EMBL Seminars

At EMBL, experts from institutes throughout the world speak on a wide range of scientific and technical topics

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13 November 2025, 10:00

Connecting transcriptional enhancers with promoters in health and disease

13 November 20252025External Faculty SpeakerEMBL Heidelberg

Description AbstractThe mechanisms underlying specific enhancer promoter E P pairing remain largely unclear While chromosome extrusion by cohesin has been proposed to facilitate E P proximity cohesin loss affects only a small subset of genes suggesting additional factors mediate spatial regulatory connections Beyond the generic CTCF cohesin machinery few nuclear factors have been examined through acute perturbation to determine their direct role in physically linking regulatory elements Through acute degradation experiments we discovered that the transcription co factor LDB1 spatially connects a substantial fraction of E P loops LDB1 exerts this function in cooperation with single stranded DNA binding proteins SSBPs Leveraging the dynamic re establishment of nuclear architecture during the transition from mitosis to G1 phase we established a relationship between LDB1 dependent chromatin occupancy and loop formation Region Capture Micro C RCMC and Tri C experiments revealed that LDB1 organizes multi enhancer networks to activate transcription Using multiple degron systems I will outlined the varied yet limited influence of CTCF cohesin and the chromosome loop extrusion factor NIPBL on LDB1 dependent regulatory connectivity The adapter molecule LMO2 which links LDB1 to transcription factors at specific genomic loci is frequently overexpressed in T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia T ALL I will present recent studies LDB1 s role in spatially connecting enhancers to oncogenes in T ALL In sum I look forward to discussing how the LDB1 complex spatially organizes the mammalian genome in normal and cancerous cells About the speaker Biographical information about the speaker Meet the speakerTo meet with the speaker informally after the talks sign up here add link We especially encourage predocs and postdocs to take advantage of this opportunity Attachments Link to a file for example a pdf of the seminar s programme the file can be uploaded on the intranet Connection detailsZoom link Meeting ID XXXXXXXXX Password XXXXXXX Please note that the talk will yes not be recorded For the FAQ section as a zoom participant please use either the chat function the host will read out your question or the raise your hand function and turn on your microphone... AbstractThe mechanisms underlying specific enhancer-promoter (E-P) pairing remain largely unclear. While chromosome extrusion by cohesin has been proposed to facilitate E-P proximity, cohesin loss affects only a small subset of genes, suggesting additional factors mediate spatial regulatory connections. Beyond the generic CTCF/cohesin machinery, few nuclear factors have been examined through acute perturbation to determine their direct role in physically linking regulatory elements. Through acute degradation experiments, we discovered that the transcription co-factor LDB1 spatially connects a substantial fraction of E-P loops. LDB1 exerts this function in cooperation with single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBPs). Leveraging the dynamic re-establishment of nuclear architecture during the transition from mitosis to G1-phase, we established a relationship between LDB1-dependent...

Speaker(s): Gerd Blobel, Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology) Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, USA
Host: Eileen Furlong

Place: Small Operon

EMBL Heidelberg

Additional information

Abstract
The mechanisms underlying specific enhancer-promoter (E-P) pairing remain largely unclear. While chromosome extrusion by cohesin has been proposed to facilitate E-P proximity, cohesin loss affects only a small subset of genes, suggesting additional factors mediate spatial regulatory connections. Beyond the generic CTCF/cohesin machinery, few nuclear factors have been examined through acute perturbation to determine their direct role in physically linking regulatory elements. Through acute degradation experiments, we discovered that the transcription co-factor LDB1 spatially connects a substantial fraction of E-P loops. LDB1 exerts this function in cooperation with single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBPs). Leveraging the dynamic re-establishment of nuclear architecture during the transition from mitosis to G1-phase, we established a relationship between LDB1-dependent chromatin occupancy and loop formation. Region-Capture-Micro-C (RCMC) and Tri-C experiments revealed that LDB1 organizes multi-enhancer networks to activate transcription. Using multiple degron systems, I will outlined the varied yet limited influence of CTCF, cohesin, and the chromosome loop extrusion factor NIPBL on LDB1-dependent regulatory connectivity.

