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| Friday, April 1, 2011
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8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
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Upper respiratory tract microbiota and pathogen carriage
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| Description: |
Speaker: Katherine Lemon, Forsyth Institute
Location: Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE), 24 Oxford St, 3rd Floor, Room 310
Notes: MSI Weekly Chalktalk! Please join us for coffee/tea/pastries at 8:30 AM, followed by the chalktalk at 8:45.
http://www.msi.harvard.edu/fridays.html
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| Contact: |
Andrea Lenco
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1:25 PM - 2:45 PM
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| Monday, April 4, 2011
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Noon - 1:00 PM
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Biology Department Seminar
|
| Description: |
"Forward Planning for good mothering: Epigenetic co-adaptation of brain and placenta"
Dr. E.B. Keverne,FRS, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
24 Cummington Street, LSE B01, Boston University, Boston
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| Contact: |
Dr. Chip Celenza
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Noon - 1:00 PM
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HNRCA Spring Seminar Series with Paul Wade
|
| Description: |
Join us for a seminar led by Dr. Paul Wade. The topic will be "DNA methylation dynamics during immune cell activation".
Location:
Jean Mayer USDA HNRCA @ Tufts University
711 Washington Street
Mezzanine Conference Room
Boston, MA 02111
The event is held in a government building, with security at the front door. In order to gain admittance you will need to bring a government ID to present at the door.
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| Contact: |
Christine O'Connell
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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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| Tuesday, April 5, 2011
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12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
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| Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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Noon - 1:00 PM
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Noon - 1:00 PM
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2:00 PM - 3:20 PM
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Adenosine/Dopamine Interactions Regulating Behavioral Activation and Effort-Related Decision Making: Implications for Psychiatry and Neurology
|
| Description: |
John Salamone, Ph.D., Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience, and Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Storrs, CT. Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L-112, Boston, MA. Part of the Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences Seminar Series sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics. Free and open to the public. Refreshments served at 1:45 pm, R-Building 6th Floor.
www.bumc.bu.edu/busm-pm
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| Contact: |
Kristina Bigdeli
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|
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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Neuroscience Seminar - Nathan Schoppa
|
| Description: |
Tufts University Neuroscience Seminar
Nathan Schoppa, University of Colorado
Title of Talk: "Neural circuitry between sensory input and output mitral cells in the olfactory bulb"
Location: Jaharis 508, 150 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
Handicap Accessible
|
| Contact: |
Laila Lee
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6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
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6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
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Plants in New England (PINE)
|
| Description: |
Plants in New England
When: Wednesday April 6, 2011, 6 pm.
Where: Whitehead Institute McGovern Auditorium
http://www.wi.mit.edu/about/directions.html
Speakers:
Kirsten Bomblies, (Harvard University)
Sebastian Marquardt (Buratowski Lab, HMS)
Matthew Ramon (Sheen Lab, MGH)
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| Contact: |
chip celenza
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|
| Thursday, April 7, 2011
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11:00 AM - Noon
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Noon - 1:00 PM
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Dark matter transcription revealed by single-molecule sequencing
|
| Description: |
Speaker: Philipp Kapranov, St. Laurent Institute, Vancouver, WA
Location: The Forsyth Institute, Seminar Room A, 245 First St., 17th Floor, Cambridge
Abstract: Discovery of multiple classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), both long (>200 nt) and short (<200nt), in many biological systems has transformed our understanding of genome complexity in recent years and suggest new paradigms of genome regulation. However, what fraction of all cellular RNA consists of ncRNAs and what fraction of the genome is utilized to produce them remain controversial. Far more than a bookkeeping issue, the degree to which this so called “dark matter transcription” is present has important implications regarding its biologic function, and the general architecture of genome regulation. In particular, elucidation of how ncRNAs regulate genome function will be compromised if they are dismissed as ‘transcriptional noise’.
