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Time and place: Tuesday, September 13th 2016 at 10:15 . a. kell 10.15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23B lecture hall 105 PhD thesis: „RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription elongation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae” (“RNA polümeraas II-sõltuva transkriptsiooni elongatsioon pagaripärmis Saccharomyces cerevisiae ”) Abstract

Time and place: Tuesday, August 30th 2016 at 10:15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23B lecture hall 105 PhD thesis: „Studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive normal and regenerative processes in the liver and pathological processes in Dupuytren’s contracture”

Time and place: Friday, August 26th 2016 at 10:15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23B lecture hall 105 PhD thesis: „Studies on cell growth promoting AKT signaling pathway - a promising anti-cancer drug target“ („Rakkude paljunemist soodustav AKT signaalirada kui potentsiaalne kasvajavastase ravi sihtmärk ”)

Time and place: Tuesday, August 23rd 2016 at 10:15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, , Riia 23B lecture hall 105 PhD thesis: „MicroRNAs in disease and health: aberrant regulation in lung cancer and association with genomic variation” (“MikroRNAde roll haiguste kujunemisel: aberratsioonid kopsuvähis ning seosed genoomse varieeruvusega”)

Time and place: Monday, August 22nd 2016 at 10:15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23B lecture hall 105 PhD thesis: “The role of RIC8A in mouse development and its function in cell-matrix adhesion and actin cytoskeletal organisation“ („RIC8A roll hiire arengus ja funktsioon rakk-maatriks adhesioonis ning aktiini tsütoskeleti organiseerimises”) Abstract Speciality: Developmental Biology

Time and place: Wednesday, August 24th 2016 at 10:15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23B lecture hall 105 PhD thesis: „Translocation of cell-penetrating peptides across biological membranes and interactions with plasma membrane constituents“ („Rakku sisenevate peptiidide membraani läbimise mehhanismid ja interaktsioonid plasmamembraani komponentidega”) Abstract

Time and place: Wednesday, June 15th 2016 at 10:15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23B lecture hall 105 PhD thesis: Characterization of cell-penetrating peptide/nucleic acid nanocomplexes and their cell-entry mechanisms (“Rakku sisenevate peptiidi/nukleiinhappe komplekside kirjeldamine ja nende rakku sisenemise mehhanismid”) Abstract

Prof Ines Neundorf, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Germany Title: “How to modulate antimicrobial and cell-penetrating properties of the bioactive peptide sC18” Time: Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at 16:00 Place: The Estonian Biocentre, Riia 23B, room 105 Additional information: Margus Pooga ([email protected])

Title: "Towards the utilization of cannabinoids as anticancer agents...and other stories inspired by cannabis" Dr Guillermo Velasco, Madrid Complutense University, Spain Time: Monday, May 23, 2016, at 15:00 Place: The Estonian Biocentre, Riia 23B, room 105 Additional information: Tõnis Örd ([email protected])

Tiit Örd Time and place: Monday, May 23rd 2016 at 10:15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23B lecture hall 105 PhD thesis: “Functions and regulation of the mammalian pseudokinase TRIB3” (“Imetajate pseudokinaasi TRIB3 funktsioonid ja regulatsioon”) Abstract

The cooperation of Tartu and Swedish researchers will soon shed light on the first dialogue between the embryo and mother that leads to embryo implantation in the inner lining of the uterus. An understanding of the biological mechanisms of the beginning of life enables to use more exact and effective methods to increase the success rate of infertility treatment.

Title: "Characterization of salivary gland stem cells to ameliorate radiation-induced xerostomia" Martti Maimets, Laboratory of Prof. Rob P Coppes, Departments of Cell Biology and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

UT was successful in the call for proposals for centres of excellence in research: Archimedes Foundation made the proposal to fund three centres of excellence which are led by UT researchers. In addition, UT participates as a partner in all other centres of excellence which were successful in this call for proposals.

The students have selected the three best lecturers of the Faculty of Science and Technology also in 2015. Two of them teach in our institute – Joachim Matthias Gerhold, the associate professor of plant physiology who was acknowledged by the students also in 2014 and Irina Bichele, lecturer of physics. The third lecturer mentioned by the students was Ivo Leito, professor of analytical chemistry. Congratulations!

PhD thesis: “Combating DNA damage and maintenance of genome integrity in pseudomonads” (“DNA kahjustuste reparatsioon ja genoomi terviklikkuse tagamine pseudomonaadides”) Abstract Speciality: Genetics Curriculum: Molecular and Cell Biology Time and place: Friday, October 23rd 2015 at 10:15 in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23B lecture hall 105 Supervisor: Prof. Maia Kivisaar, University of Tartu

PhD thesis: “Computational methods for DNA copy number detection” (“Arvutuslikud meetodid DNA koopiaarvu määramiseks”) Abstract Speciality: Bioinformatics Curriculum: Gene Technology

Do you have a science-based business idea but you do not have any money to start? Do you want to help to launch next revolutionary product or service? Vega fund, created in co-operation between SEB bank and the Universiy of Tartu, supports early stage science-based innovative business ideas with 36 000 euros. Applications are opened to: 1. A team of students or scientists who already have an innovative science-based solution to a common problem.

PhD thesis: “Biochemical perspective on alphaviral nonstructural protein 2: a tale from multiple domains to enzymatic profiling” (“Alfaviiruse nsP2 valk biokeemilisest vaatakohast: lugu mitmedomäänse valgu ensümaatilisest analüüsist”) Abstract Speciality: Gene Technology Curriculum: Gene Technology

The VI Baltic Genetics Congress will take place in Tartu, Estonia on September 30 – October 3, 2015. The aim of BGC 2015 is to further consolidate Baltic scientists of diverse research fields of genetics. We are pleased to welcome scientists in Baltic countries to give presentations on recent advances in population and evolutionary genetics, epigenetics, genomics, developmental genetics, bacterial, yeast, viral, plant, animal and human genetics.

PhD thesis: "Analysis and visualisation of large scale microarray data" ("Paljude mikrokiibi andmestike suuremahuline analüüsimine ja visualiseerimine") Abstract Speciality: Bioinformatics Curriculum: Gene Technology