Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:06 Page 1

JULYJULLYY 2011 | ISSUE 65 GENETICSGENNETICSS SOCIETYSOCIEETY NENEWSEWS

In this issue The Society News is edited s Spring Meeting by David Hosken and items for futurfuturee s SponsorSponsoreded MeetiMeetingsngs issues can be sent to the editoreditor,, by email to [email protected]@exeter.ac.uk.exeter.ac.uk. s Summer Student and TTravelravel Reports The Newsletter is publishedblished twice a s 2012 AAwardswards AnAnnouncednounced yearyear,, with copy dates of 1st June s Edinburghg 2012 and 26th NovemberNovember..

The 2012 Genetics SpringSprinng Meeting Supermodel Organisms:Chemical Genetics and Synthetic LifeLiffe See page 5 for registrationregistratiion information Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:06 Page 2

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

A word from the editor

Welcome to issue 65. interested, search for and read “Promiscuity is key to survival” As usual this issue is packed and then read the research full of interesting reports from underpinning it as one case in students, young researchers point. and we have meetings reports past and future! Thanks once Perhaps the quality of science again to all of those who kindly reporting is partly why non- contributed. As is usual in the scientists, and administrators Editorial, it’s time to wax in particular, think they should lyrical, and there are two and can direct research. This is themes I want to mention here, not new, but as public spending science journalism and cuts continue in the UK, calls to deciding who should determine direct research are becoming many headed shotgun approach the research to be funded by more vociferous, with because no one knows where the taxpayer, as in a way they bureaucrats rather than the next break through will be, are linked. scientists making funding PCR being a classic example. decisions. This is dangerous, Science journalism is especially when those making I guess the take-home message important. It not only conveys the calls have never done an is for all of us to be better messages to the public about experiment let alone run a advocates of science in the what science and scientists do, research programme and public domain and to ensure but it also helps provide hideously highlights a general that blue skies research justification for the ignorance about how science continues to be supported. We considerable public funding works, while also conveying an need to personally engage when that supports much research. appalling confusion of science we have time, support learned There are some fantastic and technology. I can only societies like the Genetics science journalists (or at least quote from a speech by the late, Society for their advocacy and some great vehicles that great Professor Bert Main communication of science, and accurately report science in the (University of Western encourage able students to media), but on the whole, the Australia) in a speech to consider employment in the quality of reporting is graduandes in 1987 "… we live media. We must also ensure disappointing. Even the most in a world ruled by accountants that funders find the right fundamental aspects of science and tally-keepers, for whom balance between accountability are apparently misunderstood form-filling is the peak of and free scientific enquiry so and inaccurately reported - intellectual endeavour. Such that science does not fall to the scientists “prove” something or ciphers have no knowledge of tally-keepers. other being a classic headline history, nor any concept of how Best wishes example (as every good long it may be before pieces of David Hosken undergraduate knows science information fall into place. It cannot prove, it can only will need good presentation and disprove). But even worse is outstanding advocacy to the trivialisation of research convince them that inquiry in programmes and some of the the form of research must go more bizarre reporting of on.". And directed research research findings that are cannot be taken as a guarantee found in the media - if you are to solve anything. It needs the

2 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 3

Issue 65 . July 2011

For more details please contact: NEWS . FEATURES . REPORTS . LISTINGS . Roslin BioCentre Wallace Building . Roslin . Midlothian . EH25 9PP Tel: 0131 200 6391 . Fax: 0131 200 6394 Email: [email protected] Website: www.genetics.org.uk CONTENTS

The Genetics Society Journals Heredity (www.nature.com/hdy) Managing Editor: Professor Roger Butlin Heredity Editorial Office, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN Genes and Development (www.genesdev.org) Editor: T. Grodzicker, Genes & Development, Cold Spring Harbor REGULARS Laboratory Press, 500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York, 11797, USA Meeting Announcements 4 - 7 President Prof. Veronica van Heyningen, MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh Supermodel Organisms President Elect Prof. Enrico Coen, , Norwich External meetings Diary Vice-Presidents Dr. Chris Smith, Sectional Interest Groups 8 Prof. John Brookfield, University of Nottingham Prof. Ian Jackson, MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh Genetics Society Business 9 - 19 Honorary Secretary Honorary Secretary Notices Prof. Patricia E Kuwabara, University of Bristol Life Membership Honorary Treasurer Lecture and Medal nominations Prof. Josephine Pemberton, ResearchGATE Honorary Treasurer Elect Local Representatives Dr. Hiro Ohkura, University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Representative Scientific Meetings Secretary 2012 Society Award Winners Prof. Dirk-Jan de Koning, Swedish University of Agricultural 4th International Conference on Sciences, Uppsala Quantitative Genetics Newsletter Editor Prof. David Hosken, University of Exeter Genetics Society Meeting Reports 20 - 24

Postgraduate Representative Transposable Elements: Are they Lynne Harris, University of Edinburgh good for you after all? Ordinary Committee Members Genetics Society Sponsored Events 26 - 35 Dr. Rebecca Oakey, King’s College London Dr. Anne Donaldson, University of Aberdeen Gene Jury Pupil Conference Prof. Chris Ponting, 21st Mammalian Genetics and Dr. Jane Rogers, The Analysis Centre, Norwich Development Workshop Prof. Julian Lewis, CRUK London Laboratories Dr. Ian Henderson, University of Cambridge 10th UK Archea Genetics Dr. Jon Slate, University of Sheffield London Fly Meetings Prof. Gilean McVean, University of Oxford London Area Worms Prof. Adam Eyre-Walker, University of Sussex Dr. Tom Weaver, MRC Mary Lyon Centre, Harwell British Meiosis Group Dr. Matthew Hurles, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Prof. John Whittaker, GlaxoSmithKline, Harlow Features 36 - 39 Prof. Josephine Pemberton, University of Edinburgh Heredity podcasts

Design and Print The life of Sir Kenneth Mather Round & Red Creative . 15 Poole Road A taxi driver writes Woking . Surrey . GU21 6BB Get Involved Tel: 01483 596 226 . www.roundandred.com Student Travel Reports 40 - 47 ALS/MND 2010 Analysis of Complex Traits The Genetics Society News is printed on FSC approved paper. General Microbiology 2011 Stem Cells, Cancer, Metastasis NeuroScience 2010 Functional Genomics 2010 Studentship Reports 48 - 53 Drosophila Vasa Advertising in Genetics Society News represents an Breast cancer radiotherapy opportunity to reach a large community of professional YAPI and tumours geneticists. For rates please email [email protected]

www.genetics.org.uk . 3 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 4

2011 Autumnn Meeting

PhenotypePhenottype and the flexiflexibleble genogenome:ome: theh rolerolel of f epigenetic e i i processes processes ini ddevelopmentdevelopm l ment andd hhuman diseasedi

Friday 11th NovemberNovvember 2011. The RoyalRooyal Society,Societyy,, London

Epigenetics refersrefers to the e study of heritable SpeakersSppeakers changes in genome functionfunnction that occur ProfessorPrrofessor Azim Surani Dr AndrewAndrew Ward Ward without a change in primaryprimary DNA sequence. UniversityUnniversity of Cambridge Epigenetics is emergingas a critical arareaea ProfessorPrrofessor Emma Whitelaw Dr Dietmar Spengler off modernmoder d n research researchh and d there ththere hhave bbeen QueenslandQQuueenslandl d InstituteI tit t of f MedicalM di l MaxM PlanckPl k InstituteI tit t of f PsychiatryP hi t rapid advances in our understandingunderstanding of the ResearchReesearch ProfessorProfessor Barry Keverne Keverne functional consequencesconsequencees of alterations in Drr Miriam Hemberger Cambridge University epigenetic gene regulationregulattion and the rresponseesponse TheThhe Babraham Institute ProfessorProfessor Andrew Andrew Feinberg Feinberg of epigenetic marks toenvir environmentale onmental cues. ProfessorPrrofessor Alan Clarke Johns Hopkins UniversityUniversitty School of ToTo address address these exciting exciting new discoveries, CardiffCaardiff University we areare hosting a one day daay meeting that will focus specifically onn the phenotypic ScientificSccientific Organisers consequences of alterationsalterattions in epigenetic RosalindRoosalind John and gene regulationregulation in mammals. mammmals. AnthonyAnnthony Isles

for registration,registrattion, visit www.genetics.org.ukwww.genetiics.org.uk Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 5

2012 Spring Meeting SupermodelSupeermoddel OrganismsOrrganismms ChemicalCh i l GeneticsGeneticsi and d SyntSyntheticS thetich i LifeLif

Friday 20th AprilAprril 2012. The Royal Society,Soocietyy,, London

Model organisms, particularlyparticcularly those that araree amenable tto genetic SpeSpeakerseakers manipulation, have providedprovvided key insights into the mechmechanismsanisms TToo bbe announced underlying a multitude of fundamental cellular processes.processees. In many cases, the lessons learnedlearneed frfromom these organisms have bebeeneen essential SciScientificentific Organisers for understanding humanhuman and disease. WWithith thee explosion Ian Henderson and in the availability of wholewhole genome sequences what liess ahead for PatPatriciatricia Kuwabara these model organisms?organisms? This one-day meeting will focusfocuus on novel chemical and synthetic approachesapproaches that araree being used to modifymodify,y,, FeaFeaturesatures perturb and re-engineerre-engineer genetic pathways and prprocesses,ocessees, and PrProfessoroofessor Jonathan Hodgkin OxfoOxfordord University which continue to relyrely on o model genetic systems to dissdissectsect gene Thee 2011 Genetics Society Medall r recipientecipient interactions and provideprovidee phenotypic rreadouts.eadouts.

for registration,registrattion, visit www.genetics.org.ukwww.genetiics.org.uk Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 6

4th International Conference on Quantitative Genetics ICQG2012

17 – 22 June 2012 Key Dates Edinburgh International Friday 3 February 2012 Abstract Submission Deadline for Oral abstracts only Conference Centre, Friday 6 April 2012 Abstract Submission Deadline for Poster abstracts only Scotland, UK Friday 3 February 2012 Early bird registration deadline www.icqg2012.org.uk Sunday 10 June 2012 Pre-conference registration closes

Conference Themes: 1. The of Complex Traits Current understanding of the genetic control of complex trait variation - Genome-wide association studies and beyond. 2. Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics Selective forces on quantitative traits and the maintenance of variation. 3. Variation in the Genome Sequence, structural and epigenetic variation and its phenotypic consequences. 4. Advances from New Numerical Methods Advances in our understanding of quantitative traits from new statistical, computational and modelling approaches and utilisation of computing power. 5. Opportunities from Technological Advances Potential impact of the $1000 genome and other new methods and approaches on our understanding of quantitative variation. 6. Bridging the Genotype- Gap Networks and pathways connecting DNA variants to trait variation - approaches and models. 7. Interactions among Individuals and with the Environment Genetic interactions and covariation with the environment, in social groups and between species. 8. Genomic Information in Prediction Prediction of disease risk and performance in humans, plants and animals and use in health care and plant and animal breeding. 9. Emerging Areas New frontiers in research and late breaking results.

Local Organising Committee International Marie-Anne Felix, France Juha Merilä, Finland Bill Hill (Chair) Advisory Committee Jonathan Flint, UK Bill Muir, USA Lutz Bünger David Allison, USA Greg Gibson, USA Patrick Phillips, USA Chris Haley David Balding, UK Mike Goddard, Australia Daniel Pomp, USA Mike Kearsey Piter Bijma, Netherlands Ary Hoffman, Australia Pak Sham, China DJ de Koning Rachel Brem, USA Fred Hospital, France Fred van Eeuwijk, Netherlands Loeske Kruuk Ed Buckler, USA Mark Lathrop, France Peter Visscher, Australia Josephine Pemberton Andrew Clark, USA Trudy Mackay, USA Bruce Walsh, USA Supported by Alan Wright Mark Daly, USA Albrecht Melchinger, Germany A SU,rieWecurB Rebecca Doerge, USA Qifa Zhang, China Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 7

7 EXTERNAL MEETINGS DIARY

We will happily include any announcements for genetics-based meetings in this section. Please send any items to the editor.

EMBO and FASEB: Intracellular RNA Transport & Non--coding - the DNA-RNA Localized dialogue in shaping the transcriptome 7th – 12th August 2011, Barga, Italy 16th – 19th September 2011, The Royal Society, http://cwp.embo.org/cfs11-02/ London, https://royalsociety.org/events/RNAs/ 13th Congress of the European Society for Evolutionary Biology 22nd European Drosophila Research Conference 20th – 25th August 2011, Tuebingen, Germany. 21st – 24th September 2011, Lisbon, Portugal www.eseb2011.de/ www.edrc2011.org/

The Genomics of Common Diseases 2011 12th International Congress of 30th August – 2nd September 2011, Wellcome Trust Human Genetics Conference Centre, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK 11th – 15th October 2011, Montreal, Canada https://registration.hinxton.wellcome.ac.uk/display_in www.ichg2011.org/ fo.asp?id=215 European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy and Telomere Dynamics Workshop 2011 British Society for Gene Therapy Collaborative 31st August – 3rd September, Glasgow UK Congress 2011 www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/news/ 27th – 31st October 2011, Brighton, UK telomereworkshop/ www.esgct.eu/congress/2011/

International Plant Genome Conference 45th PopGroup meeting 4th – 6th September 2011, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 4th – 7th January 2012, University of Nottingham, www.plantgenomeevolution.com/ www.populationgeneticsgroup.org/

British Human Genetics Conference 2011 5th – 7th September 2011, Warwick University, UK www.bshg.org.uk/BSHG.htm

If you run an interest group and hold regular meetings, our new web site forum is the perfect place to promote your activities. Simply visit www.genetics.org.uk, log in to our forum and tell us all about it.

www.genetics.org.uk . 7 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 8

SECTIONAL INTEREST GROUPS 8

The Genetics Society helps support several sectional interest groups by providing meeting sponsorship. We currently have 11 groups who organise sectional interest meetings with the organisers and dates of any forthcoming meetings are listed below. If you are interested in any of these areas, please contact the relevant organiser. Groups who wish to be considered for sectional interest group status should see the Society website for further details.

Arabidopsis Genetics Society Pombe Club Organiser: Ruth Bastow ([email protected]) Organiser: Jacky Hayles ([email protected]) http://garnet.arabidopsis.info/ Mammalian Genetics & Development Archaea group Organisers: Elizabeth M. Fisher and Nick Greene Organiser: Peter Lund ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Mammalian Genes, Development and Disease British Yeast Group Organisers: Rosalind M John and David Tosh Organiser: Alistair Goldman ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Population Genetics Group C. elegans Organiser: Lori Lawson Handley Organiser: Stephen Nurrish ([email protected]) ([email protected]) The Zebrafish Forum Drosophila Organiser: Rachel Ashworth ([email protected]), Organiser: Nic Tapon Caroline Brennan ([email protected]), ([email protected]) Corinne Houart ([email protected]). Monthly meetings are organised by: Joe Bateman ([email protected]) There are meetings at 5:30pm-8.00pm on the first Thursday of every other month. Room G12, New Ecological Genetics Group Hunt's House, King's College - London SE1 1UL Organiser: Paul Ashton ([email protected])

8 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 9

9 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS

Honorary Secretary’s Notices

Patricia Kuwabara . Honorary Secretary, University of Bristol

Medal Announcements Committee

he Genetics Society is Tpleased to announce the changes and award of the following Medals and Prizes to scientists for their outstanding contributions to the study of elections Genetics. Additional information about these individuals and their research he Society’sAnnual General 126 new members were also can be found in this issue of TMeeting was held on Friday,1st elected to the Society. We the Newsletter. of April 2011 at Surgeon’sHall, welcome all new Committee University of Edinburgh. As part of members and hope that they will the business, the election of new find their time on the Committee Mendel Medal (2012): Officers of the Executive sub- enjoyable and rewarding. We also Eric S. Lander (MIT) Committee, Committee members welcome the 126 new members and new members of the Society who were formally elected to the Genetics Society Medal (2012): was ratified. Enrico Cohen (John Society, and hope that they enjoy Stephen C. West (CRUK) Innes Institute) was elected to serve the benefits of membership in as the next President of the the Society. We encourage all Balfour Lecturer (2012): Genetics Society,and will shadow members to help us to recruit Örjan Carlborg (Uppsala the current President, Veronica van new members to the Society, University) Heyningen, for a period of 1-year. especially young scientists at an Two members were elected to the early stage in their scientific Mather Prize (2012): Executive sub-Committee: Chris careers. Kay Boulton (Edinburgh) Smith (Cambridge, Vice-President We also wish to express our for the Public Understanding of gratitude to outgoing members JBS Haldane (2011): Genetics) and Dirk-Jan de Koning of the Committee who have No award (Uppsala, Scientific Meetings generously donated their time Secretary). Four new Committee and expertise to the Society: members were also elected: Please note that the Society is Steve Jones, Vice-President for Rebecca Oakey (London) in Area A now seeking nominations for the Public Understanding of (Gene structure, function and awards to be made in 2013. Genetics; Andrew Ward regulation); Jane Rogers (Norwich) Details can be found in this (Scientific Meetings Secretary); in Area B (Genomics); Ian edition of the Newsletter. Any and Anne Ferguson-Smith Henderson (Cambridge) in Area C member in good standing is (Committee member Area A, (Cell and developmental genetics) eligible to submit Gene structure, function and and Jon Slate (Sheffield) in Area D nominations. regulation). (Applied and quantitative genetics).

