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Mar
6
BME Seminar Series: Dr. Anders Sejr Hansen
McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
4:00 PM Tech L361, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILSmore info
Dynamics of 3D Genome Structure and Function
ABSTRACT:
3D genome structure regulates gene expression by regulating the interactions between enhancers and promoters. CTCF and loop-extruding cohesins fold the genome into loops and domains known as Topologically Associating Domains (TADs). However, whether these domains were stable or dynamic was not clear. First, we will briefly discuss our recent work live-imaging work quantifying the dynamics of CTCF- and cohesin-mediated chromatin looping and the implications of our finding that these loops are both highly dynamic (~10-30 min median lifetime) and rare (~3%-6.5% looped fraction).
Second, motivated by understanding the degree of selectivity for interactions between enhancers and promoters, we will discuss more recent work and unpublished focused on quantifying the interactions between enhancers and promoters (E-P). Specifically, Hi-C has poor sensitivity and depth for capturing E-P interactions. To overcome this limitation, we have developed Region-Capture Micro-C (RCMC) to generate the deepest 3D genome structure maps reported so far. With RCMC, we find extensive multi-way looping interactions between enhancers and promoters that are largely independent of loop extrusion. Instead, our results suggest that E-P interactions form through a compartmentalization mechanism and we therefore refer to these fine-scale interactions as “microcompartments”. We will also discuss recent unpublished work on how E-P interactions dynamically form upon mitotic exit and recent applications of machine learning to impute 3D genome structure. Finally, we will integrate these observations to present our current view for how the cell regulates which enhancers interact with and activate which genes.
BIO:
Anders obtained his undergraduate and Master’s degree in Chemistry at Oxford University in 2010. He received his PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from Harvard University in 2015, where he worked with Erin O’Shea and applied systems biology approaches to understand how cells can encode and transmit information in the dynamics of transcription factor activation. For his post-doc at UC Berkeley with Robert Tjian and Xavier Darzacq, Anders developed new imaging approaches to track single proteins in living cells and applied these to understand the mechanisms of key architectural proteins involved in 3D genome organization.
Anders began his independent lab at MIT in 2020 where he is currently an Associate Professor of Biological Engineering. The Hansen lab is broadly interested in 3D genome structure and function, and develops new super-resolution and single-molecule imaging methods to track chromatin looping, transcription, and protein dynamics in living cells as well as new 3D genome structure mapping methods. Current application areas of interest include the dynamics of chromatin looping and transcription, how misfolding of the genome causes disease, the basic mechanisms of 3D genome folding, and synthetic 3D genome biology.
Anders has won several awards including an NIH Director’s New Innovator award (2020), a Pew-Stewart Scholar for Cancer Research award (2021), an NSF CAREER award (2024), and an NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award (2024).
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TIME Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION Tech L361, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Kate Heidelberger    kate.heidelberger@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
Mar
15
Winter Classes End
University Academic Calendar
All Day
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Winter Classes End
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TIME Saturday, March 15, 2025
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CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
Mar
17
Winter exams begin
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Winter exams begin
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TIME Monday, March 17, 2025
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CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
Mar
22
Spring Break Begins
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Spring Break Begins
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TIME Saturday, March 22, 2025
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CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
Mar
31
Spring Break Ends
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Spring Break Ends
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TIME Monday, March 31, 2025
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CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
Apr
1
Spring Classes Begin - Northwestern Monday: Classes scheduled to meet on Mondays meet on this day.
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Spring Classes Begin - Northwestern Monday: Classes scheduled to meet on Mondays meet on this day.
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TIME Tuesday, April 1, 2025
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CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
Apr
3
BME Seminar Series: Dr. Chi Zhang
McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
4:00 PM Tech L361, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILSmore info
"Chemically Selective Imaging and Precision Control of Biomolecular Functions in Live Cells"
Abstract:
Understanding complex biological functions and tracking pathological changes require precise measurement of chemical compositions in biological systems. Recent advancements in optical microscopy have enabled high-resolution mapping of physical and chemical properties, with Coherent Raman Scattering (CRS) microscopy emerging as a powerful technique for imaging lipids and pharmaceutical compounds in biological samples. In this presentation, I will briefly highlight recent technological breakthroughs and key insights from my research group in CRS spectroscopy and microscopy.
The primary focus of this talk will be on Real-Time Precision Opto-Control (RPOC), an innovative technology for site-specific, chemically selective control of subcellular processes with submicron precision. RPOC extends beyond passive chemical imaging by enabling active, localized optical regulation, including the generation of reactive oxygen species, drug activation, photo-uncaging of small molecules, regulation of cell division, and selective cell elimination. These capabilities have provided new insights into site-specific molecular functions and enable sub-organelle-level microsurgery in live cells. In zebrafish embryos, RPOC further enhances the control and analysis of calcium waves induced by ATP uncaging and tissue wounding. I will discuss the development and applications of RPOC, highlighting its potential impact on biological and medical research.
Bio:
Dr. Chi Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Purdue University. He earned his Ph.D. in 2014 from the University of Michigan, specializing in surface nonlinear optical spectroscopy. From 2014 to 2020, his postdoctoral work at Purdue University, Boston University, and the University of Illinois focused on nonlinear optical spectroscopy and imaging for biomedical research. He began his independent research career at Purdue University in 2020, within the Analytical Division of the Chemistry Department.
Dr. Zhang’s current research focuses on developing novel optical imaging and opto-control technologies for biological applications. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and holds five patents. His lab specializes in Raman spectroscopy, coherent Raman scattering microscopy, and fluorescence imaging. In addition, his lab has pioneered Real-Time Precision Opto-Control (RPOC) technology, which enables precision optical control of chemical processes in live biological samples. His research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, Merck & Co., BASF, the Purdue Trask Foundation, the Showalter Foundation, and the Center for Bioanalytical Metrology. Notably, he received the Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) with 2 Million in support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Additionally, Dr. Zhang is the Founder of Photokinesis LLC, a company dedicated to the commercialization of advanced optical control technologies.
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TIME Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION Tech L361, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Kate Heidelberger    kate.heidelberger@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
Apr
10
BME Seminar Series: Student Presentations (pt. 1)
McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
4:00 PM L361, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILSmore info
Coming soon!
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TIME Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION L361, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Kate Heidelberger    kate.heidelberger@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
Apr
17
BME Seminar Series: Dr. Ross Ethier
McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
4:00 PM Tech L361, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILSmore info
“Stretch-sensitive ion channels and aqueous humor dynamics in glaucoma”
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TIME Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION Tech L361, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Kate Heidelberger    kate.heidelberger@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
Apr
24
BME Seminar Series: Student Presentations (pt. 2)
McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
4:00 PM L361, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILSmore info
Coming soon!
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TIME Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION L361, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Kate Heidelberger    kate.heidelberger@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
May
1
BME Seminar Series: Dr. Robert Rose
McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
4:00 PM Tech L361, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILSmore info
Coming Soon!
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TIME Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION Tech L361, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Kate Heidelberger    kate.heidelberger@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
May
8
BME Seminar Series: Student Presentations (pt. 3)
McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
4:00 PM L361, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILSmore info
Coming Soon!
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TIME Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION L361, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Kate Heidelberger    kate.heidelberger@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)
 
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