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News 2004

First Norwegian Transgenic Animal Forum at Lysebu, Oslo, 10-11 February 2005
[Announced 30 December 2004]

The first Norwegian Transgenic Animal Forum will be arranged at Lysebu, Oslo, 10-11 February 2005.

 

CMBN research on ion channels published in Nature Neuroscience
[Announced 30 December 2004]

CMBN research on the importance of certain ion channels for learning, memory and epilepsy has been published in Nature Neuroscience.

Peters HC, Hu H, Pongs O, Storm JF, Isbrandt D (2004) Conditional transgenic suppression of M channels in mouse brain reveals functions in neuronal excitability, resonance and behavior. Nature Neuroscience, 8, 51-60.
PubMed | Abstract | Full text | PDF

 

Erling Seeberg has passed away
[Announced 14 December 2004]

We are sad to announce that Erling Seeberg, preeminent scientist, dear colleague and a wonderful human being, passed away today, December 14, 2004.

He will be deeply missed.

 

Erling Christen Seeberg (1946-2004). Uniforum. 16 December 2004.
Minneord om Erling Seeberg. 17 December 2004.
Obituary by Vilhelm Bohr in the DNA repair interest group. 17 December 2004.

Obituary: Erling Christen Seeberg (1946-2004) in DNA repair. 21 January 2004.

 

BFYS2005 at Randsvangen, 15-17 April 2005
[Announced 11 November 2004]

The Bioinformatics Forum for Young Scientists 2005 (BFYS2005) will be arranged at Randsvangen, 15-17 April 2005.

 

Guest lecture by Jean-Pierre Montmayeur
[Announced 27 October 2004]

Dr. Jean-Pierre Montmayeur, CNRS researcher in molecular biology/physiology/genetics at the European Centre of Taste Sciences (CESG) in Dijon, France, will give a guest lecture on Wednesday 3 November 2004 at 12:15 in new auditorium 13, Domus Medica, with the title:

Development of a genetic method to study olfactory circuitry in the mouse

 

Guest lecture by Robert Fuchs
[Announced 27 October 2004]

Professor Robert Fuchs from Cancérogénèse et Mutagénèse Moléculaire et Structurale, Ecole Supériore de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg (ESBS), France, will give a guest lecture on Monday 1 November 2004 at 13:00 in Auditorium A3.3067 at Rikshospitalet, with the title:

Defining the position of the switches between DNA polymerases during lesion bypass and mutagenesis

 

Protein repairs mRNA and tRNA molecules
[Announced 11 October 2004]

Research at CMBN have, for the first time, shown that damaged mRNA and tRNA molecules are repaired just like genomic DNA. The work was published in the journal Molecular Cell on 8 October 2004 by medical student Rune Ougland (pictured to the right), Pål Falnes, Rune J Forstrøm, Erling Seeberg and several international collaborators. It has previously been shown that bacterial and mammalian AlkB proteins are able to repair damaged DNA as well as RNA molecules, however it has now been proved that AlkB proteins are able to fully restore the biological function of damaged mRNA and tRNA molecules.

For the full story, read the publication in Molecular Cell:

  • Ougland R, Zhang C-M, Liiv A, Johansen RF, Seeberg E, Hou Y-M, Remme J, Falnes PØ (2004) AlkB Restores the Biological Function of mRNA and tRNA Inactivated by Chemical Methylation. Molecular Cell, 16, 107-116.
    PubMed | Abstract | Full text | PDF

For more information, read the following media coverage of the discovery:

 

Jahre award lectures 2004
[Announced 6 October 2004]

The recipients of the Jahre research prize 2004 will give lectures on Thursday 7 October 2004 at 13.00 to 15.40 in the new auditorium 13 in Domus Medica, Sognsvannsveien 9. The prizes will be awarded during a ceremony on Friday 8 October 2004 at 17:20 in Universitetets Aula.

Anders Jahre's award for medical research 2004 is shared between Hans E. Krokan, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Erling C. Seeberg, Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN), Rikshospitalet and the University of Oslo.

