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Special Guest Seminar with Prof. Timothy Kennedy

Date:
22
Sunday
October
2023
Lecture / Seminar
Time: 11:30-12:30
Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
Lecturer: Prof. Timothy Kennedy
Organizer: Department of Molecular Neuroscience
Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

Special Guest Seminar with Prof. Ziv Bar-Joseph

Date:
22
Sunday
October
2023
Lecture / Seminar
Time: 14:00-15:00
Title: "AI / ML in big pharma – From omics to clinical trials"
Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
Lecturer: Prof. Ziv Bar-Joseph
Organizer: Azrieli Institute for Systems Biology
Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il
Abstract: While students and faculty are very aware of current state of the art experiment ... Read more While students and faculty are very aware of current state of the art experimental and computational technologies, there is less awareness of how these are used in practice by the pharma industry. I have been leading the AI / ML work for R&D at one of the largest pharma companies for almost two years and will share some of the methods we have been developing and using to address computational challenges across all stages of the drug discovery and development process. I Will also try to share some of the lessons I have learned over this period.
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Special Guest Seminar with Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern

Date:
26
Thursday
October
2023
Lecture / Seminar
Time: 13:00
Title: "Genetic Code, Chimeric RNAs and Applications in Liquid Biopsy"
Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
Lecturer: Prof. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern
Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

The Genetics Society of Israel Annual Meeting

Date:
20
Tuesday
February
2024
Conference
Time: 08:00
Location: The David Lopatie Conference Centre
Contact: efrat.shema@weizmann.ac.il

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    Special Guest Seminar with Prof. Judith Frydman

    Date:
    29
    Tuesday
    August
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Title: “Molecular Origami: The TRiCky business of folding proteins in the cell”
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Judith Frydman
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest seminar with Dr. Raul Andino

    Date:
    28
    Monday
    August
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 14:30-15:30
    Title: Understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying virus transmission
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Raul Andino
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Special guest Seminar

    Date:
    07
    Monday
    August
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:00-12:00
    Location: Max and Lillian Candiotty Building
    Lecturer: Prof. Deborah Hung
    Organizer: Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
    Contact: roi.avraham@weizmann.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar by Dr. Monther Abu-Remaileh

    Date:
    03
    Thursday
    August
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Title: Neurodegeneration: Intra-Lysosomal Lipid Metabolism in the Driver's Seat
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Dr. Monther Abu-Remaileh
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Neuroscience
    Contact: ronitrosenberg@weizmann.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar by Dr. Konstantin Feinberg

    Date:
    17
    Monday
    July
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Title: Schwann cells are key regulator of corneal epithelial renewal
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Dr. Konstantin Feinberg
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Neuroscience
    Contact: ronitrosenberg@weizmann.ac.il
    Abstract: Purpose: Corneal sensory nerves protect the cornea from injury. They are also th ... Read more Purpose: Corneal sensory nerves protect the cornea from injury. They are also thought to stimulate limbal stem cells (LSCs) to produce transparent epithelial cells constantly, enabling vision. In other organs, Schwann cells (SCs) associated with tissue-innervating axon terminals mediate tissue regeneration. This study defines the critical role of the corneal axon-ensheathing SCs in homeostatic and regenerative corneal epithelial cell renewal. Methods: SC localization in the cornea was determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry with SC markers. In vivo SC visualization and/or ablation was performed in mice with inducible corneal SC-specific expression of TdTomato and/or Diphtheria toxin, respectively. The relative locations of SCs and LSCs was observed with immunohistochemical analysis of harvested genetically SC-pre-labeled mouse corneas with LSC-specific antibodies. The correlation between cornea-innervating axons and the appearance of SCs was ascertained using corneal denervation in rats. To determine the limbal niche cellular composition and gene expression changes associated with innervation-dependent epithelial renewal, single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) of dissociated healthy, de-epithelized and enervated cornea limbi was performed. Results: We observed limbal enrichment of corneal axon-associated myelinating and non-myelinating SCs. Induced local genetic ablation of SCs, while leaving corneal sensory innervation intact, markedly inhibited corneal epithelial renewal. scRNA-seq analysis (i) highlighted the transcriptional heterogeneity of cells populating the limbal niche and (ii) identified transcriptional changes associated with corneal innervation and during wound healing that model potential regulatory paracrine interactions between SCs and LSCs. Conclusions: Limbal SCs are required for innervation-dependent corneal epithelial renewal.
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    Special guest Seminar

