Researchers at the Advanced Photon Source have used wide angle X-ray scattering to analyze structural changes in proteins in increased detail. The application could help produce lead drugs for disease therapy.

Feb. 14, 2005 -- Some of this week's stories:

Protein structure seen in increased detail

By Raquel Harper

Structural changes in proteins can now be seen in increased detail, using a new application of an existing technique. The application, developed at Argonne, could help produce lead drugs for disease therapy.

In research published in Chemistry and Biology, the scientists report the use of wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), an X-ray diffraction technique that has previously been used to determine the crystalline structures of polymers.

The biologists adapted this materials science technique to study ligand-induced structural changes in proteins. Ligands are molecules that can cause the creation of complex compounds in protein structure.

The results Argonne scientists achieved using WAXS are comparable to the already accepted predictions of protein structures provided by X-ray crystallography, and are easier and quicker to obtain. The results also show promise for using WAXS as a reliable and high-speed tool for lead drug identification.

WAXS has the potential to identify medicinal drugs that can bind to target proteins and to determine how effective drugs are at binding to and modifying their targeted proteins. The technique is sensitive enough to tell the difference between a ligand that's just sticking to the surface of a protein (a drug that may have no effect) and a ligand that's actually changing the structure (a drug that is more likely to be effective).

In the past, detecting this difference required the use of several techniques combined. No other previous technique has been able to distinguish the difference on its own, or as quickly.

"Wide angle X-ray scattering provides a real tool for identifying lead drugs," said co-author Lee Makowski of Argonne's Biosciences Division, "It will identify a molecule that's good enough to be developed as a drug."

The researchers believe WAXS will allow scientists to study more protein-ligand interactions at a faster and cheaper rate than the existing laborious and expensive X-ray crystallography.

"The data collection only takes a couple of minutes," said Makowski, "So theoretically an industrial pipeline could be set up that would only be limited by a few minutes per protein-small molecule interaction." Functional cell-based assays (which are needed for other methods) currently take weeks, if not months to complete — causing a bottleneck in data collection and analysis.

The researchers have submitted a grant proposal request to the National Institutes of Health for possible funding of future studies with WAXS.

Club sponsors Black History Month celebrations

Argonne's African-American/Black Club (AABC) will host three events to celebrate Black History Month.

The Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago will perform at noon Tuesday, Feb. 15, in the Building 402 Auditorium. The dancers perform authentic African and African-American dance, music and folklore.

An Art and Cultural Exhibit will run Wednesday, Feb. 16, through Friday, Feb. 18, in the Building 213 Cafeteria Lobby. Artists will display African dolls, sterling silver, framed artwork and African shadow boxes.

Black History Month will close with a brown-bag lunch presentation by Marvin Gunn, manager of the U.S. Department of Energy's Chicago Operations Office. The presentation will be held Monday, Feb. 28, at 11:30 a.m. in the Building 402 Lower Level Gallery. Gunn will discuss his career and share survival strategies and advice.

Seating is limited. Contact Linda Washington (DEP) at Washington@dep.anl.gov to register.

Researchers to discuss LDRD project work

A mini-symposium on the results of Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) projects will be held from 2 - 3:45 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Building 201, Conference Rooms 190A and B. The topics covered will include:

"Science and Technology of a New TiA10 Alloy Oxide and its Application to a New Generation of Integrated Circuit Gate Dielectric" by Orlando Auciello (MSD)

"Superconducting Magnetic Control System for Manipulation of Magnetic Particles and Nano-Particles for Medical Applications" by Yung Cha (ET)

"Environment for a Nanoscale Materials Virtual Fab Lab" by Stephen Gray (CHM)

"Site-Specific Magnetism in Crystals" by Daniel Haskel (XFD)

"Ultrasensitive Hydrogen Sensors" by Wai Kwok (MSD)

"Development of Germanium Double-Sided Strip Detectors for Nulcear Imaging Applications" by Kim Lister (PHY)

"Nanoscale Confinement of Highly Spin-Polarized Oxides" by Tao Wu (MSD)

Mail delivery depends on up-to-date HR database

The laboratory's transition to the new mail delivery process has been completed.

