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@PhysGenCenter

@physgencenter.bsky.social
997 followers 4.5K following 144 posts

The mission of the Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering is to create new strategies for the treatment of disease and the reversible manipulation of living systems

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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Just out in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology! CPGE scientists Vadim Backman and Luay Almassalha and colleagues present a framework for understanding how mechanical signals modulate cellular structure, identity and function in the context of cell memory. rdcu.be/wzhynmEQWQaa...
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Tomorrow! The Physical Genomics Trainee Program Research Showcase featuring talks by PhD students Evelynn Chen and Eric Tong, live on Zoom. Join us! Registration is free at tinyurl.com/pr5nbkf3 #genomics #northwestern #cpge #biophysics #research #chromatin #biology #womenshealth #transcription
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The September Seminar on Physical Genomics, "Modeling Chromatin as an Active Polymer Melt" by Michael Shelley, PhD is now accessible on CPGE's YouTube channel! #chromatin #research #northwestern #nyu #biology #genomics #polymer #dna #science www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXeD...
youtube.com
Michael Shelley- Modeling Chromatin as an Active Polymer Melt
YouTube video by Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Coming up at 12pm CT today! Michael Shelley, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Modeling Chromatin as an Active Polymer Melt" live on Zoom. Join us! #northwestern #chromatin #genomics #polymer #modeling #biology #biophysics #dna Registration is free at: tinyurl.com/33daxm9u
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Tomorrow, Sept. 18 @ 12pm CT Michael Shelley, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Modeling Chromatin as an Active Polymer Melt" live on Zoom. Join us! #northwestern #chromatin #genomics #polymer #modeling #biology #biophysics #dna Registration is free at: tinyurl.com/33daxm9u
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Join us Friday Sept. 18 @ 12pm CT as Michael Shelley, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Modeling Chromatin as an Active Polymer Melt" live on Zoom. #northwestern #chromatin #genomics #polymer #modeling #biology #biophysics #dna Registration is free at: tinyurl.com/33daxm9u
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Reposted by @PhysGenCenter
Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 02/09/2026
A win for our state. NSF’s recognition of Northwestern’s Center for Genome Intelligence Engineering is a validation of the innovation we’re doing here to understand how cells function to prevent decline. We’re fostering the research and science needed to lead in Illinois.
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
The NSF has awarded Northwestern $30 million to launch the Center for Genome Intelligence Engineering (GENIE). By treating the genome as a physical and a computational system, GENIE will harness cellular memory to combat injury, disease, aging and more www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/article...
mccormick.northwestern.edu
Northwestern to Launch $30 Million Center to Unlock Genome’s Hidden Code
Led by Northwestern Engineering’s Vadim Backman, the multi-institutional Science and Technology Center will integrate experts in physics, biology, engineering, AI, and medicine to understand how the g...
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Today at 12pm CT! Francisco Robles, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Advances And Applications Of Quantitative Phase Imaging And Refractive Index Tomography Of Opaque Samples Via Quantitative Oblique Back Illumination Microscopy" Register here: tinyurl.com/3zhzu57j #imaging
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Tomorrow at 12pm CT! Francisco Robles, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Advances And Applications Of Quantitative Phase Imaging And Refractive Index Tomography Of Opaque Samples Via Quantitative Oblique Back Illumination Microscopy" Register here: tinyurl.com/3zhzu57j
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Just published in Advanced Science: "Chromatin Packing Domain Engineering Through the Manipulation of Nuclear Cationic States" "We may soon be able to engineer chromatin packing states to influence cell function” postdoctoral fellow Cody Dunton said. www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/article...
mccormick.northwestern.edu
Study Reveals New Way Cells Organize Their Genomes
Professor Vadim Backman’s group showed that changing the nucleus’s ionic environment can rapidly reshape chromatin and alter how cancer cells respond to chemotherapy.
