Yearly Archives: 2005
High blood pressure linked to gene regulation
Genes, as much as treadmills and salads, dictate blood pressure. But new research from Rockefeller University suggests that even the tiniest changes to our DNA can create a predisposition to hypertension. More »
Tags: gene regulation, Jurg Ott
Jeffrey Friedman elected to Institute of Medicine
Rockefeller University’s Jeffrey M. Friedman, a molecular geneticist whose discovery of the hormone leptin and its role in regulating body weight has changed our understanding of the causes of human obesity, was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, it was announced today. More »
Torsten Wiesel receives Rall Medal for human rights work
Rockefeller University President Emeritus Torsten Wiesel received the Institute of Medicine’s David Rall Medal, it was announced today. The medal is awarded annually to an IOM member who has demonstrated particularly distinguished leadership as chair of a study committee or other activity, showing commitment above and beyond the usual responsibilities of the position. More »
Scientists warn nuclear catastrophe is ‘an imminent danger’
Rockefeller’s Joshua Lederberg joins former defense secretary William Perry to urge that more attention be given to the threat of a terrorist-sponsored nuclear attack. More »
Tags: Joshua Lederberg, nuclear
A single protein is crucial to memory formation, scientists show
New findings show that a single protein called Nova is responsible for regulating the quality of the information that is processed in the spaces between brain cells. More »
Tags: Nova, Robert B. Darnell
Specialized ‘GPCR’ proteins are the key to protecting the fly brain
New research from Rockefeller University shows that a class of molecules called G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is essential for healthy glial cells, brain cells which support, nourish and protect neurons. More »
Tags: glial, GPCR, Ulrike Gaul
Rockefeller researchers receive $10 million grant to study how molecules interact within cells
The National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health announced this week that Rockefeller’s Michael P. Rout will be a recipient of a five-year, $10 million grant to study how molecules interact with one another within and between cells. More »
Alternative to cloning technique does not yield pure clones, Rockefeller scientists report
According to new research from Rockefeller University’s Peter Mombaerts, creating mice by a two-step transfer of DNA does not reliably produce animals that are genetic duplicates of an original, and in some cases even creates “cloned” mice of the wrong sex. More »
Tags: cloning, Peter Mombaerts
For sex to happen, the right receptors must align
By studying single neurons from the hypothalamus of the brain, Rockefeller scientists are beginning to show how the same hormone receptors can impact sexual behavior differently in male and female rats. The findings suggest that when it comes to controlling behavior, the brain’s genetic network can be extremely complicated. More »
Tags: Donald W. Pfaff, sex, sex hormones
Symposium to honor Joshua Lederberg
Some of the world’s foremost scientists, statesmen and policymakers will gather at The Rockefeller University for “A Scientific Medley: Celebratory Symposium in Honor of Dr. Joshua Lederberg,” Monday, October 17, in honor of his 80th birthday. More »
Tags: Joshua Lederberg
Titia de Lange receives NIH Pioneer Award
The National Insitutes of Health has selected Titia de Lange, who examines how cells respond to DNA damage, to receive up to $500,000 in direct costs per year for five years. The prestigious Pioneer Award, now in its second year, supports groundbreaking, high-risk research that, if successful, will have a significant impact. More »
Scientists ID the genetic makeup of hair
Despite a $56 billion industry devoted to caring for and styling hair, we know surprisingly little about how it forms. A new paper from Elaine Fuchs’ laboratory at Rockefeller University begins to tease apart the genes, and the cells, that are important for its growth. More »
Tags: Elaine Fuchs
Barbara O’Sullivan named hospital C.E.O.
Barbara O’Sullivan, who for the past three years has served as The Rockefeller University Hospital’s hospitalist – its chief medical doctor responsible for patient care – has been named C.E.O. of the hospital. More »
Tags: Barbara O'Sullivan
Thomas Eisner to receive 2005 Lewis Thomas Prize for Writing about Science
A world authority on animal behavior, ecology and evolution, Thomas Eisner, has been chosen to receive The Rockefeller University’s 2005 Lewis Thomas Prize for Writing about Science. His prize lecture, “The Ruling Class: Tales of Insect Survival,” will be on Tuesday, October 11, and is open to the public. More »
Tags: Lewis Thomas Prize, Thomas Eisner
York Avenue at 68th Street is named Mary Woodard Lasker Way
The block of York Avenue at 68th Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, which is adjacent to Rockefeller University’s campus, has been named in honor of the late champion of biomedical research. More »
Tags: Mary Woodard Lasker
Clearing jams in the copy machinery
Bacteria and humans use a number of tools to direct perhaps the most important function in cells — the accurate copying of DNA during cell division. Now, Rockefeller scientists show that one of these proteins, the beta sliding clamp, serves as a toolbelt, from which the correct proteins are retrieved to enable DNA replication in the face of DNA damage. More »
Paul Nurse to receive Copley Medal
The Royal Society has chosen Rockefeller University President Paul Nurse to receive the prestigious Copley Medal, its premiere award, for outstanding achievements in research in any branch of science. More »
Architect selected for north campus ‘bridging’ building
An architect has been selected to design new laboratory buildings for the north end of the Rockefeller University campus, including the renovation of two existing structures and the construction of a new “bridging” building to connect them. More »
Humanity in transition
From a population perspective, the world is at a turning point. In the September issue of Scientific American, Rockefeller’s Joel Cohen describes how the population of the coming half century will be bigger, older, and more urban than ever before, and slower-growing than that of the previous 50 years. More »
Tags: Joel E. Cohen
In flies, odorant receptors work together
By tracing the location of nerve cells that produce specific odorant receptors, scientists have linked dozens of the proteins – important for detecting scents – to specific areas of the fruit fly brain. The findings suggest how the flies’ odorant receptors can work together to detect hundreds of scents despite their limited array of just 62 receptors
More »
Tags: Leslie B. Vosshall, olfactory
