Labs of the Developmental Biology Group at the University of Chile's Center for Genomics of the Cell (CGC) in Santiago, have suffered severe damage as a result of the recent extreme earthquake in Central Chile.  See report on: http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2010/03/researchers-in-chile-hit-hard-by.html.  Our colleagues are in dire need of equipment (large and small) and supplies to replace what they have lost.  A list of some major pieces of equipment needed is found at http://www.mileniocgc.cl/earthquake.html.  Please note that compound and dissecting microscopes are other non-listed equipment needed for teaching labs at affected universities in Santiago, Concepcion and Talca.  US colleagues who want to donate equipment should contact Miguel Allende at allende@uchile.cl and Ida Chow at ichow@sdbonline.org.  Monetary donations may be made payable to Society for Developmental Biology, attn. Chile and mailed to SDB, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814.  These funds will be targeted for shipping expenses.  

The deadline for SDB 69th Annual Meeting abstract submission is
Monday, March 29, 5 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
To submit an abstract click here.

SDB members in good standing are invited to submit nominations for candidates for upcoming SDB elections for the following positions: President-elect, Junior Faculty Representative, Mid-Atlantic Representative, Northwest Representative and West Coast Representative.  Deadline for receipt of submissions: March 25, 2010.  For details please see Call for Nominations

Financial stipends to registered graduate students and postdoctoral fellows available!  Details here

SDB's official journal Developmental Biology calls for submission of illustrations for its cover from student and postdoctoral members.  Guidelines are available at: http://sdbonline.org/DBcovercompguide.pdf.  Deadline for receipt of submission: March 31, 2010.

2010 PASI Short Course: Concepts and Model Organisms in Regenerative Biology
http://www.sdbonline.org/2010ShortCourse/course.htm

All applications intended for due dates on or after January 25, 2010 require the use of new forms and instructions.  Major changes include:

-        Restructured forms to align with review criteria

-        Significantly shorter page limits

Parent announcement: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/parent_announcements.htm.  Application changes: http://enhancing-peer-review.nih.gov/restructured_applications.html.  

NIH’s Center for Scientific Review (CSR) announced the formation of a “College of CSR Reviewers” to help match grant applications and reviewers. 
For details please go to:
http://cms.csr.nih.gov/nr/rdonlyres/28c73298-6090-4272-a4c3-099432058f7e/22199/reviewcollege.pdf

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) has launched the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advocacy Clearinghouse, a comprehensive resource that has been developed for the NSF advocacy community, policymakers, and members of the public interested in supporting NSF and the pioneering scientific research and education programs funded by the agency.

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) has launched the Congressional Visit Toolbox, an online resource aimed at empowering, training, and equipping scientists to build relationships with their elected representatives in Congress, either on Capitol Hill or at their home district offices.  http://opa.faseb.org/pages/Advocacy/congressvisittoolbox.htm