Dr. Tsuyoshi Kakefuda Dies at 77
NCI researcher Dr. Tsuyoshi Kakefuda died on June 16 in Potomac, Md., at the age of 77.

Dr. Kakefuda joined NCI's Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis in 1967, capturing one of the first images of DNA replicating itself. He later worked in the Office of International Affairs and became executive secretary of the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program. He was dedicated to fostering U.S.-Japan relations and to providing opportunities for young Japanese scientists. He also published two books, Life Science Strategies of NIH and Tracking Down the Oncogene, and occasionally wrote a column for the Asahi Shinbun newspaper.

Dr. Kakefuda is survived by his wife, a sister, two children, and three grandchildren.

NIH Roadmap Featured
The June 15 issue of Genetic Engineering News reports on the progress of the NIH Roadmap initiative. Now in its third year, the program funds organizations and companies focusing on emerging areas of science, with the goal of moving research from lab to clinic as quickly as possible.

The article notes that the response to date from industry and academia has been enthusiastic and cites examples of successful collaborations between NIH and other organizations. The article also reports on NIH's ability to shift the focus of Roadmap activities, based on experience gained as the initiative progresses.

Additional information about the NIH Roadmap is available online at http://nihroadmap.nih.gov. The Genetic Engineering News article can be accessed at http://www.nih.gov/about/director/interviews/genengnews.pdf.

NCI Symposium Celebrates Progress in Cytogenetics
More than 300 scientists from around the world attended the NCI-sponsored symposium, "50 Years of 46 Human Chromosomes: Progress in Cytogenetics," on July 20-21. In her opening remarks, NCI Deputy Director Dr. Anna Barker said, "This discovery set in motion the basis for unraveling the genetics of man and ultimately understanding the origin of disease."

Dr. Daniela Gerhard, director of NCI's Office of Cancer Genomics, reviewed the history of cytogenetics. Other speakers included Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute; Dr. Janet Rowley of the University of Chicago; and Dr. Felix Mitelman of the University of Lund. The organizers plan to publish a summary of the meeting within the next few months.

Call for Posters Deadline Extended
The deadline to submit poster abstracts for the 2006 NIH Research Festival, to be held October 17-20 on the NIH campus, has been extended to August 8. For more information, contact Paula Cohen at 301-402-4507 or cohenp@mail.nih.gov. For additional information about the event, go to http://researchfestival.nih.gov.

AIDS Malignancy Program Conference Scheduled for October
The 10th International Conference on Malignancies in AIDS and Other Acquired Immunodeficiencies will take place in Bethesda, Md., on October 16-17.

The conference is intended for clinical and laboratory investigators, postdoctoral fellows, students, physicians, health care workers, and others involved, interested, or participating in malignancy research in AIDS and other immunodeficiencies and in tumor virology.

The conference is free, but registration is required. For additional information, go to http://www.palladianpartners.com/aidsmalignancy/index.htm.