In Brief

Peter Schultz Wins Prestigious Heinrich Wieland Prize

Peter Schultz, president of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), has been awarded the international Heinrich Wieland Prize, one of Germany’s most prestigious scientific prizes.

The award, presented by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation, honors “distinguished scientists for their outstanding research on biologically active molecules and systems in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry and physiology as well as their clinical importance.” Previous Heinrich Wieland Prize winners have included subsequent Nobel Laureates Michael Stuart Brown, Joseph L. Goldstein, Bengt Samuelsson and James Rothman.

Schultz, who also holds the Scripps Family Chair Professor of Chemistry at TSRI, was selected for “his fundamental contributions to the biologically inspired synthesis of new molecules including his groundbreaking work on expanding the genetic code. Using his toolbox to extend the genetic code, over 100 amino acids with novel functions have been introduced site-specifically into proteins allowing to probe cellular processes in vivo in unprecedented detail. Schultz has applied this method to generate new medicines and also to create organisms with enhanced properties. In addition, he has pioneered the development of large combinatorial chemical libraries together with cell-based screens leading to drugs for degenerative diseases, cancer, autoimmune and neglected diseases.”

“Peter Schultz has given us a wide array of invaluable tools which enable us to rationally design molecules and organisms to understand the processes of life and to treat medical conditions,” said Professor Wolfgan Baumeistser, chair of the Selection Committee of the Heinrich Wieland Prize.

Awarded annually since 1964, the prize, which is named after the 1927 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Heinrich Wieland, is endowed with 100,000 euros. Schultz will receive the prize and present the laureate’s lecture at an award symposium on October 13 in Munich, Germany.

For further information on Schultz’s research, visit his faculty webpage, and lab website. For more information on the Heinrich Wieland Prize, see the award’s website.

Faculty Promotions: Philip Dawson, Ian MacRae, Kirill Martemyanov, Enrique Saez

As announced at a recent meeting of TSRI’s Board of Trustees, the following three faculty members have been promoted to the rank of professor:

Philip Dawson, whose chemistry group works on development of new methods of chemical synthesis of proteins and bioconjugation for use in synthetic protein-based antiviral agents and vaccines, biological imaging with nanoparticles, peptide drugs for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, antibody drug conjugates, mirror-image protein therapeutics and research into protein folding and catalysis.
Ian MacRae, whose team combines structural biology, biochemistry and cell biology to understand mechanisms of gene regulation by small RNAs.
Kirill Martemyanov, whose lab studies the fundamental principles that regulate signaling via G protein coupled receptors, which mediate a vast variety of critical biological processes ranging from proliferation and motility to cellular reception and excitability.

In addition, Enrique Saez has been promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure. Saez and his team study the molecular pathways that regulate physiology and how they are altered in metabolic disease. They are focused particularly on the role of adipose tissue, with the ultimate goal of discovering new therapies for obesity and its associated complications, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Peter Vogt Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

TSRI Professor Peter Vogt has received the 2016 Institute of Human Virology (IHV) Lifetime Achievement Award for Scientific Contributions for his pioneering studies of the genetics, replication cycle and mechanisms of cancer induction by animal retroviruses.

“His work, more than anyone else’s work in the study of animal viruses, gave us the foundation for understanding human retroviruses,” said Robert C. Gallo, director of the IHV and professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Vogt received the award at the recent 18^th Annual International Meeting of the IHV. The IHV, located at the University of Maryland, combines basic science, epidemiology and clinical research to speed discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for a wide variety of chronic and deadly viral and immune disorders.

The Vogt lab investigates mechanisms of oncogenic transformation induced by the activation of oncogenes and silencing of tumor suppressor genes. For more on Vogt’s research, visit his faculty webpage and lab website.

Celebrating Postdocs at TSRI

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Postdoctoral fellows and their contributions to scientific research at both Scripps California and Florida were celebrated with a host of activities—from peer mentoring workshops to chair massages—during National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Above, at the International Services Office Meet & Greet in La Jolla, Megha Karki (right), research associate in the Krishnamurthy lab, chats with Margaret Hellwarth (left) and Sonal Kalra of the International Services group. (Photo by Jean Branan.)

In Memoriam: Sir J.G. Patrick Sissons (1945 – 2016)

Professor Michael B.A. Oldstone shares the following news with News&Views readers:

J.G. Patrick Sissons, a postdoctoral fellow from 1977 to 1979 in the Oldstone laboratory in the Department of Immunology at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation (now TSRI), who later became appointed by Queen Elizabeth as one of the two Regius Professors of Physic in England and was head of the School of Medicine, University of Cambridge, died on September 25.

While at Scripps, Sissons identified and quantified the antibody and complement molecules of the alternative pathway required to bind measles virus hemagglutinin in order to lyse infected cells, and was the first to show cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing in acute measles virus infection. His scholarly work in the UK positioned him as an international leader in innate and adoptive immunity to human cytomegalovirus, and he was responsible for training a significant cadre of experimentalists currently working in this field.

His honors include election to the Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Pathologists and Academy of Medical Sciences. He was also knighted.

