Friends of Imperial College
Our next event
Richard Festenstein, Clinical Professor of Molecular Medicine, Imperial College
In our next lecture Professor Richard Festenstein explores a fascinating and fundamental question in biology: how do individual cells make the decision to switch genes 'on' or 'off' during the development of specific cell types and how do they 'remember' this decision as they divide and create new cells that are of the same type as themselves. He is investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms for this so-called 'epigenetic' memory. Groundbreaking work in this field has recently led to the discovery of a previously hidden layer of information storage, in addition to the DNA sequence,and this has led to the concept of an 'epigenetic code'.
Professor Festenstein's research group, based at the Clinical Sciences Centre at the Imperial Hammersmith Campus, focuses on gene control mechanisms and disease. His team has identified that where a gene is located in the chromosome has a large impact on the probability of switching this gene on or off and that this process is conserved through evolution from fruit flies to mammals. Their research is likely to have diverse and far-reaching implications including understanding differences between men and women and treating human diseases. They have, for example, been investigating the incurable inherited neurodegenerative disease Friedreich's ataxia in which the Frataxin gene is abnormally switched off. They have recently identified ways of switching the affected gene back on again, thereby identifying an exciting novel therapeutic approach that can potentially be expanded to other diseases with similar underlying defects. He will begin his talk by giving an introduction to the fundamentals of genetics and gene regulation, explaining how DNA replicates itself, thereby passing information from one cell to the next.
Venue: Sir Alexander Fleming Building
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or download a Booking Form in Word to fill in and email or post.
Please note the Friends' telephone number has been changed to 0208 441 6229
Friends of Imperial College offers anyone interested in the great advances that are being made in science, medicine and technology the opportunity to learn more from leading figures in their fields. Friends provides opportunities for you to meet and talk with staff, students, alumni and other like-minded people in a programme of visits, talks and social events. You can read what people say about our events here.
Imperial College London is a world-leading science-based university with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research which attracts students and faculty of the very highest international quality and reputation. With over 3,000 academic and research staff and 7,000 students, the College pushes out the boundaries of knowledge and explores the interfaces between science, medicine, engineering and management. Located in the heart of South Kensington, Imperial College also provides a range of cultural and recreational activities and dining facilities.
The benefits of membership of Friends of Imperial College include reduced rates for our programme of events as well as access to certain College facilities and opportunities to attend other special lectures, exhibitions, music and other events at the College. On production of your membership card you will also receive a discount at the various dining facilities (restaurants, cafeterias and bars) throughout College.
If you would like to JOIN please fill in the Membership Application Form on-line or download the Membership Application Form in Word.
If you would like to RENEW your membership please complete this Membership Renewal Form on-line or download the Membership Renewal Form in Word.
Please download a full colour A4 pdf of our 2009-10 Programme of events for your reference.
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We are now recording our lectures where possible and creating MPEG4 presentations which integrate the slides used at the lecture. You can see them listed in Past Events
The activities of Friends of Imperial College are supported
by Winton Capital Management Limited.
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