The monthly CBI Chalk Talk is a highlight of the program and brings the community together to learn about cutting edge research. In each half of a Chalk Talk, the faculty advisor introduces the problems being tackled using only “chalk” on the chalk board – this forces a big picture overview, accessible to all. A student from the lab then presents recent research results, again with a focus on broad accessibility. Discussion is highly encouraged and is generally vibrant! After the two Chalk Talks, everyone convenes for a pizza lunch, just outside of the seminar room, for still more discussion of the talks!
Upcoming Chalk Talks

Date: See poster for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 dates
Location: Fall 2020 – Virtual; Spring 2021 – Virtual
“Investigating E. coli CheA Activation by Chemoreceptors using Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry”
Student Speaker – Thomas Tran (Thompson Lab)
“DNA-Mediated Assembly of Functional Chemoreceptors: Using Structural DNA Nanotechnology to Advance Biophysical Research” Student Speaker – Tiernan Kenneday (Thompson Lab)
“Membrane Protein Structure and Binding Interactions Studied by Mass Spectrometry” Student Speaker – Xiao Pan (Vachet Lab)
Please see our full dates for Fall 2020-Spring 2021 and presenting labs here.
“Polyprenol biosynthesis in the maintenance and regulation of mycobacterial membrane domain“
Student Speaker -Malavika Prithviraj (Yasu Lab )
“Understanding the selectivity of the UGGTs, key quality control sensors and gatekeepers of the mammalian secretory pathway“
Student Speaker – Kevin Guay (Hebert Lab)
“The identification and characterization of a putative ER adapter protein TTC17“
Student Speaker – Nathan Canniff (Hebert Lab)
Please see our full dates for Fall 2020-Spring 2021 and presenting labs here.
Past Chalk Talks
“Estimating Subclonal Populations from Structured DNA Sequencing Data“
Student Speaker – Shai He (Flaherty Lab)
“Antibody – Nanoparticle Conjugates for Targeted Delivery of Chemotherapeutics“
Student Speaker – Khushboo Singh (Thayumanavan Lab)
“A Cryptic Site on the Proteasome-Associated Deubiquitinase UCH37/UCHL5 is Required for Chain Editing and Degradation“
Student Speaker – Jiale Du (Strieter Lab)
“Real-time Monitoring of Transient Lipid-Lipid Interactions in Live Cell Membranes using a DNA Prob“
Student Speaker – Yousef Bagheri Zarringhabae (You Lab)
“Multiplex Imaging in Living Cells with Fluorogenic RNAs“
Student Speaker – Ru Zheng (You Lab)
“Studying allosteric sites on caspase-6 to aid the development of substrate-specific inhibitors“
Student Speaker: Irina Sagarbarria and Andrew J. Smith (Hardy Lab)
“Investigating alpha-synuclein aggregation using novel models of strain competition“
Student Speaker: Sarah Holec (Woerman Lab)
“Physical Origins of DnaK-substrate binding revealed through Physics-based modeling“
Erik Nordquist (J. Chen Lab)
Targeting Tau “The spread and aggregation of the protein tau has been linked to a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, known as tauopathies. Mounting evidence suggests that the spread of tau aggregates may underlie disease phenotype, however the mechanism for this toxicity is still unknown. The Rauch lab uses a variety of cell biology, biochemical, and in vivo techniques to characterize consequences of tau propagation in the central nervous system and to define/target the molecular requirements for tau spread. As the newest faculty to the BMB department, Jenny will give a brief overview of exciting projects that will be starting in her lab this upcoming January.”
Rauch Lab, new incoming BMB Assistant Professor beginning in January 2021.
Great talks and discussions with 78 attending this first-ever Zoom Chalk Talk!
Andrew Smith (Hardy lab) “Studying protein interactions to identify caspase exosites”
Nathan Canniff (Hebert lab) “Characterization of Putative ER Adaptors/Co-Chaperones TTC13 and TTC17”
Heather Bisbee (Strieter lab) “The Proteasomal Deubiquitinase UCH37 Promotes Degradation In Cellulo”
Katie Wahlbeck (Thompson lab) “Investigation of CheA Protein Dynamics with Solid State NMR”
Sarthak Saha (Perry Lab) “Protein Crystallography using X-ray compatible Microfluidic Devices”
Mengfei Huang (Schiffman Lab)“High-Performance Coatings Featuring Methylene Malonate Derivatives”
Sujeewa S. Lellupitiyage Don (Farkas Lab) “Tracking and Modulating Circadian Rhythms in Cell Culture Models of Breast Cancer”
Hanling Guo (Heuk Lab) “Searching for inhibitors of Type III secretion translocon assembly”
Teal Brechtel (Serio Lab) “Chaperone Titration as a Mechanism of Amyloid Appearance”
Aman Sharma (Jerry Lab) Estrogen-mediated R-loop formation associated with DNA damage may indicate individual vulnerability to breast cancer”
Can Özden (Stratton Lab) “CaMKII role in Long-Term Memory”
Elvan Cavaç and Kithmie MalagodaPathiranage (Martin Lab) “RNA for Next Generation Everything”
Carey Dougan (Peyton lab) “The Role of Cavitation in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)”
Christine Battle and Tommy Tashjian (Chien lab) “How to Get Away with Murder – Protein Destruction by Energy Dependent Proteases”