Dr. Martin Chalfie, Nobel Laureate, Presents on Groundbreaking Research at CRBC Briefing

Molecules to Spy on Cells

The Coalition for the Life Sciences (CLS) was honored to welcome Nobel Laureate Dr. Martin Chalfie as he presented on his ground breaking research during a Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus Briefing on Capitol Hill on May 20, 2009.

Dr. Chalfie is the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of Biological Sciences at Columbia University, where he is also chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. He shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Osamu Shimomura and Roger Y. Tsien for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP.

Dr. Chalfie’s discussion, Molecules to Spy on Cells, highlighted his prize-winning research. He and colleagues revolutionized how scientists study the mechanics of cells by getting a visual fix on how organs function. GFP is a small, inert, and relatively nontoxic molecule, easily diffused through living tissue. Researchers now have the ability to follow various cells with the help of GFP. They can study nerve cell damage during Alzheimer's disease, how insulin-producing beta cells are created in the pancreas of a growing embryo, or how cancer cells spread. In one spectacular experiment, researchers succeeded in tagging different nerve cells with a kaleidoscope of colors in the brain of a mouse.

The Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus provides a forum where Members and staff can interact directly with preeminent researchers responsible for important scientific discoveries. Many of the stunning advances, made possible by NIH funding, highlighted in these presentations have led to improved understanding of the cause, treatment, and prevention of human disease.