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
CEMINAR is on the second Wednesday of every month.
UPCOMING
Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 4:00 pm
4:00-5:00pm Chen 130
5:00-5:30pm Socializing (snacks and drinks will be provided)
"Cryo-EM structures of the ArsB transporter offer insights into the mechanism of arsenite efflux in bacteria"
Shivansh MahajanRees Lab
Arsenic is a notorious metalloid that contaminates the groundwater in several regions worldwide. Trivalent arsenite (AsIII) is particularly toxic due to its ability to tightly bind thiol groups, thus deactivating proteins. Biological mechanisms of arsenite resistance are of interest for design of robust and sustainable bioremediation methods. ArsB is a widely known efflux pump specific to toxic metalloids, but the mechanism of metalloid transport remains unclear. We have solved the first cryo-EM structures of ArsB in apo and metalloid-bound states. While many questions remain, these structures lay the foundation for understanding the molecular basis of toxic metalloid resistance in prokaryotes.
"Computational and rational design of thermostable and target selective CD4 domains for HIV neutralization"
Adrian BahnBjorkman Lab
CD4-Ig is a fusion molecule of CD4 and IgG Fc that shows promise as a broadly neutralizing and potent entry inhibitor of HIV-1. However, a major challenge for CD4-Ig’s adoption as a therapeutic molecule is its remarkably short serum half-life. Therefore, in order to improve CD4-Ig’s pharmacokinetic properties, we have engineered CD4 variants with improved thermostability and target specificity. Our data suggest these CD4 variants, in the context of CD4-Ig, demonstrate greater neutralization potency and stability when compared to wildtype CD4. These results pave the way for the development of pan-neutralizing and long-lasting biologic drugs against HIV-1.
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
