Complement-regulatory proteins in severe malaria: too little or too much of a good thing?

Data from several laboratories suggest that erythrocyte complement-regulatory proteins, in particular complement receptor 1 (CR1), are important in the pathogenesis of severe malaria. Additional studies suggest that the levels of expression of CR1 and the complement regulator CD55 on erythrocytes vary with age, being low in young children and increasing with age. It is proposed that the interplay between the rate at which immunity develops during malaria exposure and the changes in levels of erythrocyte complement-regulatory proteins that occur with age might contribute to the differences in epidemiology of severe malaria-associated anaemia and cerebral malaria.     

Not too excited? Thank your endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids can mediate neuroprotection, but it is not known how. In this issue of Neuron, Monory et al. use mutant mice and localized viral targeting to produce conditional knockouts of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. They show that protection against kainic acid-induced seizures and cell death is conferred by CB1Rs on hippocampal glutamatergic nerve terminals.     

Epigenetics? Mediator does that too!

Adding to the concept that Mediator acts as an "integrative hub,"Ding et al. (2008) report in this issue of Molecular Cell that, by facilitating the recruitment of the G9a methyl transferase, Mediator can also promote epigenetic silencing of selected genes.     

Are our universities producing too many PhDs?

As we enter the 21st century, we face a world that will be increasingly dominated by science and technology. More and more jobs will require many of the analytical and thinking skills of a scientist. Citizens everywhere must also become better able to evaluate and understand the judgements of scientific and technical experts when making personal and community decisions. To spread the values and knowledge of science much more widely throughout our societies, we must also spread scientists. Therefore, advanced training in science and the acquisition of important skills through an extensive exposure to research are valuable tools for a wide variety of occupations.