Genomics Approaches to Understanding Metabolism and Memory
Event details
| Date | 28.01.2025 |
| Hour | 13:30 › 14:30 |
| Speaker | Wenfei Sun, Ph.D., Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA (USA) |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
ONE-DAY METABOLISM MINI-SYMPOSIUM
(talk four / previous talk / next talk)
Abstract:
Obesity and dementia pose urgent public health challenges worldwide, demanding deeper insights into their shared and distinct biological underpinnings. In this talk, I will present how “omics” approaches—ranging from epigenetic sequencing and metabolomic profiling to single-cell and spatial transcriptomics—can illuminate the regulatory networks that shape both systemic metabolism and memory formation. Specifically, I will discuss recent findings on the epigenetic control of thermogenesis and the cellular interactions within adipose tissue, alongside discoveries that unravel the molecular basis of memory. By integrating these strands, my research reveals cellular cross-talk during metabolic processes and cognitive function. Understanding these connections paves the way for novel diagnostics and therapies, offering a comprehensive framework for tackling metabolic syndromes and cognitive decline. Ultimately, this integrative perspective bridges the gap between metabolism and memory, providing actionable insights that could transform our approach to obesity-related complications and dementia.
Bio:
Wenfei Sun is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratories of Dr. Stephen Quake and Dr. Thomas Südhof at Stanford University, where he investigates the cellular and molecular architecture of memory. Before joining Stanford, he earned his Doctor of Sciences from ETH Zürich under the mentorship of Dr. Christian Wolfrum, receiving the ETH Medal for his doctoral work. Wenfei has pioneered genomics tools to explore epigenetic dynamics and metabolic circuits in mammalian thermogenesis, achievements recognized by prestigious honors such as the Pfizer Research Prize and the Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists.
Zoom link for attending remotely, if needed: https://epfl.zoom.us/j/68708003718
(talk four / previous talk / next talk)
Abstract:
Obesity and dementia pose urgent public health challenges worldwide, demanding deeper insights into their shared and distinct biological underpinnings. In this talk, I will present how “omics” approaches—ranging from epigenetic sequencing and metabolomic profiling to single-cell and spatial transcriptomics—can illuminate the regulatory networks that shape both systemic metabolism and memory formation. Specifically, I will discuss recent findings on the epigenetic control of thermogenesis and the cellular interactions within adipose tissue, alongside discoveries that unravel the molecular basis of memory. By integrating these strands, my research reveals cellular cross-talk during metabolic processes and cognitive function. Understanding these connections paves the way for novel diagnostics and therapies, offering a comprehensive framework for tackling metabolic syndromes and cognitive decline. Ultimately, this integrative perspective bridges the gap between metabolism and memory, providing actionable insights that could transform our approach to obesity-related complications and dementia.
Bio:
Wenfei Sun is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratories of Dr. Stephen Quake and Dr. Thomas Südhof at Stanford University, where he investigates the cellular and molecular architecture of memory. Before joining Stanford, he earned his Doctor of Sciences from ETH Zürich under the mentorship of Dr. Christian Wolfrum, receiving the ETH Medal for his doctoral work. Wenfei has pioneered genomics tools to explore epigenetic dynamics and metabolic circuits in mammalian thermogenesis, achievements recognized by prestigious honors such as the Pfizer Research Prize and the Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists.
Zoom link for attending remotely, if needed: https://epfl.zoom.us/j/68708003718
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
- Prof. Kristina Schoonjans, & Prof. Bart Deplancke, School of Life Sciences, EPFL
Contact
- Institute of Bioengineering (IBI), Dietrich REINHARD