The UT Southwestern Department of Molecular Biology 30th Anniversary Symposium
Join us in person
April 10, 2025
8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Simmons Biomedical Research Building
6000 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235
NB2.EEF
About the Molecular Biology 30th Anniversary Symposium
This symposium marks a significant milestone, celebrating three decades since the inception of the Department of Molecular Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Join us as we convene esteemed scientists, faculty members, trainees, alumni, and friends to reflect on the department's rich history and remarkable achievements. This gathering is a testament to the department's enduring legacy of excellence and commitment to scientific discovery.
Registration opens in January 2025.
Opening Remarks
President, UT Southwestern
As the President of UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky brings a wealth of experience and dedication to advancing medical research and education. A steadfast advocate for the Department of Molecular Biology, he deeply values the outstanding work and achievements of its faculty, recognizing the significant impact they have on the institution and the broader medical community.
Chair and Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Gratitude is the Attitude
Dr. Olson laid the foundation for the ongoing success of the Department of Molecular Biology, and over the past three decades, he has helped shape it into a thriving center for cutting-edge research and innovation.
Chair and Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics
UT Southwestern
Topic: A Trailblazing Journey of Discovery: From St. Louis to Houston to Dallas, But Not to Durham
Dr. Goldstein played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of Molecular Biology. Recognizing the potential of the emerging field and the importance of strong leadership, he and others championed the effort to create the department and successfully recruited Dr. Olson to head it.
Senior Scientific Officer
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Topic: Reflections on Molecular Biology and UT Southwestern
As an original member of the Department of Molecular Biology, Dr. McKearin advanced our understanding of the biology of germline stem cells in Drosophila before becoming Associate Dean at UT Southwestern and later Scientific Officer at Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Scientific Presentations
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Ribosomes: Decoding Life’s Messages
Dr. Buszczak’s laboratory investigates how ribosomes, mRNA translation, and other forms of gene regulation influence development and tissue regeneration. His group has traditionally studied germ cell development in Drosophila, but more recently he has become interested in how alterations in translation machinery contribute to both disease and adaptation to extreme environments.
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: How Two Cells Become One
Dr. Chen discovered the asymmetric fusogenic synapse as an evolutionarily conserved mechanism underlying myoblast fusion in flies, zebrafish, and mice. Her work has advanced our understanding of cell-cell fusion in the development and physiology of multicellular organisms by mapping the molecular machinery and cellular architecture of actin-propelled invasive protrusions and mechanoresponses at the fusogenic synapse.
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Igniting an Immune Response with cGAS
Dr. Chen discovered the DNA sensing enzyme cGAS that triggers immune and autoimmune responses to cytosolic DNA by producing the second messenger cGAMP (cyclic GMP-AMP). He also discovered the mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein that mediates immune defense against RNA viruses. His current research focuses on dissecting the roles of cGAS and MAVS in inflammation and cancer.
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Tu-be or Not Tu-be: Making and Maintaining Vascular Tubes
Dr. Cleaver investigates the molecular machinery used by cells to communicate, build, and maintain biological tubules. She has found that common mechanisms underlie the pancreatic ductal plexus formation and embryonic blood vessel development. Her findings build a foundation for developing therapies for diseases ranging from diabetes to cancer.
Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Making Sense of Lipid Sensing
Dr. Douglas discovered an uncharacterized mode of intracellular lipid sensing within the worm C. elegans. His current research centers on stress adaptation in the context of cellular metabolism, aging, and traumatic brain injury.
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Exploring the Dark Matter of the Genome
Dr. Mendell studies the regulation and functions of various classes of noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, and their roles in development and disease. His discoveries have illuminated the fundamental mechanisms of action of noncoding RNAs, their roles in physiology, and their potential as therapeutic targets.
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Pathogens: Hijacking Tools From Another
Dr. Orth reveals key molecular mechanisms usurped by pathogens to gain insight into cellular signaling for the human host. One such mechanism found in bacteria, AMPylation, is conserved in viruses, insects, and mammals and linked to rare human genetic disorders.
President, Gladstone Institutes
Topic: Change of Heart: From Genetics in Dallas to New Therapeutics
An original member of the Department of Molecular Biology, Dr. Srivastava has illuminated the mechanisms of cardiac development and congenital heart disease. His success in reprogramming non-muscle cells into heart cells to repair damaged heart tissue and his elucidation of fundamental disease mechanisms have advanced the potential for regenerative therapies for heart disease.
Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Breathing Life Into Dead Enzymes
Protein kinases have been studied for decades and play important roles in many physiological and pathological processes. The textbook view is that these enzymes transfer phosphate from ATP to protein substrates in the process called phosphorylation. Dr. Tagliabracci’s work has overturned this paradigm, discovering new catalytic activities of atypical protein kinases, which have revealed important insights into the cellular response to oxidative stress and the pathogenic mechanisms employed by bacterial and viral pathogens.
Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Topic: Curious Cases of Pluripotent Stem Cell Adaptations
Dr. Wu is one of the world's leading researchers in pluripotent stem cells, their application in embryo models, and organ generation. He was the first to generate human-pig chimeric embryos and human blastocyst-like structures from pluripotent stem cells.
Senior Investigator, Gladstone Institutes
Director Emeritus and Professor, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University
Topic: Recent Progress in iPS Cell Research and Application
Dr. Yamanaka is celebrated for his groundbreaking discovery of a cocktail of transcription factors able to reprogram adult cells to a pluripotent embryonic-like state. These cells, referred to as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), have revolutionized regenerative medicine and opened new possibilities for patient-specific treatments and disease modeling.
Professor, Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Biological Engineering, MIT
Core Member, Broad Institute
Topic: Exploration of Biological Diversity
Dr. Zhang is a pioneering scientist in the field of genome editing and known for his crucial role in developing the CRISPR-Cas9 system for precise genetic modifications. His work has revolutionized genetic research and opened new possibilities for treating genetic disorders.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Molecular and Human Genetics, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine
Director, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital
Topic: From the Clinic to the Bench and Back: Insight Into the Genetics of Neurological Disorders
Dr. Zoghbi is renowned for her discovery of the genetic basis of Rett syndrome, identifying mutations in the MECP2 gene as the cause. Her pioneering work has significantly advanced the understanding of neurological disorders and provided a foundation for developing potential therapies.
* Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator
Session Chairs
Associate Dean for Biomedical Research Recruitment & Advancement
Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Professor, Departments of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology
UT Southwestern
Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern
Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Biology
UT Southwestern