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College of Biological Sciences Events & Seminars

These seminar/event announcement pages are made available as a service of the College of Biological Sciences. The information contained in an announcement is entered by the seminar/event sponsor, who is responsible for its accuracy. For further information about a seminar/event, please contact the sponsor. You can search for a specific event on the quick search page.

Upcoming Seminars and Events in the Biological Sciences

Check back at the beginning of the academic year for event listings!

  • 8895.  Nov 4, 2009 (Wed)
    Speaker: Drew Reams
    Affiliation: Department of Microbiology
    Title: Steady-state duplication frequencies: stable polymorphisms in bacterial populations
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 4:10 pm
    Sponsored by: Microbiology 291 Seminar Series
    Contact: Sharon Boylan

  • 8876.  Nov 5, 2009 (Thu)
    Speaker: Lain Cheeseman
    Affiliation: WhiteHead Institute & MIT
    Title: "Generating Dynamic Kinetochore-Microtubule Interactions"
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 4:10 p.m.
    Sponsored by: Sponsored by: The College of Biological Sciences, Graduate Groups in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Cell & Developmental Biology, Section of Microbiology, Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Departments of Biological Chemistry and Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, the Molecular & Cellular Biology Training Grant (NIH), and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
    Contact:

  • 8859.  Nov 6, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Michael Rogawski, MD, PhD
    Affiliation: UCD; Neurology School of Medicine
    Title: Getting a Drug Into Clinical Trials: A Case Study in the Translation of Novel Epilepsy Drug
    Where: 1022 LSA
    When: 11:00 am
    Sponsored by: Biotech Program
    Contact: Marianne Hunter

  • 8886.  Nov 6, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Michael Oda
    Affiliation: Childrens Hospital Oakland
    Title: Biological Systems in Nanotechnology-Based Pharmaceutical Solutions
    Where: 241 Hunt Hall
    When: 2:00pm-3:00pm
    Sponsored by: Biophysics Graduate Group
    Contact: Ellen Picht

  • 8899.  Nov 6, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Charles M. Rice, Ph.D.
    Affiliation: Laboratory of Virology & Infectious Diseases, The Rockefeller University
    Title: Hepatitis C: Understanding the Virus and Finding a Cure
    Where: Auditorium Room 1005 Genome Biomedical Science Facility
    When: 12:10 pm - 1:00 pm
    Sponsored by: School of Medicine, Med Microbiology & Immunology "Emerging Challenges in Microbiology & Immunology"
    Contact: Sandra Vaden

  • 8825.  Nov 9, 2009 (Mon)
    Speaker: Betty A. Diamond
    Affiliation: Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
    Title: Autoantibodies and the Brain: Lessons from lupus
    Where: M.I.N.D. Institute - 2825 50th Street, Sacramento - Room 1115
    When: 4:30 p.m.
    Sponsored by: UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
    Contact: Kathy Keihl
    • Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease characterized by the production of multiple autoantibodies, most notably antibodies to double stranded DNA. A subset of these anti-DNA antibodies cross-reacts with the NR2A and NR2B subunits of the NMDA receptor. This receptor is the primary molecular mechanism for controlling synaptic plasticity and memory function. These antibodies are present in serum of approximately 50% of patients. They can be found in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuropsychiatric lupus, and their titers correlate with symptomatology. They can also be found in brain tissue. In vivo in mice, they mediate memory loss if they access the hippocampus or impaired fear conditioning if they access the amygdala. These antibodies modulate excitatory post synaptic potentials at low concentration and induce mitochondrial transition permeability and apoptosis at high concentration. When these antibodies are present in serum of pregnant mice, they alter fetal brain development in a dose dependent fashion and can lead to permanent but isolated cognitive impairments. Dr. Diamond will present information from studies that show that: 1) anti-brain antibodies may be responsible for multiple instances of altered cognition and behavior in adults, and altered brain development in fetuses, and 2) such antibodies may arise in susceptible individuals in response to microbial challenge. She will also discuss studies of anti-pneumococcal antibodies that support this hypothesis.