The adapter molecule LMO2, which links LDB1 to transcription factors at specific genomic loci, is frequently overexpressed in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL). I will present recent studies LDB1's role in spatially connecting enhancers to oncogenes in T-ALL.

In sum, I look forward to discussing how the LDB1 complex spatially organizes the mammalian genome in normal and cancerous cells.

About the speaker
[Biographical information about the speaker].

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Zoom*: [link] (Meeting ID: [XXXXXXXXX], Password: [XXXXXXX])

Please note that the talk will yes/not be recorded.
*For the FAQ section, as a zoom participant, please use either the chat function (the host will read out your question) or the “raise your hand” function and turn on your microphone.


14 November 2025, 11:00

Prediction of disease onset and progression using nationwide genetic and healthcare data

14 November 20252025EMBL - Sapienza LectureEMBL Rome

Description AbstractThe presentation will outline recent advances in disease prediction through the integration of national health registries genomic data and artificial intelligence Using data from the Finnish FinRegistry over 7 million individuals and 6 5 billion records large scale machine learning models achieve high predictive accuracy for disease outcomes but also reveal disparities across regions and socioeconomic groups emphasizing fairness and generalizability challenges The presentation will further demonstrate how polygenic scores PGS capture lifelong disease risk and complement electronic health record derived phenotype risk scores PheRS with each excelling for different disease categories Combining genomic and EHR data enhances trial emulation strengthens causal inference and supports the design of more representative clinical studies The talk will underscore that equitable ethically guided AI and genetic integration are key to realizing precision prevention at a population scale... AbstractThe presentation will outline recent advances in disease prediction through the integration of national health registries, genomic data, and artificial intelligence. Using data from the Finnish FinRegistry (over 7 million individuals and 6.5 billion records), large-scale machine learning models achieve high predictive accuracy for disease outcomes but also reveal disparities across regions and socioeconomic groups, emphasizing fairness and generalizability challenges. The presentation will further demonstrate how polygenic scores (PGS) capture lifelong disease risk and complement electronic health record–derived phenotype risk scores (PheRS), with each excelling for different disease categories. Combining genomic and EHR data enhances trial emulation, strengthens causal inference, and supports the design of more representative clinical studies. The talk will underscore that...

Speaker(s): Andrea Ganna, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Finland

Place: Sapienza Università di Roma - Aula Archeologia, Edificio di Lettere e Filosofia (CU003)

EMBL Rome

Additional information

Abstract
The presentation will outline recent advances in disease prediction through the integration of national health registries, genomic data, and artificial intelligence. Using data from the Finnish FinRegistry (over 7 million individuals and 6.5 billion records), large-scale machine learning models achieve high predictive accuracy for disease outcomes but also reveal disparities across regions and socioeconomic groups, emphasizing fairness and generalizability challenges. The presentation will further demonstrate how polygenic scores (PGS) capture lifelong disease risk and complement electronic health record–derived phenotype risk scores (PheRS), with each excelling for different disease categories. Combining genomic and EHR data enhances trial emulation, strengthens causal inference, and supports the design of more representative clinical studies. The talk will underscore that equitable, ethically guided AI and genetic integration are key to realizing precision prevention at a population scale.


