Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, German Centre of Cardiovascular Research, partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany

Targeting Chemokines in Atherosclerosis

Prof. Dr. Christian Weber
Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, German Centre of Cardiovascular Research, partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany  

Coronary artery disease arising from atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide. The underlying pathogenesis involves an imbalanced lipid metabolism and a maladaptive immune response entailing a chronic inflammation of the arterial wall. The disturbed equilibrium of lipid accumulation, immune responses and their clearance is shaped by leukocyte trafficking and homeostasis governed by chemokines and their receptors. New pro- and anti- inflammatory pathways linking lipid and inflammation biology have been discovered, and genetic profiling studies have unveiled variations involved in human atherosclerosis. The growing understanding of the inflammatory processes and mediators has uncovered an intriguing diversity of targetable mechanisms that can be exploited to complement lipid-lowering therapies. In their role as small chemotactic cytokines, chemokines are crucial mediators and regulators of leukocyte trafficking during immune surveillance and inflammation. Their involvement in the development and progression of inflammatory diseases has been subject of intense investigation. Concordantly, the chemokine system of ligands and receptors has been explored in search for therapeutic targets to prevent or treat atherosclerosis. Targeting the chemokine system e.g. by disrupting functional heteromer formation or modulating the microRNA-mediated regulation of chemokine expression, offers various entry points for a causative treatment of this widespread and chronic illness. Although the approach of directly targeting chemokine receptors has encountered some setbacks, several innovative compounds are currently in an advanced stage of development. Herein, the current standing of this dynamic field is highlighted and the potential advantages and drawbacks of particular strategies are discussed.

Date-Time      : Wednesday 10 April, 2013 - at: 15:40
Place             : SA-240
Host              : Ebru Erbay 

American Cancer Society Professor, University of Washington

Anna Karenina and the Genetics of Complex Disease

Dr. Mary-Claire King
American Cancer Society Professor, University of Washington  

New tools of genomic analysis are being used to shed light on historical puzzles. Migrations of ancient peoples, the effects of geographic boundaries on human movements, origins of ethnic groups, and racial differences are now the focus of integrated analysis by historians, anthropologists and geneticists. "When people move, they take their genes along and pass them on to their descendants in their new homes," Dr. Mary-Claire King states. "Thus, every present-day population retains clues to its ancient roots. Common ancestries can be confirmed and human migrations traced by comparing DNA sequences of present-day populations."

Date-Time      : Wednesday 20 March, 2013 - at: 15:40
Place             : Bilkent University, Mithat Coruh Auditorium
Host              : Ebru Erbay 

International Computer Science Institute, Berkeley, CA

Methods for Human Identification from Genotype Data

Dr. Eran Halperin
International Computer Science Institute, Berkeley, CA  

How much can we learn about a person based on his or her DNA?

Can we find the individual's place of birth, last name, or family members? With the exponential decrease in the cost of DNA sequencing, it is now possible to begin answering some of these questions. In this talk I will describe recent developments in computational methods for the detection of an individual's ancestry from genetic data. I will also discuss implications to privacy of genetic information and the role of public databases in human identification from genetic data.

Date-Time    : Wednesday 6 March, 2013 - at: 15:40
Place             : SBZ-14
Host              : Ebru Erbay 

Dr. Selman Akbulut

Michigan State University, Department of Mathematics

Wild World of 4-Manifolds

Wild World of 4-Manifolds 

Prof. Dr. Selman Akbulut

Michigan State University, Department of Mathematics

Four dimensional smooth manifolds (generalized Euclidean spaces) display very strange behavior than manifolds in any other dimensions. Four is also the dimension of the space-time, which physicist think as a part of a bigger 11-dimensional universe. In this talk, I will review some recent developments of 4-manifolds, in particular discuss corks and plugs, which are small fundamental pieces floating in smooth 4-manifolds determining their smooth structure (twisting along them changes smooth structure), and talk about exotic structures on complex Stein surfaces.

Date-Time   : December 5, 2012 - at: 15:40
Place            : SBZ-14
Host             : Ergün Yalçın and Ebru Erbay

Dr. Mehmet Özgür Oktel

(Bilkent University, Department of Physics)

Nobel Prize in Physics 2012: Unlocking Quantum Mysteries one particle at a time

Nobel Prize in Physics 2012: Unlocking Quantum Mysteries one particle at a time 

Dr. Mehmet Özgür Oktel

Bilkent University, Department of Physics 

The 2012 Nobel prize in physics was awarded to Serge Haroche (ENS, Paris, France) and David J. Wineland (JILA, CO, USA) for  their contributions to " ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems". These two groups spearheaded the effort to probe quantum mechanics by examining physics of single atoms or single photons.  I will review some of the milestones of their achievements such as quantum non-demolition measurements, creation of Schrödinger Cat states, and the controlled quantum-not gate.  The emphasis of the talk will be on these key results and what they teach us about basic quantum mechanics, rather than on the experimental techniques. Finally, I will discuss the potential applications of these results, such as improved frequency standards and quantum computers. 

Date-Time:  7 November, 2012 - at: 15:40
Place:           SBZ-14
Host:            Ebru Erbay