The RNA Transcript, September 13, 2021 |
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4 PM LIVE TODAY (will not recorded)
Monday, September 13, 4:00 pm ET | University of Michigan Center for RNA Biomedicine, RNA Innovation Seminar Series
"Recent improvements in modeling and design of RNA-only structures”
Rhiju Das, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Departments of Biochemistry and (by courtesy) Physics, Stanford University
Abstract:
The discovery and design of biologically important RNA molecules is outpacing three-structural characterization. I’ll describe results from my and Wah Chiu’s groups that demonstrate that cryo-electron microscopy can resolve maps of several kinds of RNA-only systems. These maps enable subnanometer-resolution 3D coordinate estimation when complemented with multidimensional chemical mapping and Rosetta DRRAFTER computational modeling. If time allows, I’ll describe work from the Eterna project to stabilize mRNA molecules to help accelerate worldwide COVID immunization.
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APPLICATION DEADLINE: THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021! |
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The RNA Collaborative welcomes its 23rd partner!
Launched at the initiative of the University of Michigan Center for RNA Biomedicine in April 2020, the RNA Collaborative is welcoming two more partners, the University of Wisconsin-Madison RNA maxiGroup, and the University of Science and Technology of China RNA Institute.
The RNA Collaborative now gathers 23 RNA research partners and institutions around the globe, and is supported by the RNA Society. It offers bi-weekly webinars on a variety of RNA research topics. More information.
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Monday, September 13, 3:00 pm ET, BSB3150 | University of Michigan, Molecular, Cell & Dev Biology, Dissertation defense
"Pleiotropic Effects of Cis- And Trans-Regulatory Mutations"
Petra Vande Zande, advisor: Trisha Wittkopp
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Tuesday, September 14, 12:00 pm ET, 3330 MS I | University of Michigan, Biological Chemistry Guest Seminar
"Structure-Function Studies of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Development of COVID-19 Interventions"
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September 20–22, 4:00 pm ET | RiboClub Annual Symposium
"Transcriptomics and cancer biology"
Keynote speakers:
Tom Cech, University of Colorado Boulder, USA
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For press releases and blog articles about your upcoming top journal publications, please
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Our members' publications are available through Altmetric. Five queries are currently available: "RNA," "microRNA," "Transcriptome," "Translation," and "Molecule." Please make sure to have at least one of these key words in your title or abstract. Below are recent highlights.
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Abstract: ... We discuss fundamental mechanisms of RNA regulation during the integrated stress response (ISR) and provide an overview of a growing class of genetic disorders associated with mutant alleles of key translation factors in the ISR pathway....
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Molecular mechanisms underlying nucleotide repeat expansion disorders, Indranil Malik, Chase P. Kelley, Eric T. Wang & Peter K. Todd, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 22, pages 589–607 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-021-00382-6
Abstract: .... In this Review, we discuss the four major mechanisms by which expansion of short tandem repeats causes disease: loss of function through transcription repression, RNA-mediated gain of function through gelation and sequestration of RNA-binding proteins, gain of function of canonically translated repeat-harbouring proteins, and repeat associated non-AUG translation of toxic repeat peptides. ... Lastly, we propose that lynchpins tying these disease mechanisms and native functions together offer promising therapeutic targets with potential shared applications across this class of human disorders.
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Sleep loss drives acetylcholine- and somatostatin interneuron-mediated gating of hippocampal activity, to inhibit memory consolidation, James Delorme, Lijing Wang, Femke Roig Kuhn, Varna Kodoth, Jingqun Ma , Jessy D. Martinez, Frank Raven, Brandon A. Toth, Vinodh Balendran, Alexis Vega Medina, Sha Jiang, Sara J. Aton, PNAS, 10.1073/pnas.2019318118
Abstract: Sleep loss disrupts consolidation of hippocampus-dependent memory. ... Together, our data suggest that state-dependent gating of DG activity may be mediated by cholinergic input and local Sst+ interneurons. This mechanism could act as a sleep loss–driven inhibitory gate on hippocampal information processing.
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University of Michigan Human Genetics and Chemistry Departments
Research Fellow: Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration
Immediately available in the Moon and Walter labs in the Human Genetics and Chemistry departments of the University of Michigan is a joint postdoctoral fellow position in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary project on the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Neurodegenerative diseases are a growing public health threat with few treatment options. This position is funded by a collaborative grant award from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) for an initial one year with potential to renew. In addition to being integrated within the resource-rich Chemistry and Human Genetics departments, the postdoctoral fellow will be immersed with an international group of scientists in the CZI Neurodegeneration Challenge Network, where they will have access to specialized workshops and training. We are seeking an enthusiastic, team-oriented and conscientious individual who will be expected to lead an interdisciplinary project by developing cell culture models of neurodegenerative disease and studying them using single molecule microscopy techniques. The postdoctoral fellow will learn how to work with inducible pluripotent stem cells and induced neurons, become proficient in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, and detect and analyze single RNA and protein molecules using state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy approaches. This project will identify molecular mechanisms of disease that could lead to novel therapeutic targets for a wide range of neurodegenerative conditions.
Responsibilities:
The postdoctoral fellow is expected to be an active member of the Moon and Walter labs, learn new skills, perform experiments, analyze data, work with core facilities including the Single Molecule Analysis in Real Time (SMART) Center, contribute to writing manuscripts, and present findings to the local and greater scientific communities. To apply please submit a cover letter including the word ‘collaboration’, CV, 1-2 page statement of research interests, and contact information for three references to Stephanie Moon at smslmoon@umich.edu and Nils Walter at nwalter@umich.edu.
Required Qualifications:
• Recently awarded Ph.D. in Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Working knowledge of, or strong personal motivation to learn one or more programming languages (ideally python, matlab, R, or c++)
• Excellent communication skills (this position serves as a bridge between the Moon and Walter labs and so excellent communication skills will be essential for success)
• Ability and strong desire to work with an interdisciplinary team of scientists
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The University of Michigan Biointerfaces Institute Innovation Fellowship
The Biointerfaces Institute is seeking applications for an inaugural cohort of BI Innovation Fellows. The Innovation Fellowship is a full-time position for up to two years at a competitive $60,000 salary with full benefits. The program offers a unique opportunity for Fellows to be embedded within the BI research and translational ecosystem to explore research commercialization.
Fellows will:
• Collaborate with multiple research groups to find viable commercial pathways for the research being done at BI.
• Participate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship training curriculum offered at BI, Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE), Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI).
• Work with teams to pursue funding opportunities e.g., translational funding; local, regional, national pitch competitions.
• Receive mentorship from BI Faculty members and innovation partners, including the CFE, FFMI, Office of Technology Transfer.
• Attend workshops, seminars and innovation events across campus and through local innovation organizations and at the national level.
• Participate in professional development events available at BI and offered by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Rackham Graduate School.
• Engage with clinicians the U-M health system and beyond to understand the opportunities and challenges of potential innovations.
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