Open-Source Nanophotonics Hardware & Reagents for Cutting-Edge Biology
January 27 (Thursday), 2022
11:30 am to 12:30 pm (EST)
Virtual via Zoom
Abstract: Dr. Looger will present updates on a variety of molecular tools for studying & manipulating neural circuits & other preparations. Topics include genetically encoded calcium indicators (including the new ultra-fast jGCaMP8 variants), neurotransmitter sensors (improved versions for following glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine, serotonin), optogenetic effectors including the new “enhanced Magnets” dimerizers, AAV serotypes for retrograde labeling & altered tropism, probes for correlative light-electron microscopy, chemical gene switches, etc. He will make all his slides freely available – so don’t worry about hurriedly taking notes; instead focus on questions and ideas for collaboration. Please bring your suggestions for molecular tools that would be transformative for the field.
Biography: Dr. Loren Looger is Professor of Neurosciences at UC, San Diego and HHMI investigator. Previously, he was a Group Leader at Janelia, and conducted post-doctoral work at Stanford, in the Carnegie Institute of Plant Biology. Loren grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. His wide-ranging interests in science are demonstrated by his BS in Chemistry, his MS in Mathematics, both from Stanford University, followed by a PhD in biochemistry from Duke University. Looger is a prolific inventor, including a glutamate sensor made from bacterial proteins. His research interests range from cost-effective sequencing technologies, and protein modeling tools, to robotized high-throughput screening.
Links to other talks by Dr. Looger