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The July Seminar on Physical Genomics with Prof. Janet Sorrells is now accessible on the CPGE YouTube Channel: "Biochemical, Metabolic, And Structural Profiling Of The Tissue Microenvironment With Computationally Accelerated Multimodal Nonlinear Optical Microscopy" www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsYH...
youtube.com
Janet Sorrells- Biochemical, Metabolic, Structural Profiling Of Tissue Microenvironment
YouTube video by Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
CPGE Director Dr. Vadim Backman on the Agential Topics discussion series: the computational properties of chromatin packing www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLdv... #chromatin #genomics #northwestern #dna #biology #computation #agential #cpge #biophysics
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Agential Topics: Backman's Chromatin Computation, July 8th, 2026
YouTube video by C. S. Munford
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Today at 12pm CT! Janet Sorrells, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: Biochemical, Metabolic, And Structural Profiling Of The Tissue Microenvironment With Computationally Accelerated Multimodal Nonlinear Optical Microscopy" live on Zoom. Register here: tinyurl.com/3zhzu57j
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Tomorrow! The Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics features Dr. Vasundhara Agrawal, CPGE alumnus and Applications Manager for Spatial Biology Image Analysis at Leica Microsystems, discussing her path from academia to industry. #northwestern #leica Registration is free at: tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
This Friday! The Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics features Dr. Vasundhara Agrawal, CPGE alumnus and Applications Manager for Spatial Biology Image Analysis at Leica Microsystems, discussing her path from academia to industry. #northwestern #leica Registration is free at: tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The June Seminar on Physical Genomics will feature Dr. Vasundhara Agrawal, CPGE alumnus and Applications Manager for Spatial Biology Image Analysis at Leica Microsystems Boston Innovation Hub, discussing her career path from academia to industry. Registration is free at: tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Today's Seminar on Physical Genomics with Michael Shelley, PhD will be rescheduled due to illness. Notifications have been sent to all registrants - we will have a new date as soon as possible. Thank you!
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Join us at 12pm CT tomorrow, May 29, as Michael Shelley PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Modeling Chromatin as an Active Polymer Melt". Registration is free but required at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #chromatin #genomics #northwestern #polymer #physics #nyu #cpge #nih #nsf
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
CPGE in Biophysical Journal: "One Chromatin, Many Structures: From Ensemble Contact Maps to Single-Cell 3D Organization" SR-EV clarifies the probabilistic nature of genome architecture and provides a reference framework for interpreting multimodal genomic/imaging data www.cell.com/biophysj/ful...
cell.com
One Chromatin, Many Structures: From Ensemble Contact Maps to Single-Cell 3D Organization
Understanding how chromatin folds in three dimensions remains challenging because most experimental assays capture low-dimensional projections of an underlying, highly heterogeneous polymer. Here we p...
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Join us on Zoom Friday May 29 @ 12pm CT as Michael Shelley, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Modeling Chromatin as an Active Polymer Melt". Registration is free, but required at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #chromatin #genomics #northwestern #polymer #physics #modeling #nyu
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Last week's fantastic seminar by Prof. Harmit Malik, "Genetic Conflicts Drive The Unexpected Rapid Evolution Of Essential Chromatin Proteins", can now be viewed on CPGE's YouTube channel! youtu.be/VxSppXrqGfI #chromatin #genomics #evolution #northwestern #genomics #proteins #dna #fredhutch
youtu.be
Harmit Malik- Genetic Conflicts Drive The Unexpected Rapid Evolution Of Essential Chromatin Proteins
YouTube video by Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Next Friday April 24 @ 12pm CT, Dr. Harmit Malik presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Genetic Conflicts Drive The Unexpected Rapid Evolution Of Essential Chromatin Proteins", live on Zoom. Registration is free, but required at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #chromatin #genomics #proteins #dna
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
New CPGE research published in JoVE presents a protocol that harnesses the intrinsic fluorescence of DNA to perform spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy (sSMLM). "Spectroscopic Super-resolution Imaging of DNA Molecules using Intrinsic Contrast" app.jove.com/t/69917/spec...