Single-molecule sequencing (SMS) is an ideal tool to assess and accurately quantify transcriptome complexity of a cell. When applied to the human transcriptome, it revealed that the relative mass of non-coding RNAs as a proportion of all non-ribosomal non-mitochondrial human RNA can be greater than that of protein encoding transcripts and this complexity is lost in polyA-selected RNA. We further show the presence of a large number of very long abundantly-transcribed regions (e.g., 100’s of kb) in the genome’s intergenic space and show that these regions tend to associate with neoplastic transformation and their overlap with ncRNAs previously found in normal human embryonic tissues raises an interesting hypothesis as to function of the former in the early development and neoplastic transformation. The presentation will provide the details of these results and discuss their implications for our understanding of the biology of cell.
|
| Contact: |
Pam Quattrocchi
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Noon - 1:30 PM
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Hacking Medicine @ MIT
|
| Description: |
Hacking Medicine @ MIT Series: Hacking Health Software
Ed Park the Chief Operating Officer of athenahealth will be coming to MIT on April 7th to discuss Hacking Medicine in the context of athenahealth's own hack on the healthcare industry, how they achieved it, and what impact it had. Along with Zen Chu, Entrepreneur in Residence at MIT, they will layout a visual landscape for the Healthcare Industry and discuss the areas that have the highest hackability potential. Ed and Zen will also discuss several case studies of other venture backed businesses to hack medicine and improve healthcare.
What: Ed Park, COO, Athena Health and Zen Chu, Entrepreneur in Residence, MIT
When: April 7th, 2011, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Where: 32-155 Stata Center @ MIT
Topic: H@cking Medicine to Improve Healthcare
Space is limited, please reserve a seat here: http://entrepreneurship.mit.edu/hacking-medicine-ed-park-coo-athenahealth
|
| Contact: |
Zen Chu
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|
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4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
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6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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‘Get on Board: Inside the Board of Directors’ Panel Discussion
|
| Description: |
If you would like to learn about the impact being on a board has on your career. If you would like to serve on a board, are already on a board, or work with a board, join us for Get on Board. The panelists are directors of both for-profit and nonprofit organization boards, and will address issues relating to service as directors, including the combinations of skills and experiences that boards are seeking, how to best position yourself for a for-profit or nonprofit board candidacy, resources available to help you identify and take advantage of both paid and volunteer board opportunities, what it’s like to serve as a director on a board, and issues particular to women on boards. Speakers include:
• Susan C. Hammond, Principal, scHammond Advisors
• Leslie Meyer-Leon, President, IP Legal Strategies Group, P.C.
• Bob Fischer, Principal, BigVisible Systems, Agile Software Development
• Sandra Glucksmann, Senior VP of Research & Business Operations, Cerulean Pharma
This event is open to the public. Light refreshments are included.
http://www.westorg.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=125130
|
| Contact: |
susan silberman
|
|
| Friday, April 8, 2011
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8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
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|
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12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
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1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
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|
| Monday, April 11, 2011
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Noon - 1:00 PM
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Biolomolecular Seminar Series
|
| Description: |
"Molecular control of synapse assembly by adhesive SynCAM interactions"
Dr. Thomas Biederer, Dept. Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University
Boston University
24 Cummington Street LSE B01
Boston, MA 02215
|
| Contact: |
Dr. Chip Celenza
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|
| Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
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|
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1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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|
| Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
|
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Bioinformatics Seminar Series: Techniques for the analysis of ancient DNA
|
| Description: |
Nick Patterson, Broad Institute. MIT's CSAIL 32 Vassar Street Building 32 Room G575.
