RNA memories and secrets of inheritance and immortality

Worms and humans share over 3 billion years of common ancestry and consequently share amazingly complex and sophisticated mechanisms for controlling gene expression. For example, “RNA-interference” (RNAi), first identified in the microscopic worm C. elegans is now known to be present in humans and indeed in all domains of life.  In much the same way that you type a short query into Google, RNAi-related mechanisms employ short pieces of genetic code as search queries, allowing the cell to rapidly identify and regulate genes containing matching information.  Importantly, scientists can now use synthetic search queries to program cellular search engines called Argonautes, and recently CAS9/CRISPR, allowing researchers to precisely query, regulate and modify the cell’s genetic information.  These discoveries have led to an unprecedented revolution in molecular genetics that promises to help unlock the secrets of life, and to speed the discovery of new medicines. This talk will explore how organisms use these search mechanisms to program gene expression and to protect the immortal germ lineage that gives rise to the next generation.  But, what this talk is really about is the excitement of science and the ever unfolding and deepening mysteries of life.

Presented by: Dr. Craig Mello

Tuesday, December 1, 2015 4:00 to 5:00 pm followed by reception from 5:00 to 6:00 pm