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  • Apr
    23

    Appl Math: Ned Wingreen on "Collective dynamics in B cell affinity maturation"

    McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

    11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    Title: Collective dynamics in B cell affinity maturation

    Speaker: Ned Wingreen, Princeton University

    Abstract: In the humoral immune response, B cells that produce high-affinity antibodies are generated through a Darwinian evolutionary process called affinity maturation. Affinity maturation, which takes place in germinal centers (GC), is driven by cycles of selection (mediated by T cells), division, and hypermutation of B cells. Recently, it was found that the T cells themselves also exhibit dynamic behavior throughout the course of the GC reaction, undergoing affinity-dependent proliferation. A model suggests that this reciprocal stimulation enforces a robust “homeostatic” regulation of the relative number of B cells and T cells in the GC, leading to a constant ratio of GC lymphocytes. But the model also points to a problem: the high mutation rate of GC B cells can lead to “backsliding” of affinity. The proposed solution – a fitness-dependent mutation rate – has been experimentally verified, and has implications beyond B cell affinity maturation.

    Zoom: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/98590741221

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    TIME Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

    LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Noor Kaur    noor.kaur@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  • Apr
    30

    Appl Math: Kevin Lin on "A coarse-grained model of the primary visual cortex"

    McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

    11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

    LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Noor Kaur    noor.kaur@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  • May
    7

    Appl Math: Jon Rubin on "Title TBA"

    McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

    11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

    LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Noor Kaur    noor.kaur@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  • May
    13

    Appl Math: Melanie Mitchell on "Title TBA" - Reiss Lecture

    McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

    4:00 PM L211, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

    LOCATION L211, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Anne Umbanhowar    anne.umbanhowar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  • May
    14

    Appl Math: Melanie Mitchell on "Title TBA" - Reiss Lecture

    McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

    11:15 AM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

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    CONTACT Anne Umbanhowar    anne.umbanhowar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  • May
    21

    Appl Math: Robert Hunt on "Title TBA"

    McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

    11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

    LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Noor Kaur    noor.kaur@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  • May
    28

    Appl Math: Dashun Wang on "Title TBA"

    McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

    11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

    LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Noor Kaur    noor.kaur@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  • Jun
    4

    Appl Math: Neil Ribe on "Title TBA"

    McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

    11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

    LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

    ADD TO CALENDAR

    CONTACT Noor Kaur    noor.kaur@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)