14 November 2025, 11:00

Sex-specific metabolism and regeneration in Ambystoma mexicanum

14 November 20252025External Faculty SpeakerEMBL Heidelberg, Virtual

Description Abstract Male and female axolotls are morphologically indistinguishable prior to sexual maturation However they already exhibit basal differences in lipid metabolism at the larval stage Interestingly these differences diminish during limb regeneration suggesting that the metabolic demands of regeneration trigger systemic adaptations This finding underscores the importance of understanding how systemic metabolism influences regenerative processes and highlights the need to further characterize sex specific traits and the complex interactions among diet lipid metabolism and growth About the speaker Biographical information about the speaker Meet the speakerTo meet with the speaker informally after the talks sign up here add link We especially encourage predocs and postdocs to take advantage of this opportunity Attachments Link to a file for example a pdf of the seminar s programme the file can be uploaded on the intranet Connection detailsZoom link Meeting ID XXXXXXXXX Password XXXXXXX Please note that the talk will yes not be recorded For the FAQ section as a zoom participant please use either the chat function the host will read out your question or the raise your hand function and turn on your microphone... Abstract[Male and female axolotls are morphologically indistinguishable prior to sexual maturation. However, they already exhibit basal differences in lipid metabolism at the larval stage. Interestingly, these differences diminish during limb regeneration, suggesting that the metabolic demands of regeneration trigger systemic adaptations. This finding underscores the importance of understanding how systemic metabolism influences regenerative processes and highlights the need to further characterize sex-specific traits and the complex interactions among diet, lipid metabolism, and growth. About the speaker[Biographical information about the speaker].Meet the speakerTo meet with the speaker informally after the talks,sign up here [add link]. We especially encourage predocs and postdocs to take advantage of this opportunity.Attachments[Link to a file (for example a pdf of the seminar’s...

Speaker(s): Tatiana Sandoval-Guzmán, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Germany
Host: Hanh Vu

Place: Large Operon

EMBL Heidelberg, Virtual

Additional information

Abstract
[Male and female axolotls are morphologically indistinguishable prior to sexual maturation. However, they already exhibit basal differences in lipid metabolism at the larval stage. Interestingly, these differences diminish during limb regeneration, suggesting that the metabolic demands of regeneration trigger systemic adaptations. This finding underscores the importance of understanding how systemic metabolism influences regenerative processes and highlights the need to further characterize sex-specific traits and the complex interactions among diet, lipid metabolism, and growth.


 

About the speaker
[Biographical information about the speaker].

Meet the speaker
To meet with the speaker informally after the talks,sign up here [add link]. We especially encourage predocs and postdocs to take advantage of this opportunity.

Attachments
[Link to a file (for example a pdf of the seminar’s programme) - the file can be uploaded on the intranet]

Connection details
Zoom*: [link] (Meeting ID: [XXXXXXXXX], Password: [XXXXXXX])

Please note that the talk will yes/not be recorded.
*For the FAQ section, as a zoom participant, please use either the chat function (the host will read out your question) or the “raise your hand” function and turn on your microphone.


17 November 2025, 14:00

"Pontin and Reptin - novel players at neuromuscular junctions"

17 November 20252025External Faculty SpeakerEMBL Heidelberg

Description AbstractMy team studies developmental and cellular neurobiology with an emphasis on unravelling the roles of individual components of the neuronal cell machinery The Pontin Reptin complex is highly conserved and plays diverse yet understudied roles in eukaryotic cells The proteins are expressed in neurons where they have both developmental and neuroprotective functions In the talk I will introduce Pontin and Reptin and provide insight into our imaging based journey towards understanding their individual roles in motor neurons of Drosophila melanogaster larvae Zoom link Meeting ID XXXXXXXXX Password XXXXXXX... AbstractMy team studies developmental and cellular neurobiology with an emphasis on unravelling the roles of individual components of the neuronal cell machinery. The Pontin/Reptin complex is highly conserved and plays diverse, yet understudied, roles in eukaryotic cells. The proteins are expressed in neurons, where they have both developmental and neuroprotective functions.  In the talk I will introduce Pontin and Reptin and provide insight into our imaging-based journey towards understanding their individual roles in motor neurons of Drosophila melanogaster larvae.Zoom*: [link] (Meeting ID: [XXXXXXXXX], Password: [XXXXXXX]) 

Speaker(s): Sigríður Rut Franzdóttir, Department of Developmental Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
Host: Rachel Mellwig - EMCF

Place: Small Operon

EMBL Heidelberg

Additional information

Abstract
My team studies developmental and cellular neurobiology with an emphasis on unravelling the roles of individual components of the neuronal cell machinery. The Pontin/Reptin complex is highly conserved and plays diverse, yet understudied, roles in eukaryotic cells. The proteins are expressed in neurons, where they have both developmental and neuroprotective functions.  In the talk I will introduce Pontin and Reptin and provide insight into our imaging-based journey towards understanding their individual roles in motor neurons of Drosophila melanogaster larvae.


