This issue contains a special section highlighting the pros and cons of scientists and science communicators engaging on social media. There is also a story about how undocumented immigrants who qualify under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals can't get federal funds to do research. As always, the magazine offers a variety of stories, such as journal news, member updates and perspectives.

The ASBMB will hold its annual meeting April 22 – 26 in Chicago. In July, the ASBMB announced its annual award winners, who will give lectures at the annual meeting.
See the full list of winners.

July 26, 2016 — This ninth Metals in Biology Thematic Series deals with the fundamental issue of why certain enzymes prefer individual metals. Why do some prefer sodium and some potassium? Is it just the size? Why does calcium have so many regulatory functions? Why do some proteins have an affinity for zinc? How is the homeostasis of calcium and zinc achieved? How do enzymes discriminate between the similar metals magnesium and manganese? Four Minireviews address these and related questions about metal ion preferences in biological systems.

Read all of the articles in this series here

April 21, 2016 — The biofilms that many bacteria and fungi produce enable them to form communities, adhere tightly to surfaces, evade host immunity, and resist antibiotics. Pathogenic micro-organisms that form biofilms are very difficult to eradicate and thus are a frequent source of life threatening, hospital acquired infections. This series of five minireviews from the Journal of Biological Chemistry provides a broad overview of our current understanding of biofilms and the challenges that remain.

Read all of the articles in this series here

Julia Zeitlinger, associate investigator at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Mo., received the 2015 Neaves Award for her innovative approach to studying genome regulation.

Richard Huganir, professor and director for the department of neuroscience and professor of biological chemistry and pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has been elected president of the Society for Neuroscience.