JANUARY 2020 | ISSUE 82 GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS
In this issue The Genetics Society News is edited by Margherita Colucci and items for future • Medal and Prize Lecture Announcements issues can be sent to the editor by email • “A Century of Genetics” conference to [email protected]. • Celebrating the centenary of Fisher 1918 The Newsletter is published twice a year, • Research and travel grant reports with copy dates of July and January.
Speakers’ dinner at the “A Century of Genetics” conference, November 2019, Edinburgh. (Photo by Douglas Vernimmen) A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
A word from the editor Welcome to Issue 82
elcome to the latest issue of reports in the Sectional Interest Wthe GenSoc Newsletter and Groups: Reports section. my first steps (pages?) as new editor. And why not (re)discovering another I am eager to start this journey with great milestone such as the publishing you through the latest Genetics of Fisher’s 1918 paper, “The correlation Society achievements and genetics between relatives on the supposition news! I would like to thank all of Mendelian inheritance”, recently GenSoc committee for giving me this reaching its centenary recurrence? opportunity. I am sure you will greatly enjoy the In this issue, I will bring you back to report in the Features section. the inspiring and lively atmosphere Enjoy! of the GenSoc meeting ‘A Century of Genetics’ in Edinburgh (November Best wishes, 2019) - a really big thanks to all of those Margherita Colucci who kindly contributed. Many Sectional Interest groups have been very active: you will find their
In this issue, I will bring you back to the inspiring and lively atmosphere of the GenSoc meeting “A Century of Genetics” in Edinburgh (November 2019) - a really big thanks to all of those who kindly contributed.
2 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 81 ISSUE 82 . January 2020
For more details please contact: The Genetics Society 1 Naoroji Street London WC1X 0GB CONTENTS
Switchboard: +44 0203 793 7850 Email: [email protected] Web: www.genetics.org.uk
The Genetics Society Journals Meeting Announcements 0 Heredity Genetics Society Scientific Meetings www.nature.com/hd External Meetings Diary Editor-in-Chief: Prof Barbara Mable Heredity Editorial Office, University of Glasgow, Sectional Interest Groups 0 Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland Genetics Society Business 0 Genes and Development www.genesdev.org Honorary Secretary’s Notices Editor: Dr Terri Grodzicker Life Membership Genes & Development, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Lecture and Medal nominations 500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York, 11797, USA Local Representatives Committee members Sectional Interest Groups: Reports 0 President British Yeast Group meeting - 26-28 June 2019, Prof Laurence D. Hurst, University of Bath Newcastle upon Tyne Vice-Presidents 11th British Meiosis Meeting The Telomere Network UK (TeN UK) - Corporate Affairs 10th-11th September 2019, Leicester Prof Malcolm Logan, King’s College London External Relations South West Fly meeting - 8th May 2019, Bristol Prof Colum Walsh, University of Ulster UK C. elegans meeting - 16th September 2019, London Public Understanding of Genetics Prof Alison Woollard, University of Oxford Features 17 Genetics Society Centenary events Honorary Secretary - “A Century of Genetics”, 2019 meeting in Edinburgh Dr Jonathan Pettitt, University of Aberdeen “100 years of quantitative genetics theory and its Honorary Treasurer applications”: celebrating the centenary of Fisher 1918 Prof Martin Taylor, University of Edinburgh Announcement of the new Newsletter series: Scientific Meetings Secretary “Industrious Science” Dr Marika Charalambous, King’s College London Grant Reports 27 Newsletter Editor Junior Scientist Travel Reports Margherita Colucci, University of Leicester One-off Meeting Reports Website Editor Heredity Fieldwork Grant Report Dr Kay Boulton, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Training Grant Reports Policy Officer G&D Summer Studentship Grant Reports Prof Rebecca Oakey, King’s College London Public Engagement with Genetics Grant Postgraduate Representative Grant Schemes 48 Ms Helena Wells, Kings College London Contacting the Genetics Society 55 Shadow Postgraduate Representative Ms Emily Baker, University of Oxford
Ordinary Committee Members Gene Structure, function and regulation Dr Aziz Aboobaker, University of Oxford Dr Michelle Holland, King’s College London Genomics Dr Araxi Aruttia Odobachian, University of Bath Cell and Develomental Genetics Prof Stefan Hoppler, University of Aberdeen Prof Paola Olivieri, University College London Applied and Quantitative Genetics Dr Lindsey Leach, University of Birmingham Dr Alastair Wilson, University of Exeter Evolutionary, ecological and population genetics Prof Jason Wolf, University of Bath Dr Frank Hailer Corporate Genetics and Biotechnology Dr Jim Huggett, University of Surrey and LGC Teddington Dr Alison Bentley, The National Institute of Agricultural Botany
Design and Print Collaborate Agency www.collaborate.agency
www.genetics.org.uk . 3 GENETICS SOCIETY SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS 4
More detailed information and links to event websites can be found at www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/conferences/
Genetics Society Carer’s Award BSDB/Genetics Society In recognition of carer’s responsibilities, an award of (up Annual Spring Meeting to) £60/day will be made available to enable members and Date: 15th – 18th March 2020 selected speakers to attend Genetics Society scientific Location: The Oculus Building, The University of Warwick, meetings and events. Awardees can spend this money as Coventry they think will best support their attendance. Applications Registration deadline: 9th March, 2020 can be made through the mysociety portal. (Early bird Registration: 19th February, 2020) Abstract deadline: 16th January 2020 Website: registrations.hg3conferences.co.uk/hg3/164/home
REGISTER FOR MORE GENETIC SOCIETY EVENTS AT: www.genetics.org.uk
4 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 81 5 EXTERNAL MEETINGS DIARY
More detailed information and links to event websites Inter-Organ Communication in Physiology and can be found at www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/ Disease external-meetings Date: 15th-18th March, 2020 We will happily include any announcements for genetics- Location: EMBL Heidelberg, Germany based meetings in this section. Website: www.embo-embl-symposia.org/symposia/2020/ EES20-02/ Please send any items to [email protected] Deadlines: 2nd February (Registration); 6th January (Abstract submission) Info: The conference will bring together scientists working on Evolution and Ecology of Cancer foetal programming and developmental origins of health and Date: 17th - 19th July 2019 disease in humans and animals (with a focus on the mechanisms Location: Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge underlying the developmental programming) with ecologists Website: coursesandconferences.wellcomegenomecampus.org/ and evolutionary biologists interested in the effects of the our-events/evolutionecologycancer2019/ parental environment on offspring physiology. Info: This new conference aims to bring together evolutionary biologists, ecologists, cancer researchers and cancer clinicians, Genomics of Rare Diseases highlighting that evolution and ecology are fundamental to both Date: 25th-27th March, 2020 the basic science and the clinical management of cancer. Location: Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge Website: coursesandconferences.wellcomegenomecampus. Evolutionary Systems Biology org/our-events/genomics-raredisease-2020/ Date: 12th-14th February, 2020 Deadlines: 14th January (Bursary deadline); 28th January Location: Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge (Abstract deadline); 25th February (Registration deadline) Website: coursesandconferences.wellcomegenomecampus. Info: This conference will explore how cutting-edge org/our-events/evolutionarysystems-biology-2020/ genomic research translates into clinical care and informs our Deadlines: Registration deadline – 14th January, 2020 understanding of the biology of rare disease. The programme Info: This conference will provide a forum for scientists features the latest findings related to the genomic basis of interested in applying systems and mechanistic approaches rare diseases, providing powerful insights into human biology, to understand evolution. This conference will explore the disease mechanisms and therapeutic approaches. evolution of biological systems at different levels: from genes and molecules to organism development and physiology. 6th Annual Next Generation Sequencing UAS Congress Optimmunize: Improving the beneficial effects of Date: 7th-8th April, 2020 vaccines Location: Hyatt Regency Boston, One Avenue de Lafayette, Date: 19th-21st February, 2020 Boston, Massachusetts, USA Location: Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge Website: http://bit.ly/35fRRxp Website: coursesandconferences.wellcomegenomecampus. Info: Over 350 end users representing internationally renowned org/our-events/optimmunize/ research & academic institutions, clinical research institutions, Deadlines: Registration deadline - 21st January, 2020 healthcare organisations as well as leading pharmaceutical Info: The conference will bring together epidemiologists, and biotech companies.3 outstanding programmes bringing immunologists and clinicians, as well as research scientists with together Europe’s key genomics experts in Next Generation complementary expertise, and parallel disciplines. We will Sequencing, Single Cell Analysis, Genome Editing. Over 80 case discuss and explore various aspects of the non-specific effects studies, solution & technology presentations and 2 interactive of vaccines, including their impact on neonates and infants, how workshops. generalisable and durable these effects are, the implications for geriatric and veterinary medicine, and why non-specific effects should differ between sexes and across the lifespan. The objective is to have an open and transparent discussion of the science, while focusing on how to further optimize the use of vaccines.
www.genetics.org.uk . 5 EXTERNAL MEETINGS DIARY 6
The Allied Genetics Conference 2020 Date: 22nd-26th April, 2020 Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Maryland, USA Website: conferences.genetics-gsa.org/tagc/2020/index Deadlines: 20th December - 17th April, 2020 (Advanced Registration) Info: TAGC is a unique conference organized by the Genetics Society of America that brings together multiple international biological research communities to foster new collaborations, spark synergies, and strengthen existing relationships. It is designed to shape the big picture and showcase the fundamental unity of biology- all while providing attendees the chance to spend time with old friends and valued colleagues from around the world.
Epigenetic Pathways and Human Disease Conference Date: 30th April- 3rd May, 2020 Location: Chania, Crete Website: www.fusion-conferences.com/conference/112 Deadlines: 6th March (Poster Submission and Registration deadline) Info: This conference will provide a comprehensive backdrop to the basic principles behind epigenetics and its relevance to disease. There will be sessions on Chromatin, RNA and DNA regulatory pathways and a separate session on recent developments in drug discovery from Pharma.
The Festival of Genomics & Biodata Date: 29th-30th January 2020 Location: Business Design Centre, London, UK Website: festivalofgenomics.com/ Info: The Festival of Genomics aims to bring innovations in genetics to a vast public, connecting a variety of attendees in a stimulating environment offering a wide range of talks, workshops and networking experiences. “It is the largest genomics event in the UK and the fastest growing genomics event in the world.”
6 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 81 AA Genetics Genetics Society Society Workshop Workshop A Genetics Society Workshop A Genetics Society Workshop CommunicatingCommunicating Your Your Science Science 2222 - 24- 24 April April 2020, 2020, Chicheley Chicheley Hall, Hall, Chicheley, Chicheley, Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire 22 - 24 April 2020, Chicheley Hall, Chicheley, Buckinghamshire 22 - 24 April 2020, Chicheley Hall, Chicheley, Buckinghamshire SpeakersSpeakers and and Tutors Tutors include include Speakers and Tutors include EricoSpeakersErico Coen Coen and Tutors include Erico Coen Erico(Author(Author Coen and and Professor Professor of of Genetics, Genetics, John John Innes Innes Centre,(AuthorCentre, Norwich)and Norwich) Professor of Genetics, John Innes Centre,(Author Norwich)and Professor of Genetics, John Innes Centre,HelenHelen Norwich)Keen Keen Helen(Multi-award(Multi-award Keen winning winning writer writer and and performer) performer) Helen(Multi-award Keen winning writer and performer) First(Multi-awardFirst Create Create winning The The Media writerMedia and performer) (LedFirst(Led by Createby award-winning award-winning The Media writer writer and and (LedFirst by Create award-winning The Media writer and (Ledboadcaster,boadcaster, by award-winning Kat Kat Arney Arney writer) ) and boadcaster, Kat Arney) AlisonAlison Woollard Woollard Alisonboadcaster, Woollard Kat Arney ) Alison(2013(2013 Royal RoyalWoollard Institution Institution Christmas Christmas Lecturer Lecturer and and (Professor2013Professor Royal of of InstitutionGenetics, Genetics, University Christmas University of Lecturer of Oxford) Oxford) and (Professor2013 Royal of InstitutionGenetics, University Christmas of Lecturer Oxford) and WorkshopProfessorWorkshop of Genetics,Organiser Organiser University of Oxford) Workshop Organiser JonathanWorkshopJonathan Pettitt Organiser Pettitt (University (University of ofAberdeen) Aberdeen) Jonathan Pettitt (University of Aberdeen) Jonathan Pettitt (University of Aberdeen) ApplicationApplication Deadline: Deadline: 28 28 February February 2020 2020 Application Deadline: 28 February 2020 Application Deadline: 28 February 2020 ThisThis workshop workshop is is open open to to PhD PhD students students and and postdoctoral postdoctoral researchers researchers working working in in genetics genetics and and related related areas areas ThisTheThe workshop Genetics Genetics is Society openSociety to will willPhD cover coverstudents costs costs andof of travel, postdoctoraltravel, accommodation accommodation researchers and and working meals meals for infor allgenetics all successful successful and relatedapplicants applicants areas ThisThe workshop Genetics is Society open to will PhD cover students costs andof travel, postdoctoral accommodation researchers and working meals for in allgenetics successful and relatedapplicants areas The Genetics Society will cover costs of travel, accommodation and meals for all successful applicants
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http://www.genetics.org.uk/grants/comm-your-sci/http://www.genetics.org.uk/grants/comm-your-sci/ http://www.genetics.org.uk/grants/comm-your-sci/ http://www.genetics.org.uk/grants/comm-your-sci/ SECTIONAL INTEREST GROUPS 8
The Genetics Society helps support several sectional interest Fly South-West groups by providing meeting sponsorship. We currently have Next meeting: 15th January 2020; 6th May 2020 (School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of 14 groups who organise sectional interest meetings with the Bristol, Bristol) organizers and dates of any forthcoming meetings are listed Organiser: James Hodge ([email protected]) below. If you are interested in any of these areas, please contact Website: www.bristol.ac.uk/phys-pharm-neuro/events/fly- the relevant organiser. This information is also available at: meetings/ www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/ Genetics Society Pombe Club sectional-interest-groups/ Next meeting: No meetings currently planned Groups who wish to be considered for sectional interest group Organiser: Jacqueline Hayles status should contact Scientific Meetings Secretary, Dr Marika ([email protected]) Charalambous ([email protected]) in the first Website: genetics.org.uk/events/genetics-society-pombe- instance. club/ London Fly meetings Next meeting: 3rd Wednesday of the month (Francis Crick Arabidopsis Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields laboratory, London) Next meeting: 21st - 22nd April 2020, Durham Organisers: Nic Tapon ([email protected]) and Organiser: Peter Etchells ([email protected]) Isabel Palacios ([email protected]) Website: genetics.org.uk/events/arabidopsis/ Website: lists.londonflymeeting.org/listinfo/lfm British Meiosis Meeting Mammalian Genes, Development and Disease Next meeting: 4-5th May 2020 (University of Leicester) Next meeting: 3rd July 2020, University of Exeter Organiser: James Higgins; Dylan Phillips ([email protected]) Organisers: Rosalind John ([email protected]), Karin Website: genetics.org.uk/events/meiosis-group Malik ([email protected]), Keith Vance (k.w.vance@ bath.ac.uk), David Allard ([email protected]) British Yeast Group Website: genetics.org.uk/events/mammalian-genes- Next meeting: Details to follow development-and-disease/ Organisers: Janet Quinn ([email protected]), Simon Whitehall ([email protected]), Julian Rutherford Northern Bioinformatics User Group ([email protected]) (NorthernBUG) Website: genetics.org.uk/events/british-yeast-group/ Next meeting: 24th January 2020, University of Leeds Organisers: Dr Jarek Bryk ([email protected]) C. elegans Website: northernbug.github.io/meetings/ Next meeting: Details to follow Organiser: Michalis Barkoulas ([email protected]) Population Genetics Group Website: genetics.org.uk/events/c-elegans/ Next meeting: January 2021 Website: populationgeneticsgroup.org.uk/ e-ACTG (Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait Genetics) Telomere Network UK (TeN) Next meeting: April 2020 Next meeting: Details to follow Organisers: Chris Haley ([email protected]) and Organiser: Alessandro Bianchi ([email protected]); Josephine Pemberton ([email protected]) Nicola Royle ([email protected]); Website: www.wiki.ed.ac.uk/display/eactg/Edinburgh+Alliance+f David Lydall ([email protected]) or+Complex+Trait+Genetics Website: evolutionarygenetics.heliconius.org/eggs/ The Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics Symposium UK Cilia Network (EGGS) Next meeting: 28th April 2020, Edinburgh Next meeting: Details to follow Organisers: Colin Bingle ([email protected]); Organiser: Frank Jiggins ([email protected]) Gwen Reilly ([email protected]) Website: evolutionarygenetics.heliconius.org/eggs/ Website: www.cilianetwork.org.uk
8 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 81 Listen to the Heredity podcast
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• What aquatic snails can teach us about phenotypic plasticity • Genetic and phenotypic influences on copulatory plug survival in mice • How commensalism effects population genetics in rats • Genetic components of fitness in escaped farm salmon and their wild counterparts • DNA metabarcoding diet analysis for species with parapatric vs sympatric distribution
Listen online or download today: nature.com/hdy/podcast Special Issue: Evolutionary Consequences of Epigenetic The journal covers a broad rangeInheritance of topics within (based and on provides 2017 ESEB a direct symposium)communication link between the field of genetics and thereforeEpigenetic papers must inheritance authors, is the non-genetic reviewers and inheritance editors. With of thisa modified small address conceptual or applied issuesphenotype of interest across generations,team, we strive and whilefor a personalised its occurrence approach is well to the to the journal’s wide readership.documented, We encourage its influencepublishing over evolutionary experience, which processes helps us is todebated. provide submissions on any study systemThis but special there should issue dealsthorough, with the constructive evolutionary and consequences timely peer review. of be a take-home message that focusesepigenetic on broad inheritance and focuses broadly on the evolutionary general lessons that can be extendedforces beyond selecting single for epigeneticFees and inheritance,Open Access its costs and importance organisms. for adaptation. Moreover,Authors several don’t contributions pay colour page specifically charges and highlight the effects of paternal publishingtrans-generational is free, unless epigenetic full Open inheritance, Access is The journal particularly encourages submissions which until now have receivedselected as comparatively an option. We littlealso encourageattention. useThe Comingin the following: Fitness areas: contributions to this specialof Green issue Open give access, an important by depositing snapshot author of the landscapes, big data and • population genetics/ genomicsstate of the adaptive epigeneticaccepted manuscripts inheritance to field, institutional highlight open its access the predictability of • molecular evolution and phylogeneticsevolutionary consequencesdepositories; and point papers out become important free directions access 6 months evolu8on (ESEB • functional genomics, transcriptomics,forward. after publication in print. Springer Nature also symposium 2017) metabolomics and proteomics supports submission of manuscripts to preprint Guest Editors• genome architecture: Inês Fragata, Guest Editors: Foteini servers,Spagopoulou prior to and submission Martin Lind,to Heredity Department. of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, Uppsala University, Sweden Sebas8an Matuszewski • epigenetics • ecological genetics • evolutionary genetics Heredity Volume 121, pages 205–209 (2018) • conservation genetics FREE ACCESS August 17-31 • applied genetics • quantitative genetics • adaptation genomics • crop and livestock genetics/ genomics Reaching a Wider Audience Heredity authors have the option of being featured Heredity’s original articles cover new theory in the Heredity podcast www.genetics.org.uk/ and primary empirical research that offers novel news/heredity-podcasts/, which is presented insights, using the latest advances in technological twice per month by James Burgon. To more widely and analytical tools. We have recently added a disseminate their research, Heredity authors computer notes category, for which we invite also now have the option of writing a blog- submissions describing software packages that type article in the Nature Ecology & Evolution would be of interest for genetic analyses. The community Behind the Paper channel https:// journal also encourages submission of reviews, natureecoevocommunity.nature.com/to accompany mini-reviews and proposals for special issues on their formal paper published in Heredity. current topics. Student paper prize Editorial Board New for 2019 – Heredity will be awarding a prize Heredity has a small but diverse team of Associate for the best paper led by a PhD, Master’s or Editors https://www.nature.com/hdy/editors, undergraduate student. Papers can be considered whose expertise spans the full range of the up to 3 years after the original project/degree journal remit. We also have a dedicated editorial completion. Submissions open now – please assistant, who is funded by the Genetics Society indicate your eligibility on the submission form.
