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, June 11, 2025, 4:00 pm
4:00-5:00pm Chen 130
5:00-5:30pm Socializing (snacks and drinks will be provided)
"Exploring potential inhibitory target sites on MraY, a key integral enzyme in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis"
Yusrah KaudeerClemons Lab
The rise of antibiotic resistance underscores the need for new antimicrobial agents. MraY catalyzes the first step in peptidoglycan biosynthesis and is a promising antibacterial target. It is inhibited by various nucleoside natural products and the ΦX174 lysis protein E. Despite structural and biochemical information, no MraY-targeting compound has made it past clinical trials. In this study, we aim to elucidate the structure of MraY in complex with novel nucleoside inhibitors and explore novel sites to allosterically inhibit MraY via cryo-EM. These structures will reveal the binding modes of these inhibitors, guiding the development of potent MraY inhibitors as next-generation antibiotics.
"Uncovering microorganisms with divergent particulate Cu-monooxygenases on methane seep carbonates"
Magdalena J. MayrOrphan Lab
At marine methane seeps, anaerobic methane oxidizing microbes promote carbonate rock formation, acting as methane sink and carbon storage. However, carbonate surface associated microbes remain poorly described, despite their potential role in modulating redox conditions and carbonate dissolution. We found undescribed divergent pMMOs (particulate methane monooxygenases) on the carbonate surface, including within Methylophagaceae members, suggesting a yet unrecognized function within this group. Copper membrane monooxygenases catalyzed aerobic oxidation of methane, ammonia, and short-chain alkanes. On a cruise to the same site, we incubated carbonates aerobically with methane and short-chain alkanes to enrich microorganisms with divergent pMMOs. Combined with metagenomics we show new insights into potential function and phylogenetic affiliation of divergent pMMO hosting microbes.
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
