A cell’s fate is closely tied to chemical signals it receives; small changes in the concentrations of these signals translate into dramatically different developmental fates. In this year’s Racker Lecture, “Sex and Death” on Thurs., Oct. 5, molecular biologist Barbara Meyer will explore cell fates and how they come about in metazoans, using C. elegans as a model. The talk, hosted by the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, will be at 8 p.m. in G10 Biotech.

“Professor Meyer is a superb lecturer and has had a remarkable scientific career. She’s made exciting discoveries regarding how disruptions in proper gene expression can have dramatic consequences in organism development and health as well as impact aging and lifespan,” said faculty host Richard Cerione, Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of molecular medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

In her lecture, Meyer will cover how abnormalities in chromosome number disrupt the balance of gene expression and result in pathological abnormalities that can cause severe developmental defects and spontaneous abortions. She’ll also discuss how sex is determined and the evolution of related gene regulatory mechanisms.

Meyer will deliver a scientific lecture on Fri. Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. in G10 Biotech, entitled “X-Chromosome Dosage Compensation:  A Single-Molecule Perspective.”

Read the full story on the College of Arts and Sciences website.