    Date:
    16
    Sunday
    July
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Title: “Specificity and ligand discrimination in cross-wired signaling pathways”
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Anton Zilman
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special guest seminar with Nadav Ahituv

    Date:
    13
    Tuesday
    June
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:00
    Title: Functional characterization and therapeutic targeting of gene regulatory elements
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Nadav Ahituv
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Special guest seminar

    Date:
    04
    Sunday
    June
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 00:00
    Title: T cell memory, metabolism and the microbiome
    Location: Max and Lillian Candiotty Building
    Lecturer: Professor Sammy Bedoui
    Organizer: Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
    Contact: ronen.alon@weizmann.ac.il

    Exploring sex-specific regulation of aging and health

    Date:
    23
    Tuesday
    May
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences
    Lecturer: Dr. Itamar Harel
    Organizer: Department of Biomolecular Sciences
    Contact: levana.ayvazo@weizmann.ac.il
    Abstract: Bio: Experimental biology of vertebrate aging and age-related diseases: http://h ... Read more Bio: Experimental biology of vertebrate aging and age-related diseases: http://harel-lab.com/ Itamar Harel received his PhD in developmental biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science, and then trained in aging research at Stanford University. In 2018 he joined the Department of Genetics at the Hebrew University as Assistant Professor. The Harel lab is exploring fundamental questions in aging biology, such as why is aging such a strong driver of disease? To address a major challenge in aging research, Itamar has developed a comprehensive genetic platform for rapid exploration of aging and disease in a naturally short-lived vertebrate. The findings by the Harel lab have clinical implications for developing new strategies for modeling and treating age-related diseases, and for developing pro-longevity interventions.
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    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    16
    Tuesday
    May
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 15:00-16:00
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Alexander Meissner & Prof. Paul Tesar
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    16
    Tuesday
    May
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 15:00
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Alexander Meissner & Prof. Paul Tesar
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Nature, nurture, and the neuroscience of parenthood

    Date:
    02
    Tuesday
    May
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 12:30-13:30
    Location: Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Lecture Hall
    Lecturer: Prof. Bianca Jones Marlin
    Organizer: Department of Brain Sciences
    Contact: naomi.moses@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Host: Prof. Ofer Yizhar ofer.yizhar@weizmann.ac.il tel: 6957 For accessibil ... Read more Host: Prof. Ofer Yizhar ofer.yizhar@weizmann.ac.il tel: 6957 For accessibility issues: naomi.moses@weizmann.ac.il
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    Abstract: Introduction: Bianca Jones Marlin, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and Herbert and Flo ... Read more Introduction: Bianca Jones Marlin, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and Herbert and Florence Irving Assistant Professor of Cell Research at the Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University in New York City. Her research investigates how organisms unlock innate behaviors at appropriate times, and how learned information is passed to subsequent generations via transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Dr. Marlin combines neural imaging, behavior, and molecular genetics to uncover how learned behavior in the parent can become innate behavior in the offspring— work that promises to make a profound impact on societal brain health, mental well-being, and parenting. For more information about Dr. Marlin, visit www.biancajonesmarlin.com
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    Nature, nurture, and the neuroscience of parenthood

