In Brief

Chang Wins Beckman Foundation Young Investigator Award
The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation has awarded TSRI Molecular Biology Assistant Professor Geoffrey Chang a Young Investigator Award, which provides research support to promising young faculty members in the early stages of their academic careers in the chemical and life sciences. The foundation’s Young Investigator program fosters the invention of methods, instruments, and materials that will open up new avenues of research in science.

Chang is using cutting-edge technology in an attempt determine the structure of the biological mechanisms that are the primary cause of bacterial multi-drug resistance. Known as membrane protein pumps, these transporters, which are embedded in cell membranes, "pump" viable drugs out of and away from the cell before they get a chance to have any effect. "We actually have very good drugs to fight cancer and to kill bacteria," says Chang, "[but] they can’t always get in the cells to work."

Fish Awarded NARSD Young Investigator Grant
Neuropharmacology Research Associate Kenneth Fish has been awarded a Young Investigator grant from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSD), the largest non-governmental organization funding brain research worldwide. Fish’s project was selected from among hundreds of research proposals.

Fish is studying a mutation of a gene called reelin that causes a disorganization in the formation of important brain structures and a migration of neurons in the developing brain. This work may help further our understanding of schizophrenia.

Easter Cookies and More For Sale at April 10 Craft Faire
TSRI employees and their families will sell some of their creations at the Second Annual Craft Faire on Tuesday, April 10, from noon until 3 PM in the Immunology Galleria. Handmade Easter baskets, jewelry, pottery, soap, gourds, quilts, Easter cookies, chocolates, and copies of TSRI Administrative Assistant Barbara Field’s novel "The Deeper, The Bluer" will be available.

"Don't fill your children's Easter baskets until you have seen all the goodies," says Bonnie Towle of Immunology, who helps to organize the event. "It's worth coming to take a look around, just to see all the talent here at TSRI. Now, with the shuttle running every half hour, there is no reason not to come on your lunch hour even if you work on the other side of campus. Plus, the shuttle can transport all of your purchases afterwards!"

Course on Developing Capable Young People
If there is enough interest among employees, TSRI will offer a four-week course, "Developing Capable Young People." The sessions will focus on how to give young people a sense of being capable and significant, as well how to help them develop self-discipline. There is a minimum of eight participants and a maximum of 15. The instructor is Linda Watson. Sessions will be held on Thursdays, noon to 1:00 PM, from April 19 to May 10 in the Administrative Building, 3301 North Torrey Pines Court, P1 Conference Room. The cost is $50 per person (including video and workbook). For more information or to let Jan Hill or Melanie Brittle know that you are interested, call x4-2950 or x4-2935.

TB Screenings, Hepatitis B Immunizations, and Serum Draws
On Monday, April 16, Wednesday, April 18, and Friday, April 20, personnel from Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group will be on-site to conduct TB screenings, Hepatitis B immunizations, and serum draws. The clinics will be conducted at the Administrative Offices (3301 North Torrey Pines Court) on the P1 level from 11 AM to 2 PM. No appointments are necessary.

TB screening requires a 48 to 72 hour follow-up. Individuals receiving the TB screen on Monday will need to return on Wednesday; individuals screened on Wednesday, will need to return on Friday. Initiation of the TB screening process will not be available on Friday, but Hepatitis B immunization and serum draws will be. To learn more about these programs, see the Human Resources Occupational Medicine web page http://www.scripps.edu/hr/benefits/occmed, which includes a map and patient information sheets.

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