November 2026
Light, Camera, Action! How Biophysicists Watch and Measure Gene Activity
Dr. Anand Singh, Department of Biology, University of Mississippi.
From breathing to muscle movement, living organisms are constantly in motion. Behind the scenes, microscopic biological molecules work continuously to keep us alive, producing the essential RNA and proteins that build and run our bodies. But how do biophysicists measure how fast these processes actually happen inside a living organism?
In this talk, we’ll explore how custom-built microscopes and light-activated molecular tools allow us to spy on and control cellular machinery inside developing fruit fly embryos. By combining RNA sensors with optogenetics, proteins controlled by light, we can turn geneactivity on or off with the flick of a blue light switch. Come discover how biophysicists build and use harmless, light-based tools to unlock the secrets of gene regulation and developmental patterning
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Heartbreak Coffee, 265 North Lamar Blvd, Oxford
And via Zoom
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Sponsors
Department of Physics and Astronomy
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