| Fri 3/7/14 11:30 am | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Biochemistry-Biophysics Friday Lunchtime Pizza Talks |
| PhD Students (Biochemistry and Biophysics Program) |
| Rotation talks |
| note changed time! |
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| Fri 3/7/14 12:30 pm | Gerstenzang 123 |
| Molecular and Cell Biology & Neuroscience Student Seminars |
| Bethany Christmann (Griffith Lab) |
| Julian Eskin (Goode Lab) |
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| Mon 3/10/14 11 am | Volen 201 |
| Computational/Systems Neuroscience Journal Club |
| Ralf Haefner |
| Good noise or bad noise? The role of correlated variability in a probabilistic inference framework |
The responses of sensory neurons in cortex are variable, and this variability is often correlated [Cohen and Kohn, 2011]. In the first part of my talk I will briefly review how our view of noise correlations has changed from being detrimental [Zohary et al., 1994], to "it depends" [Abbott & Dayan, 1999], to "don't matter" [Shamir and Sompolinsky, 2006; Ecker et al., 2011] to "only 'bad noise' is bad" [Pitkow et al., SfN 2013]. However, it is important to note that the mathematical model underlying this series of works is one of feedforward information processing and ignores the role of feedback influences on sensory responses. In the second part of my talk I will present my results on the structure of the correlations induced by such top-down connections -- assuming that the brain performs probabilistic inference over the task-relevant variables. I will show that if the brain has correctly learnt the task, the structure of task-induced correlations is the same as that of 'bad noise'. However, unlike in the traditional encoding/decoding framework, here their presence reflects the fact that the brain has correctly learnt the task. Furthermore, perceptual learning will increase their amplitude such that stronger correlations of the 'bad noise' structure are reflective of increased top-down task-knowledge (and better performance). Such an increase also entails a steeper relationship between choice probabilities and neurometric performance as has been observed empirically during perceptual learning [Law and Gold, 2008]. Finally, I will show how to infer the internal model used by the brain in a given task from the structure of the noise correlation matrix. |
| Pizza to follow. |
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| Mon 3/10/14 12 noon | Rosenstiel 118 |
| Molecular Genetics Journal Club |
| Erik Sontheimer (Northwestern University) |
| Genetic Interference and Genome Editing by a Processing-Independent CRISPR System |
| Hosted by Michael Rosbash |
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| Mon 3/10/14 1 pm | Gerstenzang 122 |
| Thesis Seminar (Graduate Program in Neuroscience) |
| Amy Ghiretti (Paradis Lab) |
| Negative regulation of dendritic complexity by the activity-dependent GTPase Rem2 |
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| Mon 3/10/14 3:30 pm | Shapiro Science Center GL14 |
| Thesis Seminar (Graduate Program in Biophysics and Structural Biology) |
| Axel Brilot (Grigorieff Lab) |
| Studies of Beam-Induced Movement Of Single Particles in Vitrified Ice, and the Structure of a Pretranslocation Ribosome Complex with EF-G, A and P Site tRNA Bound |
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| Mon 3/10/14 4 pm | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Chemistry Department Colloquium |
| Ming Hammond (University of California Berkeley) |
| Privileged RNA Scaffolds for the In Vivo Sensing Functions |
| Hosted by Isaac Krauss |
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| Tue 3/11/14 11 am | Abelson 307 |
| String Theory Seminar |
| Al Shapere (University of Kentucky) |
| Constraints on the spectra of 2d CFTs |
| Hosted by Albion Lawrence |
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| Tue 3/11/14 12:30 pm | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Neurobiology Journal Club |
| Karla Kaun (Brown University) |
| Why flies like getting buzzed: using Drosophila to understand the neural and molecular mechanisms of addiction |
| Hosted by Scott Neal |
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| Tue 3/11/14 4 pm | Abelson 131 |
| Eisenbud Lecture Series in Mathematics and Physics (Physics Department Colloquium) |
| Cumrun Vafa (Harvard University) |
| Strings and the Magic of Extra Dimensions |
| Hosted by Albion Lawrence |
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| Wed 3/12/14 11 am | Abelson 333 |
| Eisenbud Lecture Series in Mathematics and Physics |
| Cumrun Vafa (Harvard University) |
| Recent Progress in Topological Strings I |
| Hosted by Albion Lawrence |
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| Wed 3/12/14 4 pm | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Pepose Award Lecture |
| Richard Masland (Harvard University) |
| The neuronal organization of the retina: answers and problems |
| Hosted by John Lisman |
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| Wed 3/12/14 4 pm | Abelson 229 |
| Eisenbud Lecture Series in Mathematics and Physics |
| Cumrun Vafa (Harvard University) |
| Recent Progress in Topological Strings II |
| Hosted by Albion Lawrence |
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| Thu 3/13/14 12 noon | Rosenstiel 118 |
| Psychology Department Brown Bag |
| Nicholas Brisbon (Lifespan Lab) |
| Jasmine Boshyan (Face Perception Lab) |
| Attitudes toward Atheists |
