individual who demonstrates an exceptional contribution to the teaching of biochemistry and molecular biology. Peter J. Kennelly is a professor at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he also serves as interim head of the biochemistry department. Kennelly earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1985 and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Washington School of Medicine with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

*The award lecture and its accompanying slides are also available to watch here: https://youtu.be/XmjU5aXYtjU. The Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award honors an outstanding scientist who has shown a sustained commitment to breaking down local and/or systemic barriers against scientists and students from historically marginalized or excluded groups. Shana Stoddard is an associate professor of chemistry, the founding director for the STEM Cohort Mentoring Program, and in 2021 was the inaugural director for student mentoring at Rhodes College. Stoddard's lab, which hosts about 10 undergraduates each year, does protein structure modeling and analysis, structural biology and drug design. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

The ASBMB Mildred Cohn Young Investigator Award recognizes outstanding research contributions to biochemistry and molecular biology. Nozomi Ando is an associate professor at Cornell University's chemistry and chemical biology department. Her lab works on new structural biology methods, such as diffuse scattering analysis of X-ray diffraction images of protein crystals to obtain information about movement within proteins. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

*The award lecture and its accompanying slides are also available to watch here: https://youtu.be/-SEHPd6UwCE. The DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences is given to a scientist for the most accessible and innovative development or application of computer technology to enhance research in the life sciences at the molecular level. Ruppin is a computational biologist and chief of the Cancer and Data Science Laboratory in the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute. His lab develops computational approaches for the integration of multiomics data to understand better the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer. Ruppin won the 2023 DeLano award and presented his lecture at the 2024 annual meeting in San Antonio. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/062122/2023-award-winners.

*The award lecture and its accompanying slides are also available to watch here: https://youtu.be/fM6aPNO8MxY. The Herbert Tabor Research Award is given for outstanding, innovative accomplishments in biological chemistry and molecular biology and contributions to the community of scientists. Margaret Phillips is chair of the biochemistry department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where her research focuses on metabolism in protozoan parasites. Her lab studies essential enzymes controlling pyrimidine biosynthesis in the parasite that causes malaria and polyamine synthesis in the trypanosome that causes sleeping sickness. Her lab has used structural-guided drug design to optimize and develop pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors with potential to become antimalarial drugs. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

*The award lecture and its accompanying slides are also available to watch here: https://youtu.be/brIHwjoGqRc. The Bert & Natalie Vallee Award in Biomedical Science is awarded to an established scientist for outstanding accomplishments in basic biomedical research. Hao Wu is a professor at Harvard Medical School. Wu's lab uses cryo-electron microscopy and other biophysical methods to understand molecular complexes involved in innate immunity, including signalosomes and pore-forming complexes like gasdermin D. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/081623/asbmb-names-2024-award-winners.

The ASBMB Sustained Leadership Award recognizes individuals with a strong commitment to advancing the careers of women in biochemistry and molecular biology along with demonstrated excellence in research and/or service. Learn more: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/opinions/050924/learning-to-listen.

John Boothroyd, a professor and administrator at Stanford University, won the 2022 Alice and C. C. Wang Award in Molecular Parasitology, which recognizes established investigators who are making seminal contributions to the field of molecular parasitology. Boothroyd leads a lab that studies the pathogenesis of parasitic infections, in particular Toxoplasma gondii. He presented his award lecture, "How one eukaryote invades and co-opts the cells of another: The story of the truly audacious Toxoplasma gondii" on Monday, April 4, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about his work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/122421/boothroyd-honored-for-toxoplasma-gondii-research.

Tatyana Sharpee, a professor and chair at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, won the 2022 DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences, which recognizes the most accessible and innovative development or application of computer technology to enhance research in the life sciences at the molecular level. Sharpee's lab studies how the brain and other biological systems work while their components are developing and aging. Her team uses information theory to quantify the activity of neurons. She presented her award lecture, "Hyperbolic geometry in biological systems," on Monday, April 4, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about her work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/120821/sharpee-sees-many-ways-of-looking-at-a-tree.

Susan S. Taylor, a distinguished professor at the University of California, San Diego, won the 2022 Herbert Tabor Research Award, which is given for excellence in biological chemistry and molecular biology and contributions to the community of scientists. Taylor has done pioneering structural studies of protein kinase A, revealing fundamental themes for all protein kinases. She presented her award lecture, "My journey with cAMP-dependent protein kinase," on Sunday, April 3, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about her work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/122321/taylor-s-career-began-as-a-med-school-detour.

