Events
CEMINAR
The most important community-oriented activity we sponsor is CEMINAR, formerly MicroMorning, a monthly seminar series where students and postdocs in the CEMI program present their work. Usually 2 individuals present 20-25 min talks (+ 5 min questions) to fill the hour, but on rare occasions we invite an outside speaker. CEMINAR is primarily designed to provide CEMI students and postdocs with an opportunity to practice giving a formal talk to a friendly Caltech audience. Numerous collaborations have been sparked between labs at Caltech thanks to creative connections made during these seminars. View past CEMINARS
CEMINAR talks are non-public events and for the Caltech community, the benefactors of CEMI and invited guests of the CEMI director only.CEMINAR
CEMINAR is on the second Wednesday of every month.
UPCOMING
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 4:00 pm
4:00-5:00pm Chen 130
5:00-5:30pm Socializing (snacks and drinks will be provided)
"Structural basis of liver de-targeting and neuronal tropism of CNS-targeted AAV capsids"
Tyler BrittainGradinaru Lab
Developing effective vectors for gene therapy requires accurate on-target coverage while minimizing off-target transduction that can lead to adverse events. The engineered capsid PHP.eB shows enhanced brain transduction, while the further engineered CAP-B10 is also de-targeted from astrocytes and the liver. Using cryo-EM structures of CAP-B10 and its complex with the AAV receptor (AAVR) domain PKD2 we reveal a motif that hinders AAVR binding. Using this structural information, we designed and validated novel AAV variants with reduced liver and altered brain cell tropism in vivo. Overall, we provide a framework to guide rational engineering of gene delivery vectors to achieve safe and effective delivery.
"Ultrasonic biosensors for real-time detection of neurotransmitters"
Josh ChenShapiro Lab
Neurotransmitters govern neuronal communication, but real-time measurement deep in the brain remains challenging. Optical neurotransmitter sensors enable powerful discoveries yet are limited by light scattering to superficial or surgically accessible regions. To overcome this, we engineered cells that couple neurotransmitter receptors to ultrasound-responsive, genetically encoded gas vesicles (GVs). These nanoscale protein structures alter their mechanical stiffness upon neurotransmitter binding, producing changes in nonlinear ultrasound signal. Implanted into rodent brain, these sensors detect neurotransmitters such as dopamine and acetylcholine. Because ultrasound penetrates deeply with minimal attenuation, this approach enables noninvasive, simultaneous imaging across brain regions. Coupling these sensors with functional ultrasound may link neurochemical signaling to whole-brain activity and disease-related circuit dysfunction.
Social Events
In addition to CEMINAR, CEMI sponsors social events during the academic year:
Fall Poster Sessions: All CEMI labs present one or more posters on their lab’s research. This helps incoming/current students and postdocs remain up-to-date on that latest research projects going on across the campus. One attractive feature of Caltech is that students admitted in any graduate program are welcome to rotate in any lab (as long as the lab is taking students), so this poster session can open up new interests and areas for exploration. It also can spawn new collaborations between labs.
Spring Lectures and Evening Gala: To celebrate the start of the calendar year, we invite a keynote speaker from outside Caltech to give a seminar, plus a few shorter talks by assistant professors or postdocs at Caltech and other local universities. These “Spring Lectures” are open to anyone interested. As a companion event, we hold a formal gathering for a limited number of CEMI sponsors, faculty, and students and postdocs currently being supported by CEMI grants. The evening’s entertainment is organized by a different CEMI lab each year, and the evening culminates with a presentation of the “CEMI Oscars” (we are close to Hollywood, after all…), roasting CEMI members for notable achievements in the past year, all in good fun. View past lectures
Spring Happy Hour: In recognition of the fact that sometimes the most inspired ideas come when we least expect them, we promote casual conversation between all members of the CEMI community supplemented with drinks and food at the start of the spring term (no posters required!).
CEMI Spring Celebration of Science: This hour-long science program featured short lightning talks from CEMI graduate students and postdocs followed by time to talk with the speakers and socialize with our CEMI colleagues. The inaugural event was held on May 12, 2021.
Workshops
CEMI occasionally supports training courses at Caltech that provide members of the CEMI community with an opportunity for intensive training in a particular area. Any member of the CEMI community is welcome to suggest a topic for a workshop. Please contact the CEMI administrator if you have an idea. View past workshops
