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Call for Abstracts -- Fall Meeting 2007

Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society

GEMS presents our 25^th ANNUAL FALL MEETING

“Current and Future Issues in Environmental Toxicology”

Monday October 29, 2007

Radisson Hotel, 150 Park Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC

At this time I would also like to issue a Call for Abstracts for Posters & Talks. We will offer a $1,500 (Travel Award) for the Best Talk (overall) for use for travel to a conference of your choice, plus $250 for the Best Poster in each category of Technician, Student, and 1st or 2nd-Year Postdoctoral Fellow.

Click here for Instructions for Abstracts.

The deadline for the Early Registration, and Abstracts for Talks & Posters, is Monday October 01, 2007. You may register after this date at the regular fee, but please ensure that the Abstracts and Nominations are received by this date. Notification of acceptance of Abstracts will be sent to the presenting author during the week of October 08, 2007.

Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society

25^th Annual Fall Meeting

"Current and Future Issues in Environmental Toxicology"

Monday October 29, 2007

Radisson Hotel
150 Park Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC

Meeting Information and Registration: http://www.gems-nc.org/

• Randy Jirtle (Radiation Oncology, Duke University) will present a talk entitled “Epigenetics: The New Genetics of Toxicology.”
• Andrew Maynard (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Smithsonian Institution) will discuss emerging nanotechnologies.
• Ann Richard (National Center for Computational Toxicology, US EPA) will present a talk on computational chemistry relating to environmental toxicology and structure-activity relationships.
• Junior scientists from the Triangle area competing for travel and scientific awards will also present their work (platform talks; poster session).

New Website

Catch our new look and the latest news about GEMS Spring Meeting!

Bookmark the link below to our new website.

http://gems-nc.org/

Minutes of February Board Meeting

DRAFT

February 7, 2007

1. The meeting was called to order at 3PM by Greg Stuart. The following board members were present: Greg Stuart, Susan Ross, Gloria Jahnke, Jayne Boyer, Rose Anne McGee, Errol Zeiger, Dana Dolinoy, Dan Shaughnessy, Jeffrey Ross, Stephen Little, Janice Allen, Cindy Innes, Kristine Witt, and Frank Stack. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by the host, Susan Ross and the Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences. Corrected minutes from the January 11, 2007 board meeting were approved.
2. Treasurer’s Report (one handout). Susan Ross presented the treasurer’s report. The balance in the checking account and in the money market account were reported in a handout. The treasurer’s report was approved by the board.
3. Old Business -
   

• GEMS Web Site -Frank Stack and Jeff Ross lead discussions about a GEMS website using 1and1.com. There was some discussion about which account plan would best suit GEMS needs. It was agreed that the 1and1 Small Business Plan had certain features that would better benefit GEMS, including marketing tools to communicate better with the members, and business forms for posting online membership/meeting registration to permit easier filing. Web development is via FTP, Unix, or Microsoft development tools that are provided by 1and1. Jeff's experience with 1and1.com has been very positive; they are reliable, have good tools, and billing is quarterly. Also, 1and1.com does not have obligatory advertisements on the site. The Board approved motions (1) to initiate a Small Business web account with 1and1.com, (2) to transfer GEMS web domain from Yahoo to 1and1, and (3) to initiate building the new GEMS web site under GEMS own domain. Frank Stack agreed to begin working on the new web development.
• 2007 GEMS Spring Meeting (handout of proposed agenda and catering guidelines) Rose Anne presented an agenda for the proposed ½-day GEMS Spring Meeting. The meeting will be held at EPA on Monday, April 16, 2007. A buffet lunch (“Executive Deli Buffet”) will be available during the registration period from 11am–12 noon. It is anticipated that there will be five invited speakers with 45 minutes allotted per speaker. A 15 minute break (no food) will occur after the first two speakers. A reception will be held at the end of the meeting and feature assorted munchies, cookies, and cold drinks. Food expenses will be approximately $15/person. The meeting topic is “Systems Biology Approach to DNA Damage Response”. Possible meeting titles are “DNA Damage: A Systems Biology Approach” and “DNA Damage Biology: A Systems Biology Approach”. Steve Little will help coordinate the audio-visual needs (laptop computer, projector) for the meeting, as these will not be included in the facility rental. Prior to the meeting, a list of registrants will be provided to the security station at EPA. Attendees will need to show a photo ID and will need to sign in at the guard desk prior to check-in for the meeting. Dan Shaughnessy led the discussions on possible speakers for this meeting. Dr. Ben van Houten, NIEHS, has agreed to give the opening talk giving an overview of the field. Possible outside speakers are Martin Brown (Stanford), Michael Yaffe (MIT), and Thomas Begley (MIT). Further discussion and confirmation of meeting speakers will be done by email. Based on previous Spring Meetings, attendance at this meeting is anticipated to be 90. Early registration will begin March 16 for a 2 week period (closing April 1?). A meeting announcement, draft meeting agenda, and meeting registration form will need to be ready for distribution and web posting before March 16. Meeting cost for members is $30 for early registration and $40 for later registration. Student members will pay $10. Nonmembers will pay $40 for early registration and $50 for later registration. Nonmember students will pay $15. The cost for meeting registration was approved by the board.

Next GEMS Board of Directors Meeting is Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 3PM at The Hamner Institute.

DRAFT GEMS Meeting Minutes for January 11, 2007

• The meeting was called to order at 3:15 by Greg Stuart. The following board members were present: Greg Stuart, Susan Ross, Gloria Jahnke, Jayne Boyer, Rose Anne McGee, Errol Zeiger, Dana Dolinoy, Dan Shaughnessy, Dario Ramirez, Mac Law, Stephen Little, and Janice Allen. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by the host, Susan Ross and the Hamner Institute. CIIT is now The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences. Corrected minutes from the November 15, 2006 board meeting were approved. The board agreed with Frank Stack’s suggestion that minutes posted on the GEMS web site should not contain financial information. Frank has been editing the minutes before posting.
• Treasurer’s Report (provided in 4 handouts). Susan Ross presented the treasurer’s report which included: The GEMS financial summary for 11/15/06 and 1/11/07, expenses for the 2006 fall meeting, and a spreadsheet with GEMS meeting expenses for 1997–2006. The treasurer’s report was approved by the board.
• Old Business
• 2006 Fall Meeting - Greg has mailed certificates of appreciation to all fall meeting corporate sponsors and the mug for Mercedes Arana has been ordered. Dario and Mercedes have talked to the NIEHS ethics committee about receiving cash awards from GEMS. They will need to complete the required paperwork, but will be able to accept the awards
• GEMS Web Domain/Site – Greg spoke to Frank Stack on 11/28/06 to thank him for his service and to discuss options for a GEMS web site. The best option is 1and1.com “Best Personal Package” as it has 100GB of storage space and more web pages than other options (Yahoo and Go Daddy). Frank has agreed to do the migration from the ncneighbors site. A web site design template would need to be constructed. Errol asked about whether 1and1.com has obligatory advertisements on the site and Greg will check this.

• New Business-Corporate Sponsor Initiative – Greg has drafted a letter to potential corporate sponsors requesting sustaining financial sponsorship for GEMS. Errol is reviewing the letter. Greg met with Ken Tindall of the NC Biotechnology Center to discuss strategies for success. Ken suggested that there would need to be a long-term strategy and that GEMS may need to increase public relations visibility. This can be done by hiring a PR person to promote GEMS and approach influential people/organizations. Another suggestion is to have key people as honorary board members.

• 2007 GEMS Spring Meeting – Meeting Topics. Greg sent a list of potential spring meeting topics to the board for consideration. Errol and Steve thought that system biology would be a good subject, providing the subject was focused. Dan noted that a title such as “Systems biology approach to DNA damage response” would focus the topic and an overview of the field could be given by the first speaker. Each board member voted for 2 potential spring meeting topics and the voting results are summarized below:

• 
  11, Integrative (Systems/Predictive) Biology - Functional Genomics, …
  7, Ribonucleic Acid Technology: RNAi (RNA interference), siRNA (silencing), miRNA (microRNA), …
  5, Diet & Cancer
  5, Mitochondrial DNA Damage & Repair
  4, Cancer & Inflammation
  1, Children as a Sensitive Population
  1, Genetic Variation and Gene - Environment Interaction in Human Health and Disease
  1, Individual Variation In Health & Disease
  1, Stem Cells (previously done) -- Stem Cells: Biology & Toxicological Relevance
  1, Toxicogenomics: The Promise and the Progress So Far
  0, Dietary Supplements
  0, Disease Models
  0, Epigenomics (previously done)
  0, Gene expression
  0, In vitro Models of DNA Damage, Mutagenesis & Repair (or Prevention)
  0, Rodent models

• Meeting Location and Date. Discussion of the location and date for the spring meeting was lead by RoseAnne. Rental costs and available dates were the primary considerations. Possible sites considered were Sigma Xi, NIEHS, EPA, the NC Biotechnology Center, and the McKimmon Center. Mac and Susan reminded the board of the possibility for a half-day meeting with 4 good speakers. This option would omit the lunch cost and be more convenient for attendees with work-related obligations. It was decided by the board to book EPA for Monday, April 16, 2007. RoseAnne will book this venue once costs are determined. The length and agenda for the meeting will be discussed at the next meeting.

