Biophysical Netsletter - May 2014

7

BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

2014

MAY

relationships in secondary active transport- ers, focusing onbacterial homologs of impor- tantmammalian transporters, whichMindell explains, “are amenable tomany kinds of experiments not available for theirmammalian counterparts.” The secondmajor project of his lab concerns acidificationof intracellular organelles. “This process is drivenby a v-typeATPase,” says Mindell, “but, since theATPase is highly electrogenic, other ionsmust bemoved across themembrane todissipate the built-up charge.” Currently, they are using combinations of modeling, cell biology, imaging, and transport measurements to try to get an accurate picture of the ionmovements contributing to acidification, and todetermine the combinations of transport- ers used in this process. In addition to the science itself,Mindell finds the collegiality of research tobe one of themost rewarding aspects of hiswork.He says, “We all know that the stereotypical viewof the lone scientist off onhis own iswrong.Our contact with the people aroundus has tremendous influence onourwork…the social exchange of ideas is one of the things that I look forward to everydaywhen I go towork.”Mindell’s friends in the biophysics community findhim tobe particularly skilled at this sort of collaborative work. Kenton Swartz , one ofMindell’s close col- leagues atNIH, explains that the twohave had a major influence on eachother’s projects, despite collaborating formally only on rare occasions. Swartz says, “We have had joint labmeetings and journal clubs for about twelve years now, andhavementored eachother’s students and postdoctoral fellows. Joe’s fingerprints are on every piece of work that has come out ofmy laboratory in the last decade—we have perfected the role of highly interactive colleagues.” MerrittMaduke metMindell whenbothwere postdocs in theMiller lab, working ondiscover- ing and characterizing the first prokaryoticClC familymember. She recalls that, “Joewas able to really push the project forwardby determin- ing the two-dimensional structure ofClC-ec1 by cryo-EM.He didbeautiful work andwas exceedingly gracious and generous in sharing the

credit.”They are not currently working together, butMaduke frequently calls him to get his advice ondifficult problems, and to enjoy his friendship. “He is really smart and always willing to talk,” she says, “He is also verywitty in insulting his friends – in a lovingman- ner. It tookme awhile, but I knew I had finally gainedhis respectwhenhe got around to insultingme.”Throughout his career,Mindell has let his sense of humor shine.Miller says,

Mindellwithhis family.

“He had the chops—a quantitative chemist/ biophysicist at heart—andhe had thewicked, wicked sense of humor that endearedhim im- mediately to everyone in our group.”Another colleagueMindellmet at Brandeis, H. Ronald Kaback , recalls a timewhenMiller andMin- dell teamedup to play a prank onhimduring a presentation.He says, “Joe and a few other comedians underMiller’s influence sat in the audience and simultaneously shined laser point- ers on the screenduringmy presentation. The effect was uproarious, as I couldnot tell which spot wasmine.” Mindell’s balance of serious sciencewith a fun and collegial environment wasmodeled by his PhD andpostdoc advisors, Finkelstein and Miller.Mindell says, “They share an incred- ible passion for science and an incredible level of scientific rigor. They are also both a bit looney and very funny. I learned from them that youdon’t have to stophaving fun to be an extremely serious scientist.”Mindell extolls the virtues of developing this sort of balanced attitude for those just starting out in their scien- tific careers. “I lovewhat I do, and I can’t really imagine doing anything else,” he says. “For young peoplewho feel this way too, I suggest they find a problem they really love and attack it with vigor. If they are creative, hard-working, andpassionate, they can succeed and there’s no better life!”