April 28, 2006
PACKARD SCIENTIST DON CLEVELAND JOINS SCIENTIFIC
ELITE
This week, Packard researcher Don Cleveland was elected
to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors this country
bestows on its scientists. He joins fellow Packard member Rick Huganir,
who was inducted last year. To those in the know, joining the NAS marks
someone as a scientist’s scientist. Moreover, the 2,000 or so existing
Academy members typically select those whose work has social significance
or may translate, at some point, into help for humankind.
Being a member confers some clout. Even from its early days in 1863 when
it was established by a federal act signed by Abraham Lincoln, the Academy
has advised the government, upon request, in any matter of science or
technology. Members may be seen in the halls of Congress; the executive
or judicial branches consult them for perspective.
Cleveland, a professor of medicine, neuroscience and cellular and molecular
medicine at the University of California, San Diego, heads the Laboratory
of Cell Biology at the university’s Ludwig Institute for Cancer
Research. And while part of his research there tackles very basic questions
on how cells assemble the machinery of mitosis, he’s applied those
studies to understanding how ALS works and to finding therapies.
Most recently, he’s shown that motor neuron death in inherited
ALS doesn’t necessarily originate in motor neurons — it also
requires mutant damage to neighboring supporting cells. This find makes
a strong case for the usefulness of stem cell replacement of neighboring
cells as an ALS therapy.
And on another front, Cleveland’s work on blocking the handiwork
of the mutant SOD1 gene that causes a familial type of ALS — essentially
shutting it off before it can damage cells — is being looked into
for application, one day, in patients. The approach, called antisense,
has lengthened survival of ALS animal models.
Within the Packard community of scientists, Cleveland is well-known,
both for the elegance of his research and for his ability to cut to the
quick of an experiment’s design. He makes the best sort of devil’s
advocate for fellow researchers, often helping them avoid flaws that could
bring scientific dead ends. Cleveland’s quick to share models and
cultures and equally quick to poke fun at himself. And, as a member of
the Packard’s Scientific Advisory Board, he’s both insightful
and outspoken, qualities that help keep the Center on track.
>>more Recent
News
|