    Date:
    02
    Tuesday
    May
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 12:30-13:30
    Location: Gerhard M.J. Schmidt Lecture Hall
    Lecturer: Prof. Bianca Jones Marlin
    Organizer: Department of Brain Sciences
    Contact: naomi.moses@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Host: Prof. Ofer Yizhar ofer.yizhar@weizmann.ac.il tel: 6957 For accessibil ... Read more Host: Prof. Ofer Yizhar ofer.yizhar@weizmann.ac.il tel: 6957 For accessibility issues: naomi.moses@weizmann.ac.il
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    Abstract: Introduction: Bianca Jones Marlin, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and Herbert and Flo ... Read more Introduction: Bianca Jones Marlin, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and Herbert and Florence Irving Assistant Professor of Cell Research at the Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University in New York City. Her research investigates how organisms unlock innate behaviors at appropriate times, and how learned information is passed to subsequent generations via transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Dr. Marlin combines neural imaging, behavior, and molecular genetics to uncover how learned behavior in the parent can become innate behavior in the offspring— work that promises to make a profound impact on societal brain health, mental well-being, and parenting. For more information about Dr. Marlin, visit www.biancajonesmarlin.com
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    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    01
    Monday
    May
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Title: “Polyglutamylation of microtubules controls neuronal functions and can cause neurodegeneration” & “Deciphering functions of tubulin modifications at the molecular level”
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Dr. Maria M Magiera & Dr. Carsten Janke
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Neuroscience
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special guest seminar

    Date:
    27
    Monday
    March
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00
    Title: “Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Diversity in Hippocampal and Cortical Circuits”
    Location: Botnar Auditorium. Belfer building
    Lecturer: Dr. Joris De Wit
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Neuroscience
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    14
    Tuesday
    March
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Title: "Membrane fusion: from mechanisms to biological consequences"
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Leonid Chernomordik
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    09
    Thursday
    March
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Title: “Mapping mitochondrial structure across scales using cellular cryo-electron tomography”
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Danielle Grotjahn
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    16
    Thursday
    February
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Title: Inter-organelle communication pathways revealed by imaging
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    15
    Wednesday
    February
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:00-12:00
    Location: Max and Lillian Candiotty Building
    Lecturer: Dr. Tomer Itkin
    Organizer: Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
    Contact: ronen.alon@weizmann.ac.il

    New approaches to early embryogenesis & epigenetics

    Date:
    13
    Monday
    February
    2023
    -
    15
    Wednesday
    February
    2023
    Conference
    Time: 08:00
    Location: The David Lopatie Conference Centre
    Organizer: The Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky Center,The Helen and Martin Kimmel Institute for Stem Cell Research
    Contact: yonatan.stelzer@weizmann.ac.il
    New approaches to early embryogenesis & epigenetics Conference website

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    19
    Thursday
    January
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 15:30-16:30
    Title: “Fetal Neurosonogenetics”
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Ritsuko K. Pooh
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    10
    Tuesday
    January
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Location: Max and Lillian Candiotty Building
    Lecturer: Dr. Erez Dror
    Organizer: Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
    Contact: ronen.alon@weizmann.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    01
    Sunday
    January
    2023
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Title: Deep learning for protein-RNA interactions
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Yaron Orenstein
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    05
    Monday
    December
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:00-12:00
    Title: "Coding and Noncoding Regulation of Intestinal Inflammation"
    Location: Max and Lillian Candiotty Building
    Lecturer: Dr. Liraz Galia
    Organizer: Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
    Contact: ronen.alon@weizmann.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    24
    Thursday
    November
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00
    Title: "Autophagy - from cargo to structure"
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Florian Wilfling
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    21
    Monday
    November
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:00-12:00
    Title: "RNA modifications in RNA virus infection: Learning from the experts"
    Location: Max and Lillian Candiotty Building
    Lecturer: Dr. Inna Ricardo Lax
    Organizer: Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology
    Contact: ronen.alon@weizmann.ac.il

    Special guest seminar, Dr Harry Burgess

    Date:
    15
    Monday
    August
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 14:00-15:00
    Title: If not now-when? Circuits for urgent defensive behavior in zebrafish
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Dr. Harry Burgess
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Single-molecule and single-cell epigenetics: Decoding the epigenome for cancer research and diagnostics

