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Findings magazine showcases diverse scientists who do cutting-edge research and lead interesting lives. Each issue also contains brief research highlights, a puzzle or other activity, and online extras.

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September 2012

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Brad Duerstock. Courtesy: Andrew Hancock, Purdue University Brad Duerstock,
Neuroscientist, Assistive Technology Designer
Opening Up the Lab
Brad Duerstock's work aims to make science more accessible to people with disabilities. A quadriplegic himself, he also studies spinal cord injury and repair.

Does Cholesterol Play a Role in Alzheimer's?

Mouthwash How Bacteria Defend Themselves Against Fluoride

Bread mold. Credit: Namboori B. Raju, Stanford University Five Foul Things That Are Also Good for
You

The 46 human chromosomes are shown in blue, with the telomeres appearing as white pinpoints. The DNA has already been copied, so each chromosome is actually made up of two identical lengths of DNA, each with its own two telomeres. Courtesy of Hesed Padilla-Nash and Thomas Ried, National Institutes of Health Chromosomal Caps in Sickness and in Health

This cell is undergoing apoptosis, as indicated by the presence of caspase-3 (green), a key tool in the cell's destruction. Credit: Hermann Steller, Rockefeller University Cellular Stress Relievers

Cilia. Credit: Juliette Azimzadeh, University of California, San Francisco Cilia: Biology's Brooms

January 2012

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Elizabeth Grice. Courtesy: Bill Branson, NIH Elizabeth Grice,
Geneticist
Body Bacteria
Grice studies the bacteria that live on human skin. Her work could lead to new ways to treat chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers.

Fluorescent dyes show cells in a flatworm that have copied their DNA. Courtesy: Phillip Newmark Making Heads or Tails of Regeneration

Polymersome. Courtsey: Neha Kamat, Uuniversity of Pennsylvania Microscopic Mood Rings

Drake. Courtsey: Stephanie Dziezyk Drakes: A Mythological Model Organism

A typical animal cell, sliced open to reveal cross-sections of organelles. Courtsey: Judith Stoffer. The Amazing World Inside a Human Cell

Map of the disease-carrying tsetse fly across the country of Kenya. Courtsey: Joseph Messina. Solving the Sleeping Sickness 'Mystery'

Simulation developed by Chand John and his colleague Eran Guendelman. Walking the Line

September 2011

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George Hightower,
M.D.-Ph.D. Graduate Student
HIV on the Brain
Hightower searches for genetic mutations that affect HIV's ability to infect the brain.

Dr. Cara Altimus Cara Altimus,
Postdoctoral Researcher
A Light on Life's Rhythms
Altimus studies how cells, proteins and genes control learning, memory and the body's internal clock.

The bacterium that causes cholera (green). Courtesy: CDC/Janice Carr A Sweet Solution for Detecting Cholera

X-ray image of two lungs, one with ARDS and the other normal. Courtesy: Trauma.org Image Database Breathing Easy: Inflammation Under Control

Lab-grown tissue that exhibits all of the major intestinal cell types. Courtesy: James Wells Got Guts?

DNA structure Starved Parents, Obese Children?

January 2011

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Dr. Brian Bachmann Brian Bachmann,
Biosynthetic Chemist
Drugs from Deep Down
Bachmann searches for compounds in caves that could help with drug development.

Dr. Amy Palmer Amy Palmer,
Biochemist
Mesmerized by Metals
Palmer tracks metals in brain cells to find out about diseases.

Close-up of a biofilm beginning to disperse. Courtesy: Cecile Berne, Indiana University Breaking Up Biofilms Is Hard to Do

Studies in mice could help scientists treat vision problems in humans. Cells for Sight

Sepsis is usually treated in a hospital intensive care unit, where IV antibiotics and fluids help fight infection and keep blood pressure from dropping too low. Seeking the Causes of Sepsis

Research on an enzyme that repairs sun damage in plants and animals could reveal new ways to prevent and treat skin cancer in humans. Sun Damage—More Than Skin Deep

September 2010

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Dr. Estela Arrese Estela Arrese,
Biochemist
Fats and Flies
Arrese studies fat storage and regulation in insects.

