A career pathway in protein folding: from model peptides to postreductionist protein science

This review discusses the inherent challenge of linking "reductionist" approaches to decipher the information encoded in protein sequences with burgeoning efforts to explore protein folding in native environments-"postreductionist" approaches. Because the invitation to write this article came as a result of my selection to receive the 2010 Dorothy Hodgkin Award of the Protein Society, I use examples from my own work to illustrate the evolution from the reductionist to the postreductionist perspective. I am incredibly honored to receive the Hodgkin Award, but I want to emphasize that it is the combined effort, creativity, and talent of many students, postdoctoral fellows, and collaborators over several years that has led to any accomplishments on which this selection is based. Moreover, I do not claim to have unique insight into the topics discussed here; but this writing opportunity allows me to illustrate some threads in the evolution of protein folding research with my own experiences and to point out to those embarking on careers how the twists and turns in anyone's scientific path are influenced and enriched by the scientific context of our research. The path my own career has taken thus far has been shaped by the timing of discoveries in the field of protein science; together with our contemporaries, we become part of a knowledge evolution. In my own case, this has been an epoch of great discovery in protein folding and I feel very fortunate to have participated in it.     

A path to the powerhouse: systems‐to‐structure approaches for studying mitochondrial proteins

The young investigator award from the Protein Society was a special honor for me because, at its essence, the goal of my laboratory is to define what obscure proteins do. Years ago, I stumbled into mitochondria as a venue for this work, and these organelles continue to define the biological theme of my laboratory. Our approaches are fairly broad, reflecting my own somewhat unorthodox training among diverse scientific fields spanning organic synthesis, chemical biology, mechanistic biochemistry, signal transduction, and systems biology. Yet, whatever the theme or the discipline, we aim to understand how proteins work—especially those that hide in the dark corners of mitochondria. Below, I recount my own path into this arena of protein science, and describe how my experiences along the way have shaped our current multi‐disciplinary efforts to define the inner workings of this complex biological system.     

Integrative proteomics: structure, function, and interaction report on the 3rd joint meeting of the British Society for Proteome Research and the European Bioinformatics Institute, July 2006

This report summarizes the highlights of the recent British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR) meeting jointly organized with the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) which was held at the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK in July 2006. This was the third annual scientific meeting organized by the BSPR and EBI and the theme of this years meeting was Integrative Proteomics: Structure, function and interaction. A wealth of local and overseas speakers were invited to discuss both their own work and specific challenges present in modern day proteomic based experiments.     

The history of linguistic anthropology as a device for a new integrated perspective

The history of the emergence of linguistic anthropology helps us not only to reflect on the path-dependency of our own scientific categories, but also to enlarge our own perspective beyond these categories. The following paper tries to develop on the basis of Latour's network theory a new integrated perspective that reflects our own historical position in the network of constructing scientific facts, in the context of political problems, of social claims of objects that we are using in order to constitute our scientific field.     

Editorial for Issue 1, Jan 2016 title of the editorial 2016 : A year for JCCS Editorial changes and CCN3 KO mice at ICCNS

The year 2016 will see significant improvements for the Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling with the earning of an official Impact Factor and the merger of Springer Science + Business Media and part of Macmillan Sciences and Education. It will also be an important year for the International CCN Society (ICCNS) with the nomination of a new Scientific Board and reinforcement of interactions with other major scientific societies interested in various aspects of Cell Signaling. Starting this year the ICCNS will become an official provider of CCN3 knock out mice to ICCNS members. This first step in opening up access to certified reagents as a service for our CCN scientific community is part of our intention and efforts to attain the highest degree of assistance and enabler of scientific cooperation and communication in Science Communication.     

The NVVC: here, there and everywhere

When I started my cardiology training, back in 1976, cardiology in the Netherlands was highly dependent on internal medicine. Coronary care and intensive care units were led by internal medicine physicians in most hospitals in the Netherlands whereas in the US (where I had worked for a while) cardiology was a discipline in its own right, at least in university centres. In our country, this changed rapidly in the ensuing years and the Netherlands Society of Cardiology (NVVC) played a key role in this process.     

Biometry and the IBS—Strength through Diversity

Summary .  The International Biometric Society (IBS) brings together members from a diversity of cultural backgrounds, organized into geographically based Regions and National Groups, and covering a diverse range of interests, in terms of both methodological topics and application areas. We briefly reflect on how the historical development of our science, society, and international conferences reflects this diversity, with a focus on the history of the British and Irish Region of the IBS. Then, by considering the cultural/geographical diversity of the society, and the scientific diversity of the society and biometricians, we identify both some strengths of the society (diverse topics for meetings arranged across the world, application of biometrical methods to diverse application areas, management of the society by members from a diversity of backgrounds) and also some current challenges (electronic delivery of journals and other information, the diversity of application areas addressed by members of the society, improving links with the scientific societies of those who motivate our research). Finally, we illustrate the diversity of scientific problems that each of us face in our roles as biometricians.     

