Special Seminar - The C. elegans Motor Circuit: Development, Function and Disease Models (Mei Zhen)
SPECIAL SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT:
Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 2:30 pm
De Grandpré Communications Centre, MNI
“The C. elegans Motor Circuit: Development, Function and Disease Modelsâ€
Mei Zhen
Senior Scientist, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
Professor of Molecular Genetics and Physiology, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Biography
Dr. Mei Zhen a geneticist and neurobiologist, who uses C. elegans, and other experimental systems, to address the molecular, cellular and system’s level understanding of nervous system development and animal behaviors. Her group has and continues to utilize and develop cutting-edge molecular genetics, optogenetics, electrophysiology and electron microscopy techniques to monitor small circuit assembly and function.
Dr. Zhen collaborates extensively, not only with invertebrate researchers, but also with vertebrate neurobiologists, developmental biologists, stem cell biologists, as well as human geneticists, to study fundamental mechanisms that regulate nervous system development and function, and validate their relevance to developmental disorders. Mei seeks positions that stimulate personal and community growth, and provides opportunities to mentor and inspire students, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculties, and to develop new directions and programs with her colleagues.