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Of Note


Chi-Huey Wong Wins Prestigious Wolf Prize in Chemistry

Chi-Huey Wong, professor of chemistry at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), has won the prestigious 2014 Wolf Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering contributions to the programmable and practical synthesis of complex carbohydrates and glycoproteins.

Wong’s research projects range from chemical and enzymatic synthesis of bioactive compounds, especially complex carbohydrates and glycoproteins, to development of new tools to study major problems in living systems. Among other accomplishments, the award cited original methods developed by Wong’s group that have been used to solve major problems and create new opportunities in carbohydrate chemistry and biology associated with cancer progression, bacterial and viral infection and immunological function. The advances have led to the development of vaccines, therapeutics and glycan microarrays for analysis of protein-carbohydrate interaction.

The Israel-based Wolf Foundation, established by the late German-born inventor, diplomat and philanthropist Ricardo Wolf, presents annual awards to outstanding scientists and artists. Honorees receive a certificate and a monetary award of $100,000. International prize committees in each field, comprising renowned experts, select the winners.

Wong, who in addition to his appointment at TSRI serves as president of Academia Sinica in Taiwan, received the award from the president of the State of Israel at a ceremony in the Knesset Building (Israel´s Parliament), in Jerusalem. Previous Wolf Prize recipients at TSRI include Richard Lerner and Peter Schultz in 1994/95 and K. Barry Sharpless in 2001.


Scripps Florida to Host Luncheon to Celebrate 10th Anniversary with Palm Beach Community

Scripps Florida is hosting a gala luncheon to celebrate 10 years of remarkable accomplishments with the Palm Beach community. The Decade of Discovery event will be held on February 6, beginning at 11:30 AM, at the Cohen Pavilion, Kravis Center for Performing Arts.

Speakers will include Michael A. Marletta, president and CEO and Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Chair in Chemistry at TSRI; Dick Gephardt, chairman of TSRI’s Board of Trustees, president and CEO of Gephardt Government Affairs and former Majority and Minority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives; and Alex Dreyfoos, engineer, inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist who was the first Florida resident named to TSRI’s Board of Trustees.

Individual tickets are $75. Table sponsorships are available from $2,500 to $25,000. To purchase tickets, sponsor tables or request more information, please call (561) 228-2084.


‘CELLebrate’ Festival to Share Wonder of Science

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) invites the public to join more than 100 biomedical scientists on Saturday, February 1 in The Gardens Mall as part of the celebrations of Scripps Florida’s 10th anniversary. Featuring themed activity booths, a giant inflatable “cell,” and other demonstrations, CELLebrate Science with Scripps Florida is the institute’s annual community science festival designed to spark curiosity and a sense of wonder in visitors of all ages. CELLebrate Science will run from 10 AM to 3 PM and admission is free.

Since its launch in 2010, CELLebrate Science has sought to make science relatable, relevant and fun for more than 10,000 visitors, offering an ever-changing variety of activity booths, special presentations and displays that highlight the impact of biomedical research in our daily lives. Visitors to CELLebrate Science will meet world-class scientists who work every day to understand the basic biology of diseases like cancer, diabetes, autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, while using the power of chemistry to develop new treatments.

Educators from the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, and the School District of Palm Beach County will also host booths at this year’s event, featuring hands-on activities for children and useful information for parents and teachers. The School District of Palm Beach County will also present the 2013-2014 Palm Beach Regional Science and Engineering Fair student winners, who will compete at the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair this spring.

For more information, see www.scripps.edu/florida/education/community/CELLebrate.html


25th Frontiers in Chemistry Symposium Scheduled for January 31

The 25th Annual Frontiers in Chemistry Symposium, presented by TSRI, will be held Friday, January 31, from 1 to 5:15 PM, in The Auditorium at TSRI at Scripps California.

Hosted by Professor Dale Boger, chair of TSRI’s Department of Chemistry, and TSRI Professor Phil Baran, the symposium will feature four speakers and topics:

  • Raymond Stevens, professor in TSRI’s Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, on “The Amazing Diversity of G-protein Coupled Receptors”
  • Peter Dervan, the Bren Professor of Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, on “Molecular Recognition of DNA by Small Molecules”
  • Paul Anderson, Merck chemist and executive (retired) and American Chemical Society Priestley Medal winner, on “A Retrospective Look at Drug Discovery”
  • Richard Lerner, Institute Professor and the Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Immunochemistry in TSRI’s Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, on “Chemistry in Large Numbers”

Following a welcome by Boger, the symposium will begin with introductory remarks by TSRI President and CEO Michael Marletta. Baran will provide closing comments. This year’s sponsors include Amgen, aTyr Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, Incyte, Pfizer, Sigma-Aldrich and Takeda.

Symposium admittance is free; attendance is limited to 300. Directions and parking details are available at the symposium website or by contacting Janise Petrey at jpetrey@scripps.edu or (858) 784-8772.





Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

wong
TSRI Professor Chi-Huey Wong was selected for the Wolf Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering contributions to the programmable and practical synthesis of complex carbohydrates and glycoproteins.