ASCB Newsletter: February 1997

This is the second part of a two-part listing of undergraduate biology science summer programs. List includes confirmed information for the summer of 1997 as of December 1996. Programs for minority students are emphasized but the list includes information for all undergraduates. The first part appeared in the January ASCB Newsletter; the full list appears on the ASCB website.

Pepperdine University, "Summer Research Opportunities in Biology." (Funding for 1997 from the NSF is pending as of 1 Dec.) The program specializes in Molecular Biology, Cellular Genetics, Conservation Ecology, Physiological Plant Ecology, and Ecophysiology of Marine Intertidal Animals. The program is interested in attracting students from traditionally under-represented groups. The program offers both lab experience and instruction in scientific thinking. Students receive three units of upper division course credit. There is a stipend of $4,000 to cover food and lodging. Housing is available on campus at a reduced rate. Dates: May 12 to August 1, 1997. Application deadline: March 15. Contact Dr. Stephen D. Davis, Department of Natural Science, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA 90263. Phone: (310) 456-4321, Fax: (310) 456-4785.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, "Research Participation Program in Science, 1997." in cooperation with SUNY, Buffalo. The NSF-REU portion funding is pending. The NIH portion is targeted to minority students. The program brings students in contact with senior scientists in cancer research. Laboratory experience is emphasized with the intent of attracting students to Ph. D. programs. There are stipends of $2000-2500 plus some room, board, and travel allowances. Dates: June 9 to August 15, 1997. Application deadline: February 15. Contact Dr. Edwin A. Mirand, Department of Education, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263. Phone: (716) 845-2339. Fax: (716) 845-8178.

Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, "Research Training Program, 1997." The Research Training Program is designed exclusively for undergraduates considering careers in systematic biology and natural history research. Students learn how to take measurements, make observations, analyze findings, and prepare data for publication and presentation. There are lectures, discussions, workshops, and field trips to collection areas. There are laboratory demonstrations in the developing fields of biological diversity and molecular systematics, among the many research topics studied at the NMNH. The NMNH collections contain more than 121 million biological specimens and the Smithsonian library system contains over 1 million volumes. The huge staff available for guidance includes 120 doctoral level research scientists and 250 support staff. All deadline dates, stipends, and other particulars are available on the Internet web site. Mary Sangrey, Program Coordinator, MRC 166 NHB 166, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560. Phone: (202) 357-4548. Fax: (202) 786-2563. Email; Website.

Stanford University, "Stanford Summer Research Program in Biomedical Sciences." The program is for students from the following under-represented minority groups: African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Puerto Rican, and Native American. The aim of the program is to help students learn about and prepare for training towards a doctoral degree in biomedical and biological research. The program is not for students aiming for a clinical degree. Students are placed in research labs for 10 weeks in the School of Medicine and the Department of Biological Sciences. Qualifications important for acceptance are a strong academic record, intellectual independence, and dedication. Previous research experience is not required. Dates: 8 weeks, June 22-Aug 15, 1997. Application deadline; February 18, 1997. Contact Tim Westergren, Summer Research Program, MSOB Rm 309, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5501. Phone: (415) 723-9455. Fax: (415) 725-7855.

University of Arizona, "Research Experience for Native American Students." This program provides paid summer research experience for Native American undergraduate students in the biological sciences. Before applying, students should complete 24 college credit hours, including college level biology, chemistry, and math. The program consists of full time research experience for ten weeks plus supplemental activities such as field trips. Each student is required to prepare a paper and make a presentation at the program's closing ceremony. Participants earn four credit hours, $2000, and are provided with an allowance for room, board, and transportation. The program will take place from May 18-July 27, 1997. Applications are due February 1, 1997. Contact Carol Bender, Director, Undergraduate Biology Research Program, Life Sciences South, room 527, Tucson, AZ 85721. Phone: (602) 621-9348 Fax: (602) 621-3709.

