November  2015
 
 
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ASSOC. Association News


The membership renewal deadline is December 31st ...  don't wait
 
renew yours now! 

Major Society Awards Ballots are now Open!

Microscopy Society of America (MSA) is now accepting nominations for the major Society Awards. The deadline has been extended
December 15, 2015. For more information on these awards and the nomination process, click here.  http://www.microscopy.org/awards/society.cfm 
 
 
The Major Society Awards Consist of:
  • Distinguished Scientist - one each in Biological and Physical Sciences, to honor a preeminent senior scientist for an extensive career in microscopy and microanalysis
  • Burton Medal - early-career researchers who have made outstanding contributions to the science of microscopy and microanalysis
  • Outstanding Technologist - Hildegard H. Crowley Biological Science award and Chuck Fiore Physical Science award both recognize technologists who have made significant contributions in the development of new microscopy/microanalysis techniques
  • Morton D. Maser Distinguished Service Award - for outstanding volunteer service to MSA over a sustained period of time
  • Albert Crewe Award - postdoctoral fellow who has made distinguished contributions in microscopy and microanalysis in the physical sciences
  • George Palade Award - postdoctoral fellow who has made distinguished contributions in microscopy and microanalysis in the life sciences
 
Please forward your nomination materials to MSA Headquarters via e-mail to MSA Headquarters  associationmanagement@microscopy.org   fax (703-435-4390) or mail (MSA Managing Director, 12100 Sunset Hills Road #130, Reston, VA 20190). Please feel free to contact Ashley Carey at 800-538-3672 or 703-234-4089 for additional information - 

MSA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Reminder: MSA Undergraduate Research Scholarship applications are due December 31st . 
 
The Program is in its 27th year of providing funding for undergraduate research and is currently soliciting applications from students interested in conducting research projects which involve the use of any microscopy technique.

Sponsorship by a member of MSA is required. To date over 130 projects covering a wide range of topics in the physical and biological sciences have received support through this program. Over the years nearly all the scholarship recipients have maintained a strong interest in imaging sciences and have gone on to graduate school, professional school, teaching, or industry positions. The program has been able to support approximately 50% of applicants. 
 
This year the MSA Council approved an increase in support for the program which will enable funding of several additional projects per year. The maximum award for the Scholarships is $3000 and helps to provide student stipends, supply costs, and limited travel expenses associated with the research. Support in the form of instrument use time, equipment purchases, substantial travel costs, etc. is generally provided by the student's supervisor and/or through the sponsoring institution. 
 
Two page abstracts reporting the research results, are prepared by scholarship awardees and published in Microscopy and Microanalysis. The reports can be referenced and are searchable. Information regarding the scholarship program and instructions for applying are available here  http://www.microscopy.org/awards/scholarship.cfm   or call toll free at (800) 538-3672. 


M&M 2016

Mark your calendars for M&M 2016 Paper Submission! The paper submission site will open on  December 1, 2015. Click here  to view instructions and information, and remember to check back on the  M&M 2016 website   often for updates and new information!
SCI.Science News
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Join the conversation 
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Near-atomic resolution of protein structure by electron microscopy holds promise
A new study shows that it is possible to use an imaging technique called cryo-electron microscopy to view, in near-atomic detail, the architecture of a metabolic enzyme bound to a drug that blocks its activityRead more...

Nanotechnology-based sensor developed to measure microRNAs in blood, speed cancer detection
A simple, ultrasensitive microRNA sensor developed and tested by researchers from the schools of science and medicine at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. Read more...

New Microscopy Technology May Help Surgeons Save Lives
The technology, called augmented microscopy, gives surgeons a much more detailed picture in real time and helps them stay on course in surgeries, where being off two millimeters could cause paralysis, blindness and even death .  Read more...

New DNA stain for live-cell nanoscopy
EPFL scientists have now developed a new DNA stain that can be used to safely image live mammalian cells for days, even under demanding imaging conditions.  Read more...


LAS. Local Affiliated Societies
LAS Director's Message
by: Bev Maleeff, LAS Director


There are more than 25 MSA Local Affiliated Societies providing outreach and networking to the microscopy community. The list of LAS can be found at  http://microscopy.org/communities/local.cfm.


Support your local affiliated society! An upcoming LAS meeting is:

December 9:  Mountain States Society of Electron Microscopists (MSSEM)

Check the meeting link for additional details.

Invite students & early career scientists & technologists to your LAS meetings and get them involved!

The  Philadelphia Society for Microscopy (PSM) is holding an organizational meeting on Thursday, December 17 at 6:00 PM at Villanova University. If you are located in southeastern PA, central/southern NJ, or DE and are interested in joining a dedicated group of PSM members planning for future local society meetings, please contact me ( beverly.e.maleeff@gsk.com ) or Robert Carlton ( carltra@aol.com ) for more information.

LAS leaders: It is now time to start thinking about LAS meetings in early 2016. It's not too early to contact me about funding opportunities, either for Tour Speaker support or for Grants-in-Aid. Details about these programs can be found at http://www.microscopy.org/communities/programs.cfm or by contacting me directly.
In addition, if you have held elections recently or have a new slate of officers starting in January, please contact me as soon as possible with the names and contact information for new LAS officers so that I can update the LAS web page.


Have a wonderful holiday season!
Bev

FIG. Focused Interest Groups
Attention all FIG Participants: 

Two Pre-meeting congresses will be sponsored by the Focused Interest Group's at the upcoming meeting in Columbus Ohio.

Exploiting the Diffractive Properties of Electrons for Solving Materials Problems
Organized by Electron Crystallography and Automated Mapping Methods FIG

Essentials of Atom Probe Tomography
Organized by the Atom Probe FIG

Promote your discipline.


Would you like your LAS, FIG, or other MSA Program or Committee to be highlighted in the MSA Update? Do you have an interesting article you would like to share for Science News?  Submit today!