Lectures tagged "Whitehead Institute"

Evolution of Sex: Rethinking the Y Chromosome
David Page
March 27, 2007
00:52:59
David Page examines the Y chromosome's architectural beauty, evolutionary dynamism, and critical role in male infertility.
Unexpected Interface: Proteins and Evolutionary Change
Susan Lindquist
March 20, 2007
00:59:59
Susan Lindquist describes protein folding, and how this phenomenon allows orgnisms to evolve rapidly in response to new environmental conditions. All proteins start out as long strings of amino acids. Before a protein can function, it must fold into an extremely precise, highly complex structure.
Audio-only
Evolution as a Tool Kit for Understanding Human Disease
Harvey Lodish
March 13, 2007
00:33:58
Harvey Lodish explains how research on "lower" organisms has provided insights into, and facilitated development of therapies for, several human diseases. Comprehensive studies of genes and proteins from many organisms are giving us an extraordinary documentation of the history of life.
Audio-only
Planarians: How to Regenerate a New Head in Under a Week
Peter Reddien
March 24, 2006
00:57:52
Peter Reddien, a researcher at MIT's Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, discusses how he uses the planarian flatworm to study the mystery of regeneration. The human anatomy is no stranger to regeneration.
Audio-only
Origins of Cancer Stem Cells
Robert Weinberg
March 15, 2006
01:20:54
Whitehead Member Bob Weinberg explores how researchers are looking into the origins of the cancer stem cell. Why is cancer so difficult to treat? The answer may be found in the cancer stem cell, a concept that scientists have only recently begun to explore.