Creation of gene targeting earns Smithies March of Dimes honor
Dykstra garners multiple honors
Decorations & Distinctions
Creation of gene targeting earns Smithies
March of Dimes honor
Smithies |
For developing an indispensable tool for genetic disease research, two scientists have been named co-recipients of this year's March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, awarded May 16 in Washington, D.C.
Oliver Smithies, Excellence Professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University, and Mario R. Capecchi, Distinguished Professor of human genetics at the University of Utah, were honored for developing gene targeting.
Their technique gives scientists around the world the ability to alter particular genes in cultured cells and transfer those targeted genes to laboratory mice. Gene targeting thus allows them to design and produce "knockout" lab mice to study how the disabled gene works.
The same technology also makes it possible to change the function of a gene -- "knock in" -- or restore the function of a disabled gene. Because humans share the vast majority of their genes with mice, gene-targeted mice are used to reproduce diseases that occur in humans.
The March of Dimes Prize is a cash award of $250,000 and a silver medal in the design of the Roosevelt dime, in honor of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who founded the March of Dimes.
"Before gene targeting, researchers could not pinpoint how a specific gene worked, which was very frustrating," said Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "Dr. Capecchi and Dr. Smithies, working independently, made a technological breakthrough that completely revolutionized biomedical research and our ability to study human disease and development. We're reaping the benefits every day with advances in genetic medicine."
Gene targeting is now practiced routinely by thousands of scientists all over the world, enabling them to address the most complex and critical biological problems, including the causes and treatment of birth defects and many other disorders, such as cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis.
The March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology has been awarded annually since 1996 to investigators whose research has profoundly advanced the science that underlies the understanding of birth defects. The organization created the honor as a tribute to Jonas Salk shortly before his death in 1995.
The March of Dimes Prize will be awarded to Smithies and Capecchi at a black tie dinner and ceremony at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of President Roosevelt and a member of the March of Dimes National Board of Trustees, will host the ceremony.
Also on May 16, Smithies and Capecchi delivered the 10th annual March of Dimes Prize Lectures at the Washington Convention Center during the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies.
Dykstra garners multiple honors
Dykstra |
Linda Dykstra, Graduate School dean and William Rand Kenan Jr. professor in the departments of psychology and pharmacology, has been named president of the Association of Graduate Schools (AGS), which is the major graduate education component of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Dykstra's term as AGS president begins Oct. 1. She currently serves as vice president of AGS.
AAU was founded in 1900 to advance the standing of U.S. research universities.
The AAU focuses on issues central to research-intensive universities, particularly those related to academic research and graduate and professional education. It also provides members with a forum for discussing a broad range of other institutional issues, including undergraduate education.
In addition, Dykstra recently received the Mentorship Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD). This award is given to individuals who are exemplary mentors for researchers in the field of drug dependence. The CPDD focuses on research related to drug dependence and puts emphasis on training future researchers in the field. CPDD was originally affiliated with the National Academy of Sciences, and in 1991, it became a member organization.
For more than 25 years, Dykstra has demonstrated her commitment to providing quality training and mentorship in substance-abuse research on both an individual and organizational level. She has been the major research adviser for a large number of pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows, and she also developed and continues to direct one of the first NIH-supported training programs in research related to drug abuse.
Decorations & Distinctions
Cronenwett |
Linda Cronenwett
Dean of the School of Nursing, Cronenwett was awarded the 2005 honorary doctor of science degree on May 13 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in recognition of her accomplishments in improving the health of people through excellence in nursing. Her special interest is translational research and the continuous improvement of practice.