Zoom*: [link] (Meeting ID: [XXXXXXXXX], Password: [XXXXXXX])

 


21 November 2025, 11:00

Dynamic changes of brain cell types in development and aging

21 November 20252025EMBL Distinguished Visitor LectureEMBL Rome

Description Abstract To understand the function of the brain and how its dysfunction leads to brain diseases it is essential to uncover the cell type composition of the brain how the cell types are connected with each other and what their roles are in circuit function At the Allen Institute we generated a comprehensive and high resolution transcriptomic and spatial cell type atlas for the whole adult mouse brain including 5 300 clusters that are hierarchically organized Extending from this foundational reference atlas we have investigated the dynamic changes of transcriptomic profiles of specific cell types in the developing and aging brain In the aging mouse brain through brain wide single cell transcriptomic profiling we uncovered cell type specific transcriptomic signatures of decreased neuronal structure and function and increased immune response and inflammation We further identified a potential hotspot for aging involving specific hypothalamic cell types regulating energy homeostasis that exhibit both decreased neuronal function and increased immune response suggesting a connection among metabolism neuroinflammation and aging As a first deep characterization of brain development we generated a transcriptomic and epigenomic cell type atlas of the developing mouse visual cortex with dense temporal sampling from E11 5 to P28 We reconstructed a transcriptomic developmental trajectory map of all excitatory inhibitory and non neuronal cell types in the visual cortex which reveals continuous cell type diversification throughout the pre and postnatal stages of cortical development We also conducted an in depth analysis of the transcriptomic and spatial organization of GABAergic neuron types 1 000 clusters in all regions of the mouse telencephalon and their developmental origins We found that long distance migration and dispersion is a common characteristic of nearly all these neuron types In contrast to cortical and striatal GABAergic neurons which undergo extensive postnatal diversification septal preoptic and most pallidal GABAergic neuron types emerge in a burst during the embryonic stage with limited postnatal diversification suggesting distinct cell type development mechanisms in different brain regions Zoom details https www embl org internal information updates distinguished visitor lecture hongkui zeng... Abstract To understand the function of the brain and how its dysfunction leads to brain diseases, it is essential to uncover the cell type composition of the brain, how the cell types are connected with each other and what their roles are in circuit function. At the Allen Institute, we generated a comprehensive and high-resolution transcriptomic and spatial cell type atlas for the whole adult mouse brain, including >5,300 clusters that are hierarchically organized. Extending from this foundational reference atlas, we have investigated the dynamic changes of transcriptomic profiles of specific cell types in the developing and aging brain. In the aging mouse brain, through brain-wide single-cell transcriptomic profiling, we uncovered cell-type specific transcriptomic signatures of decreased neuronal structure and function and increased immune response and inflammation. We...

Speaker(s): Hongkui Zeng, Allen Institute for Brain Science, USA
Host: Santiago Rompani

