Calendar
Wollemi Pine (Wollemia Nobilis) at the UC Botanical Garden – photo © Alex Madonik 2024
Join us on Sunday, January 19, 2025 for a buffet lunch, networking, and a chance to explore the exotic chemistry of plants. Professor Philipp Zerbe will present new results from his laboratory at UC Davis, including their studies of the scent compounds from the Wollemi Pine (shown above). This ancient species dates to the era of the dinosaurs, and was thought to be extinct until its discovery in the remote mountains of New South Wales, Australia in 1994. Its survival in the wild is threatened, and the UCB Botanical Garden is one of many centers working to preserve the species. Professor Zerbe is working with researchers at the Botanical Garden to study the unique chemistry of this mysterious plant.
Lunch Reservations (12:00 PM) – Please Click Here
If you can’t join us in-person, you can still join us online!
Register for the Zoom Meeting at 1:00 PM – Click Here
We look forward to seeing you on January 19th!
Download the event flier HERE.
Abstract
Plants are nature’s master chemists; they deploy complex networks of specialized metabolites to interact with other organisms and adapt to their environment. Among these metabolites, terpenoids encompass the largest class with critical functions in plant development, chemical ecology and stress adaptation. Terpenoid chemical diversity also offers a rich source for bioproducts, including flavors, fragrances, pharmaceuticals and more. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the diversity of plant terpenoid metabolism can offer innovative avenues toward agricultural and other industrial applications. Toward this vision, the Zerbe Lab integrates functional genomics, metabolomics and various protein biochemical and genetic appraoches to investigate the biosynthesis and physiological function of terpenoids in food, bioenergy, and medicinal plants. We will discuss the discovery of common and species-specific terpenoid pathways across different plant species that provide new insights into the evolutionary divergence of terpenoid metabolism, its role in plant-environment interactions, and how this knowledge can be applied toward crop improvement and bioproduct engineering.
About the Speaker
Philipp Zerbe is a Professor at the Department of Plant Biology, University of California at Davis. His research group focuses on the discovery and engineering of specialized terpenoid metabolism in food, bioenergy and medicinal plants. For his research, Dr. Zerbe received the 2015 Arthur Neish Young Investigator Award, a 2016/17 Hellman Fellowship, and 2018 Elsevier Young Investigator Award. Prior to his position at UC Davis, Dr. Zerbe received his PhD from the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany (2007) with emphasis on structure-function studies plant hormone metabolism, followed by positions as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associate at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) where he focused his research on the discovery of terpenoid metabolism with relevance for bioproducts and stress tolerance in food crops and forest trees.
Our Distinguished Panelist:
Karina Krarup Sand, PhD | Associate Professor at the Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
Download the Event Flier HERE.
Abstract:
Extracellular DNA (eDNA) in the environment degrades rapidly unless adsorbed onto minerals, which enhances its stability. Currently there are vast amounts of DNA molecules preserved in our sediments. This mineral-bound DNA, although widely used to study past ecosystems, also poses significant implications for bacterial gene acquisition. By utilizing interfacial geochemistry, molecular level and bacterial approaches, this study explores (1) the role of mineral surfaces in DNA preservation in sediments and (2) the potential of soil bacteria to acquire mineral-adsorbed DNA through horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
The findings demonstrate that mineral surface properties substantially impact DNA stability, offering new insights into sedimentary DNA taphonomy. Understanding these interactions can enhance environmental DNA (eDNA) applications for ecosystem. Moreover, our data show that bacterial transformation of mineral-adsorbed DNA can lead to genetic diversity, and is influenced by mineral surface properties. These insights suggest that mineral-facilitated HGT could serve as a pathway for bacterial evolution, potentially affecting gene dispersal over extended temporal and spatial scales. In such an evolutionary scenario mineralogy and interfacial geochemical processes become central to the evolutionary process of maintaining fitness
Speaker Bio:
Karina Krarup Sand, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, specializing in interdisciplinary research. Her work embodies a unique integration of geochemistry, microbiology, and evolutionary biology to understand and address pressing global health and environmental challenges. Sand’s pioneering research in these fields has established her as a leader in the study of processes at the intersection of environmental surfaces and life. Dr. Sand also serves as Chair for Globe’s Diversity Programme.
Her pioneering work in studying bio-mineral interactions at the molecular level has recently provided insight into parameters important for DNA preservation in sediments, and how sediments can be considered spatiotemporal gene archives for bacteria. Her work on studying the mechanisms driving bacterial uptake of genetic material stored on mineral surfaces link sedimentary processes to bacterial evolution. The work also provides an explanation for the observed extensive dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in our environment and is directly relevant for mitigation strategies.
She is an advocate for collecting knowledge that is stored and curated in distinct research silos and co-founded the evolutionary geobiology consortium to drive knowledge collection aiming to address oncoming global threats to human and ecosystem health. Dr. Sand earned her MSc in Geology and her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Copenhagen. She has held various research and academic positions in Denmark, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Her career includes prestigious research fellowships. Her international experience has equipped her with a global perspective and an expansive network within the scientific community
Presented by the CSU Chico Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Together with CSU Chico Women in STEM and the California Section of the American Chemical Society
Saturday, February 8th, 2025, 2 PM to 4 PM
Cal State University Chico, Colusa Hall 100 A/B
Space is limited; Register HERE for this FREE event.
Join us for *”Beer, Cheese & Wine”* – an exciting collaboration between CSU, Chico Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, CSU, Chico Women in STEM and the California Section of the American Chemical Society! Discover how chemistry plays a fascinating role in crafting the food and beverages we love. This event offers a unique opportunity to taste, learn, and connect over hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer.
Our speakers are top experts in their fields: Aimee Sunseri of New Clairvaux Winery, Dr. Glen P. Fox, and Dr. Moshe Rosenberg from UC Davis. They’ll dive into the science and chemistry behind brewing, winemaking, and cheesemaking, sharing insights that will deepen your appreciation for each craft.
Download the Event Flier HERE.
Download the Campus Parking Map.
Join Cal ACS and our partners for a free virtual networking event on February 11, 2024, 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
Register HERE for the Zoom meeting.
02-11-2025 IUPAC_GWB2025
Official IUPAC welcome!
Followed by the in-person event at the Emeryville Public Market, 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
Register HERE for the in-person event.
The goal of the Global Women’s Breakfast series is to establish an active network of people of all genders to overcome the barriers to gender equality in science. Over the last five years, more than 1500 GWB events have been held in 100 countries.
The California Local Section of ACS (Cal ACS) invites all students and professionals to join our annual “Cal ACS Partners Networking Event” as part of the global IUPAC GWB 2025 on February 11, 2025. Feedback from prior years indicates that this is a wonderful event to promote personal and professional networking.
Please circle the date on your calendar because February 11 also celebrates the “International Day of Women and Girls in Science”. The theme this year for GWB2025 is “Accelerating Equity in Science.”
This is a global event organized by IUPAC that was initiated during the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) when chemistry was celebrated in 2011. That year, roughly 100 breakfasts were organized involving almost 5,000 scientists (both men and women) from academia, industry, and government around the world.
Please email Marinda Wu with any questions. We hope you will join us for GWB 2025. If you are local, we would love to meet you in person as well as on Zoom.