Two papers published last year described the analysis of DNA of Neandertals found in Vindija Cave, Croatia and DNA of a hominin from Denisova Cave, Siberia. I briefly describe the main results, but then go into more detail on the analysis which uses some novel methodology.
|
| Contact: |
Patrice Macaluso
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|
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2:00 PM - 3:20 PM
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Heterodimerization of Mu and Kappa Spinal Opioid Receptors and the Treatment of Pain: Why Sex Matters
|
| Description: |
Alan Gintzler, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry, Neurobiology of Pain and Addiction Laboratory, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York. Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L-112, Boston, MA. Part of the Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences Seminar Series sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics. Free and open to the public. Refreshments served at 1:45 pm, R-Building 6th Floor.
www.bumc.bu.edu/busm-pm
|
| Contact: |
Kristina Bigdeli
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|
| Thursday, April 14, 2011
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(All Day)
|
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Molecular Diagnostics Conference: MDx Goes Mainstream
|
| Description: |
Two-day conference focused on clinical applications of molecular diagnostic testing, including case studies, pharmacogenomics, sequencing, regulatory/legal matters. Keynote speakers are Randy Scott, Ph.D. (Genomic Health) and John Quackenbush, Ph.D. (Dana Farber/HSPH).
Location: Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
More info: http://www.mdxconference.com
Biology Week readers receive $100 off registration by entering 1CGP2 at checkout
|
| Contact: |
Stephanie Murg
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|
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Noon - 1:00 PM
|
|
Genetic of Dental Caries
|
| Description: |
Speaker: Mary Marazita, Director, Center for Craniofacial & Dental Genetics, Professor and Vice Chair, Oral Biology School of Dental Medicine, Professor, Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, Professor, Clinical and Translational Science, Professor, Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of PIttsburgh
Location: The Forsyth Institute, Seminar Room A, 245 First St., 17th Floor, Cambridge
Summary: Despite public health advances due to fluoridated tooth paste and water, dental caries (tooth decay) is still the most common chronic disease in children and adults. Dental caries is a major public health concern due to its increasing incidence in recent years (especially in children), serious health and social co-morbidities, and socio-demographic disparities in disease burden. However, little is known about the genetic causes of dental caries. It has long been known that dental caries has substantial estimated heritability, with some notable studies in twins reared apart lending particularly strong support to a genetic component in dental caries. In this talk, the evidence for a genetic component in dental caries will be reviewed, current genetic methods (candidate gene and genome-wide methods) will be reviewed, and results will be presented from candidate gene studies and from the first genome-wide studies of dental caries.
|
| Contact: |
Pam Quattrocchi
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|
|
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
|
Matrix Metalloproteinase-induced EMT in Breast and Lung Cancer
|
| Description: |
Tufts University Program in Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology Seminar Series
Guest Speaker: Derek C. Radisky, PhD, Assistant Professor, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Location: Sackler Auditorium, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111. There will be a wine and cheese reception immediately following the seminar in the M&V 5th floor library, room 503, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
|
| Contact: |
Sharon Titus
|
|
| Friday, April 15, 2011
|
|
(All Day)
|
|
Molecular Diagnostics Conference: MDx Goes Mainstream
|
| Description: |
Two-day conference focused on clinical applications of molecular diagnostic testing, including case studies, pharmacogenomics, sequencing, regulatory/legal matters. Keynote speakers are Randy Scott, Ph.D. (Genomic Health) and John Quackenbush, Ph.D. (Dana Farber/HSPH).
Location: Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
More info: http://www.mdxconference.com
Biology Week readers receive $100 off registration by entering 1CGP2 at checkout
|
| Contact: |
Stephanie Murg
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|
|
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
|
|
Rheumatology Grand Rounds (BIDMC)
|
| Description: |
John P. Atkinson, M.D., Samuel B. Grant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine will speak on "Rare Variants in the Human Genome that Cause SLE: Two Instructive Examples"
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Rheumatology Grand Rounds
Friday, April 15th, 2011, 8:00 am
CLS-921 (Center for Life Sciences Bldg)
3 Blackfan Circle
|
| Contact: |
Betty Chase
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|
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
|
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Rheumatology Grand Rounds (BIDMC)
|
| Description: |
John P. Atkinson, M.D., Samuel B. Grant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine will speak on "Rare Variants in the Human Genome that Cause SLE: Two Instructive Examples"
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Rheumatology Grand Rounds
Friday, April 15th, 2011, 8:00 am
CLS-921 (Center for Life Sciences Bldg)
3 Blackfan Circle
|
| Contact: |
Betty Chase
|
|
|
Noon - 2:00 PM
|
|
Brain Rhythm and the Control of Cortical Communication
|
| Description: |
Graduate Program for Neuroscience Distinguished Lecture featuring Miles Whittington, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University upon Tyne, UK. Boston University Photonics Center, Room 906, 8 St. Mary's Street, Boston, MA 02446. Lunch to follow lecture at 1pm.
