Yin Yang of Repetitive RNAs in tissue regeneration and aging

Marine Climate Change (Ravasi) Unit would like to invite you to the seminar by Prof. Valerio Orlando on April 2 (Wednesday).
 
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Date:   Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time:  14:00-15:00
Venue: L4E01 (Level E, Lab 4)

Zoom link:
https://oist.zoom.us/j/93473189665?pwd=CDoWfU5aQqeAARXbMdXqOHYYt2gYoI.1
Meeting ID: 934 7318 9665
Passcode: 235455

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Speaker:

Professor of Epigenetics
Director KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Research Program
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division

Title:

Yin Yang of Repetitive RNAs in tissue regeneration and aging

Abstract:

Epigenetic mechanisms govern the dialogue between genome and environment and their efficiency evolves during lifetime. In particular, proper regulation of the plastic properties of the epigenome and signaling functions in response to developmental and environmental cues, is condition for maintenance of optimal healthy and resilient states.  In this context we investigate the functional role of the repetitive part of the mammalian genome. Recent progress revealed a pivotal role of the RNAs coming from this portion of the genome in both epigenome dynamics and regulated inflammatory response. This evidence places Repetitive and Retrotransposons RNA at the center of two fundamental aspects of cell and organism physiology, aspects that when compromised are well recognized hallmarks of unhealthy states and aging, involving loss of nuclear architecture and chronic inflammation. The talk will discuss data about the question whether, how and when Retrotrasposons RNAs are drivers or passangers in these processes in particular in epigenome and cell identity homeostasis, tissue regeneration and aging.

Biogeography:

Prof. Valerio Orlando obtained his PhD in Molecular Biology at University La Sapienza in Rome Italy (1989), then he went on for postdoc at Univeirsity of Heidelberg (1991- 1997). He started his independent career in 1998 at San Raffaele Institute in Milan. In 2002 he joined Telethon Foundation Italy where he was founder member of the Dulbecco Telethon Institute (DTI), at Santa Lucia Foundation Hospital and Research Center in Rome (2008-2013). He has been a proactive member of Eu- funded Network of Excellence of Epigenetics (Epigenome and Epigenesys Networks of Excellence) and spearheader of the First National Italy’s Flagship Project on Epigenetics (www.epigen.it). In 2013 he moved to KAUST where he founded and has been directing the KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program (keep.kaust.edu.sa).

Host:
Prof. Timothy Ravasi