  • 8868.  Nov 9, 2009 (Mon)
    Speaker: Tao Sang
    Affiliation: Dept. Plant Biology - U Michigan
    Title: What I have learned from studying rice domestication
    Where: PES 2005
    When: 4:10pm
    Sponsored by: Genetics Graduate Group
    Contact: Ellen Picht

  • 8821.  Nov 12, 2009 (Thu)
    Speaker: Craig Stark
    Affiliation: Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, UC Irvine
    Title: Pattern Separation and the Aging Hippocampus
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8833.  Nov 12, 2009 (Thu)
    Speaker: Dr. Gerhard A. Coetzee
    Affiliation: USC, Keck School of Medicine
    Title: 8q24 and cancer risk
    Where: UC Davis Cancer Center auditorium, 4501 X St., Sacramento
    When: 9:00 am
    Sponsored by: UC Davis Cancer Center Basic Science
    Contact: Fran Richardson

  • 8877.  Nov 12, 2009 (Thu)
    Speaker: Karlene Cimprich
    Affiliation: Stanford School of Medicine
    Title: "Mechanisms for maintaining genome stability at the replication fork and beyond"
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 4:10 p.m.
    Sponsored by: Sponsored by: The College of Biological Sciences, Graduate Groups in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Cell & Developmental Biology, Section of Microbiology, Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Departments of Biological Chemistry and Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, the Molecular & Cellular Biology Training Grant (NIH), and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
    Contact:

  • 8860.  Nov 13, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Steve Doberstein, PhD
    Affiliation: Xoma
    Title: Engineering & Development of XOMA 052, a novel anti-IL-1b Antibody
    Where: 1022 LSA
    When: 11:00 am
    Sponsored by: Biotech Program
    Contact: Marianne Hunter

  • 8887.  Nov 13, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Jamie Cate
    Affiliation: University of California, Berkeley
    Title: New Structures of the Universal Translator, the Ribosome
    Where: 241 Hunt Hall
    When: 2:00pm-3:00pm
    Sponsored by: Biophysics Graduate Group
    Contact: Ellen Picht

  • 8900.  Nov 13, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: David B. Weiner, Ph.D.
    Affiliation: Dept. of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine; Chair, Gene Therapy & Vaccine Program, CAMB, University of Pennsylvania
    Title: Directing and Improving Immune Responses Induced by DNA Vaccines in vivo
    Where: Auditorium Room 1005 Genome Biomedical Science Facility
    When: 12:10 pm - 1:00 pm
    Sponsored by: School of Medicine, Med Microbiology & Immunology "Emerging Challenges in Microbiology & Immunology"
    Contact: Sandra Vaden

  • 8836.  Nov 16, 2009 (Mon)
    Speaker: Karen Zito
    Affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis
    Title: Development and plasticity of spine synapses
    Where: 1022 Life sciences
    When: 12 pm noon
    Sponsored by: Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
    Contact: Dave Furlow

  • 8869.  Nov 16, 2009 (Mon)
    Speaker: Peter Morrell
    Affiliation: Dept. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics - U Minnesota
    Title: Population structure in wild barley: implications for barley domestication
    Where: PES 2005
    When: 4:10pm
    Sponsored by: Genetics Graduate Group
    Contact: Ellen Picht

  • 8898.  Nov 18, 2009 (Wed)
    Speaker: Lillian Fritz-Laylin
    Affiliation: UC Berkeley
    Title: How does Naegleria make an entire microtubule cytoskeleton in 75 minutes?
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 4:10 pm
    Sponsored by: Microbiology 291 Seminar Series
    Contact: Sharon Boylan

  • 8879.  Nov 19, 2009 (Thu)
    Speaker: Dieter Söll
    Affiliation: Yale University
    Title: "The genetic code revisited - Four decades after Francis Crick"
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 4:10 p.m.
    Sponsored by: Sponsored by: The College of Biological Sciences, Graduate Groups in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Cell & Developmental Biology, Section of Microbiology, Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Departments of Biological Chemistry and Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, the Molecular & Cellular Biology Training Grant (NIH), and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
    Contact:

