BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
7
MAY
2014
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,
“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!”
Mindellwithhis family.