Place: Conf Room/Building 14

EMBL Rome

Additional information

Abstract
 

To understand the function of the brain and how its dysfunction leads to brain diseases, it is essential to uncover the cell type composition of the brain, how the cell types are connected with each other and what their roles are in circuit function. At the Allen Institute, we generated a comprehensive and high-resolution transcriptomic and spatial cell type atlas for the whole adult mouse brain, including >5,300 clusters that are hierarchically organized. Extending from this foundational reference atlas, we have investigated the dynamic changes of transcriptomic profiles of specific cell types in the developing and aging brain. In the aging mouse brain, through brain-wide single-cell transcriptomic profiling, we uncovered cell-type specific transcriptomic signatures of decreased neuronal structure and function and increased immune response and inflammation. We further identified a potential hotspot for aging involving specific hypothalamic cell types regulating energy homeostasis that exhibit both decreased neuronal function and increased immune response, suggesting a connection among metabolism, neuroinflammation, and aging. As a first deep characterization of brain development, we generated a transcriptomic and epigenomic cell type atlas of the developing mouse visual cortex, with dense temporal sampling from E11.5 to P28. We reconstructed a transcriptomic developmental trajectory map of all excitatory, inhibitory, and non-neuronal cell types in the visual cortex, which reveals continuous cell type diversification throughout the pre- and postnatal stages of cortical development. We also conducted an in-depth analysis of the transcriptomic and spatial organization of GABAergic neuron types (>1,000 clusters) in all regions of the mouse telencephalon and their developmental origins. We found that long-distance migration and dispersion is a common characteristic of nearly all these neuron types. In contrast to cortical and striatal GABAergic neurons which undergo extensive postnatal diversification, septal, preoptic and most pallidal GABAergic neuron types emerge in a burst during the embryonic stage with limited postnatal diversification, suggesting distinct cell-type development mechanisms in different brain regions. 

 

Zoom details: https://www.embl.org/internal-information/updates/distinguished-visitor-lecture-hongkui-zeng/ 


21 November 2025, 13:00

P05 Nanotomography at PETRA III: Structure - function studies in biology & materials science

21 November 20252025Hamburg SpeakerEMBL Hamburg

...

Speaker(s): Imke Greving, Institute of Materials Physics Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Germany
Host: Elisabeth Duke

Place: Seminar Room 48e

EMBL Hamburg


28 November 2025, 11:00

EMBL | BioNT Career Webinar

28 November 20252025Career EventEMBL Heidelberg

Description In this webinar two professionals from small and medium sized enterprises SMEs in the IT and software sector will discuss their career paths and share insights with researchers Following the speakers introductory presentations participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during a panel discussion Please register for this zoom webinar https embl org zoom us webinar register WN zEAB TYGTKuKWuPFKrqOdw registrationPlease note that the webinar will be recorded For the FAQ section as a zoom participant please use the chat function the host will read out your question... In this webinar, two professionals from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the IT and software sector will discuss their career paths and share insights with researchers. Following the speakers' introductory presentations, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during a panel discussion.Please register for this zoom webinar: https://embl-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zEAB_TYGTKuKWuPFKrqOdw#/registrationPlease note that the webinar will be recorded.*For the FAQ section, as a zoom participant, please use  the chat function (the host will read out your question).

Speaker(s): Toni Wagner, CEO, vAudience, Germany | Helena Vela, Computational Scientist - Do IT Now, Spain
Host: EMBL Fellows Career Service and BioNT

Place: Virtual seminar (Join the VC)

EMBL Heidelberg

Additional information

In this webinar, two professionals from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the IT and software sector will discuss their career paths and share insights with researchers. Following the speakers' introductory presentations, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during a panel discussion.

Please register for this zoom webinar: https://embl-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zEAB_TYGTKuKWuPFKrqOdw#/registration

Please note that the webinar will be recorded.
*For the FAQ section, as a zoom participant, please use  the chat function (the host will read out your question).


