Young engineers from sixth, seventh, and eighth grades put their skills to the test at the 16th annual model car competition, held April 29 at the Museum of Science and Industry. See story below for details.

May 22, 2006 -- Some of this week's stories:

Membrane protein factory
may lead to new drug treatments

Evelyn Brown

Biologists at Argonne have engineered and patented a bacterial "factory" that enables the study of membrane proteins. These proteins are challenging to study, but critical to understand because they represent 60 percent of drug targets. Studies of these proteins could lead to new and improved pharmaceutical treatments of a broad range of illnesses such as depression, heart disease, addictions and cystic fibrosis.

Membrane proteins perform essential processes in the cell, such as controlling the flow of information and materials between cells and mediating activities like nerve impulses and hormone action. These proteins are located in the rugged, oily, two-layered membrane that holds the cell together. One-third of the genome of any organism encodes membrane proteins.

"When a cell is attacked by a virus or a bacterium, primary entry into the cell is via an association with proteins in the cell membrane," said Argonne biophysicist Phil Laible (BIO). "In addition, in many disease states, the essential processes controlled by membrane proteins go awry. That is why so many membrane proteins are drug targets."

Biologists use three-dimensional images of proteins to better understand how proteins work. In drug design, for instance, the 3-D images help researchers develop a drug that specifically blocks binding of a biological attacker that would cause disease.

Researchers in Argonne 's Biosciences Division are world leaders in automating the many steps it takes to determine 3-D structures of proteins and have cut time and costs from the process. The structures of thousands of proteins are now known.

"But those are water-soluble proteins," said biochemist Deborah Hanson (BIO), who patented the bacterial factory with colleague Laible. "Membrane proteins are harder to study at every step.

"The first step in studying most proteins is to dissolve them in water," Hanson said, "but that does not work with membrane proteins that live in the oily, lipid bi-layer that surrounds the cell."

Researchers studying water-soluble proteins often use commercial E. coli-based systems to express, or produce, copies of the protein. When membrane proteins are produced in E. coli, they overload the cell's bilayers and cause the cells to die. The sources that have yielded the majority of the few known membrane-protein structures are organisms in which the target membrane protein is naturally abundant.

Laible and Hanson took advantage of the natural characteristics of the Rhodobacter species of photosynthetic bacteria they were working with in another project. Under certain conditions -- in response to light or oxygen -- Rhodobacter naturally produces large quantities of internal membranes.

The biologists developed a system that successfully expresses hundreds of copies of a chosen membrane protein in Rhodobacter while simultaneously synthesizing the internal membranes they want to live in.

So far the team has cloned about 500 genes into Rhodobacter. "First," Laible said, "we produced a variety of membrane proteins of different sizes, functions and physical properties, and we have had a 60 percent success rate with them. Now we have cloned all of the membrane proteins of E. coli and are continuing production."

As they continue to manufacture different membrane proteins, the team is tackling the next step to creating a pathway to protein crystallization for membrane proteins by developing specialized molecules, or reagents.

"We are working," Laible said, "with a multidisciplinary team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Illinois-Chicago and deCODE biostructures, Inc. of Bainbridge Island, Washington." They will focus on three types of reagents:

•  Designer detergents that remove the membrane protein from the lipid bi-layer where it resides

•  Antibodies to stabilize the membrane protein, and

•  Molecules that mimic the lipid bi-layer, or membrane.

Researchers will test the reagents on the membrane proteins produced in the Rhodobacter "factory."

Funding for this research has been provided by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of General Medical Sciences, which recently granted the biologists a $5 million, five-year research grant to continue their pursuit of a process leading to 3-D structures of membrane proteins.

Kids' safety posters
to appear on bulletin boards

The posters were created by society members' children aged 5-14, and are selected from the winners of the society's annual " Safety on the Job "poster contest. Winners received a savings bond.

The American Society of Safety Engineers, based in Des Plaines, is the oldest and largest professional safety organization. Its 30,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members work in industry, government, labor and education.

Young engineers take the fuel cell challenge

Young engineers from sixth, seventh, and eighth grades put their skills to the test at the 16th annual model car competition, held April 29 at the Museum of Science and Industry. The hydrogen fuel cell car competition is part of the Chicago Regional Science Bowl sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, CHN-Case New Holland and Argonne.

Each team was provided with fuel cell car supplies, including a reversible fuel cell which is the only item required to be used. The rest of the car design and components were limited only by the students' imaginations. They designed the chassis, gears, wheels, axles and gas collection/storage tank. The competition's objective is to design and build a vehicle to complete a 10-meter race in the shortest possible time.

Vehicles competed in a double-elimination tournament to determine the fastest car. Prizes were awarded to the best-performing teams, and design awards were also given based on innovation (system design), technology (powertrain and chassis), craftsmanship and appearance and presentation.

In the racing category, first place went to Byrne Elementary School, Chicago; second place went Daniel Wright Middle School, Lincolnshire; and third place went to St. John's Lutheran School, LaGrange. In the design category, Chippewa Middle School, Des Plaines took first place; Roosevelt Middle School, River Forest took second and Daniel Wright Middle School, Lincolnshire, took third.

The Fuel Cell Car Competition is part of the 2006 Chicago Middle School Science Bowl which also included an academic competition earlier this year. The goal of the Science Bowl is to encourage student involvement in math, science, and engineering activities. The team from Daniel Wright Middle School earned the chance to represent the Chicago Region at the National Middle School Science Bowl this June at the University of Denver, as team members had the best combined score from the Fuel Cell Car Competition and Academic Competition.

The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Competition was sponsored by Argonne, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, General Motors, CNH Case New Holland, the Society of Automotive Engineers and the Museum of Science and Industry.

Colloquium to focus on 'Science Glass Ceiling'

Sue V. Rosser, dean of Ivan Allen College, the liberal arts college at Georgia Institute of Technology, will speak on "Women and the Science Glass Ceiling" at a director's special colloquium Tuesday, June 6.

The colloquium will begin at 2 p.m. in the Building 402 Conference Center. All employees whose schedules permit are invited to attend. Bus service will be provided.

In addition to her position as dean, Rosser is a professor of history, technology and society. From 1995-1999, she was director for the Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research and professor of anthropology at the University of Florida-Gainesville. In 1995, she was senior program officer for women's programs at the National Science Foundation. From 1986-1995 she served as director for women's studies at the University of South Carolina, where she was also professor of family and preventive medicine at the medical school.

Rosser has edited collections and written about 115 journal articles on the theoretical and applied problems of women and science and women's health.

Running club team takes 2nd place in 80-mile relay

"16 Cheeks to the Wind," the eight-member Argonne Running Club relay team, took second place in the corporate division of the annual River-To-River Relay in southern Illinois April 22.

The race starts on the Mississippi River southwest of Carbondale and weaves its way eastward through hilly back country roads to the Ohio River. The challenging 80-mile course is divided into 24 segments. Team members pass the baton at three- to four-mile intervals while the rest of the team is shuttled to the next exchange point in the team van. The Argonne team finished in 10 hours 14 minutes, capturing 61st place overall in the field of 228 finishing teams. Over the past 12 years, more than 20 members of the Argonne Running Club have participated in this event.

This year's River-to-River runners were Tom Buffington (AES), John Hyzer (HR), Ron Kmak (NE), Jim Kuiper (EVS), Conrad Zadlo (IPNS), Christine Buiter, John Schlueter (MSD) and Dan Milinko (EQO).

All employees receive workplace violence brochure

Argonne employees should have received a Workplace Violence Prevention Program brochure to help them recognize the indicators of workplace violence and react appropriately if confronted with a threatening situation.

Providing a safe work environment for all employees and visitors is Argonne 's highest priority, and workplace violence will not be tolerated, regardless of the circumstance under which it occurs and regardless of the position or grade of the individual or individuals involved.

