Online ASP Newsletter

Volume 27, Issue 3

Fall, 1998

Editor: John S. Connolly, Ph.D.

• PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1998 ASP MEETING . . . Page 1 . . . Page 12
• ASP MENTORING COMMITTEE
• FROM THE EDITOR OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY
• A NEW TREASURER FOR ASP
• PHOTOBIOLOGY FOUNDATION NEWS
• ASP RESEARCH AWARDEE
• THE STATE OF ASP FINANCES
• PHOTOBIOLOGY ONLINE: REFERENCE DATA
• INTERNET PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY
• ASP T-SHIRST, POLO SHIRTS AND CAPS
• CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: ASP AWARDS
• UPCOMING PHOTOBIOLOGY EVENTS
• ASP 1998 ANNUAL MEETING: MEETING REPORT
• AIP CALL FOR AWARD NOMINATIONS
• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: HEISENBERG AND PHOTOBIOLOGY
• THANKS TO ASP '98 SPONSORS
• PHOTO CAPTIONS WANTED
• ASP POSITION PAPER: SOLAR UV AND HEALTH

ASP MENTORING COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON YOUNG INVESTIGATORS

Last year the ASP Council created a Mentoring Committee as a full committee of the Society to address issues of concern for career advancement of all young investigators. This followed on the success and interest generated by the ad hoc Committee on Women and Minorities in Photobiology, founded and led by Lainey Hill. As the first chair of the Mentoring Committee, I had the able support of Honnavara Ananthaswamy, Marquita Qualls, and Lainey Hill. The committee could have aimed for numerous goals over time, but instead we chose a few activities through which we might have the greatest impact in one year.

First, we thought it important to recommend qualified young investigators, including women and minorities, for various functions of the Society. Names were sent to the chairs of the Nominating, Awards, and Program Committees. These chairs have made every effort to give young investigators opportunities to participate in the program of the annual meeting and to identify women and minorities for participation in Society functions and for candidacy for awards. However, this effort must be ongoing and involve all members of the Society.

A second activity is also ongoing. We need to increase membership in the Society, especially among younger scientists. So, let me remind all of the ASP members to get their postdocs, students, and junior scientists to join. In addition, the membership-renewal form that you will all receive this fall contains a space for you to recommend new members. I hope you will let us know about colleagues who would benefit from membership in ASP.

The third, and major, activity of the Mentoring Committee was organization of the first Young Investigators-Senior Investigators Luncheon. This luncheon took place at the Snowbird meeting on Sunday, July 12. It was designed to allow maximum opportunity for the newer members of ASP to meet senior members. Every associate member who pre-registered for the meeting was invited (free of charge), along with selected senior members (officers, Councilors, Past presidents, Associate Editors, symposium speakers, etc.). Many of the senior members expressed their support for this activity by sponsoring one or more students.

Seniors were assigned to specific tables, and students could choose their tables, so they had an opportunity to meet the people whose work they admire or whom they may someday want to approach for post-doctoral positions or "real" jobs. Since the purpose was to allow associate and senior members to meet one another, the program was short. Initial feedback was enthusiastically positive, but well be looking for suggestions as to how it might be improved. Send your ideas to John Spudich, the new chair of the Mentoring Committee, or Honnavara Ananthaswamy, co-chair.

If you weren't invited to the luncheon, don't feel slighted. The number of senior members had to be limited mostly according to involvement in the governance of the Society. How can you increase your chance for an invitation next year? Well

Are you interested in serving on a committee? Let us hear from you! Would you like to chair a session at the annual meeting? Speak up! Do you senior members know a postdoc or a junior member of your department who would be an asset on a committee or symposium? Pass the word along! Have you always wanted to run for Council? We want to know about you! Now that I have assumed the Presidency of ASP, I have asked Council members to chair the Society's operating committees. However, some of those committees would benefit by the addition of interested members from outside of Council. One of my goals as President is to encourage greater participation of the membership, both new and long-standing, in these efforts.

So, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY! Send me an e-mail nlo@po.cwru.edu or fax (216/368-1142) and tell me of your interest in becoming more involved in ASP.

Nancy Oleinick
President

FROM THE EDITOR OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY

I began my tenure as editor of Photochemistry and Photobiology in January 1998 with the knowledge that the next few years would bring dramatic changes in the way in which the Journal is published. In addition, I realized that judicious choice of other forms of publication would be required in order to ensure the financial survival of the Society and the scientific quality and integrity of our Journal. The first few months have been a learning experience, largely implementing the review-and-production process already established by Irene Kochevar and her predecessors.

