Stanford Researcher Visits USS and Delivers Open Science Seminar

Dr. Gavin Sherlock, a professor of Genetics at Stanford University, conducted a research stay at Universidad San Sebastián, where he also delivered a seminar for doctoral students and members of the scientific community at the Ciudad Universitaria Campus.

As part of his visit to the Fundación Ciencia & Vida and Universidad San Sebastián (USS), Dr. Gavin Sherlock presented the seminar “Evolution at the Centromere–Kinetochore Interface” within the framework of the international Open Science seminar series. The event brought together doctoral students, researchers, and members of the scientific community from several Chilean institutions.

Dr. Sherlock is a Professor of Genetics at Stanford University and a member of interdisciplinary initiatives such as Bio-X and the Stanford Cancer Institute.. His research focuses on adaptive evolution and the mechanisms through which beneficial mutations emerge and spread in yeast populations under selective pressure, contributing to a deeper understanding of evolutionary and genetic processes.

Scientific Contributions and Collaboration in Chile

During his stay, Dr. Sherlock highlighted the quality of research being conducted in Chile, particularly in the fields of biodiversity, population genetics, and yeast evolution.

“I have enjoyed the opportunity to speak with students and postdoctoral researchers and learn about the different projects being developed. It is exciting to see how these studies connect around topics such as diversity, population genetics, and the evolution of yeast species found in Chile,” he said.

He also emphasized the scientific contributions of Chilean researchers, including the discovery of new yeast species such as Saccharomyces chiloensis, which demonstrates the country’s potential in molecular biology and evolutionary genetics.

The seminar, hosted by Dr. Francisco Cubillos, associate researcher at the Basal Center Ciencia & Vida, brought together participants from Universidad San Sebastián, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, and Universidad Mayor, among others. The event also included students from the USS PhD Program in Biotechnology and Entrepreneurship, strengthening opportunities for scientific exchange and international collaboration.

Research, Evolution, and Cell Division

During his presentation, Dr. Sherlock discussed the mechanisms that regulate cell division, focusing on the evolutionary relationship between the centromere and kinetochore, two key structures involved in chromosome segregation.

“We are trying to understand how the cellular machinery responsible for division evolves and what constraints shape this process. It is a fundamental mechanism that explains how a cell divides into two and has important implications for tissue regeneration and diseases such as cancer,” he explained.

He also highlighted the value of yeast as a biological model for studying evolutionary processes.

“These organisms allow us to investigate how genetic sequences change over time and how those changes affect essential cellular functions,” he said.

Dr. Sherlock’s visit reflects USS’s commitment to international scientific collaboration and the strengthening of advanced research networks that contribute to the training of doctoral students and the development of knowledge with global impact.