Sept. 17: Mass Spectrometry, Glycobiology to be Discussed in Minnesota State Mankato’s 35th Leonard Ford Lectures
Mankato, Minn. – Nick Riley, an assistant professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Chemistry, will deliver two lectures – on mass spectrometry and glycobiology – Wednesday, Sept. 17 in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s 35th Leonard A. Ford lectureship.
Both lectures are free and open to the public.
Riley will give a technical talk at 9 a.m. on Sept. 17 titled “Tipping the Scales: How Mass Spectrometry Provides Insights into Health and Disease.” Riley’s technical talk will be held in Centennial Student Union’s Ostrander Auditorium.
Abstract excerpt on Riley’s morning technical talk: “Mass spectrometry (MS) is a transformative analytical technique revolutionizing our understanding of biological systems and disease mechanisms. This presentation will introduce how mass spectrometers work, the concept of the proteome and post-translational modifications, why they matter for understanding healthy and disease, and how MS is used to capture this information with sensitivity and specificity. Riley will also discuss several other applications in clinical and environmental sciences to showcase the versatility MS brings to analytical, chemical and biological research.”
Riley will present a general talk at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 titled “The Biological Language Embedded in your Cells’ Sugar Coating.” Riley’s general talk will also be held in Centennial Student Union’s Ostrander Auditorium.
Abstract excerpt on Riley’s evening general talk: “Every cell in your body is decorated with a complex sugar coating called the glycocalyx, forming an intricate molecular language that governs how cells communicate, recognize each other, and function. This presentation unveils the fascinating world of glycobiology—the study of sugars in biological systems—and reveals how these sweet molecules are far more than just energy sources.”
Excerpt from Riley’s online biography: “Riley received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and psychology from the University of South Carolina, with Honors from the South Carolina Honors College. His undergraduate research in forensic analytical chemistry with Professor Stephen Morgan first introduced him to mass spectrometers. He quickly became fascinated with these instruments, which led him to his Ph.D. work in mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation and proteomics with Professor Joshua Coon at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.”
The Leonard A. Ford Lectureship is sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Geology in Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Science, Engineering & Technology.
For more information, please contact Christine Cords, office manager in the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Geology, at 507-389-1963, or christine.cords@mnsu.edu.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 15,251 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 26 colleges and seven universities.