The 19th Ion Channel Meeting,September 2008, France

The annual meeting of the French Ion Channels Society, held on the Mediterranean coast of France, is aimed at gathering the international scientific community working on various aspects of ion channels. In this report of the 19th edition of the meeting, held in September 2008, we summarize selected symposia on aspects of the ion channel field from fundamental to clinical research. The meeting is an opportunity for leading investigators as well as young researchers to present and discuss their recent advances and future challenges in the ion channel field.     

Observation, objectivity, and the conflict of ideas

The first two terms of this title are clear, representing, respectively, the guiding motto of the Society, and the common thread that unites members with very diverse interests and approaches to the understanding of behavior. Then, the last part of the title is elaborated: the conflict of ideas. This aspect is important both in terms of social values, and in terms of the interests of a scientific society operating in the modern world. Within science, there are forces that weaken genuine scientific discussion, and these need at least to be explicated so that their deleterious effects can be minimized. Finally, it is suggested that although the Society has done well in facilitating oral discussion, there is room for improvement in its readiness to engage in written intellectual conflict.     

Advances in the conservation of British mammals, 1954–2004: 50 years of progress with The Mammal Society

1. The Mammal Society was established in 1954 to link amateurs and professionals in promoting the study of mammals. It now directly assists British conservation science, and has fostered The British Deer Society, the National Federation of Badger Groups, The Bat Conservation Trust, the Ungulate Research Group and Sea Watch Foundation. The Society also has strong links with the Zoological Society of London, the Vincent Wildlife Trust and the People's Trust for Endangered Species/Mammals Trust UK, as well as with many other non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) and statutory bodies. 2. The Mammal Society provides fora for discussion, scientific symposia, mammal publications, and practical studies. It has also instigated major advances in the presentation of scientific knowledge through three editions of The Handbook of British Mammals under three successive editors: H.N. Southern, G.B. Corbet and S. Harris. 3. From the 1970s the Society has highlighted conservation concerns (e.g. the decline of otters and persecution and management of badgers), informed legislation, supported many surveys, including harvest mice, pine marten, polecat, small rodents, hares, yellow‐necked mice and foxes, and published authoritative species’ accounts, guides to methodology, Mammal Review, Notes/Communications from The Mammal Society, the annual Current Projects on British Mammals and other scientific and educational material. 4. Country‐wide mammal recording and training (Look Out for Mammals) developed in the 1990s alongside the Endangered British Mammals Fund. The ‘ground breaking’A Red Data Book for British Mammals, and A Review of British Mammals, both drew on Mammal Society expertise, helping to meet the UK Government's conservation responsibilities and emphasizing the growing influence of The Society. Co‐operative monitoring has been developed with the British Trust for Ornithology through the Winter Mammal Monitoring scheme and is further projected with more than 20 NGOs and statutory bodies forming the ‘Tracking Mammals Partnership’. 5. The Mammal Society now advises on UK Biodiversity Action Plans and plays a lead role in UK mammal conservation, highlighting problems and promoting solutions. However, many British mammals are still declining, many are neither legally protected nor subject to national conservation initiatives, and data are still lacking on the status of many terrestrial and most marine species. Much has been done, but there is still much to do.     

Using standard nomenclature to adequately name transgenes,knockout gene alleles and any mutation associated to a genetically modified mouse strain

Mice provide an unlimited source of animal models to study mammalian gene function and human diseases. The powerful genetic modification toolbox existing for the mouse genome enables the creation of, literally, thousands of genetically modified mouse strains, carrying spontaneous or induced mutations, transgenes or knock-out/knock-in alleles which, in addition, can exist in hundreds of different genetic backgrounds. Such an immense diversity of individuals needs to be adequately annotated, to ensure that the most relevant information is kept associated with the name of each mouse line, and hence, the scientific community can correctly interpret and benefit from the reported animal model. Therefore, rules and guidelines for correctly naming genes, alleles and mouse strains are required. The Mouse Genome Informatics Database is the authoritative source of official names for mouse genes, alleles, and strains. Nomenclature follows the rules and guidelines established by the International Committee on Standardized Genetic Nomenclature for Mice. Herewith, both from the International Society for Transgenic Technologies (ISTT) and from the scientific journal Transgenic Research, we would like to encourage all our colleagues to adhere and follow adequately the standard nomenclature rules when describing mouse models. The entire scientific community using genetically modified mice in experiments will benefit.     

BSPR/EBI 2007 meeting report--Integrative Proteomics: From Molecules to Systems. July 25-27, 2007 Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, Hinxton, UK.

