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SUMMARY:Biotechnology and biophysical phenotypes: the physics of pluripote
 ncy and differentiation - Dr Kevin Chalut\, BSS Sector\, Cavendish Laborat
 ory
DTSTART:20120525T110000Z
DTEND:20120525T120000Z
UID:TALK38340@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Leona Hope-Coles
DESCRIPTION:One of the most fascinating and important processes in biology
  and medicine is the transformation of a stem cell system into mature tiss
 ue cells\; this change\, called differentiation\, consists of a progressio
 n of highly regulated steps. Despite its importance both for bringing comp
 rehension to the formation of the embryo and also for regenerative medicin
 e purposes\, the ways in which the process of differentiation are regulate
 d – which have been primarily studied from a biochemical perspective –
  are poorly understood. We are particularly focused on illuminating differ
 entiation and embryonic development by utilising optical\, quantitative mi
 croscopy\, and microfluidic techniques to probe biophysical aspects. These
  aspects include system level changes such as cell and nuclear mechanics\,
  subcellular structure\, and dynamic processes such as remodeling within c
 ell nuclei. Using this foundation\, we have observed broad biophysical cha
 nges in embryonic stem cells as they go through the process of differentia
 tion\; these changes include a modulation of nuclear substructure and mech
 anics\, among others. I will discuss these results and strategies for disc
 overing the meaning of these changes\, both in stem cell cultures and in t
 he embryo\, and their universality in other developmental niches. Finally\
 , I will discuss biotechnology we are developing to assess biophysical phe
 notypes and their mechanisms in stem cell systems with comprehensive appli
 cability to other biological systems.\n\n
LOCATION:Small Lecture Theatre\, Cavendish Laboratory\, Department of Phys
 ics
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