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Biology

Biology BIOL

BIO/NSCI SEMINAR: “Stop and Go Signals for Remodeling the Nervous System”, David M. Miller, PhD, Vanderbilt University

Sponsored by:
Biology
The brain actively responds to stimuli by remodeling circuits. Of equal importance to this plasticity, is the simultaneous maintenance of synapses that embody key memories and functions. Despite the salience of this choice, the mechanisms that govern synaptic stability are largely unknown. To address this mystery, we are using C. elegans, a model organism with a simple nervous system and powerful genetic tools, to uncover pathways that either promote or block synaptic remodeling.

McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220

Open to the Public

“The Role of B Cells in the Pathophysiology of Multiple Sclerosis”, Dr. Danielle E. Harlow, Teva Neuroscience

Sponsored by:
Biology
Science talk by Biology Class of 88 Speaker, Dr. Danielle E. Harlow, Medical Affairs, Teva Neuroscience, Formerly Research Instructor at University of Colorado Medical School. My research has focused on aspects of the neuro-immune interactions underlying the autoimmune demyelinating disorder multiple sclerosis (MS). Depletion of B lymphocytes is an effective treatment for MS, suggesting a pathogenic role for B cells, although the underlying mechanisms of myelin damage remain unclear.

McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220

Open to the Public

“Lessons in glial biology: from the bench to clinical trials”, PUBLIC TALK by Dr. Danielle E. Harlow, Medical Affairs, T

Sponsored by:
Biology
Public Talk by Biology Class of 88 Speaker: Dr. Danielle E. Harlow, Medical Affairs, Teva Neuroscience, Formerly Research Instructor at University of Colorado Medical School. Dr. Harlow will talk about her career path and present some of her research projects at each stage (neural development, astrocyte biology & spinal cord injury, oligodendrocyte biology & myelination). (Will also give a science-oriented talk on Friday 3/4 at 12:30pm).

McCardell Bicentennial Hall 216

Open to the Public

Biology Talk: Charlie Bettigole (‘05) & Kris Covey, Yale School of Forestry & Env. Studies

Sponsored by:
Biology
Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Mapping Tree Density at the Global Scale Charlie Bettigole (‘05) and Kris Covey will share results from a groundbreaking study of global tree density, one of the most discussed scientific articles of 2015. As part of an international research team lead by Yale’s Forestry School, Charlie and Kris collected over 400,000 ground-based estimates of forest density. Using remote sensing and statistical modeling the study estimates the global number of trees is 3.04 trillion, an order of magnitude higher than the previously thought.

McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220

Open to the Public

Biology Seminar: Barry Logan

Sponsored by:
Biology
“Mechanisms of mortality and the legacy of land use in dwarf mistletoe-infected spruce forests along the Maine coast”, talk by Barry Logan, Professor, Biology Department, Bowdoin College. Eastern dwarf mistletoe, a diminutive plant parasite, can fell a mature white spruce in a matter of years. Curiously, a closely related host growing in the same forest stands, red spruce, tolerates infection and even succeeds in killing the parasite.

McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220

Open to the Public

Biology Seminar: “Spider venom: new technologies …”

Sponsored by:
Biology
“Spider venom: new technologies yield insights into an ancient predatory adaptation”, seminar by Robert Haney, Dept of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. While prized for their silk, and the beautiful web designs which are constructed from it, spiders are equally feared for their venom. Spiders are the largest group of venomous animals, as nearly all of the more than 44,000 species of spiders are venomous. Venom plays a critical role in spider feeding, and contains toxins that incapacitate their prey.

McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220

Open to the Public

"The promise of stem cells for cures and improved human health", public talk by Douglas Melton, Harvard Stem Cell Inst

Sponsored by:
Biology
Public talk by Dr. Douglas Melton, the Co-director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University. Human stem cells are a relatively new discovery in biomedicine. How were these cells discovered and what is their potential? This talk will consider the biology of stem cells and point to potential applications for new treatments of diabetes, brain and other diseases as well as enabling longer and healthier lives. Sponsored by The Biology Class of ’88 Lecture Fund and the Department of Biology.

McCardell Bicentennial Hall 216

Open to the Public