Secrets of Plankton Evolution Revealed

Ostreococcus

The analysis of DNA sequences from tiny green algae have provided new insights into the mystery of how new species of plankton evolve — and further highlights their critical role in the cycling of carbon. Phytoplankton from the genus Ostreococcus emerged nearly 1.5 billion years ago. Today, these creatures contribute a significant share of the world's photosynthetic activity. These "picophytoplankton" also exhibit great diversity that contrasts sharply with the dearth of ecological niches available to them. Genomics offers a glimpse into this "paradox of the plankton" by comparing the genomes of two Ostreococcus species, which produced dramatic changes in genome structure and metabolic capabilities, says the study's lead author, JGI researcher and Berkeley Lab genome expert Igor Grigoriev. Full story.

Chemist, Physicist Among Newest AAAS Members

Bell
Perlmutter

Alexis Bell, with Berkeley Lab's Chemical Sciences Division, and Saul Perlmutter, with the Physics Division, are among the 227 scholars, scientists, artists, civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Science. "Fellows are selected through a highly competitive process that recognizes individuals who have made preeminent contributions to their disciplines and to society at large," says academy president Emilio Bizzi. Go here to read a campus release on all newly selected UC Berkeley faculty, including Perlmutter and Bell.

Celebrate, Don't Bash
Biosciences Institute

This opinion piece written by UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau appeared in Sunday's Sacramento Bee.

We at UC Berkeley have a treasured tradition of accommodating diverse perspectives and understand that the free exchange of opinion is essential to a healthy democracy. Yet the public is done a disservice when perspectives are disconnected from the facts. For this reason we regret The Bee's April 19 editorial, which based its conclusions on inaccurate information. The editorial criticized UC Berkeley's proposed partnership with Berkeley Lab, the University of Illinois, and BP to create the Energy Biosciences Institute. Go here to read the full opinion piece.

Lab to Test Out New
Voice Switching System

Alvarez

Cedar Point Communications, which provides integrated VoIP switching technologies, announced the first trial and evaluation of its SAFARI C(Cubed) Multimedia Switching System by Berkeley Lab. "One of our challenges is identifying a communications platform for the future that combines the highest levels of protection with the flexibility of IP-based services," said Rosio Alvarez, chief information officer for Berkeley Lab. "Our activity with Cedar Point will help us to evaluate whether integrated voice switching solutions like SAFARI C(Cubed) are superior to multiple-element distributed soft switching architectures in such areas as security, reliability and functionality."

Lab Science Bowl Winner
Makes Top 12 in D.C.

Albany High School Science Bowl team (l-r) Andrey Poletayev, Ian Allen, Jackie Quiinn, David Meldgin, Robin Mi and coach Peggy Carlock at Berkeley Lab

Albany High School, winner of a regional Science Bowl competition held at Berkeley Lab earlier this year, placed among the top 12 teams in the national competition in Washington D.C. this past weekend. More than 300 schools participated. The Department of Energy created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage high school students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. The winner of the competition was Poudre High School, from Fort Collins, CO. Go here for more information.

Breast Oncology Retreat Scheduled for May 11

Gray

Joe Gray, Associate Lab Director and leader of the UC San Francisco Breast Oncology program, invites the Lab community to attend a daylong retreat on breast cancer research on Friday, May 11, in San Francisco. Retreat topics will include breast density, molecular diagnostics, the Early Detection Research Program, the Integrative Cancer Biology Program, and the Bay Area Breast Cancer SPORE. Go here for registration information.