The award for young researchers is shared between Patrik Ernfors, Institutionen för medicinsk biokemi och biofysik and Claes M. Gustafsson, Institutionen för medicinsk näringslära, both at Karolinska institutet, Sverige.

About the Jahre awards
Jahre lectures programme
Abstracts

Everybody are welcome to the lectures and the ceremony!

 

CMBN booklet available
[Announced 1 October 2004]

A booklet about CMBN and its research groups is a now available. Download the PDF version or contact the CMBN administration for a printed version.

 

Two CMBN guest lectures
[Announced 29 September 2004]

CMBN invites to the following two open guest lectures in connection with the research course:

Prof. Leena Peltonen from the National Public Health Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Finland, will give a guest lecture on Monday 4 October 2004 at 14:45 in Store Auditorium at Rikshospitalet, with the title:

Impact of modern genomic tools on insight into neurological diseases. Use of tissue repositories in neurological research - future possibilities and methodological aspects

Prof. Lars Lannfelt from the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Sweden, will give a guest lecture on Tuesday 5 October 2004 at 13:45 in Store Auditorium at Rikshospitalet, with the title:

Genetics, pathophysiology and future treatment of Alzheimer's disease

 

CMBN researcher speaks on scientific career-making
[Announced 27 September 2004]

CMBN researcher Jon Storm-Mathisen spoke on scientific career-making at the NatureJobs conference, EuroScience, Stockholm, 26 August 2004.

See: The joy of the lab. Nature. 9 September 2004.

 

CMBN research seminar
[Announced 3 September 2004]

Monday 4 - Tuesday 5 October 2004, CMBN research seminar (forskerkurs) in Store Audiorium, Rikshospitalet:

Recent advances in Molecular Biology and Neuroscience -
Focus on Gaustad Neuroscience Network (GNN)

Deadline for signing on the course: 24 September 2004 to Den norske lægeforening, email koordinatorkontoret.oslo@legeforeningen.no

More information.

 

Anders Jahre's award for medical research 2004 to Krokan and Seeberg
[Announced 12 August 2004]

Professors Hans E. Krokan and Erling C. Seeberg will be given Anders Jahre's award for medical research 2004 of NOK 500 000 each for their effort in DNA research. The professors are awarded for their research showing how the DNA in the cells are protected and how it is repaired after damage. This is of major significance in the understanding of ageing and development of cancer and chronical diseases. Krokan and Seeberg are associated with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim and the University of Oslo, respectively.

See also the articles in Uniforum and Universitetsavisa.

Congratulations!

 

Guest lecture by David van Essen
[Announced 6 August 2004]

Dr. David Van Essen from Washington University at St. Louis will give a guest lecture on Tuesday 10 August 2004 at 12:30 in the Lunch room, Department of Anatomy, Domus Medica, with the title:

New approaches to mapping cerebral and cerebellar cortex in humans, monkeys, mice, and rats

 

Research prize and gold medal to CMBN researchers
[Announced 9 June 2004]

The University of Oslo have decided that Forskningsprisen 2004 (Research Award 2004) is awarded to Professor Jon Storm-Mathisen, and that His Majesty the King's gold medal 2004 for the best doctoral thesis at the Faculty of Medicine is awarded to Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam. Both are researchers at CMBN. Congratulations!

 

Publication in Nature Neuroscience about glutamate release from astrocytes
[Announced 26 May 2004]

Researchers at the Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN), together with researchers at the University of Lausanne have published a study in Nature Neuroscience that shows that glutamate is released by regulated exocytosis from astrocytes, a process previously thought to be occurring only in neurons.

Bezzi P, Gundersen V, Galbete JL, Seifert G, Steinhäuser C, Pilati E, Volterra A (2004) Astrocytes contain a vesicular compartment that is competent for regulated exocytosis of glutamate. Nature Neuroscience. Published online 23 May 2004.
Abstract | Full text | PDF

See also: UiO-forsker i Nature: Ny forståelse av hjernens signaler. Apollon+ Forskningsnytt på nettet, 26 May 2004.