    Date:
    28
    Thursday
    July
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 14:00-15:00
    Location: Max and Lillian Candiotty Building
    Lecturer: Dr. Efrat Shema
    Organizer: Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy Research
    Contact: michal.av@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Meeting URL: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/5065402023?pwd=a3Z6KzRCU0xJaUFoM2Y5emZwZ ... Read more Meeting URL: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/5065402023?pwd=a3Z6KzRCU0xJaUFoM2Y5emZwZm1oZz09
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    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    11
    Monday
    July
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00
    Title: “The deep population history of the Americas”
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. David Reich
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar with Dr. Roy Maimon

    Date:
    30
    Thursday
    June
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 15:00-16:00
    Title: Tracing Glia-into-Neuron Conversion in the Aged Mouse Brain using Single Cell Spatial Transcriptomics
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/95250374032?pwd=U0h4QmFQZENIZ0cvOENMZ0hMamdpQT09
    Lecturer: Dr. Roy Maimon
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Neuroscience
    Contact: bosmat.kariti@weizmann.ac.il

    Special guest seminar with Dr. Or Shemesh

    Date:
    28
    Tuesday
    June
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 09:30-10:30
    Title: Infectious Neuroscience - Do Common Pathogens Play a Part in Neurodegeneration?
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Dr. Or Shemesh
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Neuroscience
    Contact: Bosmat.kariti@weizmann.ac.il
    Abstract: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) is a usual suspect when it comes to Alzheimer's d ... Read more Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) is a usual suspect when it comes to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its DNA and RNA were found in the brains and serological samples of AD patients. Such molecular presence of HSV-1 in AD is especially intriguing as HSV-1 virions are rarely detected in AD brains. To follow the molecular footsteps detected, we imaged viral proteins in postmortem human AD brains at superior resolution using expansion microscopy, a tissue manipulation method that physically expands the samples by a factor of 4.5x, allowing a 40 nm imaging resolution, and immunolabeled herpetic proteins, AD pathologies and cell markers. We found an abundance of herpetic proteins, previously undetectable with standard methods, across large brain areas. Importantly, we found that HSV-1 proteins strongly co-localized with AD pathologies. Consequently, we hypothesized that expression of HSV-1 proteins during latency may be linked to AD pathology. We are now in the process of characterizing the HSV-1 proteome in AD brains by imaging key proteins in expanded AD brain slices and examining their colocalization with AD pathologies across brain areas and disease stages. As a complementary system to the fixed human brain slices, we are exposing live human brain organoids, to HSV-1, and imaging the relationships between viral proteins and the formation of AD pathologies via expansion microscopy. Pathogens may be triggers of immune responses driving AD; this study would shed light on one common pathogen, HSV-1, while serving as a framework to unveiling molecular causation between infectious agents and AD hallmarks.
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    Special Guest Seminar with Prof. Hervé Le Hir

    Date:
    15
    Sunday
    May
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Title: The multiple facets of the Exon Junction Complex
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Hervé Le Hir
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Balanced activities of Atg2 and Atg24 regulate opening of the autophagic isolation membrane rim

    Date:
    10
    Tuesday
    May
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-10:30
    Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences
    Lecturer: Oren Shatz
    Organizer: Department of Biomolecular Sciences
    Contact: levana.ayvazo@weizmann.ac.il
    Abstract: Autophagy targets cytosolic portions to lysosomal degradation by sequestration i ... Read more Autophagy targets cytosolic portions to lysosomal degradation by sequestration into a de novo built isolation membrane. Using novel tools for molecular genetics in budding yeast, I show that these membranes expand in the shape of a round amphora with a narrow opening at the rim. Partial loss of Atg2 leads to widening of the rim by in situ activity of Atg24. Interestingly, Atg24 also promotes inflation of the autophagic vesicle and sequestration of large cargo. My work thus suggests a new topological model for isolation membrane expansion, wherein tight regulation of the rim by distinct molecules governs both the shape and the cargo of the autophagic vesicle.
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    Molecular Genetics Departmental seminar

    Date:
    08
    Sunday
    May
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Yehuda Danino & Tslil Braun
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: Sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    The genetics of genetics: dissecting recombination and meiosis in maize