10 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 81 Now publishing Computer Notes Journal Metrics Heredity is now publishing new or substantial Article metrics such as number of downloads, updates to existing computer programs addressing citations and online attention are available from an important problem in the journal’s broad range each article page, and provide an overview of the of topics within the field of genetics. The note attention received by a paper. should describe clearly the aim, design, main We have been working hard to increase the speed functions, as well as a brief summary of the input of editorial decisions. The 2019 peer review (data) and output (results) of the program. Please performance metrics for Heredity are shown see our Guide to Authors for further details. below: • Average time to decision without external
123 1 Jul 2019 Vol 123 No 1 review - 5 days Heredity www.nature.com/hdy • Average time to decision following external The offi cial journal of the Genetics Society review - 45 days 2017 Impact Factor: 3.872 / Rank: 31/158 Ecology / 15/49 Evolutionary Biology / 46/171 Genetics & Heredity* The offi cial journal of the Genetics Society • Average time to secure reviewers – 17 days Editor-in-Chief: Professor Barbara K. Mable Heredity promotes scientifi c excellence within the fi eld of genetics and is committed to the rapid publication of high
Volume 12 • Average time for return of reviews – 16 days quality primary research papers of general interest and broad applicability. The journal is complemented by reviews, perspectives and comments covering developing areas, and
3 News and Commentary articles which keep researchers and • Articles published online within students abreast of hot topics.
Number 1 Areas that are covered include: • Population and human genetics
• Cell and development genetics approximately 14 days and in print within 3 • Genomics • Evolutionary and quantitative genetics pages
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Submit your next manuscript to Heredity and benefit from: • Over 51,000 recipients in receipt of the • Wide exposure and article visibility via nature.com • Inclusion in leading abstracting and indexing services • Automated PubMed Central deposition for original research papers monthly electronic table of contents alert. • Rapid decision and publication times • Open Access option available for authors • SharedIt - Springer Nature’s SharedIt content-sharing initiative allows authors and subscribers to share links to view-only, full-text articles from this journal. Learn more at: springernature.com/sharedit 100 years of genetics Find out more: nature.com/hdy The Heredity website has over 50,000 page Follow the journal on Twitter! @HeredityJournal
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100YEARS *Data is taken from the 2017 Journal Citation Reports® (Clarivate Analytics, 2018) 1919 - 2019 9 views per month.
A58517
Introducing Genetics Unzipped – the new Genetics Society podcast
What would have happened if Mendel and Darwin full transcripts and references) is available at had been on Twitter? Are we heading for the Zero geneticsunzipped.com. We’re on all major platforms Dollar Genome? And what about that weird time in including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and history when everyone was convinced that humans IHeartRadio, but the best way to make sure you had 24 pairs of chromosomes? never miss an episode is to subscribe for free through any good podcast app. The answers can all be found in Genetics Unzipped, our brilliant podcast packed with interviews with Find Genetics Unzipped online at geneticsunzipped. leading researchers in the field such as Mary-Claire com, or subscribe for free through Apple Podcasts, King, George Church and Paul Nurse, along with Stitcher, Spotify and all good podcast apps. You stories from the world of genes, genomes and can email [email protected] with any DNA. Presented by Kat Arney and produced by First feedback or suggestions for future topics or guests. Create the Media, new shows are released every And finally, please do take a moment to rate and other Thursday and the entire archive (including review the show to help raise awareness.
www.genetics.org.uk . 11 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 12
Honorary Secretary’s Notices Jonathan Petitt . Honorary Secretary, University of Aberdeen
Current and Upcoming Committee Vacancies Medal Nominations e are currently seeking nominations Wfor the following positions that become vacant on 1st May 2020. Genetics Society Medal
Vice President for External Relations he Genetics Society Medal is an to replace Colum Walsh Taward that recognises outstanding Ordinary Committee member research contributions to genetics. The (Evolutionary, Ecological and Medal recipient, who should still be Population Genetics) active in research at the time the Medal is to replace Frank Hailer awarded, will be elected annually by the Committee on the basis of nominations Any member in good standing is eligible made by any individual member of the to submit nominations for these posts Society. Those making nominations must (including self-nominations). Nominations be members of the Genetics Society, but should be sent to: Jonathan Pettitt there is no requirement for the nominee for the award. The recipient will be ([email protected]). to be a member, nor any restrictions invited to deliver a lecture at a Genetics on nationality or residence. Neither Society meeting, where the medal will current members of the Committee nor be awarded, in the year following his/her Medal and Prize Lecture those who have retired from office in election. Announcements the past four years may be nominated
he Genetics Society is pleased to Tannounce the recipients of our 2019 Medals and Prize Lectures. Additional information about the awards and Call for Nominations recipients can be found elsewhere in this Nominations are now being invited for the 2021 Genetics Society Medal. To make newsletter. a nomination, please confirm that your candidate is willing to be nominated, then forward a two-page CV of the candidate, together with a list of their ten most 2020 Genetics Society Medal important publications, plus a one-page letter of recommendation outlining why you Professor Sir Peter Donnelly, feel their contributions to the field have been outstanding. University of Oxford These documents must be submitted electronically to the Honorary Secretary of 2020 Balfour Lecture the Genetics Society, Jonathan Pettitt, by 13th March, 2020 at: [email protected]. Dr Sarah Flanagan, University of Exeter
2020 Mary Lyon Medal Professor Alastair Wilson, University of Exeter
2020 JBS Haldane Lecture Dr Jonathan Pettitt, University of Aberdeen
12 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 81 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 13
Call for Nominations Mary Lyon Medal Nominations are now being invited for the 2021 Mary Lyon Medal. To make a his award, named after the nomination, please confirm that your Tdistinguished geneticist Mary Lyon candidate is willing to be nominated, then FRS, was established in 2015 to reward forward a two-page CV of the candidate, outstanding research in genetics to together with a list of their ten most scientists who are in the middle of their important publications, plus a one-page research career. letter of recommendation outlining why The Mary Lyon medal will be awarded you feel their contributions to the field annually, and the winner will be invited have been outstanding. to present a lecture at one of the These documents must be submitted Genetics Society scientific meetings. electronically to the Honorary Secretary of the Genetics Society, Jonathan Pettitt, by 13th March, 2020 at: [email protected].
Balfour Lecture Call for Nominations Nominations are now being invited for the 2021 Balfour Lecture. To make a he Balfour Lecture, named after the at the time of nomination, and that any nomination, please confirm that your TGenetics Society’s first President, nomination must be made with the candidate is willing to be nominated, then is an award to mark the contributions consent of the nominee. forward a two-page CV of the candidate, to genetics of an outstanding young Those making nominations must be together with a list of their ten most investigator. members of the Genetics Society, important publications, plus a one-page The Balfour Lecturer is elected by the but there is no requirement for the letter of recommendation outlining why Society’s Committee on the basis of nominee to be a member, nor is there you feel their contributions to the field nominations made by any individual any restriction on nationality or have been outstanding. member of the Society. The only residence. These documents must be submitted conditions are that the recipient of the electronically to the Honorary Secretary of award must normally have less than 10 the Genetics Society, Jonathan Pettitt, by years’ postdoctoral research experience 13th March, 2020 at: [email protected].
www.genetics.org.uk . 13 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 14
Sir Kenneth Mather Memorial Prize
he Sir Kenneth Mather Memorial The prize is awarded annually Call for Nominations TPrize of £150 rewards a BSc, MSc and pertains to a project report, or PhD student of any UK University dissertation or thesis submitted during Nominations for the 2018/19 award should or Research Institution who has shown the academic year in question. The be submitted to The Genetics Society outstanding performance in the area of winner will be invited to present their electronically via the website, before quantitative or population genetics. work, usually the at a Genetics Society November 26th, 2019. sponsored “Pop Group” meeting. To be eligible for nomination, as a condition of their course, theses/ dissertations/project reports are required to be submitted by the student to the nominating University or Institution between 1st September 2018 and 31st August 2019.
Life Membership in the Genetics Society
he Genetics Society is keen to support members Tand those willing to continue to contribute to the field of Genetics once retired.
Have you reached the age of retirement (65), but wish to continue with your involvement in the Society? If so, and you are a full, current member of the Genetics Society, then you are eligible to become a Life Member. Life members remain eligible to vote in the Society’s AGM and continue to receive Society notices, but will not be required to pay further subscriptions.
Recipients of the Mendel Medal and the Genetics Society Medal will also be offered Life Membership. If you would like to continue your contribution and links with the Society, please contact The Genetics Society Office ([email protected]).
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OBITUARY
Greg Meller, Jonathan Pettitt and Helena Wells at the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show Dr Greg Mellers
n Friday 6th September, 2019 a range of projects exploring the Greg was a generous Oearly career plant scientist potential to exploit genetic variation and all-round genetics enthusiast for cereal crop improvement. At the and much loved Greg Mellers tragically passed away, 2019 Chelsea Flower Show he bought friend, colleague and aged 29. In his short career he was a his truly infectious enthusiasm to passionate advocate for the power of the Genetics Society “A Flowering of collaborator and he is plants. His PhD research explored the Genetics” garden and his discussion deeply missed by all genetic basis of floral trait variation of snapdragon hybrid zones can be and his love of floral evolution saw heard on the Genetics Unzipped who had the privilege of him contribute to Carol Klein’s Plant “Up the Garden Path” podcast meeting him. Odysseys on BBC Two in 2015. He then (https://geneticsunzipped.com/ joined the NIAB Genetics & Breeding blog/2019/6/6/015-up-the-garden-path). team as a post-doc and worked on
Alison Bentley
www.genetics.org.uk . 15 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 16
Local Ambassadors
The Local Ambassadors act as key liaisons between the membership and the Society’s Office and Committee, helping to recruit new members, publicising the Society’s scientific meetings and other activities, and providing feedback from the membership on matters of professional concern.
As an ambassador you will receive lots of support from the Genetics Society, including supplies of promotional materials and loan of pop-up banners. The Society normally appoints only one local ambassador per company, institution or department, but exceptions can be made when there are semi-autonomous sub-divisions containing a substantial number of members or potential members. As part of our plans for the Society’s Centenary Celebrations in 2019 we would like to increase the involvement of the Local Ambassador with the Society’s activities. Further details will be available in the coming months.
Should you wish to volunteer as a Local Ambassador, or if existing Ambassadors wish to update their contact details, The tasks of the Genetics Society expenses paid, “get togethers” to please contact the Honorary Ambassador are not onerous and meet the committee and network Secretary, Jonathan Pettitt, by include: with other local ambassadors e-mail at [email protected]. • providing feedback from the Recruiting new members by: membership about Genetics • targeting new student intakes Society activities • alerting your department/ • helping organise local events such institution/university to deadlines as socials etc for grants available to researchers • assisting the Membership Secretary Promoting the society by: in keeping an accurate log of which • publicise Genetics Society members have moved on and to meetings and other events (e.g. where putting up posters or by word of mouth) • manning stands at relevant local events • attending ad hoc national, travel
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Local ambassador Location Institute
Professor Anne Donaldson Aberdeen University of Aberdeen Dr Dylan Wyn Phillips Aberystwyth Aberystwyth University Dr Alexander Papadopulos Bangor University of Bangor Dr Araxi Urrutia Bath University of Bath Dr Declan McKenna Belfast University of Ulster, Belfast Dr Lindsey Leach Birmingham University of Birmingham Dr Charlotte Rutledge Birmingham University of Birmingham Dr Anna Mantzouratou Bournemouth Bournemouth University Dr Felicity Z Watts Brighton University of Sussex Professor Patricia Kuwabara Bristol University of Bristol (SOMs) Dr Howard Baylis Cambridge University of Cambridge (Dept of Zoology) Dr Ian Henderson Cambridge University of Cambridge (Dept of Plant Sciences) Dr Bénédicte Sanson Cambridge University of Cambridge (Dept Phys, Dev, Neuro) Philip Wigge Cambridge University of Cambridge (Sainsbury Laboratory) VACANT Cambridge University of Cambridge (Dept of Genetics) Dr Simon Harvey Canterbury Canterbury Christ Church University Dr Timothy Bowen Cardiff University of Wales College of Medicine Dr William Davies Cardiff Cardiff University Dr Jose Gutierrez-Marcos Coventry University of Warwick Oliver Blacque Dublin University College Dublin Alastair Fleming Dublin Trinity College Dublin Dr Isabelle Colas Dundee James Hutton Institute Professor Michael JR Stark Dundee University of Dundee Dr David Doupé Durham Durham University Professor Ian Jackson Edinburgh MRC Human Genetics Unit Dr Douglas Vernimmen Edinburgh The Roslin Institute Dr Jarrod Hadfield Edinburgh Institute of Evolutionary Biology Professor Eileen Wall Edinburgh SRUC Dr Antonio Marco Essex University of Essex Dr Sarah Flanagan Exeter University of Exeter Dr Ben Longdon Exeter University of Exeter Dr Iain Johnstone Glasgow University of Glasgow Dr Kevin O'Dell Glasgow University of Glasgow VACANT Guildford University of Surrey Dr Paul Potter Harwell MRC Harwell Dr Cristina Ariani Hinxton Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Dr David Lunt Hull University of Hull Professor Michael F Tuite Kent University of Kent Dr Paul Ashton Lancashire Edge Hill University Dr Andrew Peel Leeds University of Leeds (School of Biology) Dr Ed Hollox Leicester University of Leicester
www.genetics.org.uk . 17 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 18
Local ambassador Location Institute
Dr Tony Plagge Liverpool University of Liverpool Dr Peter Glen Walley Liverpool University of Liverpool Dr Craig Wilding Liverpool Liverpool John Moores University Dr Michalis Barkoulas London Imperial College London (South Kensington) VACANT London Imperial College London (Silwood and Ascot) Professor E M C Fisher London UCL Institute of Neurology Professor Simon Hughes London King's College London Dr Yalda Jamshidi London St George’s University of London Dr Francesca Mackenzie London Kingston University Professor Richard A Nichols London Queen Mary and Westfield College Professor Andrew Pomiankowski London UCL Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment Dr Claire Russell London Royal Veterinary College Prof. Harald Schneider London The Natural History Museum Dr James Turner London Francis Crick Institute Dr Emanuela Volpi London University of Westminster Miss Rebecca Collier Manchester University of Manchester Dr Catherine Walton Manchester University of Manchester Dr Reinmar Hager Manchester University of Manchester Dr Maxim Kapralov Newcastle upon Tyne University of Newcastle (Biol Sci) Dr Tracey Chapman Norwich University of East Anglia Professor Enrico Coen Norwich John Innes Institute Professor John Brookfield Nottingham University of Nottingham (University Park Campus) Dr Richard Emes Nottingham University of Nottingham (Sutton Bonnington Campus) Dr S E Kearsey Oxford University of Oxford (Zoology) Professor Liam Dolan Oxford University of Oxford (Plant Sciences) Professor Jonathan Hodgkin Oxford University of Oxford (Biochemistry) Professor Andrew O M Wilkie Oxford University of Oxford (John Radcliffe Hosp) Dr Ravinder Kanda Oxford Oxford Brookes University Dr Paul Potter Oxford Oxford Brookes University Dr Mairi Knight Plymouth University of Plymouth Dr Louise Johnson Reading University of Reading Dr Alexander Papadopulos Richmond Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Dr Jon Slate Sheffield University of Sheffield Dr Mark Chapman Southampton University of Southampton Professor Mike Ritchie St Andrews University of St Andrews Dr Mario Vallejo-Marin Stirling University of Stirling Dr Timothy Barrow Sunderland University of Sunderland Dr Claire Morgan Swansea Swansea University Dr Sean T. Sweeney Yo rk University of York
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Medal Winners
Genetics Society Medal 2020 Professor Sir Peter Donnelly
sophisticated statistical methods which ~15 were previously known. They also have been widely used to exploit growing identified recombination hotspots in genetic and genomic data, including chimpanzees and showed that in spite STRUCTURE (inference of population of 99% sequence identity between the structure), PHASE (inferring haplotype species the hotspots were in different phase from genotype data), and, in positions. Next, they identified a DNA collaboration with colleagues in Oxford, sequence motif responsible for localising IMPUTE (use of linkage disequilibrium to crossovers in humans, the first such motif impute genotypes at markers not directly to be identified in any species. Along typed). with two other groups internationally After a major role in the HapMap they identified the protein, PRDM9, project, Donnelly led the ground responsible for positioning breaking Wellcome Trust Case Control crossovers. Prdm9 is also the only known Consortium (WTCCC) whose main paper speciation gene in mammals. Donnelly was a landmark in the field, becoming and Myers recently characterised the the standard for GWAS studies. Donnelly molecular mechanisms underpinning its also led the follow-on WTCCC2 study. role in hybrid infertility. eter Donnelly is Professor of In 2011, he led the WGS500 project, Donnelly is a Fellow of the Royal Society PStatistical Science at the Wellcome which assessed the potential for whole- and of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Centre for Human Genetics in the genome sequencing in clinical medicine. and is an Honorary Fellow of the Institute University of Oxford. Peter grew up in The success of the pioneering project of Actuaries. He is a Fellow of St Anne’s Australia and on graduating from the was an important factor in the decision College, and an Honorary Fellow of University of Queensland he studied to sequence the genomes of 100,000 NHS Balliol College, in Oxford. His work has for a doctorate in Oxford as a Rhodes patients. been recognised with various awards, Scholar. He held professorships at the Over more than 15 years, Donnelly and including a Knighthood in 2019. With Universities of London and Chicago his colleagues Myers and McVean in colleagues, Peter founded Genomics plc, before returning to Oxford, where he was Oxford have made a series of seminal a company which uses large-scale genetic Head of the Department of Statistics from contributions to our understanding of data to identify novel drug targets and 1996-2001, and Director of the Wellcome meiotic recombination. Following Alec understand individual risk for common Centre from 2007-2017. His research Jeffreys’ discovery of recombination human diseases. He now splits his time spans population and statistical genetics, hotspots in humans, they developed between his academic role and that of the genetics of common human diseases, sophisticated computational methods CEO of the company. and meiotic recombination. to infer hotspot locations from genetic Donnelly’s early research focused on variation data. They produced genetic stochastic models in population genetics, maps in humans at unprecedented, including pioneering work on coalescent kilobase, scales and identified ~30,000 methods. Subsequent work developed recombination hotspots where only
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Balfour Lecture 2020 - Dr Sarah Flanagan