Mail Services uses the Human Resources employee database to direct mail to appropriate building locations, so it is essential that the HR database be kept current to ensure proper mail delivery.

Mail addressed to non-Argonne personnel must include a building number in the address. Mail Services can then contact the appropriate building manager for the correct mail-stop number so the mail can be delivered.

To report problems or concerns about the new mail delivery process, call Patricia Gajewski (PFS-MAT), mail services supervisor, at ext. 2-3540.

Bodman is new energy secretary

Samuel Bodman has been sworn in as the 11th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. Bodman was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate Monday, Jan. 31. He replaces Spencer Abraham, who resigned Nov. 15, 2004.

"It is a great honor and personal privilege to serve President Bush and the American people as Secretary of Energy," Bodman said. "I look forward to working with the fine men and women of the Energy Department to advance this department's critically important missions, including preserving America's pre-eminence in the physical sciences, ensuring the responsible stewardship of our nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, advancing our international nuclear nonproliferation efforts, and ensuring reliable, secure, affordable and environmentally responsible supplies of energy for our growing economy."

Bodman has served as deputy secretary of the Treasury Department and deputy secretary of the Commerce Department. Before joining the Bush administration, Bodman was chief executive officer of Boston-based Cabot Corporation and president and chief operating officer of Fidelity Investments. For six years prior to joining the private sector, Secretary Bodman served as an associate professor of chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

DOE award given to scientists for recycling work

By David A. Barry

A safe way to recycle radioactive targets at the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a best-in-class "Pollution Prevention Noteworthy Practice." The recycling procedure was developed by a team of engineers led by William Ruzicka (AOD) and Richard Vitt (IPNS) (See Argonne News , March 8, 2004).

The targets at IPNS wear out every three years, and replacing them costs around $1 million, Ruzicka said. Targets consist of eight hockey puck-shaped depleted-uranium disks stacked in an assembly the length of a football. When a target is bombarded by a proton beam, it emits neutrons that are used for research. Because the disks at the front of the target bear the brunt of the proton beam, Ruzicka and coworkers were able to salvage undamaged disks from the back end of two used targets and combine them in a new, fully functioning target assembly. This target is now in use at IPNS; a second refurbished target will be fabricated in 2005.

The disks are highly radioactive, but workers took advantage of Argonne's hot cell facilities — special isolation labs with four-feet-thick lead glass windows and remote manipulating arms — to maintain a safe environment for the technicians during refabrication.

This year, 53 projects were nominated for the DOE Office of Science's "best in class" pollution prevention award. DOE selected seven projects overall, including the Argonne recycling effort, as either "best in class" or "noteworthy practices." All seven entries will be advanced to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as candidates for the White House Closing the Circle awards, given to federal employees who make significant contributions to the environment.

Central Shops transferred to new TSD division

Argonne's Central Shops, previously within Plant Facilities and Services, has been transferred to the Information and Publishing Division (IPD), reporting to IPD Director Kathy Macal.

Reflecting this broadened scope of activity, IPD has been renamed the Technical Services Division (TSD).

The new alignment brings together service groups that work in close collaboration with Argonne's programmatic divisions to support research and development and the delivery of products to sponsors. This change will not impact the FY2005 Central Shops service rates. Phone numbers and locations of individuals in the Technical Services Division are unchanged.

Silent film festival at Argonne to look at love

Arts at Argonne will host a showing of silent films Friday, Feb. 25, with live piano accompaniment by David Drazin, official film accompanist of the Gene Siskel Film Center at Chicago's Art Institute.

