Features

NIH Microscopy Lights Up Dulles Airport

Spectacular Mega-magnified Images Reveal Cellular Mysteries

BY ALISA ZAPP MACHALEK, NIGMS

Brains, bone, muscle, blood—along with fish fins and flower parts—are among the biological players whose portraits light up the C-concourse walkway at Washington Dulles International Airport. These images—most of which are from scientists at or supported by NIH—comprise Life: Magnified, a gallery exhibit that showcases backlit, mega-magnified images of cells and other microscopic biological structures.

Human Motor Control

Celebrating Mark Hallett’s 30 Years of Research

BY DEVERA G. SCHOENBERG, NINDS

Internationally renowned classical pianist Leon Fleisher, who lost the use of his right hand in the 1960s, has Mark Hallett (NINDS) to thank for restoring his ability to play the piano. Hallett not only pioneered the therapy that helped the musician, but he is a leader in the field of movement disorders.

NIH’s First Intramural Early Independent Scientists

Interviews with Greg Alushin (NHLBI) and Donna Calu (NIDA)

BY RACHEL SCHEINERT, NIMH

Donna Calu (NIDA) and Greg Alushin (NHLBI) are NIH’s first two intramural scientists to receive the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award, which has traditionally been given to extramural investigators.

New Software Program Evaluates Potential for Metastasis

NIEHS Scientist Leping Li Develops New Approach for Classifying Cancer Cells

BY ROBIN ARNETTE, NIEHS

Pathologists have traditionally used the physical characteristics of melanoma cancer cells to classify them as primary or metastatic. Recently, however, computational biologist Leping Li at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) developed another approach to classifying the cancer cells.

Extending Organ Survival

A Path Toward Animal-to-Human Transplants

BY CRAIG HICKS, NHLBI

Genetically modified pigs may one day offer new hope to thousands of people waiting for heart transplants, thanks in large part to an NIH intramural research team led by Muhammad Mansoor Mohiuddin at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

FelCom: Getting the Most Out of Your NIH Training Experience

An Interview with FelCom Co-Chairs: Kenneth E. Remy, M.D., and Lucie A. Low, Ph.D.

BY PATRICIA FORCINITO (NIDCR) AND WENDY KNOSP (NIDCR)

The FelCom co-chairs have plenty of advice for fellows on getting the most out of their NIH training and what it takes to be successful in a career.