Scientific Events

Mechanisms of early cancer cell dissemination, dormancy and metastasis Cancer patients presumed cured after primary tumor removal and therapy, can carry non-proliferating ‘dormant’ disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) for years before reactivating to form incurable metastasis. I focused on understanding the biology of dormant DTCs and their reactivation, to target them and prevent relapse. This contrasts to the vast majority of cancer research, which focuses on understanding constant cancer growth. My team led a paradigm shift that is revealing a novel…

Breaking Bad: Lysine methyl signaling in chromatin and cancer regulation The main focus of the Gozani laboratory is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which protein lysine methylation regulates chromatin biology, epigenetics, and cellular signaling, and how disruption in these mechanisms contribute to cancer and other diseases. We study how lysine methylation events on histone and non-histone proteins are generated, sensed, and transduced, and how these chemical marks integrate with other modification and cellular signaling networks to govern diverse functions.…

Small molecule manipulation of Gbg subunit signaling: Biasing signals downstream of G protein–coupled receptors Our laboratory has identified a number of small molecules that bind to Gbg subunits and selectively modify signaling responses downstream of GPCRs that signal at least in part through Gbg.  I will discuss the initial discovery and validation of prototype compounds and application of compounds that inhibit Gbg signaling in animal models of therapeutics, with a focus on inflammatory disease.  Finally I will discuss our progress…

Title TBD Speaker Information Cun-Yu Wang, DDS, Ph.D. Professor Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. No-Hee Park Endowed Chair in Dentistry University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry Time & Location 12:00 pm at Van Andel Institute Conference Room 3104/3105 VARI Host: Tao Yang, Ph.D. Questions? For questions, please contact Kim Cousineau at 616.234.5684.    

Title TBD Speaker Information Susan Ackerman, Ph.D. Steven W. Kuffler Chair of Biology, University of California, San Diego Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Time & Location 12:00 pm at Van Andel Institute Conference Room 3104/3105 VARI Host: Postdoctoral Association Questions? For questions, please contact Kim Cousineau at 616.234.5684.