2013 News
DECEMBER NEWS
Hunting for Viruses in the French Amazon
Nacho Caballero, a Bioinformatics graduate student, whose advisor is John Connor, has been working at the Pasteur Institute in French Guiana since October 2013 hunting for viruses in the French Amazon. Check out his travel blog at: http://www.bu.edu/bioinformatics/2013/11/26/hunting-for-viruses-in-the-french-amazon/
Filone paper chosen as Top 100 Discoveries of 2013 by Discover Magazine
Congratulations to Claire Marie Filone, a postdoctoral fellow in the Connor lab, whose Chemistry and Biology paper entitled “Identification of a Broad-spectrum Inhibitor of Viral RNA Synthesis: Validation of a Prototype Virus-based Approach” was chosen as one of the Top 100 Discoveries of 2013 by Discovery Magazine!
SEPTMEBER/OCTOBER NEWS
Daniele Cary Successfully Defends Dissertation
Congratulations to Daniele Cary in Andy Hendersons lab on the successful defense of her Dissertation on October 23, 2013. Good work, Daniele!
Fadie Coleman to Receive Raymond W. Sarber Award
Fadie Coleman was selected to receive a 2014 Raymond W. Sarber Award for research excellence and potential. This award is sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). This award will be presented to Fadie at the ASM General Meeting Awards Banquet and Dinner on Sunday, May 18, 2014 here in Boston. The award also includes a feature article in the ASM magazine, Microbe.
Dr. Oberhaus Appointed CODA Review Committee Member
At the 2013 summer meeting the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), Dr. Stephanie Oberhaus was appointed to serve as a Review Committee Member for CODA. Congratulations Stephanie!
MAY/JUNE NEWS
BU President’s Award Given to Fadie Coleman
Fadie Coleman was awarded the Boston University President’s Award for outstanding biomedical research. She obtained this award when her project was chosen for a poster presentation at the Boston University Scholars Day Symposium where she was honored with the Office of Technology and Development Award for innovation. As part of a two-part competition, the Office of Technology and Development award title qualified Fadie to compete for one of the two all-around Scholars Day awards (Provost and President’s award). Awardees were selected based on an oral presentation given to an audience consisting of the University provost and esteemed faculty addressing the significance of their research projects to a general audience. Bravo, Fadie!
Fadie Coleman is the 2013 Corwin Award Winner
Congratulations to Fadie Coleman, the 2013 Corwin Award recipient. The Corwin Award recognizes a student who exemplifies the characteristics of an outstanding departmental “citizen.” Values of collegiality, scientific integrity, commitment to scientific endeavor, and active participation in departmental activites are all components taken into account when the selection of the Corwin Award recipient is made. These values best epitomize the contributions of Dr. Larry Corwin, a former member of the Microbiology Department for whom the award is named.
2013 Microbiology Graduates
Congratulations to our 2013 graduates: Guy Bushkin, Laura Dickey, Nathaniel Green, Tim Hanley, and Erin Hodges!
Laura Dickey Chosen to Give Commencement Speech
Kudos to Laura Dickey who was selected to present the GMS Commencement Speech at the 2013 graduation ceremony.
2013 Russek Award Winners
Congratulations to the following Microbiology graduate students who won Russek Student Achievement Awards:
1st Prize – Chadene Tremaglio (Fearns Laboratory)
2nd Prize – Daniele Cary (Henderson Laboratory)
Honorable Mention – Andrew Platt (Wetzler Laboratory)
Fadie Coleman wins Award at BU’s Scholars Day
Congratulations to Fadie Coleman who was awarded the Office of Technology Development Award at BU’s Scholars Day.
Gummuluru Article Featured on PLoS Pathogen Website
The latest manuscript from the Gummuluru Lab has been highlighted as featured research on the PLoS Pathogen website.
MARCH/APRIL NEWS
Duprex Lab Figure on Cover of Journal of Virology
The cover of the May 2013 issue of the Journal of Virology shows a photograph from the Duprex Lab of immunocytochemical detection of measles virus-infected cells in the macaque trachea.
