New clues to human deafness found in mice

Providing clues to deafness, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a gene that is required for proper development of the mouse inner ear. In humans, this gene, known as FGF20, is located in a portion of the genome that has been associated with inherited deafness in otherwise healthy families.

Winter concert to be held Jan. 14

A winter concert showcasing the musical talents of medical school faculty, staff and students will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 14 in the lobby of the Center for Advanced Medicine. The evening features solo and ensemble vocal and instrumental performances.

Key genetic error found in family of blood cancers

Scientists have uncovered a critical genetic mutation in some patients with myelodysplastic syndromes — a group of blood cancers that can progress to a fatal form of leukemia. The research team at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis also found evidence that patients with the mutation are more likely to develop acute leukemia.

Lodge, Zinner named fellows of AAAS

Jennifer K. Lodge, PhD, and Ernst Zinner, PhD, have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. Lodge and Zinner are among 539 new fellows who will be acknowledged in the Dec. 23 issue of Science magazine.The 2011 AAAS Fellows also will be honored at a Feb. 18, 2012, ceremony at the organization’s annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada.

School of Medicine puts Heuser micrographs on permanent display

First-year medical students at Washington University School of Medicine have much to learn about the structure of the body and its cells. Soon, they will have new inspiration for that learning journey in the form of a series of detailed black-and-white electron micrographs of cells and their interiors created by John Heuser, MD, professor of cell biology and physiology.

Trustees grant faculty promotions, tenure

At recent Board of Trustees meetings, the following faculty members were appointed with tenure or promoted with tenure: Randall J. Bateman, MD; Paul W. Hruz, MD, PhD; Catherine E. Lang, PhD; David Rudnick, MD, PhD; Sheila Stewart-Wigglesworth, PhD; Brad A. Racette, MD; and Chengjie Xiong, PhD.
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