Dr. Kevin Tracey Kevin Tracey,
Neurosurgeon, Immunologist
For Janice
Tracey studies why our immune systems cause illness.

Bacterial spores have four outer layers that protect against harsh environmental conditions (color added). Courtesy: Adam Driks A New Layer of Bacterial Defense

Acetaminophen, or Tylenol®, might prevent potentially fatal kidney damage in severely injured people. Tylenol® as Lifesaver?

Scientists who determined the 3-D structure of a flu protein suggest a way to make better anti-flu medicines. A New View of the Flu

A person's complete genome sequence can yield clinically useful information. Rx: Genome Sequence

March 2010

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Dr. Gary Churchill Gary Churchill,
Biostatistician
Mountains and Mouse Genes
Churchill uses mouse genetics to study human disease.

Dr. Julie Johnson Julie Johnson,
Chemical Pharmacist
The Right Fit
Johnson studies genes in order to personalize prescription drugs.

Understanding genetic links to anesthetic response could make the drugs safer. The Bad Side of a Good Drug

Drug-filled contact lenses may deliver medicines more efficiently than eye drops. Contact Medicine

Scientists have found that just three genes account for coat texture in all dogs. Courtesy: Steven Dostie Naturally Curly

Facebook. Social media may help scientists understand how the flu spreads. Facebook Tracks Swine Flu Reaction

September 2009

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Dr. Marc Zimmer Marc Zimmer,
Biochemist
Green Light
Zimmer studies glow in the dark proteins.

Dr. Lola Eniola-Adefeso Lola Eniola-Adefeso,
Chemical Engineer
Special Delivery
Eniola-Adefeso studies methods to improve heart disease drugs.

Day-night rhythms affect how well some cancer drugs work. Cancer Therapy's Got Rhythm

Nerve cell proteins (reddish orange) build up in the brains of sleep-deprived flies (right). Courtesy: UW Health Public Affairs Why Sleep?

This Yellowstone hot spring-fed creek is green because the arsenic-eating algae have formed a thick mat. Courtesy: Tim McDermott Algae Clean Up Arsenic

A new genome-reading method scans DNA like words in a book. Reading DNA Like a Book

February 2009 - Special Evolution Theme Issue

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Dr. Sarah Tishkoff Sarah Tishkoff,
Evolutionary Geneticist
Genetic Footprints
Tishkoff studies evolution and its role in shaping human history and human health.

Dr. Joe Thornton Joe Thornton,
Evolutionary Biologist
Past to Present
Thornton studies the evolution of the endocrine system.

Chimp DNA may hold clues for improving human health. Chimp Changes

Parasite-infected mosquitoes can transmit malaria when they bite people. Courtesy: James Gathany, CDC Mystery Malaria

This microscopic image shows bacteria living underneath a human toenail. Courtesy: Darlyne Murawski, National Geographic Society Bugs On Us

Some African tribes live in mountainous regions, while others are nomadic or live in cities. Courtesy: Luc Viatour, Wikimedia Commons Lifestyle Effects

September 2008

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Dr. Erik Sorensen Erik Sorensen,
Chemist
Mimicking Mother Nature
Sorensen specializes in making natural products.
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Dr. Cynthia McMurray Cynthia McMurray,
Molecular Biologist
Living With Huntington's
McMurray studies how Huntington's disease destroys cells.
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Shrews carry Lyme disease ticks, new research shows. Shrew-ed Science

A natural component of garlic is heart-healthy. Garlic: To Your Health!

The sharp tip of an atomic force microscope can feel 'soft' cancer cells. Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons Feeling Cancer

Some genetic variants of corn are rich in vitamin A. Corn Gets an A

Scientists are one step closer to making a human heart from scratch. Fix for a Broken Heart?

March 2008

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Dr. Atul Butte Atul Butte,
Doctor-Scientist
Dr. Data
Butte uses computers to re-classify diseases.
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Dr. Peggy Goodell Peggy Goodell,
Researcher
Mastering Stem Cells
Goodell pursues the properties and uses of stem cells.
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Researchers use a miniature machine to get more information about mouth bacteria. What's in Your Mouth?