  • 8861.  Nov 20, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Jennifer Ong, PhD
    Affiliation: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Title: "In vitro selection: creating new tools for molecular biology"
    Where: 1022 LSA
    When: 11:00 am
    Sponsored by: Biotech Program
    Contact: Marianne Hunter

  • 8889.  Nov 20, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Chris Berger
    Affiliation: University of Vermont
    Title: TBA
    Where: 241 Hunt Hall
    When: 2:00pm-3:00pm
    Sponsored by: Biophysics Graduate Group
    Contact: Ellen Picht

  • 8902.  Nov 20, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Edward Miao, MD, PhD
    Affiliation: Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
    Title: Innate Immune Detection of Bacterial Virulence Factors through Caspase 1
    Where: Auditorium Room 1005 Genome Biomedical Sciences Facility
    When: 12:10 pm - 1:00 pm
    Sponsored by: School of Medicine, Med Microbiology & Immunology "Emerging Challenges in Microbiology & Immunology"
    Contact: Sandra Vaden

  • 8904.  Nov 20, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Dr. Maurice Moloney
    Affiliation: Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, SemBioSys
    Title: "From construct to clinic: Plant-made pharmaceuticals and drug development using green technology "
    Where: 1002 Giedt Hall
    When: 4:10 PM
    Sponsored by: The UC Davis NSF CREATE-IGERT program, Co-Sponsored by the storer Endowment in Life Sciences
    Contact:

  • 8870.  Nov 23, 2009 (Mon)
    Speaker: Roger Chetelat
    Affiliation: Dept. Plant Sciences, UC Davis
    Title: "Genetic diversity in wild tomatoes: how genome evolution and reproductive barriers limit its utilization"
    Where: PES 2005
    When: 4:10pm
    Sponsored by: Genetics Graduate Group
    Contact: Ellen Picht

  • 8837.  Nov 30, 2009 (Mon)
    Speaker: Craig Warden
    Affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, and the Rowe Genetics Program, University of California, Davis
    Title: Maternal and endocrine influences on obesity
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 12 pm noon
    Sponsored by: Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
    Contact: Dave Furlow

  • 8905.  Dec 1, 2009 (Tue)
    Speaker: Dr. Michael Clegg
    Affiliation: UC Irvine
    Major Issues in Modern Biology Lecture Seminar Series
    Title: "What can Genetics Tell us about the History of Crop Domestication"
    Where: AGR Room, Alumni Center
    When: 4:10 pm
    Sponsored by: College of Biological Sciences, Storer Life Sciences Endowment
    Contact: Theresa Garcia

  • 8897.  Dec 2, 2009 (Wed)
    Speaker: Maria Marco
    Affiliation: Food Science & Technology
    Title: Investigating the gut ecosystem with probiotic bacteria
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 4:10 pm
    Sponsored by: Microbiology 291 Seminar Series
    Contact: Sharon Boylan

