Of Tubulins and Worms: Tales from Epigenetics

Library Chat: Germano Cecere and Francesca Bartolini
Illumination of Disease Processes through Molecular Genetics. Image courtesy of rawpixel.

Francesca Bartolini, Associate Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University, and Germano Cecere, Director of Research and founder of the Cecere Lab at the Institut Pasteur, discuss how their respective fields of research help us understand how we become who we are through epigenetic changes. Both Francesca and Germano encourage interactions between artists and scientists through workshops and projects involving drawing, dance, and music. Francesca, seen here wearing her microscope earrings, is also a dedicated flamenco dancer, and Germano, the main character and inspiration for L’incroyable aventure de la génétiqueis the drummer in the Institut Pasteur band Billie and the What?!, recently featured in a profile in the New York Times.

Speakers Twitter Accounts:

Francesca Bartolini: @BartoliniLab

Germano Cecere: @cecerelab

Germano Cecere

Germano Cecere is a Molecular Biologist and Research Director at the Institute Pasteur in Paris, where he leads the Mechanisms of Epigenetic Inheritance Laboratory. Germano’s research focuses on small RNAs and their role in transmitting epigenetic information across generations, using the nematode C. elegans as an epigenetic model system. His work has uncovered exciting insights into how small RNAs can carry the memories and experiences of our ancestors and influence our inherited traits and diseases. He has been recognized for his research on small RNA inheritance with an ERC starting and ERC consolidator Grants.

Francesca Bartolini

Dr. Bartolini is a biologist with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from NYU. She heads a research laboratory investigating the role of microtubule stability and tubulin post-translational modifications in the onset of neurodegenerative and neuropathic disease.

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