Dr. Assaf Amitai
Post-Doctoral Researcher, MIT
Research Website
Geometry and stochastic dynamics in biological systems
Thursday, February 27, 2 PM, RRI 101
Abstract: The interaction of proteins with chromatin regulates many cellular functions. Most DNA-binding proteins interact both non-specifically and transiently with many chromatin sites, as well as specifically and more stably with cognate binding sites. These interactions and chromatin structure are important in governing protein dynamics. By analyzing the motion of CTCF, a DNA binding protein responsible for chromosomal organization, we inferred that it interacts with a new type of small nuclear domains. These domains, composed of RNA, are central in guiding CTCF to find its cognate binding site. Hence, weak transient interactions govern chromatin organization and dynamics. In the second part of the talk, I will describe recent advances in the development of a universal vaccine for the influenza virus. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and a population scale models of the adaptive immune system, we study the immune response to nanoparticles presenting flu proteins at unique geometries and compositions. We show that these nanoparticles can direct the immune response in distinct evolutionary paths, and elicit the creation of antibodies of high breadth - capable of neutralizing multiple flu strains.
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