We are presently facing the questions of how to bring in the Internet, the electronic world, and other forms of publication as an integral part of the production of P&P. Following meetings held by the Publication Committee and the Council, we have decided to proceed with the production of CD ROMs of an archival type. The first ones should be produced in the next few months and will contain the four volumes corresponding to 1996 and 1997. They will be fully searchable and will be offered to ASP members at a very reasonable cost at the time that they receive their statements for their 1999 membership dues. At this point, there are no plans to produce month-to-month or volume-to-volume CD ROM updates. Rather, I see CD ROMs as an archival product, one that will create a portable version of P&P, and one that will save some of our valuable shelf space. Increased search capabilities will help us retrieve earlier contributions.

Financial commitments relating to the production of CD ROMs are rather well-defined, and somewhat less risky than any involvement with electronic publication. In other words, once the CD ROMs (presumably 1000) have been produced, there will be no additional costs associated with that particular issue, and only some uncertainty in the level of enthusiasm with which our membership, as well as other organizations, will purchase this product.

Internet publishing seems to be both desirable and unavoidable in the near future. The Society Council at its Snowbird meeting decided to follow up on this topic, and to aim at the production of P&P in an electronic form by mid-1999. At the present time, the Publications Committee is considering several bids for production of Photochemistry and Photobiology Online. Pricing strategies are yet not fully defined, although it is anticipated that members will have the choice of receiving the Journal in printed form or accessing it in electronic form for approximately the current cost. The choice of receiving it in both formats will involve a modest surcharge. There is considerable consensus that the Journal in its electronic as well as CD ROM forms will be produced in pdf (portable document format) files; our readers will find some knowledge on the usage of Acrobat Reader© a great convenience.

The editorial and reviewing process also will not escape the electronic age. We are currently accepting manuscripts submitted in pdf format. This saves considerable time in the distribution of the materials to Associate Editors and reviewers, and can be done at minimum cost since the necessary software (Acrobat Exchange© from Adobe), can be purchased at a modest academic price. Submission of an article in pdf format (as an attachment to an e-mail message) can reduce the time to publication by as much as one month. Following review, final copies of manuscripts are still needed in a word-processor text format, since this is the preferred input in the production process by the printers. At present approximately 80 percent of the final manuscripts are provided on diskette, considerably reducing the production costs and minimizing the number of printer errors. We strongly encourage authors to try electronic submissions of manuscripts, which should be sent to: P&P@photo.chem.uottawa.ca.

As Editor, I would like to promote Rapid Communications in Photochemistry and Photobiology, a type of article where my predecessor had already encouraged submissions. At this point, an article accepted as a Rapid Communication takes approximately two months from the date it is received in the office to the date of mailing of the corresponding issue. You can find these communications in the back pages of P&P, always highlighted with a Focus Note. Further, an electronic version of Rapid Communications appears on the Society's website, usually two weeks before publication of the issue. All of this should make Rapid Communications an attractive vehicle for the publication of your most exciting, high-impact results. We look forward to receiving an increased number of contributions of this type. Call the Journal office at (613) 562-5634) if you require help with this type of article.

Several topics will be highlighted in P&P in the near future. Our last issue contained a review on sunscreens; a review on photodynamic therapy will appear in November, and one on urocanic acid early in the new year. We also plan to publish once or twice a year reviews of a "compilation type." These will be invited contributions, on specific topics of information, which are valuable to the membership to the Society, but where the information in the review literature is either outdated or widely scattered. We hope that these contributions will help our readers find valuable data in a single place. Topics already selected for such reviews are singlet oxygen, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

We will continue with the policy of publishing every year a few Symposia-in-Print on timely topics. We will, however, not have issues "dedicated" to any single purpose. We want to make sure that special events such as symposia-in-print, reviews, or groups of papers dedicated to an individual, will not interfere (in particular, not delay) regular articles in the mainstream of the publication process. Authors can be sure that their articles will not be postponed because of any of these special types of contributions. The November 1998 issue will contain a Symposium-in-Print on "Photochemistry and Photostability of Drugs," a topic of considerable current interest. This particular symposium consists of 10 articles coordinated by Sandra Monti, who acted as guest editor. We hope that others in this important field of photobiology will find their home in Photochemistry and Photobiology. A number of other Symposia-in-Print are currently being organized or discussed. I especially would like to mention one on the effects of ozone depletion on photoprocesses in the biosphere, which Ed DeFabo has agreed to coordinate. I believe that this is an angle on ozone depletion on which our Journal can have considerable impact.

