We have finished the first phase of the reorganization of the SCMS. We have redefined our mission and developed a new program of Scholars in Residence to focus our efforts on excellence. Very appropriately, this year's UTMB award for research excellence is being given to Drs. Louise and Satya Prakash, founding members of SCMS. Later in May, we will host the Annual Forum with the participation of the entire campus. There will be posters and talks with a keynote talk being given by Dr. Luis Parada from Southwestern, a noted molecular developmental biologist. I encourage all of you to attend.

We are now appointing an Advisory Board to help us in the changes beginning next fall. We are also appointing SCMS scientists to the committee that will shape the Translational Workshops we want to run in fall. As we reconstitute our membership in the coming months, we expect to bring new blood and perspectives to our Center. In addition to the present Senior Scientists, we will make a number of appointments to provide the breadth and depth needed to develop our Scholars in Residence and Workshop programs.

At the present time there are 11 candidates for the position of Chair of HBCG and Director of SCMS. I am told that visits of candidates will take place in April and May and I hope the process can be finished by the end of summer that we may all get on with our work on a firm footing. I appreciate your help during these last few months of transition and difficult choices and your patience with me. Thanks

regino

Dr. J. Regino Perez-Polo
- January 16, 2004, Houston, TX to attend the monthly meeting of the Mission Connect/The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research.
- January 23- February 02, 2004 , Copper, CO to attend the Winter Conference on Brain Research.
- December 07-09, 2003, Washington, DC to attend the – National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research - National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research meeting.

Thomas G. Wood
- March 3-5, 2004-Rockville, MD-Invitation to serve as a member of this special emphasis panel for the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Louise Prakash
-February 5-5- Rockville, MD to serve on a study section
-February 11-14 - Puerto Rico to collaborate with investigators at the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Santa Juanita Bayamon

Satya Prakash
-February 11-14 - Puerto Rico to give a seminar at the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Santa Juanita Bayamon

Grants Awarded

"Translesion DNA synthesis in humans"; P.I.: Louise Prakash; Agency: NIH/NIEHS Period: 09/01/03-05/31/08

Transcription-coupled DNA repair in yeast P.I: Prakash, Satya: Agency: NIH/NCI: Period: 05/01/2004 - 04/30/2005 

Publications

Choksi, K.B., Boylston, W.H., Rabek, J.P., Widger, W.R., and Papaconstantinou, J. (2004) Identification of Oxidatively Damaged Proteins of Bovine Heart Mitochondrial Electron Transport Complexes, Biochim. Biophys. Acta (In Press).

Babu, C.R.,  Hilser, V. J. and A. J. Wand (2004) Direct Access to the Cooperative Substructures of Proteins and the Protein Ensemble via Cold Denaturation. Nat. Struct. Bio.   In Press

Ferreon, J.C. and V.J. Hilser . (2004)  Thermodynamics of Binding to SH3 Domains:  The Energetic Impact of Polyproline II (P II ) Helix Formation. Biochemistry.  In Press.

Vyatkina, G., Bhatia, V., Gerstner, A., Papaconstantinou, J. Impaired mitochondria respiratory chain and bioenergetics during chagasic cardiomyopathy development. Biochim. Biophys Acta  (2004) (In Press).

Garg, N., Gerstner, A., Bhatia, V., DeFord, J.H., and Papaconstantinou, J. Gene Expression Analysis in Mitochondria from Chagasic Mice: Altered in Specific Metabolic Pathways. Biochemical J. (2004) (In Press).

Papaconstantinou, J. and L.S. Stone:  Lens Regeneration – Contributions to the Establishment of an In Vivo Model of Transdifferentiation. J of Exp. Zoology  (2004) (In Press).

Awards

Louise & Satya Prakash have been awarded the UTMB research excellence award. Congratulations!

Sealy Center for Molecular Science and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology are pleased to announce the upcoming

12th Annual Science Forum.

May 7, 2004

Keynote Address: 11:00
Shriners Hospital, 7th Floor

Luis F. Parada, Ph.D., Director, Center for Developmental Biology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

"Neutrophin Signaling, Sprouting and Regeneration"

Poster Session: 1:30-4:30
Levin Hall Dining Room