CONTENTS
July 2007
Every year, taxpayers provide billions of dollars earmarked for biomedical
research. What do they get back? KERRY GRENS explores the economic returns on research. Plus, economist ADAM JAFFE explains why doubling the NIH budget actually hurt researchers. |
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A little lab tackles a big question A few years ago, a research organization founded by Sydney Brenner decided to pool all its resources into studying one pathway in yeast. EDYTA ZIELINSKA visits Molecular Sciences Institute in Berkeley, California, to see if that decision paid off. Plus, a look at how one scientist blew four fingers off his left hand as a child but kept experimenting. |
RELATED: Tinkering with tumor-tracking tadpoles The Molecular Sciences Institute’s new tools Slideshow: A day in the life of the Molecular Sciences Institute |
The trouble with animal models Trials of a neuroprotective agent were supposed to follow standards that would give clinical testing a better chance of success. ANDREA GAWRYLEWSKI tries to figure out why it failed. Plus, how gender can play havoc with results in
animal trials. |
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As trials get underway, Peter Hotez and his colleagues are hoping their vaccine will put an end to a parasite’s evasive immune maneuvers – and its devastating morbidity. MERRILL GOOZNER travels to remote areas of Brazil to observe. |
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EDITORIAL Junk worth keeping Is it time to retire provocative descriptors like “junk DNA?” COLUMNS Thanks, Andrew Speaker One man with TB shows the world why the quarantine system often doesn’t work. Do universities need quotas? Many groups are underrepresented at schools, and Brazil’s trying to do something about it. Notebook The agenda; An underwater life; Nobel pseudoprizes; Surgeonfish’s revenge; The oldest tree; A biologist realtor OPINION Can journalists help improve peer review? FOUNDATIONS The Dreyer peptide and protein sequencer, circa 1977 PROFILES Scientist to watch: Reuben Shaw: A fated pathway Decoding the brain Re-imaging a career THE LITERATURE Targeting with siRNAs Researchers use nanoparticles and antibodies to take aim Hot paper: Selecting for humans Hot paper: Influenza pays its toll Papers to watch: Butterfly eyes Papers to watch: Profiling human histones LAB TOOLS A nuanced knockout If using in vivo RNAi has you down for the count, here’s what you need to know. CAREERS Taking mentorship online Need a mentor? Check out MentorNet, an e-mentoring program. |