Photochemistry and Photobiology will continue to publish articles in all areas of relevance to photobiology. We strongly encourage authors to consider the Journal as a means for rapid and widely distributed communication of their results. Areas from photomedicine to vision, photosynthesis, UVR effects, environment, and a wide range of aspects of photochemistry are appropriate for the Journal. We look forward to an increased number of contributions.

I also feel the Journal should find its home in reading rooms in many industries as well as in health organizations. As editor, I have embarked on promoting this type of subscription and would welcome suggestions for institutions that should be contacted.

ASP HAS NEW TREASURER

Daniel Yarosh has assumed the office of Treasurer of the American Society for Photobiology. He succeeds Dennis Valenzeno, who has stepped down after four years. Dan has been a member of ASP for 18 years, and was recently elected to serve on the Society Council. He earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology at the University of Arizona, and he completed an NSF postdoctoral fellowship at Brookhaven National Laboratory before joining the National Cancer Institute. He left the NIH in 1985 to found the biotechnology company, Applied Genetics (now AGI Dermatics), and pursue DNA-repair technology. Dan directs both the business and scientific affairs of the private company, which manufactures ingredients for the cosmetic industry as well as a drug currently in clinical testing for prevention of skin cancer. Welcome aboard, Dan, and many thanks to Dennis for a superb job! Ed.

PHOTOBIOLOGY FOUNDATION NEWS

Past-president Frank Gasparro has accepted the directorship of the Photobiology Foundation. With the assistance of an advisory board (consisting of Tom Coohill, Tom Fitzpatrick, John Hearst, and Meyrick Peak), he is in the process of completing the legal paperwork to establish the foundation as a 501(c)3 charity.

Initially the primary goal of the foundation will be to support associate members (this year it funded 40 associate members travel to the Snowbird meeting). In addition, plans are being drawn up to solicit project applications for innovations in photobiology.

Although the exact amount of funding has yet to be determined, it is likely to be limited. The foundation will be seeking support form those companies that benefit from our work in photobiology as well as from ASP members and the public in general. Look for more news in upcoming newsletters and on this (case sensitive) web site: http://members.aol.com/hnu254/INTRO.HTML.

ASP RESEARCH AWARD

The recipient of the 1998 American Society for Photobiology Research Award at the Snowbird meeting was Dr. Silvia Braslavsky. This award recognizes Dr. Braslavsky's fundamental contributions to understanding the primary photochemistry and photophysics of biological photoreceptors and photosensors. Her research has advanced knowledge in these fields by elegant application of a variety of spectroscopic techniques and has also refined the techniques to make them applicable to new questions. Silvia received her Ph.D. from the Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1968. She then spent three years as a postdoctoral fellow at Pennsylvania State University before returning to Argentina where she joined the faculty of Universidad de Rio Cuarto. This appointment was followed by research positions at Penn State and University of Alberta. In 1976 she joined the academic staff of the Max-Planck-Institut (MPI) für Stralenchemie in Mülheim, Germany, where she now leads a multifaceted research group as a Senior Scientist. In addition to this full-time position, Dr. Braslavsky has been an active Visiting Professor at the Universidad de Buenos Aires since 1987.