    Date:
    26
    Tuesday
    April
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:30-12:45
    Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences
    Lecturer: Prof. Wojtek Pawlowski
    Organizer: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Contact: david.zeevi@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Host: Prof. Avi Levy

    Special guest seminar with Prof. Kent Søe

    Date:
    07
    Thursday
    April
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:30-14:30
    Title: Heterogeneity of human osteoclasts from a cellular to a patient perspective
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Prof. Kent Søe
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Physics Hybrid Colloquium

    Date:
    10
    Thursday
    March
    2022
    Colloquium
    Time: 11:15-12:30
    Title: Phase Separation in Biological Cells: lessons from and for physics
    Location: Edna and K.B. Weissman Building of Physical Sciences
    Lecturer: Prof. Samuel Safran
    Organizer: Faculty of Physics
    Contact: tamar.fuchs@weizmann.ac.il
    Abstract: Phase separation is generally a thermodynamic process in which a mixture reaches ... Read more Phase separation is generally a thermodynamic process in which a mixture reaches its lowest free energy state by self-assembling into meso- (or macro-) scale regions that are concentrated or dilute in a given molecular component. Familiar examples include the immiscibility of water and oil, the demixing of metal atoms in alloys, and the mesoscale formation of emulsions such as milk or paint. The fundamental physics behind both the equilibrium and non-equilibrium aspects of phase separation are well understood and this talk will begin with a brief review of those. A rapidly growing body of experiments suggests that phase separation is responsible for the formation of membraneless domains (also known as biomolecular condensates, with length scales on the order of microns) in biological cells. These compartments allow the cell to organize itself in space and can promote or inhibit biochemical reactions, provide regions in which macromolecular assemblies can form, or control the spatial organization of DNA (assembled with proteins as chromatin) in the cell nucleus. I will review some recent examples based on experiments done at the Weizmann Institute on phase separation of proteins and of chromatin in the nucleus and show how physics theory has led to their understanding. In the latter case, a new paradigm is emerging in which the genetic material is not necessarily uniformly distributed within the nucleus but separated into domains which in some cases, have a complex, “marshland”, mesoscale structure. But while many of the equilibrium aspects can be at least semi-quantitatively understood by extensions of statistical physics, biological systems often do not have constant overall compositions as is the case in the examples of oil-water, alloys and emulsions; for example, over time, the cell produces and degrades many proteins. The recent understanding of such strongly non-equilibrium effects has informed the theoretical physics of phase separation and has allowed us to establish a framework in which biological noise can be included. * Collaborations: Omar Arana-Adame, Gaurav Bajpai, Dan Deviri, Amit Kumar (Dept. Chemical and Biological Physics), group of Emmanuel Levy (Dept. Structural Biology) and group of Talila Volk (Dept. Molecular Genetics)
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    Department of Molecular Genetics departmental seminar

    Date:
    20
    Sunday
    February
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Location: Dolfi and Lola Ebner Auditorium
    Lecturer: Assaf Biran
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    15
    Tuesday
    February
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Title: “Mitochondrial enzymes in Toxoplasma - a complex story”
    Location: Zoom: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/96194061419?pwd=K0lmbEFHUlkzTTkxZ1daQ0
    Lecturer: Dr. Lilach Sheiner
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Dissecting temperature sensing and epigenetic switching using mathematical modelling and experiments

