Howard Hughes Medical Institute taps U-M scientist

James Bardwell, associate professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology, is one of 43 of the nation's most promising biomedical scientists selected as a new Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

(Photo by News Service)

Bardwell's research focuses on the molecular machinery that helps proteins fold into their proper shapes. The work eventually may lead to a better understanding of disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's disease, which are thought to involve protein-folding errors. In particular, Bardwell studies disulfide bonds, which act like bolts or stiffening struts to keep proteins configured correctly.

Recently, Bardwell and collaborators designed an experiment that forced bacteria to evolve a new way of making disulfide bonds. Using that approach, which Bardwell calls Genetic Assisted Design, he plans to continue forcing bacteria to acquire new means of performing biochemical reactions. He also will use disulfide bond formation as a tool to investigate protein folding as it occurs in the cell.

"The HHMI appointment will allow me to pursue more creative avenues and diversify the research conducted in my lab," Bardwell says.

HHMI chose the scientists through a nationwide competition that began in 2004 when the institute asked some 200 universities, medical schools and institutes to nominate candidates who demonstrated exceptional promise within four to 10 years of their becoming independent scientists. About 300 researchers were nominated.

The selected investigators "are on the rapidly rising slope of their careers and have made surprising discoveries in a short period of time," says HHMI President Thomas Cech. "We have every reason to believe that they will use their creativity to extend the boundaries of scientific knowledge for many years to come."

Once chosen, investigators continue to be based at their host institutions, but become HHMI employees and derive their salaries and benefits from the institute. The long-term collaboration agreement also provides for payment to the host institution for the researcher's laboratory space. Investigators retain their faculty positions and continue to participate in teaching and other professional activities at their university or research institute.

Unlike research grants, the five-year appointments do not require investigators to submit annual reports or renewal applications. This lets scientists focus on the research itself. In line with HHMI's philosophy of "people, not projects," investigators can follow their scientific interests wherever they lead, exploring unproven avenues and completely changing direction, if necessary.

HHMI currently employs 298 investigators at 64 universities, research institutes and medical schools across the country. Other HHMI investigators at U-M are David Ginsberg, Randal Kaufman, Tom Kerppola, John Lowe, Ben Margolis and Sean Morrison, all affiliated with the Medical School.

A nonprofit medical research organization, HHMI was established in 1953 by aviator-industrialist Howard Hughes. HHMI spent $573 million in support of biomedical research and $80 million in support of a variety of science education and other grant programs in Fiscal Year 2004.