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| Thu 3/13/14 4 pm | Abelson 229 |
| MRSEC Seminar |
| Jeff Urbach (Dept. of Physics at Georgetown University ) |
| Mechanical and structural sensitivity of axon growth |
In the developing nervous system, axons respond to a diverse array of cues to generate the intricate connection network required for proper function. The growth cone, a highly motile structure at the tip of a growing axon, integrates information about the local environment and modulates outgrowth and guidance, but little is known about effects of external mechanical or structural cues and internal mechanical forces on growth cone behavior. We have investigated axon outgrowth and force generation on soft elastic substrates for dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons (from the peripheral nervous system) and hippocampal neurons (from the central) to see how the mechanics of the microenvironment affect different populations. We find that force generation and stiffness-dependent outgrowth are strongly dependent on cell type. We also observe very different internal dynamics and substrate coupling in the two populations, suggesting that the difference in force generation is due to stronger adhesions and therefore stronger substrate engagement in the peripheral nervous system neurons. I will also discuss recent analyses of the dynamic aspects of growth cone force generation and new experiments that demonstrate some surprising behavior in response to micron-scale confinement. These findings provide suggest new mechanisms through which environmental cues may guide axon growth during development and have implications for strategies to enhance recovery following nervous system injury. |
| Hosted by Z. Dogic |
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| Fri 3/14/14 11:15 am | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Biochemistry-Biophysics Friday Lunchtime Pizza Talks |
| Thomas Schwartz (MIT) |
| Toward the Structure of the Nuclear Pore Complex |
| Hosted by Daniel Krummel |
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| Fri 3/14/14 12:30 pm | Gerstenzang 123 |
| Molecular and Cell Biology & Neuroscience Student Seminars |
| Jason Osik (Van Hooser Lab) |
| Charlotte Kelley (Rodal Lab) |
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| Tue 3/18/14 4 pm | Abelson 131 |
| Physics Department Colloquium |
| Matthew Reece (Harvard University) |
| TBA |
| Hosted by Albion Lawrence |
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| Wed 3/19/14 4 pm | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Joint Biology/Neuroscience Colloquium |
| Suzanne Paradis (Brandeis University) |
| Signaling pathways that instruct rapid changes in neuronal connectivity |
| Hosted by Sacha Nelson |
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| Thu 3/20/14 12 noon | Rosenstiel 118 |
| Psychology Department Brown Bag |
| Kenneth Pitts (Health Lab) |
| Carrie Robertson (Knight Lab) |
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| Thu 3/20/14 4 pm | Abelson 229 |
| MRSEC Seminar |
| Yao Lin (University of Connecticut, Dept. of Chemistry) |
| Supramolecular Polymerizations: Incorporating Cooperativity into Macromolecule and Macromolecular Assemblies |
The helical and tubular structures self-assembled from proteins have inspired scientists to design synthetic building blocks that can be "polymerized" into supramolecular polymers through coordinated non-covalent interactions. However, cooperative supramolecular polymerization from large, synthetic macromolecules remains a challenge because of the difficulty of controlling the structure and interactions of macromolecular monomers. Herein we discuss the synthesis of homopolypeptide grafted comb polymers and the use of their tunable secondary interactions in solution to achieve controlled assembly. The resulting tubular supramolecular structures, with external diameters of hundreds of nanometers and lengths of tens of micrometers, are stable and resemble to some extent biological superstructures assembled from proteins. The kinetic process of the supramolecular polymerization follows a double nucleation mechanism. The study shows that highly specific intermolecular interactions between macromolecular monomers can enable the cooperative growth of supramolecular polymers. The general applicability of this strategy was demonstrated by carrying out supramolecular polymerization from nanoparticles grafted with the same homopolypeptides on the surface. However, for the spherical nanoparticle monomers, there exist multiple polymerization pathways, which give rise to both spherical and fibrous supramolecular polymers. We discuss how the electrostatic interactions between the weakly charged monomers may play an important role in the polymerization process. |
| Hosted by M. Hagan |
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| Fri 3/21/14 11 am | Gerstenzang 122 |
| Chemistry Department Colloquium |
| Connie Lu (University of Minnesota) |
| Harnessing Metal-Metal Bonds: Bonding, Electronic Properties and Small-Molecule Reactivity |
| Please note date, time and place of seminar. |
| Hosted by Christine Thomas |
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| Fri 3/21/14 11:15 am | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Biochemistry-Biophysics Friday Lunchtime Pizza Talks |
| Judy Herzfeld (Brandeis University ) |
| Building Buoyancy: Why Pond Scum Floats |
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| Fri 3/21/14 12:30 pm | Gerstenzang 123 |