BUSM Researchers Identify Chemical Compounds that Halt Virus Replication
Claire Marie Filone, a postdoctoral researcher in the Connor Lab, led the research that identified a new chemical class of compounds that have the potential to block genetically diverse viruses from replicating. The findings, published in Chemistry & Biology, could allow for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral medications to treat a number of viruses, including the highly pathogenic Ebola and Marburg viruses. This story is highlighted in BUMC Research News.
Nikolajczyk Study Reveals B cells as Therapeutic Targets to Alter Obesity-Associated Inflammation and Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are two closely associated diseases that are increasing at epidemic rates worldwide. Inflammation, predominantly from cells of the immune systems, plays critical roles in pathogenesis of both diseases, and may be key to the development of type 2 diabetes in obese individuals. New work published by Barbara Nikolajczyk’s team indicates that B cells, an immune cell type that can be depleted by FDA-approved drugs, play critical roles in obesity- and type 2 diabetes-associated inflammation. These findings raise the clinically critical possibility that existing drugs may provide fundamentally new approaches for curbing onset and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
Congratulations to Michael Wilson on AAN Fellowship
Michael Wilson, a neurologist and post-doctoral fellow in the Duprex lab, was one of eight young neurologists nationwide awarded a two year American Brain Foundation Fellowship from the American Academy of Neurology. The fellowship supports translational research into new therapies and delivery methods for encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus and Nipah virus.
Threading the NEIDL
Ron Corley, Paul Duprex, and Elke Muhlberger participated in “Threading the NEIDL,” a 1 hour documentary posted on This Week in Virology (TWIV), an American Society for Microbiology webcast, hosted by Vincent Racaniello and co-hosted by Alan Dove and Rich Condit. This documentary provides viewers with a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the BLS4 facility at the NEIDL. View the video and read the accompanying piece at: http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/video-offers-glimpse-of-biosafety-level-4-lab/
JANUARY/FEBRUARY NEWS
Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Microbiology Trainee Travel Awards
1st Prize: Claire Marie Filone, postdoctoral trainee, from John Connor’s lab, who will be attending the American Society for Virology Annual Meeting in State College, PA, from July 20-24.
2nd Prize: Kristie Hilliard, predoctoral trainee, from Lee Quinton’s lab, who will be attending the American Thoracic Society Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, from May 17-22.
2nd Prize: Andrew Platt, predoctoral trainee, from Lee Wetzler’s lab, who will be attending American Association of Immunologists Meeting in Honolulu, HI, from May 3-7.
The Department of Microbiology is delighted to be able to support the attendance of trainees at scientific meetings. We look forward to each awardee presenting a summary of the meeting they attended.
Kepler group holding summer school at Hariri Institute
The Kepler research group is hosting a Summer School on Quantitative Systems Immunology at the Hariri Institute, Boston University, from 10-14 June. The school is aimed at graduate students and postdocs in immunology and related disciplines who want to learn techniques from statistics and mathematical modeling for their own research. Instructors include Hamid Bolouri, Lindsay Cowell, Tom Kepler, Bette Korber, Doug Lauffenburger, Martin Meier-Schellesheim, and Barry Smith, among others. There is no fee to register, but space is limited.
The 2013 Summer School on Quantitative Systems Immunology is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, under Contract No. HHSN272201000053C to Duke University.
Paul Duprex Editor of Journal of General Virology
Congratulations to Paul Duprex who was named an editor of the Journal of General Virology.
2012
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER NEWS
Daniele Cary’s poster wins 1st place at Evans Day
Congratulations to Daniele Cary for receiving 1st place in the Basic Research Poster Presentations for the Department of Medicine’s Evans Day, October 5, 2012.
Caroline Genco is Recipient of Department of Medicine Award
Congratulations to Caroline Genco, who was awarded the “Life Time Achievement Award for Research and Science” from the Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine at the Department of Medicine Centennial Celebration on October 6, 2012.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER NEWS
Fearns Article Chosen as Featured Research in PLoS Pathogens
Congratulations to Rachel Fearns, whose paper entitled “The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Polymerase has Multiple RNA Synthesis Activities at the Promoter” was chosen as a Featured Research article by PLoS Pathogens.
