Olivia Burnsed - Advisors, Barbara Boyan, PhD, and Zvi Schwartz, PhD

"Decellularized Shark Cartilage for Promotion of Chondrogenesis"

Decellularized Shark Cartilage for Promotion of Chondrogenesis Olivia's research focuses on the use of decellularized matrices to stimulate and control stem cell differentiation for cartilage tissue engineering. The shark skeleton is completely cartilage and provides an interesting system that can stimulate chondrogenesis while preventing osteogenesis.

Baoyu Liu - Advisor, Cheng Zhu, PhD

"Mechanical Force Strengthens TCR/pMHC Bond and Triggers T Cell Signaling"

How T cell receptor (TCR) transduces signal upon antigen recognition remains elusive. In this work, we aim to provide experimental evidence and a molecular understanding of TCR as a mechanosensor. By characterizing force-regulated TCR/pMHC bond lifetime and simultaneous Ca2+ flux, we found that TCR forms agonist-specific catch bond with pMHC and rapid accumulation of bond lifetimes under an optimal force triggers strong Ca2+ flux.

The Graduate and Post-Doc (GaP) Seminar Series is a weekly event of biotechnology related research presentations by two graduate students or post-docs of IBB and is co-sponsored by BME. It is held every Wednesday at 12:00pm in IBB 1128 and refreshments are provided. If your research group or department would like to present at future seminars, please contact Manu Platt, PhD.