To the bakers at Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego, the behavior of HHMI investigator Charles S. Zuker must have seemed a little strange. He was looking for an uncommonly rich confection, but none of their cakes seemed decadent enough. He pointed to one extravagant pastry—could they possibly wrap an added layer of chocolate around it, and throw some cookies and fresh berries on top? Of course, they said. What's the occasion? "I'm going to feed it to a bunch of mice," he replied. continued...

Photos/Art:Michelle Williamson of USCSD graphics/OLR and Charles Zuker (cake and mouse).
Cell cover, reproduced with permission

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Reprinted from the HHMI Bulletin,
June 2002, pages 10-13.
©2002 Howard Hughes Medical Institute