understanding of biological pathways formed a partnership with the charitable which are important for the development organisation, Congenital Hyperinsulinism of more common conditions such as type 1 International, to ensure that patients and type 2 diabetes. throughout the world have access Sarah’s doctoral work focused on to genetic testing regardless of their studying the pancreatic K-ATP channel economic status. genes KCNJ11 and ABCC8, in which Following her PhD Sarah re-focused her activating mutations cause a loss of efforts on gene discovery and identified insulin secretion leading to neonatal 5 novel genes for neonatal diabetes and 3 diabetes, and inactivating mutations new genes for congenital hyperinsulinism. cause increased insulin secretion and This work provided the first conclusive congenital hyperinsulinism. Identifying evidence to support the role of these a mutation in a K-ATP channel gene has genes within the human pancreas. major implications for the treatment of Currently Sarah leads the hyperinsulinism neonatal diabetes with patients being genetic research in Exeter where she is arah Flanagan is a Sir Henry Dale able to transfer from insulin injections investigating the underlying mechanisms SFellow at the University of Exeter to sulphonylurea tablets. Similarly of disease in the 50% of patients without whose work focuses on the genetics identifying a K-ATP channel mutation in a genetic diagnosis. Sarah’s work in the of neonatal diabetes and congenital a patient with medically-unresponsive field of metabolism has recently been hyperinsulinism, two opposing disorders hyperinsulinism will help to guide surgery recognised by her receipt of the 2018 of insulin secretion. The overarching aim in those requiring pancreatectomies. Morgagni Silver Medal Award. of her research is to gain novel insights Given the importance of genetic testing from rare monogenic disease to improve for this condition, Sarah has recently
JBS Haldane Lecture 2020 - Dr Jonathan Pettitt
Jonathan Pettitt is a Reader in Genetics technology, means that there has never at the University of Aberdeen. He has been a more urgent need to ensure genetic a long-standing interest in applying the literacy beyond the traditional areas of manifold advantages of C. elegans to research and healthcare. study the genetics of basic animal biology. As a passionate and enthusiastic His current research investigates the communicator of genetics, Jonathan has molecular basis of post-transcriptional written and presented a broad range RNA processing, including nematode- of events, including The ‘Cabaret of specific mechanisms; the understanding Dangerous Ideas’ at the Edinburgh Fringe, of which may facilitate the development the Royal Greenwich Observatory, the of new drugs to treat parasitic nematode Royal Institution, and science festivals in infections. Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Sofia, Bulgaria. Jonathan is strongly committed to public He was the genetics consultant for Helen engagement with genetics. He believes Keen’s book, ‘The Science of Game of that the explosion in the availability Thrones’. he Genetics Society is delighted to and application of human genome Jonathan will present his lecture at the Tannounce that Jonathan Pettitt is the sequence information, coupled with the Royal Institute in the autumn of 2020. winner of the 2020 JBS Haldane Lecture. development of genome engineering
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Mary Lyon Medal 2020 Professor Alastair Wilson
lastair Wilson is a Professor of to applying quantitative genetic analyses. particular emphasis on the role of social AEvolutionary Biology at Exeter This interest in the genetics of complex behaviours in mediating multivariate University. His research focuses on traits was cemented by a postdoc at the evolution, his present research might trying to understand how genetic University of Edinburgh, after which best be summarised as using quantitative and ecological processes interact to he was awarded a NERC Independent genetics to answer questions in determine the evolutionary dynamics of fellowship and, then a BBSRC David behavioural ecology. traits under selection. Phillips Fellowship. He moved to the Alastair will present his lecture in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Autumn of 2020. Alastair completed an undergraduate Exeter’s Cornwall campus in 2012. degree at Cambridge and an MSc at King’s College London before moving Current projects in the group continue to Canada to study for a PhD in zoology the theme, trying to understand how at the University of Guelph. In Guelph, phenotypes evolve under selection and his PhD work on the population genetic – in particular- to investigate why they structure of wild salmonids led to an sometimes do not. He uses a range of interest in using molecular markers to laboratory models, livestock systems, infer family structures as a stepping stone and wild vertebrate populations. With a
www.genetics.org.uk . 21 SECTIONAL INTEREST GROUPS: REPORTS 22
British Yeast Group meeting 26 – 28 June 2019, Newcastle upon Tyne
Dr Julian Rutherford (Newcastle University), Dr Simon Whitehall (Newcastle University) and Prof Janet Quinn (Newcastle University)
he annual British Yeast Group (French National Centre for Scientific (University of Sheffield) described her Tmeeting was held this year at the Research), Jane Usher (University of work on the role of the AP-2 endocytic County Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne on Exeter), Manolis Papamichos Chronakis adaptor complex in the morphology of the 26-28 June 2019. The meeting was (Newcastle University) and Mick Tuite the pathogen C. albicans and was awarded organised by the Newcastle University (University of Kent). The organisers the prize for the best oral presentation Fungal Group in conjunction with the were particularly grateful to Benjamin by a PhD student. The prize for the best Microbiology Society. It has been 15 years Tu (University of Texas Southwestern poster presentation by a PhD student since this annual meeting has been held Medical Center) who gave the keynote went to Elizabeth Edrich (University of in Newcastle and the organisers were presentation. Kent) for her study of the role of the outer pleased to welcome scientists from all These speakers covered a range of subjects mitochondrial membrane protein porin in over the UK and beyond. Around 70 including inducible polyploidy in the cell death and ageing. individuals attended the meeting and as human pathogen C. neoformans (Ballou), In addition to the excellent science, a always this included a large number of the relationship between transcription and full social programme was also on offer early career researchers. Eight invited protein levels during the yeast metabolic including a drinks reception and dinner at speakers gave presentations and over 20 cycle (Mellor), resistance to oxidative the County Hotel on the first night. At the abstracts were chosen by the organising stress in the pathogen C. glabrata (Usher), end of the second day the delegates were committee to be given as offered papers. the translational response to stress in treated to a BBQ in the evening sunshine The British Yeast Group meeting provides S. pombe (Mata), the remodelling at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art a forum for researchers studying a variety of yeast cellular machineries during where they were able to enjoy fantastic of model and pathogenic yeasts including quiescence (Sagot), the relationship views of the Newcastle quayside. The Saccharomyces, Cryptococcus, Candida between chromatin and the control of position of the County Hotel also provided and Schizosaccharomyces species. The transcription elongation (Chronakis), and the more adventurous the opportunity aim of BYG2019 was to explore the theme the inheritance of prions in yeast (Tuite). to sample the acclaimed nightlife of ‘Discovery to Impact’ where basic research In his keynote address Ben Tu Newcastle city center. All in all, this was a on fundamental cellular processes such described novel findings from his group very successful meeting. as the regulation of gene expression, interconnecting biosynthesis of sulphur The organisers are grateful for all those chromosome biology, metabolic cycles and containing amino acids and methylation who attended and those that contributed the control of quiescence, was integrated of phospholipids and histones, and to the meeting through their presentations with applied themes such as yeasts as how methionine oxidation of the yeast or posters. We are also very much disease models, pathogenic yeasts and the ataxin-2 protein allows this protein to indebted to this year’s sponsors including biotechnological applications of yeasts sense the activity of mitochondria to the Genetics Society for their help in This year’s invited speakers were Elizabeth regulate the TOR pathway. In addition, funding this meeting and we look forward Ballou (University of Birmingham), Jane there were many excellent oral and to next year’s meeting. Mellor (University of Oxford), Juan Mata poster presentations given by early career (University of Cambridge), Isabelle Sagot researchers. Of note, Harriet Knaffler
Harriet Knaffler (University of Sheffield) described her work on the role of the AP-2 endocytic adaptor complex in the morphology of the pathogen C. albicans and was awarded the prize for the best oral presentation by a PhD student.
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11th British Meiosis Meeting Dr Dylan Phillips (Aberystwyth University)
repair in the nucleolus. Breaks are known to form in the highly repetitive rDNA arrays that form the nucleolus, but genome instability could occur if these breaks are repaired via homologous recombination. Peter presented evidence that breaks in the rDNA are repaired using the alternative non-homologous end joining repair pathway, resulting in the maintenance of these regions during meiosis. The final session followed, and included six talks that focused on meiotic DNA repair mechanisms, and was chaired by Matt Neale esearchers from throughout the a telomere-specific long non-coding RNA. (University of Sussex). RUnited Kingdom, and further Rolf’s talk was followed by the first session The meeting concluded with awards and afield, made their way to the coastline on chromosome organisation, which was prizes. The prize for best talk was awarded of mid-Wales for the 11th British Meiosis chaired by Urszula McClurg (University of to Pedro Barbosa (Ohkura lab, University Meeting, hosted this year by Aberystwyth Liverpool). The session comprised of four of Edinburgh) for his presentation titled University. The annual meeting provides diverse talks covering a range of research ‘SCF ubiquitin ligase regulates chromatin an opportunity for scientists working topics, which included age related errors organisation during meiotic prophase on genetic recombination, cell division, in mammalian oogenesis and chromatin in Drosophila oocytes’. The best poster and genome evolution in a wide range of organisation during meiotic prophase in was awarded to Ellie Wright (Neale lab, organisms to present their research to the Drosophila. University of Sussex) for her poster titled scientific community. The meeting’s long- The second session featured five talks that ‘investigating the link between DNA and the established ethos is to give a platform for chromosome axis during meiosis’. PhD students and early-career scientists focused on the structure and evolution of to present their ongoing research. This the synaptonemal complex, and waschaired We would also like to thank all the year’s meeting comprised 17 talks spread by Eugenio Sanchez-Moran (University academics who chaired sessions and judged over three sessions covering chromosome of Birmingham). Research involving a the talks and posters (Rolf Jessberger, organization, synaptonemal complex diverse range of organisms were presented, Peter Schlögelhofer and Candida Nibau, structure and organisation, and double including studies on human, Caenorhabditis Aberystwyth University). Lastly, we are also strand break repair mechanisms. elegans, and two tetraploid species of very grateful to the Genetics Society for Arabidopsis. their continued sponsorship of this meeting This year’s keynote speakers were Rolf The talks were followed by a lively poster and allowing early-career researchers hone Jessberger from the Technische Universität their presentation skills in a supportive Dresden (Germany) and Peter Schlögelhofer session where PhD students and postdocs had the chance to share details of their environment and begin building their own from the University of Vienna (Austria). The research network. meeting was opened by Rolf who has long projects with the delegates. The first day studies the contribution of SMC (structural closed with a conference dinner, offering We are all looking forward to the 12th maintenance of chromosomes) proteins an informal opportunity to make new British Meiosis Meeting that will be held and their complexes to essential processes acquaintances and discuss their ongoing on the 4-5th May 2020 at the University of in mammalian meiosis. In his presentation work. Leicester, and will be organised by James he discussed the role of particular meiotic Day two was opened by the keynote talk Higgins. cohesion complex that is required to ensure by Peter Schlögelhofer who introduced his telomere integrity via expression of TERRA, current work that examined meiotic DNA
www.genetics.org.uk . 23 SECTIONAL INTEREST GROUPS: REPORTS 24
The Telomere Network UK (TeN UK) 10th – 11th September 2019, Leicester
Dr Alessandro Bianchi (University of Sussex)
he Telomere Network UK (TeN UK), independent ALT pathway for telomere described ongoing work in model Ta Sectional Interest Group formed maintenance in human cancer cell types, organisms, investigating for example the with the support of the Genetics Society and in particular on the role for the role of uncharacterised factors binding to (additional support was provided by the ATRX chromatin remodeler (David Clyne the telomere single-stranded overhang in Company of Biologists), held its second and Duncan Baird groups) and the CST C. elegans (Helder Ferreira group) or the annual meeting over two days on 10-11 complex (Nicola Royle group) in this role of post-translational modifications September in Leicester. Attendees from process. A number of novel insights were in telomere regulators in budding yeast 20 different groups based across the UK reported that revealed the contribution (Laura Maringele group). gathered at the College Court Conference to the regulation of telomere length from The meeting provided opportunities for Centre for two days of scientific exchange genes previously unrecognised to play early-career and more senior scientists to to discuss ongoing work on telomere a role in this process: these involved present their work in a supportive setting. biology. genes affecting DNA replication (Tom The agenda included a social dinner at the This year the focus was on molecular and Vulliamy and Veryan Codd groups), RNA conference site on the evening of the first mechanistic aspects of telomere biology metabolism (Jean-Baptiste Vannier group) night. Dinner was preceded by a special and four different sessions were held on and proteolysis (Sveta Makovets group). guest talk given by Jonathan Williams, the topics of Telomere Maintenance and A number of talks focused on the a Principal Clinical Scientist in Oxford, Cancer, Telomeres and Disease, Telomere identification (Kazumori Tomita group) or on the evolving role of genetic testing Protection, and Telomere Replication. development (Sebastian Guettler group) of within the NHS, with an emphasis on the The meeting offered a broad platform to small molecules to target specific aspects potential for genetic testing for telomere researchers at all career stages to present of telomere maintenance. diseases in the UK. their work, and fifteen presenters gave While much of the work presented talks in the four sessions over two days. focused on the role of telomeres in Additional work was presented in a poster cancer and disease, including a talk about session. herpesviruses that integrate into telomeres Several groups communicated on the with the potential to wreak havoc recombination-based and telomerase- (Nicola Royle group), several participants
This year the focus was on molecular and mechanistic aspects of telomere biology and four different sessions were held on the topics of Telomere Maintenance and Cancer, Telomeres and Disease, Telomere Protection, and Telomere Replication.
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South West Fly meeting 8th May 2019, Bristol
Dr James Hodge (University of Bristol)
he tenth South West Fly meeting melanogaster to suzukii, discussing role of different signalling pathways in Twas held at University of Bristol the work of his recently graduated different compartments with lots of on Wednesday 8 May 2019. PhD student, Beth Shaw on leveraging pretty pictures. Discussion of all things The first talk was entitled “A tunable behavioural rhythms for integrated fly continued over refreshments kindly genetic screening system and its pest management of the spotted wing provided by the Genetics Society. application to the discovery of fly, which has started to geographically Please contact james.hodge@bristol. synergistic drug combinations” and spread, causing wide spread damage of ac.uk or visit http://www.genetics. was by Dr Benjamin Housden from soft fruit crops. org.uk/events/fly-south-west/ for University of Exeter. His lab has been After tea, again on the topic of food more details. The next meetings performing elegant synthetic lethal security, Kiah Tasman from Dr are Wednesday 1:30-5:30pm on 15th drug and genetic screens for pathways James Hodge lab at the University January and 6 May 2020 at Biomedical involved in cell division and cancer of Bristol, talked about the effect of Sciences Building, University of using flies. neonicotinoid pesticides on circadian Bristol. Eva Daniela Ruiz from Dr. Amritpal rhythmicity and sleep in Drosophila Mudher’s lab at the University of and bumblebees, she also showed that Southampton then discussed her field relevant doses of the EU banned thesis work on the biochemical insecticides removed fly memory. and biophysical characterization of Last of all was a talk on cell conformationally distinct tau protein elimination strategies during species and their relationship with development by Dr Fisun Hamaratoglu neuronal dysfunction in two models of Dion who has just set up her lab at tauopathy, comparing her fly models to Cardiff University. a mouse model of tauopathy. She discussed her work on cell- Next speaker, again from University of signalling in control of growth and Southampton was Dr Herman Wijnen cancer including using clonal mosaic who switched topic from Drosophila analysis of wing discs, discussing the
Kiah Tasman from Dr James Hodge lab at the University of Bristol, talked about the effect of neonicotinoid pesticides on circadian rhythmicity and sleep in Drosophila and bumblebees.
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UK C. elegans meeting 16th September 2019, London
Florence Drury (Imperial College London)
complex behaviour allows P. pacificus that nematodes may undergo intestinal to distinguish self-progeny from even atrophy in order to produce yolk to very closely related strains and prevent support the growth of their offspring. cannibalism. Carina noted that this production of Session two began with a keynote “milk” has been seen in other species lecture from Eric Miska of the Gurdon of hermaphroditic Caenorhabditis, but Institute, University of Cambridge. Eric not in species with females. presented an overview of the discovery After a short coffee break, the talks of the first virus to naturally infect continued with a second keynote C. elegans and how this research has lecture from Susan Mango from shown that RNA interference (RNAi) Biozentrum in Basel. Susan gave a is used as a mechanism of protection very engaging talk on the dynamic against viral infection in animals. nature of the nucleus during He also shared results on conserved embryogenesis, discussing how the antiviral mechanisms that are developmental plasticity of the C. he annual UK-wide C. elegans independent of the RNAi pathway and elegans early embryo is lost over time Tmeeting returned on the of 16th rely on host machinery that uridylates and how chromosomal organisation September 2019, hosted at Imperial the 3’ end of the Orsay Virus RNA to influences early development. Susan College London. These meetings had a promote its degradation. The Keynote also shared some very recent results small run of absence but returned last Lecture was followed by seven flash from her lab on a new fluorescent in year following a surge in the number of talks, each just lasting five minutes, situ hybridisation technique used to new C. elegans labs across the country. in which speakers were challenged to track the conformational changes in Over 150 attendees travelled to explain their research and its relevance chromatin structure in whole animals. Imperial College from more than 25 concisely. The meeting ended with lively institutes across the UK and Europe. The flash talks were followed by discussions and the announcement The day began with opening remarks a break for lunch and a poster that the next conference will be hosted from Michalis Barkoulas, a key presentation session. Over 50 posters by the University of Edinburgh! We organiser and host, who explained were presented from diverse topics thank the Genetics Society for enabling how the conference had been designed varying from aging and neurobiology this meeting with their generous to highlight work by early-career to cell and developmental biology sponsorship. researchers, primarily post-docs and and much more. Attendees had two PhD students who gave 17 out of the 21 hours to seek out the research most conference talks. interesting to them and it was great The first session of talks was kicked to see exchanges between researchers off by James Lightfoot of the Max across institutions and fields, which Over 50 posters were Planck Institute for Developmental really highlighted how the coming Biology in Tubingen. James focussed together of a community can inspire presented from diverse not on C. elegans but instead the new ideas. topics varying from aging parasitic nematode Pristionchus Afternoon sessions started with Carina and neurobiology to cell pacificus, in which he shared his Kern of University College London results on dissecting the molecular who presented her work suggesting and developmental biology mechanisms of self-recognition. This semelparity in C. elegans and the idea and much more.
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In this edition of the Newsletter, we have two feature pieces. The first feature will focus on the November 2019 Genetics meeting “A Century of Genetics”, the final event organized as part of the centenary programme. The second feature will bring you back to another important milestone: Sir R.A. Fisher’s publication of “The correlation between relatives on the supposition of Mendelian inheritance”.