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Prof. Javier Rodriguez-Casariego's fascinating seminar, "Epigenetic Mechanisms of Rapid Environmental Plasticity in Reef-Building Corals", is now available for viewing on the CPGE YouTube channel. Enjoy! #epigenetics #chromatin #genomics #corals #northwestern #reefs #science youtu.be/lcp9TyW8UTs
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Javier Rodriguez-Casariego- Epigenetic Mechanism of Rapid Environment Plasticity Reef-Building Coral
YouTube video by Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Today @ 12pm CT! Dr. Javier Rodriguez-Casariego presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Epigenetic Mechanisms Of Rapid Environmental Plasticity In Reef-Building Corals", live on Zoom. Join us! Registration is free, but required at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #epigenetics #corals #genome
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
This Friday March 27 @ 12pm CT Dr. Javier Rodriguez-Casariego presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Epigenetic Mechanisms Of Rapid Environmental Plasticity In Reef-Building Corals", live on Zoom. Registration is free, but required at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #epigenetics #corals #genome
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Join us Friday March 27 @ 12pm CT for the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics as Dr. Javier Rodriguez-Casariego presents "Epigenetic Mechanisms Of Rapid Environmental Plasticity In Reef-Building Corals" live on Zoom. Registration is free, but required at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #epigenetics #corals
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
The fantastic February 2026 Seminar on Physical Genomics by Prof. Steve Henikoff can now be watched on CPGE's YouTube channel: "Histone Overexpression in Cancer" #cancer #genomics #chromatin #epigenetics #northwestern #fredhutch #dna #research #science #biology #CPGE youtu.be/03sBNh4pN24
youtu.be
Steve Henikoff- Histone Overexpression In Cancer
YouTube video by Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Today at 12pm CT, Prof. Steve Henikoff presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Histone Overexpression In Cancer" live on Zoom. Join us! Registration is free at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #northwestern #cancer #genomics #research #chromatin #dna #epigenetics #science #research
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
This Friday Feb. 27 at 12pm CT, Prof. Steve Henikoff presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Histone Overexpression In Cancer" live on Zoom. Join us! Registration is free at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #northwestern #cancer #genomics #research #chromatin #dna #epigenetics #science #fredhutch
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Friday Feb. 27 at 12pm CT, Prof. Steve Henikoff presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Histone Overexpression In Cancer" live on Zoom! Registration is free at tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt #northwestern #cancer #genomics #research #chromatin #dna #science #biology #cpge #fredhutch #research
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
“We did not set out to directly kill cancer cells. We wanted to take away their superpower — their inherent ability to adapt, to change and to evade.” CPGE's latest cancer research featured in Northwestern Magazine #cancer #chromatin #genomics #cpge magazine.northwestern.edu/discovery/va...
magazine.northwestern.edu
Hacking Cancer’s Survival Code
Northwestern professor Vadim Backman, who teaches in the McCormick School of Engineering and the Feinberg School of Medicine, is director of the University’s Center for Physical Genomics and Engineeri...
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Reposted by @PhysGenCenter
Pietro Berico @locusbearico.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
New preprint from the Hernando lab! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... Combining 3D genome profiling and high resolution imaging we demonstrate how chromatin architecture cooperate with mechanical confinement in conferring melanoma mesenchymal cells high migratory capacities.
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Now on YouTube! Prof. Taekjip Ha's fantastic recent seminar at CPGE, "DNA Mechanics And Nucleosome Condensability As Biophysical Backdrop Of Genome Functions" #biophysics #chromatin #dna #northwestern #epigenetics #genomics #genome #science #harvard #CPGE youtu.be/G4I2dKr-dVE
youtu.be
Taekjip Ha- DNA Mechanics And Nucleosome Condensability As Biophysical Backdrop Of Genome Functions
YouTube video by Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Today at 12pm CT! The Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics featuring Taekjip Ha, PhD of Harvard Medical School: "DNA Mechanics And Nucleosome Condensability As Biophysical Backdrop Of Genome Functions" Register for free at: tinyurl.com/3zhzu57j #genomics #chromatin #dna #biophysics #biology
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Tomorrow at 12pm CT! The Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics featuring Taekjip Ha, PhD of Harvard Medical School: "DNA Mechanics And Nucleosome Condensability As Biophysical Backdrop Of Genome Functions" Register for free at: tinyurl.com/3zhzu57j #genomics #chromatin #dna #biophysics #biology