• Next GEMS Board of Directors Meeting is Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 3PM at The Hamner Institute.

Minutes of November Board Meeting

November 15, 2006
CIIT
by Gloria. D. Jahnke, GEMS Secretary

1. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM by Greg Stuart. The following board members were present: Greg Stuart, Susan Ross, Gloria Jahnke, Cindy Innes, Jayne Boyer, Rose Anne McGee, Jeff Ross, Errol Zeiger, Dana Dolinoy, Dan Shaughnessy, Dario Ramirez, Mac Law, Kristine Witt, and Stephen Little. Since this is the first meeting with new board members, everyone introduced themselves and their affiliation. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by the host, Susan Ross and CIIT. Corrected minutes from the October 3, 2006 Board meeting were approved.

2. Treasurer’s Report (provided in two handouts) The balance in the checking account and the money market account were reported. The Friday Center has not been paid as yet, and this payment will reduce the balance in the checking account. Susan also provided a summary of expenses for the 2006 Fall Meeting. Facility expenses, speaker/other costs, and miscellaneous expenses were reported. Total revenues from NIEHS contribution, registration fee, and corporate sponsor support yielded a net loss of $317. Attendance at the Fall meeting was 147. Susan has contacted everyone on the 2003–2006 GEMS mailing list who owes dues.

3. Corporate Representative Report Julie Ginsler, GEMS corporate representative, was unable to attend. Susan Ross read the following report from Julie. “All the corporate sponsors were very pleased this year. Everyone said that many researches came and spent time learning about new products, collecting pertinent information and getting some free samples to try out in the lab. The raffle of prizes and questionnaire helped to determine if there was a product that would fit with the researcher’s interest. Everyone will be back next year if their schedule permits. Our sponsorship as corporate sponsors really felt appreciated by the GEMS group. I am sorry I could not make the meeting today. Have a nice Thanksgiving!----Julie”

It was agreed by the board that the drawing initiated by Julie for free products was very successful in attracting people to the sponsor tables.

4. Meeting with Genetic Toxicology Association (GTA) Representatives

Errol Zeiger provided the following report to the Board on the GEMS/GTA meeting at EMS Meeting in Vancouver, BC.

“Les Recio and I met with Dan Levy (current GTA president) and other GTA members on Sept. 19, 2006, during the EMS Annual Meeting in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The meeting was arranged at Dan Levy’s request. The GTA is concerned that the EMS has been moving away from genetic toxicity testing and regulatory toxicology issues, as evidenced by the Annual Meeting programs. They wanted to know if GEMS was also concerned about this trend and, if so, what the two regional societies can do to counter-act it.

[n.b., A number of regional environmental mutagenesis-related regional societies came into being during the 1980s. GTA was the first to form, centering around the Philadelphia- Baltimore-Washington DC area. As I recall, GEMS was the next to form, with other regional societies in New England (MANE) and the San Francisco Bay area (GETA). According to Dan, these other two regional societies had moved away from mutagenesis and were emphasizing general toxicology topics.]

There is a basic difference between the GTA and GEMS. The GTA is made up primarily of pharmaceutical and drug industry people and Washington, DC government regulators. In contrast, GEMS members are more basic and applied research oriented, with fewer, if any, testing or regulatory interests. These different interests are reflected in our respective meeting programs. It is likely that programs of interest to the majority of GTA members would not [necessarily] be of interest to the majority of GEMS members.

The main emphasis of our discussions were about whether, and how, GTA and GEMS, either individually or combined, could have their interests represented at future EMS meetings. One approach that could be presented to the EMS program committees, is that GEMS, GTA, and other regional societies act similar to the SOT interest groups. That is, the societies, alone or in concert, would propose and organize sessions related to their members’ interests. No decisions were taken at this meeting. We agreed that we would present the concept of organizing and/or sponsoring EMS meeting sessions to our respective BoDs.”

5. Web site. The possibility of consolidating all of GEMS presence on a single GEMS web site was discussed. Our own web site will allow us to appear more professional and to have more web content, have it better organized, and have it more easily accessible. A web domain name has already been obtained by Frank Stack, following approval by the BoD. Frank provided information on Yahoo supported site hosting, and its costs. Jeff Ross volunteered information about another web host that could be equally as good, but cost less per year. The BoD decided to look into alternate web site hosts before making a commitment.

6. 2006 Fall Meeting. The meeting had 147 attendees and 17 corporate sponsors. ILS provided the program booklets gratis. Greg and Les proposed that Sherry Blue, who printed and collated the program booklets, receive a small monetary compensation in appreciation from GEMS, and the recommendation was approved by the Board. The Board also approved purchasing a GEMS mug for Mercedes Arana (postdoctoral poster awardee). Some of the awardees receiving cash awards are from NIEHS (Dario Ramirez and Mercedes Arana). Mercedes will meet with NIEHS bioethicist, David Resnik, to check on government conflict of interest rules. GEMS received [funding] from NIEHS to help defray the costs of this meeting, but it is unlikely that NIEHS will have as large a role in future meetings. Greg has been investigating other avenues of financial meeting support. Aside from the application for NIEHS funding, Greg also applied to Operon Biotechnologies for grant funding. Greg noted that he has not heard from Operon Biotechnologies concerning his request for a grant.

7. New BOD Members Greg welcomed new Board members and noted that the awardee for best postdoctoral speaker, Dario Ramirez, has also received a K99 grant award from NIEHS.

8. Sustaining Members’ Initiative Greg is initiating a project to obtain sustaining corporate sponsors for GEMS from the local scientific community. He will be circulating a draft letter requesting financial support for Board review.

9. 2007 Spring and Fall Meetings Rose Anne presented an overview of plans for GEMS meetings and has provided this synopsis. Spring Meeting Suggested meeting dates are April 24, 25, or 26 at the US EPA or Sigma Xi. Availability and costs need to be checked. Jeff Ross volunteered to check availability and cost regarding meeting rooms and catering at US EPA. Mac Law suggested the Spring meeting attendance may increase if the meeting is reduced to a half day. Fall Meeting This will be the 25^th anniversary of GEMS and a 1½ day meeting may be planned. Errol brought up the real possibility that we may not have enough momentum to sustain a day and a half meeting. Possible meeting dates are October 29–30, 2007. Suggested venues are the Sheraton Imperial and the Radisson Governor's Inn or the Washington Duke Inn as a back-ups. Rose Anne has talked to several past presidents’ about ideas for this meeting and their involvement in the meeting. Some past presidents' suggestions are: establish a one-time 25^th anniversary travel award to the EMS meeting, have a 30 minute presentation on the history, accomplishments and impact of GEMS membership, and involve past presidents in meeting planning.

10. Other Business Greg Stuart has written a detailed manual for GEMS president-elects. There will be an article in the NIEHS Newsletter featuring Steve McCaw, NIEHS photographer, on the GEMS fall meeting.

11. The next Board meeting will be on January 11, 2007 at CIIT.

Summary of 2006 Fall Meeting

— by Gloria D. Jahnke, GEMS Secretary

The 24th Fall Meeting of the Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society was held at the Friday Center of the University of North Carolina October 26, 2006. The topic for this meeting was “Oxidative Stress and Damage”. There were approximately 150 registered attendees and 18 corporate sponsors.

President Dr. Les Recio welcomed everyone and thanked CIIT for providing nametags for the meeting, ILS for providing the meeting programs, and NIEHS for meeting support. He also welcomed the meeting attendees and thanked the corporate sponsors for their support. President-Elect Dr. Greg Stuart introduced the speakers. In the morning session, Dr. Susan P. LeDoux from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine spoke on “Mitochondrial DNA Repair: A Critical Player in the Cellular Response to Oxidative Damage”. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. James A. Swenberg, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who presented data and opened a discussion of “Do Chemicals That Form DNA Adducts and Induce Mutations Always Have Linear Low Dose Risks?” During the mid-morning break, posters were judged and the registrants visited the corporate sponsor booths. After the judging, the posters were open to viewing by the attendees. The morning session was completed with two student talks. Dana Dolinoy presented “Environmental Influences on the Fetal Epigenome” and Stephanie Dance presented “ Mouse Lung Tumor Model Dose response Analysis of the Conditional Expression of the Mutant Ki-Ras^G12C Allele”.