Robin Ingalls Awarded an R01 from NIH
Congratulations to Robin Ingalls who was awarded an R01 from the NIAID, NIH for her work on the “Role of Chlamydia Species in Preterm Birth and Placental Dysfunction.” The funding period is 07/01/2012-06/30/2017.
2012 Microbiology Retreat Pictures
Everyone had a great time at this year’s Microbiology retreat “Making Novel Links” at Thompson Island! Click Micro Retreat 2012 Pictures to view the pictures.
Paul, Elke and Ron Participated in TWiV 200
Paul, Elke and Ron participated in This Week in Virology (TWiV 200), talking about the NEIDL and BSL-4 research.
link: http://www.twiv.tv/2012/09/23/twiv-200-threading-the-neidl/
Barb Nikolajczyk Awarded R56 From NIH
Congratulations to Barbara Nikolajczyk, who was awarded an R56 award from the NIDDK, NIH for work on “The Role of Lymphocytes in Diet-Induced Metabolic Disease.” Funding period is 9/1/12-8/31/13.
Dr. Nikolajczyk Presented at the Obesity Society’s 30th Annual Scientific Meeting
Dr. Barbara Nikolajczyk presented a talk entitled, “B Lymphocytes are Master Regulators of a Pro-Inflammatory T Cell Balance in Obesity and Glucose Intolerance” a the Obesity Society’s 30th Annual Scientific Meeting, in San Antonio, Texas
Sept. 17 Micro-ID Seminar: Structure and Assembly of the Poxvirus Virion
Richard C. Condit, Ph.D. from the University of Florida is presenting a seminar entitled, “Structure and Assembly of the Poxvirus Virion” on Monday, September 17, at 12:00 noon in L504 as part of the Microbiology-Infectious Diseases Seminar Series.
This Week in Virology (TWiV#200)
TWiV is a podcast – or netcast, as some prefer to call them, since you don’t need an iPod to listen – about viruses. It was begun in September 2008 by Vincent Racaniello and Dick Despommier, two science Professors at Columbia University Medical Center. Their goal was to have an informal yet informative conversation about viruses which would be accessible to everyone, no matter what their science background. Alan Dove, a science writer, Rich Condit, a poxvirologist and Kathy Spindler, an adenovirologist, joined the team and are regular contributors.
The 200th edition of TWiV will be filmed in NEIDL and will be available for download from www.twiv.tv Sunday 23rd Septemember 2012.
If you have any questions for the panel you can send them to Vincent Racaniello at twiv@twiv.tv.
We see this as a great opportunity to showcase the benefits NEIDL brings to BU, Boston and the wider scientific community nationally and encourage you to view the netcast and contribute to the discussion.
JULY/AUGUST NEWS
Subunit Vaccine for Nipah and Hendra Viruses Shows Protection
Nipah and Hendra viruses are newly recognized zoonotic paramixoviruses that have resulted in numerous outbreaks in Australia and Southeast Asia, and are highly lethal in humans. In a recent study published in Science Translational Medicine, Katharine Bossart and colleagues report that a vaccine using a soluble viral G glycoprotein afforded complete protection again Nipah virus challenge in a nonhuman primate model, bolstering support for human clinical trials. See commentary in Science.
Kepler Participation in 2012 International Workship on Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Dr. Thomas Kepler has been invited to participate in the 2012 International Workshop on Bioinformatics and Systems Biology which will be held at Boston University’s Life Science and Engineering Building on July 22-26.
Fadie Coleman is Awarded NRSA Fellowship
Congratulations to Fadie Coleman who was awarded a National Research Service Award Predoctoral Fellowship from NHLBI for her work on the Influence of Macrophage NF-kB Activation on the Outcome of Pneumococcal Pneumonia.