28 November 2025, 11:30

AVITI24: Mechanistic Multiomic Assays – Discovery Breakthroughs at Record Speed

28 November 20252025Company RepresentativeEMBL Heidelberg, Virtual

Description AbstractAVITI24 combines single cell spatial co detection of RNA protein and morphology and next generation sequencing into one integrated system all powered by the groundbreaking Avidite Base Chemistry ABC AVITI24 empowers seeing more in every experiment from drug response pathway deconvolution and genetic perturbation screens to immune profiling and dynamic cell state analysis It also enables direct in sample sequencing and custom protein detection doi 10 1101 2025 05 03 651997v1 doi 10 1101 2025 10 11 681797v1Connection detailsZoom https embl org zoom us j 91525609229 pwd KtKI5bx7yB4ftsRqADrPlLLpHmp6rd 1 Meeting ID 91525609229... AbstractAVITI24 combines single cell, spatial co-detection of RNA, protein, and morphology, and next-generation sequencing into one integrated system - all powered by the groundbreaking Avidite Base Chemistry™ (ABC™). AVITI24 empowers seeing more in every experiment, from drug response pathway deconvolution and genetic perturbation screens to immune profiling and dynamic cell state analysis. It also enables direct in sample sequencing and custom protein detection.doi: 10.1101/2025.05.03.651997v1, doi: 10.1101/2025.10.11.681797v1Connection detailsZoom*: [https://embl-org.zoom.us/j/91525609229?pwd=KtKI5bx7yB4ftsRqADrPlLLpHmp6rd.1] (Meeting ID: [91525609229]

Speaker(s): Wilfred Van IJcken, Element Biosciences, San Diego, CA, USA
Host: Vladimir Benes, GeneCore

Place: Small Operon

EMBL Heidelberg, Virtual

Additional information

Abstract
AVITI24 combines single cell, spatial co-detection of RNA, protein, and morphology, and next-generation sequencing into one integrated system - all powered by the groundbreaking Avidite Base Chemistry™ (ABC™). AVITI24 empowers seeing more in every experiment, from drug response pathway deconvolution and genetic perturbation screens to immune profiling and dynamic cell state analysis. It also enables direct in sample sequencing and custom protein detection.

doi: 10.1101/2025.05.03.651997v1, doi: 10.1101/2025.10.11.681797v1

Connection details
Zoom*: [https://embl-org.zoom.us/j/91525609229?pwd=KtKI5bx7yB4ftsRqADrPlLLpHmp6rd.1] (Meeting ID: [91525609229]


4 December 2025, 14:30

To be announced

4 December 20252025External Faculty SpeakerEMBL Heidelberg

Description Abstract Text for abstract About the speaker Biographical information about the speaker Meet the speakerTo meet with the speaker informally after the talks sign up here add link We especially encourage predocs and postdocs to take advantage of this opportunity Attachments Link to a file for example a pdf of the seminar s programme the file can be uploaded on the intranet Connection detailsZoom https embl org zoom us j 96374261689 pwd TnNxRWtQY2lyc2pSa2JpY3NGcDlhZz09 Meeting ID 963 7426 1689 Password DBU Please note that the talk will yes not be recorded For the FAQ section as a zoom participant please use either the chat function the host will read out your question or the raise your hand function and turn on your microphone... Abstract[Text for abstract].About the speaker[Biographical information about the speaker].Meet the speakerTo meet with the speaker informally after the talks,sign up here [add link]. We especially encourage predocs and postdocs to take advantage of this opportunity.Attachments[Link to a file (for example a pdf of the seminar’s programme) - the file can be uploaded on the intranet]Connection detailsZoom*: [https://embl-org.zoom.us/j/96374261689?pwd=TnNxRWtQY2lyc2pSa2JpY3NGcDlhZz09] (Meeting ID: [963 7426 1689], Password: [DBU])Please note that the talk will yes/not be recorded.*For the FAQ section, as a zoom participant, please use either the chat function (the host will read out your question) or the “raise your hand” function and turn on your microphone.

Speaker(s): Irene Miguel Aliaga, The Francis Crick Institute, United Kingdom

Place: Small Operon

EMBL Heidelberg

Additional information

Abstract
[Text for abstract].

About the speaker
[Biographical information about the speaker].

Meet the speaker
To meet with the speaker informally after the talks,sign up here [add link]. We especially encourage predocs and postdocs to take advantage of this opportunity.

Attachments
[Link to a file (for example a pdf of the seminar’s programme) - the file can be uploaded on the intranet]

Connection details
Zoom*: [https://embl-org.zoom.us/j/96374261689?pwd=TnNxRWtQY2lyc2pSa2JpY3NGcDlhZz09] (Meeting ID: [963 7426 1689], Password: [DBU])

Please note that the talk will yes/not be recorded.
*For the FAQ section, as a zoom participant, please use either the chat function (the host will read out your question) or the “raise your hand” function and turn on your microphone.