http://www.bu.edu/neuro/outreach/upcoming-neuroscience-day-2011/calendar/?eid=105541
|
| Contact: |
Sara Johnson
|
|
|
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
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|
| Saturday, April 16, 2011
|
|
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
|
|
Microbial Sciences Initiative Symposium 2011
|
| Description: |
Speakers: Jim Collins, Laurie Comstock, Ann Hochschild, Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan, Margaret McFall-Ngai, Francois Morel, Kim Orth, David Weitz
Location: Radcliffe Gymnasium
Description: Free and open to the public. This annual event features presentations by leading microbiologists at Harvard and other institutions and celebrates the richest biological reservoir of the planet, the microbial world.
http://www.msi.harvard.edu/events/sympos.html
|
| Contact: |
Andrea Lenco
|
|
| Tuesday, April 19, 2011
|
|
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
|
|
Proteomics 2011
|
| Description: |
Proteomics symposium featuring
Tony Pawson, SLRI, Toronto, Canada
Ben Garcia, Princeton University, NJ
Michal Sharon, Weizmann Institute, Israel
Ruedi Aebersold, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Folkman Auditorium Children's Hospital Boston
All are welcome, no registration required, event is free
|
| Contact: |
Keith Solomon
|
|
|
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
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|
|
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
|
|
Lessons in Sustainability
|
| Description: |
Celebrate Earth Week and Enjoy a Free Lecture!
Harvard Medical School
The Armenise Amphitheater
200 Longwood Avenue - Boston, MA 02115
The Massachusetts AWIS chapter and the Harvard Office for Sustainability are pleased to co-host an evening lecture by Professor Nathan Phillips, Director of Boston University’s Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. The lecture will
discuss how we can build resiliency into our infrastructure networks and Nathan will talk about how sustainable practices implemented by individuals in their homes and in the work place can make a lasting and dramatic impact.
The Lessons in Sustainability Seminar is a Free Lecture and Open to the Public!!!
If you plan to attend, we ask that you please register:
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=217895
Agenda:
5:30-6:00pm: Welcome & Networking
6:00-7:00pm: Sustainability Seminar by Nathan Philips
7:00-8:30pm: Dinner & Networking
The event will be held in the Armenise Amphitheater.
Entrance to Armenise will be through the HMS Quadrangle.
For a detailed map, visit:
http://hms.harvard.edu/public/maps/lmamap.html
Street parking and garages are available in the area. The MBTA’s Longwood Medical Area Station (Green Line E) & multiple bus stops are within walking distance.
To learn more about Mass-AWIS and other upcoming AWIS events, please visit: www.mass-awis.org. To learn more about Harvard’s Office for Sustainability, please visit:
http://green.harvard.edu/ofs/mission.
|
| Contact: |
Anne-Elise Tobin
|
|
| Wednesday, April 20, 2011
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|
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
|
|
Bioinformatics Seminar Series: Dimensionality reduction in the analysis of human genetics data
|
| Description: |
Petros Drineas, RPI. MIT's CSAIL 32 Vassar Street Building 32 Room G575.