During lunch, Susan Ross and RoseAnne McGee, on behalf of GEMS, held a drawing for a corporate gift basket. Susan Barbee accepted the gift basket on behalf of Roche Applied Science. The corporate sponsors also had a drawing. Meeting attendees could enter this contest by visiting 10 sponsor booths during the course of the meeting. Ten gifts were provided for the drawing.

After lunch, a short business meeting was held. Twenty-two new members registered at the meeting. The election results for the GEMS board were announced. RoseAnne McGee is President-Elect and newly elected councilors are: Kristine Witt, Stephen Little, Daniel Shaughnessy, and Mac Law. Mac Law will serve a 2-year term replacing RoseAnne McGee as councilor. GEMS coffee mugs were presented to outgoing officers: Les Recio (president); Alan Townsend, Mary Smith, and Karin Scarpinato (councilors). In appreciation of his service, an inscribed plaque was presented to the outgoing GEMS president, Les Recio. All invited speakers received inscribed GEMS coffee mugs and all competing speakers received GEMS coffee mugs.

The afternoon session began with a student presentation by D.W. Lehmann entitled “Aroclor Derived Oxidative Damage in the Bivalve Corbicula Flumenea”. This presentation was followed by presentations by postdoctoral fellows. Brooke Heidenfelder presented “Biomonitoring of Reactive Oxygen Species in Biological Fluids: Antonia Chen presented “Proinflammatory Cytokines Induce NO-Mediated DNA Damage in Articular Chondrocytes” and Dario Ramirez spoke on “Immuno-Spin Trapping of Oxidatively Generated Damage to the Genome”. Following these talks, Dr. James A. Imlay from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign spoke on “Molecular Explanations for the Toxicity of Sub-Micromolar H₂O₂”.

Two travel awards were presented. One to the best presentation by a student and one to the best presentation by a post-doctoral fellow. Three speakers were in each division. Dana Dolinoy (Duke University) and Dr. Dario Ramirez (NIEHS), were judged best talks, respectively. Each received a $1000 travel award and a plaque that will be engraved with their name. Both awardees will have a one-year appointment on the GEMS board of directors. The poster awards were divided between the student and postdoctoral fellow categories. The winners of $250 in each category were: student poster: Mikyoung Lee Ji (NCSU) for “Recombinant Expression of Glutathione Reductase from Cowellia Psychreythreaea in Escherichia Coli” and post-doc poster: Mercedes E. Arana for “A Unique Error Signature for Human DNA Polymerase v”.

A reception with hot hors d’oeuvres, ice tea, and lemonade followed the meeting and afforded everyone the opportunity for further discussions.

Past Presidents of GEMS

As we enter our 25th year, it seems appropriate to recognize our past...

Let's begin with a list of our past, present, and future Presidents.

• 1983-1985 (2 yrs) Larry Claxton (EPA)
• 1985-1987 (2 yrs) Andy Kligerman (EPA)
• 1987-1988 Martha Moore (EPA)
• 1988-1999 David DeMarini (EPA)
• 1989-1990 Tom Hughes (EPA)
• 1990-1991 David Doolittle (RJR)
• 1991-1992 Bruce Casto (EHRT)
• 1992-1993 Fred DeSerres (NIEHS)
• 1993-1994 Julian Preston (RTI)
• 1994-1995 Mike Waters (EPA)
• 1995-1996 Mike Shelby (NIEHS)
• 1996-1997 Byron Butterworth (CIIT)
• 1997-1998 Beth George (EPA)
• 1998-1999 Jack Bishop (NIEHS)
• 1999-2000 Tom Hughes (EPA)
• 2000-2001 Mike Cunningham (NIEHS)
• 2001-2002 Amal Abu-Shakra (NCCU)
• 2002-2003 Diane Spencer (NIEHS)
• 2003-2004 Mark Miller (Wake Forest-UMC)
• 2004-2005 Barbara Shane (NIEHS)
• 2005-2006 Les Recio (ILS)
• 2006-2007 Greg Stuart (NIEHS)
• 2007-2008 Rose Anne McGee (NIEHS) -- (President-Elect 2006-2007)

Draft Minutes of October Board Meeting

October 3, 2006

CIIT

by Gloria Jahnke, Secretary

1. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM by Greg Stuart (Les Recio was unable to attend). The following board members were present: Greg Stuart, Susan Ross, Gloria Jahnke, Cindy Innes, Jayne Boyer, Rose Anne McGee, Janice Allen, and Jeff Ross. Alan Townsend participated by speaker phone. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by the host, Susan Ross and CIIT. Corrected minutes from the August 26, 2006 board meeting were approved.
   
   
2. Treasurer’s Report The balance in the checking account and the money market account were reported. The income in the checking account has increased from the previous report due to income from dues, registration, corporate sponsors and a grant from NIEHS.
   
   
3. GEMS Election The GEMS election will be conducted through email as it was last year. Frank Stack will setup the electronic ballots. GEMS has 254 active members to poll. The ballots will be accepted over a 10 day period from October 10-20. The cost of the on-line election will be under $200. Greg has been finalizing the nominations and collecting biosketches. Proposed candidates are: President-Elect: Rose Ann McGee(NIEHS); Councilors (3 positions): Dan Shaughnessy (NIEHS), Kristine Witt (NIEHS), Minnie Holmes-McNary (NC A&T), Stephen Little (US EPA), and Mac Law (NCSU).
   
   
4. Fall Meeting – The GEMS Fall meeting will be at the Friday Center, October 26, 2006.
   
   GEMS has received the grant from NIEHS as discretionary funds towards the fall meeting. Greg has also submitted a grant application to Operon Biotechnologies for meeting funding, and will follow-up on the status of this application.
   
   Registration Susan has received 86 meeting registrations with 10 more coming giving a total of 96 attendees. The number of attendees at the Fall meeting is estimated at 120 with 30 at the reception. There are 12 confirmed sponsors: 9 exhibitors and 3 non-exhibitors (RJR, ILS, alpha-gamma Technologies). Roche Applied Science will have an advertisement in the Fall Program. Since there are 9 exhibitors, the number of tables requested from the Friday Center will be 12. Rose Ann (if Julie hasn’t already done so) will purchase a thank you gift basket for the winner of the corporate sponsor drawing at the meeting.
   
   Abstract Submissions Nine students and eight post-docs have submitted abstracts. Alan proposed that two travel awards be presented. After further discussion by the board, it was decided that two travel awards would be given – one to the best presentation by a student and the other to the best presentation by a post-doc. The board voted for their top three candidates to give a presentation. Student presenters are Dana Dolinoy (DUMC), Stephanie Dance (WFUBMC), and Wade Lehmann (NCSU). Post doctoral presenters are Brooke Heidenfelder (US EPA), Beverley Fermor (DUMC), and Dario Ramirez (NIEHS). The talks will be for approximately ten minutes with five minutes for questions. The winner of the student competition will be the student representative on the board for next year. Greg will send notifications to those who have submitted an abstract as to whether they are giving a poster or an oral presentation.
   
   
5. Other Business – EPA will be conducting a two-day meeting on Oxidative Stress just prior to the GEMS Fall Meeting. This may generate more interest in the GEMS Fall meeting.
   
   –Errol and Les met with Dr. Levy (FDA-CFSAN) of GETA/GTA at the EMS meeting and Errol will report on this meeting at a later time.
   
   
6. The next board meeting will be on November 15, 2006 at CIIT.

Minutes of August Board Meeting

CIIT
August 29, 2006
by Gloria Jahnke, Secretary

1. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM. The following board members were present: Les Recio, Greg Stuart, Gloria Jahnke, Cindy Innes, Jayne Boyer, Errol Zeiger, Julie Ginsler, RoseAnne McGee, Janice Allen. Alan Townsend participated by speaker phone. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by the host, Rebecca Clewell (for Susan Ross) and CIIT. Minutes from the July 26, 2006 board meeting were approved.
   
   
2. Greg Stuart reviewed the financial summary that Susan Ross had provided prior to the meeting. The balance in the checking account, the money market account, and the total (including interest) for both accounts were reported.
   