University of Florida, The Whitney Laboratory, "Undergraduate Research Using Marine Animals." The program specializes in cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, and neurobiology of marine animals, featuring hands-on research experience. The program is targeted mostly but not exclusively to minority students. Students must enroll as undergraduates. The program offers classroom instruction as well as lab work and students receive course credit; however there are no exams. There is a stipend of $250 per week plus room. The program favors applications of juniors and seniors. Foreign students with F-1 visas are eligible. Dates: Flexible, inquire; but students should plan on at least ten weeks. Application deadline for summer: February 28, 1997. Deadline for other times of the year, at least 2 months ahead of time. Contact Paul J. Linser, The Whitney Laboratory, 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32068-8623. Phone: (904) 461-4036. Fax: (904) 461-4008. Website.

University of Georgia Marine Institute, "Student Intern Program." Hands-on research in a sea island environment. The program specializes in several aspects of marine biology and is open to juniors, seniors, and first or second year graduate students. Previous intern projects have included nutrient recycling in nearshore coastal environments, primary productivity of marshes and beaches, roles of bacteria and fungi in estuarine food webs, control of distribution and abundance of esturarine plants and animals, and various aspects of esturarine biogeography. Minority applications are encouraged. Dates: Up to three months at any time of the year. Application deadline, Feb 7, 1997. There is a stipend of $800 per month (up to $2400) plus subsidized housing, a travel allowance of up to $700, and a modest supply budget. Write to R. T. Kneib, Coordinator, Student Intern Program, UGA Marine Institute, Sapelo Island, GA 31327. Phone: (to Dr. J. J. Alberts) (912) 485-2221. Fax: (912) 485-2133.

University of Minnesota, "Summer Undergraduate Program in Life Sciences." The program offers 10 weeks of full time research in a structured learning experience. There are research seminars, plus workshops on graduate study, preparation for the GRE, techniques of oral and poster presentation, plus weekend outings and other social activities. Housing is in campus dorms. Participants must be US citizens or permanent residents. There is a stipend of $250-300 per week, depending on the department. Some departments have travel allowances. Minority students are encouraged to apply; 30-40% of participants in recent years have been minority students. Dates of the program are mid June to mid August. The final application deadline is March 3, 1997 but students are urged to apply earlier because acceptance notices will begin to be mailed on Feb. 3, 1997. Phone: (612) 625-2275. Email; Website.

University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, "Summer Multicultural Advanced Research Training (SMART) Program." A unique opportunity awaits undergraduate students in the laboratories of the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth. "SMART 1997" brings undergraduate minority students to the center for the summer to participate in biomedical science laboratories working side by side with researchers and graduate students. Enrollment is limited to minority college sophomores and juniors. The program runs from May 26 to August 1, 1997. Projects are designed to be completed during the course of the program and students present their findings at the end of the program. Students will receive a stipend of $2500 and a housing allowance. Application deadline: January 17, 1997. Contact Robert L. Kaman, SMART Director, UNTHSC, Fort Worth, TX 76107. Phone: (817) 735-2670. Fax: (817) 735-0181.

University of Pittsburgh, "Howard Hughes Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships." The program is intended for students contemplating research careers in molecular and cellular biological sciences. Students are placed in active research labs for 10 weeks during the summer. Minority students are encouraged to apply; last year, one-third of the summer fellows were from traditionally under-represented groups. A student writes a prospectus of research at the beginning of the fellowship and a final report at the end. There is a stipend of $3000 plus free room and a $600 board allowance. Dates: June 2 to August 8, 1997. Application deadline: January 31, 1997. Contact Kathy Hoffman, Howard Hughes Program, Crawford Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Fax: (412) 624-4759.

University of Texas at Austin, "Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Molecular Biology." This program offers research experience for 30 undergraduates in cell, biology, microbiology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, or immunology. Associated enrichment programs include weekly seminars, workshops on molecular techniques, clinics on how to apply to graduate schools, and discussions of legal/ethical issues. The program gives 3 hours of course credit. Under-represented minorities are encouraged to apply but the program is not targeted specifically to minorities. Students should have laboratory coursework. There is a stipend of $2000 plus room and board, plus some travel funds for out of state students. Dates: June 2 to August 8, 1997. Application materials can be obtained from the internet web site below. Application deadline: March 5, 1997. Contact Ruth Buskirk, Department of Microbiology, UT, Austin, TX 78712-1095. Phone: (512) 471-7793. Fax: (512) 471-7088 Website.

