COMPARATIVE MEDICINE TO HOST NOBEL SPEAKER FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY: UC Davis' Center for Comparative Medicine announced a talk by Nobel Prize-winning medical researcher David Baltimore as part of the center's 10th anniversary celebration.

His talk, "Analyzing MicroRNA Function in Genetically Manipulated Mice," is scheduled for 3 p.m. June 10 in 1020 Gladys Valley Hall. The talk is free and open to the public. A reception is planned at 5 p.m. at the Center for Comparative Medicine.

Baltimore, president emeritus of the California Institute of Technology, shared a 1975 Nobel Prize for the discovery of reverse transcriptase, the enzyme essential for the replication of a group of viruses known as retroviruses, including the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus.

Stephen Barthold, director of the Center for Comparative Medicine, said Baltimore's discovery "has been a key scientific stepping-stone for center researchers, including Thomas North, Chris Miller and Paul Luciw, as they study retroviruses in animals as models for HIV and AIDS."

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi also will attend the anniversary event, the center announced. In 1990, he authored the bond act for construction of research facilities, including the Center for Comparative Medicine.

RUSSELL RANCH PROGRAM TO HIGHLIGHT IRRIGATION: A 21-year-old research project showing the benefits of subsurface drip irrigation will be a featured topic during the annual field day and open house at UC Davis' Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility, organizers said.

According to a news release, the farming comparison project has shown that subsurface drip irrigation decreases water use and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

The June 17 field day program also includes a grower panel and an update on energy-efficient equipment. Organizers said hay wagons will carry people around the research site for various presentations.

The program lists Len Richardson, editor of California Farmer Magazine, as the keynote speaker, discussing farmers' relationship to the land, and the challenges they face in their profession and lives.

Organizers ask people to register online by June 10 at safs.ucdavis.edu. The $5 fee (free for growers and students) covers the cost of a local, seasonal lunch and refreshments. The Web site includes program details, including other presenters. For more information, contact Martin Burger, (530) 754-6497 or mburger@ucdavis.edu, or Patricia Lazicki, (530) 220-2319 or patricia.lazicki@gmail.com.

MIND INSTITUTE DISTINGUISHED LECTURER SERIES: The 2007-08 series concludes with a pair of presentations on June 11 by Deborah Fein, Distinguished Professor of psychiatry and professor of pediatrics, University of Connecticut.

4 p.m., technical presentation -- "Can Children With Autism Recover?"

6 p.m., general-interest presentation -- "Early Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders: State of the Science."

Both presentations are free and open to the public. Location is the auditorium at the MIND Institute, 2825 50th St., Sacramento.

All seminars and colloquia: calendar.ucdavis.edu