Nouvelles

Nikon Instruments, Inc., and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, have recognized a prominent researcher in the field of Cell Biology as the recipient of the prestigious Nikon Instruments Inc./MBL Research Fellowship for 2002.

Jan Ellenberg, Ph.D, Interdisciplinary Group Leader in the Gene Expressions and Cell Biology/Biophysics Programme at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, was named this year's fellowship recipient. As a Nikon Fellow, he continued his research on the mechanisms of nuclear breakdown during cell division using starfish oocytes and sea urchin embryos as comparative model systems to compliment his previous work in mammalian cells. Dr. Ellenberg used the Nikon C1 Digital Eclipse Modular Confocal Microscopy System to conduct his research. This work was accomplished using advanced confocal microscopy to acquire 4D data sets. Because of the proximity to fresh, natural seawater, Dr. Ellenberg enjoyed access to these marine species and their maintenance that is only possible at facilities like the Marine Biological Laboratory.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive this year's Nikon/MBL fellowship", said Dr. Ellenberg. "MBL and Nikon provided me with an outstanding opportunity to further my research in a stimulating environment at a wonderful facility while allowing me to work in a community of first rate cell biologists."

Dr. Ellenberg has been widely published in the field of cell biology and has lectured extensively around the world on many topics. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Hamburg, then went on to earn his Doctorate in biochemistry from Freie University in Berlin for work performed at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Afterwards, Dr. Ellenberg received a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md before joining the EMBL in Heidelberg as a group leader.

The Nikon Fellowship provides travel, housing, supplies and the use of a completely equipped laboratory to a distinguished life scientist selected by the MBL each year. Created under the auspices of the Nikon Partners in Research(TM) program, the fellowship is one of the most comprehensive and innovative of its kind given in the life sciences. Nikon's Partners in Research Program seeks out innovative and respected scientists across the U.S. to provide a partnership for the development of new technologies and approaches to research.

The Marine Biological Laboratory is a nonprofit institution dedicated to teaching and research in the life sciences. In addition to its well-known summer programs, it also provides year-round facilities for biological study.