European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop Research Articles

Visualizing Immune System ComplexityA report on the EMBO workshop "Visualizing Immune System Complexity," Centre d’Immunologie Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France, 15 to 17 January 2009.

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) meeting Visualizing Immune System Complexity, held in January 2009, covered multiple scales, from imaging single molecules to imaging whole animals. In addition to experimental details, there was an emphasis on modeling both for data analysis and as a predictive tool to support experimental design. Imaging technologies discussed included total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, two-photon laser scanning microscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging. The biological systems included basic aspects of adaptive and innate immunity. The type 1 diabetes model was used to illustrate how a human disease was dissected at all the scales, from single-molecule analysis of the interactions of T cell receptors with peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complexes to dynamics of immune cell infiltrates by intravital microscopy, as well as the application of imaging diagnostics in humans.

Genomic imprinting in Singapore

The EMBO Workshop on Genomic Imprinting took place between 21 and 24 September 2008, in Singapore, and was organized by F. Berger, M. Bartolomei and R. Feil. This painting, entitled ‘Back of Telok Ayer Street 2007’ and painted by C. Ek Kay, was the image included in the meeting poster. ![][1] See Glossary for abbreviations used in this article The organizers of the European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop on Genomic Imprinting chose a truly trans‐kingdom selection of speakers; there was a strong representation of those working in plants and mammals, with a sprinkling of those studying flies and worms. This organismal diversity was layered further with talks on topics ranging from germ cells, genomic imprinting and dosage compensation to genome‐wide screens, evolution and human disease. These areas dovetailed well, converging ideas from various species and unifying seemingly divergent fields. Here, we highlight a few of the topics from an excellent programme of riveting news and novel findings. One of the main themes threading through this workshop was that of commitment, reprogramming and pluripotency. A. Surani (Cambridge, UK) discussed the initiation of epigenetic reprogramming in the germline. The main focus was on BLIMP1, which is an important regulator of germ cells that has roles in diverse processes, including the initiation of the PGC‐specification programme and exit from the pluripotent state. In this plenary address, Surani drew from several studies that illustrate the induction of cells to exit the pluripotent state and initiate the PGC‐specific programme, including the role of STELLA —a mammalian maternal‐effect gene that probably has a role in chromosomal organization. The BLIMP1 protein sets up chromatin signatures and influences the epigenetic reprogramming associated with X‐chromosome reactivation (Chuva de Sousa et al , 2008) and imprinting, emphasizing the links among pluripotency, reprogramming and commitment that were reiterated in several other talks. W. … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif

Old and new faces of the nucleolus

The second EMBO Workshop on the Nucleolus and Disease took place between 23 and 25 June 2008, in the beautiful setting of the Marriot Breadsall Priory Hotel in Derby, UK, and was organized by J. Hiscox and D. Matthews. ![][1] See Glossary for abbreviations used in this article The second European Molecular Biology Organization workshop on the nucleolus brought together scientists from around the world to discuss the progress made in studies of the basic functions of the nucleolus, and the link between nucleolar functions and disease. Although the primary function of this prominent nuclear organelle is in ribosome biogenesis, a growing body of evidence indicates that it also participates in other aspects of RNA processing, as well as in the regulation of mitosis, cell growth and death, stress responses and the cell cycle (Fig 1). Indeed, the nucleolus has emerged as a highly complex and multifunctional regulatory compartment, the roles of which in diverse biological processes we are only just beginning to understand. Figure 1. The many functions of the nucleolus. In addition to its traditional function in ribosome production and assembly, the nucleolus has a growing repertoire of ‘non‐traditional’ functions, including: processing and maturation of tRNAs, snoRNAs and snRNAs; transport of mRNAs; assembly of a range of RNPs; replication of animal and plant viruses; sequestration of proteins that regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis; ageing; and cell stress responses and production of heterochromatic siRNAs (in plants). Supplied by J. Brown. ARF, alternate reading frame product of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2a gene; Cdc14, cell division cycle protein 14; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; JNK2, Jun amino‐terminal kinase‐2; MDM2, product of the human double minute 2 gene; mRNA, messenger RNA; NFκB, nuclear factor‐κB; PP1γ, γ‐isoform of protein phosphatase 1; rDNA, ribosomal DNA; RelA, a subunit of NF‐κB, also known as p65; Rev, regulator … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif

