PIMS/VanBug Seminar

  • Date: 12/08/2011
  • Time: 18:00
Lecturer(s):

Francois Major

   Principal Investigator, Institute for Research in Immunology

   and Cancer, and Professor, Department of Computer Science

   and Operations Research, University of Montreal

 

Short Presentation: Fong Chun Chang

   MSc candidate, Gascoyne Lab, BCCRC

Location: 

Vancouver, BC

Topic: 

Simulating and Predicting the MicroTargetome

Description: 

Protein output determines cell types and states. In animals, microRNAs(miRNAs) are key actors in controlling protein output. Mature miRNAs are about 22-nucleotide long. They are loaded in RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs), which bind to miRNA complementary sites in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to repress their translation. Besides, recent studies indicate that various non-coding RNAs control protein output by competitive attraction of miRNAs. I will present an algorithm to predict the microTargetome, i.e. the RISC/mRNA matching, which considers all competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). The model uses a free-energy of hybridization, and an algorithm that mimics miRNA competition and cooperation. Using this algorithm, we simulated the overexpression of single miRNAs in a specific cell line, and derived a series of biological consequences related to such a protein expression control system. MiRNA, ceRNA, and mRNA levels vary in different cell types and states, including cancer cells. Understanding and predicting microTargetome changes could thus bring insights into the role of RNA in cell differentiation, as well as in cancer development and progression.

Abstracts / Downloads / Reports: 
poster_dec_2011.pdf
Organizers:

Stefanie Butland

Cedric Chauve

Bhavjinder Dhillon

Rodrigo Goya

Elodie Portales-Casamar

Other Information: 

Dr. Major will meet with students and other trainees before his talk on December 8 from 4:30-5:30pm. Please forward this info to your colleagues.Throughout the VanBUG season, students and postdocs are invited to meet with the featured speakers for open discussion of both science and career paths. The lunchroom (where we usually have VanBUG pizza) or Boardroom on the ground floor of the BCCRC (675 West 10th Ave) are booked 4:30-5:30 for this.Recommended Reading TBA 

 

Location: 675 West 10th Avenue, BCCRC

 

For more information please visit http://www.vanbug.org/schedule/

Sponsor: 

VanBUG is generously sponsored by the CIHR Bioinformatics Training Program, MITACS, PIMS, GenomeBC, and the Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops