JGI Completes Sequence
For Chromosome 19

The Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and Stanford University report today the completion of the sequencing of human Chromosome 19, the most gene-rich of all the human chromosomes. This achievement is described in the April 1 edition of the journal Nature. Chromosome 19, at 55.8 million bases or letters of genetic code, includes genes that code for such diseases as insulin-dependent diabetes, myotonic dystrophy, migraines and familial hypercholesterolemia (high levels of cholesterol in the blood) that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Full story.

‘Daughters and Sons’ Day
Needs Woman Volunteers

This year’s “Daughters and Sons to Work Day” at Berkeley Lab on April 22 will include career fairs for boys and girls presented by women staffers. Volunteers from all job categories are encouraged to address morning or afternoon one-hour sessions and demonstrate the nature of their work. For details and registration, contact Rollie Otto at x5325 or Joe Crippen at X5816. Go here for more information on the program.

Review and Update Your
Beneficiary Plans On-line

Are your beneficiary designations current? You can now view and designate your beneficiaries on-line via the “Your Benefits Online” link on UC’s At Your Service website. The feature will allow you to designate or change beneficiaries for the following plans: UC retirement (UCRP) contributions/CAP; Defined Contribution; Tax Deferred 403(b); Basic and Core, Supplemental, and Senior Management life insurance; Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Employee Travel Accident Insurance.

Wheelchair Lift Back;
For Handicap Use Only

The Handicap/Wheelchair lift at the cafeteria is back in operation. Employees are reminded that use of this lift is for disabled or wheelchair-transported individuals only and should not be used for the transportation of equipment or trash barrels.

Biggert

Strong Support, Little Money for DOE Science

Rep. Judy Biggert's (R-IL) energy subcommittee of the House Science Committee reviewed the FY 2005 budget plans for R&D programs within the Department of Energy last week. Biggert voiced her displeasure with the request for the Office of Science, urging stronger support. However, she warned that this year Congress was "operating in the most constrained budget environment in many years," and reflected the possibility that, in spite of the best intentions of many members of Congress, the office might face cuts in FY05. Read the American Institute of Physics report here.

New Paclitaxel Analog
Kills More Cancer Cells

A multi-university research team has succeeded in enhancing the structure of paclitaxel (Taxol™) to make it more effective in killing cancer cells. Having determined how paclitaxel fits into a cancer cell’s reproductive machinery, the team is optimistic that simpler molecules can be designed as future medicines. Paclitaxel binds to tubulin via a binding pocket in the protein into which part of the paclitaxel molecule fits. This binding pocket has been visualized by some elegant electron crystallography experiments carried out by scientists at Berkeley Lab. (Nogales et al., Cell, 1999, 96, 79). Full story. A report on the Lab’s original tubulin imaging work can be read here.

'Green' Building Trend
Growing in State
By Paul Rogers

Every summer night in a basement in Menlo Park, six huge stainless steel machines crank out ice while the Bay Area sleeps. A popular restaurant? A swank hotel? No. It's the cutting edge of environmentally friendly architecture. The ice system is a centerpiece of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation's new headquarters, which was recently certified as one of California's growing examples of "green building." A study in October, which included Berkeley Lab, found that constructing a certified green building costs on average about 2 percent more, but that the extra cost yields a tenfold savings over 20 years. Full story.