An investigation into possible scientific misconduct in the laboratory of R. Michael Roberts at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) has exonerated Roberts and two MU co-authors of a 2006 Science article that challenged developmental canon by demonstrating two-cell embryos expressed distinct cell lineages. A fourth author, former MU postdoc Kaushik Deb, is still under investigation and has not responded to requests from the investigation committee to appear or participate in hearings.
"I have no idea where he is," Rob Hall, MU's Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, told The Scientist. "To my knowledge the university has not been able to contact Kaushik Deb."
Hall said the university will continue to proceed with the investigation, but Deb's absence means that he gives up certain rights, including the rights to call witnesses and present evidence. The investigation began several months ago after an unnamed scientist outside MU wrote to Science and urged the ...