www.genetics.org.uk . 9 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 10

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 10

Upcoming Byelaw Changes

Committee few updates have been to the byelaws. In addition, the frequency by Amade to the Genetics which a young scientist can apply for awards has Vacancies Society’s byelaws. The Society also been revised. Finally, the responsibility for offers a number of grants and handling meeting sponsorship requests has been bursaries to support the transferred from the Honorary Treasurer to the Six Committee posts will be training of young scientists and Scientific Meetings Secretary. falling vacant, as of 1 May to make it possible for them to All updated information regarding funding 2012: attend scientific meetings schemes can be found at www.genetics.org.uk. involving the study of Genetics. In addition, the Society helps to Minutes of the April 2011 AGM and a list of 1. Vice-President for sponsor meetings in the field of Committee members can be found on the Corporate Affairs Genetics. In order to facilitate Society’s web site. We thank all of the Society the provision of these funding members who participated in the AGM by voting 2. Vice-President for schemes, the Society has made in advance online and also in person. We hope External Affairs several changes to its byelaws. that you were able to negotiate the online voting In particular, references to system with ease. However, if you have 3. Honorary Secretary specific monetary values experienced any problems in participating in attached to each scheme have online voting or in receiving emails from the 4. Post-Graduate been removed; instead, a Genetics Society Office, please contact the Representative funding matrix providing this Society’s Administrative Officer Ann Ross by information has been appended email at [email protected]. 5. Committee member Area “E”(Evolutionary, ecological and population genetics)

6. Committee member Area “F” (Corporate genetics and biotechnology)

Members of the Committee will nominate a ballot of Get involved! candidates; however, all members in good standing The Genetics Society is now on facebook. are welcome to nominate The facebook group provides information individuals for these about upcoming events that may be of upcoming vacancies from interest to members in addition to members of the Society. promoting informal discussion amongst all Nominations should be sent those who share an interest in genetics. via email to the Honorary The group may be of particular interest to Secretary Patricia postgraduate student members of the Kuwabara Genetics Society, with a wide variety of ([email protected]) postgraduate events and opportunities in time for a deadline of currently being publicised on the group. Friday, December 2nd, 2011. Nominations must be made with the nominee's consent.

10 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 11

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 11

Life Membership The JBS Haldane Lecture 2012 in the Genetics Society he JBS Haldane Lecture will J.B.S. Haldane a consummate sci- Trecognise an individual for ence communicator outstanding ability to communicate ave you reached the age topical subjects in genetics Hof retirement (65), but research, widely interpreted, to an wish to continue with your interested lay audience. This involvement in the Society? speaker will have a flair for If so, and you are an ordinary conveying the relevance and member who has discharged excitement of recent advances in any arrears the might be due genetics in an informative and to the Society, then you might engaging way. consider applying to become The annual open lecture will be a Life Member of the Society. delivered on a topic, and in a candidate is willing to be Life members will continue to place, agreed with the Genetics nominated, then submit both a receive notices and remain Society. The recipient will be two-page CV and a short eligible to vote in the Society selected by a committee chaired explanation of how the AGM, but will not be required by the Genetics Society’s Vice candidate meets these criteria. to pay further subscriptions. President for the Public Recipients of the Genetics In addition to delivering the Understanding of Genetics Society Medal will also be Lecture, the nominee will receive (Steve Jones) from nominations offered Life Membership. an honorarium of £1,000 and a made by Society members. Please email the Society at: three-year membership of the [email protected] Nominees need not be members Society. A call for nominations should you require additional of the Society, but should be and the deadline for submitting information. active researchers working in the applications will be announced UK. To make a nomination, in the next issue of the Genetics please confirm that your Society Newsletter.

Balfour Lecture 2013 Call for Nominations

he Balfour Lecture, named nomination, and that any Lecturer; the Lecture is normally delivered at the Tafter the Genetics Society’s nomination must be made with Society’s annual spring meeting. Note that there first President, is an award to the consent of the nominee. is no restriction on the subject matter of the mark the contributions to Those making nominations Balfour Lecture. To make a nomination, please genetics of an outstanding must be members of the confirm that your candidate is willing to be young investigator. The Balfour Genetics Society, but there is no nominated, then forward a two-page CV of the Lecturer is elected by the requirement for the nominee to candidate, together with a list of his or her ten Society’s Committee on the be a member, nor is there any most important publications, plus a one-page basis of nominations made by restriction on nationality or letter of recommendation outlining why you feel any individual member of the residence. Örjan Carlborg will their contributions to the field have been Society. The only conditions are present the 2012 Balfour outstanding. These documents must be that the recipient of the award Lecture at the ICQG4 submitted electronically to the Honorary must normally have less than conference in Edinburgh. Secretary of the Society, Patricia Kuwabara, by 10 years’ postdoctoral research Nominations are now being Friday, December 2, 2011 at experience at the time of invited for the 2013 Balfour [email protected].

www.genetics.org.uk . 11 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 12

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 12

Genetics Society Medal 2013 Call for Nominations

he Genetics Society Medal or residence. Neither current nomination, please confirm Tis an award that recognizes members of the Committee nor that your candidate is willing to outstanding research those who have retired from be nominated, then forward a contributions to genetics. The office in the past four years two-page CV of the candidate, Medal recipient, who should may be nominated for the together with a list of his or her still be active in research at the award. The recipient will be ten most important time the Medal is awarded, will invited to deliver a lecture at a publications, plus a one-page be elected annually by the Genetics Society meeting, letter of recommendation Committee on the basis of where the medal will be outlining why you feel their nominations made by any awarded, in the year following contributions to the field have individual member of the his/her election. Stephen West been outstanding. These Society. Those making will present the Genetics documents must be submitted nominations must be members Society Medal lecture for 2012. electronically to the Honorary of the Genetics Society, but Secretary of the Genetics there is no requirement for the Nominations are now being Society, Patricia Kuwabara, by nominee to be a member, nor invited for the 2013 Genetics Friday, December 2, 2011 at any restriction on nationality Society Medal. To make a [email protected].

The Sir Kenneth Mather Memorial Prize Call for Nominations

We are seeking nominations setting out the case for the genetics, one from the for this annual prize, of £150, nomination, including relevant and to reward a BSc, MSc or PhD comparison with other the other nominated by the UK student of any UK University students where possible. Genetics Society. Decisions or Research Institution who Nominations should be sent to will be announced in has shown outstanding the Head of School, School of December 2011. performance in the area of Biosciences, The University of quantitative or population Birmingham, Birmingham, genetics. B15 2TT, clearly labelled as a Nominations should be made nomination for "The Sir between July 1st and Kenneth Mather Memorial November 1st 2011 through the Prize". local Head of Department or Nominations will be assessed School of the nominee. by a panel of two people with Nominations should consist of experience in the area of no more than one page of A4, quantitative/population

12 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 13

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 13

and The Genetics Society

research, share scientific ResearchGATE methods and collaborate online, Genetics Discussion it is also completely free of Groups is the leading charge. ResearchGATE brings together hundreds of professional researchers who are interested and/or social network Literature working in genetics as well as numerous relating to discussion groups for geneticists. for scientists Genetics The largest group called Genetics has over 1,170 members and researchers ResearchGATE’s internal www.researchgate.net/group/Genetics Literature search engine allows to collaborate, users to search through seven major databases and over 1,000 Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology has share and Open Access databases around 300 members simultaneously, including www.researchgate.net/group/Genetic_Engin network. Pubmed, ArXic, IEE and eering_and_Biotechnology CiteSeer among others. There are over 10,000 abstracts and Genetic Epidemiology has 135 members hundreds of fulltexts related to www.researchgate.net/group/Genetic_Epide Genetics on ResearchGATE. Facilitating miology communication Jobs in There is also a Methods Group with over and scientific 2,700 members. This Group provides Genetics researchers with a place to ask questions collaboration regarding lab methods and discussing the ResearchGATE’s international development of new applications. ResearchGATE is the leading job board offers around 1,000 professional social network for positions in research, science www.researchgate.net/group/Methods/ scientists and researchers to and higher education. Around collaborate, share and network. 100 of those are related to After just two years of being Genetics! Members from The online more than 450,000 users Genetics Society looking for from 196 countries have work can receive rss feeds for registered. ResearchGATE Genetics jobs in particular, in For more information, please visit enables users to connect with order to keep informed when www.researchgate.net colleagues, discover new there are new jobs.

www.genetics.org.uk . 13 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 14

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 14

Local Representatives

he Local Representative acts as a key liaison between the membership and the Society’s Office and TCommittee by helping to recruit new members, publicising the Society’s scientific meetings and other activities, and in providing feedback from the membership on matters of professional concern. The Society normally appoints only one local representative 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. We seek to fill vacancies and to update our database of Local Representatives on a yearly basis. Should you wish to volunteer as a local representative or if existing representatives wish to update their contact details, please contact the Honorary Secretary, Patricia Kuwabara by Email at [email protected].

SEE FULL LIST ON PAGE 14>

14 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 15

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 15

Genetics Society Local Representatives

Aberdeen -vacant- University of Aberdeen Aberystwyth Dr Glyn Jenkins [email protected] Ascot -vacant- Imperial College Bath Dr Steve Dorus University of Bath [email protected] Belfast -vacant- Queen's University of Belfast Birmingham Prof FCH Franklin University of Birmingham [email protected] Brighton Dr Felicity Z Watts University of Sussex [email protected] Bristol Prof Patty Kuwabara University of Bristol (SOMs) [email protected] Bristol Dr Colin M Lazarus University of Bristol (Biol. Sci) [email protected] Cambridge -vacant- University of Cambridge Cardiff Dr Timothy Bowen University of Wales College of Medicine [email protected] Cardiff -vacant- University of Cardiff Coventry -vacant- University of Warwick Dublin -vacant- University of Dublin Dundee Prof Micahel JR Stark University of Dundee [email protected] Edinburgh Dr David Burt Roslin Institute [email protected] Edinburgh Dr Veronica van Heyningen MRC Human Genetics Unit [email protected] Exeter Sarah E. Flanagan PhD University of Exeter [email protected] Glasgow Dr Iain L Johnstone University of Glasgow [email protected] Glasgow Dr K O'Dell University of Glasgow [email protected] Guildford Dr Peter G Sanders University of Surrey [email protected] Hull Heather Sealy-Lewis University of Hull [email protected] Kent Prof Mick F Tuite University of Kent [email protected] Leeds Elizabeth Valleley University of Leeds [email protected] Leicester Dr Ed Hollox University of Leicester [email protected] London Prof EMC Fisher Nat'l Hosp for Neurology & Neurosurgery e.fisher@.ucl.ac.uk London -vacant- Imperial College (Hammersmith) London Dr Kevin M O'Hare Imperial College [email protected] London Dr Richard A Nichols Queen Mary and Westfield College [email protected] London Dr Stephen Ansell The Natural History Museum [email protected] London Dr Francesca Mackenzie University College London [email protected] Manchester -vacant- Newcastle Dr Kirsten Wolff University of Newcastle (Biol Sci) [email protected] Norwich -vacant- University of East Anglia Norwich -vacant- John Innes Centre Nottingham Dr John FY Brookfield University of Nottingham [email protected] Nottingham Dr Richard D. Emes University of Nottingham [email protected] Oxford Dr SE Kearsey University of Oxford (Zoology) [email protected] Oxford Prof Liam Dolan Dept of plant sciences [email protected] Oxford Prof Andrew OM Wilkie University of Oxford [email protected] Plymouth Dr David J Price University of Plymouth [email protected] Reading Dr Louise Johnson University of Reading [email protected] Richmond -vacant- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Sheffield Dr Jon Slate University of Sheffield [email protected] Southampton Dr Chris Franks University of Southampton [email protected] St Andrews Prof Mike Ritchie University of St Andrews [email protected] Stirling Dr Cecile Bacles University of Stirling [email protected] Swansea Dr George E Johnson Swansea University [email protected] Ulster Dr Colum Walsh University of Ulster [email protected] Warwick Dr. Jose Gutierrez-Marcos University of Warwick [email protected] York Dr Gonzola Blanco University of York [email protected]

www.genetics.org.uk . 15 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 16

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 16

Mendel Medal 2012

Eric Lander originally trained complex traits that Lander has as a mathematician at been consistently at the Princeton and Oxford, but he forefront over the past twenty- reputedly found life as a pure five years. From his first mathematician too “monastic” encounter with David Botstein, because it is such a lonely when they engaged in pursuit, so he was eventually argument on how statistics seduced by the more gregarious might be used to study the nature of biology and genetics. genetics of polygenic traits, Of course he has continued to many novel approaches have use mathematical approaches emerged, first under the Lander and did not abandon the clarity name often with illustrious of thought that distinguishes collaborators, like Botstein. the best mathematicians. He Lander has been consistently says he picked up biology and associated with concepts such genetics more or less casually as homozygosity mapping, the “on the street corners” (albeit move from RFLPs to SNPs, the on the street corners of revival of linkage Cambridge Massachusetts), but disequilibrium leading to the this approach has served him, development of haplotype maps and us, well. and the Hapmap project, progress in human genetics, The 2012 Mendel enabling genome-wide with elegant sidetracks to other Medalist Eric Lander From the earliest stages, (Courtesy of Len association studies. species. His talks are arresting Lander played a major role in Rubenstein). Discussions on the role of and invigorating; he speaks the human and mouse genome common variants in common clearly, logically. He is a most projects, setting up high- disease were enriched by worthy Mendel Medallist for throughput analysis at the Lander’s contributions, as well the Genetics Society and a Whitehead Institute and MIT, as how to search for signs of wonderful keynote speaker for where in 1990 he established the specific selection in the human the 4th International Congress Center for Genome Research genome, or the systematic of Quantitative Genetics where (WICGR). Data and biological identification of regulatory his breadth and foresight will resources were made instantly element binding sites. With the surely stimulate future available – collaboration and advent of improved genome- research and the development team work was the name of the wide association maps, the of new strategies in game. Many new tools and daunting task of unravelling quantitative genetics. resources had to be developed epistatic interactions has been before the fun part of that embraced by Lander and stage, putting together and colleagues. using the maps, could be enjoyed. But it is perhaps in The list of Lander publications developing methods to study constitutes a roadmap of

16 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 17

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 17

Genetics Society Medal 2012 Balfour Lecture2012 Stephen C. West Örjan Carlborg

recombination. In turn, Steve The Genetics Society is pleased identified and purified both to announce that the 2012 the RAD51 recombinase and Balfour Lecture will be the long elusive GEN1 awarded to Örjan Carlborg. The Holliday junction resolvase Balfour Lecture, named after from human cells. These the Genetics Society’s first seminal studies underpin our President, is an award to mark present understanding of the the contributions to genetics of A happy 2012 molecular basis of DNA an outstanding young Balfour Lecturer, Örjan Carlborg recombination. Steve’s investigator. Örjan Carlborg research has also produced received his PhD in 2002 at the many key insights into the department of Animal The 2012 Genetics Society mechanisms underlying DNA Breeding and Genetics of The Medalist, Stephen West repair and genome Swedish University of maintenance and tumour Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, The Genetics Society is avoidance. The purification of Sweden. With a grant from the Knut and Alice pleased to announce that Dr the BRCA2 tumour Wallenberg foundation he did his post-doctoral Stephen West (CRUK) will be suppressor, which is mutated research at The Roslin Institute in Scotland awarded the 2012 Genetics in a significant proportion of and subsequently was a lecturer in Society Medal for his individuals with a Bioinformatics at the University of Uppsala. In contributions to the fields of predisposition to breast March 2008 he started his Computational genetic recombination and cancer, enabled Steve to Genetics group at SLU where he was promoted DNA repair. The Genetics demonstrate that BRCA2 acts to professor in 2009. Örjan received his Society Medal is an award as a molecular chaperone that undergraduate training in animal breeding that recognizes outstanding directs the loading of RAD51 and genetics but has since made notable research contributions to recombinase to sites of DNA impact in the area of statistical and genetics. Steve’s early work on damage. Steve’s research has computational genetics. He has several high genetic recombination led to also provided links between impact publications to his name and what the development of elegant in DNA repair and makes them all the more impressive is that vitro systems for homologous neurodegenerative diseases, these are primarily the result of his own pairing and strand exchange such as Ataxia and innovative research ideas. Faced with the same by the E. coli RecA protein; Oculomotor Apraxia. Taken experimental data, many of his colleagues these studies were followed by together, Steve’s research would settle for a standard analysis and his discovery of the first exemplifies how genetics publication in more specialist journals. His Holliday junction resolvase combined with biochemical attention to detail and thorough statistical RuvC and branch migration and cell biological approaches scrutiny make him a popular collaborator, even RuvA and RuvB, can provide a mechanistic for groups that are already well versed in which ultimately led to the understanding of methodology. We are looking forward to a very development of an in vitro fundamental cellular exciting Balfour lecture at the ICQG4 system of DNA processes. conference in Edinburgh in 2012.