A Century of Genetics 2019 meeting in Edinburgh
Contributed by Margherita Colucci
genes work. The meeting gave a good feeling for progress on many interesting questions, including highlighting areas that are still not understood.” commented Prof Deborah Charlesworth (University of Edinburgh), Genetics Society medal Genomics and selection of Quantitative traits, germline and sex chromosomes, human genetic variation and epigenetics were the main areas covered in five sessions during the three-days conference. The Balfour lecture was delivered Speakers’ dinner at the “A Century of Genetics” conference, November 2019, Edinburgh. (Photo by Douglas Vernimmen) by Dr Susan Johnston (University of Edinburgh) on the “Evolution of individual tarting in summer 1919 and supporting “melting-pot” of inspiring talks, lectures, recombination rates in the wild”. Sresearchers and research in genetics posters and, most importantly, an occasion With a touching as well as entertaining since then, the Genetics Society organises for ideas exchange. And just to add some each year a variety of meetings and offers more flavour, other recurrences were summer studentship schemes, training celebrated too: the origins of the Roslin and fieldwork grants to assist researchers, Institute and the Institute of Evolutionary especially at early stages of their careers, Biology, University of Edinburgh. in their process to answer the most “I thought it was a wonderful idea to pressing questions in genetics. have a meeting to celebrate 100 years Many topics at the heart of current of genetics, and the meeting lived up to genetics research were covered during its promise. It is easy to forget that our the conference “A Century of Genetics” in science is so young - in only 100 years Edinburgh (November 2019), the last event biologists have gone from not really being
organised for celebrating the centenary certain that inheritance has a physical The conference was held at the Royal College of occurrence. It has been an astonishing basis, to understanding DNA and how Physicians, Edinburgh (Photo by Douglas Vernimmen)
Genetics in this country is just so breathtakingly strong. Laurence Hurst (University of Bath), President of GenSoc
www.genetics.org.uk . 27 FEATURES 28
speech, Prof Trudy Mackay introduced our Mendel Medal winner, Prof William G. Hill. The Genetics Society medal was awarded to Prof Deborah Charlesworth (University of Edinburgh), who took us on a journey through the studies on evolution of sex chromosomes. “The meeting was very successful in highlighting the breadth of research in modern genetics, from the molecular genetics of fundamentally important Winners of Best poster prizes. (Photo by Douglas Vernimmen) biological processes such as chromosome segregation, through the genetics of populations and quantitative traits to vertebrates.” added Prof Wendy Bickmore greatly benefitted me by giving me animal breeding and the genetics of human (University of Edinburgh) Chair Session 4 an opportunity to present my work to diseases. Such breadth in a single, relatively The event was indeed well received by the colleagues and practice explaining my short, meeting is unusual, and the capacity attendees… Lara Urban (EMBL-EBI, Junior research to scientists working on different audience was most encouraging. The mix Scientist Conference Grant) reported aspects of genetics. I am very thankful of senior, mid-career and early-career “I therefore arrived in Edinburgh with to be awarded one of the silver poster speakers seemed to work well, and the a lot of expectations; I am very pleased prizes for the session I was presenting poster session was impressive both in range to say that they have all been fulfilled. in, and I was extremely happy to receive and scientific quality. Sewall Wright once Not only did the scientific presentations helpful feedback about my work at the wrote that someone told him in 1923 that update me about currently hot research conference.” said Yichen Dai (University ‘genetics is a cow that has been milked’; topics, but indeed every talk contained of Oxford) Junior Scientist Conference how wrong that person was.” observed a lot of information about the history of Grant Prof Brian Charlesworth (University of the respective topic and the relation to “The interest in my poster was fascinating, Edinburgh), Chair Session 3 other research fields. Specifically, some and feedback from the community (also in “What struck me about this inspiring presentation, delivered for example by the form of a best poster prize awarded by meeting was that genetics, selection and Josephine Pemberton, Susan Johnston, and the Heredity journal) made me confident mechanisms of heredity were discussed Troy Rowan aroused a lot of enthusiasm in that the PuntSeq [a student-led project] in their own right, not just as tools to me to try and apply similar approaches.” team is ready to publish its results in a answer other questions in biology. I really Poster sessions peer-reviewed journal.” affirmed Lara enjoyed that it covered a large span of the Prof Deborah Charlesworth (University of Urban (EMBL-EBI) Junior Scientist tree of life - fungi, plants, invertebrates and Edinburgh) commented on the successful Conference Grant poster session: “There was a great On Session 1, “Genome stability and atmosphere of discussing work in progress instability” - the questions that were asked were often “I really enjoyed Dr. Steve Jackson’s talk as interesting as the talks themselves, a about PARP pathway inhibition and how sign of a really good meeting. The posters suppressing this DNA repair pathway at this meeting were a particular delight, could help tackle BRCA1 mutant cancer with many interesting new results that cells. This work showed how knowledge haven’t yet been published. It was thrilling of different DNA repair pathways could that so many winners of the poster prizes help find a way to target cancer and how were women scientists, as genetics seems basic science could be applied to help to have been able to encourage women to us find novel drugs. I was also intrigued work in science from its earliest days.” by Dr. Laura Ross’s talk about the unique Prof Deborah Charlesworth, Dr Susan Johnston and Prof Bill G. Hill awarded during the conference “A “I was selected to present my poster gene exclusion system found in mealybugs Century of Genetics” (Photo by Douglas Vernimmen) at this meeting, and this experience and several other insect species. This talk
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really sparked discussion at the following chromosomes formed by a fusion between prescribed drugs. This reflects current coffee break and left me with lots of autosomes and ancestral Y chromosomes. human genome research and the way thoughts about how such unique systems Doris Bachtrog and Peter Ellis (Drosophila that it is being implemented in real world may be beneficial to the organism and and mice, respectively) showed how the medicine, especially in the context of how such mechanisms may have evolved.” evolution of multigenerational families monogenic disease.” said Prof Wendy commented Yichen Dai on X and Y seems to reflect an arm race Bickmore (University of Edinburgh) Chair On Session 2, Genetics and Selection of over which partner gets over-represented Session 4 Quantitative traits in the sperm, for very different functional On Session 5, Epigenetics and non- reasons.” “I particularly liked the way in which coding DNA several speakers and session chairs made “Topics that especially fascinated me “We are only beginning connections between current research personally included how chromosomes to appreciate the influence of topics and the classical work in genetics segregate and what centromere regions of prior events (environment) on the of the early twentieth century. Certainly, genome are like, and how sex-linked genes epigenomes/phenotypes of fungi, plants in my area of population and Drosophila can lead to unusual sex ratios, including and animals.” commented Prof Robin genetics, people have enormous respect the topic of conflicts between the sexes, Allshire (University of Edinburgh), Chair for the early workers in genetics, and it which can now be illuminated by new of the session “In some organisms the was good to see this emphasised at the approaches using genome sequencing.” effects may be subtle while in others centennial meeting.” observed Prof Brian added Prof Deborah Charlesworth they may have a major influence on Charlesworth On Session 4, Human Genetic Variation: phenotype. [Future questions to address On Session 3, The Germline, Sex from molecules to population are] what proportion of phenotype(s) determination and Sex chromosomes “I think that the Session captured the is truly attributable to epigenetics excitement and challenges of the field - (i.e. instructed primarily by DNA/ Chair of the session, Prof Brian chromatin modifications) and how Charlesworth, claimed that “we had the challenges of handling and visually representing millions of human genomes, much is driven by DNA/RNA sequence an excellent round-up of speakers. dependent processes.” who showed how modern genomic the challenges of attributing pathogenicity methods are revolutionising both the to variants identified in patients and the The Public Lecture strengthened the functional and evolutionary genetics of real-world application of human genetics link between the early developments in sex chromosomes, and uncovering the to treat and understand disease and to genetics (i.e. in plant and animal breeding) footprint of genetic conflict between examine the interaction of human genetic to very modern questions: Farm, field and X and Y chromosomes during sperm variation and the response to commonly family. production. The peculiar nature of the Y chromosome in many species was recognised over 100 hundred year ago by H.J. Muller, who proposed that it was a degenerated homologue of the X, with the XY pair originally behaving like a pair of homologous autosomes. This idea has been validated by modern research, as we heard from three of the speakers. Deborah Charlesworth showed how the classic XY system of the guppy has probably evolved because males of the group to which it belongs lack crossing over along most of the lengths of their chromosomes, allowing a new sex determining gene that arise on an autosome to initiate a new XY system. Stephen Wright provided evidence for an ongoing process degeneration of new Y
www.genetics.org.uk . 29 FEATURES 30
Prof. Sarah Chan (University of Prof Bickmore suggested that Prof Brian Charlesworth (University of Edinburgh), chair of the session, developments in sequencing will bring Edinburgh), Chair Session 3 highlighted how research in genetics our whole genome sequence on our Some extras has constantly pushed boundaries of phones, highlighting at the same time the knowledge in these 100 years, and we are necessity of on-going training for GPs As we well know that science is fun, here all eager to see “what is going to happen in and nurses in order to embrace current for you some of what I would call field the next 10, 20 …maybe 100 years!”. and future innovations. Moreover, “we observations of scientists having fun and enjoying their work: Invited speakers were Prof Bruce will see this extended to the stratification, Whitelaw (The Roslin Institute), who treatment and monitoring of cancers, not explored the development of genetically just at the initial stages of treatment but engineered livestock, starting from Dolly chasing tumour evolution in response and concluding with the current issues to chemotherapies. Future gazing, our and needs in animal biotechnology; Prof genomes will probably become an Josephine Pemberton (University of integral part of our health records and Edinburgh) examined the change in the human genetics and genomics will have environment and its impact through her to become integral to the training of all research on red deer on Rum (UK); Prof healthcare professionals.” Wendy Bickmore (MRC Human Genetics Many delegates had their say regarding Unit, The University of Edinburgh) the future of genetics. For brevity, here I explored the advancements in sequencing report only a few: “Sequencing is allowing and in whole genome analysis with its many topics that could not previously be Figure 1. Scientific Ceilidh. The amazing applications and limits, and the impact of studied to make new progress, including Celebration dinner, as part of the social direct-to-consumer testing. describing difficult genome regions, such programme, culminated with lively At the request of the first speaker, Prof as centromeres and sex-linked regions that “scientific” ceilidh dances as “Strip-the- Bruce Whitelaw, non-geneticists from rarely recombine and include repetitive Helix”, with Lewis Hou (fiddle player the public raised their hands, and it was sequences. Gaining an idea of the natural and former neuroscientist) and his band a positive surprise to see that almost history of such regions will surely lead (https://www.scienceceilidh.com/). half of the audience was not from the to increased understanding of how they GenSoc meeting! Many good questions evolve.” Prof Deborah Charlesworth were asked, regarding insight in testing (University of Edinburgh), Genetics healthy individuals, sharing information Society medal with farmers, and new bioinformatical “Although it is a mature field there are advances. many things that we still need to explore So, what is next? and uncover - I can’t even imagine where will it be in 2119!” Prof Robin Allshire What is going to happen to genetics in the (University of Edinburgh) Chair Session 5 near and far future? “I am wary of predicting the future of a During the Public lecture, Prof Pemberton field of science, as so much depends on Figure 2. Work hard, play hard. You are highlighted the necessity of increasingly unexpected developments in techniques never too old not to enjoy the Geneticist good statistical methods, which will help and theoretical insights. However, I think trumps. This initiative, part of GenSoc in a better understanding of population we can be pretty sure that the increasing Public Engagement grant, will reach changes that are happening (e.g. genetic use of long-range sequencing technology primary schools in the UK. drift). such as PacBio will allow us to probe Prof Whitelaw is looking forward to “big more deeply into what is going on, both data” in the breeding field, as a massive functionally and evolutionarily, in difficult data capture, favoured by information bits of the genome, such as centromeres, exchange with farmers, will help research telomeres and Y chromosomes. I expect advancement. we will be in for a lot of surprises!”
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Appendix 1: Conference Communication skills
Figure 1. A portrait of a Scientist Figure 2. I would definitely dive in the Figure 3. Incredible puzzle-solving skills - - Prof Anna Gloyn (University reading of a graphic novel like this - Sito Doris Bachtrog (University of California), of Oxford) “Unravelling causal Torres-Garcia (University of Edinburgh), “Massive gene amplification on a recently mechanisms for diabetes”. “Stochastic epigenetic silencing by formed Drosophila Y chromosome”. heterochromatin primes fungal resistance”.
Figure 4. Laurence Hurst Figure 5. Anecdote on one of the most Figure 6. Only too accurate… - Ivan (University of Bath) about to unfortunate breeds in the racehorse Pocrnic (University of Edinburgh), announce the Mendel Medal 2019 history - Patrick Sharman (University “Limited dimensionality of genomic to William (Bill) Hill. of Exeter), “Genetic improvement of information and implications for genomic racehorse speed”. prediction”
Appendix 2. Conference statistics By Dr Kay Boulton (University of Edinburgh)
Attendees at conference 322 For some more highlights and great interviews, please go to Attendees at conference dinner 169 Genetics Unzipped episode 028, Furthest distance travelled (speaker) 9445 miles (from University of Queensland) “Sperm wars, sneaky sheep, substandard stallions and more” Furthest distance travelled (delegate) 5669 miles (Zhejiang University, China) (geneticsunzipped.com). Number of posters 85
Number of sponsoring organisations 13
Most common delegate name Peter (7)
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100 years of quantitative genetics theory and its applications: celebrating the centenary of Fisher 1918
Jessica G. King. University of Edinburgh
onald A. Fisher’s 1918 paper, entitled of biometric measures of heredity between and within-family components R“The correlation between relatives on (correlations between relatives), (which include genetic and environmental the supposition of Mendelian inheritance” Mendelian inheritance of genetic factors components) and that these components and published in the Transactions of and Darwinian evolution. He believed could be quantified. Strikingly, the within- the Royal Society of Edinburgh, set the biometric heredity to be a special case of family variance estimates were largely foundations for the study of the genetics Mendelian segregation of genetic factors, consistent with those expected under a of quantitative traits. 100 years later, we and therefore reformulated it in terms of scenario with a large number of additive celebrate Fisher’s contribution and reflect the Mendelian principles of inheritance, Mendelian factors, suggesting that traits are on the advances made since this classical such that variation in a single trait could often determined by multiple loci. paper first emerged.A result from the segregation of one or The concepts introduced by Fisher (1918) Context multiple Mendelian factors. We now refer opened the horizon to an explosion of to Mendelian factors as loci, and to traits studies in genetics and evolutionary biology Prior to R.A. Fisher’s famous contribution, as Mendelian if determined by a few loci the genetic basis of evolutionary change was that resulted in a large body of theoretical with clear-cut segregation of alleles, or as and empirical work. Among these studies vigorously disputed between biometricians quantitative if determined by so many loci and Mendelians. In support of Darwin’s are those concerned with fundamental that segregation at individual loci cannot aspects of evolution, such as the genetic theory of evolution by natural selection, be observed. biometricians believed evolution to be architecture of traits and the effect of a continuous process, having developed Traits can be determined by several evolutionary forces on different components much of modern statistical methods such components, including those with a of the phenotype. More applied studies have as regression and correlation to describe genetic basis and those without (often been concerned with topics such as animal the inheritance of biometric (continuous or described as environmental components). and plant breeding, and have contributed to quantitative) traits. After the rediscovery Among the genetic components is the much of the theory of quantitative genetics of Mendel’s work on inheritance, the additive genetic component which as well as to practical advances. Mendelians argued against these views describes how the genotype of a parent The meeting by vehemently supporting discontinuous affects the phenotype of its offspring. The magnitude of these components The meeting started with an introduction evolution via Mendelian (discontinuous) by the lead organizer, Brian Charlesworth traits controlled by the segregation of cannot be directly measured for a given individual. Instead, by comparing (University of Edinburgh, UK), about R. major genetic factors. The first attempts A. Fisher and some of the key concepts to reconcile the two opposing schools phenotypes among related individuals, the cause of phenotypic variation can introduced by his work that are still widely of thought were made independently by used to this day. This introduction was George Udny Yule in 1902 and Wilhelm be tracked. These statistical tools were introduced by biometricians to describe followed by a series of talks representative Weinberg in 1910, whose studies were of the diversity of topics that have largely overlooked by both biometricians whether differences between individuals could be ascribed to differences between developed from Fisher’s classical 1918 and Mendelians, blinded by the ongoing paper. Talks were given by speakers from conflict. It was only in 1918 that the first their parents. In his 1918 paper, Fisher coined the term variance, and extended several countries, of which 7 were invited comprehensive synthesis of Mendelism and speakers: Nick Barton (Institute of Science biometry was put forth by Fisher. these statistical tools to an analysis of variance framework to show that the (co) and Technology, Austria), Josephine Fisher (1918) presented the mathematical variance among traits can be decomposed Pemberton (University of Edinburgh, relationships between the principles into different components, such as UK), Sharon Browning (University of
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Seattle, USA), Heather Cordell (University Fisher (1918) realised that most traits less powerful at detecting shared ancestry. of Newcastle, UK), Ed Buckler (Cornell are likely to be determined by many Sharon Browning and Heather Cordell University, USA), Richard Mott (University independently inherited loci with presented sophisticated computational College London, UK) and Jarrod Hadfield additive effects. Fisher arrived at this methods for estimating the relatedness (University of Edinburgh, UK). 4 were early conclusion given the similarity between between individuals, using coalescent career speakers: Josselin Clo (University his estimates with those expected theory and genetic marker data to estimate of Montpellier, France), Chandana Basu under the “infinitesimal model”, which the identity by descent (IBD) of genetic Mallick (Roslin Institute, UK), Himani describes the extreme case where traits variants among individuals. From the notion Sachdeva (IST, Austria) and Daniel are determined by an indefinite number that recombination breaks down linkage Crouch (University of Oxford, UK). The of loci, each contributing a small fraction between loci and causes the decay of meeting closed with a Fisher Memorial of the phenotypic variance. Nick Barton haplotypes (blocks of linked loci) over time, Lecture, introduced by the Chairman of presented an exhaustive analysis of the these methods use the frequency and length the Fisher Memorial Trust, Sir Walter generality of the infinitesimal model in of shared haplotypes to inform about IBD. Bodmer (University of Oxford, UK), and predicting the inheritance of quantitative For example, long and common haplotypes given by Michael Goddard (University traits. By formulating the infinitesimal are likely to be more identical by descent of Melbourne, Australia). Additionally, model in terms of the distribution of than those that are short and rare. there were 9 contributed posters: Juliane phenotypes in a population, rather than In experimental populations, whether in Friedrich (Roslin Institute, UK), Emanuele the distribution of additive effects of farm or in laboratory settings, reasonably Giorgi (Lancaster University, UK), Richard the underlying loci, he showed that good information about the genetic Oppong (University of Edinburgh, UK), phenotypes within families are normally relationships between individuals as well David Clark (University of Edinburgh, UK), distributed without making assumptions as the environment experienced by them, Jing Chen (University of Birmingham, UK), about the distribution of phenotypes is attainable. The next step is then to Keira Johnston (University of Glasgow, UK), across the population. This work showed use this information to predict breeding Anna-Margarete Staehler (University of St the infinitesimal model to preserve its (additive genetic) values and components Andrews, UK), Sandy Ayoub (University generality in the presence of selection, of phenotypic variance, which can then be of London, UK) and Gabriela Gomes drift, mutation, population structure used to predict the response to selection (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and epistasis. Himani Sachdeva later using genomic selection. Animal and plant UK). spoke about the effects of selection and breeders were the first to make use of recombination on the introgression such predictions for artificial selection of (exchange of genetic material between traits and genetic improvement. Michael divergent gene pools) of blocks of linked Goddard is one of the world leaders in loci, by assuming an infinitesimal model quantitative genetics applied to animal that considers linkage. breeding. Over the years, his work has One of the main applications of the made great contributions to the genetic analysis of genetic variance into its improvement of cattle by making use of different components introduced by Fisher theoretical genetic considerations for the (1918) is the estimation of additive genetic development of cost-efficient breeding values and variance components given the programs. Michael presented the Fisher genetic relatedness between individuals of Memorial Lecture, where he spoke about a population. Estimating the relatedness how the use of densely distributed single between closely related individuals can be nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data has performed using pedigree information or revolutionised our understanding of the from DNA sequence similarity. However, genetic architecture of traits, i.e. the number the task becomes more difficult among and effects of loci that determine traits. distantly related individuals: the effect of SNP data allow us to not only estimate the missing individuals in pedigrees becomes additive genetic variance of a quantitative more significant as the distance between trait, as well as to detect large effect loci. The Fisher Memorial Trust - Window individuals increases and tests of sequence Consistent with Fisher’s ideas, the immense at Gonville & Caius College Cambridge similarity among individuals become SNP data that has been collected across (Photograph by Denise Till)
www.genetics.org.uk . 33 FEATURES 34
numerous populations and species has in essence a special case of IGE models. in the UK population. shown most quantitative genetic variation These models describe a process by which Virtually any genetic or environmental to be caused by many polymorphisms an individual’s fitness benefits from the variable can affect the expression of a with small effects. Mutations typically fitness of its relatives. As such, a social quantitative trait. In most quantitative have weak or almost neutral effects on the interaction (e.g. altruism) that directly genetic studies, phenotypic variance phenotype, and those that have large effects benefits a relative’s fitness thus indirectly is decomposed in an additive genetic are often deleterious and thus removed by benefits its own. Indirect genetic effects can component, other non-additive genetic selection. It is only in rare instances that come at a cost and it is the balance between components and an environmental these large effect mutations can be favoured the costs and benefits that determines component. Recent work by Richard Mott by selection. Focusing on maize, one of the degree to which an individual can has shown that additive genetic variance the largest production crops worldwide, benefit from the indirect genetic effects of in a trait can be caused by genetic variants Ed Buckler spoke about how we can use a correlated trait (e.g. a social interaction). other than SNPs. He showed how structural machine learning tools and functional These models assume that social variants, including transposable element information to estimate breeding values interactions are determined by single traits, insertions, can be detected by treating more accurately and thus to predict the but break down when they are determined read counts from short-read sequences as response to artificial selection over time. by multiple traits. Using a framework a quantitative trait. When applied to the The study of quantitative traits in wild developed by Lande (1979) for selection on model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana, populations is more complicated. The multiple correlated traits, Jarrod showed structural variants were found to contribute environment in these populations is how the evolution of social interactions can significantly to heritable variation in uncontrolled and the genetic relationships be modelled when they are determined by quantitative traits. multiple quantitative traits. among individuals are hard to determine. The magnitude of additive genetic variance Josephine Pemberton, one of the pioneers As Fisher proposed, most quantitative traits, in a population is determined by the of quantitative genetics in the wild, spoke with some exceptions, are determined by joint effect of the evolutionary forces of about the challenges involved in estimating many loci of small effect. However, different drift, selection, mutation and migration. variance components in such populations, loci can have different magnitudes of Consequently, features of populations that and described advances in using these to effect and large effect loci can sometimes affect these forces indirectly influence predict the effects of selection. Using two be detected. Chandana Basu Mallick and such variance. Josselin Clo spoke about wild animal populations from islands off Daniel Crouch spoke about the detection his work on the effects of self-fertilization, the coast of Scotland, the Soay sheep on St of major effect loci affecting two human which occurs when an individual mates Kilda and the red deer on the Isle of Rhum, traits. Chandana presented her work on the with itself, on the magnitude of additive a joint effort by a large team of researchers genetic basis of hair shape, using the mouse genetic variance. The study found selfing has assembled detailed pedigrees using as a model for quantitative trait locus in plant populations to reduce the additive microssatelite-based parentage as well as validation. For over 100 years, the mouse has genetic variance and total genetic variance genomic inference, and has collected a vast been a powerful model system for the study of quantitative traits and consequently amount of genomic and phenotypic data. of human genetics, due to the high genomic to reduce the potential of populations to Focussing on fitness itself as a quantitative similarities between the two species as respond to selection. trait, the Pemberton group has made well as the ease of genomic manipulation advances in understanding the causes of in mice. A locus with a major effect on hair The meeting was attended by approximately differences in fitness between individuals shape is present in humans, associated with 200 people, including PhD students, early and genetic variation within populations, genetic variation within European and East career researchers, and senior researchers showing how conventional approaches to Asian populations. Chandana described among which renown scientists whose predicting the effects of selection can be knock-out experiments in mice that confirm contributions have greatly marked the field misleading. that this gene (Prss53) is involved in the of quantitative genetics. Filled with intense control of hair-shape. Daniel presented scientific discussions, the meeting radiated Traits that are subject to selection are to excitement and curiosity. In moments of some degree causative of fitness, and are his work on the genetic basis of human facial features, using a novel approach to reflection throughout the meeting it became often described in terms of indirect genetic clear to me, and perhaps to most attendees, effects (IGE) on fitness. Jarrod Hadfield Genome Wide Association Mapping. Using phenotypic data on several facial features, how much we owe to Ronald A. Fisher’s spoke about how the kin selection models work. developed by William Hamilton in 1964 are three loci with major effects were detected
34 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 81 We are happy to announce a new Newsletter series...
