MARCH 24, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE:

Stefan H. I. Kappe, Ph.D., Associate Member, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute | Possible Live Auction — Check it Out! | New Items Needed for Women's Center/Sophia Way | Camp Goodtimes Offers Two Sessions—Need Volunteers | Upcoming Tour of the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center | REMINDER: District Conference May 1-3, Victoria, BC     

PLEASE NOTE: If the regular parking garage is full and you are turned away or redirected, please go to the Harbor Club parking lot.

Wednesday, March 25; contact: SanDee Olson-Meyer

THIS WEEK's PROGRAM

Stefan H. I. Kappe, Ph.D.
Associate Member, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute

As part of SBRI’s Malaria Antigen Discovery (MAD) Program, Dr. Kappe’s work is centered on the biology of malaria mosquito stages and mammalian liver stages. The discovery of pre-erythrocytic subunit vaccine candidates and the creation of genetically attenuated parasites as whole organism vaccines to prevent malaria infection is a major goal. In 2005, Dr. Kappe received one of 43 prestigious Grand Challenges in Global Health grants from the Gates Foundation, targeted at identifying the immune responses that prevent severe disease and death due to Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

The Kappe laboratory is interested in the Plasmodium sporozoite stage, which develops in mosquitoes, is transmitted by bite and initiates the infection of the mammalian host. Sporozoites develop in the midgut of an infected mosquito, are released into the mosquito body cavity and subsequently invade the mosquito salivary glands. Here they accumulate in significant numbers to be transmitted during the next bite. After transmission, sporozoites actively invade hepatocytes and transform into intracellular liver stages. Liver stages rapidly grow and differentiate into thousands of red blood cell-infectious merozoites. The lab has identified numerous proteins that are potentially involved in the invasion process and others that are needed for the establishment and growth of the liver stage. The function of these proteins is elucidated using genetic, molecular biological and cell biological tools. We have recently disrupted genes that encode proteins of the vacuolar compartment surrounding the intra-hepatic liver stage. Parasites lacking these proteins show a severe defect in liver stage development.

Immune responses against liver stages confer complete protection against malaria infection yet the antigens involved in this protection have not been identified. Dr. Kappe has analyzed global gene expression in sporozoites and is now embarking on the challenging task of analyzing gene expression in liver stages using microarray and proteomics tools.

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New Items Needed for Women's Center/Sophia Way
From your 2009 Sergeant at Arms, aka “the Fun Guy”

Our friends at the Eastside Women’s Center/Sophia Way wanted to both thank us for our help with the donated toiletries and also make us aware of some additional needs. The following items are needed at the Center:

• Toiletries
• Laundry Soap (front loading-low suds)
• Dishwasher Soap
• Plastic Wrap
• Paper Towels
• Aluminum Foil
• Paper Napkins
• Plastic Bags (all sizes)

Thanks again for your assistance and giving hearts.

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Camp Goodtimes Offers Two Sessions — Need Volunteers!

Camp Goodtimes is now offering 2 sessions: June 28-July 4 and July 26-August 1. We expect over 200 children with cancer to come to camp this year. For this to happen, we need 140 volunteers and have been working very hard to find applicants. If you have kids over 18, friends, or employees who might be available either week, ask them to go to www.campgoodtimeswest.org to apply on line.

In addition to cabin counselors, we need program staff and support staff. The camp is on nearby Vashon Island, the cabins are modern, the beach is wonderful, and everyone who comes has a great week. Contact Charlotte Ellis for more information.

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Upcoming Tour of the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center

The Environmental Committee, with the assistance of Jim Price, has organized a field trip at the recently completed Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center on Saturday, April 25th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. All Rotarians and guest are welcome to join the tour, which will begin at 9:00 am with a guided walk through the slough, followed by a 10:00 am tour of the new facilities. Jerry Henry, Puget Sound Energy, and Park Ranger Christina Dyson Farrell will be our guides.

The new Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center provides a grand entrance to the Mercer Slough Nature Park. Completed in October 2008, the complex features classrooms, a visitor center, a community building and a "tree house," all sustainably built. The City of Bellevue and the Pacific Science Center offer year-round education about wetlands and nature for adults, youth and families at the center. 

For more information, please contact BJ Rasmussen.

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REMINDER: District Conference May 1-3, Victoria, BC

If you have not yet signed up for the District Conference, please do so soon. The exchange rate is now favorable, making the excursion less expensive. You can register online here at the Rotary District Website.

Note that due to the difficult economic climate, the registration has now been reduced by $25.00 per person. If you have already registered and paid the initial registration fee, you will be given a $25.00 refund at the check-in.

The main emphasis is FELLOWSHIP and FUN. There is a Thursday Golf Tournament and a Thursday night Pub Crawl. If you don't do well in the tournament, you might especially enjoy the Pub Crawl. There will also be a winery tour and a tour of the Buchart Gardens. You can also explore the historic waterfront and Chinatown.

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