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Join us Friday, Jan. 30 at 12pm CT for the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics featuring Taekjip Ha, PhD of Harvard Medical School: "DNA Mechanics And Nucleosome Condensability As Biophysical Backdrop Of Genome Functions" Register for free at: tinyurl.com/3zhzu57j #genomics #chromatin #dna #gene
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Today's fantastic seminar by Prof. Wendy Bickmore, "Chromatin Folding And Gene Activation: From The Nucleosome To Transcription Hubs", can now be viewed on the CPGE YouTube channel at youtu.be/6KLj9ThLL_U #chromatin #genomics #transcription #northwestern #cpge #dna #epigenetics #science #research
youtu.be
Chromatin Folding And Gene Activation: From The Nucleosome To Transcription Hubs
YouTube video by Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Today at 12pm CT, Wendy Bickmore, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics live on Zoom: "Chromatin Folding And Gene Activation: From The Nucleosome To Transcription Hubs" Registration is free. Join us! tinyurl.com/f9njvnyu #chromatin #genomics #genes #biology #dna #transcription
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Reposted by @PhysGenCenter
@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Friday, Nov. 21 @ 12pm CT, Wendy Bickmore, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics live on Zoom: "Chromatin Folding And Gene Activation: From The Nucleosome To Transcription Hubs" Registration is free. Join us! tinyurl.com/f9njvnyu #chromatin #genomics #northwestern #biology #dna
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Friday, Nov. 21 @ 12pm CT, Wendy Bickmore, PhD presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics live on Zoom: "Chromatin Folding And Gene Activation: From The Nucleosome To Transcription Hubs" Registration is free. Join us! tinyurl.com/f9njvnyu #chromatin #genomics #northwestern #biology #dna
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Reposted by @PhysGenCenter
Kim Bellard @kimbbellard.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Think we've got DNA all figured out? Nope. Researchers at Northwestern University say our genome has a geometric code, and we may be "living, breathing computational systems." 😲 H/T @kylemacquarrie.bsky.social @physgencenter.bsky.social @nuintmed.bsky.social kimbellard.medium.com/life-is-geom...
kimbellard.medium.com
Life Is Geometry
In 2025, we’ve got DNA all figured out, right? It’s been over fifty years since Crick and Watson (and Franklin) discovered the double helix…
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
New CPGE research in Advanced Science describes a language hidden in the genome, beyond the DNA sequence. The geometric code may help cells “remember” how to create and preserve memories, functioning like a network of living computers. #chromatin #dna www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/article...
mccormick.northwestern.edu
From Sequence to Shape: Scientists Discover the Possible Geometric Blueprint of Complex Life
New research from Professors Vadim Backman and Igal Szleifer reveals the language that stores cell memory -- written in the shape of the genome itself.
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
This Friday @ 12pm CT, Prof. Anja Groth of the University of Copenhagen presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Epigenetic Cell Memory - How Cells Copy Their Epigenome", live on Zoom! Registration is free at tinyurl.com/5t59y8kj #northwestern #chromatin #genomics #biology #dna #bio
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Friday Sept. 26 @ 12pm CT Prof. Anja Groth of the University of Copenhagen presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: "Epigenetic Cell Memory - How Cells Copy Their Epigenome", live on Zoom! Registration is free at tinyurl.com/5t59y8kj #northwestern #chromatin #genomics #biology #dna #bio
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
The fascinating August Seminar on Physical Genomics by Travis Craddock, PhD can now be watched on YouTube: "Quantum Spin Dynamics in Biology: Weak Magnetic Field and Isotope Effects from Microtubules to Genome Regulation" #quantum #biophysics #chromatin #genomics #biology #dna youtu.be/ZA2j_0PqPXQ
youtu.be
Travis Craddock, PhD: Quantum Spin Dynamics in Biology
YouTube video by Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
Coming up at 12pm CT today! Travis Craddock gives the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics live on Zoom: "Quantum Spin Dynamics in Biology: Weak Magnetic Field and Isotope Effects from Microtubules to Genome Regulation" Free registration at: tinyurl.com/3mhyseyr #quantum #biology #chromatin #dna
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
This Friday August 29 @ 12pm CT! Travis Craddock presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics live on Zoom: "Quantum Spin Dynamics in Biology: Weak Magnetic Field and Isotope Effects from Microtubules to Genome Regulation" Registration is free at: tinyurl.com/3mhyseyr #chromatin #dna #quantum
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@PhysGenCenter @physgencenter.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
Friday August 29 @ 12pm CT, Travis Craddock presents the Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics live on Zoom: "Quantum Spin Dynamics in Biology: Weak Magnetic Field and Isotope Effects from Microtubules to Genome Regulation" Registration is free at: tinyurl.com/3mhyseyr #chromatin #dna #quantum
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