Are you working in industry? Have you completed an internship? Do you have a story on your experience in industry to share? Then …
We want to hear from you!
This new series would like to give to scientists (at any level) a space where to share their experiences (short or long!) outside academia, to talk about their career journey, and, why not, to inspire early career scientists with suggestions and tips. If you would like to be the next “industrious bee” in the next edition, please contact Margherita Colucci at [email protected]. JUNIOR SCIENTIST TRAVEL GRANTS REPORTS 36
These reports are from Junior Scientists, who the Genetic Society has funded (up to £750) to attend non-Society genetics meetings. Further information on how to apply for these grants can be found in the Grant Schemes section of the newsletter or on the Genetics Society Website. In this issue we have reports from Lotte Watts, Laura Martin Coll, Tom Ratz and Kirthana Pillay.
Cell Growth and Proliferation Meeting July 2019 Vermont, US
Lotte Watts . University of Aberdeen
n July 2019, I attended the Gordon was very well-suited for me to share my provided a fantastic environment in which IResearch Conference ‘Cell Growth and story to experts in the field, network to meet fellow participants from a broad Proliferation’ in Vermont, US. This week- and learn about the latest cutting-edge background in an informal setting. I was long meeting is held every two years and research in the cell cycle control field. excited to be selected to present my work brings together researchers interested in Preceding the meeting itself was the two- at this seminar. mechanisms of normal cell proliferation day Gordon Research Seminar which The audience, albeit small in number were control and the variety of abnormal cell was attended by 33 participants and was receptive and I had numerous insightful cycle perturbations in cancer. aimed at graduate students and early post- and stimulating discussions about my As a final year PhD student studying the doctoral fellows. Coming to a meeting work in lieu of my talk. There were also consequences of replication stress in at which I knew not a single person was two non-academic speakers – Stephen different cell cycle stages, this meeting somewhat daunting but this seminar Dann from Pfizer and Mira Chaurushiya
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from SAM ventures. Both talks highlighted story about failed anti-cancer drugs as a final night of the meeting! The discussions alternative career pathways with good result of their often non-essential cancer and feedback I had from experts in the science remaining at the core. cell proliferation targets and Sabrina field were thought-provoking and I am The main conference included sessions Spencer (University of Colorado) who considering suggested experiments as I titled ‘Proliferation and Genome Stability’, discussed how a subset of cells from a continue my work. ‘Genome Maintenance’, ‘Mitosis and cell population becomes resistant to a This was my first international meeting Ploidy’ and ‘Cell Cycle Entry and Exit’ drug. and I was struck by the ‘community-like’ with the talks varying in length. Angelika The poster sessions were split into two environment and the openness of the Amon (MIT) delivered the Alexander M. groups, with each group presenting participants. My work has progressed Cruickshank Lecture on how aneuploidy their poster over two different sessions. further as a result of numerous causes cancer. This was a fantastic talk This was definitely necessary as there discussions, I have made important because not only did it describe an were many interesting posters and connections in the field and my attendance exciting story using model organisms from not enough time in a single session to at this meeting has been instrumental for yeast to mouse but it also demonstrated visit them all. I was really impressed the next step of my career. the power of an expert public speaker. by how well attended the poster I am very grateful to the Genetics Society Other memorable speakers included sessions were and my poster received for providing the funding to allow me to Jason Sheltzer (Cold Spring Harbour so much interest that I almost missed attend this meeting and get so much out Laboratories) who presented a fascinating the traditional lobster dinner on the of it.
The 26th European Drosophila Research Conference (EDRC) 5th -8th of September 2019, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Laura Martin Coll . Imperial College of London
his biannual meeting is the main two poster sessions at the lunch and being the major focus of our group’s TEuropean scientific gathering related evening break of two consecutive days, research). The gut workshop was one of to the fruit fly: more than 700 scientists which gathered 400 posters illustrating the most relevant and best workshops attended, from Europe and around the cutting-edge research. I attended. Since the identification world, from PhD students to Professors, Every day’s hardest choice was to of Drosophila intestinal stem cells in and from different areas of research that decide which workshop to attend. 2006, the gut has been consolidated share Drosophila as a model organism. The sessions included diverse topics as a powerful model for the study of Everyone feels welcomed in the such as physiology and metabolism; epithelial homeostasis: researchers study Drosophila community. growth, proliferation and death; disease the molecular mechanisms guiding stem The format of the conference consisted models and methods; morphogenesis cell division and differentiation, and the of three parallel workshop sessions and organogenesis; RNA biology… dysregulation of the homeostasis leading running in big auditoriums with several Attending the methods section proved to tumour growth. Additionally, the gut 12-minute talks within the umbrella of to be very successful not only for my has been used as a model for intra-organ a main common topic (neuroscience, PhD project but for the whole lab, communication, as well as its connection immunity, evolution, development, etc.); as exemplified by talks about newly to the neuronal system. of two to four plenary talks per day generated collections of CRISPR Briefly, the aim of my PhD project is to lectured by acknowledged professors mutant flies, as well as in vivo imaging characterise the differences between and leading scientists in the field; and of of the Drosophila intestine (the gut male and female Drosophila intestines,
www.genetics.org.uk . 37 JUNIOR SCIENTIST TRAVEL GRANTS REPORTS 38
driven by the absorptive and digestive touched upon tissue morphogenesis, of humour): the drinks reception was enterocyte cells, and the effects on the the circuit mechanisms of learning and accompanied by Swiss live music, and whole-body physiology. Therefore, and decision-making, single-cell genomics, the gala dinner was followed-up by a along the lines of my latest research, and the biomechanics of muscle dancing party in which scientists were a short-talk by Elizabeth Rideout (The building (to list a few). Among all the dancing until past midnight, being University of British Columbia) about lectures, I would like to particularly observed by a gigantic high-definition the sex differences in fat storage and highlight Prof. Mariana Wolfner, Drosophila. lipid breakdown was particularly not only because of the excellent Attending the conference has relevant. Furthermore, during my poster science on the topic of Drosophila reaffirmed the idea of Drosophila’s presentation, I gained extremely useful reproduction and egg activation (which greatness and its scientific utility. I and valuable insights, from several amusingly enough happen to have a extremely value and deeply thank the techniques and suggestions that I could calcium activation mechanisms similar Genetics Society for allowing me the benefit from (and am eager to apply as to human oocytes!) but also because opportunity to attend the conference soon as I get back to the lab), to a possible she transmitted her passion, sincere and to get in touch with the community, collaboration. I really treasure those interest and curiosity, which were which has brought many fruitful ideas Drosophilists’ time and interest! such an inspiration and motivation to and motivation towards my PhD. The plenary talks were splendid. The me and will always accompany me opening keynote lecture was by Prof. (especially throughout the obscure Irene Miguel-Aliaga (my PhD supervisor) hard moments of the PhD). who marvelled us with the stomach- The Drosophila community is a like Drosophila storage organ and its welcoming family: everyone is very regulation. Personally, it was impressive approachable and willing to share, to realise the high level of research done help and have meaningful discussions. in our lab and the warmth of the scientific Also, we know how to enjoy ourselves audience towards it. Other great talks and have fun (with a particular sense
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The 2019 Congress of the European Society for Evolutionary Biology Tom Ratz . University of Edinburgh
Listening to the many talks at the the talk given by Stuart Auld, from the conference was very illuminating and University of Sterling, describing a large helped me grasp key concepts and theories experimental evolution study on twenty in evolutionary genetics, social evolution populations of Daphnia placed in semi- and sexual conflict, towards which I natural enclosures. wish to develop my research interests Each population was subjected to the in the coming years. Jen Perry from the same parasite regime, but different abiotic University of Oxford gave an invited talk conditions. Coevolution of the Daphnia in the symposium titled ‘Sexual conflict: hosts and parasites was allowed over linking behaviour, genetics and ecology’, several generations and changes in host which I found particularly fascinating. Her susceptibility and parasite infectivity presentation on evolutionary sexual conflict were recorded. Their major finding was showed how differences in local ecological that the populations of Daphnia hosts and conditions can lead to differences across parasites took very different evolutionary populations in secondary sexual traits trajectories, with some host populations that mediate conflict between males and becoming more susceptible to parasites, he Congress of the European Society females. Howard D. Rundle from the others less and most populations of Tfor Evolutionary Biology (ESEB) is a University of Ottawa, was also an invited parasites becoming more infectious, while biannual meeting intended for evolutionary speaker, and gave a captivating presentation few evolved to become less infectious. biologists from all over the world. Thanks on an experimental evolution study None of these host-parasite systems, to a Junior Scientist Travel Grant offered conducted in Drosophila flies showing that however, evolved lower host susceptibility by the Genetics Society, I had the chance populations of flies maintained in more and lower parasite infectivity. War rages to attend the meeting this year in Turku, complex environments for generations on between hosts and parasites! Finland, from 19–24 August 2019. The tend to evolve reduced harmful sexual congress gathered more than one thousand interactions compared to populations kept My PhD project aims at investigating the attendees, presenting over 500 talks in simpler environments. The authors causes and consequences of behavioural and 600 posters, split up in 36 different also found that inbreeding depression was plasticity in parent-offspring interactions, symposia. lower in complex environments, suggesting and more generally, the role of phenotypic a greater occurrence of purging against plasticity in the evolution of social These themed symposia covered key topics interactions. in evolutionary biology, ranging from deleterious alleles. ageing, non-genetic and trans-generational On a very different topic, Trine Bilde from At the conference, I presented the results effects, artificial selection and experimental Aarhus University (Denmark) presented of an experiment looking at the effect of evolution to population and quantitative the work conducted in her lab on patterns pathogenic infections on parental care, genetics. In addition to the many of DNA methylation in a species of social reproductive investment and immune fascinating and stimulating presentations, spider. I was intrigued at their findings that gene expression, using the burying beetle various social events were organised social spiders often show very low genetic Nicrophorus vespilloides as a study system. throughout the conference. Attendees were diversity and that different populations Given that this experiment was still work invited to join excursions around the city have highly divergent patterns of DNA in progress at the time of the conference, of Turku, a social run, and the conference methylation. This suggests that epigenetic I had the opportunity to receive useful dinner organised at the Moominworld. The mechanisms mediate differential gene suggestions and feedback regarding the conference was carefully organised by the expression across habitats and could experimental set-up, data analyses and committee chaired by Craig Primmer and facilitate local adaptation to divergent interpretation of the results. provided a family-friendly, inclusive and environmental conditions. Finally, another I was particularly pleased with the amount interactive atmosphere for all attendees. presentation that drew my attention was of attention my poster drew during the
www.genetics.org.uk . 39 JUNIOR SCIENTIST TRAVEL GRANTS REPORTS 40
poster session and happy to receive the Scientist Travel Grant and I am very opportunity to visit Finland for the first popular vote prize of the 2nd poster session grateful to the Genetics Society. time, meet scientists from many different at the closing ceremony. The poster Overall attending this conference gave countries and enjoy a relaxing and friendly, session also gave me the chance to discuss me the opportunity to get feedback on yet highly scientifically stimulating my research interests and talk about the project that I am currently running, as atmosphere (and outstanding Finnish food!). potential ideas for follow-up projects, as well as learn more about current research well as future collaborations. in evolutionary biology, and importantly [1] Liu S., Aagaard A., Bechsgaard J., Bilde T., 2018. DNA Attending the ESEB2019 conference in extend my research network in the field. Methylation Patterns in the Social Spider, Stegodyphus Turku was possible thanks to the Junior Attending this meeting was also a great dumicola. Genes 2019, 10, 137; doi:10.3390/genes10020137
8th International Barcode of Life (iBOL) Conference Trondheim, Norway
Kirthana Pillay . Bangor University
were ‘eDNA Metabarcoding and Technical conservation and biomonitoring of tropical Advances’, ‘Barcode Projects, Networks habitats such as in Costa Rica. and Initiatives’, ‘Building the Reference The sessions I was particularly interested Library of Life’, ‘iDNA, Diet, Foodwebs in were ‘iDNA, Diet, Foodwebs and and Pollination’, ‘Freshwater Biodiversity’, Pollination’ where I myself presented a ‘Marine Biodiversity’, ‘Terrestrial lightning talk on my PhD project which Biodiversity’, ‘Wildlife Forensics and Nature aims to conduct a network-based analysis Conservation’, ‘Authentication of Food, of mangrove ecosystems by reconstructing Feed and Medicinal Plants’, ‘Community food webs of fishes using metabarcoding Analysis, Ecology and Evolution’, and stable isotope analysis. ‘Biosystems and Community Phylogenetics’, ‘aDNA and Past Communities’ and ‘DNA Other sessions that caught my attention Barcoding in Legislation Frameworks and were ‘Marine Biodiversity’ and ‘eDNA, Regulatory Practice’. Metabarcoding and Technical Advances’. In the later session Professor Lawrence The conference also included plenty of Wangh from Thermagenix, Inc and Marine networking opportunities such as a concert Cusa from Salford University presented the held in the Nidaros Cathedral followed FASTFISH-IDTM technology. by a welcome reception hosted in the Archbishop’s Palace and a gala dinner The FASTFISH-IDTM is a new accompanied by a talented string quartet. technological advancement that can be used to identify fish species through qPCR, During this conference we met up with that can all be performed in a portable other delegates who were also associated device after DNA extraction. This would with Welsh organisations such as the be highly useful in the trade industry to he 8th international Barcode of Life National Botanic Gardens of Wales. correctly identify mislabeled fish or for T(iBOL) Conference held in Trondheim, It was great to have a significant Welsh identification of illegal fish imports. Norway focused on the application of representation at this international Another interesting talk was the use of various genomic techniques to tackle conference. COI metabarcoding from high throughput challenges in the natural environment. The keynote speech was delivered sequencing data to identify natural This conference is held every 2 years and by Professor Daniel Janzen where he haplotype diversity that would aid in is successful in bringing international reiterated that the use of DNA barcoding determining intraspecific variation within researchers in the fields of molecular together with citizen science to develop species. This talk was presented by Dr biology together. The sessions included an inventory will be beneficial for the Owen Wangensteen from The Artic
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University of Tromso and his research is highly applicable in the fields of biogeography, conservation genetics and invasion genetics. I would like to express my thanks to the Genetics Society for enabling me to attend this international conference. I have benefitted from the valuable feedback received from engaging in conversations with researchers who are experts in the field of molecular ecology. The feedback received and contacts made will greatly aid me in my PhD research and future career in molecular ecology.