Tracy Johnson, dean of life sciences and a professor at UCLA and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute professor, won the 2022 Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award, which the ASBMB Minority Affairs Committee gives to an outstanding scientist who has shown a strong commitment to the encouragement of underrepresented minorities to enter the scientific enterprise and/or to the effective mentorship of those within it. Her lab studies the mechanisms of co-transcriptional pre-mRNA splicing in yeast. She presented her award lecture, "Beyond diversity: Building a culture of inclusion in science," on Tuesday, April 5, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about her work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/120921/johnson-wants-every-student-to-feel-they-belong.

Elaine Fuchs, a professor at the Rockefeller University and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, won the 2022 Bert and Natalie Vallee Award in Biomedical Science. Established in 2012 by the Bert and Natalie Kuggie Vallee Foundation, this award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in basic biomedical research. She presented her award lecture, "Tissue stem cells: survival of the fittest," on Tuesday, April 5, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting held in conjunction with Experimental Biology. Learn more about her work:https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/122221/fuchs-goes-boldly-where-no-stem-cell-biologist.

J. Martin Bollinger Jr., a professor at the Pennsylvania State University, won the 2022 William C. Rose Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to biochemical and molecular biological research and a demonstrated commitment to the training of younger scientists. He presented his award lecture, "Progress Toward Understanding Protein Control of Reaction Outcome in the Diverse Reactivity of Iron(II)- and 2-Oxoglutarate-dependent Oxygenases" on Sunday, April 3, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about his work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/121021/bollinger-built-a-bioinorganic-powerhouse-at-penn.

Alex Toker, winner of the 2022 Avanti Award in Lipids, which recognizes outstanding lipid research contributions, presented his lecture, "PI 3-Kinase signaling: A journey in three AKTs," on Monday, April 4, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about his work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/120721/toker-recognized-for-seminal-contributions-to-lip.

Janet Smith, a professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, associate director of the UM Life Sciences Institute and scientific director of the GM/CA beamlines at the Argonne synchrotron, won the 2022 Mildred Cohn Award in Biological Chemistry, which honors scientists at all stages of their careers who have made substantial advances in understanding biological chemistry using innovative physical approaches. She presented her award lecture, "Flavivirus NS1: Structure and function of an enigmatic virulence factor," on Monday, April 4, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology in Philadelphia. Learn more about her work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/121721/smith-unravels-secrets-of-nature-s-catalysts.

Kathleen Collins, winner of the 2022 Earl and Thressa Stadtman Distinguished Scientist Award, presented her lecture, "Telomerase holoenzymes" on Monday, April 4, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about her work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/122121/telomerase-studies-led-collins-to-discoveries.

Joseph Provost, winner of the 2022 ASBMB Exemplary Contributions to Education Award, presented his lecture, "It's all about the students," on Sunday, April 3, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about his work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/121421/provost-makes-chemistry-accessible-for-undergrads.

Michael Airola, winner of the 2022 Walter A. Shaw Young Investigator Award in Lipid Research, presented his lecture, "Snapshots of lipid synthesis and fat storage" on Sunday, April 3, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about his work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/120321/airola-learns-from-failure. Couldn't attend his talk at the annual meeting? Not to worry! Airola will be presenting "Snapshots of lipid synthesis and fat storage" as a webinar on August 9, 2022 at 12 p.m. Eastern. Learn more and register for this free virtual event, which will be moderated by Yusuf Hannun of Stony Brook University: https://www.asbmb.org/meetings-events/snapshots-of-lipid-synthesis-and-fat-storage.

Robert V. Farese Jr. and Tobias C. Walther won the 2022 ASBMB–Merck Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to research in biochemistry and molecular biology. The pair's joint lab studies lipid homeostasis and storage and neurodegeneration. Farese and Walther are professors at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and both are associate members of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. They presented their award lecture, "The phase of fat: Mechanisms and physiology of lipid storage" on Sunday, April 3, at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with Experimental Biology, in Philadelphia. Learn more about their work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/121521/farese-and-walther-find-depth-in-a-droplet. Farese and Walther are also organizing the 2023 Deuel Conference on Lipids, which will be March 7–10, 2023 in Dana Point, Calif. The ASBMB Deuel conference is a must-attend event for leading lipids investigators — and for scientists who've just begun to explore the role of lipids in their research programs. Learn more and save the date: https://www.asbmb.org/meetings-events/deuel.