   
3. Corporate Representative Report Julie Ginsler has sent out emails to potential corporate sponsors for the GEMS fall meeting. So far, twelve companies have agreed to be sponsors. September 30 will be the closing date for obtaining sponsors. Julie will send to Gloria the sponsor information and a synopsis of the products the company offers (50 words or less) for the fall program. Julie will provide a slide listing the corporate sponsors for the fall meeting. This information will be projected during the meeting. In order to have more people visit the sponsor tables, meeting attendees who visit at least 6 vendors will be eligible for a drawing to take place during lunchtime. Prizes such as gift certificates will be awarded.
   
   
4. Fall Meeting – The GEMS Fall meeting will be at the Friday Center, October 26, 2006.
   
   

   • NIEHS Funding Greg applied for a grant from NIEHS discretionary funds on January 29. As a result of his efforts, NIEHS is contributing a grant towards the fall meeting. Dr. Schwartz will be personally invited to the meeting to accept our thanks for this support. Funding is becoming tighter and costs for a meeting at the Friday Center are high. Greg reviewed the costs for a meeting, poster boards, and food at the Friday Center. The cost comes to $8,266.20 for approximately 120 attendees and 30 people at the reception. Dr. Cidlowski (NIEHS) recommended that Sigma Xi meeting facilities be used, since they are free. Food could be catered. Another possibility is using EPA facilities, which are also free.

     Other Funding Operon Biotechnologies is providing financial support for scientific meetings as a part of their 20^th anniversary fund. Greg has requested $3830 for meeting support from them.

     Deadlines Early fall meeting registration and GEMS abstracts are due on Tuesday, September 26. Greg will send out a notice to presenting/poster authors by Friday, October 6. Diane Spencer and Gloria will assemble the meeting programs and mail the electronic program by October 12 to Les/ILS for printing, as approximately 2 weeks are required for printing. An advertisement in the program is $50.

     Meeting Announcement and Awards All invited speakers have accepted. Dr. Swenberg has been on travel and has not as yet submitted the title of his presentation. Meeting photographer, Steve McCaw, has been contacted about the meeting. An award will be given for the best talk and Greg, Janice, and Les will be the judges. Jayne, Jeff, and Errol will judge the posters. Awards and poster judges will be discussed at the next meeting.

5. GEMS Elections – Greg has contacted some of the potential candidates for GEMS office. So far, RoseAnne McGee has agreed to run for President-Elect and Dan Shaughnessy, Steve Little, Kristine Witt, and Minnie Holmes-McNary have agreed to run for councilor positions.

6. GEMS Website – GEMS has been using NC Neighbors and a GEMS blog to convey organizational information. A web page dedicated to GEMS would be in order. Errol presented information of an offer from Google for a free web site. Frank Stack provided a list of available possible domain names. A web name of gems-nc.org was approved by the board. Errol will send this information to Frank so that he can register the domain name.

7. Other Business – Errol and Les will contact Dr. Levy (FDA-CFSAN) of GETA/GTA at the EMS meeting in mid-September to discuss strategies for increasing interest in genetox.

8. The next board meeting date will be the first week in October [held on 10/03].

Fall Meeting Announcement

GEMS 24^th ANNUAL FALL MEETING
Thursday October 26^th, 2006

Topic: “Oxidative Stress and Damage”

Friday Center of the University of North Carolina

100 Friday Center Drive (off of Hwy 54 East)

Chapel Hill, NC

We have assembled a very strong programme that includes three invited speakers (Drs. James Swenberg, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; James Imlay, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and Susan LeDoux, University of South Alabama), six student and post-doctoral speakers (refer to the Agenda), a poster session, corporate sponsor vendor displays, a luncheon and a catered reception.

For more information, please refer to one of the following subjects:

• Meeting Agenda
• Registration Form

Board Meeting Minutes - July 25, 2006

CIIT

by Gloria. D. Jahnke, GEMS Secretary

• The meeting was called to order at 3:10 PM. The following members were present: Les Recio, Greg Stuart, Susan Ross, Gloria Jahnke, Cindy Innes, Jayne Boyer, Errol Zeiger, Julie Ginsler, and RoseAnne McGee. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by Susan Ross. Minutes from the June 20, 2006 board meeting were approved.

• Susan Ross presented the treasurer’s report and provided a handout of the GEMS Financial Report for July 27, 2006 that included expenses for the Spring meeting. The balance in the checking and money market accounts were reported.

• 2006 Spring Meeting. Susan reported that the overall meeting cost was $4829.47; total revenues for the meeting were $3,210.00 resulting in a net loss of $1,619.47. There were 72 attendees at the meeting.

• Fall Meeting – The GEMS Fall meeting will be at the Friday Center, October 26, 2006.

• Meeting Registration Fee – The board agreed to increase the GEMS meeting registration fee. Fees for members and non-members will increase by $10 and student members by $5. The amount for student non-members would not change. Early registration will be: members, $50, non-members $60, student members $10, and student non-members $15. Late registration will be $60 for members and $70 for non-members and remain at $10 and $15 for student members and student non-members, respectively.
• Corporate Sponsors – Julie Ginsler, the GEMS corporate representative, reviewed information on corporate sponsorship for the upcoming Fall meeting. She will solicit corporate sponsors for the meeting from a list of 50 contacts. Sponsorship includes a display table at the meeting, meeting attendance and lunch for two people, and listing in the meeting program. An advertisement in the program is $50. The advertisement would also appear on the GEMS blog. Susan will send Julie a registration form for corporate sponsors and Greg will check to see if the display table size for can be increased from 6 to 8 feet. Sponsors will send their contact information and a synopsis of the products the company offers (50 words or less) for the meeting program. Julie suggested having a raffle at lunchtime for meeting attendees who visited 10 tables during the meeting.
• Speakers and Call for Abstracts – The contract with the Friday Center has been signed. Two of the three invited speakers have accepted. The other one has tentatively accepted. An email with a Call for Abstracts will be released soon. Categories are student/technician/first- or second-year postdoc. After some discussion that postdocs would have difficulty completing a project within one year, the time period for postdocs was extended to 2 years. Awards to presenters, speakers, and out-going board members will be discussed at the next GEMS meeting.
• Food – The buffet lunch is $12.50/person, and is estimated for 120 attendees. The minimum order by Carolina Catering for the Reception is 30 persons (at $13.35/person), which will be sufficient.
• Funding – Greg has prepared an application for meeting support from NIEHS through the Director’s Discretionary Funds. The application was submitted to Dr. Cidlowski on July 19. Another option, perhaps, for next year is grants.gov. However, applications need to be submitted approximately >6 months in advance and require detailed program information, including speakers. Greg noted that “if we are obligated to go follow this rather detailed and convoluted route for funding, a "request for permission," would have to be prepared no later than March 1st, to meet the deadlines for a GEMS meeting scheduled for mid-October. This simply does not seem practicable, for a small volunteer society like GEMS. Thus, we will likely need to consider alternative sources of funding (sources?), and/or cost-saving measures, for coming events." Information on funding sources is appended below.

• GEMS Elections – Greg reviewed potential candidates for GEMS offices. There are 3 outgoing councilors: Mary Smith, Alan Townsend, and Karin Drotschmann. An email will be sent to GEMS membership requesting candidates for 3 councilor positions and for president-elect.
• The next board meeting will be Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 3 PM at CIIT.

Appendix:

Information on Conference Funding Sources from Greg Stuart

Requests for funds generally require, minimally, the conference date(s), estimated number of attendees, sometimes the composition of the attendees (e.g., students, investigators, etc), plus a draft agenda and draft budget. Depending upon the source, application deadlines are up to 7.5 months in advance. Scientific organization can formally apply for NIEHS support through the grants.gov web site: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/dert/programs/conferen.htm. Application receipt dates are April 15, August 15, and December 15. The receipt date chosen must be at least 6 months prior to the meeting. A request for permission to submit a conference application is required and must be received no later than six (6) weeks prior to the receipt date as described in the announcement (March 1, July 1, or November 1). In your request please include:

• Meeting Title, Date and Location
• PI name and location
• Meeting and need justification e.g. Meeting purpose and goals (2-3 sentences)
• Preliminary draft program with speakers if known or suggested speakers
• Amount requested and purpose

Call for Abstracts

GEMS 24th ANNUAL FALL MEETING
Thursday October 26, 2006
UNC Friday Center, Chapel Hill, NC
Topic: "Oxidative Stress and Damage"

The Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society is soliciting free communications for talks and posters from technicians, students, and 1st- or 2nd-year post-docs. GEMS will present a travel award for the best overall talk, plus cash prizes of $150 for the best poster in each category (technician; student; post-doc)! The travel award covers expenses up to $1500 for our best talk winner to present another talk at a future scientific meeting (as conferred by GEMS Board of Directors).

Abstracts are due by Tuesday September 26, 2006.

