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DTSTAMP:20260218T223000Z
UID:1768587901533@thor.lawrence.edu
CATEGORIES:Speakers
DTSTART:20260218T223000Z
DTEND:20260218T233000Z
SUMMARY:Physics Colloquium aEUR" The Sweet Life: Survival, 
 Adaptation, and Sugar - Christina Othon
ORGANIZER;CN="Physics":
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DESCRIPTION:
 Speaker:\n
 Christina Othon\n
 Biophysicist at Ripon\n
 \n
 Title: \n
 The Sweet Life: Survival, Adaptation, and Sugar\n
 \n
 Abstract:\n
 Our research is focused on unravelling one of 
 the methods plants and small animals use to combat 
 environmental stress. Changes in temperature, 
 water availability, salt content or acidity can 
 present immense challenges to the survival of 
 organisms unable to seek shelter. Nature has developed 
 the ability to adapt to these changes by altering 
 the composition of their cells using small molecules. 
 The idea we are testing is that these small molecules 
 enhance protein and cellular stability by altering 
 the way water behaves at the molecular level. 
 We use ultrafast laser spectroscopy to measure 
 water dynamics in the presence of these small 
 molecules and directly tie that to their ability 
 to combat increased temperatures. The research 
 has applications to biotechnology, pharmaceutical 
 research, the food industry, and adaptation to 
 climate change.\n\n

LOCATION:Youngchild 115
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