January 2009
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in vivo
Issue 05
AWARDS & HONORS
FACES TO NAMES
Awarded for breakthrough research on metastasis
Alan Smrcka. Visiting professor, IRB Barcelona group on
IRB Barcelona Adjunct Director Joan Massagué received on December 13 the “Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast Cancer Research” given by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Massagué was selected for this award for the impact of his studies on the metastasis of breast cancer to the lung. A leading expert in cancer metastasis and head of the Cancer Biology and Genetics Program at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, Massagué has devoted more than twenty years to elucidating the role of the TGFBeta protein in cell growth and division.
“Many great ideas in science are processed in the subconscious”
The research carried out by IRB Barcelona Principal Investigator Miquel Pons recently passed the critical eye of a panel of more than one hundred evaluation experts. ‘La Marató de TV3 Foundation’ selected Pons on November 25 to head a three-year research study on key proteins linked to abnormal heart growth. The Foundation will devote more than 7 million euros to fund a total of 26 research projects that address cardiovascular diseases.
Among the most influential IRB Barcelona Director and Adjunct Director Joan Guinovart and Joan Massagué made it for a fourth consecutive year into the ranking of the top 25 most influential scientists in Spain, published this January by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. Guinovart was chosen for his pioneering work on diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, and Massagué for his breakthrough research on metastasis.
Photo: S. Sherwood
Green light to study key proteins in heart diseases
Design, Synthesis and Structure of Peptides and Proteins
ANNA ALSINA
Alan Smrcka (New York, 1958) has taken a break from his teaching and research duties at the University of Rochester to spend a sabbatical year working at IRB Barcelona in the Design, Synthesis and Structure of Peptides and Proteins group. A professor in pharmacology, physiology, oncology, biochemistry and biophysics, he was honored by the Wilmot Cancer Center in 2007 for his research into protein and cell interactions targeting new therapies for cancer and heart diseases. - Why Barcelona for your sabbatical year? “My wife and two children wanted to go somewhere out of America where we could get not only a scientifically enriching experience but also a cultural one. I started looking at the type of research that was being done in Barcelona with the idea that if I couldn't find really good science, we wouldn't take the step. I came across Ernest Giralt's work at IRB Barcelona, and I was very impressed with what I saw. It put to rest any reservations I had about leaving my own lab.” - For instance?
Alan Smrcka (left) during the interview in the PCB Cafeteria.
- That's quick ... “The secret in science is to be excited about what you're doing to keep your motivation going. You shouldn't give up just because it gets tough.” - Have you ever given up? “Sometimes you have no choice. When you get stuck for too long you have to be willing to give up on certain short-term goals to find your way around and get to where you want it to go.”
“Mainly to do cutting-edge research and be - How do you get the overall picture when able to take new research ideas back home.” all you have is scattered data? - Is one year enough time? “I'm a strong believer that many great ideas “My goal is to develop a new method for looking at G-protein dynamics through mass spectrometry and amino spectroscopy in order to target heart diseases, inflammation and pain medication. I think there's a really good chance of succeeding. We have already very exciting data showing that the methods we're using will work.”
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in science are processed in the subconscious outside the lab, when you stop focusing about specific problems you have to solve. It's happened to me a number of times to have come up with keen ideas after subconsciously thinking about them. Even when I'm sleeping the scattered data I've collected in the back of my head is being processed!”