Upcoming Seminars

The cellular and molecular basis of touch sensation in mammals

2:00 PM - Friday, December 4

Ellen Lumpkin, Ph.D.
Neuroscience, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Molecular and Human Genetics
Baylor College of Medicine

The goal of our research is to discover mechanotransduction molecules that initiate touch sensation in mammals. Much of our effort focuses on mammalian Merkel cell-neurite complexes, which are exquisitely sensitive touch receptors that encode object shape and fine textures. Merkel cells are enigmatic epidermal cells first described in 1875. The role that these cells play in touch reception has been the subject of controversy for 40 years. Based on morphology, Merkel cells are proposed to be mechanosensory cells that transduce force into membrane-potential changes, and then signal afferent neurons through synaptic transmission. To test this hypothesis, we use mouse genetics, in vitro systems and intact electrophysiological recordings. Our in vitro studies have demonstrated that Merkel cells are force-sensitive and that voltage-activated channels open downstream of mechanical stimuli. To determine whether Merkel cells are necessary for touch responses in the intact skin, we generated mice that selectively lack Merkel cells in the body skin. With intact electrophysiological recordings, we demonstrated a complete absence of one class of light-touch responses in these mice. Collectively, these results suggest that Merkel cells are required for appropriate sensory coding of light touch and pave the way to discover touch transduction mechanisms.

Linking Mechanics to Biochemistry in Molecular and Cellular Behavior through Nano- and Micro-technology

2:00 PM - Wednesday, December 9

Philip R. LeDuc, Ph.D.
Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, and Biological Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University

The link between mechanics and biochemistry has been implicated in a myriad of scientific and medical problems, from orthopaedics and cardiovascular medicine, to cell motility and division, to signal transduction and gene expression. Most of these studies have been focused on organ-level issues, yet cellular and molecular research has become essential over the last decade in this field thanks to the revolutionary developments in microelectronics, genetics, biotechnology, and information technology. Here, I will present some of our latest work with nano- and micro- technology developments that are being patented and how they are being used to probe scientific questions related to cellular and molecular structure. I will illustrate why the link between mechanics and biochemistry matters to biology and medicine with respect to the structural regulation and control-feedback approaches in living cells. Also, I will talk about novel approaches to technology development through focusing on nature inspired design principles at the molecular and cellular levels. Furthermore, by combining novel approaches through engineering and technology, these multidisciplinary ideas can make a significant impact to the studies on human health and diseases as well as have applications in entrepreneurial enterprises.

TBA

2:00 PM - Friday, January 8

Michael Sailor, Ph.D.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of California, San Diego

UC San Diego, Department of Bioengineering

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