Chu makes point at Kavli meeting

Chu, Keasling Contribute
To Synthetic Biology Tract

When they visited Greenland in June, Berkeley Lab Director Steve Chu and Physical Biosciences Division Director Jay Keasling were among 17 scientists to sign the “Ilulissat Statement,” which calls for an international effort to advance synthetic biology. Forecasting a revolution in science, the group attending the first Kavli Futures Symposium concluded that the field “offers solutions to the daunting problems” of climate change, energy, health, and water resources. Go here for a report on the meeting, and here for a photo of the participants.

Nanomechanics Workshop
Sponsored by NCEM

An estimated 90 experts in the fields of nanomechanical testing and real-time monitoring techniques are coming together at Berkeley Lab today and tomorrow for a workshop on “In Situ Methods in Nanomechanics.” Andrew Minor, from the hosting National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM), said the intent is to expolore hybrid study methods that will improve the understanding of the origins of mechanical properties. All sessions take place in the Building 66 Auditorium. A poster session will take place on the NCEM patio at 4:30 p.m. today. Go here for more information.

The Information Technology Division will be upgrading telephone system software on Monday, with little disruption of phone service anticipated (possible loss of dial tone up to 3 minutes between 7 and 8 p.m.) A Lab-wide public address announcement will be made to notify employees of the exact time for the dial tone interruption. For emergency calls during dial tone deactivation, pull the nearest building fire alarm and wait for emergency personnel to respond. Phone trouble after the upgrades are completed should be reported to Cindy Wood (x4777), or at 510-708-2980, or to [email protected].