Recovering from the Shutdown: The Toll on Biomedical Research
BY MICHAEL GOTTESMAN, DDIR
NIH is the largest purely biomedical research facility in the world, with about 2,500 individual research projects and close to 1,500 clinical protocols. But during the 16-day federal government shutdown in October, the NIH Intramural Program (IRP) was profoundly affected. Its loss of progress is a big deal.
Proteostasis, a seemingly straightforward fusion of the words “protein” and “homeostasis,” is actually a fertile and multifaceted concept. Ask any 10 scientists to define it, and you’re bound to get 10 different answers, and those opinions may change from year to year. Proteostasis encompasses the study of all areas of protein health and fitness that contribute to maintaining cellular integrity and function. Derailed proteostasis leads to protein misfolding and aggregation that is known or suggested to be implicated in many devastating human disorders.
FROM THE OFFICE OF INTRAMURAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Training to Work Well with Others
BY LORI CONLAN AND SHARON MILGRAM, OD
Nearly two-thirds of scientists surveyed reported that interpersonal conflict had hampered progress on a scientific project one to five times in their career. OITE has developed a program to train scientists to work well with others and manage conflictsso they can accomplish more science.
New Microscopes That Reveal Cellular Processes in 3-D
May Help Scientists Observe How Viruses Attack
BY JESSICA MEADE, NIBIB
NIH researchers have developed two new high-resolution microscopes, both the first of their kind. The first—an instant linear structured illumination microscope (iSIM)—captures high-resolution images of small, fast-moving cellular structures in real time. The second—a dual-view inverted selective plane illumination microscope (diSPIM)—displays large cell samples in three dimensions (3-D) while decreasing the amount of harmful light that cells are exposed to during imaging.
The NIH Library recently introduced a new service, “Custom Information Solutions,” that can customize services and resources to address the specific needs of a group. Customized services include digitizing NIH-created print materials; building databases to support research projects; developing portfolio-analysis reports; and creating customized Web search tools.
Recent intramural discoveries and developments include: enteroviruses need cholesterol to replicate; new drugs could slow progress of fatal disorder; candidate vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus; tanning gene linked to testicular cancer; and molecular structure of amyloid plaques.
Highlights of NIH lectures, events, activities, and awards including winners of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry on November 18 and 20; Marston Linehan giving the Astute Clinician Lecture on November 20; the Chen Lecture on Innovation and Technology Transfer will be on November 22; three NIHers are new IOM members; and more.