In the interests of space, only 4 reports have been selected for inclusion in the newsletter, however contributions were also received from:
Amaia Paredes-Redondo (Queen Mary University Giuseppina Pisignana (University of Bath) - The 3rd Nathan Hafford Tear (UCL) European Society of of London) - Frontiers in Myogenesis meeting of the International Symposium on Frontiers in Molecular Human Genetics (ESHG) meeting, 15th-18th June 2019 Society for Muscle Biology Science, RNA Regulatory Networks, 26th-28th June, Gothenburg, Sweden Amy Southern (University of Oxford, MRC Harwell 2019. Lisbon, Portugal Oliver Rogoyski (University of Sussex) mRNA Institute) - 20th International Symposium for Recent Grandezza Aburido (University of Leicester) - 2019 Turnover: Mechanisms, Regulation and their Advances in Otitis Media NCRI conference Implication in Infectious and Age-Related Diseases, Ana Machado (Rothamsted Research) - IS-MPMI Guiyi Li (University of Birmingham) - Neurobiology of 25th-29th June 2019 Montréal, Canada Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Drosophila meeting, 1st - 5th October, New York, USA Pavneet Singh (Coventry University) mRNA Turnover: 14th-19th July 2019 in Glasgow, UK Ioannis Tsagakis (University of Leeds) - Non-Coding Mechanisms, Regulation and their Implication in Ana Rodriguez Rodriguez (University of Edinburgh) - Genome meeting, 16th-19th October 2019 Heidelberg, Infectious and Age-Related Diseases, 25th-29th June EMBO workshop on fission yeast, Barcelona, Spain Germany 2019 Montréal, Canada Aurora Sommer (University of Leicester) - Telomeres Jack Rayner (University of St Andrews) - 2019 Ringaile Zaksauskaite (University of Sheffield) 4th & Telomerase meeting, 30th Apri-4th May 2019, Cold European Society for Evolution Biology (ESEB) Zebrafish for Personalised and Precision Medicine Spring Harbor Laboratory conference, Turku, Finland Conference and 3rd Zebrafish Neuroscience Workshop, 18 – 20th September 2019 Carolina Barata (University of St Andrews) - Evolution Jennifer Owen (University of Bath) - Annual Meeting 2019, 21-25th June, Providence, USA and Conference of the Society for Mathematical Rosie Spencer (University of Aberdeen) The 2019 Biology (SMB), July 2019 Montreal, Canada Parasitic Helminths: New Perspectives in Biology and Charlotte Durant (University of Leicester) - 23rd Infection conference, 1st- 5th September 2019 Hydra, Biennial Evergreen Phage Meeting Jonty Townson (University of Cambridge) - European Greece. Drosophila Research Conference (EDRC) Clare Benson (University of London) - CRISPR: Design Ryan Wallis (Queen Mary University of London) and Strategy, Cambridge Lara Urban (EMBL-EBI) - “A Century of Genetics” International Cell Senescence Association (ICSA) 2019 Colette Whitfield (Newcastle University) - The conference, 13th-14th November 2019, Edinburgh conference, Biomedical Research Foundation of The Synthetic Biology, Engineering, Evolution & Design Lidiya Nedevska (Oxford Brookes University) Academy of Athens Conference (SEED), 23rd and 27th June 2019, New - European Human Genetics Conference 2019, Talitha Bromwich (University of Edinburgh) Systems York, USA Gothenburg, Sweden Genetics: From Genomes to Complex Traits, David Walker Sunderhauf (University of Exeter) - Lila Grandgeorge (The Sainsbury Laboratory) - 16th Heidelberg, Germany EMBO/EMBL Symposium “New Approaches and Solanaceae conference, 15th -19th September 2019 Toby Barber (The National Institute of Agricultural Concepts in Microbiology”, 10th-13th July 2019, Jerusalem, Israel Botany, NIAB) 1st international Wheat Congress Heidelberg, Germany Michael Wood (University of Leicester) - Telomeres (IWC), July 2019, Saskatoon, Canada Elaine Groat (University of Edinburgh) - 4D & Telomerase meeting, 30th Apri-4th May 2019, Cold Victoria Sleight (University of Cambridge) World Epigenome Conference, October 2019, Venice, Italy Spring Harbor Laboratory Congress of Malacology, California, USA Elisa Bernard (Brighton and Sussex Medical School) Martina Rooney (Ulster University) 12th International Yichen Dai (University of Oxford) “A Century of - mRNA Turnover: Mechanisms, Regulation and their Conference on One Carbon Metabolism, B Vitamins Genetics” conference, 13th-14th November 2019, Implication in Infectious and Age-Related Diseases, and Homocysteine, 9-13th June 2019 Montbrió, Spain Edinburgh 25th-29th June 2019 Montréal, Canada. Mohanakarthik Ponnadai Nallasivan (University of Emma Roberts (Francis Crick Institute) - 10th Birmingham) 26th European Drosophila research International Fission Yeast meeting, Barcelona, Spain conference (EDRC), Lausanne, Switzerland Flora Paldi (University of Edinburgh) - Chromosome Natasha Browne Marke (Coventry University) Dynamics Gordon Research Conference and Seminar, mRNA Turnover: Mechanisms, Regulation and their June 2019, Maine Implication in Infectious and Age-Related Diseases, 25th-29th June 2019 Montréal, Canada.
www.genetics.org.uk . 41 ONE-OFF MEETING REPORTS 42
The Genetics Society receives several requests from members each year to sponsor meetings in the field of genetics. These meetings are usually one-off meetings with an ad hoc organising committee and may be partly sponsored by another Society. In this issue, we have reports from Carolina Barata and Elizabeth Walmsley.
Fantastic Forces 2019 University of St Andrews
Report by Carolina Barata (University of St Andrews), Alberto Carmagnini (Queen Mary University), Bernardo Gutierrez (University of Oxford), Jessica King (University of Edinburgh)
he Fantastic Forces 2019 from several UK institutions who work Jim Procter introduced key concepts in Tworkshop was put together by a on different but complementary research multiple sequence alignment analyses group of Evolutionary Biology PhD topics. The afternoon sessions included and how to curate, annotate, and refine students currently specialising in tutorials put together by the organising them. He then illustrated Jalview’s major different research topics including committee providing attendees with a capabilities for working with DNA, RNA phylogenetics, computational genomics, hands-on introduction to novel genomic and Protein sequences. The last talk and quantitative genetics. We met approaches, the types of data used, of the day was given by Nathan Medd while doing our MScs in Evolutionary and the methods employed to analyse who spoke about different sequencing Genetics at the University of Edinburgh them. The full workshop programme technologies and their pros and cons, (2015-2016) and we have been working as can be found on our website: https:// and guided us through common a team since then. Fantastic Forces 2019 fantastic4cesworkshop.wordpress.com/ bioinformatic pipelines. In the afternoon was held at the University of St Andrews The first morning session was kicked session, Alberto Carmagnini prepared at the start of June. off by Carolin Kosiol who discussed the a tutorial focused on next generation The workshop focused on how the most recent advances in phylogenomics. sequencing data handling. four evolutionary forces - selection, Carolin told us about her efforts On the second day, Brian Charlesworth drift, mutation and migration- shape to incorporate population genetics talked about inferring selection by phenotypes and genomes. This first processes, such as drift and selection, estimating selection coefficients from edition comprised three themed days into phylogenetic inference methods. population genomics data, and how each divided into a morning and an Carolin’s talk was followed by Marina we can use linkage information to afternoon session, and the programme Escalera’s introduction to the nearly better detect selective sweeps across consisted of 10 talks given by postdocs, neutral theory of molecular evolution the genome. In his talk, Derek Setter early career PIs and established where she focused on molecular presented an outlier approach for professors, followed by tutorials. The alignment of coding sequences. She detecting positive selection under morning sessions consisted of a series introduced us to PAML and Datamonkey complex demography. He also described of excellent talks given by academics for finding signatures of selection. Then, the effect of adaptive introgression on
The final speaker of the workshop, Susan Johnston, guided us nicely through the methods that are used to understand the genetic architecture of traits in the wild.
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Fantastic Forces 2019 was a success! The workshop brought together over 20 participants nucleotide diversity. Finally, Richard genetic architecture of traits in the wild. of networking and establishing future Nichols told us about how to interpret Our last tutorial session was organised collaborations. Additionally, we had spatial patterns of genetic variation by Jessica King who taught us how to fantastic feedback from the research which might be confounded with decompose the observed phenotypic students who “thoroughly enjoyed micro environmental changes, drift and variance into the underlying genetic and the conference and got a lot out of it” demography. To wrap up the second day environmental variances. The tutorial and who thought “this should happen of our workshop, Carolina Barata guided was followed by a series of short talks every year!”. For this, we are very the students through a tutorial on how by the attendees, who told us what they grateful to the Genetics Society for to estimate selection coefficients in an were up to. We then split them into 4 providing us with funding to organise experimental evolution setting. groups and challenged them to come this interdisciplinary workshop which Day three focused on the evolution of up with a project outline. They did has given us an invaluable opportunity quantitative traits. Michael Morrissey surprisingly well! to share some of the most recent gave the introductory talk, familiarising from various institutions mostly based developments in evolutionary genetics the attendees with the key concepts in in the UK but also from Germany with a wonderful cohort of early career quantitative genetics and how we can and Denmark. Working with such a researchers. use them to predict adaptive evolution. brilliant group of people with incredibly Later, Andy Gardner described how we diverse backgrounds (from evolutionary can generalise the classical notion of anthropology to statistics, from fitness to include Hamilton’s definition behavioural ecology to quantitative of inclusive fitness and its implications genetics) was highly motivating and on the Price equation. inspiring. The final speaker of the workshop, Susan We had a very positive response from Johnston, guided us nicely through the the scientific community at St Andrews methods that are used to understand the effectively enhancing the possibility
www.genetics.org.uk . 43 ONE-OFF MEETING REPORTS 44
2019 Society for the Study of Behavioural Phenotypes 22nd International Research Symposium
Report by Elizabeth Walmsley (SSBP)
he Society for the Study of to provide students and professionals Oxford who talked about understanding TBehavioural Phenotypes 22nd with an easy to access insight into variable outcomes in individuals with International Research Symposium took approaches that they had not previously developmental disorders of known place between 4th and 6th September used. Speakers included Prof Andy genetic aetiology; Prof Andrew Stanfield at Aston University in Birmingham, UK. Stanfield from Edinburgh University who who made a reappearance, talking about The theme of the conference was “Back to talked about precision medicine in the SYNGAP1 related intellectual disability; Dr basics in behavioural phenotypes: Insights context of genetic neurodevelopmental Deb Fidler from Colorado State University from developing a detailed understanding disorders; Prof Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg who talked about executive functioning of behaviour.” This theme cut across a from Mannheim University who talked in people with Down syndrome; and Prof broad range of topics that were discussed, about the transdiagnostic nature of Jacqui Rodgers who talked about restricted from physical health to mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders; Prof and repetitive behaviours. Alongside these from medical to behavioural interventions Louise Gallagher from Trinity College keynote presentations, there were 20 oral and from sleep to social cognition. Dublin who talked about CNV carrier presentations; and 26 poster presentations Diverse keynote speakers discussed cohorts; Prof Richard Hastings from invited based on submitted abstracts from issues and approaches relatively rarely Warwick University who talked about a speakers across a range of disciplines, addressed in the context of behavioural family systems perspective on rare genetic including several early career researchers. phenotypes, such as participatory disorders; and Prof Annalu Waller from There were also several special lectures. research, computational modelling the University of Dundee who talked With support from the Genetic Society, and family functioning. Ultimately, the about collaborating with stakeholders Dr Cristiane Silvestre de Paula from research presented demonstrated the in the design of digital assistive McKenzie University in Sao Paulo, advantages of developing a detailed interventions. Brazil helped to encourage collaboration understanding of behaviour. Whilst at The day also included a session between society members and Latin the same time highlighting the associated comprising four talks invited based on American researchers by talking about challenges and how these relate to abstract submission, which presented autism spectrum disorder across South available and developing methodological a range of exciting methodological America, including a focus on associated approaches. The conference provided approaches, from using data and text genetic factors. Prof Louise Gallagher a space for delegates to discuss the key mining to create rare disease pathways to gave the Tom Oppe prize lecture, awarded methodological approaches that are community based participatory research. to distinguished researchers in the field available to scientists working within the The following two days included of genetics syndromes and behavioural field, and to think together about how to keynotes from Prof Chris Oliver from phenotypes. Furthermore, two early career tailor these approaches to ensure excellent the University of Birmingham who researchers Siobhan Blackwell and Jeanne scientific rigour and the best outcomes talked about the importance of being Wolstencroft were awarded respectively for people with neurodevelopmental precise when describing behaviour; the Leclezio-de Vries and the Pat Howlin conditions. It also provided an opportunity Prof Michael Thomas from Birkbeck, prize lectures, which are awarded for junior and senior researchers to University of London who talked about for outstanding work on community come together to inspire new ideas and using computational modelling to participation and intervention. Three (3) collaboration. understand and develop interventions student travel and registration bursaries The programme began with a day of key for neurodevelopmental disorders; and 4 student registration bursaries were note presentations specifically designed Prof Gaia Scerif from the University of also awarded to student members.
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These reports are from researchers who the Genetic Society has funded (up to £1500) to undertake a field-based genetic research project, the results from which would be suitable for publication in the Society’s journal Heredity. In this issue, we have reports from Ewan Stenhouse and Melissa Minter.
Exploring key dietary elements of the Hawfinch – is food choice causing a population decline?
Ewan Stenhouse . Cardiff University
s we are currently in the middle Aof the Anthropocene, with species loss at a vastly elevated rate, it is absolutely crucial to increase knowledge of the factors behind species decline. Due to the complexity of natural systems, studying population dynamics is challenging, and it is vital to consider many differing ecological factors. The Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is the largest member of the Fringillidae family in the UK. The Hawfinch is one of many bird species closely associated with woodland habitats which has shown major declines over a period of a few decades, with the UK estimated to hold only 500-1000 breeding pairs. Due to the scarcity of Hawfinch they cannot be monitored through national, annual monitoring schemes due to a lack of and last atlas. Within Britain, Hawfinch use change and increased avian and data, and as a result their decline has have very localised distribution with mammalian predation. Further potential been monitored through bird breeding population strongholds showing a contributory factors include under- atlases from 1968-72 through to 2008- strong western bias. There are a number planting of ancient woodland with 11. Data from the atlases show a 76% of hypotheses implicated within the conifers in the 1970’s and a storm in 1987 reduction in the number of 10km wider overall decline of woodland which caused the loss of mature food occupied squares from the earliest to birds including; changing land use, trees - predominantly Prunus species. latest atlas, with a more prominent climate change, increasing scarcity of Using funds generously donated by a decline occurring between the second invertebrate food supplies, adjacent land Heredity Fieldwork Grant I was able to
www.genetics.org.uk . 45 HEREDITY FIELDWORK GRANT REPORT 46
visit sites within Denmark and Germany to collect data on this charismatic In April and August 2019 thanks to funds from species in order to investigate if there the Heredity Fieldwork Grant I was able to are key dietary differences between continental European and British travel to continental Europe, visiting two sites populations. in the Jutland area of Denmark and the area of Very little is known about Hawfinch diet. During the breeding season Bad Homburg within Germany. diet (typically from April to August), Hawfinch have been observed feeding most regularly on the seeds and buds of Cherry (Prunus species) but also includes damson (Prunus a more preferred food source in the and the seeds of Wych elm (Ulmus instititia), dog rose (Rosa canina) canopy. Despite the difficulties, we still glabra). Other notable components and Wych elm. It has been assumed managed to collect morphometric data of the diet include sycamore (Acer that populations within continental for 92 birds across the two countries, pseudoplatanus), hawthorn (Crataegus Europe have similar diets, however this as well as faecal samples which will spp), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), has never been confirmed. Exploring be used in the diet analysis. In Cardiff, wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis), dietary components of Hawfinch DNA will be extracted from the faecal dogwood (Cornus alba), larch (Larix populations within continental Europe samples and analysed for dietary decidua) and beech (Fagus sylvatica). and comparing key dietary elements components of individual Hawfinch Nestling diet is predominantly oak- with UK populations is vital into from different populations. The faecal roller moth (Tortrix viridana) and shedding light on Hawfinch decline samples will be tested for both plant winter moth (Operophtera brumata). within the UK, and therefore is the and invertebrate DNA. and run on an Species of Coleoptera, Hemiptera, focus of this work. Illumina MiSeq to allow metabarcoding Annelida, Gastropoda and Araneae have In April and August 2019 thanks to of plant and invertebrate species also been observed to be taken during funds from the Heredity Fieldwork within each faecal sample. This work the summer. Winter diet of Hawfinch Grant I was able to travel to continental will allow us to construct a detailed include, cherry, hornbeam and beech, Europe, visiting two sites in the Jutland species list of key dietary elements area of Denmark and the area of Bad within the Hawfinch diet and, working Homburg within Germany. Work in in conjunction with the RSPB can be these areas was conducted with the used to put forward a conservation kind help of Euring licenced ringers Jens management plan. Muff Hansen, Lars Ulrich Rasmussen, I would like to thank the Genetic Reinhard Vohwinkel and Rolf Hennes. Society for funding which made the The field sites consisted of mature trips to sample these stunning birds broadleaved woodland, mainly of beech, possible. I would also like to thank my hornbeam, ash and oak. Larch and supervisors Dr Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Sycamore were also present within the Professor William Symondson, Dr sites. France Gerard, Dr Ian Vaughan and Hawfinch were caught using mist Mr Paul Bellamy and his colleagues at nets and ringed according to Euring the RSPB for their ongoing support. I guidelines. Despite Hawfinch being also express immense gratitude to the present within the field sites in large ringers who helped me collect samples, numbers, we were victims of unusually particularly Jens Muff Hansen, Lars low numbers of Hawfinch trapped Ulrich Rasmussen, Reinhard Vohwinkel during April, especially across Denmark. and Rolf Hennes for their assistance It was hypothesised that this may have carrying out the fieldwork within Hawfinch being weighed been of a result of the birds utilising Denmark and Germany respectively.