Instructions for Preparing Abstracts

Abstracts (250-300 words) should be prepared according to the following instructions:

1. If possible, use the non-bold 12-point Arial font. The title should be CAPITALIZED, followed by the author’s names, affiliations and complete addresses. Use numbers in square brackets [1] to designate different affiliations/addresses. The Presenter’s name should be underlined.
2. Skip one line, do not indent, and continue with paragraph of text describing the hypothesis being addressed and the results obtained. Do not exceed the 300 word limit for the abstract. [See an example abstract below.]
3. Send (email) the abstract as a MS Word or WordPerfect file to:
   
   Dr. Gregory R. Stuart
   NIEHS
   PO Box 12233, MD E3-01
   RTP, NC 27709
   Phone: 919-541-5424
   E-mail: stuart@niehs.nih.gov

Abstracts are due by Tuesday September 26, 2006.

Indicate your preference for poster or oral presentation. Notification of acceptance of the abstract will be sent to the presenting author by October 11, 2006. Abstracts presented at the Annual Meeting will be distributed to all attendees.

Sample Abstract:

THE E2F/RB PATHWAY REGULATION OF DNA REPLICATION AND PROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS, W.O. Ward [1], Harry Hurd [2] and R.J. Duronio [2], [1] EPA, MD B143-06, RTP, NC 27711 and [2] UNC, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

The E2F/Rb pathway plays a pivotal role in the control of cell cycle progression and regulates the expression of genes required for G1/S transition. Our study examines the genomic response in Drosophila embryos after overexpression and mutation of E2F/Rb pathway molecules. [… remainder of Abstract deleted, in this example …]

Call for Nominations: GEMS Board of Directors

In preparation for the GEMS 2006 Fall Meeting (which will be held Thursday October 26, 2006 at the Friday Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, with the topic "Oxidative Damage and Stress"). I am soliciting nominations (or self-nominations) for election to the GEMS Board of Directors. We have four open slots: President-Elect, plus three Councilor positions. I would prefer that we have a strong slate of Candidates for each position!

Please send me your nominations (plus contact information); if you have already been approached/nominated, please email me a brief biographical sketch, preferably by mid-August.

Once we have the slate of candidates plus the biographies, we will hold an online election (ballots via email response).

Dr. Gregory R. Stuart, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
111 T.W. Alexander Drive
Building 101, Room E-326
P.O. Box 12233, MD E3-01
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
Tel: (919) 541-5424; Fax: (919) 541-7613
stuart@niehs.nih.gov

-- and --
The National Academies'
National Research Council Associateship Program

GEMS Meeting Minutes - June 20, 2006

CIIT

1. President Les Recio called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m. The following members were present: Les Recio, Greg Stuart Susan Ross, Gloria Jahnke, Cindy Innes, Jayne Boyer, and Jeff Ross. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by the host, Susan Ross and CIIT. Minutes from the March 20, 2006 board meeting were approved.

2. Susan Ross presented the treasurer’s report and provided a handout of the GEMS Financial Report for June 20, 2006. The balance in the checking and money market account were reported.

3. 2006 Spring Meeting. Susan reported that the overall meeting cost was approximately $4800. There were 72 attendees at the meeting, so there was an approximate loss of $1600 from the meeting. A detailed meeting cost summary will be provided at the next Board meeting.

Food – There were a number of complements on the food for the meeting. However, it was noted that the reception, although elegant, had limited variety in food choices.

4. Les briefly discussed an email he and Gloria received from Dan Levy, president of GTA (Genetic Toxicology Association) asking for participation of the GEMS Board at a proposed joint meeting of GTA, GETA, and GEMS at the EMS meeting in September. The goal of this meeting is to broaden geographic GTA membership to groups interested in genetic toxicology, risk assessment and regulatory issues. GTA is Washington, DC based without local representation, so it is uncertain what benefit GTA membership would be to RTP GEMS. Les and Errol will be attending the next EMS meeting and will talk to a representative from GTA.

5. NC SOT will be meeting October 30. The meeting topic is Cardiotoxicity. Ken Ramos and a speaker for GSK will present.

6. GEMS Elections – Greg reviewed potential candidates for GEMS offices. There are 3 councilor positions open. Year 2007 will be the 25th anniversary of GEMS. There are 3 outgoing councilors: Mary Smith, Alan Townsend, and Karin Drotschmann.

7.Fall Meeting – The GEMS Fall meeting will be at the Friday Center, the first 2 weeks in November. November 2, 8, or 9 are the preferred dates. Greg will be checking with the Center for availability. Susan will send Greg a copy of the contract from last year. Greg will contact Barbara Shane about requesting meeting support from NIEHS. Les noted that it is important that the vendors have an exclusive block of meeting time for the attendees to visit their booths. Vendors pay $250 to GEMS which includes a booth and meeting registration for two people. Advertisements in the meeting program are $50. We will need input on vendor needs from Julie Ginsler.

Oxidative Damage and Stress is the fall meeting topic. Once the meeting date is established, Greg will send out an email to the membership requesting poster and/or presentation abstracts.

8. The next board meeting will be Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 3 PM at CIIT.
Gloria. D. Jahnke, GEMS Secretary

Summary of GEMS 2006 Spring Meeting

by Greg Stuart, President-elect &

Gloria Jahnke, Secretary

and photos by Steve McCaw, Image Associates

The GEMS 2006 Spring Meeting was held Monday April 24, 2006 at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Durham NC. Six invited speakers addressed the meeting topic “Antimutagenesis and Anticarcinogenesis.” There were 72 attendees. President Dr. Les Recio welcomed the attendees and President-Elect Dr. Greg Stuart introduced the speakers.

Dr. Rudolph Salganik from the School of Public Health and the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, gave the opening presentation “Apoptosis Against Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis.” Dr. Salganik suggested that temporarily depleting dietary antioxidants increases the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) selectively in cancer cells, resulting in the death of tumor cells. This approach has been verified using transgenic mice, and additional studies are currently underway. Cachexia, a tragic complication of cancer, results in wasting of muscle tissues and body mass with no effective means of treatment. Dr. Salganik presented preliminary data supporting the hypothesis that the accumulation of ROS in cancer cells might decrease secretion of cachectic factors and reduce deadly manifestations of cachexia.

Next, Dr. Karen Katula from the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro gave a presentation entitled “Folate and Carcinogenesis: A Complex Relationship Based on Multiple Mechanisms.” After introducing the topic of folate deficiency and adverse health outcomes including cancer, Dr. Katula described her studies exploring the mechanistic link between folate deficiency and changes in gene expression. Microarray analyses using normal human fibroblast and lymphoblast cell lines identified a small set of genes selected for further study. Follow-up analyses indicated that a subset of genes linked to the Ras and Wnt pathways are sensitive to folate deficiency. These results suggested an alternative mechanism for how folate deficiency leads to changes in gene expression and altered cell function.

Dr. Errol Zeiger from Errol Zeiger Consulting (Chapel Hill NC) concluded the morning session with the presentation “Identification of Antimutagens and Anticarcinogens: Issues and Fallacies.” In a thoughtful and often humorous presentation, Dr. Zeiger critiqued the extensive literature describing antimutagenic substances from plants and other sources. Many substances identified as antimutagens in a specific test system are also mutagens in the same, or different, test systems, sometimes leading to contradictory results from the same laboratory. Consequently, the literature contains studies that show certain chemicals to be antimutagens when tested against specific mutagens, and other studies that use these same antimutagenic chemicals as the reference mutagens when identifying new antimutagens. Ultimately, when reviewing scientific literature describing antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects (or planning such experiments), the validity of the experimental objectives, the test system, and the interpretation of the results must be carefully scrutinized.

Following Dr. Zeiger’s presentation, an exceptional buffet-style lunch featuring sandwich wraps, pasta salad, fruit salad, and desserts was served by Chef Mario Catering. During lunchtime and throughout the meeting, “career mentors” were available to advise students and postdoctoral fellows regarding employment opportunities. The following mentors kindly volunteered their expertise: from industry, Drs. Jeff Ambroso (GlaxoSmithKline), Les Recio (Integrated Laboratory Systems), and Errol Zeiger (Errol Zeiger Consulting); from academia, Drs. Mark Miller (Wake Forest University), Mary Smith (North Carolina A&T State University), and Jayne Boyer (University of North Carolina); and, from government, Drs. Janice Allen (NIEHS) and Jeff Ross (USEPA).