 

Guest lecture by David W. Ussery
[Announced 13 May 2004]

Associate professor David W. Ussery at the Centre for Biological Sequence Analysis (CBS), Technical University of Denmark (DTU) will give a guest lecture on Tuesday 22 June 2004 at 13:00 in auditorium A3.3067, Molecular Microbiology, Rikshospitalet, with the title:

Comparison of 150 Sequenced Bacterial Genomes

Currently there are more than 150 bacterial genomes which have been fully sequenced. Several different methods for comparison of these genomes will be discussed, with emphasis on using our web-based tables for sorting the information (see www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/GenomeAtlas).

The event is co-hosted by the Centre for Advanced Microbial Science and Technology (CAMST) and CMBN.

 

CMBN team runs Holmenkollstafetten in 65 mins 50 secs
[Announced 9 May 2004]

The CMBN team ran Holmenkollstafetten in 65 minutes 50 seconds and secured a fantastic 23rd place out of 163 teams in its class. The participants were very satisfied with the result and celebrated the victory Saturday night. A silver medal was just one minute away, setting the goal for next year's team. The team, having number 2120, was actually the fastest team among the "21xx"-teams that started last in class 23, and arrived surprisingly early at the exchange points. Specially designed blue T-shirts with the CMBN logo had been made for the occasion.

The team:
1. Katrina Tibbals
2. Liv Kleppa
3. Thomas L Kongsvik
4. Marie Aslaksen
5. Cecilie Narvesen
6. Peder Heyerdahl Utne
7. Vidar Gundersen
8. Janniche Hammer
9. Simen Gylterud
10. Linda Bergersen
11. Tom Tallak Solbu
12. Monica Jenstad
13. Ole Petter Ottersen
14. Arne Klungland
15. Torbjørn Rognes

Supporters: Camilla Haglerød, Svend Davanger and Jon Storm-Mathisen

 

Publication in Science about the distribution of glutamate transporters in the brain
[Announced 1 May 2004]

Researchers at CMBN and co-workers have recently published the following paper in Science:

Fremeau Jr RT, Kam K, Qureshi T, Johnson J, Copenhagen DR, Storm-Mathisen J, Chaudhry FA, Nicoll RA, and Edwards RH (2004) Vesicular Glutamate Transporters 1 and 2 Target to Functionally Distinct Synaptic Release Sites. Science. Published online 29 April 2004. Abstract PDF

 

Guest lecture by Caleb E. Finch
[Announced 22 April 2004]

Dr Caleb E. Finch, distinguished gerontologist from the University of Southern California, will be visiting Norway from 24 to 27 April. On Monday 26 April 2004 at 14:00 in auditorium A3.3067 at Molecular Microbiology, Rikshospitalet, he will give a lecture with the title:

Nexus of inflammation, diet, and aging

Dr Finch's visit and lecture will be co-hosted by Prof. Erling Seeberg, Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, Oslo, and Prof. Stig W. Omholt, CIGENE.

Inflammatory processes are emerging as fundamental to aging and
major diseases of aging. Many of the same drugs with anti-inflammatory
activities that reduce the risk of vascular events also reduce the risk of
certain cancers, and possibly also Alzheimer disease. Inflammation and the incidence of these diseases may also be modulated by diet. The evolution of longevity may involve genes that regulate inflammatory responses. This nexus of inflammation, diet, and aging will be discussed with examples from human aging and animal models.

Dr Finch is professor of molecular biology and gerontology at the USC School of Gerontology. His main interest is the study of genomic controls of mammalian development and aging. He has authored three books: Longevity, Senescence, and the Genome (1990); Aging: A Natural History (1995, with R. Ricklefs); and Chance, Development, and Aging (2000, with TBL Kirkwood). In 350 reports and reviews since 1969, Finch has led several developments in the fields of the neuroendocrinology and pharmacology of normal aging and Alzheimer disease, and in the biodemography of aging.

 

Cerebellum and Disease Models - Workshop
[Announced 21 April 2004]

The Cerebellum and Disease Models Workshop takes place at the Norwegian Academy of Sciences in Oslo on 27 May 2004. A few places are still available. For inqueries about registration, contact: Brita Engebakken by email to brita.engebakken@medisin.uio.no.

