Lectures and seminars ICCA Seminar series with Rong Ma

Speaker

Rong Ma, Stanford University.

Title

From Molecular Forces to Function: Shining a Light on Mechano-immunology

Host

Professor Staffan Strömblad, ICCA, MedH, KI.

Abstract

Cells interact with their environments through receptors that not only detect biochemical cues such as the identity of their ligands, but also biophysical cues. One important type of biophysical information is mechanical forces, which are generated, sensed, and processed by cells, and can profoundly shape immune responses. However, they are very challenging to study quantitatively in living cells at the molecular level due to their transient nature. In this talk, I will introduce how we develop and use molecular tools, specifically DNA-based tension probes, to capture receptor forces in live cells and uncover their significance in signaling and immune cell function.

Coffee and sandwiches will be served to on site participants on a first-come, first-served basis.