Her initial photobiological research at the MPI concerned the primary photochemical transformations of the plant photosensor, phytochrome. Her group has carried out extensive picosecond time-resolved fluorescence (in collaboration with Dr. Alfred Holzwarth), laser flash photolysis and laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopic studies of an oat phytochrome and analyzed kinetic models for potential primary transformation of PR to PFR. These results have stimulated considerable efforts by several groups and have lead to a much more well-defined concept of the early events in phytochrome photochemistry. Many of these studies were carried out in collaboration with Dr. Kurt Schaffner. Following her studies of relaxation and energy storage in phytochrome and bacteriorhodopsin by laser-induced optical acoustic spectroscopy, Dr. Braslavsky developed this technique for measuring molecular volume changes associated with these transformations. This advance required in depth understanding of the photophysical processes and analysis of signals potentially arising from more than one source. As clearly stated in one of her nomination letters, "Silvia's laboratory has become the place to visit in Europe if one needs to learn about photothermal methods." Information on molecular volume changes is nearly impossible to obtain any other way; thus, Dr. Braslavsky's results have had a high impact on fundamental understanding of light induced processes for pigment/protein complexes including phytochrome, bacteriorhodopsin, and the photoactive yellow pigment from Ectothiorhodospira halophilia. Dr. Braslavsky's third major area of research accomplishment is singlet-oxygen production by energy transfer from triplet states of a variety of biologically relevant molecules. In these studies, she used spectroscopic techniques to investigate factors influencing the efficiency of the energy transfer process from dyes including those with potential for photodynamic therapy. She has published over 130 peer-reviewed research papers on these topics. She has also contributed several chapters to reference books and authored over 20 review chapters and articles. Her leadership in photochemistry and photobiology has been recognized by numerous invitations to present her research results as a plenary lecturer at national and international meetings and by invitations to organize symposia and meetings on these topics. A special honor was her selection as the chairperson of the IUPAC Photochemistry meeting in the year 2000. Silvia has also served as a strong link between the North American, South American and European photochemistry and photobiology research communities. She attends the ASP meeting almost every year and was involved in the founding of the European Society for Photobiology. Her long-term relationships with scientists and universities in South America have allowed her to mentor graduate students at the University of Buenos Aires as a Visiting Professorship and to obtain funding to support photochemical research in Argentina. Irene Kochevar Chair, Awards Committee

THE STATE OF ASP FINANCES

Annually at ASP meetings a financial report is presented to provide an overview of the state of the Societys finances. What follows is an updated synopsis of the most recent of those reports.

Our holdings fluctuate through the year, reaching a high when dues and journal subscriptions have been collected, around April, and bottoming out around August, when all the bills from the annual meeting have been paid. With that preamble, it is fair to say that the financial status of the Society is solid. The May financial statement showed a year-to-date surplus of $166,283 compared to $168,903 for the same time in 1997. We completed 1997 with a small surplus, so we might expect the same for this fiscal year. Our total fund balance, the amount we have stashed away in total assets, was $1,094,920 in May, compared to $1,057,195 a year ago. Virtually all of the increase resulted from added income from new investments (see below).

Where is it? (distribution as of May 1998)

In 1992 the fund balance of the Society began a rapid increase from about $250,000 to about $1,000,000, but relatively little benefit was realized from the accrued assets. To improve this situation the Finance Committee developed a Financial Plan (also known as the Investment Policy), which was approved by Council in 1995. The plan requires that funds be maintained in three categories.

1. Reserve Fund: This is to be 60% of the 3-year average of Society expenses. It is to be invested in federally insured CDs or treasury bills. We should now have about $380,000 in the Reserve Fund.
2. Operating Fund: This is the cash-flow float and fluctuates during the year to a maximum of 60% of the 3-year average of Society expenses. It can be invested in savings, checking, or money market accounts, or short-maturity CDs or T-bills. We should now have about $380,000 in the Operating Fund.
3. Investment Fund: All funds in excess of the above two funds can be used for Society projects as deemed fit by Council. In the interim they are to be invested in defined mutual funds or certain bonds. We should have about $330,000 invested in these funds.

The Financial/Investment Policy of the Society has been successful in augmenting income. The following table indicates the return on investments that the Society realized starting in 1992-1993, when our assets rose dramatically. During the current year the effect of our recent stock and bond fund investments becomes apparent.

Council has earmarked Society funds for two major projects, the transition of Photochemistry and Photobiology to electronic publication and the Photobiology Foundation. The transition to electronic publication will occur over the next two years and could cost from $50,000 to $100,000 in that period, with $25,000 already appropriated in the current budget. The Photobiology Foundation is operating on a $62,500 budget for the coming year, a significant portion of which is earmarked for various grants to photobiologists (travel, etc.). Both of these efforts are being funded from the Investment Fund portion of ASP assets and are viewed as investments in the future of photobiology.

The deadline for nominations is January 15, 1999.

*See also Summer 1998 issue of ASP News

ASP 1998 ANNUAL MEETING: MEETING REPORT

Over 370 registrants, 173 of them ASP members, gathered July 11-15 at the Cliff Lodge in Snowbird, Utah, for the 26th Annual Meeting of the Society. This is about the same fraction of members attending and presenting papers as in 1997, which had reversed a trend from the previous five years or so. The meeting debuted several new features. Among these was a keynote presentation on Saturday evening after the reception. Tito Scaiano (University of Ottawa), editor of Photochemistry and Photobiology, presented a survey of the use of laser techniques in the study of the photophysical properties of several common photosensitizing drugs. This was followed by two plenary, two-hour symposia: Isabel Mellon (University of Kentucky) organized a session devoted to transcription-coupled repair and Mary-Ann Mycek and Nick Kollias (both of Harvard Medical School) a session on biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Also featured on Saturday afternoon before the reception were two workshops. One of these addressed the role of UV in the causation of melanoma and was attended by more that 150 registrants. Another workshop organized by Tom Brennan (Dickinson College), Chris Lambert (Connecticut College), and Kevin OShea (Georgia Tech) focused on photochemistry and photobiology in the undergraduate curriculum was also well attended and has led to a move to revise and/or publish a textbook on photobiology.

