Biochemistry & Biophysics Biology Seminar - Dr. Elizabeth Haswell; Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Biology; HHMI-Simons Faculty-Scholar; Director of Research, NSF Center for Engineering MechanoBiology;

Seminar Title: "Smarty Plants: How Green Organisms Use Mechanosensitive Ion Channels to Sense and Respond to Physical Forces"

Dr. Haswell's research group aims to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to physical forces. We are studying the structure, function, regulation, and evolution of mechanosensitive ion channels in the green lineage, using molecular genetics, single-channel patch clamp electrophysiology, live-imaging, and computational modeling approaches. We are also engaged in functional and genetic screens designed to identify novel mechanosensory proteins, and in the development of new tools for the non-invasive analysis of membrane forces.