In this issue - pv

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-v

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The ivory tower grays - p69

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-69

The aging of the professoriate has raised questions about how to support productive faculty members late in their careers while integrating the vitality of youthful scientists.

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The model student: what chemical model systems can teach us about biology - pp70 - 73

Eric T Kool & Marcey L Waters

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-70

Model systems have evolved with the times, making use of modern biological methods and incorporating biological complexity. This evolution has increased the relevance of models as tools for studying biology.

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Emerging glycomics technologies - pp74 - 77

Jeremy E Turnbull & Robert A Field

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-74

The nascent field of glycomics is currently undergoing rapid development, largely as a result of advances in technologies for analyzing glycan structure, unraveling glycan-protein interactions and establishing the functional significance of glycans. A meeting was held in November 2006 to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead for this emerging 'omics' domain.

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Molecular Frontiers - p79

Joanne Kotz

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-79

By highlighting the central importance of molecules in life and technology, Molecular Frontiers seeks to increase the interest of young people in science and to identify the potential roles of chemistry and other molecular sciences in addressing global challenges.

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The microtubule-pore gatekeeper - pp81 - 82

James P Snyder

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-81

Cyclostreptin, a natural product, cell toxin and covalent modifier of microtubules, has been shown to bind irreversibly to a previously unidentified site on the outer wall of microtubules. The exterior low-affinity location seems to be a way-station for microtubule-stabilizing agents traveling to the high-affinity site in the microtubule interior.

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See also: Article by Buey et al.

A shortcut to peptides to modulate platelets - pp83 - 84

Gordana Apic & Robert B Russell

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-83

Short peptide segments are increasingly found to have critical roles in biological processes but are often difficult to discover. Bioactive peptides can be quickly found through computational approaches, including a new method that has identified several peptides active against platelet function.

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See also: Letter by Edwards et al.

Getting into the fold - pp84 - 85

Doug A Brooks

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-84

Pharmacological chaperones are small molecules that interact with a protein to enhance folding and stability. Understanding the chemistry underlying the interaction of pharmacological chaperones with their target proteins will facilitate the design of more efficient drugs with greater therapeutic potential.

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See also: Letter by Lieberman et al.

The most versatile of all reactive intermediates? - pp86 - 87

Emily Flashman & Christopher J Schofield

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-86

The iron(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases catalyze varied oxidative reactions. Spectroscopic analyses on the catalytic cycle of the chlorinating enzyme CytC3 reveal the presence of chloride–iron(IV)–oxo complexes, expanding the scope of chemistry known to be catalyzed by non-heme iron-oxo species.

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See also: Letter by Galoni et al.

Success in tubulysin D synthesis - pp87 - 89

Florenz Sasse & Dirk Menche

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-87

The tubulysins inhibit tubulin polymerization, which makes them potent antiproliferative agents and promising lead candidates for the development of new anticancer drugs. The first total synthesis of the most potent member of the tubulysin family, tubulysin D, has been accomplished in a highly convergent manner using an innovative synthetic strategy.

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An RNA transcriptional regulator templates its own regulatory RNA - pp89 - 90

Jennifer F Kugel & James A Goodrich

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-89

The bacterial transcriptional repressor 6S RNA mimics the DNA contained in a melted promoter and forms specific interactions with the active site of RNA polymerase. A new study shows that, surprisingly, 6S RNA acts as a template for the synthesis of small RNAs, which liberates the polymerase from 6S RNA. Hence, the transcriptional repressor 6S RNA serves as a template for the synthesis of its own de-repressive RNA.

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Research Highlights - p91

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-91

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Corrigendum: Small molecule–based reversible reprogramming of cellular lifespan - p126

Jaejoon Won, Mina Kim, Nuri Kim, Jin Hee Ahn, Woo Gil Lee, Sung Soo Kim, Ki-Young Chang, Yong-Weon Yi & Tae Kook Kim

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-126a

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Corrigendum: New approaches to molecular cancer therapeutics - p126

Ian Collins & Paul Workman

doi:10.1038/nchembio0207-126b

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