University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, "UT-H Summer Research Program for Undergraduates." The program offers hands-on research experience in the areas of biomedical research. Undergraduate students enrolled in any accredited U.S. college or university are eligible to apply. Must be at least a sophomore at the time of application; have an overall GPA of 3.0; and have completed at least 12 hours in a science discipline. Seniors may apply if eligible to return to the university the semester following the internship. Funding: selected students will receive a $2,000 stipend (before taxes). Students are responsible for travel and living expenses. Due Date: All application materials must be received by February 14, 1997. Contact: Ms. Dana Farver, Program Coordinator, UT-Houston Office of Education Access and Equity, 7000 Fannin, Suite 1002, Houston, Texas 77030. Phone: (713) 794-1530.

University of Texas Southwestern Graduate School, "Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program," an intensive training experience for approximately 25 students preparing for careers in biological research. Projects are in the fields of biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, neurosciences, and biophysics. Applicants should have completed the sophomore year in a science curriculum. Factors influencing the acceptance decision will be grades, relevant experience, and at least two letters of recommendation from faculty. Students will be matched with projects according to research interests. There will be weekly seminars, informal discussions, and an opportunity to present the summer's work at the end of the program. There is a stipend of $3000. Dates: June 2 to August 8, 1997, with some flexibility for conflicts. Arrangements can be made for a longer stay if all parties are willing. Application deadline: February 17, 1997. Contact Tina Parks, Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75235-9117. Phone: (214) 648-2352. Fax: (214) 648-6324.

University of Virginia, "Summer Research Internship Program." The program offers opportunities in 32 areas of medical research including disease related fields such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, renal disease, or neurodegenerative diseases, as well as basic medical sciences such as signal transduction, membrane biology, cell growth and differentiation, or molecular genetics. The program targets but is not limited to under-represented American minority students. Students should be rising sophomore through senior undergraduates having completed basic coursework in biology and chemistry with accompanying lab courses. Stipend: $2000 plus travel costs and dormitory rent. Dates: June 3 through August 9, 1997 Application deadline: March 1, 1997. Contact: Ms Sue Farist, Graduate Programs Office, Box 456 Health Sciences Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908. Phone: (804) 924-2181 Fax: (804) 924-0140; Website.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, "Summer Research Program for Minority Undergraduates in Biology." The program specializes in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, environmental toxicology, bacteriology and the agricultural sciences. The program is targeted to minority students. Students should be entering the junior or senior year with a GPA > 2.9 and be US citizens or permanent residents. The program offers lab experience with an ongoing research team. There is a stipend of $2500 for 8 weeks plus room, board, and transportation. Dates: June 15 - Aug 9, 1997. Application deadline: March 1, 1997. Contact Jill Patterson, Center for Biology Education, 1268 Genetics/Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI 53706. Phone: (608) 262-1182.

University of Wisconsin, "Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin, Summer 1997." The Department of Bacteriology receives support from the National Science Foundation, and from the U.W. Graduate School and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, to conduct a summer research program for undergraduate students entitled "Research Experience for Undergraduates" (REU). Fifteen students are supported for directed research experiences in laboratories of faculty researchers in microbiology and molecular biology. Each student in the eight-week program receives a stipend of $2,500 and is provided with housing and a subsistence allowance. In addition to full-time research on individual projects, REU students attend seminars presented by the faculty mentors and participate in an undergraduate research symposium at the close of the program. Participants in the program are selected on the basis of academic qualifications and research aptitude as determined by prior course work, letters of recommendation from college teachers, and interest in a career in research in the biological sciences. Dates: June 16 to August 8, 1997. Application Deadline: March 1, 1997. A complete description of the program and applications can be obtained from the web page below or by contacting Robin Kurtz, University of Wisconsin, REU Program, Department of Bacteriology, 1550 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706. Phone: (608) 262-2914. Fax: (608) 262-9865. Website

Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, "Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Biology." Next summer's offering depends on pending NSF-REU support. The program features full time research in one of the following fields: cell biology, biophysics, molecular genetics, biochemistry, computational biology, or neurobiology. The program is interested in attracting students from traditionally under-represented groups; recently about half of the students have been minority. The program offers weekly lectures and colloquia as well as lab experience. There is a stipend of $2500 for 10 weeks plus full coverage of living expenses and transportation. Dates: June 3 to August 9, 1997. Application deadline: March 1. Contact Carmen Mannella, Wadsworth Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany NY 12201-0509. Phone: (518) 473-7553. Fax: (518) 486-4901. Website.

