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
4:00-5:00pm Chen 130
5:00-5:30pm Socializing (snacks and drinks will be provided)
UPCOMING
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 2023 at 4:00-5:00pm
4:00-5:00pm Chen 130
5:00-5:30pm Socializing (snacks and drinks will be provided)
"Enzymatic nitrogen insertion into aliphatic C–H bonds"
Shilong Gao
Arnold Lab
Functionalizing aliphatic C–H bonds, ubiquitous in molecular structures, could allow ready access to diverse chemical products. While enzymatic processes for oxygenation of C–H bonds are well established, analogous strategies for nitrogen functionalization are unknown; nature relies on pre-oxidized compounds for nitrogen incorporation. In biology, various classes of enzymes catalyze challenging C–H functionalization reactions. Iconic examples are the cytochrome P450 heme monooxygenases that perform selective hydroxylation of substrates using molecular oxygen, brought about by an active site iron–oxo species. Inspired by the natural oxidative process of heme enzyme, we successfully repurposed heme enzyme variants to generate an iron-nitrogen intermediate for new-to-nature amination reactivities.
"Sequencing-based mutagenesis screening of C. elegans identifies modifiers of let-23 EGFR signaling"
Hillel Schwartz
Sternberg Lab
We developed a sequencing-based mutagenesis screening method in C. elegans. We sequenced individual phenotypic animals and selected candidate mutations based on enrichment of the affected gene, close proximity of the mutations within the gene, or examination of genes already implicated in the relevant biology. We screened for suppressor mutations that delay the early paralyzed lethality caused by loss of let-23 EGFR. 27 mutations identified eight genes that mutate to suppress this lethality: a mutation in let-60 Ras previously uncharacterized in C. elegans and seven novel modifiers of let-23 signaling, three of which have human homologs implicated in epithelial cancer.
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.
Winter 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 “Winter 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 winter 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