www.genetics.org.uk . 17 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 18

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 18

Coming Soon 4th International Conference on Quantitative Genetics

The study of the inheritance of improve health and food conference.org.uk) has been those quantitative or complex production. Quantitative appointed as the company to traits that do not have simple genetics is very much alive and manage the local arrangements. Mendelian inheritance has been kicking! We have planned the a focus of research in Britain Scientists in Britain have conference in a set of nine since the rediscovery of continued to be leaders in this broadly based themes (see flyer Mendel’s work. Indeed the first area, so it is appropriate that in this Newsletter), which model of how continuous traits The Genetics Society has kindly between them span most of the such as height could be agreed to sponsor the 4th activity and developments in determined by multiple loci was International Conference on quantitative genetics and the proposed by Yule in 1902, and Quantitative Genetics, which is underlying science, with one despite the resistance of the to be held in at the Edinburgh designated ‘Emerging areas’ to biometricians such as Pearson, International Conference cover the latest developments the defining analysis was by Centre in 2012. Previous hot off the press. Each session Fisher in his famous (but Conferences were held in Ames, will occupy half a day, in which difficult) 1918 paper. Diseases Iowa, Raleigh, North Carolina, we will typically have two main with familial incidence but no and Hangzhou, China. general papers and a number of simple inheritance pattern can shorter ones on specific topics, also be analysed by the same The local organising committee some invited and some selected methods, assuming the action has sought advice from an from submitted posters. and interaction of multiple International Advisory genes. New methodologies, Committee (see flyer elsewhere We are hoping to raise notably in genomics, are in this Newsletter for detail) to sponsorship from industry and providing new data and draw up an exciting programme other bodies and their approaches to tackle the to be presented by the best exhibition stands will be on problems of understanding the internationally renowned view at refreshment and lunch inheritance of such traits and speakers in the area. In breaks, all within the in using the knowledge to Conference (www.in- outstanding EICC venue, which

Quantitative genetics is very much alive and kicking!

18 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 19

GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 19

Bill Hill . University of Edinburgh ([email protected]) 17th - 22nd June 2012, Edinburgh www.icqg2012.org.uk

is close to the city centre and to Greg Gibson, Mark Kirkpatrick, many hotels and other Theo Meuwissen, and Bruce 4th International accommodation. We hope also Walsh. Further details will be Conference to be able to provide support for made available on the web site. on Quantitative some junior attendees (see also The Conference will start with Genetics ICQG2012 Gen Soc web site for Society a mixer on Sunday evening 17 – 22 June 2012 Key Dates sponsored events). Edinburgh International Friday 3 February 2012 Abstract Submission Deadline for Oral abstracts only June 17 and end with a banquet Conference Centre, Friday 6 April 2012 Abstract Submission Deadline for Poster abstracts only Scotland, UK Friday 3 February 2012 Early bird registration deadline We are pleased that two on Friday June 22. Between www.icqg2012.org.uk Sunday 10 June 2012 Pre-conference registration closes

Genetics Society awardees have sessions there will be plenty of Conference Themes: 1. The Genetic Architecture of Complex Traits Current understanding of the genetic control of agreed to deliver their lectures time for informal discussion, complex trait variation - Genome-wide association studies and beyond. 2. Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics at the conference: Eric Lander and we expect some satellite Selective forces on quantitative traits and the maintenance of variation. 3. Variation in the Genome (Mendel Medal) and Örjan symposia to be arranged. There Sequence, structural and epigenetic variation and its phenotypic consequences. 4. Advances from New Numerical Methods Advances in our understanding of quantitative Carlborg (Balfour Lecturer) (see will be particular opportunity traits from new statistical, computational and modelling approaches and utilisation of computing power. notices in this Newsletter). We on the Wednesday afternoon 5. Opportunities from Technological Advances Potential impact of the $1000 genome and other new methods and approaches on our understanding of are delighted with the when there will be no formal quantitative variation. 6. Bridging the Genotype-Phenotype Gap Networks and pathways connecting DNA variants to responses we have had to sessions, and a Gen Soc trait variation - approaches and models. 7. Interactions among Individuals and with the Environment Genetic interactions and covariation with the invitations to speakers. A draft postgraduate symposium is environment, in social groups and between species. 8. Genomic Information in Prediction Prediction of disease risk and performance in humans, programme will be issued soon, already being planned then. We plants and animals and use in health care and plant and animal breeding. 9. Emerging Areas but those who have agreed to are also arranging for short New frontiers in research and late breaking results.

speak include: Goncalo courses to be delivered in the Local Organising Committee International Marie-Anne Felix, France Juha Merilä, Finland Bill Hill (Chair) Advisory Committee Jonathan Flint, UK Bill Muir, USA Lutz Bünger David Allison, USA Greg Gibson, USA Patrick Phillips, USA Chris Haley David Balding, UK Mike Goddard, Australia Daniel Pomp, USA Mike Kearsey Piter Bijma, Netherlands Ary Hoffman, Australia Pak Sham, China Abecasis, Piter Bijma, Ed weeks before and after the DJ de Koning Rachel Brem, USA Fred Hospital, France Fred van Eeuwijk, Netherlands Loeske Kruuk Ed Buckler, USA Mark Lathrop, France Peter Visscher, Australia Josephine Pemberton Andrew Clark, USA Trudy Mackay, USA Bruce Walsh, USA Supported by Alan Wright Mark Daly, USA Albrecht Melchinger, Germany A SU,rieWecurB Buckler, Mark Blows, Gustavo conference. Rebecca Doerge, USA Qifa Zhang, China de los Campos, Richard Durbin, We look forward to seeing you Jarrod Hadfield, Ben Hayes, at the 4th International Matt Hurles, Frank Johannes, Conference on Quantitative Trudy Mackay, Mark McCarthy, Genetics in Edinburgh in June Magnus Nordberg, Patrick next year. If, meanwhile, you Phillips, Chris-Carolin Schoen, have any queries that are not Local organising committee: Lutz Bünger, Chris Nik Schork, John Storey, Peter answered on the web page, Haley, Bill Hill (Chair), Mike Kearsey, Loeske Visscher and Alastair Wilson. please ask one of the committee Kruuk, DJ de Koning, Josephine Pemberton, Chairs who will lead and members or In Conference as Alan Wright introduce sessions include appropriate. David Balding, Michel Georges,

www.genetics.org.uk . 19 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 20

GENETICS SOCIETY MEETING REPORTS 20

The Genetics Society Spring Meeting Transposable Elements - Are They Good For You After All?

Surgeon’s Hall, Edinburgh, 1st April 2011

John Brookfield

Transposable elements form a of their hosts to large proportion of the their ability to replicate genome of vertebrates, faster than the rest of the plants, and a significant genome. However, there is proportion of the genomes of also evidence that these many other groups, In this sequences may evolve new sense, they are major functions that are useful to determinants of genome size the host and there is still and structure, but it is fair to much to discover about the say that we still do not know frequency and the what is their contribution to evolutionary importance of the evolution of the this phenomenon. phenotype. Clearly their actions must be mutagenic, Mark Batzer (Louisiana State and mutations contribute the University) started the variation on which adaptive meeting by leading the evolution is based. There is audience though the types of convincing evidence that mobile found in transposable elements owe primate genomes, focussing their maintenance in the on the non-LTR

Laurence Hurst he Spring meeting, proudly displays his Torganized by Brian There is convincing evidence Genetics Society Medal Charlesworth and David Finnegan, took place at the that transposable elements luxurious location of the Surgeon’s Hall in Edinburgh. owe their maintenance in the An audience of approximately 80 were treated to seven presentations about genomes of their hosts to transposable elements, followed by The Genetics their ability to replicate faster Society Medal Lecture from . than the rest of the genome.

20 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 21

GENETICS SOCIETY MEETING REPORTS 21

retroelements, and in Is it possible to identify the particular the SVA elements, functional impact of hybrid elements found only in evolutionary changes in the hominoids. In the human transposable elements? Adam and chimpanzee genomes, Eyre-Walker (University of both the L1 LINE element and Sussex) presented an approach the Alu SINE element are to the identification of the transpositionally active, effect of transposable although only a tiny subset of elements on the evolution of the hundreds of thousands of . Insertions of element copies in the genome mobile DNAs near structural are acting as templates for genes in either the human or new transposition events. An chimpanzee lineages are interesting comparator of identified and genes can thus human transposable element be classified into those that biology has been supplied by have and those that lack such the sequencing of the insertions, and the location of Sumatran orangutan (Pongo the insertions can also be abelii) genome, along with categorised (intronic, 0-2kb short sequence reads from upstream, etc.). Using tissue- further individuals of the specific array data for humans species and from the Bornean and chimpanzees, it is possible orangutan P. pygmaeus. The to assess the divergence in data reveal that, while the expression pattern of a given rates of LINE-1 and SVA gene between the two species. insertions in the orangutan Using this approach, and patterns also tend to Adam Eyre-Walker in lecture mode lineage are compatible to the pooling across elements and accumulate transposable rates seen for these elements regions, it was possible to elements, but suggesting that in the human and show that genes which had the latter is not the cause of chimpanzee lineages, the Alu transposable element the former. These results elements have been, for insertions in human or form, however, an interesting reasons that remain unclear, chimpanzee lineages indeed contrast with an earlier study surprisingly inactive, with showed significantly more on the mouse and , where a only 250 orangutan-specific expression divergence than significant correlation Alu insertions, genome-wide. other genes. This result is between lineage-specific The is consistent with the insertions transposable element also revealing new biological of the transposable elements insertions and expression insights into human mobile being the cause of the divergence was also found. In DNAs. While all the mobile expression divergence, but these rodents, however, no DNA insertions fixed in our does not, in itself, demonstrate correlation was seen between species are now known, as causality. Indeed, a further pre-existing shared mouse-rat more and more genomes are analysis showed that genes transposable element characterised, mobile DNA that differed in their insertions and subsequent insertions with lower transposable elements mouse versus rat expression frequencies can be identified, between the human-chimp divergence. The rodent data, if and the overall distribution of ancestor and the macaque their difference from the the frequencies within the also showed higher human- primate case is not, in some population of polymorphic chimp expression divergence, way, a consequence of the transposable elements at indicating that the genes that increased mouse-rat individual sites obtained. evolve diverged expression evolutionary distance, are

www.genetics.org.uk . 21 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 22

GENETICS SOCIETY MEETING REPORTS 22

thus consistent with new higher than the original SB Since the creation of the mobile DNA insertions indeed element. This is now a vital family, the amino acid contributing to interspecies tool in somatic mutagenesis, sequences of the functional gene expression divergence. transduction and gene members of the family have therapy. Dr. Izsvak described been under selective While the advantages of her recent work on the control constraint, indicating a mobile DNAs to their host are of transposition of the function that must be still uncertain in most cases, element and the relationship operating at the level of the mobile DNAs are between its transposition and host. Also found in unquestionably good suppliers the stress response. angiosperms is the of tools for molecular domesticated transposable biologists, the most potent of Thomas Bureau (McGill element family MUSTANG, which, in the vertebrate University) described cases in containing many members context, is the reactivated which the contribution of again shown, through the Sleeping Beauty (SB) element transposable element-derived detection of purifying described by Zsuzsanna sequences to host fitness was selection on the amino acid Izsvak (Max Delbrueck unequivocal, in his account of sequence of what are now Centrum, Berlin). This is a “domesticated” transposable non-mobile elements, to be class II cut-and-paste elements in plants. There are carrying out a function of transposable element created DNA sequences of plant benefit to the hosts, a function in 1997 as a reanimated Tc1- genomes that become that is now being like element from fish, in “transduplicated” through the investigated. which an active element was actions of transposable artificially produced as the elements, particularly Plant and mammal genomes consensus of now inactive through MULEs (Mutator-like have long memories of the elements. However, while elements). While almost all transposable element families active, the element’s the DNAs mobilised in this that have, in the past, transposition rate was lower way have become proliferated, diversified, and than that required for some of pseudogenes, an exception is become inactive and thus the uses envisaged. Thus, seen in Arabidopsis, in a “extinct”, but which continue through a process of DNA family of genes that has been to reside in the chromosomes. shuffling, with products being named KAONASHI. The The life and death of a assessed in a high-throughput Arabidopsis genome contains transposable element family transposition assay, a around 100 members of this can be followed, with the modified version - SB 100x family of genes (and genomic preservation of the (named as a “Molecule of the pseudogenes), derived, via now-inactive DNA elements in Year” in 2009) was identified, MULEs, from a Ubiquitin-like multiple descendant species with a rate of transposition protein-specific protease, at allowing us to trace the events approximately a hundred-fold least fifteen million years ago. of many tens of millions of While the advantages of mobile DNAs to their host are still uncertain in most cases, mobile DNAs are unquestionably good suppliers of tools for molecular biologists

22 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:07 Page 23

GENETICS SOCIETY MEETING REPORTS 23

study of transposable element dynamics from the twelve fully sequenced Drosophila species genomes, large-scale transposon insertion mutagenesis collections and a new map of the landscape from the modENCODE project. Results were presented using these resources on the identification of the determinants of the P element insertion process and target site preferences for a large number of TE families in Drosophila.

While between 40 and 50 % of the human genome consists of mobile DNAs or their now- inactive descendants, this is not the highest proportion seen in . Hugo Dooner (Rutgers University) described the remarkable genomes of maize (Zea mays) in which transposable elements constitute 85% of the genomes, and in which Hugo Dooner talks about maize. different strains differ greatly in their genomic structure, as a result of their different years ago. However, Casey LTR retrotransposons, almost transposable element Bergman (University of no sequence divergence exists arrangements, particularly of Manchester) revealed that, in between copies seen in the their LTR retrotransposons. In Drosophila, the biology of Drosophila melanogaster particular, the maize genome transposable elements is genome, consistent with their contains high numbers of the much more dynamic, with invasion and genomic spread remarkable and highly mobile more than 125 sequence much more recently than the helitrons, unusual elements families described, each with split with the closest sibling that replicate via a rolling what, compared to species, Drosophila simulans. circle mechanism, and which vertebrates, are low copy Dr. Bergman revealed how carry numerous genomic numbers. The higher turnover genomic resources now sequences. The result of the of DNA sequences in the available in this genus can be mobile element activity in genomes of flies has the effect used to study the evolution this species is that haplotypes that the mobile DNAs, like the and mechanisms of are enormously different in Red Queen, have to keep transposition of TEs, such as sequence, and only the active or be lost completely, at population genomic data from structural genes are least from the euchromatin. next generation sequencing of consistently alignable. This Indeed, for most families of multiple individuals, the has a consequence for

www.genetics.org.uk . 23 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 24

GENETICS SOCIETY MEETING REPORTS 24

recombination, which shuns containing R2 elements but, yeast. How are these the helitrons and the clusters rather, that a low R2 observations linked? One of retrotransposons, and, even rate is seen if possibility is that essential within the structural genes, there exists a block of genes accumulate in regions shows hot and cold spots. contiguous rDNA units of open chromatin, and lacking R2s. But simulations reveal that this The R2 elements of recombination allows the accumulation process is Drosophila, described by introduction of R2-bearing possible over the evolutionary Thomas Eickbush (University repeat units into these blocks, timescale, and also predict the of Rochester), are an unusual allowing some R2 observation that the genomic type of element, in that they transcription, and thus the positions of essential genes insert only into the tandemly- transposition that allows the are less evolutionarily labile repeated ribosomal RNA R2 element’s continued than are the positions of non- genes. These class I elements existence. essential genes. Similarly, in (moving via an RNA route) Saccharomyces cerevisiae, inactivate the rDNA unit into The seven transposable divergent transcription from which they insert, yet have element presentations were bidirectional promoters is been maintained stably in the followed by the presentation associated with lower noise in genome, notwithstanding from Genetics Society Medal gene product abundance than their solely vertical winner Laurence Hurst is seen with other genes. This inheritance. The rDNA units, (University of Bath), entitled is explicable through the and the R2 elements within “Looking after the sharing of the effects of an them, are subject to constant neighbourhood: noise open chromatin configuration. turnover processes, creating abatement, genome evolution In these terms, one transcript concerted evolution, which and the utility of enigmatic can have effects on the noise would, in combination with non-coding DNAs”. His overall levels of another, and, indeed, natural selection, be expected view was that much of what is the transcription of non- to cause the loss of the R2 seen in genome architecture coding RNAs is associated elements in the absence of can be seen as adaptation to with reduced noise from a transpositional regeneration. reducing noise in gene divergent , as The transcription that forms expression. For example, it expected is non-coding the first step of the has been shown in multiple transcription is a noise- transposition of R2 comes genomes that essential genes reduction mechanism for about through the are clustered in their genomic functional transcription from transcription of the rDNA locations. It has also been adjacent promoters. Further unit in which the R2 is shown that, statistically, analyses extended analysis of contained. But the Drosophila essential genes show lower noise reduction to consider host favours the transcription levels of noise in the gene order in bacterial of the active rDNAs, through abundance of their protein . a mechanism in which a block products, at least in budding of rDNA units free of R2 insertions is identified in the nucleolus, and the rDNA transcripts are created from His overall view was that much of such a block. It is seen that the property of an array of what is seen in genome architecture rDNA units that best correlates with the level of R2 can be seen as adaptation to reducing transcription is not its overall length, or the number of units noise in gene expression.

