Abracadabra! David Copperfield teaches therapists and students how to use magic for patient rehabilitation through Project Magic, a nationwide program for hospitals and medical schools. View in full

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Sansone memorial lectureship established

The Peggy Sansone memorial lectureship was created by a gift from the Peggy Sansone Special Angel Foundation, which was founded in honor of Peggy Sansone, the late wife of Anthony F. Sansone Jr.

C. Robert Cloninger, M.D., the Wallace Renard Professor of Psychiatry, professor of genetics and director of the Center for the Psychobiology of Personality in the School of Medicine, delivered the first of these annual lectures April 23 at Clopton Auditorium. Full story

Beebe named Janet and Bernard Becker professor

David C. Beebe, Ph.D., has been named the new Janet and Bernard Becker Professor of Ophthalmology in the School of Medicine.

Announcement of the appointment was made by William A. Peck, M.D., executive vice chancellor and dean of the School of Medicine.

"Endowed chairs allow us to recognize outstanding individuals and to support their important contributions to research, and David Beebe is a superb candidate for such recognition," Peck said. Full story

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Gene mutation influences filtering of blood by kidneys

School of Medicine researchers have uncovered new information about a gene that when mutated prevents the kidneys from filtering properly. The mutation causes a rare disorder known as nail-patella syndrome, which frequently involves kidney abnormalities.

"This gene, known as Lmx1b, regulates production of other proteins that are required for normal kidney function," said Jeffrey H. Miner, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine and of cell biology and physiology and lead author of the paper. "Our findings should improve the understanding of nail-patella syndrome and of kidney function and failure." Full story