Washington University, "Undergraduate Summer Research Program in Developmental Biology." This 10 week program includes several projects in developmental biology. Students work full time under close faculty supervision. The program begins with 4-5 workshops combining lectures, demonstrations, and lab exercises on special subjects such as confocal microscopy. It also includes a student-run journal club and seminar series. At the end of the program there is a research retreat at a state park, combining student presentations and recreation. Preference is given to students who have completed the junior year but usually a few younger students are also included. The program has had 30-50% minority students. The stipend of $3440 includes a housing allowance. A transportation supplement is provided in special cases. Dates: June 9 to August 15, 1997. Application deadline: February 15, 1997. Contact Juliane Stookey, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University, Campus Box 8226, 660 South Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. Phone: (314) 747-0843. Fax: (314) 362-3369.

Professor And Head
Department of Biochemistry
Univeristy of Iowa
College of Medicine

The University of Iowa, College of Medicine is seeking an outstanding individual to provide leadership as executive officer of the Department of Biochemistry.

Candidates are expected to have the PhD, MD or comparable degree, an active and internationally recognized research program and a strong record of commitment and effectiveness in promoting medical, graduate, and undergraduate education. The individual selected will have demonstrated administrative ability and experience, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a dynamic and innovative approach to leadership that will build on existing strengths in research and teaching. With 22 faculty, the Department has active research programs in molecular biology, cell biology and biophysical chemistry. Additional information about research and educational programs is available online.

Please direct applications, including curriculum vitae, list of publications and names of three or more references to the address below. Applications submitted by March 1, 1997 are assured of full consideration.

Dr. Robert E. Fellows, Chair
Biochemistry Search Committee The University of Iowa, College of Medicine
Attn: Mary Jo Young
200 CMAB
Iowa City, IA 52242

The University of lowa is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

New ASCB Publications On How To Get A Job
The ASCB Publications and Education committees have published two new brochures in the popular How to Get A Job series: How to Get a Research Job in Academia and Industry, and How to Get a Teaching Job at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution. Free single copies are available to ASCB members upon request. Bulk copies may be purchased for $1.00 each.

Coffee Break Forum Varied and Enlightening
For the sixth consecutive year, the Educational Coffee Break Forum was sponsored by the ASCB Education Committee during the morning coffee hour each day of the Congress & Meeting in San Francisco. As always, engaging scientists in science education was a primary goal.

On one day, those in attendance found the room sprinkled with random toys on the chairs. They were asked to assemble in groups around one or another of the toys and to discuss among themselves how the toy was like a cell and how it was not. The "model cells" ranged from a plastic bag containing a clear liquid with small bits of plastic of assorted buoyancy, shape, and color, to a wind-up mouse whose tail wagged, to a traditional teaching model of a mitotic cell, vintage ca. 1955. After several minutes of conversation, each group reported the results of its discussion. Thus did Helen Doyle, Coordinator of Core Programs of the Science and Health Education Partnerships at the University of California, San Fran cisco, introduce her presentation on the outreach activities that the Partnerships coordinate between UCSF and the San Francisco public schools. The message: people learn when they are engaged, and they become engaged by doing.

The series opened with Nancy Lane of Cambridge University (England) describing British efforts to encourage increased science literacy, not only in the school-age population but in the general public, through such events as an annual week devoted to Public Awareness of Science, sponsored by a group of organizations including the Royal Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

Jeffrey Mayne of Birmingham-Southern College described his experience job-sharing. He pointed out that although both the institution and the individuals involved must discuss possible difficulties thoroughly in advance, all possibilities are impossible to anticipate and all parties must remain flexible. Nevertheless, the advantages of a shared position can be ideal for some people or at some points in one's life. He has developed a list of institutions where he knows that shared positions have been arranged.