  • 8878.  Dec 3, 2009 (Thu)
    Speaker: Steve Brill
    Affiliation: Rutgers University
    Title: "The Sgs1/BLM helicase in DNA repair: Insights and questions from a new functional domain and new SUMO synthetic interactor"
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 4:10 p.m.
    Sponsored by: Sponsored by: The College of Biological Sciences, Graduate Groups in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Cell & Developmental Biology, Section of Microbiology, Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Departments of Biological Chemistry and Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, the Molecular & Cellular Biology Training Grant (NIH), and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
    Contact:
    • Abstract: The human Bloom Syndrome DNA helicase BLM and its yeast ortholog Sgs1 are large proteins that are well-known for their role in maintaining genome stability. However, the function of the N-terminal halves of these proteins is largely unknown - even though genetic analysis in yeast indicates that they are critical for Sgs1 function in-vivo. We have now performed biochemical studies on this 650 aa portion of the protein. We have identified a region that binds DNA and will describe its biochemical activities. A second approach to understanding Sgs1 function involves the study of genes required in the absence of SGS1 (1). Such synthetic-lethal screens have identified genes involved in the regulation of sumoylated proteins, such as the Slx5-Slx8 SUMO-dependent Ub ligase (2), but not the more common SUMO regulators such as the SUMO E1, E2, E3s, or Ulps. I will describe the activity of a new synthetic interactor, Wss1, involved in regulating the stability of sumoylated proteins. The results suggest that recombination-dependent DNA repair is regulated by a unique form of sumoylation. 1. Mullen, J. R., Kaliraman, V., Ibrahim, S. S., and Brill, S. J. (2001). Requirement for three novel protein complexes in the absence of the Sgs1 DNA helicase. Genetics, 157, 103-118. 2. Mullen, J. R. and Brill, S. J. (2008). Activation of the Slx5-Slx8 Ub ligase by poly-SUMO conjugates. J. Biol. Chem. 283, 19912-19921.

  • 8862.  Dec 4, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Joan Greve, PhD
    Affiliation: Genentech, Inc.
    Title: The Magnitude & Phase of Genentech Biomedical Imaging
    Where: 1022 LSA
    When: 11:00 am
    Sponsored by: Biotech Program
    Contact: Marianne Hunter

  • 8888.  Dec 4, 2009 (Fri)
    Speaker: Bryan Krantz
    Affiliation: University of California, Berkeley
    Title: Structural Basis for the Pre-translocation Unfolding of Proteins by Anthrax Lethal Toxin
    Where: 241 Hunt Hall
    When: 2:00pm-3:00pm
    Sponsored by: Biophysics Graduate Group
    Contact: Ellen Picht

  • 8838.  Dec 7, 2009 (Mon)
    Speaker: Jochen Ditterich
    Affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis
    Title: Perceptual decisions between multiple alternatives and flexible decision-making
    Where: 1022 Life Sciences
    When: 12 pm noon
    Sponsored by: Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
    Contact: Dave Furlow

  • 8826.  Dec 9, 2009 (Wed)
    Speaker: Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D.
    Affiliation: Cambridge University
    Title: The Androgen Theory of Autism
    Where: M.I.N.D. Institute - 2825 50th Street, Sacramento - Room 1115
    When: 4:30 p.m.
    Sponsored by: UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
    Contact: Kathy Keihl

  • 8823.  Dec 10, 2009 (Thu)
    Speaker: Sacha Nelson
    Affiliation: Department of Biology, Brandeis University
    Title: Physiological Genomics of Cortical Circuits in Health and Disease
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8840.  Jan 11, 2010 (Mon)
    Speaker: Nikos Logothetis
    Affiliation: Max Planck Institute (MPI)
    Storer Lectureship in the Life Sciences
    Major Issues in Modern Biology Lecture Seminar Series
    Title: Electrical Microstimulation and fMRI
    Where: Genome Center
    When: 4:10 PM
    Sponsored by: Tracy and Ruth Storer Endowment.
    Contact: Theresa Garcia
    • Abstract: Electrical stimulation (ES) of the brain has been performed for over 100 years, and although some might say it is a crude technique for understanding the detailed mechanisms underlying different neural computations, microstimulation has made significant contributions to our knowledge in both basic and clinical research. Recently there has been resurgence in its use in the context of electrotherapy and neural prostheses. For example, ES has made it possible to at least partially restore hearing to deaf patients by delivering pulses via implanted electrodes to different regions of the cochlea. Stimulation of the basal ganglia is remarkably effective in restoring motor function to Parkinsons patients, and microstimulation of the geniculostriate visual pathway is regarded by some as a very promising (future) method for making the blind see again. Yet, the methodology still suffers from at least two fundamental problems; (a) we do not always know exactly what is being stimulated when we pass currents through the tissue; and (b) stimulation causes activation in a large number of areas even outside the stimulation site, making it difficult to isolate and evaluate the behavioral effects of the stimulated area itself. Microstimulation during fMRI (esfMRI) could provide a unique opportunity to visualize the networks underlying electrostimulation-induced behaviors, to map neuromodulatory systems, or to develop electrotherapy and neural prosthetic devices. Last but not least, esfMRI can offer important insights into the functional neurovascular coupling. In my talk, I shall discuss findings from recent and on-going work on signal propagation during electrical stimulation. These findings not only offer some insights into functional neurovascular coupling and the interpretation of negative hemodynamic responses, but also reveal some interesting properties of the cortical microcircuits and the way they could propagate incoming population signals.

