Topic: Science
Autumn’s gecko research extends its global reach
Kellar Autumn, associate professor of biology:
With coverage this month in Scientific American and New Scientist, as well as several international newspapers, Autumn’s research has extended its global reach. On Saturday, October 25, Autumn will be featured on an episode of Weird Connections on The Science Channel.
Autumn’s research has already crisscrossed the globe, appearing on five continents in hundreds of newspapers, journals, books, television programs, and Internet articles. Recently, Autumn’s research has been used as a stepping stone in the invention of a strong and sticky adhesive similar to a gecko’s feet, discovered by researchers at U.C. Berkeley. Explore this interactive map of some major media placements from recent years to discover the international impact of Autumn’s work.
Lochner and Scalettar publish work on neuromodulators
Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., Professor of Science and Biochemistry Janis Lochner and Professor of Physics Bethe Scalettar:
Lochner and Scalettar coauthored a study on the postsynaptic colocalization of neuromodulatory proteins with five undergraduate students (Conor Jacobs ‘09, Mariya Chavarha ‘08, Kevin McAllister ‘08, Erika Spangler ‘07, Linnaea Schuttner ‘06) that was featured on the cover of the September issue of Developmental Neurobiology. Titled “Efficient Copackaging and Cotransport Yields Postsynaptic Colocalization of Neuromodulators Associated with Synaptic Plasticity,” their collaborative work shows how the proteins studied are known to enhance synaptic communication in the hippocampus. This research was supported by grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health and by the Rogers Summer Research Program.
Developmental Neurobiology publishes research primarily on development and plasticity in the nervous system, with an emphasis on experimental work.
Read more about Lochner and Scalettar’s collaborative research in The Chronicle.
Professor Autumn to participate in Science Pub series
Kellar Autumn, professor of biology:
Autumn will present How Geckos Stick and Why We Care as part of Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Science Pub, a monthly event designed for a general adult audience to learn about advances in science and technology from leading researchers and scientists in an approachable, relaxed setting that includes food and drinks. Autumn’s research on geckos and their adhesion capabilities has grown into a new field of study at the interface between biology, physics, and materials science. He has authored over 40 scientific papers and his research is featured in textbooks, encyclopedias, and popular books including The Nanotech Pioneers: Where Are They Taking Us? Every major television network has covered his work, as have hundreds of newspaper, magazine, and Internet articles worldwide.
The event takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Portland’s Mission Theater & Pub, 1624 NW Glisan, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.). No reservations or tickets are needed; doors open at 5 p.m.
Biochemist Janis Lochner presents at Gordon Research Conference
Janis Lochner, Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., professor of science:
In July, Lochner, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, gave an invited talk at the Gordon Research Conference on Proprotein Processing Trafficking and Secretion, hosted at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire. The Gordon Research Conferences are a series of international scientific conferences that have a 75-year history and “provide an international forum for the presentation and discussion of frontier research in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences, and their related technologies.”
Lochner’s presentation, titled “Neuromodulators Associated with Synaptic Plasticity are Copackaged and Cotransported to Synaptic Sites in Hippocampal Neurons,” was part of a series emphasizing innovative and interdisciplinary research in the cellular and molecular events of the secretory pathway.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Anne Bentley receives NSF grant
Anne Bentley, assistant professor of chemistry:
In June, Bentley received a $100,000 Faculty Development Award in Chemistry from the National Science Foundation to support her work on nanoscience and nanotechnology. Using a technique called electrochemical deposition, Bentley plans to enclose nanoparticles onto thin films so she can study their growth and eventually create a new method of nanoparticle organization.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Loening receives NIH grant
Niko Loening, assistant professor of chemistry:
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Niko Loening, assistant professor of chemistry, a $191,764 grant. This AREA (Academic Research Enhancement Award) program grant will support a research project aimed at discovering interesting peptides and proteins from the venom of the brown recluse spider and its relatives. The project will also characterize the structure and function of these peptides and venoms. Spider venom peptides and proteins are of interest for their potential use as therapeutic drugs and as tools for neurophysiology research.
Associate Professors Jerusha and Brian Detweiler-Bedell receive exploratory grant
Jerusha Detweiler-Bedell and Brian Detweiler-Bedel, associate professors of psychology:
This June, Jerusha and Brian received a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Program for their work titled “Using Laddered Teams to Promote a Research Supportive Curriculum.” Their project, a training-model to organize collaborative research among faculty and students into three-student teams, not only works to enhance these faculty-student relations, but also engages undergraduates in innovative research.
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