Argonne Human Resources Policy 7425.1 defines workplace violence as the wrongful violation, damage or abuse of other persons, self, or property, including threats of violence. Acts of violence and threats of violence include, but are not limited to:

•  Verbal assault such as threats, uncontrolled or explosive displays of anger, abuse and intimidation

•  Nonverbal actions, such as gestures or pantomimes of physical harm and intimidation

•  Physical abuse, such as hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking and assault

•  Other acts such as arson, sabotage, vandalism and stalking.

All threats will be taken seriously and investigated.

Workplace violence is in violation of both the Argonne Statement of Conduct policy and the Employee Conduct policy. Any employee who engages in workplace violence may be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal.

For more information on workplace violence or the policies mentioned above, refer to the online Human Resources Policy and Procedure Manual.

Bicycle riders must stay in line with cars at gates

Bicyclists approaching Argonne entrances must stay in line with automobiles waiting their turns to stop for a Protective Force officer to check drivers' badges. This is important for cyclists' personal safety. If a security officer indicates that the cyclist is to enter the right lane for a random search, then and only then should a bicyclist or motorist proceed to the right lane.

Emergency contact info should be current

All persons working at Argonne -- including users, students and others -- should keep their personal emergency contact information up-to-date. A confidential database is used to maintain the name, address and phone number of a primary and a secondary contact to notify immediately in the event of a serious illness or injury.

Emergency contact information can be updated quickly online:

•  Login to Inside Argonne

•  Click on the "Personal Info" tab

•  Click on "Emergency Contacts"

•  Fill in the emergency contact screen.

Employees without computers can use the Human Resources computers in Building 201.

MetLife representative to offer quotes

A representative from MetLife Auto & Home will visit Argonne Tuesday, May 23, to meet with individual employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners insurance program.

To schedule an appointment, call Craig Riddick at (630) 810-0346, ext. 143. Employees can also receive a quote over the phone by calling 1-800-438-6388.

Gift Shop has larger selection

The Gift Shop in the Building 213 Cafeteria is now offering a larger color selection of both men's and women's T-shirts and knit shirts, sleeveless ladies knit shirts, windbreakers and parkas, both men's and women's denim shirts and greeting cards for all occasions.

Summer ball caps sporting the Argonne logo will arrive soon, along with novelty logo items like pens, mugs and key chains.

The shop is located next to the cash registers and is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visa and MasterCard are accepted for food and gift purchases.

Women in Science & Technology
Steering Committee seeks members

The Argonne National Laboratory Women in Science and Technology (WIST) program is seeking candidates for the WIST Steering Committee. The steering committee provides guidance and support to the WIST Program Initiator (WPI), currently Kirsten Laurin-Kovitz (NE), and assists with implementation of WIST-sponsored programs to promote the advancement, recruitment and retention of women scientists and engineers at Argonne.

The Steering Committee includes women technical staff members from each associate laboratory director area and Operations. Vacancies are the result of member rotation and the expansion of the committee to incorporate new associate laboratory director areas.

For more information about how to apply for current openings or nominate someone for committee membership, contact Tracy Ercoli (OPS) at tercoli@anl.gov by June 15. Former members can apply for consideration.

More information about WIST is online.

Sign-up gets under way for 3-on-3 hoops

Sign-up has begun for the "Three on Three" basketball tournament season at Argonne.

The tournament is open to Argonne and U.S. Department of Energy employees of any skill level. Partial teams and individuals are welcome. Registration deadline is Friday, June 2.

Games are played at lunchtime at the outdoor basketball court in the 600 area. The tournament will begin the second week of June.

For more information, rules and scheduling, contact Leon Reed (HEP) at ext. 2-4478.

Argonne to host institute on computational economics

Argonne will host the University of Chicago-Argonne Institute on Computational Economics July 17-21. The five-day summer program serves as a focal point for promoting and disseminating cutting-edge methods in computational science useful in the solution and empirical estimation of economic models.

The conference is invitation-only and not open to the public. About 40 fellows and nine lecturers are expected to participate.

For details, see the conference Web site.