Start
Sep 18, 2014 - 17:00
End
Sep 18, 2014 - 18:00
Venue
Room 118 Chemical Engg.
Event Type
Speaker
Dr. Jyotsna Dhawan Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology Hyderabad
Abstract : We are interested in how cells attain and maintain the temporarily arrested or quiescent state typical of adult stem cells. In contrast to proliferating cells where the dynamic drama of DNA replication and chromosome segregation play out or differentiated cells which permanently eschew proliferation in favour of tissue-specific functions; these dormant or quiescent cells execute a balancing act which permits them to retain their potency for tissue repair yet not elaborate those functions until called upon by injury. The quiescence program benefits the organism in that a reserve stem cell pool is available for future unpredictable bouts of repair but the mechanisms by which quiescent cells prevent the expression of tissue-specific genes are not well defined. Quiescent cells must deploy memory mechanisms if they are to fulfil their regenerative role; when activated these previously dormant cells must remember their identity as cell type-specific progenitors. Mechano-chemical signalling pathways appear to be linked with those that control the cell cycle and tissue-specific genes. This talk will discuss the concept of active regulation by a multiplicity of mechanisms induced in quiescence to promote stem cell function.About the speaker : Dr. Jyotsna Dhawan received her undergraduate education in India and a Ph.D.from Boston University in 1991. After postdoctoral work at Stanford University she joined the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad India in 1996. At CCMB she established a group studying the biology of skeletal muscle stem cells in particular the contribution of quiescence or dormancy to adult stem cell function.From 2009-2014 Dr. Dhawan worked at the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine in Bangalore as Professor and Dean. Since Feb. 2014 Dr. Dhawan has returned to CCMB retaining links with inStem as a visiting professor.
Attendance is mandatory for CL702 and 704.