Malcolm Campbell of Davidson College suggested engaging undergraduate biology students by arranging classes around discussions of a few problems whose solutions must be developed by learning the appropriate aspects of the curriculum, which Campbell describes as "learning on a need-to-know basis." The study guide he developed to facilitate this innovative teaching style in multiple small-enrollment sections of large introductory classes is available online.

Throughout the week the forum attendees found themselves drawn into wide-ranging discussions about a diverse range of educational topics. The ASCB Education Committee hopes to continue the successful series this year in Washington, D.C. ASCB members are excouraged to provide suggestions for topics or ideas on interesting initiatives in education.

Mary Lee S. Ledbetter and Christopher Watters for the ASCB Education Committee.

Fulbright Scholar Awards
The 1998-99 Fulbright Scholar Awards competition opens March 1, 1997. Lecturing or advanced research opportunities in over 135 countries range from two months to a full academic year. Basic eligibility requirements are US citizenship and Ph.D. or comparable professional qualifications. For further information and application materials, contact the USIA Fulbright Senior Scholar Program, Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 3007 Tilden Street, NW, Suite 5M, Box GNEWS, Washington, DC 20008-3009. The Web address for on-line materials. Phone: (202) 686-7877; Email

Educational Workshops in Interdisciplinary Research
The NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) in conjunction with the National Institute of Nursing (NINR), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Center of Research Resources (NCRR) is announcing a Request for Applications (RFA) focusing on "Educational Workshops in Interdisciplinary Research". The goal of this RFA is to foster the development and social sciences or between behavioral/social sciences and biomedical sciences. To achieve this goal, short-term (1-2) weeks education programs in interdisciplinary research aimed at social/behavioral and biomedical researchers during their formative stages of their careers, will be funded.

The RFA is announced in the Winter of 1996 in the weekly NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. The guide may be found on the NIH website. In Addition, look for the announcement on the Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research website.

For additional information contact
Gerdi Weider, Ph.D.
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
National Institutes of Health
Building 1, Room 326
Bethesda, MD 20892-0183
Phone: (301) 402-1146

MBL Courses
The Marine Biological Laboratory announces three courses for 1997. 1. Analytical & Quantitative Light Microscopy (application deadline 3/11/97). 2. Microinjection Techniques in Cell Biology (application deadline 3/11/97). 3. Neurobiology & Development of the Leech (application deadline 5/20/97). Course fees and housing arrangements vary. Contact Carol Hamel, Admissions Coordina-tor, MBL, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole MA 02543-1015 for details. Phone (508) 289-7401. Email Web site

Beatson Conference
3rd Cancer Research Campaign Beatson International Cancer Conference: Cancer from Pedigree to Protein. July 6-9, 1997. Glasgow, Scotland. Tricia Wheeler, Con ference Coordinator, Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate, Switch-back Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD. Phone: 0141 942 0855 Fax: 0141 942 6521 Email Website Deadline for registration and abstracts: April 4, 1997.

Beyond Discovery
The National Academy of Sciences, as part of a Basic Science Initiative, is developing a series of publications entitled Beyond Discovery. The series of richly-illustrated articles explains how valuable discoveries are driven by basic research. ASCB Executive Director Elizabeth Marincola serves on the Steering Committee for the Basic Science Initiative, which is chaired by NAS Vice President Jack Halpern. Beyond Discovery publications are available upon request from the Academy (2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20418; Email). The series is also accessible online.