Dr. Alan Townsend from the Department of Biochemistry at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine led the afternoon session with a presentation entitled “Protection Against Carcinogen Genotoxicity by Glutathione Transferases Co-Expressed with Cytochrome P-450.” Dr. Townsend described his studies that examined the metabolism and detoxification of selected carcinogens, including the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene and its enantiomeric dihydrodiol metabolites. These investigations employ the use of transgenic cell lines (including V79 hamster cells) that express specific human cytochrome P₄₅₀ (including hCYP1A1) and glutathione S-transferase isozymes (including hGSTP1), to study the dynamics of competition between activation versus detoxification of carcinogens and their metabolites. Endpoints examined included cytotoxicity, macromolecular damage (DNA adducts) and mutagenicity, and their reduction by co-expression with hGSTP1.

Next, Dr. Daniel Shaughnessy from the Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (RTP, NC) presented his work on “Dietary Antimutagens: Studies in Bacteria and Humans.” Dr. Shaughnessy described the results from two chemoprevention studies. In the first, human participants in a controlled study were fed a defined diet containing highly fried beef (containing elevated levels of mutagenic heterocyclic amines), as well as the protective substances cruciferous vegetables, yogurt, or daily chlorophyllin tablets. Colorectal biopsies were obtained for determination of DNA damage, and mutagenicity studies were performed using urine and fecal samples. The results showed that the dietary interventions with the antimutagens reduced by the level of DNA damage in the target tissue, the colon, by two-fold. Dr. Shaughnessy also investigated the effects of vanillin and cinnamaldehyde on mutational spectra in Salmonella, DNA repair-deficient strains of E. coli, and antimutagenesis at the HPRT locus in human cells. The results show that these antimutagens reduce spontaneous mutations by inducing recombinational DNA repair.

Dr. Thomas Kensler, Director of the Division of Toxicological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences at John Hopkins University concluded the presentations with stimulating presentation entitled “Role of Keap1-Nrf2 Signaling in Cancer Chemoprevention.” Dr. Kensler described results from his laboratory that investigated the molecular mechanisms of action of chemopreventive agents such as dithiolethiones and oltipraz. These studies included the use of Nrf2-deficient mice to assess the impact of this transcription factor on both basal expression and induction of glutathione S-transferases and NAD(P)H:quinone reductase by oltipraz. Dr. Kensler also provided an overview of his pivotal clinical trials in Qidong, P.R. China. Dr. Kensler, and colleagues, demonstrated that the consistent exposure of individuals in this region to dietary aflatoxins indicated a prime role for aflatoxin in the etiology of liver cancer. Consequently, clinical chemoprevention trials of the dithiolethione oltipraz, and other agents, are currently underway in Qidong to determine if intervention with oltipraz can reduce the incidence of liver cancer.

The meeting was followed by a reception featuring assorted cheeses, roast pork, grilled vegetables, Mexican cheesecake, crab and artichoke dip, and a punch beverage. The GEMS Board of Directors wishes to sincerely thank those who contributed to the success of this meeting, and welcomes ideas and suggestions for future GEMS meetings (please email your suggestions to Greg Stuart at stuart@niehs.nih.gov). The Board would also like to extend a special ‘thank you’ to Susan Ross and the CIIT Centers for Health Research for their contribution of name badges and signs for the meeting, Integrated Laboratory Systems for providing the programs, and financial support generously provided by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

March Board Meeting Minutes

by Gloria. D. Jahnke, GEMS Secretary

March 20, 2006

CIIT

1. President-Elect Greg Stuart called the Board to order at 3:00 p.m. The following members were present: Les Recio, Susan Ross, Gloria Jahnke, Janice Allen, RoseAnne McGee, Cindy Innes, Jayne Boyer, Jeff Ross, and Errol Zeiger. Alan Townsend participated by speaker-phone. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by the host, Susan Ross and CIIT. Minutes from the February 23, 2006 board meeting were approved.
   
   
2. Susan Ross presented the treasurer’s report and provided a handout of the GEMS Financial Report for March 20, 2006. The balance in the checking and money market accounts were reported. So far 14 people have registered for the Spring Meeting; 90-100 attendees are expected.
   
   
3. 2006 Spring Meeting. The meeting announcement and registration form was sent out by Frank Stack to the membership on March 10, 2006 and posted on the GEMS web site. The meeting topic is “Antimutagenesis and Anticarcinogenesis” and features six speakers: Drs. Thomas W. Kensler, Johns Hopkins University; Rudolph Salganik, University of North Carolina; Karen Katula, University of North Carolina; Errol Zeiger, consultant; Alan Townsend, Wake Forest University; Daniel Shaughnessy, NIEHS. All speakers except Dr. Shaughnessy will receive an honorarium. The GEMS Spring Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 24, 2006 at the Charles Hamner Conference Center at the NC Biotechnology Center. Greg has sent out information on this meeting to NIEHS, NCCU, EPA, NCSOT, and all department heads at Duke, UNC (Greensboro and Chapel Hill), NCSU, and NC AT&T. Greg has sent out the agenda and registrations to the speakers and has requested a short biographical sketch and abstract of their presentation. As a backup plan for a late cancellation from a presenter, we will have a mini-symposium/panel discussion for that time period featuring the other speakers. Greg has also confirmed that the Image Associates photographer, Steve McCaw will be the photographer for the Spring meeting. Images posted on the GEMS website will have an acknowledgment to Steve and Image Associates posted with the photos. A meeting reminder will be sent by Frank Stack to the GEMS membership on April 3.
   
   Meeting Handouts. Handouts to meeting attendees will consist of a small booklet with meeting agenda, abstracts of the talks, and NIEHS pens and notepaper. The booklet will acknowledge Image Associates and Steve McCaw for the photography, CIIT and Susan Ross for the badges and nametags, and NC Biotechnology Center for meeting support. A slide will also have this information for display between speaker presentations. Greg has agreed to assemble the booklets and Gloria and RoseAnne will help out as needed.
   
   
4. Mentoring. Jane Allen is helping to recruit 2-3 people from GSK for mentoring during the Spring meeting. Mark Miller (WFU) and Jeffrey Ambroso (GSK) have recently agreed to participate. Jeff Ross (US EPA), Jayne Boyer (UNC), Errol Zeiger (consultant/NIEHS), Les Recio (ILS), and Janice Allen (grant funding/NIEHS) from the GEMS Board have also volunteered. We hope to have one more university and industry person. The mentors will be introduced at the beginning of the meeting and prior to lunch and be identified by nametag with ribbon.
   
   
5. By-Laws Voting. The membership voting on the revisions to the GEMS By-Laws will continue through March 31. Frank Stack will send a reminder to the membership on March 27 to vote on the by-laws by March 31. A member noted that there were two different dates for the close of membership dues payments. Errol Zeiger will resolve any inconsistencies in the bylaws after the voting has closed and they have been adopted.
   
   
6. Corporate Sponsor Representative. Julie Ginsler from Perkin-Elmer is the new GEMS corporate representative. Please include her in GEMS Board email correspondence.
   
   
7. The next board meeting will be Thursday June 1, 2006 at 3 PM at CIIT

Announcement: 2006 Spring Meeting

"Antimutagenesis and Anticarcinogenesis"

Monday April 24, 2006
North Carolina Biotechnology Center
15 T.W. Alexander Dr.
Research Triangle Park, N.C.

______________________

Agenda

8:00 - 9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 Welcome & Speaker Introduction

Drs. Les Recio, GEMS President
Greg Stuart, GEMS President-Elect

9:15 - 10:15 Dr. Rudolph I. Salganik

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Apoptosis Against Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis"10:15 - 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 - 11:30 Dr. Karen S. Katula

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
"Folate and Carcinogenesis: A Complex Relationship Based On Multiple Mechanisms"

11:30 - 12:15 Dr. Errol Zeiger

Errol Zeiger Consulting
"Identification of Antimutagens and Anticarcinogens: Issues and Fallacies"

12:15 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 2:15 Dr. Alan J. Townsend

Wake Forest University School of Medicine
"Protection Against Carcinogen Genotoxicity by
Glutathione Transferases Co-expressed with Cytochrome P-450"

2:15 - 3:00 Dr. Daniel Shaughnessy

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
"Dietary Antimutagens: Studies in Bacteria and Humans"

3:00 - 3:45 Dr. Thomas W. Kensler

Johns Hopkins University
"Role of Keap1-Nrf2 Signaling in Cancer Chemoprevention"

3:45 - 4:30 Reception
_____________________

A Registration Form for the meeting can be downloaded from the Documents Section on our web link:

http://www.ncneighbors.com/GEMS

Please note: We can only accept cash or checks - no credit cards.

Attendance at the GEMS Spring and Fall Meetings includes academics, governmental and industrial scientists, consultants, technicians, undergraduate and graduate students. We invite anyone who is interested in mutagenesis and genotoxicology to attend the meeting!