Dimensionality reduction algorithms (either deterministic or randomized) have been widely used for data analysis in numerous application domains, including the study of human genetics. For instance, linear dimensionality reduction techniques (such as Principal Components Analysis) have been extensively applied in population genetics. In this talk we will discuss such applications and their implications for human genetics, as well as the potential of applying non-linear or supervised dimensionality reduction techniques in this area.
|
| Contact: |
Patrice Macaluso
|
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:20 PM
|
|
Ethanol Regulation of GABAA Receptor Trafficking: Mechanisms and Physiological Significance
|
| Description: |
A. Leslie Morrow, Ph.D., John Andrews Distinguished Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Associate Director, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, R-115, Boston, MA. Part of the Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences Seminar Series sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics. Free and open to the public. Refreshments served at 1:45 pm, R-Building 6th Floor.
www.bumc.bu.edu/busm-pm
|
| Contact: |
Kristina Bigdeli
|
|
|
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
|
|
The Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders
|
| Description: |
Professor Anthony Monaco, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Resources) and Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Oxford
Please RSVP to lmavros@mit.edu if you'd like to attend.
Supported by the Simons Initiative on Autism and the Brain at MIT (web.mit.edu/autism)
|
| Contact: |
Lee Mavros Rushton
|
|
| Thursday, April 21, 2011
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|
Noon - 1:00 PM
|
|
Mechanisms of biofilm formation, maturation, and dissemination in Staphylococcus epidermidis
|
| Description: |
Speaker: Michael Otto, NIAID
Location: The Forsyth Institute, Seminar Room A, 245 First St., 17th Floor, Cambridge
Abstract: Biofilms are surface-attached agglomerations of microorganisms embedded in an extracellular matrix. Infections involving biofilms frequently develop on indwelling medical devices in hospitalized patients. Importantly, biofilm-associated infections are difficult to eradicate and represent a significant source for disseminating and recurring serious infections. In particular, the molecular determinants of biofilm dissemination are unknown. Staphylococcus epidermidis is the leading cause of biofilm-associated infections on indwelling medical devices. Biofilm formation in S. epidermidis is dependent on an exopolysaccharide called PIA with an additional function in immune evasion and a series of protein factors. Biofilm maturation and detachment are under control of quorum-sensing and mediated by specific secreted, surfactant-like peptides, the beta subclass of phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs). Importantly, these peptides promote the dissemination from colonized catheters in a mouse model of device-related infection, establishing in vivo significance of biofilm detachment mechanisms for the systemic spread of biofilm-associated infection.
|
| Contact: |
Pam Quattrocchi
|
|
| Friday, April 22, 2011
|
|
12:30 AM - 4:30 AM
|
Cancer Genomics: Principles and Applications
|
| Description: |
Nanocourse Announcement
TITLE: Cancer Genomics - Principles and Applications (https://nanosandquarters.hms.harvard.edu/node/159).
Speakers: Rameen Beroukhim, MD, PhD, Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, and John Quackenbush, PhD and Ben Ebert, MD
Dates & Location - DAY 1: Friday April 22, 12:30– 4:30pm in TMEC 250
Dates & Location - DAY 2: Thursday April 28, 2:30-5:30pm.
Course Description: Cancer genomics is a rapidly growing field that applies genome-scale technologies to develop comprehensive descriptions of cancer cells. A particular focus is the identification of genetic alterations that drive tumor growth and transcriptional, proteomic, and phenotypic correlates. An understanding of the biological impact of these alterations can potentially lead to the development cancer therapeutics. Currently many on-line tools are available that allow us to determine the impact of these alterations on tumor growth and development. Some of these resources include: Tumorscape (Broad Institute), COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer, Sanger), Cancer Gene Census (Sanger), Gene Expression Omnibus (NCBI), Oncomine (NCBI), and Gene Pattern (Broad). This nanocourse is designed to provide an introduction and an overview of the current on-line resources that are available on Cancer Genomics. The second session of this nanocourse will provide a hands-on approach to implementing these on-line resources in your research.
All are welcome.