| Molecular and Cell Biology & Neuroscience Student Seminars |
| Adriane Otopalik (Marder Lab) |
| Salvatore Alioto (Goode Lab) |
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| Mon 3/24/14 10:30 am | Levine-Ross |
| Thesis Seminar (Graduate Program in Psychology) |
| Brittany Cassidy (Gutchess Lab) |
| Behavioral and Neural Responses to Appearance-Behavior Congruity |
Much research has explored appearance- and behavior-based impressions separately, but how cues are integrated into impressions is understudied. Incoming cues may not be congruent, allowing for the possibility that people may respond differently based on appearance-behavior congruity. Using trustworthy and untrustworthy faces and valenced behaviors, we studied behavioral and neural responses to appearance-behavior congruity. We also examined the potential effects of aging on the behavioral use of appearance-behavior congruity, as aging has been associated with increased stereotype use for cognitive shortcuts. This may be critical to study in context with appearance-behavior congruity, given the stereotyped personality overgeneralizations gleaned from facial appearances. In Experiment 1, we tested whether receiving two streams of valenced information (congruent or incongruent face-behavior pairs) versus one (neutral face, valenced behavior) influenced memory for behaviors. Younger and older adults remembered congruent better than incongruent pairs, but both were remembered better than pairs including neutral faces. In Experiment 2, we tested if the strength of several social judgments differed by appearance-behavior congruity. Behaviors were further classified as high or low arousal. Trustworthiness- but not dominance-related judgments were stronger for congruent over incongruent pairs. Older adults showed congruity biases for high and low arousal approach judgments, while younger adults had biases for high arousal approach, prosociality, and trustworthiness judgments. In Experiment 3, we adopted the paradigm of Experiment 2 to examine the brain regions whose activity supports the processing of incongruent over congruent pairs, as well as pairs including valenced faces and neutral behaviors (i.e., appearance-based). Behaviorally, both congruent and incongruent face-behavior pairs received stronger judgments than appearance-based pairs. Cortical midline engagement complemented this finding, with increased activity for congruent and incongruent pairs compared to appearance-based ones. Additionally, there was increased activity in a region of dorsal medial prefrontal cortex extending into anterior cingulate cortex that was specifically active for incongruent compared to congruent face-behavior pairs. Taken together, this project provides a framework for how appearance-behavior congruity impacts social cognition and its neural underpinnings. Further, it evidences that subtle age differences may exist for the conditions under which these biases influence socio-cognitive decision-making. |
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| Mon 3/24/14 4 pm | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Chemistry Department Colloquium |
| Wenbin Lin (University of Chicago) |
| Molecular materials for sustainability and Human Health |
| Hosted by Bruce Foxman |
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| Tue 3/25/14 11 am | Abelson 307 |
| String Theory Seminar |
| David Shih (Rutgers University) |
| The Status of SUSY after Run I of the LHC |
| |
| Hosted by Matthew Headrick |
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| Tue 3/25/14 4 pm | Abelson 131 |
| Physics Department Colloquium |
| Bulbul Chakraborty (Brandeis University) |
| TBA |
| Hosted by Physics Department |
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| Wed 3/26/14 4 pm | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Joint Biology/Neuroscience Colloquium |
| Boris Striepen (University of Georgia) |
| Algal past and parasite present of Apicomplexa |
| Hosted by Liz Hedstrom |
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| Thu 3/27/14 12 noon | Rosenstiel 118 |
| Psychology Department Brown Bag |
| William Goodman (Health Lab) |
| Sarah Lupis (Health Lab) |
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| Thu 3/27/14 4 pm | Gerstenzang 122 |
| Chemistry Seminar |
| Samir Zard (Ecole Polytechnique) |
| Adventures with Radicals. Some New Perspectives for Organic Synthesis |
| Hosted by Barry Snider |
|
| Thu 3/27/14 4 pm | Abelson 229 |
| MRSEC Seminar |
| Kenny Breuer (Division of Engineering, Brown University) |
| TBA |
| Hosted by Seth Fraden |
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| Fri 3/28/14 11:15 am | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Biochemistry-Biophysics Friday Lunchtime Pizza Talks |
| Amy Keating (MIT) |
| Toward the Structure of the Nuclear Pore Complex |
| Hosted by Timothy Street |
|
| Fri 3/28/14 12:30 pm | Gerstenzang 123 |
| Molecular and Cell Biology & Neuroscience Student Seminars |
| Brittney Gardner (Garrity Lab) |
| Xiao Chen (Rosbash Lab) |
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| Mon 3/31/14 4 pm | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Chemistry Department Colloquium |
| Istvan X. Kiss (Saint Louis University) |
| Synchronization of Electrochemical Oscillator Networks on Macro and Microscale |
| Hosted by Irving Epstein |
|
| Mon 3/31/14 4 pm | Gerstenzang 121 |
| Chemistry Seminar |
| Brian Shoichet (University of Toronto) |
| Hosted by Bing Xu |
|
Science at Brandeis