While there were too many symposia to list individually (see June supplement issue of P&P for all details), two other events deserve special notation. First, there was an excellent series of photobiology schools presented by Mark Eller (Boston University), John Sutherland (Brookhaven), and John Golbeck (Penn State). Second, an across-the-spectrum school was held once again to brief members across the interdisciplinary fields of photobiology. The Sunday symposium on sunscreens was followed by a session of proffered papers followed by a roundtable on Tuesdaya lively and informative discussion was moderated by Antony Young (St. Thomass Hospital, London) and Mark Naylor (University of Oklahoma). The meeting banquet on Tuesday evening featured an informative and entertaining after-dinner talk by John Spikes (University of Utah) on sun symbols in politics, art, and religion. A word about the setting is in order. Snowbird is located about 30 miles form the Salt Lake City airport at an elevation of 8,000 feet. While temperatures in the valley were over 1000 F, the foresight of the planning committee in holding the meeting at a much higher elevation meant that daily highs were in the mid 80s, thus averting the virtual heat strokes that afflicted the 1994 meeting in Scottsdale. Despite warnings of possible health problems, no adverse effects on any attendees were evident (aside from a little huffing and puffing the first couple of days andbelieve it or notsome sunburn throughout the week). While some eager (and fit) members made several ascents to the nearby mountain peak (at 11,000 feet), others were content to ride the 25-passenger tram. Snow from the last snowfall (July 4) was still evident, and the nearly 360-degree view was spectacular. Mid-morning temperatures were in the 50s, reaching the 80s in the later afternoon. Yet, in spite of beautiful surroundings and a very hospitable environment, the scientific sessions were very well attended! A drawing held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday at the last poster session was entered by an estimated 80-90 attendees. In a future issue of ASP News, Paul Bergstresser (University of Texas) will provide a summary of the meeting from a dermatologists perspective. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the success that was ASP 1998! Nearly $50,000 in meeting supported was raised to defray expenses. Support for more than 40 associate members was provided by the Photobiology Foundation. The actual bottom line wont be known until all the income and costs associated with the meeting are tabulated later in the year. However, it appears that the 1998 meeting at least broke even, and may have turned a small profit! I hope to see everyone next year in Washington, D.C., July 10-15. Please send your suggestions for the program to the 1999 Program Chair, Margaret Kripke. Frank Gasparro 1998 Program Chair

"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother."  Albert Einstein

AIP SEEKS NOMINATIONS

The Association internationale de Photobiologie (AIP) seeks nominations of researchers who have made distinguished contributions to the science of photobiology.

Each nomination must be accompanied by the nominee's CV, one nomination letter and at least two supporting letters, all of which should be sent to the address below. For more information, phone (402) 472-2749; fax (402) 472-3404, or e-mail pssong@unlinfo.unl.edu. The deadline for completed nomination files is July 1, 1999.

The awards will be presented at the 13th International Congress on Photobiology, July 1-6, 2000, in San Francisco, which is cosponsored by AIP, ASP, and ESP.

The three awards and their criteria are:

• The Finsen Medal for a distinguished career in photobiological research (one in photomedicine or a related area, and one in basic photobiology).
• The Finsen Award Lectureship for an outstanding photobiology researcher to present a Finsen lecture at the San Francisco Congress.
• The Edna Roe Award Lectureship for an outstanding woman photobiology researcher to present an Edna Roe lecture at the San Francisco Congress.

Professor Pill-Soon Song, President, AIP
Department of Chemistry
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

In the last issue of ASP News (Vol. 27, no. 2),  Dan Oren of Yale warned about use of GFP [green fluorescent protein] as a tool in molecular biology on the basis of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. I  read the article in Science cited by Dan, and I found that there is absolutely nothing [there] that would have been subject to the uncertainty principle.

I think Dan misunderstood [Heisenbergs] principle and applied it to warn [about] the use of GFP and other light-emitting probes in molecular biology. For all practical purposes, one need not worry about the applicability of the uncertainty principle to macromolecular and cellular systems.

