Christopher Lapointe, PhD
Assistant Professor
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
RNA Club
Jan 30, 2026
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10:55 am
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B040 - Price Science Commons
To establish the reading frame for protein synthesis, the human translation initiation machinery must recognize the translation start codon (AUG) with single-nucleotide precision. Yet, foundational studies in the 1980’s demonstrated that non-AUG start codons (e.g., CUG) can also drive protein synthesis. More recent studies indicate widespread and regulated use of non-AUG codons, with critical roles in the cell cycle, stress responses, and disease. I will share how we have been applying in vitro single-molecule, biochemical, and structural strategies to understand how the initiation machinery balances the need for both precision and flexibility.
Kim McKim, PhD
Professor
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Rutgers University
IMB Seminar Series
Feb 10, 2026
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4:00 pm
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Willamette 110
Meiosis is characterized by the first, or reductional, division. We use Drosophila melanogaster females as a model to understand the mechanisms that promote accurate chromosome segregation on the acentrosomal spindle of oocytes. Furthermore, we are interested in understanding the features of the oocyte spindle that make it susceptible to chromosome segregation errors. An important part of this process is how the kinetochores on the chromosomes interact with the microtubules of the spindle. The kinetochore interacts with the microtubules in two ways. First, lateral attachments, where the kinetochores move along the sides of microtubules. Second, end-on attachments, where the kinetochores make a stable attachment to the ends of microtubules, maintain connections to a pole and segregate the homologs. The lateral interactions occur between the kinetochores and central spindle, which is composed of overlapping antiparallel microtubules and may be particularly important for acentrosomal oocytes. We hypothesize that the transition between lateral and end-on attachments is regulated to avoid errors in chromosome segregation.
Seminar details
This academic year, we will host a series of virtual and in-person seminars with live, remote access via Zoom. IMB seminars are open to the University of Oregon community, and in-person attendance is welcome. In-person seminars will be held in the Knight Campus Beetham Family Seminar Room at 12:00 p.m.
To accommodate remote speakers and time differences, some seminars may be offered at another agreed-upon time. For students taking BI 407/507 Neuroscience Seminar, please contact the course instructor to access recordings as needed.
Details for upcoming seminars will be shared here on the IMB website as well as through our IMB mailing lists. Links for remote access via Zoom will be available only through IMB seminar mailing list, and those not on the list can request access by contacting Meg Juenemann with their uoregon.edu email address.