8 December 2025, 10:00

EMBL Entrepreneurial Minds - Advancing biotechnology: The journey from basic research to product development

8 December 20252025Career EventEMBL Heidelberg, Virtual

Description AbstractEMBL Entrepreneurial Minds is a dynamic quarterly webinar series crafted to ignite entrepreneurial spirit and initiatives among all EMBL staff and fellows Our speakers share practical insights into entrepreneurship technology transfer research commercialisation and navigating start up landscapes Through engaging online webinars attendees will explore success stories learn from speaker experiences and connect with industry experts including entrepreneurs tech transfer professionals and EMBL alumni Whether you are refining a startup concept exploring ways to translate research into societal impacts seeking insights into industry and commercial careers or considering future opportunities as a founder the EMBL Entrepreneurial Minds Series equips you with ideas knowledge and networks to advance your entrepreneurial journey About the speakerFay Christodoulou is a distinguished molecular biologist and entrepreneur based in San Francisco Born in Greece she pursued her undergraduate studies at Sussex University in the UK and earned her PhD in evolutionary developmental biology from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL in Heidelberg Germany In 2014 she co founded Miroculus leading the development of innovative digital microfluidics technology that automates sample preparation for next generation sequencing NGS as Chief Scientific Officer In 2023 Miroculus was acquired by INTEGRA Biosciences where Fay now serves as Chief Scientific Officer in Microfluidics Her expertise continues to drive advancements in biotechnology focusing on integrating microfluidics into laboratory workflows Fay is an Endeavor Entrepreneur a mentor at QB3 Berkeley early stage mentoring program and is passionate about advocating for women s representation in STEM Registration details please register to attend in person or onlinehttps embl org zoom us webinar register WN Dazq sR7SYKOivqB7YVzFg registrationPlease note that the talk will be recorded For the FAQ section as a zoom participant please use the chat function the host will read out your question... AbstractEMBL “Entrepreneurial Minds” is a dynamic quarterly webinar series crafted to ignite entrepreneurial spirit and initiatives among all EMBL staff and fellows. Our speakers share practical insights into entrepreneurship, technology transfer, research commercialisation, and navigating start-up landscapes. Through engaging online webinars, attendees will explore success stories, learn from speaker experiences, and connect with industry experts including entrepreneurs, tech transfer professionals, and EMBL alumni.  Whether you are refining a startup concept, exploring ways to translate research into societal impacts, seeking insights into industry and commercial careers, or considering future opportunities as a founder, the “EMBL Entrepreneurial Minds Series” equips you with ideas, knowledge and networks to advance your entrepreneurial journey.About the speakerFay Christodoulou...

Speaker(s): Fay Christodoulou, INTEGRA Biosciences, USA
Host: Laurene Martins and Jürgen Bauer, EMBLEM and Rachel Coulthard-Graf, EMBL Fellows' Career Service

Place: IC Lecture Hall

EMBL Heidelberg, Virtual

Additional information

Abstract
EMBL “Entrepreneurial Minds” is a dynamic quarterly webinar series crafted to ignite entrepreneurial spirit and initiatives among all EMBL staff and fellows. Our speakers share practical insights into entrepreneurship, technology transfer, research commercialisation, and navigating start-up landscapes. Through engaging online webinars, attendees will explore success stories, learn from speaker experiences, and connect with industry experts including entrepreneurs, tech transfer professionals, and EMBL alumni.  Whether you are refining a startup concept, exploring ways to translate research into societal impacts, seeking insights into industry and commercial careers, or considering future opportunities as a founder, the “EMBL Entrepreneurial Minds Series” equips you with ideas, knowledge and networks to advance your entrepreneurial journey.