Course Website: https://nanosandquarters.hms.harvard.edu/
|
| Contact: |
Narveen Jandu
|
|
|
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
|
|
|
1:25 PM - 2:45 PM
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|
| Monday, April 25, 2011
|
|
Noon - 1:00 PM
|
Biolomolecular Seminar Series
|
| Description: |
"Fishing for novel regulators of liver development and regeneration"
Dr. Wolfram Goessling, Department of Genetics
Brigham and Women's
Harvard Medical School
Boston University
24 Cummington Street LSE B01
Boston, MA 02215
|
| Contact: |
Dr. Chip Celenza
|
|
|
Noon - 1:00 PM
|
|
HNRCA Spring Seminar Series with Dr. Xiao-Dong Cheng
|
| Description: |
Join us for a seminar led by Dr. Xiao-Dong Cheng. The topic will be "Coordinated chromatin control: Structural and functional linkage of DNA and histone methylation".
Location:
Jean Mayer USDA HNRCA @ Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Mezzanine Conference Room, Boston
The event is held in a government building, with security at the front door. In order to gain admittance you will need to bring a government ID to present at the door.
|
| Contact: |
Christine O'Connell
|
|
|
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
|
MGH CBRC Seminar Series
|
| Description: |
Myles Brown, M.D.
Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
"Epigenetic Programs of Hormone Dependent Cancers"
MGH EAST BUILDING 149
ISSELBACHER AUDITORIUM
7TH FLOOR
CHARLESTOWN MA
|
| Contact: |
Bonnie Carroll
|
|
| Tuesday, April 26, 2011
|
|
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
|
|
The Amyloid State of Proteins
|
| Description: |
Speaker: David Eisenberg, UCLA
Location: Harvard Med School, Warren Alpert Bldg, Room 341
Host: Drs. Collier and Hochschild
Coffee and snacks served at 12:15pm outside the room
|
| Contact: |
Shannon Humphreys
|
|
|
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
|
|
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
|
The Genetics of Cardiomyopathy In Man and Mouse
|
| Description: |
Jonathan G. Seidman, Ph.D.
Henrietta B. and Frederick H. Bugher Foundation Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
"The Genetics of Cardiomyopathy In Man and Mouse"
Folkman Auditorium
John F. Enders Research Bldg., Children’s Hospital Boston
Cardiovascular Seminar Series
Department of Cardiology
This conference is supported by the Faye and Karen Sinclair Research Fund for Congenital Heart Disease
|
| Contact: |
Michelle Merry
|
|
| Wednesday, April 27, 2011
|
|
|
|
Special Seminar with Caterina Strambio De Castillia
|
| Description: |
The Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems
The Program in Molecular Medicine, and
The program in Cell Dynamics
presents
Caterina Strambio De Castillia, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine
University of Geneve, Switzerland
"A Cell Biologist Abroad: From A Single Cell View To Systems Virology
Wednesday, April 27
12:00pm-1:00pm
MaPS Seminar Room S5-310
Host: Allan Jacobson
A light lunch will be served immediately following the seminar in the MaPS Library, S5-106
|
| Contact: |
Beverly Hobbs
|
|
|
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
|
|
Bioinformatics Seminar Series: Modeling Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
|
| Description: |
Speaker: Collin Stultz, MIT
Location: TOC Lab, Stata Center Room G575, MIT
A number of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease involve the formation of protein aggregates. The primary constituent of these aggregates belongs to a unique class of heteropolymers called intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). While many proteins fold to a unique conformation that is determined by their amino acid sequence, IDPs do not adopt a single well-defined conformation in solution. Instead they populate a heterogeneous set of conformers under physiological conditions. Nevertheless, despite this intrinsic propensity for disorder, a number of these proteins can form ordered aggregates both in vitro and in vivo. As the formation of these aggregates may play an important role in disease pathogenesis, a detailed structural characterization of these proteins and their mechanism of aggregation is of critical importance. One problematic issue is that the characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins is quite challenging because accurate models of these systems require a description of both their thermally accessible conformers and the associated relative stabilities or weights. These structures and weights are typically chosen such that calculated ensemble averages agree with some set of prespecified experimental measurements; however, the large number of degrees of freedom in these systems typically leads to multiple conformational ensembles that are degenerate with respect to any given set of experimental observables. In this talk I will discuss a method for modeling these systems that is based on Bayesian statistics. A unique and powerful feature of the approach is that it provides a built-in error measure that allows one to assess the accuracy of the resulting ensemble. We apply the method to the intrinsically disordered proteins, tau protein and alpha synuclein, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, respectively. The models reveal specific patterns of long-range contacts that may play a role in the aggregation process.