Chemists figure out how microbes create the smell of dirt. Chemists Smell Dirt

A precisely controlled protein circuit in a yeast cell creates a simple form of "memory." Courtesy: Carolyn Larabell Molecule Memories

Scientists suspect that the flu virus vacations in the tropics. Does Flu Fly South?

Gene-activity readouts may help determine an intensive-care patient's infection risk. Rapid "Ribo" Readout

September 2007

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Dr. Luisa Ann DiPietro Luisa Ann DiPietro,
Dentist-Immunologist
Healthy Healing
DiPietro studies wound healing.
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Dr. Stephen Eubank Stephen Eubank,
Physicist
Social Studies
Eubank studies social networks.
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Researchers use a miniature machine to get more information about mouth bacteria. Overworked Gene Repair Kit Tied to Huntington's

Chemists figure out how microbes create the smell of dirt. Gamers for Science

A precisely controlled protein circuit in a yeast cell creates a simple form of "memory." Courtesy: Carolyn Larabell Bacteria Make Strong Stitches

Scientists suspect that the flu virus vacations in the tropics. Dandruff-Shampoo Ingredient May Calm Seizures

Gene-activity readouts may help determine an intensive-care patient's infection risk. Asthma Linked to Disappearing Stomach Bug

March 2007

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Dr. Drew Endy Drew Endy,
Synthetic Biologist
Do-It-Yourself Biology
Endy blends engineering, biology, and computer programming to find out how life works.
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Dr. Cynthia Otto Cynthia Otto,
Veterinarian
Dogging Sepsis
Otto studies sepsis, a dramatic, full-body reaction to an injury or illness.
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Image of an ambulance Traumatized T Cells

Image of an egg and sperm Worm Sperm Illuminate Male Infertility

Boxing Fruit Flies. Photo: Ed Kravitz Will Fight for Food

September 2006

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Dr. Chiara Cirelli Chiara Cirelli,
Neuroscientist
Recipe for Sleep
Cirelli studies the basic biology of sleep
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Dr. Yuri Lazebnik Yuri Lazebnik,
Cell Biologist
Hunting a Killer
Lazebnik studies cell fusion and cancer.
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Image of Xenopus laevis or clawed frog. Photo: Michael Redmer Frogs Fighting Cancer

Image of an bowl of cereal Vitamin B12 Explained

Image of an index card with procedure items. Photo: Ron Maier Setting Standards

March 2006

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Dr. Neil Kelleher Neil Kelleher,
Chemical Biologist
The Humpty Dumpty Dilemma
Kelleher uses "top-down" mass spectrometry to weigh proteins
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Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Mavis Agbandje-McKenna,
Structural Biologist
Viral Voyages
Agbandje-McKenna studies how viruses infect cells.
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Image of sticky glue. Photo: Georg Fantner, Paul Hansma Sticky Bones

Image of a chicken eggs Chicken Medicine

Image of a heart rate output Heart Alert

September 2005

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Dr. Dyann Wirth Dyann Wirth,
Geneticist
Science Without Borders
Wirth works with researchers throughout the world to study malaria.
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Dr. David Baker David Baker,
Computational Biologist
The Family Business
Baker custom designs computer software to predict the three-dimensional shapes of proteins.
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Image of a computer animated snowman. Photo: Hunter Hoffman, University of Washington A World Without Pain

Photo of ginseng leaves Ginseng's Many Moods

Photo of a stressed person Stressed Out DNA

March 2005

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Dr. Andrés García Andrés García,
Engineer
The Forces That Bind
García studies cell stickiness to create new biomaterials that can heal bones.
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Dr. Hilary Godwin Hilary Godwin,
Chemist
Getting the Lead Out
Godwin studies the chemistry of lead poisoning.
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Image of SonoPrep. Photo: Sontra Medical Corporation Needle-Free Injections

Photo of doctors in surgical garb performing surgery Seeing Red

Image of an ox in a patoral landscape Wild Ox vs. Mosquito

October 2004

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Dr. Bonnie Bassler Bonnie Bassler,
Bacterial Geneticist
Bugging the Bugs
Bassler studies how bacteria communicate with each other.
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Dr. Ram Sasisekharan Ram Sasisekharan,
Biological Engineer
Life Is Sweet
Sasisekharan studies sugar molecules called carbohydrates.
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Image of the spice turmeric Spice Therapy?

