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Retreat focuses on working together Hollings Cancer Center held its Second Annual Research Retreat on Aug. 23 at Wild Dunes. At least 170 MUSC faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows attended the retreat. This year’s retreat provided a forum for interaction between basic scientists and clinicians. “It is the goal of the Hollings Cancer Center to bring these disciplines together to work collaboratively toward a cure for cancer,” said Carolyn E. Reed, M.D., director of Hollings Cancer Center. Yusuf Hannun, M.D., deputy director of Hollings Cancer Center, emphasized the importance of the retreat to foster research collaboration and development within the MUSC community. According to Hannun, an important goal of Hollings Cancer Center is mentoring junior faculty in cancer biology research.  Indeed, this year’s retreat showcased the work of 43 young researchers, including nine oral presentations, and 34 poster presentations. The presentations were reviewed and evaluated by seven MUSC faculty members who are senior cancer researchers and mentors for Hollings Cancer Center. Oral and Poster Presentation Winners Oral Presentation, Graduate Student “DRA, an Intestinal Anion Transporter, Suppresses Cell Growth and Proliferation,” Jeannie Chapman, Hollings Cancer Center, Laboratory of Cancer Genomics Oral Presentation, Post-Doctoral Fellow “Sphingolipid-Mediated Transcription in the Heat Stress Response of Saccharomyces Cervisiae,” Ashley Cowart, Department of Biochemistry Poster Presentation, Graduate Students “Cloning and Characterization of C-19, a Novel Human Gene that may Modulate Tumorigenicity,” Yair Adereth, Hollings Cancer Center Laboratory of Cancer Genomics “Structure-Activity Studies of the Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins,” Megan Kibbey, Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Poster Presentation, Post-Doctoral Fellows “N-Terminal Variant of G Protein Gamma 2 Subunit Undergoes Ubiquitin-Dependent Degradation In Vitro,” Maria Hamilton, Department of Pharmacology “Structural Requirements for Phosphatidylserine Binding of ISC1,” Silvia Vaena de Avalos, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.