Molecular Interrogation of the Surface Signaling in the Brain; From Light-Gated Signaling to Cancer
Event details
Date | 29.02.2024 |
Hour | 10:15 › 11:15 |
Speaker | Yoon Seok Kim, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar, Dept of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (USA) |
Location | Online |
Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Event Language | English |
BIOENGINEERING SEMINAR
Abstract:
How neurons translate external stimuli into intricate information is a pivotal question in neuroscience. My research focuses on exploring the role of cell-surface proteins in neuronal signaling. In this presentation, I will first describe the structural and molecular mechanisms of light-gated ion channels, which are vital for the precise control of neuronal activity. Next, I will present my work on understanding the unconventional K+-selectivity within light-gated signaling proteins, which are promising approaches of inhibitory modulation. Thirdly, I will discuss my efforts in developing genetic methods to fine-tune the biophysical properties of neuronal membranes through a combination of chemical and molecular engineering. Finally, I will highlight the recent discovery of cell-surface pathways in pediatric brain cancer cells that are responsible for activity-driven brain cancer growth. Taken together, these works represent advancements in our understanding of cell surface neurobiology, addressing both basic and clinical aspects.
Bio:
Yoon received his Bachelor's degree in neurobiology in 2013 and his M.S. in biology in 2014 from Stanford University. During his Masters degree, He studied the biochemistry of postsynaptic and presynaptic membrane proteins in Thomas Sudhof's lab. He then joined the Bioengineering Ph.D. program at Stanford, co-advised by Dr. Karl Deisseroth and Dr. Brian Kobilk. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Bioengineering in 2020 he became a Postdoctoral Scholar in Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University's Department of Bioengineering and School of Medicine.
Zoom link for attending remotely, if needed: https://epfl.zoom.us/j/65840790132
Abstract:
How neurons translate external stimuli into intricate information is a pivotal question in neuroscience. My research focuses on exploring the role of cell-surface proteins in neuronal signaling. In this presentation, I will first describe the structural and molecular mechanisms of light-gated ion channels, which are vital for the precise control of neuronal activity. Next, I will present my work on understanding the unconventional K+-selectivity within light-gated signaling proteins, which are promising approaches of inhibitory modulation. Thirdly, I will discuss my efforts in developing genetic methods to fine-tune the biophysical properties of neuronal membranes through a combination of chemical and molecular engineering. Finally, I will highlight the recent discovery of cell-surface pathways in pediatric brain cancer cells that are responsible for activity-driven brain cancer growth. Taken together, these works represent advancements in our understanding of cell surface neurobiology, addressing both basic and clinical aspects.
Bio:
Yoon received his Bachelor's degree in neurobiology in 2013 and his M.S. in biology in 2014 from Stanford University. During his Masters degree, He studied the biochemistry of postsynaptic and presynaptic membrane proteins in Thomas Sudhof's lab. He then joined the Bioengineering Ph.D. program at Stanford, co-advised by Dr. Karl Deisseroth and Dr. Brian Kobilk. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Bioengineering in 2020 he became a Postdoctoral Scholar in Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University's Department of Bioengineering and School of Medicine.
Zoom link for attending remotely, if needed: https://epfl.zoom.us/j/65840790132
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
Contact
- Institute of Bioengineering (IBI), Dietrich REINHARD