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Hiking for butterflies
Melissa Minter . University of York
y PhD aims to understand the To do this I need samples of the Mountain In the interests of space, only Mgenetics of climate change in a Ringlet from across the UK, which cold adapted and montane butterfly, the involves driving to remote areas and 2 reports have been selected Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron). The hiking up some of the most beautiful for inclusion in the newsletter, Mountain Ringlet occurs throughout the mountains in Britain to find these however contributions were mountain ranges of Europe and in the populations. I started sampling in 2018, UK, and it is our only mountain butterfly but to continue my sampling to get a wide also received from: inhabiting the hills of the Lake District distribution I needed to go back into the Antonia Ford (University of Roehampton) and Scottish highlands. Under recent hills this summer, and I was awarded - Investigating the population structure climate change, this butterfly has been a Heredity fieldwork grant from the and invasion pathways of introduced fish experiencing range retractions which Genetics Society to complete this year’s species, in the upper Paraná River basin means that the populations at the lower field work. To sample this butterfly, you of Brazil elevations are becoming extinct due to need sunshine! After climbing up the Jackson Clive (Imperial College London) - rising temperatures in these areas. mountain, you have to wait for that patch Field study on male homosexual behaviour Mitochondrial DNA shows that the of sunshine to warm them up, then they in free-ranging rhesus macaques (Macaca Scottish and Lake District populations take off. The Mountain ringlet is very mulatta) in Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. easy to spot, for one it is usually the only are genetically different and have been Kirsty MacLeod (University of Exeter) - separated for some time. The Lake butterfly up this high (except for the Small Heath occasionally) and it is a very dark Pink sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa), County District is at the warm range edge for Clare, west Ireland this species, with some populations brown so sticks out! They usually fly quite found as low as 300 metres above sea low to the ground and don’t fly all that fast level, and is therefore more susceptible so it’s quite easy to sample this butterfly to future climate change. For species quickly. This year I went to areas in the to be well equipped to adapt to future Lake District including near Wastwater, changes including climate change, they Haweswater, Hartsop and Honister; and need to have good genetic diversity in Scotland the mountains of Glencoe and within the species. I want to understand the Grampians. After returning from field the distribution of genetic diversity and work, I will spend the next few months adaptive potential of the Mountain Ringlet in the lab getting the genetic data to in the UK to prioritise populations for understand how this elusive butterfly fares conservation management. in the face of future climate change.
www.genetics.org.uk . 47 TRAINING GRANTS 48
The Genetics Society Training Grants are available to enable members to go on short training courses in the area of Genetics research. In this issue, we have reports from Gregory Wannell and Sophia Doyo Amenyah.
RADseq: STACK to the future. Analysing RAD data using STACKs software - Berlin
Gregory Wannell . University of Exeter
(Natural History Museum, Oslo), the course covers all the necessary steps to analyses RADseq data. The course was highly recommended to me by many researchers in the field of molecular ecology and evolutions so I was eager to go along to develop skills I can apply to my own research. The reputation of the course was extensive with researchers from all over the world attending - Russia, China, United States, India, Europe, allowing some excellent networking to take place. harks are probably one of the most populations and their adaptation to local Being able to chat with people in the same Smisunderstood species on our planet. environments. One of the most widely field working with all sorts of wonderful Their ‘people eating’ status has become used approaches is restriction-site organisms was a real highlight of the trip; bigger than the truth, constantly fed by associated DNA sequencing (RADseq), particularly over the delicious lunch and media. The real truth is that over recent allowing the ability to uncover thousands evening meals. years shark populations have been of polymorphic loci across a genome The beginning of the week acted as an rapidly declining with one quarter of at an affordable cost. Using short read introduction into the ‘matrix like’ world elasmobranch, which includes sharks and RADseq data my research investigates of the command line and genomic data. rays, now threatened by extinction. how environmental variation has shaped There were varying levels of competence Their unique life history traits make them the evolution of the small-spotted catshark, within the group but excellent support was particularly susceptible to anthropogenic Scyliorhinus canicula, identifying evidence given to get everyone up to speed. I am pressures such as overfishing, habitat of convergent patterns of evolution sure everyone learnt some handy UNIX loss and global warming. To understand and helping to elucidate the molecular tips and tricks that they will be applying to how these changes are affecting natural mechanisms underlying their varying life- their research for the foreseeable future. populations of sharks we must understand history traits. The week continued with detailed lectures how they become adapted to their local The Genetic Society Training Grant on planning your RAD experiment; which environments. Key to this is identifying funded my attendance at a five-day RAD approach to use, which enzyme, different phenotypes under selection, the RADseq data analysis course held at the how much sequencing power, and ever genetic basis of those phenotypes and the Freie Universität Berlin in the beautiful, important quality control steps performed potential drivers of selection. historic city of Berlin in June. Put on by in STACKS. Towards the second half Genomics, harnessing the power of Physalia Courses and ran by Dr. Julian of the course we got further immersed next-generation sequencing, is fuelling Catchen, author of the STACKS software into the STACKs software with detailed the way in which we can study natural (University of Illinois) and Jose Cerca lectures and practical sessions.
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Using RAD data (either your own or The workshop has not only improved in the process of awaiting my own ddRAD test data) we looked at its application my ability to use large RADseq data in dataset and I look forward to using my in population genomics, genome-wide my current research but has also given newly founded skills to tackle some novel association studies and phylogenetics. me the skills to confidently plan future questions in the world of the shark. I am The days were filled with everything you studies in which I can be confident about very thankful for the support offered by need to become a proficient user of UNIX the results. Being a master student still in the Genetic Society to help me continue to and the STACKs software – expertise, the early stages of my career, I feel this grow as a researcher. group coding sessions, lect ures, LOTS of course has given me invaluable skills to questions, and ample coffee breaks. continue to succeed in this field. I am now
Bioinformatics analysis of large epidemiological and epigenome-wide methylation datasets - Edinburgh
Sophia Doyo Amenyah . Ulster University
the mechanism underpinning this gene- environment in the Marioni research group nutrient interaction between riboflavin was very friendly and encouraging and I supplementation and blood pressure in immensely enjoyed learning and working adults homozygous for the MTHFR C677T with the group. Apart from that I was genotype. Although most of the molecular very thrilled to have the opportunity to work to has been carried out, I lacked the experience the beautiful city of Edinburgh necessary bioinformatics skills to carry out and learn about its great and rich history. analysis on our samples sequenced using The workshop has not only given me the the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip skills required to complete the final chapter microarray (Illumina Inc.). for my PhD thesis which would be further urrently in the final stages of The Genetics Society Training Grant be submitted for publication, but I also Ccompleting my PhD in Nutrition provided funding to enable me to feel confident that I have the necessary and Epigenetics, my research undertake an intensive 2-week training skills to analyse large epidemiological focuses on investigating epigenetic with the Riccardo Marioni Research epigenome-wide methylation datasets. I am mechanism particularly alterations Group, MRC Institute of Genetics & currently applying for both postdoctoral in DNA methylation in response to Molecular, University of Edinburgh. The positions and Fellowship funding and these supplementation with B-vitamins initial sessions of my training included skills are invaluable. I am very delighted in adults screened for the MTHFR setting up my database and obtaining the with the training and collaborations C677T polymorphism. The MTHFR required software and tools including fostered with the Marioni research group C677T polymorphism is a genetically minfi, limma and ChAMP to carry and very excited to incorporate all the inherited polymorphism in the gene out the EWAS analysis in R statistical feedback received to shape my research. coding the folate-metabolizing enzyme environment. I also learnt how to write Additionally, I look forward to sharing the (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), the codes for the various analysis I had experiences gained from my training with with a reported frequency of between 3 to carry out and implement them. I other junior researchers in the Genomics to 32 % in populations worldwide. The was introduced to the effective use of Medicine Research Group at Ulster polymorphism affects folate metabolism Bioconductor and DNA methylation Age University. It would not have been possible and is associated with many diseases Calculator to estimate different measures to enjoy this wonderful experience without including cardiovascular disease and of epigenetic age. I had the opportunity the financial support of the Genetics hypertension. to present the work from my PhD to the Society and I am very grateful to them The main objectives of my PhD research Marioni group and obtain useful feedback for providing me with the funds to enable involve using molecular techniques and that I will be incorporating into my me to participate in this highly relevant bioinformatics approaches to understand current research and future work. The conference. SUMMER STUDENTSHIP REPORTS 50
These reports are from undergraduate students who the Genetic Society, in collaboration with the publication Genes and Development, has funded (up to £2350) to provide financial support for the acquisition of research experience in any area of genetics by carrying out a research project over the long vacation. Students are required to attend a 4 day meeting in Edinburgh, providing an opportunity for all students to get together, discuss their findings, make new friends and start to develop their professional contact network. Further information on how to apply for these grants can be found in the Grant Schemes section of the newsletter or on the Genetics Society Website. In this issue, we have a report from Flora McNulty and Anne Ritoux. Do myotonic dystrophy disease expansion-modifying MSH3 variants act via effects on DNA methylation?
Flora McNulty . University of Glasgow
Introduction Myotonic dystrophy (DM1) is an autosomal-dominant condition, affecting ~1 in 8,000 individuals, causing muscle weakening, breathing abnormalities and a shortened lifespan. DM1 is caused by CTG•CAG repeat expansions in the 3’ Figure 1: Schematic representation of MSH3 exon 1 with 6 repeats. The yellow and the untranslated region of the DMPK gene (1). green boxes represent the areas amplified. Once a critical repeat number is reached (>50), the repeat becomes genetically unstable. Disease-associated repeats also increase over a person’s lifespan in an age-dependent, tissue-specific manner, alleles, suggesting a possible protective PCR products were AMPure purified. contributing towards the tissue-specificity property. Our hypothesis is that DNA was quantified by Qubit; fragment and symptom progression (2). Currently, methylation is the cause of the expression length analysis was conducted on a subset there is no treatment (3). CTG•CAG differences (3), that could potentially be of samples by use of a Bioanalyser. All repeat expansions are regulated by used as a therapeutic target. samples were sent for Sanger sequencing MSH3 (2), although the exact molecular with their forward primer and a subset mechanism is unknown (4). Method with the reverse. Sequence reads were Common naturally-occurring MSH3 30 blood DNA samples - 10 with 3/3 then aligned to reference sequences (BT genetic variants in exon 1 have been genotype, 10 with 3/6 and 10 with 6/6 or non-BT). The CpG sites were located shown to modify MSH3 expression levels were bisulfite treated (BT) (elution 20 on the chromatograms to determine the and are known modifiers of disease µL). Bisulfite treatment converts all methylation level on each site by the severity and genetic instability in DM1. non-methylated cytosines into thymines criteria described in figure 2. From this One of the putatively causative MSH3 leaving methylated cytosines unchanged. data, CpG methylation heatmaps were variants is a polymorphic 9 bp GC-rich PCR was used to amplify the 9 bp repeat constructed. repeat located within a CpG island region and upstream of this region. encompassing exon 1 of MSH3 (figure 1), Primers were designed based on a human Results the two most common repeat numbers bisulfite converted reference sequence Due to the nature of bisulphite being 3 and 6. Alleles with 3 repeats have (CLC Genomics Workbench) and sequencing, some sequences were lower MSH3 expression than 6 repeat optimised on BT-HEK293 cell line DNA. ambiguous and so some CpG sites could
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area and whether methylation variation Conclusion is genotype specific. Furthermore, due to Variation in methylation may exist the use of Sanger sequencing, there was between the genotypes. However, further difficulty in analysing methylation from research using a better methylation the respective alleles in the heterozygote. detection technique and next generation This could be avoided in the future by sequencing should be used to confirm use of next generation sequencing which methylation’s involvement with MSH3 would amplify from a single fragment expression differences. rather than as an average over a sample. The variable repeat region could References influence or be influenced by methylation 1. U. S. National Library of Medicine, elsewhere in the gene. The results of (2019). Myotonic Dystrophy the upstream region show that there is similar average level of methylation 2. Morales et al., (2016). DNA Repair, 40. Figure 2: A chromatogram example in the 6/6 and 3/3 genotypes, with 3. Flower et al., (2019). Brain, 142(7). of methylation criteria. Different different sites contributing. Heterozygote 4. Guo et al., (2016). Cell Res, 26(7). methylation profiles of a specific CpG samples appear to have a higher level 3B site 3A (adapted from reference (5)). of methylation, but there was better 5. Leontiou et al., (2015) PLoS One, 10(8). characterisation of the upstream region of 6. Liu et al., (2019). Nat Biotechnol, 37(4). not be genotyped. Where methylation this amplicon in the heterozygote samples status could be determined it appeared (3). that at the MSH3 repeat region (figure Although bisulphite treatment is widely 3A), specific CpG sites stayed methylated used for methylation detection, it leaves between the 6/6 homozygotes and the DNA fragile due to loss of all cytosines heterozygotes. The 3/3 homozygote leaving DNA single stranded, while also appeared to have higher methylation than creating difficulty in primer design. The the 6/6 samples at specific sites. However, Ten eleven translocation (TET) assisted the repeat region was not characterised pyridine borane sequencing (TAPS) is a well in any of the genotypes. new method that targets only methylated cytosines, causing less DNA damage Discussion (6). Although preliminary testing with Due to difficulty in characterising the this method was conducted, due to time area, it could not be determined whether constraints this method could not be fully there was variation methylation in the characterised.
3A 3B 3A 3B 3A 3A 3B3B
Figure 3: Shows schematics of CpG sites of the amplicons. 3A shows CpGD (figure 1). 3B shows CpGC (figure 1).
www.genetics.org.uk . 51 SUMMER STUDENTSHIP REPORTS 52
Functional characterization of F-type SALMFamide neuropeptide in sea urchin larvae
Anne Ritoux . University College London
europeptides are a large group of either side of the gut in all of the wild- al.2012) from microscope images at 72 Nsecreted signalling molecules which type controls (Figure 2A) consistent with hours post fertilization (hpf). The PO and mediate neuronal interactions. The role results of previous in situ hybridizations OD skeletal regions were significantly of neuropeptidergic systems of sea urchin observed in the lab (Wood et al.2018). longer in the KO than in the controls, larvae lacks characterization. Wood et al. The immunostaining of 24 out of 27 KO with p-values of 1.55e-11 and 1.99e-7(Figure 2018 generated a gene expression map embryo did not result in the same pattern 3A). These are the skeletal elements for nine neuropeptides in sea urchin as the controls (Figure 2B), suggesting supporting the arms of the larvae (Figure embryonic and larval development, that the KO was successful in most of the 3B, 3C). This suggests that FSALMFa including echinoderm specific F-type embryos. The background present across has an effect on regulating arm length. SALMFamide (FSALMFa) and TRH both treatments however decreases It is known that pluteus arm length can neuropeptides. In situ hybridizations the confidence with which to interpret affect the efficiency of feeding; therefore found that these genes have overlapping specific staining. we decided to test it using fluorescent expression patterns. TRH is involved Specific phenotypic effects were beads. At 6 dpf the larvae were presented in growth in vertebrates and sea urchin assessed by comparing the FSALMFa with fluorescent beads for 10 min and larvae (Wood et al. unpublished). In other KO larvae to controls. Skeleton lengths imaged to assess food intake by counting echinoderms, FSALMFa are found to act were measured using Fiji (Schindelin et the number of larvae which ingested the as adult muscle relaxants (Newman et al. 1995). My project aims to understand the role of FSALMFa and their potential interaction with TRH in sea urchin larvae. Figure 1: Antibody stain for serotonin in the wild- The CRISPR/Cas9 system was used type controls and the TPH knock-out (KO) FSALMFa. Four guide KO. Yellow stars indicate RNAs were designed using 20 bp targets where a serotonergic within the Sp-FSALMFamide coding neuron was counted. sequence (Gene ID: 763080). The targets were identified using online resources (CHOPCHOP, Crispr scan, Crispr direct) and selected based on their score, GC content and location. A positive control for the CRISPR/Cas9 system was run using gRNAs targeting the expression of TPH. The TPH-KO resulted in a decrease in the number of the serotonergic neurons (Figure 1) consistent with the rate limiting Figure 2: Antibody stain for role of TPH in the synthesis of serotonin FSALMFa in A control and (Walther et al. 2003). B FSALMFa KO. The yellow Antibody staining (Wood et al. 2018) of triangles indicate areas in embryo fixed at 4 days post fertilization which cells expressing F-type (dpf) was used to verify the efficacy SALMFamide are expected. of the knock-out. Antibodies available were raised against a starfish homolog to FSALMFa. Specific cells were stained on
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Figure 3: Skeleton measurements in four different regions in SALMFamide knock-out (n=47) versus uninjected control (n=45). Regions measured were annotated as: BR (body rod), PO (post oral), OT (oral transversal), OD (oral distal).
beads. The KO ingested less beads than arms affect their ability to eat. Excessive the controls (Figure 4) consistent with arm growth in the FSALMFa KO could be the altered skeletal growth, therefore offsetting their stable orientation, causing FSALMFa ultimately affects food intake. them to sink (Pennington and Strathmann Sea urchin larvae feed by beating cilia 1990). Sinking means that they are unable generating a particle capturing current to move towards new bodies of water to directed toward an open mouth. Larvae process for food. with longer arms have more cilia and are In addition to morphological and Figure 5: WMISH TRH anal side, A more efficient at filtering food (Hart and behavioural effects, whole-mount in situ uninjected, B F-type SALMFamide KO Strathmann 1994). Interestingly, larvae hybridization (WMISH) (Wood et al.2018) develop longer arms in absence of food was used to assess the molecular effect (Adams et al. 2011). An interpretation of of the KO on Sp-Trh transcription. The In the interests of space, only my results is that FSALMFa KO could FSALMFa KO had an effect on TRH 2 reports have been selected affect arm length and feeding separately. expression. Of the 54 control larvae, for inclusion in the newsletter, Increased arm lengths in the KO could 46 had one or two cells stained in the result from the interruption of a signalling ciliary band near the PO arms (Figure however contributions were pathway regulating skeletal growth. The 5A). The KO had an increased staining also received from: ability to feed could be compromised in in these cells (more cells stained in the Auguste Rumbutyte (University of parallel, perhaps from an effect on cilia two spots) and had skeletogenic cells Leicester) - Gene Discovery: finding beating. Alternatively, the KO’s longer (primary mesenchyme PMC) stained novel Aetiologies for Congenital in the opposing arms (Figure 5B). The Hyperinsulinism novel expression of TRH in the PMC is interesting as the TRH receptor has been Delfi Dorussen (University of Cambridge) identified in neighbouring cells of the - Investigating an Intrinsic Plant Cell ciliary band (Wood et al. unpublished). Polarity System These results together with prior findings Hazel Harris (University of Exeter) - on the positive effect of TRH KO on Gene Discovery: finding novel Aetiologies skeletal growth in the arms (Wood et al. for Congenital Hyperinsulinism unpublished) suggest that FSALMFa and Laura Akintche (University of Exeter) TRH are involved in a neurosecretory - Do Sbf2 and Ampd3 impact in vitro pathway which regulates arm length in myogenesis? sea urchin larvae. Olivia Hill (UCL) - Investigating the I am incredibly thankful for Prof. Paola interaction between nutrition and the Figure 4: Normalized counts of Oliveri, Natalie Wood and the Genetics longevity role of the RNA polymerase III embryo ingesting beads from live Society for making this summer project so repressor, Maf1 imaging at 6 days post-fertilization. enriching and fun!
www.genetics.org.uk . 53 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH GENETICS GRANT 54
Bugs! Day expands to include Birds and Beasts with roaring success Public Engagement Grant awarded to Vincent Savolainen
Report by Lizzie Keen, Photos by Thomas Angus
mperial’s Silwood Park campus This year marked a twist to the usual Insects are essential to life given their Iwelcomed over 400 visitors to its Bugs! Day with the addition of Birds important roles such as in pollination, expanded community outreach day. and Beasts. The aim of Bugs, Birds recycling nutrients in our soil and acting Imperial College London’s Silwood and Beasts Day is to help visitors as a food source for both birds and Park, a picturesque 100-hectare satellite engage with and discover the natural beasts. campus located in Ascot, welcomed over world through engaging activities and As part of the new birds display people 400 visitors on the 24 July 2019, who information stands. were in awe of the flying ability of got involved with science and activities This year’s event was organised by the birds as a falcon swooped through the ranging from pond dipping to face Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and the legs of six people during the falconry painting as part of the Bugs, Birds and Environment Initiative at Imperial and display. Inside the Jurassic Lab, there Beasts Day. sponsored by the Genetics Society. was a demonstration of the process of
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chick development. “The children are they were actually crafted with also there to promote and encourage fascinated by the hatching chicks,” said mealworm flour with crickets sprinkled people to take part in the Big Butterfly Jack Murphy, an MSc Conservation on top. “The brownies are incredible,” Count to increase the number of counts Science student at the campus, while said Meghan, while tucking into the in the local area. placing a chick egg with a window cut insect treat, remarking how gooey and The day was a success: while being out of it to show chick development delicious they were and that she would educational, it also inspired and under a microscope. never have known that they contained provoked an interest in science among Children could discover the local aquatic mealworms if she was not told. the children and their parents. This was wildlife by ‘pond dipping’, where they Bugs, Birds and Beasts Day attendees made evident by one child asking their scooped their nets through the small were able to get muddy and create mum if they could come back again the pond located behind the picturesque seed bombs, a combination of clay, next day! Manor House and inspected their compost and wildflower seeds, to take Professor Vincent Savolainen, director of findings in a tray, before excitedly going home with them at the end of the day the Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and over to add the species they had found to to help increase the flowers available the Environment Initiative, said: “I am so the ever-growing list of species that had for pollinators around their homes. pleased with the feedback we received, already been discovered in the pond. The compost offers nutrients for the with 71% of attendees describing the Sean, an MSc Ecological Applications seeds and the clay binds the seed event as ‘awesome’, and already planning student at the campus, said that the bomb together so it can be launched to come back next year.” children were mostly finding mayfly over fences and into inaccessible areas. larvae, newts and damsel flies. Pond Eventually the seeds will germinate and dipping proved to be a highly popular grow into flowers for pollinators, such as activity for another year running, bees and butterflies. with many children saying it was their Although an educational day, Bugs Birds highlight of the day, listing every species and Beasts Day also connects Silwood of aquatic life that they had found in the Park with the local community, with pond. many members of the public remarking Tasty brownie bites were on offer how it was great to finally see what was throughout the day. However, although going on inside and look around the they looked like your typical brownie campus. Butterfly Conservation were
www.genetics.org.uk . 55 GRANTS SCHEMES 56
To apply for any of our grant schemes, instructions and downloadable funding application forms are available from the drop down Funding tab on the Genetics Society website www.genetics.org.uk
One-off Meeting Sponsorship Purpose: Sponsorship of genetic research meetings not organised by the Genetics Society. The Genetics Society receives several requests from members each year to sponsor meetings in the field of genetics. These meetings are usually one-off meetings with an ad hoc organising committee and may be partly sponsored by another Society. The guidelines below indicate a review process for applications and the conditions that must be met for the award of Genetics Society sponsorship.