 

Guest lecture by Kathleen J. Sweadner
[Announced 14 April 2004]

Dr. Kathleen J. Sweadner, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Associate Neurobiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, will give a guest lecture on Monday 19 April 2004 at 14.15 in the new auditorium 13, Domus Medica, with the title:

FXYD proteins: Single-span membrane protein regulators of Na, K-ATPase

 

Guest lectures by Claudio Franceschi
[Announced 1 March 2004]

Prof. Claudio Franceschi, University of Bologna, Italy, will give a guest lecture on Thursday 4 March 2004 at 14:00 in auditorium A3.3067 at Molecular Microbiology, Rikshospitalet, with the title:

Immunology and genetics of ageing and longevity in humans

Prof. Franceschi will also give a guest lecture on Wednesday 3 March 2004 at 11:15-12:00 in auditorium U338 in "Urbygningen" at the Agricultural University of Norway at Ås, with the title:

The immune system as a complex system: mathematical models of immunosenescence

More...

  Claudio Franceschi
 

Guest lectures by Harold Kimelberg and Jean-Antoine Girault
[Announced 1 March 2004]

On Wednesday 17 March 2004, Dr. Harold Kimelberg, Neural and Vascular Biology Theme, Ordway Research Institute, will give a guest lecture with the title: Neuroprotection after acute brain injury aimed at inhibition of cellular edema and its consequences.

On Thursday 18 March 2004, Prof. Jean-Antoine Girault, Directur, Transduction du Signal et Plasticité dans le Systéme Nerveux, INSERM, will give a guest lecture with the title: Molecular Development of Nodes of Ranvier.

More...

Updated program and extended application deadline for the research seminar on genome instability and neurologic disease
[Announced 27 February 2004]

The program for the research seminar (forskerkurs) on genome instability and neurologic disease on 22 and 23 April 2004 has been updated. The application deadline has been extended to 1 April 2004.

More...

Guest lecture by Michel Khrestchatisky
[Announced 15 February 2004]

Monday 16 February 2004 at 14.00, Directeur Michel Khrestchatisky at CNRS, Neurobiologie des Interactions Cellulaires et Neurophysiopathologie will give a guest lecture in new auditorium 13, Domus Medica, with the title:

The Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs) in plasticity and pathologies of the central nervous system

Minisymposium: Oxidative DNA damage and repair: Role in cancer and ageing
[Announced 9 February 2004]

Minisymposium to be held on Thursday 12 February 2004 at 14.00, in auditorium A3.3067, Rikshospitalet.

Details

Two PhD studentships in bioinformatics available
[Announced 5 February 2004]

CMBN announces the availability of two PhD studentships in bioinformatics. For details, visit the jobs page.

Postdoctoral and PhD position available
[Announced 28 January 2004]

CMBN announces the availability of a postdoctoral and a PhD position. For details, visit the jobs page.

Guest lectures
[Announced 20 January 2004]

On Tuesday 20 January 2004, Dr. Nicholas Luscombe, Yale University, will give a guest lecture with the title Transcription regulation: a genomic network.

On Wednesday 21 January 2004, Dr Iacob Matthiesen, Inovio AS, will give a guest lecture with the title Enabling gene therapy and DNA vaccine applications with a new method for gene delivery to skeletal muscles.

More...

Research seminar on genome instability and neurologic disease
[Announced 11 January 2004]

CMBN announces a research seminar (forskerkurs) on genome instability and neurologic disease on 22 and 23 April 2004.

More...

Guest lecture by Stig Omholt
[Announced 5 January 2004]

Monday 26 January 2004 at 13.00, guest lecture in the new auditorium 13, Domus Medica:

Professor Stig Omholt, Agricultural University of Norway, will give a lecture with the title:

Control of ageing - lessons from bees, flies, worms and mice

Welcome!

Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN)
PO Box 1105 Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +47 22851528. Fax: +47 22851488