August 2007 news
Aug. 31, 2007
Beamer and Van Doren Labs
We are excited that both the Beamer and Van Doren labs will collaborate to use NMR to study the dynamics of the 51 kD PMM/PGM has received initial NIH funding: 1R03AI074779-01 entitled "NMR studies of PMM/PGM from P. aeruginosa" (Beamer, PI; Van Doren, co-I).Scott Peck's Lab
Two recent lab publications:
Kalde M, Nuhse TS, Findley K, Peck SC (2007) The syntaxin SYP132 contributes to plant resistance against bacteria and secretion of pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104: 11850-11855.
Nühse TS, Bottrill AR, Jones AME, Peck SC (2007) Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of plasma membrane proteins reveals regulatory mechanisms of plant innate immune responses Plant J (available early online)
Marcelle Siegel's Lab
Grants
Maps in Medicine Funding to begin 9/07
In this project, we are designing inquiry-based curriculum and professional development for high school biology students and teachers. The project integrates geospatial and biological imaging technologies to promote understanding of public health, cell and developmental biology, and medical sciences. It includes a cross-cultural study of the intersection of evidence-based medicine and traditional healing. We will develop two instructional modules, Mapping Health and Mapping Cell Fate.
PI, Bill Folk
Co-PIs, Marcelle Siegel, Anand Chandresekhar, Susan Ailor, Miriam Golomb
Funded by Howard Hughes Medical Institute, $750,000
National dissemination site for the Partnership for Research and Education in Plants (PREP) program
High school teachers and students are partnering with scientists at MU to investigate genetically altered Arabidopsis plants. (PREP is located at the Fralin Biotechnology Center of Virginia Polytechnic Institute.)
PI, Marcelle Siegel
GRA Project Coordinator, Deanna Lankford
Biochem scientists involved: Elizabeth Rogers, Antje Heese, Shuqun Zhang
Funded by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health subcontract, $15,800
Decision-making about biotechnology issues
Opinions on stem-cell research are influenced by interdisciplinary factors, including the media, religion, culture, ethics, and science. We are studying what types of evidence are used to make decisions and how to support students to think critically and make informed decisions.
PI, Marcelle Siegel
Co-PI, Shari Freyermuth
Funded by an Interdisciplinary Planning Grant from LTC, $5000
Recent publications
Siegel, M.A. (2007). Striving for equitable classroom assessments for linguistic minorities: Strategies for and effects of revising life science items. Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 44 (6), 864-881.
AY07-08 Faculty Fellowships
Biochemistry's "Faculty Fellowship" awards recognize outstanding contributions to any faculty activity, e.g., research, teaching, extension, service, graduate/undergraduate advisement, with preference for activities in which sources of financial rewards are not otherwise readily available. They provide a cash stipend that is paid to the faculty member as part of the regular payroll process. Potential candidates are identified by the Promotion and Tenure Committee as part of the regular annual review process with awardees chosen by the chair.
For the 2007-08 academic year, we are pleased to announce that awards have been made to Shari Freyermuth (for outstanding instructional contributions), Frank Schmidt (for outstanding service contributions) and Virginia Peterson (for outstanding advising contributions).
Please join us in congratulating these three deserving faculty members.