Review of applications: 1) Members may make applications at any time visiting the following website:http://gensoc.fluidreview.com/ 2) The application will be circulated to the full committee for review. The review will cover suitability of the meeting for Genetics Society sponsorship and level of support requested. 3) The committee will be asked to respond within two weeks and the Society aims to respond to requests within four weeks.
Conditions of sponsorship: 4) Several levels of sponsorship are possible: (a) single lecture: £200 (b) session: £500-1000 (c) major sponsor: £1500-2000. 5) Genetics Society sponsorship must be mentioned in all pre-meeting publicity (e.g. posters, flyers, website) and in the meeting programme. If the Genetics Society is the major sponsor, the meeting should be advertised as a “Genetics Society-sponsored meeting”. 6) Details of the program of the meeting and registration forms should be sent as far in advance as possible to [email protected]. uk, for inclusion in the Society’s newsletter and on the website. 7) A short report on a meeting that receives sponsorship of £1000 or more, for possible publication in the newsletter and on the website, should be sent to [email protected] within one month of the conference taking place. 8) Genetics Society sponsorship may be used at the organiser’s discretion, but budget travel and accommodation options should normally be insisted upon. Any unused grant should be returned to the Genetics Society. The Society will not be responsible for any losses incurred by the meeting organisers. 9) An invoice for the grant awarded should be submitted to [email protected]. The grant may be claimed in advance of the meeting and no longer than one month after the meeting. 10) The meeting organisers agree to make details of how to apply for Genetics Society membership available to non-members attending the sponsored meeting. Meetings that receive maximum sponsorship will be expected to offer a discounted registration fee to Genetics Society members to encourage non-members to join the Society at the same time. New members may then attend at the discounted rate, once confirmation of their application for membership of the Genetics Society has been received from the Society’s Office. 11) A brief statement, indicating how you have addressed the diversity guidelines or explain why you could not conform to the guidelines will be required. Appropriate representation of women as invited Speakers is required, and will be monitored by the Society. Organizers must ensure a good balance between established and new investigators on the Speaker list and ensure that there is an attempt for broad geographical representation where possible.
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New Sectional Interest Groups Purpose: Regular sponsorship of genetic research meetings on particular themes. Regular (e.g. annual) funding is available for genetics research communities who wish to run regular series of meetings. Current examples include the South West Fly Group, E-ACGT (Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait Genetics), POP Group (Population Genetics Group) and the C. elegans Group. Members may submit New Sectional Interest Group (SIG) applications at any time of the year, and we encourage submissions at least three months in advance of the proposed event to allow the application to be reviewed. Applications will be sent to the Scientific Meetings Secretary for review at the end of each month. The application will be circulated to the full committee for review. The review will cover suitability of the meeting for Genetics Society sponsorship and level of support requested. The committee will be asked to respond within two weeks and the Society aims to respond to requests within four – six weeks. 1) The sponsorship of the Genetics Society must be mentioned in all pre-meeting publicity (e.g. posters, flyers, website). It should also be acknowledged in the meeting programme booklet. It is understood that wherever possible, the meeting should be advertised as ‘A Genetics Society Meeting’. However, where the Society’s financial contribution support is only partial, and where this formula of words would conflict with the interests of other sponsors, it is acceptable for the meeting to be advertised as a ‘Genetics Society-Sponsored Meeting’. 2) Details of the programme of the meeting should be made available to all Genetics Society members via the Society’s newsletter, and an electronic copy should be sent as far in advance as possible to the newsletter editor, at the latest by the advertised copy date for the newsletter preceding the close of registrations for the meeting. The same details will appear on the Genetics Society website. This information should include the programme of speakers, the topics to be covered, plus details of how to register for the meeting. If the meeting is advertised on the Internet, then a link to the Genetics Society website (www. genetics.org.uk) should be included. 3) A report on the meeting, once it has taken place, should be submitted for publication in the newsletter, which is the official record of the Society’s activities. This should be sent as soon as possible after the meeting to [email protected], and should include brief factual information about it (where and when it took place, how many people attended and so on), together with a summary of the main scientific issues covered. 4) Genetics Society funds may be used to support speaker travel, accommodation, publicity or any other direct meeting costs, at the organizers’ discretion. It is understood that budget travel and accommodation options will normally be insisted upon. Any unused funds should be returned to the Society. The Society will not be liable for any financial losses incurred by the meeting organizers. Any profits should be retained solely for the support of similar, future meetings, as approved by the Society. 5) A written invoice for the agreed amount of Genetics Society sponsorship should be forwarded to [email protected], no later than one month after the meeting date. Funds may be claimed in advance of the meeting, as soon as the amount of support has been notified in writing. 6) Meeting organizers may levy a registration charge for attendance at the meeting as they see fit. However, it is understood that Genetics Society members will be offered a substantial discount, so as to encourage non-members wishing to attend to join the Society at the same time. The meeting organizers agree to make available to non-member registrants full details of how to apply for Genetics Society membership, such as appear on the website and in the newsletter, and may charge such persons the same registration fee as charged to members, upon confirmation from the Society’s Office that their application and remittance or direct debit mandate for membership fees has been received. 7) The meeting organizers are free to apply to other organizations for sponsorship of the meeting, as they see fit. However, organizations whose policies or practices conflict with those of the Genetics Society should not be approached. In cases of doubt, the officers of the Genetics Society should be consulted for advice. 8) If the meeting is advertised on the Internet a link to the Genetics Society website (www.genetics.org.uk) should be included.
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New Sectional Interest Groups (continued)
9) For those groupings holding their first such meeting with Genetics Society support, it is understood that the Society’s support for future meetings of the series will be decided on the basis of the success of the first meeting, including adherence to all of the conditions listed above. The first meeting is hence supported on a pilot basis only. 10) The meeting organizers will nominate a responsible person who will liaise with the Genetics Society on all matters relating to the meeting, and whose contact details will be supplied to the Society’s Office. This person will inform the Society if he/ she resigns or passes on his/her responsibility for the meeting or series to another person, whose contact details shall also be supplied. 11) A brief statement, indicating how you have addressed the diversity guidelines or explain why you could not conform to the guidelines will be required. Appropriate representation of women as invited Speakers is required, and will be monitored by the Society. Organizers must ensure a good balance between established and new investigators on the Speaker list and ensure that there is an attempt for broad geographical representation where possible. Junior Scientist Grants
Purpose: To support attendance at genetics research meetings by junior scientists. In this section, junior scientists are defined as graduate students and postdoctoral scientists within two years of their PhD viva. The scheme has two main streams: (A) to support attendance at meetings organised directly by the Genetics Society or sponsored by the Society as a Sectional Interest Group; and (B) to support attendance at non-Genetics Society meetings.
Eligibility Criteria: These grants are open to members with a UK base wishing to attend conferences outwith the UK and to non-UK-based members wishing to attend a conference in the UK. We regret that we cannot consider applications from bases outside the UK for conference attendance outside the UK. Scheme (A) is open to undergraduate, Masters and PhD students and to postdoctoral scientists within three years of their PhD viva. Scheme (B) is open to PhD students and postdoctoral scientists within three years of their PhD viva (but not undergraduate or Masters students). (Scientists who obtained their PhD more than three years ago are not eligible for these schemes.) Supervisors providing support letters must be current members of the Genetics Society and should include their membership number in the supporting letter. This supporting letter must be uploaded along with the online application before the deadline. Grant recipients will be asked to write a short report that may be published in the Genetics Society Newsletter. A maximum of one grant per two years will be awarded per applicant. Scheme A - Grants to assist with travel and accommodation (but not registration) costs to attend Genetics Society or Sectional Interest Group meeting. Grants up to £150 are available for travel and essential overnight accommodation to attend any of the Genetics Society’s own bi-annual meetings and those of our Sectional Interest Groups. The most economic form of travel should be used. For Genetics Society and Sectional Interest Group meetings, applications should be submitted online before the registration deadline of the meeting. ADDITIONALLY, the Genetics Society has, in 2018, introduced a limited number of bursaries to allow those with carer responsibilities to arrange for cover to allow them to attend Genetics Society Scientific and Sectional Interest Group meetings. These can be accessed via the grant application form and must be justified.
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Junior Scientist Grants (continued)
Scheme B - Travel, accommodation and registration cost at other (non-Genetics Society) meetings. Grants of up to £750 are available to attend conferences in the area of Genetics other than Genetics Society or Sectional Interest meetings. Applications should be submitted in time for one of our bi-monthly deadlines (1st day of February, April, June, August, October and December) and should be made by logging into your membership account. Note that the conference you are applying for must take place AFTER the application deadline. Up to three Conference grants per year will be co-sponsored by the Galton Institute and will provide up to £1,000. Applicants for a prestigious Galton co-sponsored award should request between £750 and £1,000 in support and explain how their work conforms to the mission of the Galton Institute. The Galton co-sponsored award is only open to registered PhD students who will take up the award before their PhD graduation date. If unsuccessful for the Galton co-sponsored award, applications will be automatically considered for a standard stream B grant for which a maximum of £750 can be awarded.
Training Grants
Purpose: To support attendance at short training courses.
Grants of up to £1,000 are available to enable members to go on short training courses in the area of Genetics research, e.g. those run by Edinburgh Genomics and Wellcome Genome Campus. In some cases, longer courses or visiting another laboratory for training may be allowed. Eligible expenses include travel, accommodation, subsistence and tuition fees.
Eligibility Criteria: • A maximum of one Training grant per individual per two years will be awarded. • Only one application from any research group will be funded in any one year. • Open to those with a UK base wishing to attend training courses outwith the UK and to non-UK-based students wishing to attend a training course in the UK. We regret that we cannot consider applications from bases outside the UK for training course attendance outside the UK. • When a relevant course is available in the UK, a detailed explanation is required of why the applicant should be funded to attend a similar/the same course abroad. • Recipients of these grants must submit a short report within two months of completion of the project, for possible inclusion in the Genetics Society newsletter.
How to apply: Applications should be made online via the Genetics Society Grants application site. Deadlines are quarterly (5th February, 15th May, 15th July, 15th November). A supporting statement from the applicant’s supervisor, who must be a current member of the Genetics Society, should be uploaded via the online application form before the quarterly deadline. However, if the applicant is a named investigator (PI or Co-I), this is not necessary. The Genetics Society aims to notify the decision within one month of applications. Applicants are advised to submit applications at the earliest opportunity, and at least 3 months in advance of the start date of training. We regret that feedback on unsuccessful applications is not available.
www.genetics.org.uk . 59 GRANT SCHEMES 60
Heredity Fieldwork Grants
Purpose: To supporting field-based genetic research and training. Grants of up to £1,500 are available to cover the travel and accommodation costs associated with pursuing a field-based genetic research project or to visit another laboratory for training. The research field should be one from which results would typically be suitable for publication in the Society’s journal Heredity. The scheme is not intended to cover the costs of fieldworkers other than the applicant, to cover the costs of salaries for those engaged in fieldwork, or to fund attendance at conferences. However, equipment necessary for carrying out fieldwork may be covered (within reason).
Criteria for Eligibility: • All students are eligible to apply for this grant immediately after they join the Genetics Society. • Other applicants (i.e. PI’s and Co-I’s) must have been members of the Genetics Society for at least one year before applications can be accepted. • Although Heredity Fieldwork Grants are primarily targeted at post-graduate students, in exceptional circumstances we will consider applications from students who are required to complete a fieldwork study in their final undergraduate, or MSc by Research year. • Applicants other than PI’s and Co-I’s are required to submit a supporting letter from their supervisor who should be a current Genetics Society member. • A maximum of one Heredity Fieldwork Grant per individual per two years will be awarded. • Only one application per research group will be funded in any one year. • The applicant must be completing the fieldwork themselves. • Recipients of these grants must submit a short report within two months of completion of the project that may be included in the GS newsletter. • These grants are open to those with a UK base wishing to undertake fieldwork outwith the UK and to non-UK-based students wishing to undertake fieldwork in the UK. We regret that we cannot consider applications from bases outside the UK for field studies outside the UK.
How to apply: Applications should be made online via the Genetics Society Grants application site. Deadlines are quarterly (1st February, 1st May, 1st August, 1st November). Applicants are advised to submit applications at the earliest opportunity, and at least 3 months in advance of the start date of the fieldwork. We regret that feedback on unsuccessful applications is not available. The Heredity Fieldwork Grant is funded by income from the journal Heredity.
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Genes and Development Summer Studentships
Purpose: To support vacation research by undergraduate geneticists. Grants are available to provide financial support for undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience in any area of genetics by carrying out a research project over the long vacation, usually prior to their final year.
Awards will be made to the host institution. The studentship comprises: • up to £750 to cover justifiable expenses incurred by the host laboratory • £200 per week for up to 8 weeks to cover student subsistence during the studentship The student must be able to attend a workshop that will take place in Edinburgh from 26-29th August 2019, providing an opportunity for all students to get together, discuss their findings, make new friends and start to develop their professional contact network. Undergraduate students who wish to do vacation research projects are encouraged to seek a PI to sponsor them and to develop a project application with the sponsor.
Qualifying criteria: • The project should be realistic and achievable by a student within an eight-week time frame for completion prior to the last week in August. • Applications must be made by Principal Investigators (PI) at Universities or Research Institutes, NOT by the named student. • Please note that only one application per lab group / per applicant may be submitted. • The application must be for a named undergraduate student, preferably from another institute or university, and is not transferable. • Both the PI and the named student must be members of the Genetics Society. • Extension of honours projects or early starts for PhD students are not eligible. • Recipients cannot hold these awards in conjunction with other summer studentships, i.e. summer studentships cannot be used to part-fund a project. • There are no restrictions concerning the nationality of the student, and the student does not have to attend a UK university, nor does the studentship need to take place within the UK. • Students must be available to participate in the summer school that will take place in Oxford at the beginning of September 2020. • Students will be asked to write a short report (around 800 words) within two months of completion of the project that may be included in the newsletter.
Applications MUST include the following: • project outline • project plan (including student training needs) • student CV • student statement • reference letters
How to apply: • There is one closing date of 5pm on 31st March each year. • Applications open 1st January 2020.
www.genetics.org.uk . 61 GRANT SCHEMES 62
Public Engagement Grants Grants are available to members of the Genetics Society to cover costs associated with travel and materials for public engagement activities relevant to Genetics.
A two-tier system is in operation, allowing both small and larger scale projects to be assessed: Applications for Tier 1 will be considered for small activities, costing up to £1000. Applications for Tier 2 will be considered for larger activities, costing from £1-5000.
Successful applicants must: • acknowledge Genetics Society support at their activity or event • feature the Genetics Society Centenary logo in any new promotional items produced The Society possesses a useful stock of publicity material (e.g. pop-up banners, leaflets) which you are welcome to use, by arrangement. Applications are currently accepted on a rolling basis and will be sent to reviewers at the start of each month for assessment. Applicants are encouraged to send their applications three months in advance of the project start date, where possible, and should normally expect to receive a decision on their application within four weeks of the application being put forward for assessment. Please note that the Society takes no responsibility for risk assessments or public liability issues related to any event or activity. These must be completed according to established practice at the host institution.
62 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 81 GENERAL INFORMATION 63
Contacting the Genetics Society
Members and potential members can contact If you are interested in joining the Society, if you are a current the Genetics Society membership team in the member and have any queries about your membership following ways: subscription, or if you would like to advise us of a change of name, By phone: address or membership status, 0203 793 7850 please contact the membership team. By email: [email protected] If you are looking for an easy way to manage your membership By post: payment and wish to set up an The Genetics Society, 1 Naoroji Street, London, WC1X 0GB annual Direct Debit, a simple form can be downloaded from the Genetics Society website at http:// bit.ly/2aLRlOF. Please complete The Genetics Society offers a wide range of and return the original to the membership team by post at the benefits to its members including: address above. Postgraduate and full members paying by Direct • Access to generous grants Debit will receive a discount of £5 off their annual fee. • Discounted rates for attendance at prestigious Genetics Society meetings • A biannual newsletter via post • Free online access to the Society’s journal Heredity
Thank you for your support!
www.genetics.org.uk . 63
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*Data is taken from the 2018 Journal Citation Reports® (Clarivate Analytics, 2019)
Follow the journal on Twitter! @HeredityJournal
Find out more: nature.com/hdy
Behind the Paper channel to accompany their formal paper.
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James Burgon.
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Editor-in-Chief: Professor Barbara K. Mable
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Find out more: nature.com/hdy Find out more: nature.com/hdy Follow the journal on Twitter! @HeredityJournal Follow the journal on Twitter! @HeredityJournal *Data is taken from the 2018 Journal Citation Reports® (Clarivate Analytics, 2019) *Data is taken from the 2018 Journal Citation Reports® (Clarivate Analytics, 2019)
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