Chlamydomonas: a sexually active, light‐harvesting, carbon‐reducing, hydrogen‐belching ‘planimal’

The first EMBO workshop and the 13th international conference on the Cell & Molecular Biology of Chlamydomonas was held between 27 May and 1 June 2008, in Hyeres‐les‐Palmiers, France, and was organized by M. Goldschmidt‐Clermont, C. Silflow & F.‐A. Wollman. ![][1] Imagine walking along a beautiful beach of sand and rock on the Cote d'Azur enjoying the magnificent scenery—and anticipating an excellent meal afterwards—when suddenly, from the waters arises a tiny monstrosity: part plant, part animal and even part bacterium. It is green and gets its energy from the sun; it also swims (doing the breast stroke) in search of quality light, nutrients and mates, and yet it can ferment and emit hydrogen in a manner similar to an anaerobic bacterium. Furthermore, despite its bizarre chimeric nature, this beast seems to be perfectly adapted to its life. Although this description might seem fantastic, it is none the less accurate and is essentially what 242 Chlamydomonas researchers from 19 countries were confronted with during the first European Molecular Biology Organization workshop and the 13th international conference on the Cell & Molecular Biology of Chlamydomonas (Fig 1). This conference forced many researchers working on various aspects of the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas , or ‘Chlamy’ as it is affectionately called, to face the fact that all this time they have been working on a ‘planimal’—an organism with traits that do not fit easily into nice, neat categories. Although this has long been appreciated by the Chlamy community, the bulk of which has been traditionally divided between those working on photosynthesis and chloroplasts, and those working on flagella and motility, new insights coming primarily from the genomes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the related multicellular alga Volvox carteri have shown us that the chimeric nature of Chlamy runs deep. After all, how many organisms can, at … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif

Hedgehogs: la dolce vita

This European Molecular Biology Organization workshop on Hedgehog‐Gli Signaling in Cancer and Stem Cells took place between 30 September and 4 October 2006 in Rome, Italy, and was organized by A. Gulino, H. Hahn, A. Ruiz i Altaba, R. Toftgard, F. Watt, P. Therond and I. Guerrero. ![][1] During a wonderfully seasonal autumn, researchers from around the world gathered in Rome, the soul of Italy, for an EMBO workshop on Hedgehog (Hh) signalling in cancer and stem cells. The focus of this workshop was timely, as this area of research is responsible for the exponential growth—and increased research diversity—in the Hh field. Hh was first identified in a screen for genes required for Drosophila embryonic patterning (Nusslein‐Volhard & Wieschaus, 1980). Subsequent isolation of the affected hh gene and its encoded protein revealed a unique signalling molecule with related orthologues in vertebrates (Ingham & McMahon, 2001). Since its original description, the Hh pathway has received increasing attention, not only because of its involvement as a crucial regulator of embryonic organogenesis but also as an oncogenic pathway that has been implicated in several human tumours (Beachy et al , 2004; Pasca di Magliano & Hebrok, 2003; Robbins et al , 2005; Ruiz i Altaba et al , 2002). Despite extensive studies addressing the regulation and function of the pathway in different organs, the exact mechanisms by which Hh signals are transmitted and how they elicit diverse activities in a cell‐specific manner remain obscure. Here, we review some of the recent advances in the Hh field that were discussed at this workshop and highlight some of the questions that remain. Hh is translated into an approximately 47 kDa protein, which subsequently undergoes an intramolecular cleavage reaction that produces two discrete smaller proteins (Singh et al , 2006; Ingham & McMahon, 2001). The amino‐terminal product … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif

The world of a worm: a framework for Caenorhabditis evolution

The European Molecular Biology Organization workshop on the Study of Evolutionary Biology with Caenorhabditis elegans and Closely Related Species was held at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia, Oeiras, Portugal, from 23 to 26 May 2006. The meeting was organized by H. Teotonio, M.‐A. Felix, R. Azevedo and P. Phillips. ![][1] Many aspects of Caenorhabditis elegans biology are known in exquisite detail: all somatic cell divisions that occur from zygote to adult have been described, the synaptic connections made by all neurons have been reconstructed, the entire genome has been sequenced and the function of most predicted genes has been tested by forward‐genetic screens, targeted gene‐specific deletions, RNA interference or a combination of these techniques. However, less is known about the evolutionary processes that shaped the genome and the biology of this worm (Fitch, 2005). To close this knowledge gap, an exciting workshop sponsored by the European Molecular Biology Organization and the Gulbenkian Foundation brought together a diverse group of about 50 investigators, whose common interest was the evolution of C. elegans and its closely related species. According to the organizers, this meeting aimed to establish a network of researchers to discuss guidelines, common resources and goals for the near future. This report highlights some of the questions and recent discoveries discussed at the workshop. Some life‐history traits of C. elegans are atypical, even for a nematode. For instance, it is one of the few nematode species that is able both to self‐fertilize and to outcross with males. Self‐fertilization produces hermaphrodites and rare spontaneous males, whereas cross‐fertilization produces equal proportions of both sexes. Although this ability comes at the price of inbreeding, one possible adaptive advantage is reproductive assurance: hermaphrodites can produce offspring in a new habitat independent of a mating partner. A second asset is the rate of reproduction: all hermaphrodite … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif

The RNA World in Plants: Post-Transcriptional Control III

*This article is free to read on the publisher's website* Post-transcriptional control of gene expression has gone from a curiosity involving a few special genes to a highly diverse and widespread set of processes that is truly pervasive in plant gene expression. Thus, Plant Cell readers interested in almost any aspect of plant gene expression in response to any environmental influence, or in development, are advised to read on. In May 2001, what has become the de facto third biennial Symposium on Post-Transcriptional Control of Gene Expression in Plants was held in Ames, Iowa. The meeting was hosted by the new Plant Sciences Institute of Iowa State University with additional funding from the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture. In 1997, the annual University of California-Riverside Plant Physiology Symposium was devoted to this topic. This provided a wake-up call to the plant world, summarized in this journal (Gallie and Bailey-Serres, 1997), that not all gene expression is controlled at the level of transcription. This was expanded upon at a European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop in Leysin, Switzerland, in 1999 (Bailey-Serres et al., 1999). The 3-day meeting in Ames brought together a strong and diverse contingent of plant biologists from four continents. The participants represented an unusually heterogeneous group of disciplines ranging from virology to stress response to computational biology. The research approaches and techniques represented were similarly diverse. Here we discuss a sample of the many fascinating aspects of post-transcriptional control that were presented at this meeting; we apologize to those whose work is not described here.

European molecular biology organization workshop on the contractile mechanism of smooth muscle

European molecular biology organization workshop on the contractile mechanism of smooth muscle

The European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop on the Contractile Mechanism of Smooth Muscle

The European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop on the Contractile Mechanism of Smooth Muscle

European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop “Oxidative Damage and Related Enzymes” : Colli Albani, Rome, Italy, 2nd–7th October 1983

European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop “Oxidative Damage and Related Enzymes” : Colli Albani, Rome, Italy, 2nd–7th October 1983

The European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop on the Structure and Mechanism of Muscle, Alpbach, March 1980

The European Molecular Biology Organization Workshop on the Structure and Mechanism of Muscle, Alpbach, March 1980