Speaker: Jiajie Diao, University of Cincinnati associate professor in cancer biology

Title: "Modulating organelle contacts to treat diseases"

Abstract: Membrane contacts between organelles are crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating various organelle functions in eukaryotic cells. However, existing experimental strategies for modulating these contacts are limited by the dynamic nature and subcellular distribution of organelles in live cells. Optogenetics, which employs photoactivatable proteins to dynamically regulate molecular activities using visible light, provides a powerful solution. By optogenetically controlling organelle contacts, we have successfully enhanced cellular function under disease or stress conditions. This approach offers a novel paradigm for dynamically modulating organelle functions in live cells.

Host: Hua Bai, genetics, development and cell biology associate professor