This session, sponsored by the Education Committee and presented Saturday afternoon prior to the opening of the Congress & Meeting, was attended by approximately 100 participants. Each presentation was followed by a spirited discussion. The following topics were covered:

• William Heidcamp of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, discussed the large variety of Teaching Materials Available Via the Internet. These include the cell biology laboratories available. Searches on the Web may be used to locate topics of interest; choosing an appropriate search string is important. A large variety of images may be downloaded from the Web. Students may carry out image analyses using either commercial software packages or NIH Image, which is now available for PCs as well as MACs. The difficulty of quality assessment of material on the Web was discussed. One conclusion reached was that, even with the use of the large variety of material, lectures still have their role in teaching.
• Celia Jamur of the Federal University of Parana, Brazil, described methods used at her university for Teaching Cell Biology with Limited Resources. Laboratories for undergraduate courses are not experimentally based and students receive no training in laboratory techniques; instead, labs consist of interpretation of micrographs and discussions of research papers from current journals. The graduate program is based on specialized core courses and electives. Provision of supplies and equipment for cell biology classes is dependent largely on each of the teaching faculty's laboratories. Elective courses are supplemented by inviting faculty from other universities, who are expected to provide their own teaching materials. Although some journals (e.g., those published by Academic Press) and abstracts are available on the Internet, access to the Internet is limited in Brazil because of poor phone systems. The lack of adequate resources has a major impact on how cell biology is taught.
• A. Malcolm Campbell of Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina, described his Innovative Teaching Methods using a study guide that approaches introductory biology (cell and molecular) from a different perspective. Instead of covering material through a typical text, he covers the same material when the students need to know the information in order to answer attention-grabbing questions. For example, in the genetics section, the students learn classical and molecular genetics in order to identify the causes of sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and Huntington's disease. The study guide is available online.
• Lawrence Jensen of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, described the development of Computer-Generated Models as Teaching Aids. Jensen outlined a project on the cytoskeleton and wall formation in plants, and showed a complete animation on The Story of Pollen. Recent advances in computer technology and software are making it feasible to teach biological structure more efficiently with the assistance of animated, 3-D models. A topic is chosen, the information required is researched, a script is written, and drawings are created for each stage of the script. With the help of a professional animator, a series of models are created, which are printed and circulated to research colleagues for comments. The final fully animated 3-D model can be distributed on a CD ROM or video, loaded onto departmental computers or produced as black and white still frames for student work sheets.
• Nancy Lane of Cambridge University, UK, described Methods to Interest Students Belonging to Under-Represented Groups in Pursuing Studies in Science at the Secondary, Tertiary, and Post-Graduate Level. It has been established that women are the major under-represented group in the UK in science in colleges and universities. Indeed, they have been characterized as "the single most under-valued and therefore under-used group in the UK." Anecdotal evidence suggests that minority groups are even less well represented. In attempts to solve these problems, a number of government schemes have been initiated over the past few years, in coordination with the Equal Opportunities Commission and with Opportunity 2000 linking with a developmental unit for women in science. There have also been school-based initiatives and attention to developing family-friendly policies (part-time, job sharing), flexible scholarships, and emphasis on academic rather than chronological age. These activities appear to be having an impact, albeit still slight.

I Didn't Know That!
Thanks to the attendees at the 6th International Congress on Cell Biology and the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology who participated in our survey.

More than 2 percent of scientific attendees at the meeting stopped by the ASCB booth and took the time to complete the survey. Participants are entered in a drawing for free registration for the 37th Annual Meeting of ASCB, to be held December 13-17, 1997, in Washington, DC.

The American Society for Cell Biology Minorities Affairs Committee (ASCB MAC) announces the ASCB/MAC Visiting Professorship Awards. The purpose of the Awards is to support research at primarily teaching institutions that serve minority students and scientists.

This program will provide research support for professors at minority-serving institutions to work in the laboratories of members of the American Society for Cell Biology for an eight- to ten-week period during the summer of 1997.

The goal of the program is to give science instructors in primarily teaching institutions a research experience in cell biology or a related field. This is intended to provide experience with new research tools and techniques, and to allow visitors to enhance their research programs. In addition, a major goal of the Professorship is to establish long-term associations between the visiting professors and research-intensive universities. Another component of the program is for professors to enhance their teaching based on the summer research experience. Women and minority teachers and teachers in colleges and universities with a high minority enrollment are especially encouraged to apply for this professorship.

Each professorship provides support of $12,000 plus $700 for travel expenses. $2,000 is awarded to the host institution for supplies.

An application form listing professional background, research interests, description of the proposed summer research project, and projected follow-up activities upon completion of the project must be submitted by the research host and visiting professor. The ASCB National Office will provide professors with the names of interested ASCB host scientists upon request.

