The circle of life: understanding development from connections in biology
Professor Julia Horsfield’s current research originates from her fascination with how cells ‘decide’ what they are going to be in a growing, developing embryo. At the University of Otago, Julia started working on Cohesin, a protein that connects cell division with cell fate decisions. Cohesin controls chromosome segregation during cell division, and it also organises the DNA of non-dividing cells to select genes for expression. Using zebrafish, Julia’s group determined how mutation of Cohesin contributes to human developmental disorders, the “Cohesinopathies”. Her group also studies how genes first come to be switched on in the embryo by Cohesin-mediated chromatin structure. She was the first to show that mutations in Cohesin may be linked with leukaemia; a finding later confirmed by cancer genome sequencing projects. Her recent work focuses on the mechanism of Cohesin’s contribution to leukaemia, including the sensitivity of Cohesin-mutant cancers to specific drugs.
Livestream
This event will be livestreamed, from 5:25pm Thursday 30 March 2023, at the following web address:
Livestream link for Professor Julia Horsfield's IPL
Test your connection to the streaming service here
| Date | Thursday, 30 March 2023 |
|---|---|
| Time | 5:30pm - 7:30pm |
| Audience | Public,All University |
| Event Category | Health Sciences |
| Event Type |
Inaugural Professorial Lecture |
| Campus | Dunedin |
| Department | Pathology (Dunedin) |
| Location | Castle 1 Lecture Theatre, Dunedin |
| Cost | Free |
| Contact Name | Anna Poole |
| Contact Email | anna.poole@otago.ac.nz |
