Events
CEMINAR
The most important community-oriented activity we sponsor is CEMINAR, formerly MicroMorning, a monthly seminar series where students and postdocs in the CEMI program present their work. Usually 2 individuals present 20-25 min talks (+ 5 min questions) to fill the hour, but on rare occasions we invite an outside speaker. CEMINAR is primarily designed to provide CEMI students and postdocs with an opportunity to practice giving a formal talk to a friendly Caltech audience. Numerous collaborations have been sparked between labs at Caltech thanks to creative connections made during these seminars. View past CEMINARS
CEMINAR
CEMINAR is on the second Wednesday of every month.
4:00-5:00pm Chen 100
5:00-5:30pm Socializing (snacks and drinks will be provided)
UPCOMING
Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 4:00 pm
4:00-5:00pm Chen 100
5:00-5:30pm Socializing (snacks and drinks will be provided)
"Development of systemic rAAV tools for regenerative spiny mouse central and peripheral nervous systems"
Jin Hyung (Alex) Chung
Gradinaru Lab
Spiny mice (genus Acomys) demonstrate a remarkable capability to regenerate post injury, and understanding this process could inform future therapeutic approaches. To broaden our understanding of regeneration in the spiny mouse, we need non-invasive systemic gene delivery vectors. Here, we characterized the transduction profiles of engineered rAAVs in the central nervous system and of spiny mice following systemic administration. We found that MaCPNS1 transduced neurons and astrocytes in the brain of the spiny mouse. Together, our results demonstrate that MaCPNS1 can serve as a strong basis for the investigation of the role of the nervous system in regeneration.
"Altered microbial communities and their impacts on pathophysiology in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease"
Anastasiya (Ana) Moiseyenko
Mazmanian Lab
In Parkinson’s disease (PD) gastrointestinal (GI) distress precedes motor dysfunction onset by over a decade. The PD microbiome is significantly altered with decreased abundances of commensal microbes, which drives disease phenotypes. By reintroducing depleted commensal bacteria, we aim to rescue pathology through a neuroimmune pathway. Indeed, this supplementation has therapeutic effects on motor and GI dysfunction in a mouse model of PD. Current treatments for PD have many side effects, do not address non-motor symptoms, and do not slow the progression of disease. Therefore, microbial therapeutics can be extremely valuable for PD treatment.
Social Events
In addition to CEMINAR, CEMI sponsors social events during the academic year:
Fall Poster Sessions: All CEMI labs present one or more posters on their lab’s research. This helps incoming/current students and postdocs remain up-to-date on that latest research projects going on across the campus. One attractive feature of Caltech is that students admitted in any graduate program are welcome to rotate in any lab (as long as the lab is taking students), so this poster session can open up new interests and areas for exploration. It also can spawn new collaborations between labs.
Spring Lectures and Evening Gala: To celebrate the start of the calendar year, we invite a keynote speaker from outside Caltech to give a seminar, plus a few shorter talks by assistant professors or postdocs at Caltech and other local universities. These “Spring Lectures” are open to anyone interested. As a companion event, we hold a formal gathering for a limited number of CEMI sponsors, faculty, and students and postdocs currently being supported by CEMI grants. The evening’s entertainment is organized by a different CEMI lab each year, and the evening culminates with a presentation of the “CEMI Oscars” (we are close to Hollywood, after all…), roasting CEMI members for notable achievements in the past year, all in good fun. View past lectures
Spring Happy Hour: In recognition of the fact that sometimes the most inspired ideas come when we least expect them, we promote casual conversation between all members of the CEMI community supplemented with drinks and food at the start of the spring term (no posters required!).
CEMI Spring Celebration of Science: This hour-long science program featured short lightning talks from CEMI graduate students and postdocs followed by time to talk with the speakers and socialize with our CEMI colleagues. The inaugural event was held on May 12, 2021.
Workshops
CEMI occasionally supports training courses at Caltech that provide members of the CEMI community with an opportunity for intensive training in a particular area. Any member of the CEMI community is welcome to suggest a topic for a workshop. Please contact the CEMI administrator if you have an idea. View past workshops