    Date:
    08
    Tuesday
    February
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:30
    Title: PES Dept. Special Guest Seminar
    Location: Zoom link:https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/97166592605?pwd=NVdrc1k4TDJBSXppTFY1Y0ViVzUxZz09 Meeting ID: 971 6659 2605 Password:782843
    Lecturer: Prof. Martin Howard
    Organizer: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Contact: david.zeevi@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Host: Dr.David Zeevi
    Abstract: We are studying the mechanistic basis of epigenetic regulation in the Polycomb s ... Read more We are studying the mechanistic basis of epigenetic regulation in the Polycomb system, a vital epigenetic silencing pathway that is widely conserved from flies to plants to humans. We use the process of vernalization in plants in our experiments, which involves memory of winter cold to permit flowering only when winter has passed via quantitative epigenetic silencing of the floral repressor FLC. Utilising this system has numerous advantages, including slow dynamics and the ability to read out mitotic heritability of expression states through clonal cell files in the roots. Using mathematical modelling and experiments (including ChIP and fluorescent reporter imaging), we have shown that FLC cold-induced silencing is essentially an all-or-nothing (bistable) digital process. The quantitative nature of vernalization is generated by digital chromatin-mediated FLC silencing in a subpopulation of cells whose number increases with the duration of cold. We have further shown that Polycomb-based epigenetic memory is indeed stored locally in the chromatin (in cis) via a dual fluorescent labelling approach. I will also discuss how further predictions from the modelling, including opposing chromatin modification states and extra protein memory storage elements, are being investigated. I will also discuss the mechanisms by which long term fluctuating temperature signals are sensed before being converted into digital chromatin states for long term memory storage.
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    Department of Molecular Genetics departmental seminar

    Date:
    06
    Sunday
    February
    2022
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Title: “Uncovering import pathways of mitochondrial proteins with unconventional targeting signals.” and “Capturing the Mammalian Bilaminar Disc”
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/93234264078?pwd=Rm45ZmN3aDFOWmphYndyRFFWR3hTdz09
    Lecturer: Yury Bykov and Oldak Bernardo
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    21
    Tuesday
    December
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:30-12:30
    Title: How a plastidial retrograde signaling metabolite reprograms plant adaptive-responses and developmental networks
    Location: Benoziyo Bldg. for Biological Sciences Auditorium - Floor 1
    Lecturer: Prof. Katayoon (Katie) Dehesh
    Organizer: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Contact: david.zeevi@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Host: Prof. Asaph Aharoni

    Molecular Genetics departmental seminar

    Date:
    28
    Sunday
    November
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-14:00
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Amit Kahana (lancet lab) Gabriela Lobinska (Pilpel lab)
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Correlating archaeology, geology, human evolution and genetics in the Kalahari: Some ideas from the southern fringe

    Date:
    25
    Thursday
    November
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:30-12:30
    Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences
    Lecturer: Prof. Michael Chazan
    Organizer: Scientific Archeology Unit
    Contact: lior.regev@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Zoom details: Meeting ID: 616-854-8886 Meeting password: 976012
    Correlating archaeology, geology, human evolution and genetics in the Kalahari: Some ideas from the southern fringe Lecture / Seminar website

    Special Guest seminar

    Date:
    24
    Wednesday
    November
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:00
    Title: “Origin, evolution and domestication of the budding yeast S. cerevisiae”
    Location: Zoom: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/99054616059?pwd=Vis4a1BQSnB1aUhJQ1hwN0ZwRzBqQT09 Meet ing ID: 9905 4616 059 Pas sword: 599698
    Lecturer: Prof. Gianni Liti
    Organizer: Azrieli Institute for Systems Biology
    Contact: evi.ben-ami@weizmnn.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    02
    Tuesday
    November
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Title: Self-organized morphogenesis of a stem-cell derived human neural tu
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/91871920099?pwd=Qm1kZzc2emV3cGQyekthNWFCOThWdz09
    Lecturer: Dr. Eyal Karzbrun
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Social Behavior in a Social Context: Lessons from Studying Genetic and Neuronal Manipulations affecting Social Behavior in a Complex Environment