24 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 50 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 25

Discover the latest genetic research from Heredity

Heredity’s original articles cover new theory and primary empirical research. The journal also publishes regular reviews and news & commentary articles.

Discover Heredity today at www.nature.com/hdy Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 26

GENETICS SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 26

Gene Jury Pupil Conference Engaging in Modern Genetics

29th March 2011, University of Edinburgh.

Heather McQueen . School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh.

fter a devastating last the day pupils encountered has a soul or a conscious mind?” Aminute cancellation in such themes as embryonic stem and “Who do you think should December due to adverse cells, embryonic development decide about the use of stem weather, the Gene Jury and pre-implantation genetic cells?” Predictably, a wide range conference welcomed the senior diagnosis (PGD), genetic of opinions was displayed, pupils (S5-S6) of 9 secondary testing, and genetic although the majority of schools hailing from 6 regions modification. Each pupil was delegates agreed that everyone across Scotland, with the offer gifted a copy of the University’s should have a say in such issues. of travel bursaries ensuring “Stem Cells: Science and The absence of a single common wide participation. Ethics” booklet and a Gene opinion on the use of stem cells Jury pen, while teachers left allowed Christina to finish by The conference was the clutching all the tutorial highlighting the need for us all to centerpiece of this year’s Gene resource material. continue to discuss these issues. Jury project, led collaboratively by the University of Edinburgh After a warm welcome, pupils The first of our two guest and Scottish Schools and teachers were immediately speakers was Dr Chris Armit Equipment Research Centre engaged in an interactive (MRC, Human Genetics Unit, (SSERC). Gene Jury is a public exercise on the ethics of stem Edinburgh). Dr. Armit has been engagement project that aims cell research, compiled and collaborating with the Mouse to engage, inform and enthuse presented by Christina Atlas Project at the MRC Human school pupils (from primary 4 to Berneheim, an undergraduate Genetics Unit to create stunning secondary 6, aged 8-18) in Biology student from visual 3D animations of mouse modern genetics, via hands-on Edinburgh University. Christina embryonic development. Pupils interaction, up-to-date began with a series of videos were first treated to Dr Armit’s information and bioethical including emotionally haunting video discussion and reflection. compelling videos in favour of “”, which features and against stem cell research, a ballet of early mouse embryos The day consisted of a mixture and her own bespoke video to in 3D, with various body systems of presenter led talks, tutorial explain the generation of brightly stained, slowly rotating activities, pupil presentations, embryonic stem cells (featuring to the sound of Puccini. Pupils and a question and answer a grape graced with a tail watched enthralled as this was panel discussion. Interaction masquerading as a sperm cell). followed by a time regression was maintained throughout This was very well received by video showing a human embryo talks via hand-held voting pupils. Delegates were invited to ‘undeveloping’, growing a tail “clickers” which allowed pupils consider, discuss and use and regressing gradually to a 2 to feed back their “clickers” to respond to a series cell, followed by a single cell understanding and opinions on of ethical questions including embryo. Not limited to the topic in hand. Throughout “When do you think an embryo embryonic development,

26 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 27

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 27

together their own presentation in response to a genetic dilemma involving family conflict over the use of PGD or genetic testing in families affected by cystic fibrosis or Huntington’s disease. Pupils were challenged to develop their fictional stories to include the outcome 10 years on. Rising admirably to the challenge, the best presentation from each tutorial was presented in front of the entire conference and included some inspired dramatic technique. Genetic results were revealed, for example, on the Jeremy Kyle Pupils also had time to relax and get creative during the tutorial sessions show by one group, whilst others featured a science fiction Dr Armit also showed us a host order to encourage relaxed style time vortex, a rather of captivating videos of discussion and participation. In volatile episode of “This different cell types going about the tutorial, pupils were asked morning” and a good dose of their daily business of growing to perform mock genetic tests healthy rivalry between some of and moving, forming on pre-implantation embryos the Perth schools attending. In connections or beating and decide their fate, to rank the end the Gene Jury trophy depending on their cellular the importance of nine was awarded to a particularly identity, one highlight being the different foreseeable uses of moving solo performance neutrophil chasing a bacterium PGD and to draft and amend a contributed by St. John’s around the blood before law on gender selection, Academy, Perth, which was the catching and ingesting its prey. amongst other things. Special well deserved clear winner Dr Armit left us with the guests at the conference, such according to the voting fascinating recent discovery of as representatives of the audience. michrochaerism whereby Scottish Qualification mothers of sons are frequently Authority and of the Scottish After this rather hard act to left carrying Y chromosomes Government Science follow, our second guest from stem cells that have Engagement section and the speaker, Professor Helen Sang transferred from baby to director of teaching for biology from the Roslin Institute did so mother. at Edinburgh University, impressively, regaling us with accompanied pupils throughout tales of “Hens that lay golden The delegates were then tutorials to witness and eggs: GM animals how and why distributed into seven separate participate in the lively to make them.” Not only did tutorial rooms where pupils interaction that ensued. Professor Sang’s talk give clear and teachers were led through a and concise explanations of GM series of eight connected hands- The final activity of the tutorial and its use in animals, but it on activities by SSERC and challenged pupils to put also featured some cute chicks University of Edinburgh staff. Pupils were kept within their school groups, and the Pupils were challenged to develop their fictional stories atmosphere kept informal in to include the outcome 10 years on.

www.genetics.org.uk . 27 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 28

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 28

ethical matters, this also afforded an opportunity for discussion of scientific careers.

As well as an overwhelmingly positive evaluative report commissioned from an attending teacher, delegates evaluated the conference using simple rating scales of 1-5 on each of the 6 presentations as well as “catering” and “conference overall”. From 110 responses collected, all 8 categories achieved average ratings of 75% or more, with the highest average rating of over 85% for “the conference overall”. Comments included; “I Pupils worked hard during the tutorial section on pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) thought that the day was well planned, well paced, interesting speakers, great dynamic and with green beaks and feet. consumer acceptability. Again, interactive tutorials, and an all Apart from drawing the after much discussion, two round great day!”; “Overall an obligatory “Aaaaw” from the thirds of the audience excellent day that was extremely audience, this allowed Professor confirmed, to the speaker’s well organised and engaging for Sang to demonstrate to the clear delight, that they would the students. FAB!!”, “Student pupils that GFP does not harm eat such poultry were avian flu presentation - loved the video. Very the birds and to explain its to come to Scotland. The talk interesting day. Great variety of usefulness in research, was then neatly rounded up by approaches to teaching and countering the myth of green an image showing the learning. Loved the role play and animals for fun. Professor Sang contrasting sizes between a challenge task“, and my personal went on to explain the chick for meat production with favourite from one of the pupils successful research to date and an egg laying chick of the same which seems to capture the spirit impressive advantages (in age, illustrating the extensive of the day in the context of the terms of cost, scale and variations that genetic changes approaching Easter holiday; purification simplicity) of can achieve. “This was cracking. It really making therapeutic proteins in brought me out of my shell. It was transgenic hens. When asked The final event on the eggsellent. I had a question, but “Would you take a GM medicine programme was a question- was too chicken to ask” or vaccine?”, and after a time style panel discussion of healthy buzz of discussion, the pupils’ pre-submitted and More information about Gene majority of pupils voted arising questions. This allowed Jury workshops and learning unequivocally in support of pupils to voice their confusions tools can be found at animal GM . Moving and concerns such as “animal www.genejury.biology.ed.ac.uk on to the possibility of using experimentation: how do you GM to create hens that were get away with it?” (this The conference was video- resistant to avian flu, Professor question being ably and even- recorded and live-streamed, you Sang once again reported on handedly dealt with by can watch the presentations at; the success to date before Professor Sang). Besides www.genejury.biology.ed.ac.uk/co consulting her audience on discussion of factual and nferencetalks.html

28 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 29

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 29

21st Mammalian Genetics and Development Workshop

November 11th 2010, UCL Institute of Child Health in London.

Ana Rolo . UCL Institute of Child Health.

his year’s annual genes, and how she is using cluster in mouse. Sally Eaton TMammalian Genetics and next generation sequencing (MRC Harwell) described a new Development Workshop, combined with methylated mutation in the Gnas cluster, sponsored by The Genetics DNA immunoprecipitation to Caspa, with a lethal hyperactive Society and Mammalian analyse differentially phenotype due to over- Genome, took place on methylated regions between expression of Gnasxl, whereas November 11th 2010 at the patients and controls. Adam Stefan Krechowec (University of UCL Institute of Child Pricket (King’s College Liverpool) talked about a Health in London. It London) discussed his work on conditional knock-out of Gnasxl consisted of one day of short the mechanisms of imprinting aimed at investigating tissue- talks (15-30 minutes each), of the Dcd gene, which has a specific functions of the gene. presented mainly by post- short transcriptional variant doctoral fellows and PhD that is expressed during heart Another hot topic in this students. The speakers and development and is meeting was neural tube attendees came from all progressively silenced after defects, which featured four across the UK, thus enabling birth, and is controlled via a talks. Saba Raza-Knight diverse interaction between differentially methylated (Institute of Child Health) scientists working at many region. Kirsten McEwen presented her findings on the different institutions. (University of Cambridge) mechanisms underlying spina described how they have bifida in the Kumba mutant, a Several aspects of mammalian identified a specific pattern of loss-of-function allele of Zic2, development were discussed. that is which she showed acts by up- One of them, mechanisms of present in all known regulating the BMP pathway. , was imprinting control regions Sandra Castro (Institute of heavily featured, with a total (ICRs) in mouse, and how this Child Health) spoke about a of six talks devoted to this pattern can be used to predict different mouse model of spina subject. Miho Ishida (Institute new ICRs in the mouse and bifida, curly tail, which is a of Child Health) presented her human genomes. There were hypomorphic allele of work on the effects of two talks concerning Gnasxl, a Grainyhead-like-3, and she genetically inherited gene encoding an extended showed how it can be modified regulation of the imprinted variant of the alpha subunit of by lamin B1 variants. Two talks gene PHDLA2 on foetal birth the Gs protein, and which is focused on the hitchhiker weight in humans. Jennifer part of the imprinted Gnas mutant (a Tulp3 null mutation Frost (Institute of Child Health/King’s College London) Several aspects of mammalian development were discussed. spoke about Silver Russell One of them, mechanisms of genomic imprinting, was heavily Syndrome, a growth disorder known to involve imprinted featured, with a total of six talks devoted to this subject.

www.genetics.org.uk . 29 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 30

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 30

that causes spina bifida and resource for mammalian Begum (MRC Prion Unit, exencephaly) by looking at protein sequence and function, London) reported on factors potential binding partners for Michael Gardner (European affecting incubation time in Tulp3 identified by yeast two- Bioinformatics Institute, prion disease, particularly hybrid screen and confirmed Cambridge) described the HECTD2, an ubiquitin ligase by co-immunoprecipitation: process of manual curation of that acts as a prion disease Victoria Patterson (MRC protein sequence entries. modifier; using the yeast two- Harwell) described Trim71, Francesca Norris (University hybrid system to reveal which co-localizes with Tulp3 College London) showed how binding partners of HECTD2, in the cilia, and Anju Paudyal high resolution magnetic she identified Stmn2, a gene (MRC Harwell) reported on resonance imaging can be used associated with vCJD Rgnef, a Rho-GEF that is to perform high-throughput susceptibility. expressed in the floor plate. phenotyping of mouse mutants. Throughout the day, the There were two presentations attendees had the opportunity concerning the role of MAP- The remaining talks included to talk to the speakers and kinase signalling in sex diverse topics. Emma Hall exchange ideas during the determination, in particular (MRC Human Genetics Unit, coffee breaks and lunch. Lively MAP3K4. Nick Warr (MRC Edinburgh) talked about a cell discussions continued after the Harwell) presented work based RNAi screen aimed at last talk, with a wine and showing that Map3k4 identifying genes involved in cheese reception. There were haploinsufficiency is cilia formation, using two prizes for the best three necessary and sufficient for different readouts: one by presentations, and the the Tas phenotype, a dominant high-throughput outstanding quality of the mutation on mouse immunofluorescence with cilia talks made the judges’ task chromosome 17 that causes XY markers, and the other, a extremely difficult. Finally, the sex reversal. Rachel Brixey functional one, measuring (four) winners were Jennifer (MRC Harwell) described how Hedgehog signalling Frost, Nick Warr, and a joint she is using a conditional responsiveness using a award for Saba Raza-Knight knock-out approach to identify luciferase reporter. Su and Sandra Castro. downstream targets of Jayakody (Institute of Child Congratulations to all! MAP3K4 during sex Health) presented her findings determination, with a focus on on genetic causes of The 2011 meeting will take p38 MAPK isoforms. hypopituitarism and septo- place on 17-18th November. optic dysplasia; in particular, Anyone wishing to be added to Some of the presentations at she characterized three novel the mailing list is very this meeting showcased useful Hesx1 mutations identified in welcome to contact the research tools and services patients, and described a organisers Nick Greene (UCL) available for mammalian mouse with conditional and Andrew Ward (Bath): genetic and developmental ablation of Sox2 in the [email protected] studies. Dianne Gerrelli pituitary. Aisha Elaimi (Institute of Child Health) (University College London) talked about the Human spoke about her work comparing the incidence of Resource, a service that mosaicism and aneuploidy in collects, stores and distributes mouse blastocysts cultured in human embryonic and foetal vivo and in vitro, which she tissue for gene expression does by fluorescent in situ studies. Representing the hybridisation with probes for UniProt Knowledgebase, a chromosomes 2 and 11. Rabia

30 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 31

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 31

10th UK Conference on Archaeal Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms

6th - 7th January 2011, Parliament Hall, University of St Andrews.

Malcolm White and Stuart MacNeill . Co-organisers, UK Archaea 2011.

his conference has run synthesis whilst Finn Werner Tannually in different UK (UCL) in a fascinating plenary universities since its lecture described recent inception in 2002 at the biochemical studies of RNA University of Bath. It brings polymerase that are simply together groups studying not feasible in other model diverse aspects of the systems. The molecular basis of the for the unique mechanism of Archaea. The format cell division recently comprises short discovered in crenarchaea was presentations from new presented by Rachel Samson investigators, postdoctoral (Oxford) and recent studies on researchers and PhD the CRISPR system for students, often giving their antiviral defence were first talk at a conference described by Jing Zhang (St setting. This year the Andrews) and Laura Spagnolo meeting was held in St (Edinburgh). Amy Stroud and Laura Lehtovirta receives her award for best Andrews at the historic Karen Bunting (Nottingham) presentation from Dr Finn Werner. Parliament Hall in the described important new centre of the town. This insights into halophilic DNA proved an ideal venue for binding from genetic and the 55 delegates, who biochemical viewpoints. All of Bernadette Rauch (Duisburg- travelled to St Andrews from the talks included a high Essen) for a poster on archaeal the all around the UK, proportion of unpublished transcription initiation France, Germany and data and provoked lively proteins. Both received a Belgium – thankfully discussion. certificate and a cheque for unaffected by the winter £200. weather. Laura Lehtovirta (Aberdeen) was awarded the prize for best We thank the Genetics Society, The archaea have always been presentation by a young the Society for General an important model for the scientist, against stiff Microbiology, the Biochemical study of informational competition, for her talk Journal and New England processes. Tom Beattie describing the first isolation of Biolabs, whose generous (Oxford) presented elegant an archaeal acidophilic funding made the conference data on the role of PCNA as a ammonia oxidizer. The poster possible. nexus for lagging strand DNA prize was awarded to

www.genetics.org.uk . 31 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 32

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 32

Fifth London Fly Meeting 17th September 2010, King’s College, London.

