Two School of Medicine professors -- Linda Bartoshuk, who studies taste receptors, and Dr. Arthur Horwich, who studies protein folding in the cell -- are among the new members elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
Election to membership in the NAS is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer. The academy elected 72 new members and 18 foreign associates from 11 countries during its annual meeting on April 29.
Bartoshuk, professor of surgery and psychology, studies the genetic variation in taste perception, oral pain and clinical anomalies of taste. Her research has classified people into non-tasters, medium tasters and super-tasters.
She and her collaborators recently pubished a study that shows how differences in sense of taste have such an influence on individual diets that they may help determine the diseases to which persons might be susceptible. Supertasters tend to avoid very sweet, high fat foods, but also generally avoid vegetables, which Bartoshuk said might put them at higher risk for colon cancer.
Horwich, an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a genetics professor, has been pursuing studies on the mechanism of action of molecular chaperones in assisting protein folding in the cell. His work was particularly focused on the role of ring assemblies called chaperonins in mediating ATP-dependent folding of proteins to their native forms. He has also more recently been studying a ring system that mediates protein unfolding, and has been studying the mechanism of protein misfolding that results in the formation of amyloids, fibrillar structures formed in a class of neurodegenerative diseases that includes Alzheimer's disease.
The NAS is a private organization of scientists and engineers. It was established in 1863 to act as an official adviser to the federal government, upon request, in any matter of science or technology.
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Faculty elected to prestigious U.S. scholarly societiesSlowly but surely, historic house gets a new home
Yale affiliates honored for work in the arts
Center promoting elderly independence marks 10th year
Summertime at Yale
Italian scholar Guiseppe Mazzotta is named a Sterling Professor Professor
Günter Wagner is appointed the first Alison Richard Professor
Arjun Appadurai is chosen as next term's DeVane Professor
2003 Commencement Information
Federal grant funds researchers' study on risk factors for asthma
Program supports graduate students' language study
Alumni return for weekend celebrations
Former Eli football players to discuss the sport's impact . . .
Conservation leader establishes new scholarship at F&ES
Program will help Chinese leaders plan for sustainable development
Two scholars take work in 'new directions' with Mellon fellowships
UNIVERSITY TEACH-INPediatrician discusses 'paradox' of dyslexia in new book
SOM announces winners of inaugural business competition
Display features hopping, croaking 'Jewels of the Rainforest'
Familiar Bible stories depicted in fabric in new ISM exhibition
Search committee named for Law School Dean
Four undergraduates win nonfiction awards in writing contest
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page