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Leor Weinberger
Systems Biology, Virology, Single-Cell Imaging, and Computational Modeling |
| Contact Information |
| Member, Whitaker Center for Biomedical Engineering |
| Particiapting Member, Moores Cancer Center |
| Office: UH 5262 |
| Phone: (858) 534-8671 |
| Email: lsw@ucsd.edu |
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| Education and Appointments |
| 2007 |
Postdoc, Princeton University
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| 2004 |
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
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| 1999 |
Los Alamos National Laboratory
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| 1998 |
BSc., University of Maryland, College Park
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| Awards and Academic Honors |
| 2009 |
W.M. Keck Foundation Research Excellence Award |
| 2009 |
California HIV/AIDS Young Investigator Innovative Development Award |
| 2009 |
Bill and Melinda Gates Grand Challenges in Global Health Explorations Award |
| 2009 |
NIH DIrector's New Innovator Award |
| 2008 |
Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences |
| 2006-2007 |
Lewis Thomas Fellow, Princeton University |
| 1999-2004 |
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Pre-doctoral Fellow |
| 1999 |
Eva Cota Robles Fellow, UC Berkeley |
| 1999 |
UC Berkeley Chancellor's Opportunity Fellow |
| 1998 |
Karyn Kupcinet Int'l Science Student, Weizmann Institute of Science |
| Research Interests |
What are the fundamental molecular decisions that eventually lead cells down different developmental paths (such as cancerous transformation)? Genetic feedback circuits play an important role in regulating cell-fate decisions and the genetic feedback circuits of viruses present an unparalleled system to define the fundamental principles governing gene circuit behavior. (In fact, the first demonstration that a mammalian circuit harnesses stochastic-noise in gene-expression to control cell fate was made in HIV 1,2,3. )
My lab focuses on generating a quantitative understanding of the regulatory "master circuit" controlling the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the human herpesvirus cytomegalovirus (CMV, the leading cause of viral birth defects and transplant diseases). We use a coupled computational-experimental approach, that relies on real-time, live single-cell quantitative imaging coupled with mathematical modeling. Models allow us to predict which biochemical and genetic perturbations have the greatest impact upon a circuit's output. We are also developing a powerful techniques to probe unmapped genetic feedback architectures.
The successful development of quantitative gene circuit models may lead to novel classes of "kinetic" strategies and preventative vaccines. My lab is also interested in exploring one such proposed therapy strategy to "turn off" HIV infection 4,5,6. In general, we strive to develop the quantitative, analytical, and experimental imaging tools to construct gene circuit models and usher in a new era of quantitative understanding of biology and medical treatment.
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| Primary Research Area: |
Interdisciplinary Specialties: |
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Biochemistry
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Computational and Theoretical
Cellular Biochemistry
Biophysics
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