Perhaps Dan was using [this]... in a figurative way, in which case he could have simply not used the term "Heisenberg's uncertainty principle" to convey his message.

Pill Soon Song
University of Nebraska and Kumho Life Science Laboratory

THANKS TO MEETING SPONSORS

I want to thank the many organizations that helped make the 1998 meeting a financial and programmatic success: Benefactor: Primedica Corporation Gold Sponsors: Eli Lilly and Company; Pharmacyclics Silver Sponsor: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania* Bronze Sponsors: AGI Dermatics; Avon; Estee Lauder, Inc.; ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; LOreal Recherche France; Proctor and Gamble Company; QLT Photo-Therapeutics, Inc.*; Radiation Research Society Other Sponsors: Atlas Electric Devices Company; Australian Photobiology Testing Facility; BioSource, DELASCO; International Light; Luma Care; Ocean Optics, Inc.; Opotek; PharMingen; QuantaNova; Therakos, Inc.; United States Surgical Corporation *Also donated in the next lower category Frank Gasparro

Don Forbes of Argus Research Laboratories, Primedica Corporation, addressing the banquet audience at Snowbird. Primedica's donation of $10,000 was arranged through the auspices of Hasan Mukhtar from Case Western Reserve University. (Digital photo by Chris Foote.)

PHOTO CAPTIONS WANTED

There was just not enough room on page 1 to include captions and do justice to the subjects (especially the mysterious halo over Kendrick Smiths head, lower right). Accordingly, I thought I would open this up to the membership and award appropriate prizes to acknowledge the successful entries. For that matter, Ill also entertain alternative captions for the photos on pages 9 and 12. (Please see below for my coordinates.) ¬Ed.

"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory."  Leonardo Da Vinci

ASP POSITION PAPER: SOLAR UV AND HEALTH

The American Society for Photobiology is preparing a series of position papers on public policy topics related to photobiology. The subject of the first paper is solar UV and health.

1. Several causes are behind the increase, including the overall aging of the population.
2. The increased incidence of skin cancer today reflects the increased exposure of the population to solar UV over the last 30 years.
3. The evidence that the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer today is a contributing factor is suggestive but not conclusive. However, if recent trends in ozone depletion are not reversed, it will undoubtedly become a significant factor.
4. The US should continue to cooperate with other nations in limiting the manufacture and release of compounds that deplete stratospheric ozone.

1. UV radiation produces characteristic chemical changes in DNA that lead to characteristic changes in the genetic program. These characteristic changes are found very frequently in human skin cancers, particularly squamous-cell and basal-cell carcinomas.
2. Several genes that appear to be critical targets for UV induction of skin cancer have been identified, including the p53 gene and the patch gene.
3. More research is needed into melanoma, particularly in the development of methods to model experimentally human melanoma development and identification of critical genes in the initiation of melanoma.

1. The best method of reducing the risk of skin cancer is avoiding sun exposure.
2. Sunscreens and sunblocks are important and effective tools in reducing the harmful effects of solar UV. The American Society for Photobiology encourages the appropriate use of approved sunscreen products.
3. Erythema (sunburn) is the most obvious but not the only effect of solar UV on skin. It is not a perfect surrogate marker for other forms of damage. The absence of sunburn does not mean the absence of damage to skin.
4. More research is needed into the non-erythemal effects of sun exposure on skin and into the protection offered by sunscreens and sunblocks on these effects.
5. The public, consumer product companies and governmental authorities should be open to new advances in sunscreens, sunblocks, and alternative products to improve protection against sun damage to skin.

1. Both the federal government and the consumer products/dermatology industry should support this research.
2. Over one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed next year, and hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent on sun-care products. New and advanced technology in sun protection is both good for health and good for business growth.
3. The scientific popular press should focus on reporting these research advances because they affect so many people.
4. Research advances in photobiology have served, and will continue to serve, as models for new knowledge in many other fields of science and medicine.

Written comments (only) should be sent to the ASP Secretariat (address on page 2 or maps@csranet.com). Comments received by December 1, 1998 will be synthesized into a final version and presented to ASP members, Congress, and the press at the 1999 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Dan Yarosh

ASP News

Fall1998 (168) Vol. 27, No. 3

ASP News is published quarterly by the American Society for Photobiology, BioTech Park-Suite 9, 1021 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

Editor: John S. Connolly, Ph.D.
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