Bay Area Partnership
Advances Malaria R&D
By Jeff Nachtigal

Keasling

GlaxoSmithKline was the largest recipient of three Gates Foundation malaria grants, getting $107 million to accelerate its vaccine research. The grants seek to stem malaria deaths, which have doubled in the past 20 years. But big pharma isn't the only group working to develop malaria drugs. A local nonprofit pharmaceutical firm and biotech company, and Berkeley Lab Physical Biosciences Division Director Jay Keasling, are nearing its one-year milestone in an effort to develop an affordable antimalarial drug. Full story.

Designer Organisms May
Be Next Fuel Source
By Michael Kanellos

J. Craig Venter, who mapped the human genetic code, is behind a new start-up called Synthetic Genomics, which plans to create new types of organisms that would produce hydrogen, secrete nonpolluting heating oil or be able to break down greenhouse gases. Engineering organisms for the benefit of humanity creates obvious risks. But genetic engineering has its adherents, too. Berkeley Lab's Jay Keasling is working on synthetic microbes that could one day produce antimalarial drugs in volume and inexpensively, and thus potentially help stem one of the world's most devastating diseases. Full story.

Mathematician Gets
Fernbach Award

Bell

John Bell, a senior staff mathematician who leads the Center for Computational Sciences and Engineering in the Lab's Computational Research Division, has been named as the recipient of the 2005 Sidney Fernbach Award. The Fernbach Award is given by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for an outstanding contribution in the application of high performance computers using innovative approaches. The award will be presented at the SC05 conference in Seattle next week. Full story.

Don't Let Pollution
Go Down the Drain

As the rainy season approaches, the Environment, Health and Safety Division would like to remind employees to protect the water quality in the Lab's storm drain system and Strawberry Creek by ensuring that no materials other than rainwater are discharged. Report discharges or missing drain labels (see photo above) to Pat Thorson (x5852). Go here for tips on preventing storm water pollution. For an overview of the permit as it applies to Berkeley Lab, enroll in the new Storm Water Management course (EHS 690).