Hosts and visitor scientists should submit their applications together as a proposed team. Submit application package plus two copies to the American Society for Cell Biology, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda MD 20814-3992, postmarked by March 15, 1997.

The applications will be evaluated by a committee of ASCB members. Professorship awards will be announced in April 1997.For an application form, contact Dot Doyle at the American Society for Cell Biology; 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3992; Phone: (301) 530-7153; Fax: (301) 530-7139.

Congress & Meeting - Briefcases Available
A limited number of briefcases distributed at the 6th International Congress on Cell Biology & 36th ASCB Annual Meeting are available for sale. Send $5 per bag plus $3 U.S. or $10 foreign per rder for shipping to the ASCB.

The ASCB Education Committee calls attention each month to several Web sites of educational interest to the cell biology community. The Committee does not endorse nor guarantee the accuracy of the information at any of the listed sites. If you wish to comment on the selections or suggest future inclusions, please send a message to Robert Blystone

One of the more difficult learning experiences in cell biology is the visualization of molecular structure. There are a number of public domain software packages with associated "rendered" molecules that are available from the WEB. This month's column will explore three of these public domain molecular visualization WEB sites.

1. RasMol Homepage
   Roger Sayle while at the Univ. of Edinburgh developed molecular visualization software called RasMol (RASter MOLecule). With continued support from GlaxoWellcome, RasMol has become a public domain standard in a fashion similar to NIH-Image. The Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst has become a RasMol clearing house where one can obtain RasWin for PC/Windows, RasMac for Macintosh, RasMol for Unix, Nextstep, and Acorn RISC. The University of California, Berkeley has made interesting modifications to the program. A comprehensive RasMol manual can be downloaded from the Amherst site and which site also provides a link to the GlaxoWellcome WEB site for more information. If one wants to just view the output of RasMol without actually running the software, either the GlaxoWellcome or Amherst WEB site has a gallery of WEB viewable images such as the electrostatic surface of aspirin, Phage 434 CRO repressor protein bound to DNA, and tRNA synthetase complexed to tRNA and ATP.

   ASCB member Malcolm Campbell of Davidson University has assembled a nice teaching library of molecules using the RasMol software. You might want to check out Davidson site.

   It is possible to manipulate the molecules drawn in RasMol over the WEB if one installs MDL Chime 1.0 into the plugin folder of Netscape 3.0. One may see molecules rotate in wire frame, ball and stick, space fill, or even ribbon format over the WEB. The Davidson or Amherst site have instructions for downloading Chime and with the Amherst site having instructions for Chime use.One can create his/her own molecules in RasMol using data from the Protein Data Bank which can be accessed online.

2. MacMolecule
   One of the first accessible molecular viewers came from the University of Arizona and is named MacMolecule. The latest version is called MacMolecule2 Lite and is authored by Myers, Hallick, and Selznick of the Dept. of Biochemistry at Arizona. The software is still in development and the latest version comes with a renewable expiration date. The software works only on the Macintosh platform.

   The Biology Learning Center
   The MacMolecule project is associated with the Biology Learning Center (BLC) at Arizona. One may find browsing the BLC homepage very interesting. By choosing the "Tools" section, an area called "Molecular Animation/Viewing Tools" can be accessed. From here one can get to the Protein Data Bank, the Klotho Biochemical Compounds Declarative Database, and the Library of 3D Molecular Structure of the New York University Scientific Visualization Center.A WEB viewable, revolving sample movie made with MacMolecule can be found online.

   The molecule represented is a piece of Hammerhead shark DNA.

3. MolView and MolView Lite
   Our last stop this month is a molecular rendering program for the Macintosh known as MolView. Thomas J. Smith of Purdue has developed this program over the last several years. Some large QuickTime movies (2 Megs) such as scorpion toxin can be accessed over the WEB which demonstrate the attributes of this innovative software. One can easily spend some joyous hours using MolView to create spectacular molecular animations. The program also has the capability of doing some very nice biochemical modeling.

Prepared and sites checked Jan. 2, 1997

Robert V. Blystone for the ASCB Education Committee