Nic Tapon . Cancer Research UK London Research Institute.

The London Fly Meetings by Rob Ray (Sussex University) by the London Fly Group, (LFMs) are monthly gatherings and neuroepithelial brought together speakers from of Drosophila groups in the specification by Holger APitz Britain, Europe and the USA, London area held at the Cancer (Salecker lab – NIMR). covering topics as diverse as Research UK London Research growth regulation, ageing and Institute on the third Finally, we enjoyed a fabulous neurobiology. Wednesday of each month. Mexican buffet courtesy of These meetings are supported Zeiss for our festive December In keeping with London Fly by the Genetics Society and meeting. For this special Meeting tradition, the Keynote organised by the London Fly occasion, we were lucky to lecture was delivered by a Group. Recent attendance at the welcome back a former LFM distinguished developmental monthly meetings has been organiser, Helen McNeill biologist working in a non- excellent, frequently topping 50 (Samuel Lunenfeld Research Drosophila system. This year, we participants. The meetings start Institute, Canada) who were fortunate to host Janet with an informal mixer, during presented her lab’s latest work Rossant, from the Hospital for which fly stocks and yarns are on the Fat cadherin in growth Sick Children in Toronto. often exchanged! This is control and Planar Cell Polarity. Professor Rossant presented her followed by one or two speakers. lab’s work on cell fate Usually, the speakers are from For details about the monthly determination in the early participating labs, but we also meetings, please contact mouse embryo. The specification occasionally host external Manolis Fanto of the trophectoderm (TE) speakers, such as Sean Sweeney ([email protected]) or represents the first cell lineage from the University of York on Nic Tapon specification event. The the 17th of March 2010, who ([email protected]). presented his work on Cdx2, which promotes TE sphingolipids and the The London Fly Group also differentiation, is under the regulation of neuronal organises the highly successful control of the Hippo signalling structure and function, and Will biennial international London pathway, via the TEA domain Wood from Bristol University, Fly Meetings. protein TEAD3 and its partner who talked about macrophage the co-activator YAP, suggesting migration and chemotaxis on Fifth London Fly Meeting, a new role for this tumour- November 17th 2010. September 2010 suppressive network in early embryogenesis. Topics covered by our local The 5th London Fly Meeting, speakers in 2010 included held on September 17th at the This new function for a growth nutritional regulation of Guy’s Campus of King’s College control pathway nicely led into postembryonic CNS growth by in London, attracted more than the growth session, with Bruce Louise Cheng (Gould lab – 220 scientists from around the Edgar (ZMBH Heidelberg, NIMR), neuronal branching UK, Europe and the USA. This Germany) talking of his lab’s morphogenesis by Julian Ng biennial one-day meeting, long-standing interest in (KCL), proteolytic processing of generously sponsored by the endocycles, and in particular of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins Genetics Society and organised the periodic expression of the

32 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 33

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 33

and pupal growth by the The final session was centred on steroid hormone Ecdysone and neurobiology. Charalambos the Drosophila Insulin-like Kyriacou (University of peptides (Dilps). Dilps were Leicester) opened proceedings also on the agenda for Linda with a dissection of the process Partridge (University College, of anticipation in circadian London), whose lab has been rhythms. Ulrike Heberlein (UC investigating the role of San Francisco, USA) followed Insulin/PI3K signalling in with her lab’s exciting work on ageing and longevity. various forms of addiction. Gero Miesenböck’s (Oxford University) The middle session was more amazing manipulations of thematically diverse, with Eric behaviour using “optogenetics" Lai (Memorial Sloan Kettering ended the meeting on a suitably Cancer Center, USA) on hypnotic note. miRNAs and their diverse developmental functions, The meeting was a great success, followed by Ilan Davis (Oxford and the London Fly Group are E2F1 transcription factor. This University) showing his latest already planning the next edition was followed by Pierre Léopold findings from the purification for September 2012. Watch out for (University of Nice, France) on of factors required for Gurken announcements on the Genetics the systemic control of larval mRNA localisation in oocytes. Society web site and in Flybase! Monthly London Fly Meetings

he London Fly Meetings University of York on the 17th Finally, we enjoyed a fabulous T(LFMs) are monthly of March 2010, who presented Mexican buffet courtesy of gatherings of Drosophila his work on sphingolipids and Zeiss for our festive December groups in the London area the regulation of neuronal meeting. For this special held at the Cancer Research structure and function, and occasion, we were lucky to UK London Research Institute Will Wood from Bristol welcome back a former LFM on the third Wednesday of University, who talked organiser, Helen McNeill each month. These meetings about macrophage (Samuel Lunenfeld Research are supported by the Genetics migration and chemotaxis Institute, Canada) who Society and organised by the on November 17th 2010. presented her lab’s latest work London Fly Group. Recent on the Fat cadherin in growth attendance at the monthly Topics covered by our local control and Planar Cell meetings has been excellent, speakers in 2010 included Polarity. frequently topping 50 nutritional regulation of For details about the monthly participants. The meetings postembryonic CNS growth by meetings, please contact: start with an informal mixer, Louise Cheng (Gould lab – Manolis Fanto during which fly stocks and NIMR), neuronal branching ([email protected]) or yarns are often exchanged! morphogenesis by Julian Ng Nic Tapon This is followed by one or two (KCL), proteolytic processing of ([email protected]). speakers. Usually, the speakers Bone Morphogenetic Proteins are from participating labs, by Rob Ray (Sussex University) The London Fly Group also but we also occasionally host and neuroepithelial organises the highly successful external speakers, such as specification by Holger APitz biennial international London Sean Sweeney from the (Salecker lab – NIMR). Fly Meetings.

www.genetics.org.uk . 33 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 34

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 34

London area worm meeting 11th March 2011, Imperial College, London.

Alexandra Anderson . Division of Cell and Molecular Biology Imperial College London.

he first London area worm intriguing “fluorescent timer”. Samantha Hughes and Toby Braun (Alison Tmeeting for almost a decade This uses expression of two Woollard lab, Oxford University) emphasized the was held on a bright March day fluorescent proteins with complex interplay that regulates asymmetric at the MRC clinical sciences different maturation times seam cell division. centre at the Hammersmith resulting in a colour change After lunch, the third session began with a talk by campus of Imperial College. over time which can be used to Jake Bundy (Imperial College) who discussed Jointly organized by Rachel monitor the activity of “phenotyping worms by metabolomics” which McMullan and Enrique Martinez- specifically targeted promoters. highlighted the emerging area of metabolomic Perez of Imperial College and Nuria Vergara from Eugene profiling and the possibility in the future of sponsored by the Genetics Schusters lab at UCL described profiling individual worms of interest. Layla society, this one-day event “detection of in vivo targets of Aitlhadj (Stephen Sturenbaum lab, King’s College provided the opportunity for DAF-16 in C.elegans using London) discussed whether C.elegans could those working on Caenorhabditis DamID” ably demonstrating an function as a model for and the testing of elegans to meet and hear about alternative technique to anti-obesity therapeutics. Muna Elmi (Stephen the research going on in London chromatin immunoprecipitation Nurrish lab, UCL) discussed dissecting out the and the close surroundings. to map the targets of genes of multiple signaling pathways involved in neuronal interest and the advantages and effects of RHO-1. The fourth and final session The meeting was divided into 4 disadvantages associated with focused on immunity and began with a talk by sessions covering topics from both techniques. The second Alexandra Anderson (Rachel McMullan lab, transcriptional complexity, to session focused on regulation of Imperial College London) regarding “Using the control of cell fate, worm recombination and cell division immune response to identify novel Rho effectors”. obesity and immunity and and showed some of the most GWP Joshua (London School of Hygiene and provided an excellent beautiful microscope images of Tropical Medicine) followed with a talk on the opportunity for PhD students the day. The first talk in this C.elegans/Yersinia model of biofilm formation, and Post-Docs to present their session, “ Identification of a showing the influence of infection on worm research. The meeting opened novel recombination mediator movement. Freddie Partridge (Jonathan Hodgkin with a session illustrating the activity in C.elegans” was lab, Oxford University) drew attention to the emerging techniques available delivered by the youngest nematode surface coat and illustrated its to monitor activity and target presenter of the day; Martin importance in drug delivery. The last talk of the interactions of genes of interest. Taylor a first year PhD student day came from Daniel Ackerman (David Gems lab, This began with a talk by Nisha in Simon Boulton’s group UCL) who brought to light the complexity of HIF-1 Hirani from Colin Dolphin’s (CRUK). Leticia Labrador (Fadri mediated iron-dependent regulation of the ferritin group (King’s College London) Martinez-Perez lab, Imperial gene ftn-1. who introduced “ College) then discussed the transcriptional complexity: requirement for SPD-3 to The meeting highlighted the breadth and depth of dissection via recombineered promote correct homologue knowledge available in London and its fosmid-based reporters”. The pairing during meiosis. The first surrounding area and the quality of the research morning continued with a talk of the Oxford groups and presentations was impressive. All involved by Eugeni Entchev (QueeLim participating discussed “the agreed that it provided an excellent opportunity Ch’ng lab at King’s College temporal and spatial regulation for collaborations to emerge and synergies to London) who introduced of stem cell-like seam cell begin. We are very grateful to the Genetics society “faithful transcriptional divisions in C.elegans”. for sponsoring the meeting and look forward to reporters” including the This talk presented by subsequent meetings in future years.

34 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 35

GENETIC SOCIETY SPONSORED EVENTS 35

British Meiosis Group

Alexandra Anderson . Division of Cell and Molecular Biology Imperial College London.

he British Meiosis Group young scientists to give oral pairing, spindle assembley, molecular events Tis an informal collection and poster presentations. A during recombination, chiasma distribution, of British scientists few invited speakers of regulation of sister chromatid cohesion and undertaking meiotic experience are included in the chromosome segregation. research with a variety of programme to help set the The assortment of organisms and technology organisms including Man, scene and standards to which used provided great example of different Mouse, C. elegans, younger scientists might approaches to studying the same biological S. pombe, S. cerevisiae, aspire. This year we invited 3 phenominum. Tetrahymena, Arabidopsis and speakers; Maj Hultén (human The audiance, as ever, was firendly and Wheat. We joined forces with cytogenetics), Graham Moore encouraging to the speakers. One of our main The Genetics Society this year (chromosome segregation in goals is to build a strong and collaborative in a joint meeting held on wheat) and our first overseas community in which young and not so young April 7th in Sheffield. speaker Josef Loidl scientists can rub shoulders, learn from each (chromosome paring in Following conversations with other and return to their home labs with new S. pombe and Tetrahymena). others in the field, the group ideas and new renewed confidence. All postgaduate students (6) was first set up by Eva and postdocs (4) who had Support from The Gentics Society is vital to Hoffmann and colleagues who asked for a talking slot gave a making this meeting easy to organise and organised the a 1 day scientific 15 minute presentation, and affordable to all. In the future we hope to meeting in Sussex, 2009. The we had room to squeeze in a continue this collaboration with the The following year we met in few extra PIs. Also on display Gentics Society, with plans firmly in place to Leicester in a symposium were 22 posters with time maintain the young scientist centric approach. organised by Rhona Borts and reserved during the day for We would also like to thank our other sponsors colleagues. discussions around them. this year, The Biochemical Society and Infors Our meeting format is very HT. much based on the original The talks covered a wide range Next year the meeting will be organised by Sue British Yeast Group meetings, of topics relevent to meiosis Armstrong, Chris Franklin and colleagues in with a strong emphasis on inclduding meiotic gene Birmingham. providing opportunity for silencing, chromosome Genetics Society Sponsored Events

The Genetics Society is keen to promote the study of genetics to senior school pupils. One way to do this is for Universities to run conferences for local schools. If you are a GS member and would like to run such an event in your University or institute, please contact the society’s office with an outline plan and costing.

www.genetics.org.uk . 35 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 36

FEATURES 36 Heredity Podcasts

Listen now at: www.nature.com/hdy

The free Heredity podcasts provide the latest How to listen: research news from Heredity, in the words of the 1) Enter 'heredity podcast' into your search engine researchers themselves. Informal interviews are used to make the science in Heredity more 2) Click the link on the heredity home page accessible. The authors explain the basic www.nature.com/hdy foundations of their topic, and draw out the key or subscribe on iTunes to receive the latest findings of their paper. episodes automatically (search for 'heredity podcast'). The podcasts have proved popular with biology undergraduates and professionals alike, and have Enquiries to the podcast editor drawn subscribers from Brazil to Japan and from [email protected] Finland to New Zealand.

36 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 37

FEATURES 37

The Life of Sir Kenneth Mather

Brian Ford-Lloyd and Michael Kearsey . University of Birmingham.

orn at in demonstrated that by applying returned to Birmingham in BCheshire, Mather selection to continuously 1971 as honorary professor of graduated from the varying characters one could genetics and worked there University of Manchester in greatly increase the range of until just before his death in 1931. He then joined the John variation beyond that found in 1990. Innes Horticultural the normal population. The Sir Kenneth Mather prize, Institution when it was based Continuous variation cannot which celebrates Mather’s at Merton, Surrey. Here be analyzed satisfactorily by career, was funded by Mather investigated conventional segregation international donations from chromosome behaviour, ratios and Mather thus applied former colleagues after his especially crossing over, his statistics to his results, death. The subject area of the research being influenced by terming this combination prize was based on Mather’s his association with Cyril D ‘biometrical genetics’. own research interests, and Darlington. His main interests were in this award is the major Mather gained his PhD in 1933 statistical genetics, population accolade awarded by the and then spent a year at the genetics and cytogenetics. He Genetics Society to up-and- plant breeding institute, made seminal contributions in coming young geneticists. Svalöf, Sweden. Experience at the areas of genetical linkage Svalöf convinced him that analysis and quantitative characters that vary genetics spending much of his Sir Kenneth Mather’s Books: continuously through a laboratory research on The Measurement of Linkage in population are extremely Drosophila trying to locate Heredity: 1938. important in breeding work. what we now call QTL and he On his return to England he termed polygenes. Statistical Analysis in took up a lectureship at Biology: 1943. In 1948 Mather became University College, London, professor of genetics at Biometrical Genetics: 1949 and under Sir Ronald A Fisher, Birmingham University, where subsequent editions with JL who was developing statistical he remained until his Jinks. techniques that could be used appointment as vice- to analyze such quantitative The Elements of Genetics: 1950 chancellor at Southampton variation. with C.D. Darlington. University in 1965. He was an In 1938, after a year with the active member of the Genes Plant and People: 1958 famous T.H. Morgan in Genetical Society and was its with C.D. Darlington. America, Mather returned to president between 1949 -52. He Human Diversity: 1966. John Innes as head of the also edited Heredity for a genetics department. It was number of years. As founder of Introduction to Biometrical already appreciated that biometrical genetics he wrote Genetics: with J.L Jinks 1977. quantitative variation is a number of books on the governed by many genes, each subject, which he greatly of small effect, and Mather developed during his time at termed such complexes Birmingham in collaboration ‘polygenic systems’. He with J.L. Jinks. Mather

www.genetics.org.uk . 37 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 38

FEATURES 38

A Taxi Driver Writes... Use a pencil silly!