Greg Wang, winner of the 2022 ASBMB Young Investigator Award, presented his lecture, "Chromatin-based modulations underlying gene regulation and pathogenesis," at the 2022 ASBMB Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. Learn more about his work: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/people/121621/wang-s-studies-are-fueled-by-interest-in-cells. On August 9, 2022 he will also be presenting this talk as a webinar. Register here to join and participate in a Q&A session: https://www.asbmb.org/meetings-events/chromatin-based-modulations.

Apprenticeships offer pathways into biotechnology for a growing number of students. How does the training model work, why are policymakers excited about it, and who wants to be an apprentice? Laurel Oldach, a science writer for the ASBMB, and Sarina Neote, ASBMB's science policy manager, have the story. Read their ASBMB Today article to learn even more: https://bit.ly/3pi7JNh.

Host Benjamin Corb interviews the National Institutes of Health's Director of the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) Dr. Noni Byrnes. They discuss how the CSR has moved to an all remote peer review process during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and how peer reviewers are adopting to this newer format. Benjamin Corb - @bwcorb on twitter Noni Byrnes (CSR) - @CSRpeerreview

ASBMB Public affairs director Benjamin Corb is joined by the National Science Foundation's Dr. Joanne Tornow. Dr. Tornow is the Assistant Director of the Biological Sciences Division of the NSF. They discuss programs implemented by the NSF to support funded investigators in these trying times, how NSF is handling remote peer review of grants, and the challenges and opportunities brought to light from the pandemic and pandemic response. Benjamin Corb - @bwcorb on twitter Joanne Tornow - @NSF

Host Benjamin Corb is joined by Dr. Regina Richards. Dr. Richards is the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. They discuss how preexisting health disparities are felt more acutely during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how scientists, doctors and the community can begin to take steps to overcome some of the challenges faced by minority communities. Benjamin Corb - @bwcorb on twitter Regina Richards - @ReginadRichards Rainbow PUSH Coalition / National Medical Association joint statement on COVID-19 response: https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rpc-nma-manifesto.pdf

ASBMB Public Affairs Director Benjamin Corb is joined by Christopher Pickett. Pickett is the Director of Rescuing Biomedical Research, a project started by identifying the need to take action to improve the biomedical research workforce and enterprise. RBR is hosting a series over the next several weeks which is aimed at identifying what systemic changes are necessary for the research enterprise to blossom in the time of COVID-19 and beyond. For more information on RBR's series, click here:http://rescuingbiomedicalresearch.org/blog/reforming-biomedical-workforce-time-covid-19/ Benjamin Corb - @bwcorb on Twitter Christopher Pickett - @ChrisPickett5

In our latest installment, ASBMB Public Affairs Director and host Benjamin Corb speaks with John Arnst, a staff writer for ASBMB Today and Laurel Oldach, a science communicator for ASBMB. Their conversation explored what its like to be a professional science communicator in a time when the public is consuming science news like never before. Benjamin Corb - @bwcorb on Twitter John Arnst - @ArnstJohn Laurel Oldach - @LaurelOld

In our newest installment, host Benjamin Corb interviews Representative John Paul Sredzinski, who represents the 112th district in the State of Connecticut House of Representatives. Sredzinski talks about what its like to be an elected representative in the times of social distancing, and how the legislature and governor are working in a bipartisan manner to respond to this pandemic. Also, Sredzinski shares his experience as a potential COVID-19 patient. Benjamin Corb - @bwcorb on twitter John Paul Sredzinski - @jpsredzinski

Host Benjamin Corb is joined by William Sullivan, Showalter Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and author of "Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces that Make Us Who We Are," They discussed the science behind why people believe chloroquine may have therapeutic uses for COVID-19 patients, how it works, and the risks involved. Benjamin Corb - @bwcorb on Twitter William Sullivan -@wjsullivan Article referenced during the discussion: https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/science/032820/why-scientists-are-studying-if-chloroquine-could-t

Host Benjamin Corb is joined by Dr. Jon Lorsch, the Director of the National Institute for General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Lorsch discusses funding opportunities available to researchers related to SARS-CoV-2, and policies the NIH is implementing to support funded researchers. Also, what it's like to manage a program like NIGMS remotely. Benjamin Corb - @bwcorb on Twitter Jon Lorsch - @NIGMS