SRF to Hold Annual Research Fest on October 7

The Scripps Florida Society of Research Fellows (SRF) will hold Research Fest 2016: Scientific Symposium & Vendor Show on Friday, October 7, from 10 AM to 5 PM.

The annual event—which drew more than 300 attendees last year—offers a forum for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students at Scripps Florida to present and to discuss the latest advancements and discoveries in the Departments of Cancer Biology, Chemistry, Infectious Disease, Metabolism and Aging, Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience. Nearly 30 oral and poster presentations are scheduled for the symposium, scheduled in the building B auditorium.

A Research Fest highlight will be the announcement of the 2016 Scripps Florida Outstanding Mentor Award, recognizing a principal investigator for qualities such as accessibility, supportiveness, propensity for providing constructive criticism and concern for mentees’ future career interests. Winners are selected based on an anonymous survey of Scripps Florida postdoctoral fellows. Previous winners include Professors Laura Niedernhofer and Christoph Rader and Associate Professors Joseph Kissil and Courtney Miller.

The Vendor Show will showcase some 25 vendors in biomedical research products, services and technologies in the Scripps Café and foyer.

Research Fest 2016 is open to the Scripps Florida neighboring research institutions, including Florida Atlantic University, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and Palm Beach State College, as well as the local life sciences community.

For additional event information, visit the SRF website or contact Research Fest chairs Oliver Crawley, ocrawley@scripps.edu, or Tarsis Brust, tbrust@scripps.edu.

SOF Travel Award Applications Due October 7

Applications for the Society of Fellows (SOF) fall session travel awards are due Friday, October 7, at midnight, Pacific time. The awards, open to full-time Scripps California postdoctoral fellows, provide recipients the opportunity to present scholarly work at a national or international conference.

As many as three grants of up to $1,000 each will be awarded for conference-related costs, including travel, housing and conference registration. Applicants who have never attended a meeting to present their current work and those with outstanding financial need are encouraged to apply. Previous SOF travel award recipients are not eligible.

A volunteer selection committee will evaluate each application for quality of scientific communication, scientific merit, applicant's credentials, significance of the conference to the applicant's career and financial need. Winners will be announced on Friday, November 4.

Award criteria and application details are available on the SOF website.

CA Academic Careers Roundtable: Preparing an Academic Job Application

“Putting Together Your Academic Job Application,” the next Academic Careers Roundtable for Scripps California postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, is scheduled for Monday, October 17, from noon to 1 PM.

Oana Luca, research associate in the Blackmond lab who begins an assistant professor position at the University of Colorado, Boulder in January, is the roundtable’s guest speaker. Luca earned a PhD from Yale University; her research focuses on catalysis science, electrochemical synthesis, energy conversion and storage and green chemistry.

Sponsored by TSRI Career and Postdoctoral Services, the roundtable series offers bimonthly professional development sessions for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, in an informal conversational setting. Lunch will be provided.

Reservations are required for the event, to be held in the Graduate Office dining room, first floor, Hazen building.

CA ScrippsAssists Enlists Volunteers for October 15 Events

ScrippsAssists offers the Scripps California community two special-event volunteer opportunities on Saturday, October 15.

Alzheimer’s San Diego Walk4ALZ

Volunteer tasks may include staffing registration and water stations. Registration begins at 6:30 AM; the walk begins at 8 AM. The walk in Balboa Park will raise funds for Alzheimer's San Diego programs and services for people suffering from the disease and other dementias. Project Lead Yvette Defreece Gibson will also lead a TSRI team of Walk4ALZ participants. To volunteer or participate as a walker, contact her at yvetted@scripps.edu.

Burn Institute Chief’s Party in the Paddock

Volunteers will help from 3 to 10 PM with set-up, silent auction, clean-up and other duties at this Spanish-themed event at the Del Mar Fairground’s Paddock Area. The evening’s proceeds will support the Burn Institute’s fire and burn prevention education and burn survivor support programs, including Camp Beyond the Scars for burn-injured children.

Volunteers will receive dinner and are asked to dress in Spanish-themed wear, black cocktail dresses or white blouse/button-up shirts and black slacks. Sunscreen, comfortable shoes and a light jacket or sweater are recommended. To volunteer, contact Project Lead Mishelle McClanahan-Shinn at mshinn@scripps.edu.

Additional information on the event and accompanying golf tournament is available on the Burn Institute website.

At the Auditorium: Jazz Concert Series

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library Jazz Series presents the SFJAZZ Collective on Saturday, October 8, 7:30 PM. The eight-piece group features alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón, tenor saxophonist David Sánchez, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, trumpeter Sean Jones, trombonist Robin Eubanks, pianist Edward Simon, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Obed Calvaire. For additional program and ticket information, visit the Athenaeum website.

The Auditorium at TSRI is located at 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego 92121.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

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TSRI President Peter Schultz was honored with the Heinrich Wieland Prize, which he will accept October 13 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by John Dole.)

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Phil Dawson, Ian MacRae and Kirill Martemyanov (from top) have been promoted to the rank of professor; Enrique Saez (bottom) has received tenure.