I look forward to meeting you there!

Sincerely,

Greg Stuart, Meeting Organizer

____________________
Dr. Gregory R. Stuart, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
111 T.W. Alexander Drive
Building 101, Room E-326
P.O. Box 12233, MD E3-01
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
Tel: (919) 541-5424; Fax: (919) 541-7613

Revised By-Laws

BY-LAWS OF

THE GENETICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS SOCIETY (GEMS)

April 1983

Amended August 1988

Revised September 2005

ARTICLE 1

Offices

The Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society (GEMS or Society) may have such offices as the Board of Directors (BOD) may determine, or as the affairs of the Society may require from time to time. GEMS shall have and continuously maintain in the RTP an official of said Society.

ARTICLE 2

Membership

Section 1. Members. The membership of the Society shall consist of scientists and other persons who share an interest in the purposes of GEMS (see Charter). Applications for membership shall be submitted to the Secretary or Treasurer. Membership is open to all interested parties regardless of educational level or degrees earned. Any member may resign from the Society by giving written notice to the Secretary. New members can join at any time.

Section 2. Sustaining Members Corporate Sponsors. GEMS recognizes the value and importance of industrial/corporate support to further its goals. A separate category of membership is therefore established, identified designated as a Sustaining Member Corporate Sponsor. A listing of Sustaining Members Corporate Sponsors will be included in the Program and Abstracts of each Annual GEMS Meeting, and in the official GEMS Newsletter. In addition, Sustaining Members Corporate Sponsors will have display space made available at the annual one meeting each year. The Corporate Sponsor representative will be able to appoint one additional representative employee who shall be eligible to attend one GEMS meeting per year as a member. Only in the case of a person qualified as a Member by virtue of paying membership dues may a Sustaining Member Corporate Sponsor representative vote or hold office.

Section 3. Charter Members. Any member or sustaining member who joins the Society by June 1, 1983 shall be deemed a Charter Member of GEMS and listed as such in the first Annual Meeting publication. [This section is deleted because it no longer serves a purpose. Also deleted are subsequent references in these By-Laws to appointments and elections during the initial 3 years of GEMS.]

Section 3. Membership List. The Treasurer and/or Secretary shall keep a membership list consisting of the names, and addresses, and email addresses of all current members, including Sustaining Members Corporate Sponsors. Members in good standing shall receive a copy of the membership list annually.

Section 4. Good Standing. No member may vote, run for office, hold office, or make nominations unless at the time such member's dues for the then current calendar year have been paid. Only members in good standing may serve as elected officials of the Society. To be a member in good standing for the calendar year, membership dues must be paid by June 30th of each year. New members can join anytime.

ARTICLE 3

Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meeting. A scientific meeting of the members of the Society shall be held at least once during each calendar year, and concurrently with this, a business meeting of the Society. When more than one meeting will be held in a year, the Fall meeting will be designated as the Annual Meeting.

Section 2. Additional Scientific Meetings. The officers and BOD may organize additional scientific meetings at various times of the year. These shall be distinct from the Annual Meeting and shall not require a concurrent business meeting.

Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called by the President or a majority of the Board of Directors BOD, or such meetings shall be called by the Secretary upon the written or email request of 10 percent of the members. Business transacted at any special meeting of the members shall be confined to the purposes stated in the notice thereof.

Section 4. Place of Meeting. All meetings of the members shall be held at a place, within or without the RTP, NC, but convenient to the majority of the members, as designated by the Board of Directors BOD and specified in the notice of such meetings unless otherwise agreed to by a majority of the members.

Section 5. Conduct of Meetings. The President, or in his/her absence the Vice‑President, shall preside at each meeting of the members. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if he/she is not present, the President shall appoint a secretary of the meeting. Proceedings at such meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order Revised.

Section 6. Notices. A written, or printed, or email notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting, and in case of a special meeting, and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than 14 nor more than 60 days before the meeting, either personally, or by postal mail, or by email, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors BOD, the President, the Secretary, or the officer calling the meeting, to each member entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the member at his/her address as it appears on the records of the Society, with the postage thereon prepaid. If sent by email, it shall be deemed delivered if sent to the most recent email address listed for the member.

Section 7. Quorum. Twenty‑five percent of the total membership shall constitute a quorum at meetings of members. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote by a majority of the members entitled to vote present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by express

provision of law or of the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, a different vote is required; in which case, such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

Section 8. Voting. Each member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of members. A member may vote either in person or by proxy executed in writing by the member or by his/her duly authorized attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Any member voting by proxy must notify the Secretary in writing or by email at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE 4

Board of Directors (BOD)

Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of GEMS shall be managed by the BOD. The BOD shall exercise all powers of GEMS except those powers designated to officers and others as specified in these By-Laws.

Section 2. Number. The BOD shall consist of 13 14 persons. BOD Members shall be chosen from members in good standing, and shall attempt to be representative of the major organizations from which GEMS draws its membership. Four members will be the elected officers of the Society and each will serve for a two-year term. These are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Nine additional BOD members, designated Councilors, shall be elected for terms of three years each. ) However, in order to stagger the terms of the BOD, the initial election in 1983 will select one-, two-, and three-year terms for councilors, based upon the number of votes received. Subsequently, One-third of the councilors on the BOD will shall be re-elected each year. In addition to the elected officers, the student winner of the GEMS award for best presentation shall be a member of the BOD for the calendar year following the award.

Section 3. Resignation. Any member of the BOD may resign by giving written notice to the BOD, the President, or the Secretary.

Section 4. Meetings of the BOD. The BOD shall meet no less frequently than every two months, at such times and places as may be fixed selected by the President or by resolution of the BOD. Meetings shall be held to review the seminar and annual meeting programs and to conduct such other business as may be appropriate.

Section 5. Quorum and Manner of Acting. A majority Seven (7) members) of the BOD shall constitute a quorum. All matters shall be decided at a meeting, a quorum being present, by the affirmative votes of a majority of those present, except in cases where the presence or the vote of a greater number is required by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these By-Laws. Matters may also be decided by email vote by a quorum of the BOD.

Section 6. Notice. Notice of any meeting of the BOD shall be given at least 15 days prior thereto. Notice shall mean written notice delivered personally, or sent by postal mail or telegram, or email to each member of the BOD at his the address as shown by the records of the Society. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company. Notices sent by email shall be considered delivered when sent to the BOD member’s email address of record. The business to be transacted at the meeting shall be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

Section 7. Voting and Proxies Each BOD member shall, at every meeting, be entitled to one vote which may be cast in person or by written proxy, signed by such member, and filed with the Secretary, appointing another BOD member to cast his/her vote.

Section 8. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the BOD for any cause other than by reason of an increase in the size of the BOD, and any vacancy in any officership Officer or Councilor position may be filled by affirmation vote of a majority of the remaining members of the BOD, even though less than a quorum of the BOD remains. A person elected to fill such a vacancy shall serve until the next regular election for that office by the members.

ARTICLE 5

Committees

Committees not having and exercising the Authority of the BOD in the management of the Society may be created from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the BOD present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Each such committee shall have the functions, membership, and duration specified in the resolution creating such committee. Present GEMS committees are: Membership, Newsletter, Seminar and Annual Meeting Committee. Duties of each Committee will be determined by the BOD and may be expanded by the committee after approval by a majority of the BOD. Additional committees can be formed as appropriate or as needed by the BOD or by a vote of the majority of GEMS members.

ARTICLE 6

Officers

Section 1. Number. The officers of the Society shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition, there may be such other officers as may be designated in accordance with these By-Laws. No person may occupy two offices simultaneously or run for another office whose term overlaps with that of his/her first office without first resigning that office.

Section 2. Election, Term of Office and Qualifications. The officers of the Society shall be elected in the manner provided by these By‑Laws. Each officer shall hold office for the term provided herein.

Section 3. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice of his/her resignation to the Secretary or the President. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is so specified upon its receipt by the Secretary, as the case may be; Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. All BOD members shall receive written notice of the resignation from the Secretary or the President no later than the time at which it becomes effective.

Section 4. The President. The President shall serve for a term of one year, starting at the Annual Meeting in the fall of 1989. Starting with the Fall Annual Meeting of 1990, the previous year’s Vice-President will automatically become President. He/She The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Society, shall conduct the general and active management and direction of the business and affairs of GEMS, and the supervision of oversee the BOD and GEMS committees. He/She shall preside at all business meetings of the members and at all meetings of the BOD. He/She is empowered to nominate committee membership as herein provided and shall, ex officio, be a member of all such committees other than the Nominating Committee. The President may sign, execute, and deliver in the name of GEMS all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other instruments, except in cases where the signing, execution or delivery thereof shall be expressly otherwise delegated by the BOD, by these By-Laws, or by law, and, in general, he/she shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him/her by these By‑Laws or the BOD. The President shall assist the Vice‑President in the planning and organization of the Annual Meeting.

