In Brief

Joyce Elected to National Academy of Sciences
Gerald F. Joyce, professor in the Departments of Molecular Biology and Chemistry and investigator of The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. The only researcher from San Diego elected to membership this year, Joyce is one of 72 new members and associates named “in recognition of distinguished and continuing achievements to original research.” Election to membership in the academy is considered one of the highest honors that can be conferred on a U.S. scientist or engineer. The election was held last week during the academy’s 138th annual meeting.

Joyce’s research involves the test-tube evolution of nucleic aids and the application of these methods to the development of RNA and DNA molecules with novel functional properties. These studies offer a window on the earliest biology on the planet by exploring the questions of how enzymes arose and how early evolution occurred.

He regularly evolves ribozymes, and, a few years ago, he created the first-ever DNA oligonucleotide that has enzymatic activity. Some of the molecules he works with have practical clinical value, says Joyce, "because sometimes we ask the molecules to do something that might have therapeutic benefit."

Joyce received a B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1978 and both an M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego, in 1984. He joined the faculty of TSRI in 1989, and in 1996 became a full professor and an investigator in The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology.


Gascoigne to Speak in Faculty Lecture Series
Immunology Associate Professor Nicholas Gascoigne will speak on "FRETting About T Cell Activation: Real-Time Visualization of Cell Surface Intermolecular Dynamics and Interactions" as part of the Faculty Lecture Series on Wednesday, May 9, at 5 PM. The lecture will be held in the Scripps Clinic Amphitheater. A reception will follow in the Immunology Building.


Find Out How to Use Word’s Mail Merge
Have you ever been baffled by Word’s Mail Merge Helper menu? Did you know that you can create sophisticated data source documents and use Mail Merge to extract the data? You can also use Mail Merge to create envelopes or labels from your Access data–it’s much easier than creating a new Access output report. Learn how to enter new data using the Data Entry Form, or to update the data source table directly. To learn more about these and other tips, sign up for the Mail Merge class scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, from 8:30 to 11:30 AM.

To enroll, go to http://www.scripps.edu/rc/training/dapps_signup.html, or e-mail Training@scripps.edu.


TB Screenings, Hepatitis B Immunizations, and Serum Draws
On Monday, May 14, Wednesday, May 16, and Friday, May 18, 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.