    Date:
    19
    Tuesday
    October
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 10:00-11:00
    Lecturer: Noa Eren (PhD Thesis Defense)
    Organizer: Department of Brain Sciences
    Contact: naomi.moses@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Zoom link to join: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/94822556146?pwd=VnY2eDVGeWdSNmFCV ... Read more Zoom link to join: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/94822556146?pwd=VnY2eDVGeWdSNmFCVC9zZDVrWUtvUT09 Meeting ID: 948 2255 6146 Password: 884034
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    Abstract: As methods for highly specific and precise manipulations of genetics and neurona ... Read more As methods for highly specific and precise manipulations of genetics and neuronal activity become the standard in neuroscience, there is growing demand for behavioral paradigms to evolve as well, beyond the simplified and reductive tests which are commonly used. This is especially evident in social behavior, where standard testing paradigms are typically short, involve only a pair of animals, and take place in stimulus-poor environments. Here, we present a series of studies using the Social Box, an experimental setup developed in our lab to automatically track groups of mice living in an enriched environment over days, and extract dozens of behavioral readouts at the individual, dyadic, and group level. We manipulated neuronal populations expressing the socially-relevant neuropeptides oxytocin (OXT) and urocortin3 (UCN3), and utilized genetic mouse models of human disorders affecting sociability – autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) – to demonstrate the importance of the social context in studying mouse behavior. Repeated optogenetic activation of Oxt+ cells recapitulated the known effect of reducing aggressive behavior in the classical resident-intruder paradigm, but in a group of conspecifics it led to an increase in such behaviors on the second day of activation. In parallel, chemogenetic activation of Oxt+ or Ucn3+ cells, separately or together, increased aggressive behavior in the context of a territorial conflict. Finally, behavior of ASD-like mice was mediated by the group composition, such that single-genotype groups showed greater genotype separation in multi-behavioral space than mixed-genotype groups. These findings emphasize the importance of considering contextual and environmental factors when designing and interpreting behavioral studies, which could affect the translatability of findings from mouse to human. Zoom link to join: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/94822556146?pwd=VnY2eDVGeWdSNmFCVC9zZDVrWUtvUT09 Meeting ID: 948 2255 6146 Password: 884034
    Close abstract

    Special Guest Seminar - Dr. Tslil Ast

    Date:
    05
    Tuesday
    October
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 15:00-16:30
    Title: "Looking behind the iron curtain: Illuminating iron-sulfur cluster biology”
    Location: Dolfi and Lola Ebner Auditorium
    Lecturer: Dr. Tslil Ast
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Cell Biology
    Contact: michal.ovadia@weizmann.ac.il
    Gallery: Special Guest Seminar - Dr. Tslil Ast Gallery
    Special Guest Seminar - Dr. Tslil Ast Lecture / Seminar website

    Special guest seminar with Dr. Inna Ricardo-Lax

    Date:
    20
    Tuesday
    July
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 12:00-13:00
    Title: Efficient replication and single cycle delivery of SARS-CoV2 replicons
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Dr. Inna Ricardo-Lax
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: Zoom details: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/94562562763?pwd=NFRmZkNHWUVONjN3dGxoUjJ ... Read more Zoom details: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/94562562763?pwd=NFRmZkNHWUVONjN3dGxoUjJuQ2U5QT09 Meeting ID: 945 6256 2763 Password: 429057
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    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    12
    Monday
    July
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 15:00-16:30
    Title: Beyond Darwin: understanding cancer persister cells
    Lecturer: Dr. Yaara Oren
    Organizer: Life Sciences
    Contact: lili.kasumov@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/97339959821?pwd=QkloVEFNVGMwWjlzMWRrSTQyMUZhQT09

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    12
    Monday
    July
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:00-12:00
    Title: The ribosome supracomplex: a new therapeutic target in viral infection and neurodegeneration
    Location: Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences
    Lecturer: Dr. Ranen Aviner
    Organizer: Department of Biomolecular Sciences
    Contact: Bracha.ragen@weizmann.ac.il

    Molecular Genetics departmental seminar with Omri Gilhar

    Date:
    27
    Sunday
    June
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Omri Gilhar
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Molecular Genetics Departmental seminar with Nancy Yacovzada

    Date:
    20
    Sunday
    June
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Nancy Yacovzada
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Molecular Genetics Departmental seminar with Daoud Sheiban

    Date:
    13
    Sunday
    June
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-13:30
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Daoud Sheiban
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Molecular Genetics Departmental seminar with Yotam David

    Date:
    06
    Sunday
    June
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-13:30
    Title: Identification of novel Golgi contact sites proteins using high throughput screening yeast
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Yotam David
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Molecular Genetics Departmental seminar with Sveta Markman