Photo of Bacillus anthracis, the microorganism that causes anthrax. Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention From Hepatitis to Anthrax

Image of 1918 newspaper headline about flu pandemic Reconstructing a Deadly Flu

February 2004

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Dr. Gene Robinson Gene Robinson,
Entomologist
A Sting of Love
Robinson studies honeybee behavior.
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Dr. Serrine Lau Serrine Lau,
Toxicologist
Chemical World
Lau studies the role of genes in the body's response to chemical exposure.
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Photo of listeriosi. Photo: Elizabeth White Tracking a Food-Borne Killer

Image showing a bone with myeloma Basic Studies Yield Myeloma Drug

September 2003

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Dr. Maggie Werner-Washburne Maggie Werner-Washburne,
Biologist
A Perfect Mix
Werner-Washburne bridges biology and mathematics in her quest to track the activity of thousands of genes at the same time in living cells.

Dr. Daniel Sessler Daniel Sessler,
Anesthesiologist
Asking Good Questions
Sessler's fundamental questions about the way the body controls its temperature have led to major health improvements for surgery patients.

Image of electrocardiogram In a Heartbeat

Photo of patient's foot enclosed in an oxygen-filled bag. Chandan Sen A Breath of Fresh Air

Image of red blood cells PC, M.D.?

February 2003

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Dr. Brad Goodner Brad Goodner,
Biologist
Planting Seeds
Goodner's college students help him study the genetic secrets of bacteria that can infect both plants and humans.

Dr. Dorothee Kern Dorothee Kern,
Biophysicist, former professional basketball player
Enzymes, Magnets, Action!
Kern studies enzymes using NMR spectroscopy.

Image of Bacterial biofilm. Photo: CDC/Rodney M. Donlan, Janice Carr In a Heartbeat

Image of Vitamin C tablets and oranges Vitamin C Improves Skin Grafts

Image of Industrial smokestacks Living Cleansers

September 2002

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Dr. Baldomero Olivera Baldomero Olivera,
Biochemist
Secrets of the Killer Snails
Olivera studies how the venom of marine cone snails may be used to treat pain.

Dr. Elaine Bearer Elaine Bearer,
Pathologist
Cells in Motion
Bearer is fascinated by how cells in the body move around and change their shape.

Photo of woman blowing her nose Do the Math

Photo of an epithelial cell Natural Bacterial Shield Protects the Body

Image of IVs Stop Cell Death, Help Treat Sepsis?

March 2002

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Dr. Terry Gaasterland Terry Gaasterland,
Expert on Artificial Intelligence
Taking a Byte Out of Biology
Gaasterland is getting computers to learn how to read the language hidden in our DNA.

Dr. Hobart Harris Hobart Harris,
Physician-scientist
A Chance Discovery
Harris is trying to solve the molecular mysteries behind a deadly body-wide infection called sepsis.

Photo of fruit flies. Photo credit: Jay Hirsh Fruit Flies for Health

Photo of an orange. Sour Orange Juice Gives Medicines An Extra Punch

Photograph of anthrax Fingerprinting Anthrax

September 2001

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Dr. Geoffrey Chang Geoffrey Chang,
Biophysicist
Crystals for a Cure
Chang's electron density maps reveal not only the atomic skeleton of a protein but also a work of beauty and perfection.

Dr. Angelika Amon Angelika Amon,
Molecular Biologist
A Great Divide
Amon's basic research into how cells grow and divide is making important inroads toward understanding the problem of birth defects.

Photo of a mosquito. Photo: WHO/TDR/Stammers Old Drugs Learn New T ricks

X-ray of an arthritic hand Exhausted T-Cells Spell Trouble in Arthritis

Image of a fetus Artificial Placenta May Help Test Drugs During Pregnancy

February 2001

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Dr. Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado,
Biologist
The Worm Returns
Alvarado uses glow-in-the-dark fluorescent labels to study cells in flatworms.

Dr. Laura Kiessling Laura Kiessling,
Chemist
Sticky Situations
Kiessling's tailor-made molecules are shedding light on cell "stickiness" and possible treatments for inflammation and other illnesses.