Join us in welcoming Dr. Patrick Videau, SOU Assistant Professor of Biology.

The Tiny Green Machine: Investigating the Genetics Underlying Cellular Differentiation and Compound Production in a Cyanobacterium

The photosynthetic filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 is a model organism long studied for its ability to differentiate a secondary cell type, the nitrogen-fixing heterocyst. Assessment of the mechanisms used to place this secondary cell type provides insight into the formation and maintenance of a biological pattern in this simple multicellular organism. Results of these studies have created a general map of the genetic interactions necessary to accomplish this developmental program, and this information may be used to produce economically and pharmaceutically desirable compounds. This talk will outline recent work on the genetic regulation of heterocyst differentiation and how these studies facilitate the use of Anabaena as a compound producer.

Dr. Videau joined the Biology Department in 2018 and teaches microbiology, cell biology, immunology, and other things relating to the small and squishy. He has conducted research on bacterial and viral pathogenesis, cellular differentiation, and microbial community analysis. Dr. Videau's research focuses on developing Anabaena as a model host for the heterologous expression of desirable compounds, characterizing novel organisms, and collaborations on defining virulence mechanisms in marine pathogens. 

This is a free event and open to the public.  Light refreshments provided by the STEM Division.

Please visit the STEM website to learn about our future lecture series topics.