The evening's selection of short films focuses on love, and most of the evening's offerings maintain a light-hearted tone. Stars include the "Ton of Fun" trio; William S. Hart, the Old West's gallant knight of the trail; comediennes Fay Tincher and Dorothy Devore in unconventional gender roles; "poor soul" Lloyd Hamilton, and Harry Langdon and Vernon Dent teaming up to explore the darker side of marriage.

The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Building 402, the Advanced Photon Source Conference Center. Tickets are $5 and will be sold in the Building 213 Cafeteria the week of Feb. 21, and at the box office before the performance.

This event is supported in part by funding from the Illinois Arts Council.

Badges must be visible at all times while on site

Everyone working at or visiting Argonne is required to wear site-access media while on site. A photo badge or visitor's pass must be worn in plain view on the upper portion of the body. This requirement enhances the security of the laboratory and the safety of its employees and visitors.

Those who feel comfortable in doing so are encouraged to challenge those who do not have a visible badge or gate pass. Site occupants are also encouraged to contact security and report unusual or suspicious activity. To report suspicious situations or activities call ext. 2-5730, ext. 2-5731, or dial 911 if the situation is an immediate concern.

IRS offers free online filing and tax preparation

The Internal Revenue Service has made free tax preparation programs available to virtually every taxpayer through a partnership with software companies . Taxpayers must access the programs from the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov/, which directs users to the participating programs. Illinois residents can file 2004 state income tax returns online for free at www.revenue.state.il.us/.

The laboratory does not endorse these programs, but is making this information available as a convenience to employees.

Guest House chef to teach southwestern cooking class

Guest House Executive Chef Chris Kaminski will present a class on southwestern cooking Thursday, Feb. 17, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Cost is $25; class size is limited. Payment and registration must be sent to the Argonne Guest House in Building 460 by the Friday, Feb. 11, registration deadline. For more information, call Kathy at ext. 5-2006.

Forum will host 2 board of governors members

Ruzena Bajcsy and Daphne Preuss, members of the University of Chicago's Board of Governors for Argonne, will speak at the next meeting of the First Friday Forum.

The meeting will be held Friday, Feb. 18, at noon in Building 201, Rooms 190 A and B.

The informal gathering will focus on the vision for the laboratory from the perspective of the board of governors. Likely topics of conversation will include roles and functions of the board of governors, what it takes to conduct leadership work in a scientific community, lessons from the governors' workplaces and careers, opportunities for Women in Science and Technology involvement, and strategies for strengthening scientific roles for women at Argonne.

The First Friday Forum is a monthly networking brown-bag lunch focusing on matters of interest to Argonne's scientific and technical women. All employees are welcome.

Volunteers wanted to lunch with students

The Science Careers in Search of Women conference committee is looking for volunteers to have lunch with high school students Thursday, March 10.

Hundreds of women students from the Chicagoland area come to tour the laboratory, see career booth exhibits and participate in question-and-answer panels. The luncheon will start at 1 p.m. in the Building 213 Cafeteria.

Contact Jean Sloboda at ext. 2-3953 or jsloboda@anl.gov to register or for more information.

Toastmasters offers class on speechcraft

Argonne Toastmasters will present a program on "Speechcraft" beginning Thursday, Feb. 24.

Toastmasters can provide the confidence needed to express thoughts and ideas and improve communication skills, helping participants speak more clearly and confidently.

Cost is $50 for the six-week program. For more information, contact Gino Williams (CIS) at ext. 2-3995 or Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410.

College-bound students can assist researchers

Local college-bound students can participate in laboratory research under the direction of Argonne scientists during an eight-week summer program offered by the Division of Educational Programs (DEP).

Students must have a grade-point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; graduate from a local Illinois high school in May or June 2005 and be enrolled to attend college in fall 2005. Participants will receive a stipend of $375 per week.

The program dates are June 13 through Aug. 5. Applications must be received at DEP by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 31. Application materials have been sent to high school science departments throughout the area. Applications may also be obtained from Lisa Reed at lreed@dep.anl.gov.

HR classes

To enroll, contact a Training Management System representative. A class enrollment form is also available online. Call Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410 for more information.

