Join the IGB on Tuesday, April 1st to hear from Thomas R. Cech, PhD, 
Nobel Laureate and Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry

3:30pm - I Hotel and Conference Center

Thomas R. Cech, PhD will give the IGB Distinguished Public Lecture in Genomics 
followed by a reception and book signing of his latest work 
"The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets" 

Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen will open the lecture by reading 
the official proclamation declaring April 1st, 2025 as Tom Cech Day!

Thomas R. Cech, PhD
Nobel Laureate, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
BioFrontiers Institute
University of Colorado Boulder 

At the request of a number of faculty who wanted to hear both Dr. Tom Cech and Steve Maren, Steve kindly agreed to postpone his presentation until next Fall. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to hear Dr. Cech’s presentation. 

Gene delivery has become an essential method for neuroscience research and offers promises for therapeutic applications. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) have been among the most preferred gene delivery vehicles (vectors) due to their low toxicity and high engineering potential. However, their poor efficacy and target specificity remain critical limitations, often raising serious safety concerns in clinical trials. My research has focused on engineering these viral vectors, enabling efficient and targeted gene delivery to the central and peripheral nervous systems through minimally invasive routes. To achieve this goal, we have developed several high-throughput platforms for engineering and screening the genetic variant libraries of AAV capsids (protein shell) and genomes by adapting cutting-edge technologies such as directed evolution and spatial omics. Through these technical innovations, we have identified a series of synthetic AAV variants that are, for instance, capable of penetrating the protective blood-brain barrier, preferentially transducing specific brain cell types, or avoiding the liver when intravenously administered. Our platform technologies have successfully been translated across species, including rodents and non-human primates, offering the great potential of advancing therapeutic gene delivery tools. In my new lab at UIUC Bioengineering, we aim to advance the precision of gene delivery by better understanding the genetic and epigenetic basis of brain functions and disorders and utilizing the obtained knowledge to develop targeted gene delivery vectors for specific brain cell types and states. We tackle this challenge at the intersection of synthetic biology, single-cell/spatial omics, and machine learning, ultimately hoping to deliver precision gene therapy for complex neurological and mental disorders.

Join us at noon on Wednesdays this spring for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat! 

Research Interests
Our laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and human diseases. Our laboratory utilizes state-of-the-art technologies and animal models to elucidate how lipid metabolism is regulated in physiology, and how dysregulation of metabolism contributes to disease conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Our ultimate goal is to investigate whether manipulating metabolism could be used as a therapeutic strategy for human diseases

The ability to craft an effective funding proposal is a skill that can reap a lifetime of rewards. As a graduate student, now is the time to hone your grantwriting proficiency. In this workshop, designed for students in STEM fields, you will learn how to identify funding opportunities, strategize the components of an effective proposal, and think like a grantwriter. Come with questions about this mysterious genre, leave with a template that you can adapt to become a competitive applicant for prestigious university, national, and international funding competitions. 

Register in advance for the link to this online workshop. 

See more Graduate College Workshops.

Whether you are starting your job search or looking to refresh your strategy, we've got you covered. This workshop will provide an overview of the entire job search process including tips for writing application materials that get noticed, navigating the interview process, evaluating and negotiating an offer, and more.

No registration required. This session is available online at https://go.grad.illinois.edu/eventspace

See the full listing of Graduate College workshops at https://go.grad.illinois.edu/workshops

*If you require any disability-related accommodations to participate in this workshop more fully, please email gradsuccess@illinois.edu

The Beckman Institute Open House is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 4, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025. It offers a fun, interactive look at the interdisciplinary research happening at the Beckman Institute. It happens at the same time as Engineering Open House each year. 

Thank the graduate student in your life!