Plasticity in Differentiation – How do Cells Stahl for Time in the Decision Making Process?
| Dates: | 15 March 2016 |
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| Times: | 13:00 - 14:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Life Sciences |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Current University students |
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| Speaker: | Professor Joshua Brickman |
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Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are immortal cell lines derived from the peri-implantation mammalian embryo. Both ESCs and the embryos from which they are derived are remarkable, in that individual cells retrain the capacity to begin developmental anew, despite having undergone a degree of patterning or differentiation. What is the basis for this plasticity at a transcriptional level? We have identified two new mechanisms regulating this process. The first involves a protective activity of Polycomb co-repressor complexes, that enables transcriptional up regulation in the absence of commitment. The second relies on the reversible disengagement of RNA PolII from specific promoters in response to signalling. I will discuss these mechanisms and how they impact on the capacity of ESCs to retain their plasticity in self renewal.
Speaker
Professor Joshua Brickman
Organisation: University of Copenhagen
Travel and Contact Information
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Michael Smith Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester
