Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar “Systematic Evaluation of Cotranscriptional RNA Folding Mechanisms Using an RNA Dependent DNA Partitioning Assay," presented by Skylar Kelley, a graduate student at the University at Buffalo, on Monday, October 2, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies before the presentation begins.

Abstract
During transcription, RNA begins to fold as it emerges from RNA polymerase. These nascent RNA structures can regulate gene expression. Riboswitches are structured non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by adopting alternate structures in response to ligand binding. In addition to their role as crucial regulators of bacterial gene expression, riboswitches are essential chemical sensors and are used in developing biomolecular sensors and chemical biology tools. Despite some success in these areas, engineering riboswitches for biotechnological applications remains a challenge due to our limited understanding of how RNA folds and functions as it is synthesized during transcription. We have developed a high-throughput method called Transcription Elongation Complex Display (TECdisplay) that systematically assesses the biochemical activity of thousands of riboswitch sequence variants by quantitatively partitioning a complex DNA sequence library based on function of the encoded RNA. We demonstrate the utility of TECdisplay by characterizing the antitermination activity of a 32,768 cbe pfl ZTP riboswitch variants. The ZTP riboswitch library was designed to test the competition between the P3 stem and a putative competitor helix that was identified bioinformatically, as well as perturbing crucial terminator base pairs and the competition between the P3 stem and terminator nucleation. We find that unimpeded nucleation of base pairs that are proximal to the terminator hairpin loop promote efficient termination and ZTP riboswitch sequences likely evolved to avoid sequence combinations that promote the formation of a GC rich competitor helix. Our study demonstrates that TECdisplay is a high-throughput cotranscriptional RNA assay that can be applied to partition complex ZTP riboswitch RNA variants based on their transcription termination function. In principle, TECdisplay can be applied to any RNA function that can be used to partition a TEC library, such as RNA protein interactions.

The Civic and Community Engagement Office would like to thank the many faculty, staff, and students who made this year’s Bengals Dare to Care Day a success. It was so wonderful to see you bring your classes, teams, and advisees to participate alongside you in a morning of service. We appreciate your taking the time to support the logistics of the event by serving as site coordinators and event assistants. Bengals Dare to Care Day would not be possible without your contribution of time and service.

Thank you to the following faculty, staff, and students:

Event Assistants: Sol Ahiarah, Lisa Marie Anselmi, Philip Badaszewski, Daniel Blum, Randy Bowen, Carol DeNysschen, Alayla Ende, Kristine Kaminsky, Christine Lai, Lorena Mathien, Carolyn Morris-Hunt, Brenda Ronan, Dana Serure, and Natalie Wills. 

Site Coordinators: Jadelene Adams, Mary Adekanbi, Matt Baran, Olivia Bell, Katelyn Brickhouse, Xiamara Brooks, Layla Dubose, Oghenetega Eruotor, Hanin Faisal, Zahraa Faisal, Clemon George, Judi Harris, Tricia Herritt, Kayla James, Danielle King, Ava LaBella, Meredeth Lavelle, Charles Lyons, Erika Mitchell, Nanci Monaco, Tonja Newkirk, Cece Nowak, Keunyoung Oh, Diamond Pray, Jennifer Reichenberg, Ettan Saiwala, Zeruiah Shadwick, Celestine Simmons, Angela Thering, Thomas Trzepkowski, Agnes Tuffour, Shawnte Wilson, and Tina Wynne.

The Faculty-Student Association (FSA) is now accepting applications for the fall 2023 grant cycle. FSA grants are awarded by the FSA board of directors to fund programs that will promote and cultivate educational and extracurricular activities on the Buffalo State University campus. All student groups, faculty, and staff members are welcome to apply. Please visit the FSA website for the application and guidelines.

The application deadline for the fall 2023 grant cycle is November 3. For further information, please contact Hope Dunbar, executive director of the FSA.

Do you want to play some pickup basketball Fridays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on campus? You know your answer is YES! So please email “The Commish” and he will add you to our email list for the Faculty and Staff Basketball League (FSBL). By signing up for the list, you will receive updates regarding the schedule (date and time) of the FBSL pickup games. All are welcome (faculty and staff, any age and gender). Come and join a great group!

Please join the University Police Department for the seventh annual Coffee with a Cop event on Wednesday, October 4, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby.

Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together over coffee to discuss issues and learn more about each other. Attending Coffee with a Cop is an easy way for faculty, staff, and students to get to know the members of University Police who serve our campus community. This is a great opportunity to chat with UPD officers to ask any questions you may have.

University Police at Buffalo State is partnering with Chartwells Buffalo State Dining to provide this community policing event.

Join us for "Introduction to Looker Studio: How to Create a Data Dashboard," a presentation by Kristen Nalewajek, data analytics intern at Cypress North, on Monday, October 2, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. The presentation is part of the Data Science and Analytics Seminar Series.

The presentation will include

• an overview of the platform and examples of dashboards; 

• how to set up and connect multiple data sources to Google’s Looker Studio; 

• fundamental design concepts for visualizing data in Looker Studio, including navigation, page layout, style choices;

• choosing the correct chart and visual types to emphasize essential metrics; and 

• hands-on experience with a sample data source and creation of simple dashboard.

The Newman Center will celebrate Mass for the Feast of All Saints on Wednesday, November 1, at 12:05 p.m. in the Student Union Assembly Hall (South). All are welcome.

The Weigel Health Center, in partnership with Wegmans Pharmacy, will hold a flu vaccination clinic for interested faculty, staff, and students today, October 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Weigel Health Center. If you are interested in receiving a flu vaccine, please schedule an appointment online. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The Weigel Health Center, in partnership with Wegmans Pharmacy, will hold a flu vaccination clinic for interested faculty, staff, and students on Wednesday, October 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Weigel Health Center. If you are interested in receiving a flu vaccine, please schedule an appointment online. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The Weigel Health Center, in partnership with Wegmans Pharmacy, will hold a flu vaccination clinic for interested faculty, staff, and students today, October 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Weigel Health Center. If you are interested in receiving a flu vaccine, please schedule an appointment online. Walk-ins are also welcome.