About the speaker
Fay Christodoulou is a distinguished molecular biologist and entrepreneur based in San Francisco. Born in Greece, she pursued her undergraduate studies at Sussex University in the UK and earned her PhD in evolutionary developmental biology from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany. In 2014, she co-founded Miroculus, leading the development of innovative digital microfluidics technology that automates sample preparation for next generation sequencing (NGS) as Chief Scientific Officer.

In 2023, Miroculus was acquired by INTEGRA Biosciences, where Fay now serves as Chief Scientific Officer in Microfluidics. Her expertise continues to drive advancements in biotechnology, focusing on integrating microfluidics into laboratory workflows. Fay is an Endeavor Entrepreneur, a mentor at QB3 Berkeley early-stage mentoring program and is passionate about advocating for women's representation in STEM.

Registration details - please register to attend in-person or online
https://embl-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dazq-sR7SYKOivqB7YVzFg#/registration

Please note that the talk will be recorded.
*For the FAQ section, as a zoom participant, please use  the chat function (the host will read out your question).


11 September 2026, 11:00

Polycomb proteins and 3D genome architecture in chromatin memory from flies to mouse

11 September 20262026External Faculty SpeakerEMBL Rome

Description AbstractEpigenetic components regulate many biological phenomena during development and normal physiology When dysregulated epigenetic components can also accompany or drive diseases One main class of epigenetic components are Polycomb group proteins Originally Polycomb proteins were shown to silence gene expression We found that this function involves the regulation of 3D chromosome folding and we found that Polycomb components can induce the formation of long distance interactions or chromatin loops that may play instructive roles in gene regulation as well as serve as scaffolding elements that contribute to enhancer promoter specificity Perturbation of Polycomb components is involved in human cancer and leads to tumorigenesis in flies Surprisingly even upon a transient depletion followed by restoration of the full Polycomb compendium epithelial cells lose their normal differentiated fate continue proliferating and establish aggressive tumors demonstrating that cancer can have a fully epigenetic origin Similarly transient perturbation of histone acetylation in mouse ES cells and gastruloids shows that they can record chromatin changes and that this results in cellular memory of the perturbation states The implication of these data will be discussed... AbstractEpigenetic components regulate many biological phenomena during development and normal physiology. When dysregulated, epigenetic components can also accompany or drive diseases. One main class of epigenetic components are Polycomb group proteins. Originally, Polycomb proteins were shown to silence gene expression. We found that this function involves the regulation of 3D chromosome folding and we found that Polycomb components can induce the formation of long-distance interactions or chromatin loops that may play instructive roles in gene regulation as well as serve as scaffolding elements that contribute to enhancer-promoter specificity. Perturbation of Polycomb components is involved in human cancer and leads to tumorigenesis in flies. Surprisingly, even upon a transient depletion followed by restoration of the full Polycomb compendium, epithelial cells lose their normal...

Speaker(s): Giacomo Cavalli, CNRS and University of Montpellier, France
Host: Jamie Hackett

Place: Conf Room/Building 14

EMBL Rome

Additional information

Abstract


Epigenetic components regulate many biological phenomena during development and normal physiology. When dysregulated, epigenetic components can also accompany or drive diseases. One main class of epigenetic components are Polycomb group proteins. Originally, Polycomb proteins were shown to silence gene expression. We found that this function involves the regulation of 3D chromosome folding and we found that Polycomb components can induce the formation of long-distance interactions or chromatin loops that may play instructive roles in gene regulation as well as serve as scaffolding elements that contribute to enhancer-promoter specificity. Perturbation of Polycomb components is involved in human cancer and leads to tumorigenesis in flies. Surprisingly, even upon a transient depletion followed by restoration of the full Polycomb compendium, epithelial cells lose their normal differentiated fate, continue proliferating and establish aggressive tumors, demonstrating that cancer can have a fully epigenetic origin. Similarly, transient perturbation of histone acetylation in mouse ES cells and gastruloids shows that they can record chromatin changes and that this results in cellular memory of the perturbation states. The implication of these data will be discussed.