Aakanksha Singhvi, PhD, — Assistant Professor, Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Affiliate Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington School of Medicine — will be visiting WSU Spokane. Her seminar entitled, “Molecular mechanisms of glia-neuron interactions” will be in person in the Spokane Center for Clinical Research and Simulation (SCCRS/SCRS), room 250 and through Zoom on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 12–1 p.m.
The human brain has two major cell types, glia and neurons, in about equal numbers. While neuron functions are somewhat well-understood, how glia work or interact with neurons to impact animal behaviors is less understood. This is a critical knowledge gap, since it is increasingly evident that glia are critical regulators of nervous system functions and disease. Exploiting the unique connectome features and genetic tractability of C. elegans, we map how curated glia interact with neurons and non-neural cells, or prune neurons, in mechanistic detail. We aim to define the organizational logic by which glia across the nervous system impact neuron properties in health, disease, sex, and age.
We look forward to you joining us in person (SCCRS 250) or through Zoom!
Questions/Zoom link? Contact Michelle Sanchez at michelle.r.sanchez@wsu.edu.