    Date:
    30
    Sunday
    May
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00
    Title: Limb development through the lens of single cell analysis
    Location: Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building for Biomedical Research
    Lecturer: Svetlana Markman
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Molecular Genetics Departmental Seminar

    Date:
    11
    Sunday
    April
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-13:30
    Title: Identifying an RNA binding protein with suggested functions in translation during embryonic stem cell differentiation
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/98861386247?pwd=YXR2aEFxaU9QYUo1NEtJbFgxTTgzUT09
    Lecturer: Nadav Goldberg
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Molecular Genetics Departmental Seminar

    Date:
    04
    Sunday
    April
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-13:30
    Title: Deciphering genetic determinants of sexual mating and its effects on evolution
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/92437760766?pwd=UERKWEFWYkoxb1FTM0dvVCszUkdqdz09
    Lecturer: Sivan Kaminski
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Department of Molecular Genetics departmental seminar

    Date:
    21
    Sunday
    March
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-13:30
    Title: “Watching translocation as it occurs: A new approach to study protein targeting”
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/96948336875?pwd=Q3Bva1hldHdWVk85a2JZeDIxMUZBdz09
    Lecturer: Nir Cohen
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Department of Molecular Genetics departmental seminar

    Date:
    14
    Sunday
    March
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-13:30
    Title: “Quantitative analysis by 3D MAPs reveals new cell morphogenetic behaviors which drive bone growth”
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/97246877306?pwd=R1FSemROR3hseTNWRDhQeVNBSExWZz09
    Lecturer: Sarah Rubin
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Department of Molecular Genetics department seminar

    Date:
    07
    Sunday
    March
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00-13:30
    Title: “Ambiguity resolution in the TGFb/ BMP pathways through combinatorial SMAD complex formation”
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/92440011671?pwd=Yk9kQUpqWkJnUmFMRUlnT0NaSlliUT09
    Lecturer: Johannes Auth
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Molecular Genetics Departmental Seminar

    Date:
    14
    Sunday
    February
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 13:00
    Title: Finding new targets: the evolutionary fate of Transcription Factor paralogs
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/91052387562?pwd=b2FpVG9UQTdROUVVaXRIK0pKa2hZdz09
    Lecturer: Tamar Gera
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: sandra.britton@weizmann.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    11
    Monday
    January
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 16:00-17:30
    Title: "Dietary sulfur amino acids modulate kidney function and anti-tumor immunity via the gut microbiota"
    Lecturer: Dr. Lior Lobel
    Organizer: Life Sciences
    Contact: lili.kasumov@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/96460895671?pwd=VktPaXNSR3lyNUVBZktzRnB3Rys5UT09 Mee ... Read more https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/96460895671?pwd=VktPaXNSR3lyNUVBZktzRnB3Rys5UT09 Meeting ID: 964 6089 5671 Password: 599560
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    Special zoom joint guest seminar

    Date:
    07
    Thursday
    January
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 11:00-12:00
    Title: “The mystery of the malaria plastid: Molecular Genetics to the Rescue”
    Location: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/99687213443?pwd=bUZoV2R3UmorNmxUREdYTnNTd3BUQT09
    Lecturer: Dr. Anat Florentin
    Organizer: Department of Molecular Genetics
    Contact: Evi.ben-ami@weizmann.ac.il

    Special Guest Seminar

    Date:
    03
    Sunday
    January
    2021
    Lecture / Seminar
    Time: 15:00-16:30
    Title: "Socializing with the Neighbors: Stem Cells Reshape Their Environment to Coordinate Tissue Regeneration."
    Lecturer: Dr. Shiri Gur-Cohen
    Organizer: Life Sciences
    Contact: lili.kasumov@weizmann.ac.il
    Details: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/99093074201?pwd=N2hVRjQvRk10cEFGS2R3SkFTWFgwQT09 Mee ... Read more https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/99093074201?pwd=N2hVRjQvRk10cEFGS2R3SkFTWFgwQT09 Meeting ID: 990 9307 4201 Password: 319779
    Close details