Section 5. The Vice-President. The Vice-President shall be elected for a term of one year and will be elected from the general membership after nomination by the Nominating Committee or petition by the membership. Starting with the officers installed at the Fall Meeting of 1989, The Vice-President shall also be the President-Elect. After serving one year as Vice-President, the incumbent shall accede to the office of President at the next Fall Annual Meeting. The Vice-President shall be responsible for organizing and running the Annual scientific meeting of the Society, and other scientific meetings as approved by the BOD. In the event of the absence or disability of the President, the Vice-President shall perform all of the duties of the President. At all other times, the Vice-President shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by these By-Laws, the BOD or the President.

Section 6. The Secretary. The Secretary shall be elected for a term of two years and will be elected from the general membership after nomination by the Nominating Committee or petition by the membership. He/She shall attend all business meetings of the members, and all meetings of the BOD, shall record all of the proceedings of such meetings, and shall be the custodian of the records of the Society. He/She shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the members and of the BOD in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws and he/she shall keep copies of these By-Laws available for inspection by the members of the Society. In general, he/she shall perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him/her by these By-Laws, the BOD, or the President.

Section 7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years and will be elected from the general membership after nomination by the Nominating Committee or petition by the membership. He/She shall be authorized to collect all monies payable to the Society, shall be charged with the care and custody of the funds of the Society, and from such funds shall make such disbursement, duly authorized, as may be necessary or appropriate. He/She shall keep the Society's financial and bank accounts, shall enter in detail all receipts and disbursements, and shall report thereon at the request of the BOD or the President. These accounts shall be open at all times to the inspection of any member of the Society. In general, the Treasurer shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him/her by these By-Laws, the BOD, or the President.

Section 8. Councilors. Nine (9)councilors shall be elected for three-year terms. However, in the 1983 election, three (3) councilors shall be elected for a one-year term, three (3) councilors for a two-year term, and three (3) councilors for a three-year term. In addition, the winner of the student award for best presentation shall serve as councilor, with all rights and privileges that go with the position, during the calendar year following the award. Three (3) council positions shall be filled each year starting with the 1984 elections, and these councilors will be elected for full three-year terms. Each elected councilor shall be a BOD member for the entire term of office (3 years), shall attend all BOD meetings, and shall be responsible for committee duties when appointed by the President or by a vote of the entire BOD.

Section 9. Other Officers. The BOD will may appoint a Corporate Sustaining Sponsor Coordinator to encourage corporate sponsorship of GEMS functions. The BOD may appoint such other officers, including an Executive Vice‑President, Editor or editors of any official publication of the Society, one or more assistant Secretaries, and or one or more assistant Treasurers, as it shall deem desirable, such officers to have the authority and perform the duties prescribed, from time to time, by the BOD. Any officer appointed by the BOD may be removed by the BOD whenever in its judgment the best interests of GEMS would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the officer so removed.

ARTICLE 7

Dues

Section 1. Fixing of Dues. Annual individual established and may be changed from time to time by sponsorship fees will be established by the BOD. Annual membership dues shall be established by the BOD and may be changed by the BOD as necessary. Classes of dues may include, regular membership, student membership, emeritus membership, lifetime membership, corporate membership, and other categories designated by the BOD.

Section 2. Payment. Membership dues shall be payable on or before January 1 of the calendar year for which assessed. Any member whose dues are unpaid by June 1 will be notified in writing by the Secretary or Treasurer that he/she is not a member in good standing. If such member's dues remain unpaid beyond June 30 the date of the Annual meeting of such year, he/she will no longer be deemed a member.

ARTICLE 8

Nominations and Elections

Section 1. Nominating Committee. The BOD shall, at its meeting following the Annual business meeting of members, appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of not less than five members of the Society, at least two three of whom shall not be members of the BOD. The Nominating Committee shall be chaired by a member of the BOD. The Committee is charged with preparing the slate of candidates for office and giving it to the Election Committee Chair. The Board shall approve the final slate of candidates.

Section 2. Nominations. At least two nominees must should be selected for each position. No names will shall be placed on the ballot without a written or email acknowledgment from the nominee that (s)he he/she would be willing to serve if selected. The BOD shall appoint the Nominating Committee and said committee shall have at least two (2) members who are not members of the BOD. No nominee will be eligible to run for more than one office in an election. Members may submit nominations by petition containing the signatures of at least nine (9) other members of the Society. No one can may nominate more than one individual for each office and three individuals for the BOD; self‑nominations are accepted. Nominations by petition and by the Nominating Committee should must be submitted to the secretary no later than May 15 two months before the Annual meeting. Election ballots will be sent to all members by June 15 and must be returned to the Secretary by September 1. Results of the election to be recorded by the Secretary will be announced at the Annual Meeting in the Fall each year.

Section 3. Procedures. Prior to July 1 of two months before the Annual meeting each year, the Nominating Committee shall construct a list of nominees, (all of whom shall be members in good standing,) for members of the Society to succeed those members or officers whose terms expire in October at the time of the Annual meeting of that year. Potential candidates must be notified prior to nomination, agree to serve if elected, and to attend, without expense to GEMS, the all meetings of the BOD. In the case of nominations of persons for full three-year terms as members of the BOD (other than officers), there shall be at least three more nominees for Councilor than there are positions to be filled. In the case of officers, there shall be at least one nominee for each office. A final ballot shall be mailed distributed to members by July 31st no later than 90 days before the Annual meeting. Ballots must be received by the Secretary on or before September 1 within the prescribed deadline. Persons receiving the highest number of votes, even though less than a majority, shall be deemed elected. Newly elected officials Officers and Councilors shall take office at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting in the Fall of each year, except for the Treasurer, who will assume office on the following January 1st.

ARTICLE 9

Affiliation; Publications

Section 1. Affiliation. The Society may affiliate with other organizations only upon the recommendation of the BOD, which is and approved by a majority of the members voting in a mail ballot on the issue.

Section 2. Publications. The Society may publish or cause to be published such journals, newsletters and other print and electronic publications (including without limitations abstracts, reviews, newsletters) only upon the recommendation, and with approval of, the BOD.

ARTICLE 10

Dissolution or Merger

The Society may be merged, consolidated or dissolved in the manner provided by statute but, notwithstanding any such statute, any plan of merger, consolidation or dissolution shall be favorably recommended by a two‑thirds vote of the BOD, shall be discussed at the next succeeding annual business meeting, and shall thereafter be approved by two‑thirds of the members voting by mail or electronic ballot. In the case of a plan of dissolution, such plan need not designate with particularity the transferees of funds and other assets of the Society. Such transferees must, however, be approved by a two-thirds vote of the BOD. Provisions for dissolution or final liquidation must be in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation.

ARTICLE 11

Waiver of Notice

Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the Nonprofit Corporation Act of North Carolina or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of these By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.

ARTICLE 12

Action Without a Meeting

Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the members of the BOD or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing or email setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by a simple majority of the members, or a simple majority of the BOD, or by a simple majority of the committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a simple majority vote of the members, the BOD or the committee, as the case may be, and may be stated as such in any article or document to be filled with public authorities.

ARTICLE 13

Finances

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Society shall be the calendar year.

Section 2. Audit. The financial books and records of the Society shall be audited annually in January by the BOD.

Section 3. Financial Statement. The Society shall issue make available an annual statement of its finances as of the close of the fiscal year. This statement shall be open at all times to the inspection by any member of the Society. An interim version of this statement shall be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Society, shall be signed by the Treasurer or the President Secretary.

Section 5. Deposits. All funds of the Society shall be deposited in timely fashion to the credit of the Society in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the BOD may select.

Section 6. Gifts. The BOD may accept on behalf of the Society any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the general purpose or for any special purpose of the Society.

ARTICLE 14

Amendments and changes to By‑Laws

Proposed amendments and/or changes should be submitted to the Secretary and will be acted upon at the next regular meeting of the BOD. If approved by a two‑thirds vote of the BOD the Amendment/change shall be promptly presented for approval by mail or email ballot of all members. If approved by a majority of the members voting in such ballot, the amendment/change will be deemed adopted. If not so approved, the amendment/change shall be deemed defeated

The initial By Laws of GEMS, issued in January 1983, shall be approved by the BOD, after comments from the general membership.