New Staff Announcement – Deepali Mahajan!
Deepali Mahajan
Program Assistant
Deepali Mahajan, who initially served as a temporary program assistant through Hiring Solutions, joined our department in May 2023. She is now one of the two program assistants who is responsible for providing all undergraduate teaching support. She will be working closely with the teaching faculty, especially dedicating her time to the BIOC program, while at the same time helping with CPS program-related work during absences. Deepali will also work with the seminar coordinators on BMBDG seminars. She has an academic background in law and work experience as an attorney and paralegal in India and the U.S. Originally coming from India, Deepali enjoys learning new languages, attending workshops on astronomy and watching historical documentaries in her spare time!
You can find Deepali in our admin office on Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 4:30.
Please join us in welcoming Deepali to the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology!
Contact: deepalivinay.mahajan@ubc.ca
Staff Roles: https://biochem.ubc.ca/administrative-staff-roles/
*Special Seminar* BMBDG Seminar: Dr. Costin Antonescu– June 09, 2023 at 3:00-4:00 pm at LSC3 and Zoom
Title: ‘Dynamic cell surface nanoscale organization controls receptor signaling in breast cancer cells ’
Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biology
Toronto Metropolitan University
Abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a central regulator of cell physiology and upregulation of EGFR drives progression of many tumors, including in triple negative breast cancer. EGFR is activated by binding to ligands at the cell surface, in turn triggering receptor dimerization, activation of kinase activity and then subsequent engagement of numerous intracellular signaling intermediates. We use a range of microscopy methods to study the nanoscale organization and regulation of EGFR ligand binding and engagement of specific signaling pathways. Using single-particle tracking of EGFR, we resolve how specific protein-based membrane nanodomains gate the mobility of EGFR in the plasma membrane and how this in turn regulates ligand binding capacity of EGFR. We also examine signals activated downstream of EGFR, finding new spatial organization of phosphoinositide dynamics and other signals leading to activation of Akt within clathrin structures at the plasma membrane. This represents a new direct signaling role for clathrin assemblies at the cell surface, which were known until now largely as endocytosis portals. This work this reveals new insights into the nanoscale spatial organization and regulation of key signals that drive tumor progression.
Friday June 09, 2023 at 3:00-4:00 pm at LSC 3 and Zoom
Hosted by: Dr. Eden Fussner-Dupas
