Binyam Mogessie, PhD
Assistant Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
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Yale University
IMB Seminar Series
Oct 20, 2026
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12:00 pm
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Knight Campus Beetham Family Seminar Room
The ability of mammalian eggs to transmit an intact genome declines dramatically with reproductive age, yet the cellular mechanisms that drive this loss of reproductive capacity remain incompletely understood. Our laboratory investigates how the specialized architecture of the oocyte safeguards chromosome segregation and how deterioration of these systems contributes to age-related egg aneuploidy. I will discuss our work uncovering cytoskeletal mechanisms that organize the meiotic spindle, defining how the progressive loss of chromosome cohesion and centromere integrity compromises chromosome segregation, and developing experimental approaches that allow us to manipulate these processes directly in living oocytes. Together, these studies reveal how multiple age-sensitive cellular systems cooperate to preserve egg quality and provide new ways to experimentally reconstruct key features of reproductive aging.
Diana Libuda, PhD
Associate Professor Department of Biology
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University of Oregon
IMB Seminar Series
Oct 27, 2026
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4:00 pm
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Willamette 110
The faithful inheritance of genetic information is critical for fertility and prevention of lethal mutations. Meiosis is a specialized cell division that generates haploid gametes, such as sperm and eggs, that can pass on genetic information through generations from parent to progeny. Using both the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the zebrafish Danio rerio, our lab studies how DNA breaks, potentially catastrophic events, are intentionally formed and accurately repaired during meiosis to maintain genetic integrity. My talk will highlight both recent and ongoing studies from the two parts of our lab: 1) mechanisms of DNA repair pathway choices during meiosis; and, 2) mechanisms of temperature-induced male infertility.
Scott Coyle, PhD
Assistant Professor Department of Biochemistry
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University of Wisconsin Madison
IMB Seminar Series
Nov 3, 2026
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4:00 pm
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Willamette 110
Ruma Banerjee, PhD
Vincent Massey Professor of Biological Chemistry
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University of Michigan Medical School
IMB Seminar Series
Nov 10, 2026
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4:00 pm
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Willamette 110
H2S is a product of mammalian and microbial metabolism and is both an inorganic nutrient and a respiratory poison. In its former role, H2S transfers its reducing power to coenzyme Q as it is oxidized by mitochondrial SQOR. As a respiratory poison, H2S inhibits complex IV and profoundly influences intracellular O2 levels, with pleiotropic effects on hypoxia sensing and signaling, and on cellular metabolism. The interaction between sulfide and O2 is germane to all hypoxic tissues where endogenous H2S production and/or constitutively low sulfide oxidation capacity could potentially dial up O2 availability. Importantly, H2S oxidation can prevail even when its concentration rises to levels that poison complex IV and is enabled by rerouting electrons through complex II, using fumarate as a terminal electron acceptor. The local and long-range effects of sulfide signaling will be discussed.
James Fraser, PhD
Chair and Ernest L. Prien Professor Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
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University of California, San Francisco
IMB Seminar Series
Nov 17, 2026
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12:00 pm
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Knight Campus Beetham Family Seminar Room
In a post-"AlphaFold has solved structure prediction" world, our lab is obsessed with the concept of statistical structural biology. First, we collect large datasets (X-ray fragment screens from 1000s of individual crystals) and use new statistical approaches to identify small molecule binders. This inspires new inhibitors, allosteric modulators, and enzyme design strategies. Second, we examine how experimental information in X-ray crystallography and CryoEM encodes statistical distributions of conformations. This inspires software (e.g. qFit) that reveals hidden conformations and new guidance frameworks for diffusion models. Our work reveals the extent of memorization in current models and suggests experiments to extract even more information for improved training. These two statistical approaches to structural biology are synergistic in examining many aspects of biological mechanism. A current focus is the promiscuity of ligand binding in drug metabolizing proteins, as part of the OpenADMET consortium.
Sean Burgess, PhD
Professor Molecular and Cellular Biology
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University of California, Davis
IMB Seminar Series
Dec 1, 2026
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12:00 pm
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(Tentative) Knight Campus Beetham Family Seminar Room
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.