CATALYTIC REACTIONS?

If you have a photo or other graphic that reflects an aspect of life (including laboratory life) or a quotation that scientists might appreciate that would be fit to print in the space to the right, why not send it to us via e-mail: <catalyst@nih.gov>; fax: 402-4303; or mail: Building 2, Room 2W23.

Also, we welcome "letters to the editor" for publication and your reactions to anything on the Catalyst pages.

In Future Issues...

More Details on Research Roadmap

A Progress Report on Stem Cells

Mouse Cancer Genetics

Kids' Catalyst

[Consider this the launch of what will be the occasional "Kids’ Catalyst," our response to the reader suggestion that the back page present something to whet the scientific appetite of NIH offspring. This one is geared to the older end of the K–12 set (and maybe to their parents as well)—Ed.]

Periodic Art: Royal Society of Chemistry, London. I always thought periodic charts were kinda neat. All of those numbers and letters, meaning something, but . . . isn’t it time for lunch? Turning away is not so easy with this stunning combination of chemistry and art. This is a collection of element-appropriate artistic renderings that get to you, and you mysteriously know where gold is. If you spend another second you will find the American flag, and you just have to roll over it to find out why. Download the screensaver and you’ll have a different element waiting for you when you come back. It’s an alluring alchemy that some of your more eclectic art and chemistry teachers might also appreciate.

—Jennifer White, NIGMS

Here are three of the 132 creations of the Visual Elements Periodic Table. Can you guess which elements they represent?