  • 8827.  Jan 13, 2010 (Wed)
    Speaker: Matthew W. State, M.D., Ph.D.
    Affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine
    Title: Recent Insights into the Genetics of Tourette Syndrome
    Where: M.I.N.D. Institute - 2825 50th Street, Sacramento - Room 1115
    When: 4:30 p.m.
    Sponsored by: UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
    Contact: Kathy Keihl

  • 8841.  Jan 28, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Loren Frank
    Affiliation: UC San Francisco
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: UCD Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8843.  Feb 4, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: William Mobley
    Affiliation: UC San Diego
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 1100 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8828.  Feb 10, 2010 (Wed)
    Speaker: Marsha Mallick Seltzer, Ph.D.
    Affiliation: University of Wisconsin - Madison
    Title: Psychosocial and Biological Markers of Stress in the Lives of Mothers of Adolescents and Adults with ASD
    Where: M.I.N.D. Institute, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento - Room 1115
    When: 4:30 p.m.
    Sponsored by: UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
    Contact: Kathy Keihl

  • 8842.  Feb 11, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Antonello Bonci
    Affiliation: UCSF Gallo Centr
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: UCD Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8844.  Feb 18, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Barbara Knowlton
    Affiliation: UCLA
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8893.  Mar 3, 2010 (Wed)
    Speaker: John Lisman
    Affiliation: Brandeis University
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: UCD Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8845.  Mar 4, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Carol Barnes
    Affiliation: University of Arizona
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8829.  Mar 10, 2010 (Wed)
    Speaker: Jacqueline N. Crawley, Ph.D.
    Affiliation: National Institute of Mental Health
    Title: Mouse Models of Autism to Discover Causes and Develop Treatments
    Where: M.I.N.D. Institute, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento - Room 1115
    When: 4:30 p.m.
    Sponsored by: UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
    Contact: Kathy Keihl

  • 8846.  Mar 18, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: John Huguenard
    Affiliation: Stanford University
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8830.  Apr 14, 2010 (Wed)
    Speaker: John N. Constantino, M.D.
    Affiliation: Washington University School of Medicine
    Title: The Genetic Epidemiology of Autism
    Where: M.I.N.D. Institute, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento - Room 1115
    When: 4:30 p.m.
    Sponsored by: UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
    Contact: Kathy Keihl

  • 8847.  Apr 15, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Howard Eichenbaum
    Affiliation: Boston University
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8848.  Apr 22, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Russ Poldrack
    Affiliation: University of Texas, Austin
    Title: "Stop it! The neural basis of response inhibition"
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8849.  Apr 29, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Wade Regehr
    Affiliation: Harvard University
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8850.  May 13, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Jay McClelland
    Affiliation: Stanford University
    Title: Dynamics of reward and stimulus influences on decision making: Theory, physiology, and behavior
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8851.  May 27, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Kalanit Grill-Spector
    Affiliation: Stanford University
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8853.  Jun 2, 2010 (Wed)
    Speaker: Gina Turrigiano
    Affiliation: Brandeis University
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright

  • 8852.  Jun 10, 2010 (Thu)
    Speaker: Dennis Dacey
    Affiliation: University of Washington
    Title: TBA
    Where: Center for Neuroscience, 1544 Newton Ct, Research Park
    When: 11:00 AM
    Sponsored by: Center for Neuroscience
    Contact: Terry Wright