Even though Gabriel Lander '02 hasn't yet taken his qualifying exams at the Scripps Research Institute near San Diego, his fellow doctoral students joke that he should be suiting up for graduation.

That's because Lander's research made the cover of the June 23, 2006, issue of Science magazine, a publication the world's greatest minds are proud to crack.

Lander's paper examined the reproduction of bacteriophage, or viruses that infect bacteria. As these viruses mature, their DNA is packaged into a spherical chamber at pressures 10 times greater than inside a champagne bottle.

Lander's team discovered a device that works as a pressure sensor inside the viruses, essentially turning off the packaging motor at maturation stage.

"It would be really useful to [learn more] about how bacteriophage work," Lander says. "Maybe we could use them as antibiotics. Bacteria are constantly evolving and becoming resistant to antibiotics."

Lander says the research also could give scientists a new way to combat the herpes virus.

His publication in Science may open academic doors for Lander. When he was growing up, being a professor wasn't a goal. Today, though, the Binghamton biochemistry graduate wants to follow in the footsteps of his father Leslie, who teaches computer science at Binghamton, and his mother Maria, who teaches math at Broome Community College.

"I picture myself teaching and continuing with my research," Gabriel says. "I've fallen in love with viruses, and I definitely want to pursue this."

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