|
| Contact: |
Patrice Macaluso
|
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:20 PM
|
|
The Nature of Evidence to Establish the Clinical Utility of Pharmacoenomics Tests: A Regulatory Science Perspective
|
| Description: |
Lawrence J. Lesko, Ph.D., Director, Office of Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmaceutics, CDER, FDA Pharmacogenetics, Rockville, Maryland. Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L-112, Boston, MA. Part of the Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences Seminar Series sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics. Free and open to the public. Refreshments served at 1:45 pm, R-Building 6th Floor.
www.bumc.bu.edu/busm-pm
|
| Contact: |
Kristina Bigdeli
|
|
|
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
|
|
MGH Cutaneous Biology Research Center Special Seminar
|
| Description: |
Azeddine Atfi, Ph.D.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity
Mechanisms underlying inactivation of the TGF-β tumor suppressor network by the homeodomain proteinTGIF
MGH East, Building 149 Isselbacher Auditorium, 7th Floor, Charlestown, MA
|
| Contact: |
Vivian Theodoracopoulos
|
|
|
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
|
Neuroscience Seminar - Alice Ting
|
| Description: |
Tufts University Neuroscience Seminar
Alice Ting, PhD, MIT
"Imaging protein function in living cells with enzyme-based reporters; application to the study of neurexin-neuroligin interactions in synapse remodeling"
Location:
Jaharis 508
150 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02111
Handicap Accessible
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| Contact: |
Laila Lee
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5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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| Thursday, April 28, 2011
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Noon - 1:00 PM
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Novel Resolvin and miR Circuits Activating Resolution of Acute Inflammation
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| Description: |
Speaker: Professor Charles N. Serhan, Center of Experimental Therapeutics and reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesia, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, BWH and Harvard Medical School
Location: The Forsyth Insitute, 245 First St., 17th Floor, Cambridge
Abstract: Mechanisms controlling the resolution of acute inflammation are essential to maintaining homeostasis, host defense and preventing persistent inflammation. The resolvins and protectins are novel pro-resolving mediators biosynthesized locally from polyunsaturated essential fatty acids and are the first mechanisms and molecules linking omega-3 nutrition status to the potent mediators of resolution and the return to homeostasis (CN Serhan, Am.
J. Path. 2010). This presentation will review recent evidence for the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in self-limited acute inflammatory murine exudates and their regulation by omega-
3 derived resolvins. Using real-time PCR analysis and LC-MS-MS, we found that in resolving exudates resolvin (RvD1) is produced from DHA and that miR-21, miR-146b, miR-208a,
miR-203, miR-142, miR-302, and miR-219 are selectively regulated (P<0.05) in self-limited murine sterile peritonitis. The regulation of these miRs by resolvin D1 GPC receptors
identified in murine and human systems will be presented. RvD1 given in ng amounts/mouse reduced inflammation and neutrophil infiltration 25-50% into the peritoneum as well as
shortened the resolution interval (Ri) by ~4 h. In murine peritonitis at 12 h, RvD1 upregulates miR-21, miR-146b, and miR-219 and down-regulates miR-208a in vivo. With human macrophages overexpressing recombinant RvD1 receptors, which include both ALX/FPR2 and GPR32, we found that these miRNAs were regulated by RvD1 (p <0.05) as low as 10 nM in a receptor-dependent fashion. Hence, isolated human macrophages exposed to RvD1 recapitulate the in vivo circuit identified during the resolution of murine peritonitis. In addition, RvD1-miRNAs identified in these studies target cytokines and protein networks known to be involved in the immune system, e.g. miR-146b targeted NF-êB signaling, and miR-219 targeted 5-lipoxygenase that in turn reduces leukotriene production as monitored by LC-MS-MS-based lipid mediator lipidomics. Together these results indicate
that resolvins regulate specific miRNA target genes involved in resolution. Moreover, they establish a novel resolution circuit that involves omega-3 fatty acid-derived RvD1 and its
receptor-dependent regulation of specific miRNAs in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, they demonstrate the ability of pro-resolving GPCRs to regulate miR that impact inflammationresolution
via the essential PUFA.