Dr. Thomas Kepler is Computational Biology SRSC Leader for CHAVI-ID Program
Dr. Thomas Kepler is directing the Computational Biology Scientific Research Support Component for the Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology-Immunogen Design (CHAVI-ID) program, which was just awarded this week by the NIH to Bart Haynes at Duke.
Krishna Moody is Awarded NRSA Fellowship
Congratulations to Krishna Moody who was awarded a National Research Service Award Predoctoral Fellowship from NIAMS for his work on the Modulation of Autoantigen Trafficking and TLR Engagement by FcgRIIB and AP3BI.
Dr. Kepler Lecture at 2012 Summer School on Computational Immunology at University of Rochester Symposium
Dr. Thomas Kepler lectured at the 2012 Summer School on Computational Immunology at the University of Rochester on “Agent-based Models Applied to Affinity Maturation and the Germinal Center Reaction.” This lecture can be viewed here: : http://imcportal.org/education/video/thomas-kepler-agent-based-models-applied-to-affinity-maturation-and-the-germinal-center-reaction.
Dr. Kepler Presentation at University of Rochester Symposium
Dr. Thomas Kepler presented a talk on “Affinity Maturation via Computational Biology” at the Symposium on Modeling Immune Response from Complex Data, at the University of Rochester. His presentation can be viewed here: http://imcportal.org/education/video/thomas-kepler-affinity-maturation-via-computational-biology.
APRIL-JUNE NEWS
Chadene Tremaglio is the 2012 Corwin Award Winner
Congratulations to Chadene Zack Tremaglio, the 2012 Corwin Award recipient. The Corwin Award recognizes a student who exemplifies the characteristics of an outstanding departmental “citizen.” Values of collegiality, scientific integrity, commitment to scientific endeavor, and active participation in departmental activites are all components taken into account when the selection of the Corwin Award recipient is made. These values best epitomize the contributions of Dr. Larry Corwin, a former member of the Microbiology Department for whom the award is named.
Dr. Oberhaus wins Teaching Award from the Dental School
Congratulations to Dr. Stephanie Oberhaus who is the recipient of a Spencer N. Frankl Award for Excellence in Teaching at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. This is the highest honor awarded by Dental Medicine and we are all extremely proud of Stephanie’s accomplishments!
Martin Ludlow to attend Herrenhausen Symposium on Viral Pathogenesis
Dr. Martin Ludlow, postdoctoral fellow in the Duprex Lab, is one of only 10-15 people who were selected to attend the Herrenhausen Symposium on Viral Pathogenesis on June 4-7, 2012, in Kloster Seeon, Seeon, Germany. It is quite an honor to be selected to attend this meeting, and the invited speakers at this symposium are all world renoun experts in the viral pathogenesis world. Congratulations, Martin!
2012 Russek Award Winners
Congratulations to the following Microbiology graduate students who won Russek Student Achievement Awards:
1st Prize – Laura Dickey (Fearns Laboratory)
2nd Prize – Erin Hodges (Connor Laboratory)
Honorable Mention – Chadene Zack Tremaglio (Fearns Laboratory)
Mechanism of HIV Spread has Potential for Future Drug Therapy
A new understanding of the initial interactions of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and dendritic cells is described in research led by Dr. Wendy Puryear, a postdoctoral fellow in the Gummuluru lab. This recent study is featured in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
Too Dangerous to Publish? Apr 26 Viglianti Live Chat on Science Live
Dr. Gregory Viglianti was asked to participate in “Science Live: A Weekly Chat on the Hottest Topics in Science” on April 26. The discussion topic was “Too Dangerous to Publish?”
Krishna Moody accepted to attend Gordon Research Conference
Congratulations to Krishna Moody who was accepted to attend the Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomes and Endocytosis. Krishna was also awarded the Carl Storm Fellowship to attend.
Micro Art Chosen for Medical Campus Science as Art
We are please to share that several photographs in the Medical Campus Science Art Galary came from members of the Microbiology Department.
Paul Duprex, Jay Mizgerd, and Dan Rozelle all contributed images that were chosen for the galary that is being displayed on the flat screen panels in the medical school lobby as well as on the Boston University School of Medicine Facebook page.