vidual synapses in rat cerebral cortical neurons. Analysis of MESCs can be used to understand responsiveness in models of brain "plasticity" or the ability of a nerve cell to change in response to its environment, which researchers believe allows learning to occur. The researchers impaled the cells with microelectrodes filled with fura 2 dye, which changes its fluorescence in the prescence of Ca2+, and measured the fluorescence at two specific wavelengths. In an active cell, all the synapses fluoresce;
in a resting cell, only some do. One would expect that in a resting cell, the fluorescent synapses would occur randomly, but they don't—some of the synapses are repeatedly active, as if they are "preferred." The researchers found that spontaneous activity in a set of synapses that had been stimulated earlier was higher than that in a set of unstimulated synapses. Certain synapses in the previously stimulated set exhibited activity—those synapses had "learned" to be active. Although researchers do not know
NOMINATIONS •
1995 Division of Analytical Chemistry awards
Nominations are sought for the 1995 Division of Analytical Chemistry awards. Eligibility for the awards is not restricted to members of the division; nominations may also come from individuals who are not members. The Award in Chemical Instrumentation, sponsored by the Dow Chemical Company Foundation, is given to an individual who has advanced chemical instrumentation and has achieved one or more of the following: developed unique instrumentation, demonstrated innovative use of instrumentation in chemical measurement, stimulated the use of instrumentation by other researchers, or published research papers or books that have influenced chemical measurement. The Award for Excellence in Teaching, cosponsored by the Division and DuPont, recognizes a scientist who has enhanced the professional development of analytical chemistry students in the following ways: published an influential textbook, designed and implemented a new approach to teaching, encouraged a significant number of students to become analytical chemists, developed and published innovative experiments, designed improved equipment for teaching labs, or published widely quoted articles on teaching analytical chemistry. The Awards in Spectrochemical Analysis (sponsored by Perkin-Elmer Corp.) and Electrochemistry (sponsored by EG&G Princeton Applied Research) are presented to individuals who have advanced the fields of spectrochemical analysis and electrochemical analysis, respectively. Candidates must have achieved one or more of the following: conceptualized and developed unique instrumentation, developed novel and important instrumentation or methods, elucidated fundamental events or processes important to the field, or published research papers or books that have influenced the development of the field. Each award consists of a $4000 honorarium, a plaque, and a $1000 travel allowance to the 1995 fall ACS national meeting. The Excellence in Teaching Award is open to all teachers who have been full-time faculty members at U.S. or Canadian colleges or universities for at least five years at the time the award is presented. Nominating documents should include a letter of recommendation, one or more seconding letters, and a brief biographical sketch emphasizing the candidate's accomplishments. Nomination materials, which should not exceed 12 pages of text, should be sent in one package by Sept. 1 to Janet Osteryoung, Dept. of Chemistry, Box 8204, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204.
why some synapses are preferred over others, Murphy and colleagues intend to use calcium imaging and other techniques to find out. In addition to improving our understanding of learning, this information could also elucidate what improves or damages (and perhaps how to fix) the learning process.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION • Genome database renamed The management of sequence data for the Human Genome Project at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is now operating independently with an expanded mission under the new name Genome Sequence DataBase. LANL will continue to accept direct data submissions, provide update and annotation services, and develop computer tools to improve the value of the genome database to the research community. For further information, contact Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545 (505-6675061).
• NSF program guide The National Science Foundation has published Undergraduate Education for Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Program Announcement and Guidelines (NSF 93-164). The report details general and specific information on programs (such as Systemic Changes in the Chemistry Curriculum and Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement), eligibility, review criteria, announcements, and proposal preparation. For information, contact the Division of Undergraduate Education, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230 (703-306-1667; fax 703-644-4278).
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