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| Contact: |
Pam Quattrocchi
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1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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Viruses: What we need to know to fight them
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| Description: |
Viruses: What we need to know to fight them
Thursday, April 28, 2011
1:00pm-6:00pm
Registration is free but required, and on a first-come, first-served basis
Speakers:
:: Steve Elledge, HHMI/Harvard Medical School
:: Yousuke Furuta, Toyama Chemical Company, Ltd.
:: Steve Harrison, HHMI/Harvard Medical School
:: Robert Lamb, HHMI/Northwestern University
:: Martin Nowak, Harvard University
:: Chaired by Hidde Ploegh, Whitehead Institute
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| Contact: |
Ceal Capistrano
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4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
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Vascular Biology Seminar: The Role of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Atherosclerosis Research
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| Description: |
Vartan Kurtcuoglu, Group Leader, Biofluidics, ETH Zurich, Switzerland, Visiting Scientist, Cardiovascular Medicine, BWH
Location: Folkman Auditorium, Enders Bldg., Children's Hospital Boston, 320 Longwood Ave.
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| Contact: |
David Lynn, 617-525-4351
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7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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Network Science: From the Web to the Cell
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| Description: |
Highly interconnected networks with amazingly complex structure describe systems as diverse as the World Wide Web, our cells, social systems and the economy. In the past decade we learned that most of these networks are the result of self-organizing processes governed by simple but generic laws, resulting in architectural features that makes them much more similar to each other than one would have expected by chance. I will discuss the recurring patterns of our interconnected world and its implications to network robustness and spreading processes.
Albert-László Barabási is the former Emil T. Hofmann professor at the University of Notre Dame and current Distinguished Professor and Director of Northeastern University's Center for Complex Network Research (CCNR) and an associate member of the Center of Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB) at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University. He introduced the concept of scale-free networks in 1999 and proposed the Barabási–Albert model to explain their widespread emergence in natural, technological and social systems, Among the topics in network theory that Barabási has studied are growth and preferential attachment, the mechanisms probably responsible in part for the structure of the World Wide Web, usage patterns on cell phone networks and the cell.
Barabási is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, an external member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and a member of the Academia Europaea. In 2005 he was awarded the FEBS Anniversary Prize for Systems Biology and in 2006 the John von Neumann Medal by the John von Neumann Computer Society of Hungary.
He is the author of two well known books: "Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What it Means for Business, Science, and Everyday Life", 2002, and "Bursts: The Hidden Pattern Behind Everything We Do", 2010, and many articles including a long article "Statistical mechanics of complex networks", co-authored with Reka Albert, in Reviews of Modern Physics (Vol 74, no. 1, Jan 2002) that discusses much of the mathematical basis of his theories.
This joint meeting of the Boston Chapter of the IEEE Computer Society and GBC/ACM will be held in the Broad Institute Auditorium (MIT building NE-30). The Broad Institute is on Main St between Vassar and Ames streets.
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| Contact: |
Peter Mager
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| Friday, April 29, 2011
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
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Rheumatology Grand Rounds (BIDMC)
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| Description: |
Larry W. Moreland, M.D. Chief, Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine will speak on "Rheumatoid Arthritis: Therapeutic Options" Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Rheumatology Grand Rounds, Friday, April 29th, 2011, 8:00 am, CLS-921 (Center for Life Sciences Bldg), 3 Blackfan Circle
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| Contact: |
Betty Chase
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1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
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1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
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Month of April 2011