"Fitness for Duty" (HR226) — Thursday, Feb. 17, 1 - 5 p.m., Building 212, Conference Room A157. This class covers supervisors' responsibilities for referring an employee to the Medical Department if there is a concern about fitness for duty.

"Project Management" (HR372) — Tuesday, Feb. 22, Tuesday, March 1, and Tuesday, March 8, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Building 401, Conference Room E1100. Students will learn the project life cycle from inception through project planning, implementation, monitoring and control and completion.

"Presentation Skills" (HR284) — Wednesday, March 16, 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190. Students will learn to increase presentation effectiveness and confidence.

CIS classes

Computing classes offered by the Computing and Instrumentation Solutions Division are held in Building 201, Room 167C. Unless otherwise noted, classes cost $215 and are limited to eight participants. Complete class descriptions, schedules and enrollment forms are online. For more information about enrollment procedures, contact Diane Cavazos (CIS) at ext. 2-7153 or dkcavazos@anl.gov dkcavazos@anl.gov .

Classes offered in March will include:

"Advanced Word 2002" (CIS119) — Tuesday, March 1, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisites: Introduction to and Intermediate Word.

"Advanced Excel 2002" (CIS120) — Wednesday, March 2, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisites: Introduction to and Intermediate Excel.

"Advanced Access 2002" (CIS112) — Thursday, March 3, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: Intermediate Access.

"Introduction to PowerPoint 2002" (CIS114) — Friday, March 4, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: An understanding of Windows.

"Advanced PowerPoint 2002" (CIS118) — Monday, March 7, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: Introduction to and Intermediate PowerPoint.

"Beginning Unix" (CIS564) — Tuesday, March 15, 9 a.m. - noon is the first session. Thursday, March 17, 9 a.m. - noon is the second session. The class is free.

"vi Editor in Unix" (CIS567) — Friday, March 18, 9 a.m. - noon. The class is free. Prerequisite: A general knowledge of Unix, especially Unix file management commands.

In Memoriam

Matheson, former CHM director

Max S. Matheson, former director of Argonne's Chemistry Division, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, at his home in St. Louis, Mo. He was 91.

His career at Argonne began in 1950. Matheson worked as a research chemist, a senior scientist and finally director of the Chemistry Division. He retired in 1978.

Matheson published numerous articles and books, spent a year in Paris at the Laboratoire de Chimie Physique under a Guggenhiem Fellowship, and was a visiting professor for a term at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Contributions in Matheson's name may be sent to Convenant House or other charities that benefit children.

Marilyn J. Bohnen, a retired senior communications operator with 38 years of service in CIS, died Dec. 18. Her children, Tami Lynn Peleckis and Eric Bohnen, survive her.

Thomas F. Cannon, a retired engineering assistant with 31 years of service in CMT, died Jan. 22. His wife, Hermine, survives him.

Carl W. Erickson, a retired maintenance mechanic I with 17 years of service in PFS, died Jan. 7. His wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Vicki Oberholtzer, survive him.

John Farrington, a retired accountant with 37 years of service in OCF, died Dec. 13. His wife, Phyllis, survives him.

Harold Herman, a retired senior electrical engineer with 21 years of service in TD, died Dec. 17. His wife, Daniela, survives him.

Arthur S. Johnson, a retired plant operations supervisor with 23 years of service in PO, died December 19. His friend, Richard Garland, survives him.

John F. Lenc, a retired chemical engineer with 29 years of service in CMT, died Dec. 16. His wife, Viola, survives him.

Arnold Schunk, a retired stores custodian with 25 years of service in PFS, died Dec. 22. His wife, Frances, survives him.

John A. Simon, Jr., a retired civil engineer with 20 years of service in PFS-FPE, died Nov. 11. His wife, Roberta, survives him.

Robert Thorn , a retired senior chemist with 38 years of service in CHM, died Oct. 25. His son, Craig, survives him.