NZSBMB Waikato branch seminar:
Modeling the Properties of Non-Canonical Nucleobases in Expanded Genetic Alphabets
Prof. Nigel Richards
School of Chemistry, Cardiff University
Date and time: Wednesday 21st February 11:00 – 12:00
Location: S.1.03, University of Waikato (Hamilton Campus)
Zoom link: https://waikato.zoom.us/j/85465779848
The development of “semi-synthetic” microorganisms possessing expanded genetic information systems will provide new tools for a wide variety of biotechnological applications. Hachimoji DNA contains four non-canonical nucleobases that meet the size and hydrogen bonding complementarity rules for duplex formation in addition to the standard Watson-Crick nucleobases (A, G, C, T), resulting in an information storage system built from four nucleobase pairs. Remarkably little is known, however, about the effects of these non-canonical nucleobases on duplex DNA structure and recognition, their propensity for mis-pairing because of tautomer preferences, and the ability of DNA polymerases to replicate hachimoji DNA with the efficiency needed for engineered cell survival. This lecture will provide an overview of recent computational studies, which have provided insights into all of these issues. After discussing methods to obtain quantitative estimates of tautomer populations in water, I will present molecular dynamics simulations that (i) show the impact of Z:P nucleobase pairs on duplex DNA structure, and (ii) provide a strategy for obtaining modified DNA polymerases capable of replicating non-canonical nucleobases with very high efficiency.
Biomolecular Horizons 2024 - Melbourne Australia 22-26.09.2024
This important forum will bring together three prestigious congresses, each with a strong history of attracting the Bioscience and Biotechnology communities to discuss and examine the latest developments and research:
22nd ComBio Conference (ComBio)
26th Congress of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB)
17th Congress of the Federation of Asian & Oceanian Biochemists & Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB)
NZSBMB is proud to play an important role in the 22nd ComBio which will take the place of our Society’s face-to-face meeting this year. We are joined by fellow societies the Australian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, the Australian Society of Biophysics, the Australian Physiological Society, the Australian Microbiology Society and Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell & Developmental Biology. And of course, our international colleagues from IUBMB and FAOBMB.
This truly global forum will bring together renowned scientists from across the world, from Nobel Laureates to early career scientists. An outstanding array of international presenters will be leading the program which will feature 6 plenary speakers, 25 keynote speakers and 77 symposia, Society Award sessions, hot topics, lightening talks, posters, technical workshop and as well as specialty featured sessions and satellite meetings.
Visit the website for more information and secure you and your teams place to be part of this global dialogue.
Hosted by:
Supported by:
NZSBMB Research Excellence Prize 2023 - Nominations are open!
It is the time to nominate an outstanding NZSBMB scholar for the NZSBMB Award for Research Excellence! The Award comes with a $2,000 cash prize and free registration to attend the NZSBMB Conference in Hanmer Springs. The successful recipient will present an award lecture at the conference.
Please reach out if you wanna propose suitable candidates using the this application form. Deadline is approaching soon - 31st August 2023.
SynBioNZ invites for Informal gathering in Hamner Springs
SynBioNZ invites anyone working in the synthetic biology space to informally gather and connect as a community during NZSBMB 50th anniversary conference. If you are interested, please register your interest here.
It is time to celebrate!
Join us for our 50th anniversary in Hanmer Springs this year!
As part of the celebration of the 50th (+1) anniversary of the NZSBMB, we are holding a conference in Hanmer Springs from Nov 28 - Dec 01, 2023 at the Hanmer Spring Hotel: https://www.cpghotels.com/hotels/hanmer-springs/
2022 FAOBMB fellowship and honorarium winner presents at the 29th CNBMB/FAOBMB conference in Shenzhen
Dr. Naveen Vankadari
Dr. Naveen Vankadari received the 2022 FAOBMB fellowship and honorarium award to give an oral presentation at the 29th CNBMB/FAOBMB conference held in Shenzhen, China in October 2022.
He is currently a research fellow at the University of Melbourne. Naveen's current research is primarily focused on key events in human infection. In particular, structural and functional studies on viral and bacterial proteins involved in infection that have challenged human immunity. This has significant implications for understanding disease progression in humans and provides hints on how to control it. His primary research technical areas include cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, protein biochemistry, clinical trials, computational biology, and biophysical techniques to decipher their functional significance for enhancing their physiological role. His current research has a major focus on unravelling the entry landscape of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.
Custom Science Award for Research Excellence 2022
Professor Mark Hampton
This year’s Custom Science Award Winner is Professor Mark Hampton, from the University of Otago, Christchurch. Mark is a Research Professor at UoOC, and since 2016 Mark has been the Director of the Centre for Free Radical Research (CFRR) and Deputy HOD of the Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science. Mark has an illustrious track record of success in research, teaching, service and outreach—a worthy recipient who we look forward to hearing him speak about his research at ComBio2022. Find out more about his research here!
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