‘Particle Genetics’: Treating Every Cell as Unique
Event details
| Date | 25.03.2014 |
| Hour | 11:00 |
| Speaker | Gaël Yvert, Ph.D., École Normale Supérieure, Lyon (F) |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
BIOENGINEERING SEMINAR
Abstract:
We are exploring a novel angle of genetics by studying how genotypes shape the statistical properties of single-cell phenotypic traits. Using yeast as an experimental model system, we found that natural genetic backgrounds confer different statistical properties of single-cell molecular and cellular traits. For example, some wild yeast strains display elevated cell-cell trait variability as compared to other strains. Genomic loci causing probabilistic changes can be identified, illustrating that QTL scans can be extended to a probabilistic framework where cellular individualities are considered. In multicellular organisms, this non-deterministic approach may be particularly appropriate to study macroscopic phenotypes that emerge from rare cells, such as cancer. I will also present a technology able to track the metabolic activity of single yeast cells in real time, which offers exciting perspectives to screen for microorganisms of industrial potential.
Bio:
1992-1995: École Polytechnique (Palaiseau, Paris, France)
1995-1996: Diplôme d'Étude Approfondie (DEA) in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Pasteur University, Strasbourg (F)
Research topic: Cloning of the gene responsible for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2
Mentor: Jean-Louis Mandel, Institut Génétique de Biologie Moléculaire Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch
1996-2000: Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Title: Neurodegenerative diseases due to polyglutamine expansions: identification of two causative genes and development of animal models.
Mentor: Jean-Louis Mandel, IGBMC.
2001-2002: Postdoc at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA (USA)
Fellowship from the Human Frontier Science Program
Research topic: Genetics of genome expression regulation in yeast
Mentor: Leonid Kruglyak
2003: Hired at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); joined group of Jean-Marie François in Toulouse (F)
2005: Launches group "Genetics of Intra-Species Variations" at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
Supported by Young Investigator grant (ATIP) from CNRS
2007: "HDR" Degree, French post-Ph.D. diploma allowing to supervise research programs
2007-2010: consultant for Lesaffre International
2011: Promoted to CNRS Director of Research (DR2)
Speaker's Lab homepage
Abstract:
We are exploring a novel angle of genetics by studying how genotypes shape the statistical properties of single-cell phenotypic traits. Using yeast as an experimental model system, we found that natural genetic backgrounds confer different statistical properties of single-cell molecular and cellular traits. For example, some wild yeast strains display elevated cell-cell trait variability as compared to other strains. Genomic loci causing probabilistic changes can be identified, illustrating that QTL scans can be extended to a probabilistic framework where cellular individualities are considered. In multicellular organisms, this non-deterministic approach may be particularly appropriate to study macroscopic phenotypes that emerge from rare cells, such as cancer. I will also present a technology able to track the metabolic activity of single yeast cells in real time, which offers exciting perspectives to screen for microorganisms of industrial potential.
Bio:
1992-1995: École Polytechnique (Palaiseau, Paris, France)
1995-1996: Diplôme d'Étude Approfondie (DEA) in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Pasteur University, Strasbourg (F)
Research topic: Cloning of the gene responsible for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2
Mentor: Jean-Louis Mandel, Institut Génétique de Biologie Moléculaire Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch
1996-2000: Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Title: Neurodegenerative diseases due to polyglutamine expansions: identification of two causative genes and development of animal models.
Mentor: Jean-Louis Mandel, IGBMC.
2001-2002: Postdoc at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA (USA)
Fellowship from the Human Frontier Science Program
Research topic: Genetics of genome expression regulation in yeast
Mentor: Leonid Kruglyak
2003: Hired at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); joined group of Jean-Marie François in Toulouse (F)
2005: Launches group "Genetics of Intra-Species Variations" at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
Supported by Young Investigator grant (ATIP) from CNRS
2007: "HDR" Degree, French post-Ph.D. diploma allowing to supervise research programs
2007-2010: consultant for Lesaffre International
2011: Promoted to CNRS Director of Research (DR2)
Speaker's Lab homepage
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free