This report reviews the joint British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR) and European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) 2007 meeting, 'Integrative Proteomics: From Molecules to Systems' which took place at the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, Hinxton, UK, from 25th to 27th July. The aim of this year's meeting was to explore how the integration of 'omic' technologies can lead to a comprehensive understanding of cellular organization, differentiation and signalling. Studies investigating protein-protein interactions and trafficking illustrated how the combination of proteomics and bioinformatics is allowing systems biology to develop as a discipline in its own right.     

Raphael Meldola, his blue and his times

Raphael Meldola (1849-1915), English industrial and academic chemist, spectroscopist, naturalist, educator and lobbyist for science, is today almost a forgotten scientist whose life is celebrated only with a medal awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry that honors achievement by younger chemists. In the 1870-80s, however, he invented a number of important synthetic dyestuffs including the cotton dyes isamine blue and Meldola's blue, and also naphthol green B, all of which have had application in biology and medicine. I describe here the early emergence of the synthetic dye industry, the first science-based industry, Meldola's role in its development, and his own inventions. Meldola's wide ranging achievements in science led to appointments as president of important professional scientific and manufacturers' societies. He was a fervent disciple of natural selection, a correspondent of Charles Darwin, and a prominent 19(th)-century neo-Darwinian. In 1886, drawing on analogies with evolutionary theory, he warned the British that neglect of science, particularly chemistry, would lead to industrial decline and even extinction, though his message generally was ignored, at least until 1914.     

Mucosal immunology down under: Special Interest Group in Mucosal Immunology workshop, Australasian Society for Immunology, Sydney, Australia, 2 December 2007

The Mucosal Immunology Special Interest Group (SIG-MI) of the Australasian Society of Immunology was formed 14 years ago and has run regular symposia and workshops in conjunction with the Australasian Society of Immunology since that time. In December 2007 the Mucosal Immunology Special Interest Group held a 1-day satellite workshop in conjunction with the annual Australasian Society of Immunology scientific meeting in Sydney to celebrate the decade since hosting the 9th International Congress of Mucosal Immunology (9-ICMI) in 1997, which was also held in Sydney. The meeting that was attended by 65 delegates focussed on 4 session themes: reproductive immunology, respiratory immunology, mucosal immunology of the gastrointestinal tract and mucosal vaccines.     

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

D uring last year and this our thoughts have been specially directed to the great revolution in biology accomplished, 50 years ago, by Darwin and Wallace. Last July we held our own celebration, at which I had the high honour of presiding, of the first inauguration of the theory in the rooms of our Society. The proceedings on that day were of extraordinary interest, owing, above all, to the contributions of Dr. Wallace himself and of Sir Joseph Hooker.     

The Teratology Society 2007 strategic planning session: a desire to inspire

On April 18-20, 2007, the Teratology Society held its third strategic planning session (SPS) in San Diego, CA. The purpose of this session was to build on the successful work generated by the previous strategic plans [Nashville, TN 2002 and Cincinnati, OH 1997] and importantly, to provide a path forward to inspire the Society, create deeper connections with members that speak to their individual passion for the science of teratology and to increase the Society's visibility within the larger scientific community. The following summary report provides an overview of the session's pre-work, objective, and discussions. A total of 24 attendees were present at the session. The group included representation from Council, various committees and different members constituencies. This plan and the activities subsequent to the session will provide a path forward for our Society for the next five years.     

ICU 气管插管患者非计划拔管的原因、影响因素分析及护理对策

目的:了解导致ICU患者非计划拔管发生的原因及影响因素,探讨出科学有效的护理对策,为降低ICU患者非计划拔管的发生率提供依据。方法:本研究采用回顾性分析的方法,对我院2008年1月至2010年12月29例发生非计划拔管的患者进行分析,找出原因及影响因素,制定有针对性的护理对策。结果:2008年1月至2010年12月我院ICU患者非计划拔管率为4.2%,原因主要是患者自身的因素和医源性原因。影响因素依次为插管不耐受、患者气道梗阻、医护操作不当、插管方式错误、缺少有效的固定与约束及缺少有效镇静。结论:针对影响ICU患者发生非计划拔管的危险因素,制定有效的护理对策,可以切实的降低ICU患者非计划拔管发生率。     

The chemical strategies used by Polistes nimphus social wasp usurpers (Hymenoptera Vespidae)

Polistes foundresses can behave as facultative social parasites when, instead of founding their own nest, they usurp colonies of the same or a different species and temporary use the host workforce to raise their own brood. Conspecific usurpation appears to be common among Polistes wasps, but nothing is known about the mechanisms that these facultative social parasites use to have themselves accepted within usurped colonies. Using behavioural tests, we studied the chemical strategies employed by females of Polistes nimphus when they behave as facultative social parasites in colonies of the same or of a different species. We hypothesized that usurpers would mark host nests with their own odours and/or acquire host nest odours in order to camouflage their real identity from host workers. Our results indicated that P. nimphus usurpers used different chemical strategies depending on host nest species: they acquired conspecific host odours but marked heterospecific host combs with their own odours.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 91 , 505–512.