On September 18^th, 2012, the Molecular and Cell Biology graduate students supported by our  Genetics Training Grant from NIGMS will be hosting a symposium entitled “Stem Cell Genetics: Insights and Applications”. We will be joined by four distinguished scientists who will be presenting their recent work:

Rudolf Jaenisch (Whitehead Institute), our Keynote Speaker, will speak to us about the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in development and cell differentiation;
Constance Cepko (Harvard Medical School) will present her work on the development and degeneration of the vertebrate central nervous system, using the retina as a model;
Fernando Camargo (Harvard Stem Cell Institute) will talk about the molecular basis of tissue size regulation and the role of transcription factors and micro RNAs in hematopoietic stem cell fate;
Konrad Hochedlinger (MGH) will present work on mechanisms underlying pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and nuclear reprogramming.

The talks will take place in the Shapiro Campus Center Theater, and we also invite you to join us at the subsequent Poster Session and Reception. Current and former trainees supported by the Genetics Training Grant will be presenting posters from 3:40 to 5:00 PM on the 2^nd floor of the Shapiro Science Center. In addition, all life sciences graduate students are encouraged to present posters.

The entire event is free and open to the public. For planning purposes, we ask anyone attending the symposium and/or presenting a poster to pre-register at http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/gtg_symposium/ by September 10^th, 2012. You can also visit this website to see the symposium schedule, and to see the list of poster titles after registration is complete.

Please join us for this exciting symposium showcasing genetics at Brandeis!

Blanca Carbajal-Gonzalez
Marissa Donovan
Adam Johnston
Cara Pina
Andy Russell
Mike Spellberg