David Hosken . CEC, University of Exeter

redicting phenotype from explained by these modern about 40% of the variance in Pgenotype is a major aim of techniques with those first height. This is not to say that genetics. This is inherently employed by Francis Galton the pencil and paper methods difficult however because of more than 100 years ago. Using are always better, but as a semi- environmental and non-additive a sample of almost 6000 people devout Luddite, I think there is genetic variance, but and a 54-loci genomic-profile a cautionary tale here. Newer nonetheless with the advent of researchers were able to explain is not always better and in fact, low cost high-throughput about 4% of the sex and age is sometimes worse. If tried and sequencing, more and more adjusted variance in human true older, cheaper methods can research time and money is height in their sample. This is answer your question, use being poured into identifying not bad, but compared to them. genes that have detectable Galtonian methods, it is paltry . A (relatively) as was shown by a much See Aulchenko et al. 2009. recent paper in the European smaller sample (550 parents) European Journal of Human Journal of Human Genetics has where mid-parent/offspring Genetics 17:1070-1075. compared the variance regression was able to explain

38 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 39

FEATURES 39

Get involved in the scientific meetings of the Genetics Society

By DJ de Koning

The Genetics Society offers a many Sectional Interest organise a major international range of support for scientific Groups, but we’re always conference that runs over meetings within its remit. If interested in new topics several days and is expected to you feel that we should (http://www.genetics.org.uk/pa attract large numbers of organise a meeting in your ge/3199/Sectional-Interest- attendees. A good example is particular area of interest or Groups.html). the forthcoming 4th expertise, let us know! While International Conference on the full details are available The Genetics Society also Quantitative Genetics in under the grant schemes at organises two annual scientific Edinburgh in 2012. This the back of the newsletter here meetings: one in spring linked meeting is introduced by Bill is a quick overview. to the AGM and one in Hill elsewhere in this autumn. The autumn meetings newsletter. If you plan to organise a local tend to be at The Royal Society meeting within the remit of in London, while the spring Whatever the ambition for the the society, why not apply for meeting moves around the meeting you may be thinking ‘one-off meeting sponsorship’ country. The next meeting is about, the Genetics Society to get support travel for that “Phenotype and the flexible can probably help! Apply top-notch speaker or to offer genome, the role of epigenetic online or drop me a not with discounted registration for processes in development and an informal inquiry (DJ.de- junior scientists? If you are human disease” (11th [email protected]) thinking of turning a meeting November, London). All into regular event, you should members of the Genetics enthuse your research Society are cordially invited to community to become a propose topics these meetings. Sectional Interest Group of the We are currently looking for Genetics Society. If successful, conference themes for 2013 this will provide sustained onwards. funding for your community to keep regular meetings. The Occasionally, the Genetics Society currently supports Society will organise or co-

The Genetics Society offers a range of support for scientific meetings within its remit. If you feel that we should organise a meeting in your particular area of interest or expertise, let us know!

www.genetics.org.uk . 39 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 40

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 40

21st International Symposium on ALS/MND 11th – 13th December 2010. Orlando, Florida.

Simona Paro . Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh.

myotrophic Lateral disease pathogenesis and Additionally a few years ago, ASclerosis (ALS, also known progression. Work must been TDP-43 was found to be a as Maladie de Charcot or Lou done not only on the basic causative gene for one of the Gehrig’s disease) is a terrible science, but also to guarantee a familiar forms of ALS. Thus, it disorder that affects exclusively better life style to ALS patients is becoming important to lower and upper motor neurons during disease progression. understand how a protein (MNs). The incidence of Therefore researchers and involved in RNA metabolism ALS/MND is approximately 1-5 clinicians come together and can have a critical role in ALS out of 100,000 people every year, have an overview of recent pathogenesis. For that reason and men have a higher progress. For this reason “The the first section of the probability to be affected than International Symposium on conference has been dedicated women. The onset of symptoms ALS/MND” is organised by the to RNA biology, comprehending is usually between 40-60 years Motor Neuron Disease RNA splicing, editing and of age. The pathology leads to Association every year. This miRNA biogenesis. All these retraction of the axons from the year the meeting was been held processes are been studied in neuromuscular junctions and in Orlando, Florida, where I vivo and new animal models eventually to motor neuron have had the honour to present are being developed. Indeed it death that spreads along the my work to such an has been previously shown that spinal cord up to the brain. outstanding audience thanks mice are not always the ideal Unfortunately there are no the financial support of The model to the study this disease. effective treatments; Riluzole Genetics Society. The second day started with slows progression but the The conference started with two engaging talks by Dr. disease is fatal in a few years Virginia Lee’s talk. She was the Battaglia from Sheffield (UK) after onset. first who observed that TAR and Dr. Strulovici from San Approximately 5-10% of all ALS DNA-binding protein (known as Francisco (USA) who talked cases are hereditary; eight TDP-43, a 43 KDa protein about translational strategies. different genetic forms of the involved in RNA processing) Doc. Battaglia’s lab engineered disease are been identified aggregates in ubiquitin-positive viruses that target specifically depending the causative genes inclusions in ALS motor central nervous system. With involved. The majority of ALS neurons. Such TDP-43-positive the support of wonderful videos cases are sporadic. What factors inclusions are also the main he showed that viruses can are implicated in the molecular hallmark of delivery nanoparticles (such as pathogenesis or drive the frontotemporal lobar polymersomes, nucleic acids degeneration in sporadic ALS, degeneration (FTLD). This and/or small proteins) which are still unknown. The debate result provides a molecular link are internalized by endocytosis is also focused on whether the between these two disorders. upon interaction of the virus motor neurons are the only cell Furthermore it opens the with specific neuronal type involved or whether other prospect of ALS as a receptors. The molecules will be cells, such as oligodendrocytes proteinopathy like Alzheimer or properly assembled and or astrocytes, participate Parkinson disease. activated by the acid

40 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 41

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 41

environment of the endosome are sequencing ALS patient and in five different sporadic cases and released in the cytoplasm control genomes. Some groups of ALS. Surprisingly they found later on. His results potentially that genetic background is part four different mutations that have a great impact in ALS of predisposition to disease affect the VCP gene in five more studies; moreover we can pathogenesis, even in the case individuals. None of these envisage the use of such of sporadic ALS; to prove this mutations were found in the viruses in gene therapy or to idea, genomes of family genome of hundreds of healthy delivery specifically drugs members of ALS patients must controls, suggesting that VCP is otherwise toxic for the body to be sequenced. Furthermore, indeed another causative gene definite cell types. genome sequencing projects, for some of the ALS cases. especially of sporadic ALS On the other hand, Dr. All in all, the conference was a samples, are crucial to identify Strulovici is using iPS cells good experience to learn more new genetic components. (induced Pluripotent Stem about this terrible disease. Indeed, the conference has been Cells) from ALS patients’ Because so little is known closed by Dr. Traynor from NIH fibroblasts to produce about this disorder, at the that gave an intriguing talk on motoneurons; the goal is to use moment all the theories, the his work that started with a them as a platform for explanations, the animal widespread exome sequencing pharmaceutical screening to models and the approaches analysis of two members of an learn which pathways can be used are needed. Italian family affected with modified and test new ALS. Looking at these genomes I would like to take this molecules. he found that VCP (short for opportunity to thank the Part of the conference was valosin-containing protein) “Genetics Society” to award me dedicated exclusively to ALS gene carried specific mutations; Travel Grant for Junior genetics. In fact there are lots of later the researchers discover Scientists and to support this groups around the world that that this gene was mutated also great experience.

21st International Symposium on ALS/MND 11th – 13th December 2010. Orlando, Florida.

Peter Joyce . Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell.

just arrived back from the there was an ice-breaker along with her current research IMNDA International session on the Friday evening into the effect TDP-43 Symposium on amyotrophic before the meeting started for mutations may have on gene lateral sclerosis/motor neuron new attendees, such as myself, expression in ALS patients. disease (ALS/MND) in Orlando, to interact with fellow This was followed with some Florida. It was a three day researchers and clinicians. interesting talks focused on conference comprising of clinical trials in ALS patients, plenary sessions at the In the joint opening session we which highlighted the hurdles beginning and end intended for heard from both researchers we have yet to overcome with all attendees, separate parallel and clinicians. Virginia Lee, regard standardisation of ALS sessions focusing on either whom was involved in the trials so that all the data basic research or clinical identification of TDP-43’s role generated are relevant. practice and treatments, and in ALS, gave an excellent poster sessions. In addition, overview of this initial work The two sessions I found to be

www.genetics.org.uk . 41 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 42

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 42

most interesting were the ‘RNA of our model. In addition to our found there are significant Biology in ALS’ and ‘Emerging work, a number of groups are differences in the RNA content Disease Models’. The organisers creating/have created new between disease and control of the meeting gave me the models of ALS, though either samples. This work suggests opportunity to present our transgenic means or using the that ALS could be strongly work on a potentially new chemical mutagen ENU to associated with defects in RNA mouse model of ALS in the mutate endogenous ALS-linked transcription/metabolism. Emerging Disease Models genes. One such model was a Further analysis into the platform session. This gave me zebrafish mutant that carried different RNA content will be of the chance to discuss our work an ENU-derived point mutation great interest to the ALS with the wider ALS community, in the Sod1 gene. Interestingly, community as it will help stimulating possible future and similar to what we have elucidate underlying collaborations. One such seen in our mouse model, the mechanisms that lead to motor discussion has potentially homozygous Sod1 mutant neuron death. provided us with the animals display motor opportunity to look at upper phenotypes. In summary, I found the motor neuron (UMN) conference to be very degeneration in our model. During the ‘RNA Biology in constructive and informative; UMN degeneration is a key ALS’ session there were several the organisers did an excellent symptom of ALS in patients talks comparing the RNA job. I am very grateful to the but is not routinely analysed in content in ALS patients or ALS- Genetics Society for awarding mouse models of ALS, so this like transgenic mice against me with a travel grant so that I prospect will be excellent in relevant human/mouse control could attend and participate in completing the characterisation samples. Several speakers have the meeting.

An Introduction to Machine Learning and Non-parametric Methods for Genome-Enabled Analysis of Complex Traits 20th – 13th April 2011, Denmark.

Laura Corbin . Division of Genetics and Genomics,The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh.

his course in statistical Department of Genetics and methodologies currently Tmethods applied to Biotechnology, Aarhus emerging in the field of quantitative genetics was University (and co-funded by quantitative genetics. The held at Gammel Brydegaard, their graduate school, SAFE). course was taught by Prof. located close to Lillebælt in On first appearances a rather Daniel Gianola of the the south west island of remote location, Gammel University of Wisconsin, who Fyn, Denmark. The course Brydegaard turned out to be led the lecture series and Prof. was organised by Bernt the perfect place in which to Gustavo de los Campos of the Guldbrandtsen (of deCODE immerse oneself in the University of Alabama at Genetics and Aarhus complex world of Bayesian Birmingham, who University) on behalf of the inference and other statistical demonstrated the application

42 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 43

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 43

of a range of methodologies in that is the case where the well as covering some a series of computer number of coefficients to be extremely topical issues such laboratories. On day one, after estimated exceeds the number as the use of principal a gentle but thought of data points in the dataset, a components in genomic provoking introduction to the common issue in the analysis analysis. evolution of statistical of genomic data. Lectures methods in quantitative then advanced to the use of With the focus of my PhD genetics, it was not long Bayesian inference in such project being the application before Prof. Gianola had us problems, including the use of of genomic evaluation to musing over the Bayesian algorithms such as the Gibbs horse populations, I had concepts of prior probabilities, sampler in the generation of previously been using such likelihoods, posterior densities posterior distributions for methods as Bayesian and sampling distributions. Bayesian and other regression. However, this After a full day of lectures, a methodologies. This was course considerably enhanced delicious meal in the stylish followed by sessions on non- my understanding of the dining room at the course parametric curve fitting by theory behind these methods centre provided a much loess, kernel regression and and importantly how they needed opportunity to take reproducing kernel methods. relate to other parametric and stock of all that had been said Finally, Prof. Gianola non-parametric approaches. I during the day. This was introduced his hope for the have become particularly followed by an evening around future – neural networks interested in the application of the fire in one of the centre’s applied to pedigree or reproducing Kernel Hilbert giant tepees, a chance to relax genomic-enabled prediction. spaces to genomic prediction. and get to know the other This area was totally new to Whilst the primary aim of my students on the course who me, as was the concept of project is the generation of came from as far afield as New machine learning continuous risk predictions Zealand. classification, but Prof. for disease, following Prof. Gianola’s enthusiasm for the Gianola’s description of its The course continued, a subject was infectious; his application in a study of pleasing mixture of lectures lectures successfully chicken mortality, I can also and computer laboratory combined taught theory with see the potential for machine sessions, providing a examples from the literature learning classification comprehensive grounding in a resulting in a stimulating procedures to be applied to my range of Bayesian and non- learning environment. data. I would like to take this parametric analysis Meanwhile, Prof. de los opportunity to thank both the techniques. We considered the Campos covered the more Genetics Society for providing progression from simple linear practical issue of funds for this trip and all regression to the use of ridge implementation of the various those involved in running the regression in dealing with the techniques within a course itself. problem of ‘small n, large p’, programming environment, as

On day one, after a gentle but thought provoking introduction to the evolution of statistical methods in quantitative genetics, it was not long before Prof. Gianola had us musing over the Bayesian concepts of prior probabilities, likelihoods, posterior densities and sampling distributions.

www.genetics.org.uk . 43 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 44

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 44

Society for General Microbiology Spring Conference 2011

11th – 14th April 2011, Harrogate International Centre.

Kerstin Voelz . School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham.

icrobes influence our life extended to other prokaryotic Mon a day-to-day basis. and eukaryotic organisms in Bacteria, viruses, fungi, symposia on “Intracellular archaea, protozoa and algae are life”, “Microbial PAMPs” and of crucial importance not only “Insect Symbionts” that as pathogens but also in the highlighted the varied process of biodegradation of strategies by which microbes biological and non-biological adapt to their specific niche and materials, food fermentation how they are detected by host and molecular biotechnology. organisms. Simon Johnstone presenting one of the many enthralling talks at SMB 2011 Every spring, the Society for Daily highlights of the General Microbiology brings conference were the together microbiologists with a communities and “Vaccines” and “Meningitis” presentations of prize lectures. broad range of interests to that updated scientists on the current knowledge Professor David Hopwood discuss their recent research. in immunization strategies and meningitis. impressed with his SGM Prize This year we had four days of Lectures on “Mechanisms of DNA repair”, Medal lecture on “Streptomyces an inspiring mixture of “Osmotic & oxidative stress responses” and “Life genomics: new routes to symposia, keynote lectures and at zero growth rate” gave valuable insights into antibiotic discovery”, Dr. Peter poster presentations covering our current understanding of microbial Cherepanov was awarded the key topics in modern microbial adaptation processes to stressful situations. Fleming Prize for his work on science in the beautiful the “Structural biology of Yet, the conference also gave the opportunity to atmosphere of the North retroviral DNA integration” discuss pressing topics such as the maintenance Yorkshire Spa Town of and the Colworth Prize was of taxonomic expertise in the symposium Harrogate. granted to Professor George “Guarding microbial diversity: the importance of The meeting focused on Salmond who presented his fundamental infrastructure in underpinning the intracellular life of work on “Bacterial Sociology: microbial sciences” and “Food biosecurity”, a key microorganisms with virology Quorum sensing, virulence, area of concern with global markets. and how researchers can “see antibiotics and survival”. Harrogate proved a superb location for the the cell through the ‘eyes’ of The diverse program was meeting; the Harrogate International Centre is the virus”. We had sessions on complemented by sessions on an excellent venue for this meeting with lecture the investigation of entry, “Maths & microbes” exploring theatres closely together and the town offers trafficking, replication, cell-to- how mathematical skills can be many welcoming restaurants including one of cell spread, assembly and exit used to explain microbiological the famous Betty’s Tearooms for a relaxed of viruses with state-of-the-art problems; the “Social evolution evening meal to reminisce about the day’s cell biological methods that in micro-organisms” discussing scientific program. All together a rememberable helped to increase virologist’s evolutionary and ecological meeting that will have made microbiologists awareness of . The factors within microbial looking forward to their next get together. virological theme was then

44 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 45

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 45

Stem Cells, Cancer and Metastasis 6th – 11th March 2011, Keystone, Colorado.

Chris Tan . Nottingham University.

he Keystone meeting was transcriptional “ground state” research area and for my broader scientific Tmy first international of normal cells is similar to understanding. conference. Overall, the quality tumour cells. Some of the areas of research presented during of the talks was excellent and The poster I presented the poster sessions mirrored aspects of my work several topics had similarities described the epigenetic except they were investigating different tumour with my research project. differences between two types types. It was invaluable to discuss the problems I especially enjoyed Richard of paediatric brain tumour; and solutions to some of the same experiments I Gilbertson’s talk on homo- and yolk sac tumours and am trying as this gave me a new understanding heterogeneity focussing on why germinomas. The people as well as offering alternatives to other people’s similar tumours respond interested in my poster ranged problems. differently to the same from scientists beginning to In summary, the Keystone meeting allowed me to treatment. I was especially investigate methylation, to network with potential future employers, interested to learn that when specialists who offered examine other researchers’ work, and mature my different central nervous feedback. This process of scientific thinking. I enjoyed the conference a lot system cells are sorted by FACS discussion and feedback was and I am very grateful to be given the and grown in culture, the invaluable for my specific opportunity to attend.

Society of NeuroScience 2010 13th – 17th November 2010, San Diego USA.

Zhuoyi Song . University of Sheffield.

he annual SFN meeting Neuroendocrine Systems; I study biophysical mechanisms behind light Tprovides the world's largest Cognition and Behavior; Novel adaptation in Drosophila photoreceptor, by forum for neuroscientists to Methods and Technology combining genetics, electrophysiological debut research and network Development; History, experiments and biophysical modelling with colleagues from around Teaching, Public Awareness, approaches. Drosophila photoreceptor adapts to the world. Last year was the and Societal Impacts in discriminate small changes in light intensities 40th meeting. It brought Neuroscience. Each of these over 10000 - fold range of mean light levels. together more than 30,000 was further divided into Attending the SFN 2010, it allowed me to researchers from different subtopics, for example, there critically discuss my latest results with backgrounds, but all contribute are 18 subtopics in Sensory and researchers. In this way I made links to major to uncovering how the brain Motor Systems session, but groups. The meeting was also a great chance to works. Themes were: because all abstracts were so learn at the venue, especially for me, a junior Development; Neural well organized and computational neuroscientist with an Excitability, Synapses, and Glia; characterized, every attendee engineering background. By attending seminars, Disorders of the Nervous could find his/her most relevant symposiums of different topics, I got exposed to System; Sensory and Motor topics through lectures, so many other different mysterious interesting Systems; Homeostatic and symposia, workshops, or events. areas, which would be really good for me to

www.genetics.org.uk . 45 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 46

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 46

choose the next projects to like NIH, because I think I faculty members asked me about my experience work on after my PHD. benefited the most by doing so. of the internship and I talked with them the I also found wandering around The social events were also other collaboration opportunities. I also attended the booths from different feature of this meeting that I another social event called US-Japan interlink companies, where fancy and have not experienced social event. There I met many people that I cutting edge equipments got previously. There was a knew during a workshop while I was in Japan. displayed very rewarding. computational neuroscience People remembered me and I was invited to visit Talking to people from the social event at the second last some labs. funding organizations and night of the conference, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank The learning about the funding there I met many faculty Genetic Society for the travel support, without opportunities also helped me members and tutors of a which I would not have been able to attend the focus on a career plan. Most computational neuroscience conference. I would also like to thank the importantly, I would course I attended in Germany Genetics Society for requesting this report, which recommend talking directly to in 2008, from which I got a enabled me to recalled the whole conference and the senior scientists who are in funding for an internship of 3 reinforce the new ideas, developments and charge of funding of different month in Japan. It felt like directions I learnt there. Thank you! programs in big organizations meeting with family. The

Functional Genomics towards Personalised Health Care 30th September – 2nd October 2010, Santorini.

Chrysoula Dalageorgou . St George’s .

he Functional Genomics teams and collaborators. identified over 1,000 new genetic markers with conference, held in the independent documented association with a T The main topics of the meeting Nomikos Centre in Santorini number of disease phenotypes and traits. included genome wide Greece, brought together Although progress has been made in association studies and their scientists to discuss the understanding population variation and role in common human importance of genetics and associated risk factors in complex diseases, such diseases, infectious diseases biochemical variations in man as cancer, cardiac arrhythmias, atherosclerosis and biomarkers, cardiovascular and their impact on the origin, and diabetes, the limited genetic risk effect and diseases and gene environment prediction, prevention, the lack of any downstream functional evidence interactions, as well as diagnosis and therapy of for many of these loci remains the biggest presentations on the knowledge human multifactorial disorders. challenge. Professor JPA Ioannidis (University of of the interplay between The choice of venue was Ioannina, Greece and Stanford University, USA) genetic disposition, excellent, with the Nomikos opened the conference with his excellent talk environment, nutritional Centre overlooking the island’s entitled “Genome-wide association studies, field factors and drug intake. caldera and the volcano, while synopses and the development of the knowledge more than 100 participants Since the completion of the base on genetic variation and human diseases”. from around the world human genome sequence, the Professor JPA Ioannidis focussed on the registered for the conference. revelation of biomarkers for discovery of disease phenotypes in targeted large This annual meeting provided genetic disposition and population cohorts, as well as the challenge for an opportunity for PhD intervention/treatment has keeping an up to date evidence base of the students and Post-Docs to been promoted by genome wide replicated association studies, highlighting the present their work and discuss association studies (GWAS). In fact that identifying loci with small effect and issues with other research the last 5 years, GWAS have rare variants will require new efforts.

46 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 47

TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 47

Following on quite nicely from genome wide scans, new this were the introductions to biomarkers on infectious modern sequencing platforms, diseases and systems biology. microarrays, high-throughput Despite tremendous scientific SNP detection technologies and efforts, as represented by the analysis software given by unprecedented speed with representatives from which new data are being Genomatrix and Illumina. Dr C generated, surprisingly little Rosenow (Cambridge, UK) molecular research has so far introduced the need for more been successfully translated The conference attendees showing why choosing meeting locations is important sequence data content to into clinical practice. Dr A improve genomic coverage, Papassotiropoulos (University health maintenance, disease development and other than the sequence data of Basel, Switzerland) talked personalized therapy. Dr M Kussmann (Nestle from the 1000 genome. Since about opportunities and pitfalls Research, Switzerland) talked about mechanism, rare variants are not covered by from a genome wide survey on efficacy, disposition and programming in HapMap-based arrays, the need human memory and drug nutrigenomics. Further talks by Dr G Dedoussis for new microarray platforms identification, whereas Dr C (University of Harokopio, Greece), Dr I was also illustrated, in order to Bell (University College of Rudkowska (Institute of Nutraceuticals and increase coverage of common London, Cancer Institute, UK) Functional Food, Canada) and Dr N and rare variation with MAF of discussed the integration of Yiannakouris (University of Harokopio, Greece) less that 1%. GWAS and DNA methylation in also covered the use of nutrigenomics in type2 diabetes. Dr E Zeggini from the Wellcome population studies and human diseases, such as Trust Sanger Institute To increase the knowledge of zinc intake in age related diseases, skeletal introduced the UK10K project, the interplay between genetic muscle diseases and type 2 diabetes. Discussions which is expected to uncover dispositions, environmental were then continued over the conference dinner many rare genetic variants that factors, nutritional factors and at a lovely restaurant called Pyrgos built on the are important in human drug intake, the second day of highest point of the island, with breath-taking disease, giving a much deeper the conference focused on views of the capital and the Aegean Sea. There picture of genetics that can be cardiovascular diseases and was even some traditional Greek music, dancing applied to other studies both in gene environment interactions. and (inadvertent!) plate smashing by the end of the UK and around the world. Professor S Humphries (British the night! This project is in collaboration Heart Foundation Laboratories, Finally, the last days sessions centred on the with the Wellcome Trust UK) and Dr P Talmud importance of pharmacogenomics and the Sanger Institute and clinical (University College of London, translation of genetic technologies into clinical researchers from around the UK) shared their recent data on practice. Speakers were invited from around UK, aiming to decode the genetic factors associated with Europe and USA to discuss on the need of genomes of 10,000 people over plasma lipid and coronary heart development and use of pharmacogenomic the next three years. Analysis disease risk using the 50k markers in human diseases and managing will be based on a novel cardiometabolic chip in the databases to retrieve, visualize, validate, and statistical methods developed Whitehall II study. interpret clinical data. by her team for the detection of The afternoon sessions complex trait associations with continued with several talks on identified disease associated the integration of ‘omics with loci, based on searching for genetics to better understand accumulations of minor alleles the complex interplay between within the same functional static genetic pre-disposition unit. and dynamic environmental The first afternoon of the factors (e.g. nutritional factors) conference concentrated on and the consequences for

www.genetics.org.uk . 47 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 48

SUMMER STUDENTSHIP REPORTS 48

Vasa protein in Drosophila

Student: Ms Lorna Douglas, Supervisors: Prof. David Finnegan, University of Edinburgh

Introduction the mutant protein should allow Probable phosphorylated sites on the Vasa protein Gurken to be translated even if have been identified using Mass Spectrometry Transposition of the I factor, a the DNA check point is (Figure 2A). These residues were changed to non- non-LTR retrotransposon in activated, preventing polarity phosphorylatable alanine residues using Drosophila melanogaster leads defects in the oocytes of females appropriately designed PCR primers to create two to defects in the polarity of in which the I factor is triple mutants (Figure 2B, C). oocytes and embryos. Why transposing. Secondly we used transposition would cause this Western blots to determine if These mutants will be cloned into a phenotype is unclear. One there is increased phosphory- transformation vector, pUAS-K10, to allow possibility is that transposition lation of Vasa protein in females expression of modified Vasa protein in the oocytes activates the DNA damage in which the I factor was of flies under control of the GAL4 protein checkpoint by causing DNA transposing. expressed in oocytes from the nanos promoter. breaks. Vasa protein is phosphorylated when this Modifying vasa cDNA Is Vasa protein modified? As phosphorylated checkpoint is activated. It is proteins move differently in polyacrylamide gel A full length vasa cDNA clone thought that phosphorylated electrophoresis it is possible to determine whether was obtained and its base Vasa protein prevents or not a protein is likely to have been sequence determined. This translation of another protein, phosphorylated from its mobility. This method revealed that although the Gurken, that is important in was used to investigate whether Vasa protein is cDNA was supposed to be establishing both the anterior- indeed phosphorylated in the ovaries of females in complete, four bases were posterior and dorsal-ventral which the I factor is transposing. I factor missing from within the coding axes of the oocyte. The aim of transposition is induced in the female progeny of region (Figure 1). the project was to see if Vasa is a cross between females of strain Ja with males of indeed modified when there is I The missing bases were the strain JaCS. An extract of ovaries from the factor transposition. This was to introduced into the cDNA clone resulting female progeny were run on a be investigated in two ways. by PCR using primers polyacrylamide gel along with extracts from Firstly by the creation of a gene containing the wild-type females of Ja, JaCS and SpnA females. The Ja and coding for a non- sequence and a Quickchange JaCS extracts served as negative controls. An phosphorylatable form of the Lightning kit (Stratagene), and extract of ovaries of SpnA females was a positive Vasa protein. Flies expressing the new sequence confirmed. control as this mutation activates the DNA

clone GCGATGGTGTTGGAGGGAGCGGTGGTGAAGGCGGCGGC----AAGGAGGA |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ||||||||

Figure 1. Deletion in the cDNA clone. The top line shows the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA clone and the bottom line shows the published cDNA sequence with the four missing bases indicated by the dashes.

A MSDDWDDEPIVDTRGARGGDWSDDEDTAKSFSGEAEGDGVGGSGGEGGGY B MSDDWDDEPIVDTRGARGGDWSDDEDAAKAFSGEAEGDGVGGAGGEGGGY C MSDDWDDEPIVDTRGARGGDWADDEDAAKAFSGEAEGDGVGGSGGEGGGY

Figure 2 The first fifty residues of (A) wild-type Vasa protein, and (B, C) the two triple mutant sequences. The putative phosphorylated residues underlined in the wild-type are underlined and the mutant residues are shown in red in each of the mutants.

48 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 49

SUMMER STUDENTSHIP REPORTS 49

damage check point leading to Vasa modification. Genetic Determinants of Radiotherapy Extracts were made by Response in Patients with Breast Cancer dissecting out the ovaries of newly eclosed flies and placing Student: Logan Titchmarsh, Supervisors: Dr Chris Talbot, University of Leicester. them in buffer that contained a phosphatase inhibitor to prevent any phosphate groups Background information with the ultimate aim of personalising therapy to an individual’s sensitivity to radiation. from being removed. Protein Radiotherapy is a key was transferred to a nitro- treatment in many cancers, The aim of my project was to examine six cellulose filter after including breast cancer. For candidate genes for the response to electrophoresis and Vasa the treatment to be most radiotherapy. These were CHEK2, DHFR, protein detected by effective, maximum amounts of ERCC6, GSTA1, SOD2 and XRCC4. The chemiluminescence using a radiation should be applied to laboratory had a cohort of 634 breast cancer mouse anti-Vasa monoclonal cancer cells while minimising patients who were scored for radiotherapy- antibody from the the dose received by normal induced normal tissue damage using the LENT- Developmental Biology cells. It has long been SOMA scale. I tested the six candidate genes in Hybridoma Bank and an recognised that there is 384 of the patient DNA samples for copy number Horse Radish Peroxidase variation in the effects of variation (CNV). The ultimate objective of the linked anti-mouse IgG radiotherapy on patients; small project is to determine whether patients which secondary antibody. percentages of people show display the late effects of radiation toxicity have Unfortunately there was no little reaction to the treatment, CNV in a particular gene or genes. To do this, I consistent evidence for Vasa while others demonstrate the was required to conduct PCR using pre- modification either in the long-term effects of radiation designed, fluorescently labelled primers to presence of I factor toxicity such as telangiectasia amplify the regions of interest. Although the transposition or the SpnA and fibrosis. This variation is primers were designed by someone else, I did mutation (Figure 3). Further thought to be partly the result help to optimise the PCR for two sets of primers, investigation is required. of heredity, expressing as a so that good amounts of PCR product were Acknowledgements polygenic trait. generated for the Paralog Ratio Test (PRT). This work was supported by a For those who are sensitive to PRT is a technique used to measure CNV. The Genes and Development radiotherapy, the development method relies on there being a short sequence summer studentship from the of late onset effects of radiation (typically in the order of 200-300bp) in the area Genetics Society. We are can negatively impact on their with CNV for which a paralog can be found on grateful to Eve Hartswood and quality of life, especially those another chromosome. The paralogs must be Jim Brodie for supervision who have treatment on the left amplifiable by the same primers, but be slightly and advice. breast, as they have been shown different in sequence length. to have an increased risk of They will therefore both be amplified by the developing cardiovascular same PCR procedure, but observed as two problems. 1 2 3 4 5 6 separate peaks when run on an ABI Genetic Currently, the dose of radiation Analyzer (automated fluorescence-based which can be administered is capillary electrophoresis). The area under the limited by such individuals to produced peaks would be similar for no CNV, as reduce toxicity levels, meaning each paralog would have only two copies (one the dose given to many patients from each chromosome). However, in the case of Figure 3. Western blot showing Vasa protein in oocyte extracts from females is sub-maximal. Consequently, CNV, the reference paralog would remain of 1, strain Ja; 2, progeny of Ja x JaCS; 3, many researchers are trying to constant, while the area of the test paralog JaCS; 4, vasa-/vasa+; 5, progeny of Ja x identify the genes responsible would increase/decrease due to duplication / JaCS; 3, JaCS; 4, vasa-/vasa+; 5, progeny of Ja x JaCS; 6, SpnA for the reaction to radiotherapy deletion of the DNA segment in question.

www.genetics.org.uk . 49 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 50

SUMMER STUDENTSHIP REPORTS 50

Methods indistinguishable. There was, mild degree (telangiectasia, atrophy and fibrosis however, a HindIII restriction with LENT-SOMA scores of 1). However, the In performing PRT I was enzyme site on the test paralog patient had large breasts (36DD) so it is possible required to learn how to that was not present in the that these effects could be due to dose operate both the ABI Genetic reference sequence. Therefore, inhomogeneity; the larger the breast, the more Analyzer and the computer restriction enzyme digests were difficult it is to pinpoint the radiation beams programmes used to analyse its carried out on the PCR product without creating ‘hotspots’ in non-cancerous output; Gene Mapper and Gene and this produced a smaller tissue, largely due to scattered radiation. Scan. The read-outs from these peak on the ABI read-out for Patient 174 (Indian) reported mild pain (score 1), computer programmes were the test paralog. but experienced no other toxicity. With only two also manually checked. This patients and no real link to an expected was necessary because the Results phenotype, these outliers are purely anecdotal. programme sometimes cannot handle events such as double I carried out the PRT reactions DHFR peaks and, as a result, in duplicate on each of the 643 The histogram produced of the standard miscalculates the area. samples for each of the six deviations of the ratio between test and Spreadsheets were created in assays, a total of 7716 reactions. reference paralogs gives indications of separate Microsoft Excel in which to The replicability of the results genotypes. Peaks can be seen at the mean and at transfer the data from these between the duplicate data was around +1 and +2 standard deviations. However, programmes for storage and to assessed by correlation, with while this appeared promising, no correlation perform simple calculations results showing low was found between this data and the scores for between the reference and test correlations being excluded acute reaction, telangiectasia, fibrosis or paralogs. The area ratio from further analysis (see atrophy. between the two peaks was the SOD2 below). The first analysis ideal measurement. However, was on the distribution of ERCC6 due to individual allele ratios, followed by ERCC6 encodes a DNA binding protein which is circumstances, it was not determination of whether the involved in the nucleotide excision repair always possible to use the area genotype was associated with pathway. Mutations in ERCC6 cause Cockayne ratio for some genes, in which any of the clinical endpoints. syndrome; an autosomal recessive disorder case the width or height ratio CHEK2 which is characterised by growth impairment, of the peaks was used. For this photosensitivity and premature ageing. In 2006, reason, the ratios could not be The CHEK2 gene encodes a Liu et al (Chin Med J (Engl). 2006 May 5; directly compared and so the protein kinase which is 119(9):731-9.) used interference RNA techniques standard deviation from the involved in regulating the cell to reduce ERCC6 protein activity in HeLa cells mean was used. A more cycle. In a HapMap study of and found them to be sensitive to both U.V. light complete analysis of the data CNV, 6 out of 39 individuals and gamma radiation. was later performed using were found to have a gain in SPSS software to establish this gene. Data shows a slight positive skew and so were whether or not there was a The histogram produced in split at +1.5 standard deviations and the Mann- significant relationship SPSS shows a fairly standard Whitney U test was used to determine if the between the standard deviation distribution with no indication phenotypes of those individuals above +1.5 and the experienced acute and of distinct genotypes. However, standard deviations were significantly different latent symptoms. two definite outliers are seen at from those below this point. The result of this test was a p value of 0.015 for an acute reaction, In the case of the DHFR gene, +4.4 and -4.2 standard but no significance for any of the late effects the paralogs used for the PRT deviations. These correspond (telangiectasia, atrophy or fibrosis). As a result assay were of the same to patients 279 and 174 the lab team will go on to do further studies on sequence length. This would respectively. Patient 279 this gene. have been unsuitable for PRT (white, British) experienced a as the peaks would have severe acute reaction and all Interestingly, the patient with the third highest overlapped and been the late effects scored for to a standard deviation – patient 459 – had two

50 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 51

SUMMER STUDENTSHIP REPORTS 51

immediate family members because the variation between Conclusion who had suffered skin cancer. the duplicates was so great I successfully analysed copy that we could not be sure GSTA1 number variation in five of the which data, if any, were six candidate genes, and of GSTA1 comes from the family accurate. However, some these the ERCC6 gene shows of -glutathione S-transferases, further investigation of this evidence for association to an of whichα there are five gene in reference to the acute reaction to radiotherapy. members. As with DHFR, the response to radiotherapy will A follow up of this result will GSTA1 data gave indications of be carried out by the lab team be needed to confirm that it is a separate genotypes, with peaks in the near future. real genetic effect, but it may at -1.0, -0.02, +0.06 and +1.8. XRCC4 ultimately be incorporated as However, there was no part of a clinical genetic test correlation between the XRCC4 encodes a protein for personalising breast cancer standard deviations and the involved in non-homologous therapy. acute or late effects. end joining in repair of DNA double strand breaks. Acknowledgements The multiple peaks may be due to segmental duplications in In a CNV study involving Thank you to The Genetics the family of GST genes. The 2026 individuals, two were Society for funding this PCR performed for the PRT found to have a loss in the studentship, which has assay may have amplified XRCC4 region. Splitting the allowed me to gain experience sequences from GST genes data at +1.5 standard of full-time lab work before I other than GSTA1, due to their deviations and performing a commence the final year of my sequence similarity. Mann Whitney U test shows degree, for which I will no association between the conduct a large lab project. SOD2 standard deviation and acute This studentship has also No analysis was performed on effects, telangiectasia, fibrosis helped me refine my future the data collected for SOD2 or atrophy. career plans in genetics.

Investigation of YAP1 as a potential oncogene in central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumours

Student: Emily Tombs Supervisors: Hazel Rogers, Childrens Brain Tumour Research Centre, Nottingham.

Background the central nervous system. a role as an oncogene in CNS The tumours demonstrate PNETs. YAP1 interacts with Central nervous system aggressive clinical behaviour the SH3 domain of the 65kDa primitive neuroectodermal with a 5-year survival rate of protein Yes and acts as a tumours (CNS PNETs) are high 31-53%. nuclear effector in the Hippo grade embyronal tumours pathway. which predominantly occur in This research project aimed to children. They can be found in investigate whether Yes- The Hippo pathway is any extracereballar site within associated protein1 (YAP1) has implicated as a tumour

www.genetics.org.uk . 51 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 52

SUMMER STUDENTSHIP REPORTS 52

Figure 1 suppressor pathway causing uncontrolled cell growth when critical components of the 2 pathway are lost. Phosphorylated YAP remains 1.5 in the cytoplasm and translocates to the nucleus of 1 cells upon dephosphorylation. Once in the nucleus YAP binds to a transcription factor and 0.5 induces transcription of targets including negative 0 regulators of apoptosis and . The specific detail of 24 48 72 the role of YAP1 in normal cellular functioning is yet to be Time Intervals (Hours) established. It has been reported that YAP1 is up- regulated in human This figure represents the results from the time medulloblastomas with course experiment. The results from the q-PCR are aberrant Shh and WNT analysed using the Pfaffl equation and the mean of pathway signalling. three repeats is shown. Medulloblastoma is also a PNET which shows a histological similarity to CNS PNET. The aim of this project was to analyse the effect that Figure 2 YAP1 knockdown has on tumour proliferation and the 140 results collected will form the basis of extensive functional 120 analysis of the role this particular gene plays in the 100 pathogenesis of this tumour. 80 This will provide an insight into the role that YAP1 plays in 60 cellular functioning which can be developed by future 40 experimental research. YAP1 20 has a potential use as a therapeutic target and a more 0 detailed knowledge of tumour 24 48 72 pathogenesis will allow for a more targeted approach to Time (Hours) treatment of CNS PNETs and related tumours. It has This figure represents the results from the MTT previously been shown that experiment. The percent decrease for YAP1 YAP1 is expressed in a large knockdown compared to treatment with the proportion of CNS PNETs negative siRNA for 24, 48 and 72 hours is shown. which means any therapeutic

52 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 53

SUMMER STUDENTSHIP REPORTS 53

target could be invaluable in a followed by a dissociation this experiment was a negative large number of patients. (melting curve) analysis. Data siRNA. The percentage was normalized using GAPDH. decrease for YAP1 knockdown Materials and Methods The relative quantity of YAP1 compared to the negative The PFSK1 CNS PNET cell line product was calculated, control for 24, 48 and 72 hours (ATCC;CRL-2060) was used and compared to the negative is 124%, 86% and 89% cultured in RPMI-1640 control, using the Pfaffl respectively. This suggests that containing L-glutamine and equation. YAP1 knockdown may have an supplemented with 15% fetal effect on proliferation but A time course experiment was bovine serum and antibiotics. these experiments are not conducted once the protocol The cells were subcultured in a sufficient to come to a valid had been optimised and tested 1:20 split every three to four conclusion. to determine if the amount of days. Transient knockdown of knockdown changed over a It has previously been shown YAP1 was achieved using period of time. The cells were that YAP1 expression promotes siRNA probes for YAP1 (s20366 analysed after 24, 48 or 72 cell proliferation and that it is and s20367). The select hours. Once knockdown had a potential oncogene involved negative control siRNA was been confirmed an MTT assay in the pathogenesis of CNS used as a negative control. was conducted to analyse what PNET. If YAP1 was shown to 4x104 cells were seeded per effect knockdown of YAP1 had conclusively play a role in the well of a 24 well plate and on cell proliferation. This was pathogenesis of CNS PNET it incubated overnight to allow performed using the cell would represent an important them to reach 30-80% growth determination kit MTT therapeutic target which would confluency. The siRNA probes (Sigma) following the be effective in a large were transfected into the cells manufacturers’ instruction. proportion of patients. using siPORT Amine Cells were analysed 24, 48 and However, this set of Transfection Agent. The 72 hours after siRNA experiments is not enough to amount of transfection reagent knockdown. conclusively support this. The and siRNA probe were experiments would need to be optimised. Optimised Results and Discussion repeated to confirm that YAP1 conditions were 1.5 ml of Knockdown of YAP1 was knockdown does have an effect siPORT transfection reagent achieved using siRNA which on proliferation of PFSK1 cells. and 10 nM siRNA probe. RNA was then quantified using Further methods of study must was extracted using RNA quantitative PCR (qPCR) over a be used alongside MTT assay STAT60 and quantified using a time course. The results of this to analyse any observed nanodrop spectrophotometer. experiment showed that YAP1 changes in proliferation. 250 ngRNA was treated with RNA levels decreased over DNase then converted to cDNA time. This confirmed that the using the RevertAid First knockdown was successful. Strand cDNA synthesis kit. After verifying that a To determine the level of knockdown had occurred we knockdown quantitative PCR were able to move on to was performed for YAP1 using conducting an MTT assay. This iQ SRBER Green qPCR super enabled us to determine what mix. The C1000 thermocycler effect the YAP1 knockdown real time PCR machine was had on proliferation of PFSK1 used. PCR conditions were; cells. 95 C for 10 minutes followed by 40 cycles of 95 C for 30 The level of cell viability was seconds, 59 C for 1 minute and analysed over time using an 72 C for 1 minute. This was MTT assay. The negative for

www.genetics.org.uk . 53 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 54

GRANTS SCHEMES 54

See the relevant web pages and downloadable Funding Application Forms at 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. They should be submitted on the GS Funding Application Form and emailed to [email protected] using message subject ‘Meeting Sponsorship’ and your surname. 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 programme of the meeting and registration forms should be sent as far in advance as possible to [email protected], 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.

54 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 55

GRANTS SCHEMES 55

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 Arabidopsis, the Population Genetics Group and the Zebrafish Forum. Members may make applications for new Sectional Interest Groups at any time. Applications should be submitted on the GS Funding Application Form and emailed to [email protected] using message subject ‘New Sectional Interest Group’ and your surname. The award of Genetics Society support will be subject to review of applications by the committee and subject to the following conditions.

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 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. 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.

www.genetics.org.uk . 55 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 56

GRANTS SCHEMES 56

New Sectional Interest Groups (continued)

8) If the meeting is advertised on the Internet a link to the Genetics Society website (www.genetics.org.uk) should be included. 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.

Junior Scientist Grants

Purpose: to support attendance at genetics research meetings by junior scientists.

Travel to Genetics Society-sponsored meetings Graduate students may apply for travel costs to attend all Genetics Society sponsored meetings. The cheapest form of travel should be used if possible and student railcards used if travel is by train. Airfares will only be funded under exceptional circumstances. Overnight accommodation is not covered.

How to apply: for the Genetics Society’s own Spring and Autumn meetings, applications should be made using the meeting registration form, before the final deadline of the meeting.

For other Genetics Society-sponsored meetings, for example meetings of our Sectional Interest Groups (e.g. Arabidopsis, Population Genetics Group, Zebrafish Forum) and for one-off sponsored meetings, graduate student travel claims should be submitted on the GS Funding Application Form at any time and emailed to [email protected] using message subject ‘Travel to GS meeting’ and your surname.

Travel, accommodation and registration cost at other meetings Grants of up to £500 to attend conferences in the area of Genetics that are not sponsored by the Genetics Society are available to PhD students and postdocs (within two years of viva).

How to apply: applications should be submitted on the GS Funding Application Form by email in time for one of the quarterly deadlines (1st day of February, May, August and November), to [email protected] using message subject ‘JSTG’ and your surname. Please ask your supervisor to send a very brief email in support.

Other conditions: applicants must have been members of the Genetics Society for at least one year. Recipients of these grants will be asked to write a short report that may be included in the newsletter. A maximum of one grant per individual per three years will be awarded.

56 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 57

GRANTS SCHEMES 57

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. Eligible expenses include travel, accommodation, subsistence and tuition fees.

How to apply: there are two closing dates of 1st March and 1st September each year. Applications should be made on the GS Funding Application Form and should be emailed to [email protected] using message subject ‘Training Grant’ and the applicant’s surname. Applications from PhD students should be accompanied by a very short supporting e-mail from the supervisor.

Closing date: awards will be announced within two months of the closing date. A maximum of one Training Grant per individual per three years will be awarded.

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 salaries for those engaged in fieldwork or training, or to fund attendance at conferences.

How to apply: there are two closing dates of 1st March and 1st September each year. Applications should be made on the GS Funding Application Form and should be emailed to [email protected] using message subject ‘Heredity FW grant’ and the applicant’s surname. Applications from PhD students should be accompanied by a very short supporting e-mail from the supervisor.

A panel of members of the Genetics Society committee will review applications including both information on the student and the proposed project. Feedback on unsuccessful applications will not be provided. Awards will be announced within two months of the closing date.

Other conditions: Applicants must have been members of the Genetics Society for at least one year. Only one application from any research group will be admissible in any one year. Recipients of these grants will be asked to write a short report within two months of completion of the project that may be included in the newsletter. A maximum of one grant per individual per three years will be awarded. Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 58

GRANTS 58

Genes and Development Summer Studentships

Grants of up to £3,000 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.

Applications must be made by Principal Investigators at Universities or Research Institutes. The application must be for a named student. Studentships will only be awarded to students who have yet to complete their first degree i.e. those who will still be undergraduates during the long vacation when the studentship is undertaken. There are no restrictions concerning the nationality or membership status of the student, and the student does not have to attend a UK university.

How to apply: there is one closing date of 31st March each year. Applications should be made on the GS Funding Application Form which, along with the student’s CV, should be emailed to [email protected] using message subject ‘G & D studentship’ and the PI’s surname. The student’s tutor or equivalent must also send a reference. 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.

The studentship will consist of an award of £225 per week for up to 10 weeks to the student plus a grant of up to £750 to cover expenses incurred by the host laboratory. Both elements of cost must be justified. The award will be made to the host institution. The student will receive free membership of the Genetics Society for one year.

A panel of members of the Genetics Society committee will review applications including both information on the student and the proposed project. Feedback on unsuccessful applications will not be provided.

Other conditions: applicants must have been a member of the Genetics Society for at least one year. Recipients of these grants will be asked to write a short report within two months of completion of the project that may be included in the newsletter. A maximum of one grant per individual per three years will be awarded.

58 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 59

Personal Subscription Order Form 2011

Please return this from to: The Genetics Society, Wallace Building, Roslin BioCentre, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9PP

The new personal subscription rate for Genes and Development for 2011 is £128, inclusive of airmail delivery. The subscription runs on a yearly basis from January 1st. The full subscription will be charged and back issues supplied when applications are made after January of each year.

Name (BLOCK CAPITALS): ......

Address: ......

......

Tel: ...... Fax: ......

Email: ......

Payment

Payment can be made by cheque (payable to “Genetics Society”), credit card (add 3.6%) or direct debit. If you already pay by direct debit you do not need to complete a new mandate. If you wish to set up a direct debit for your Genes and Development subscription, a mandate will be sent to you on receipt of this form.

1. I enclose a cheque or Sterling Eurocheque for £128.

2. I instruct you to use my existing direct debit agreement to debit my account in January each year for my subscription to Genes and Development.

Signed ......

3. I instruct you to set up a new direct debit agreement to debit my account in January each year for my subscription to Genes and Development and enclose the completed mandate

Signed ......

4. Please debit my Visa/Mastercard

Credit Card Number ...... Expiry ...... / ......

Address where bill sent ......

......

Signed ...... Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 60

GENERAL INFORMATION 60

the Genetics Society

AIMS postdocs. Promega UK is The Genetics Society was The Genetics Society was sponsoring travel to these founded in 1919 and is one of meetings and prizes for the best founded in 1919 and is one of the world’s first societies contributions, plus costs for the devoted to the study of the three winners to attend the the world’s first societies mechanisms of inheritance. following Spring Meeting and Famous founder members national finals. devoted to the study of the included William Bateson, JBS Haldane and AW Sutton. INVITED LECTURES mechanisms of inheritance. Membership is open to anyone The Mendel Lecture, in honour with an interest in genetical of the founder of modern research or teaching, or in the genetics, is given usually on with cytogenetics, with ecological, evolutionary practical breeding of plants and alternate years at a London and bio-metrical genetics and also with plant and animals. Meeting by an internationally animal breeding; and Genes and Development, distin-guished geneticist. which is jointly owned with Cold Spring Harbor MEETINGS Laboratories and which is concerned with The main annual event of the To encourage younger molecular and developmental aspects of genetics. Society is the Spring Meeting. geneticists, the Balfour This has at least one major Lectureship (Named after our Full and student members are entitled to reduced symposium theme with invited Founder President) recognises subscriptions both to these journals and also to speakers, and a number of the contribution to genetics of Genetics Research, published by Cambridge contributed papers and/or an outstanding young University Press, to Trends in Genetics, a poster sessions. investigator, who must monthly journal published by Elsevier with normally have less than ten review articles of topical interest aimed at the One day mini-symposia are held years postdoctoral research general reader, Nature Genetics, published by during the year in different experience at the time of the Nature Publishing company (MacMillan regions so that members from lecture. The winner gives the Magazines Limited), Current Biology journals, different catchment areas and lecture at the Spring Meeting. BioEssays and Chromosome Research. specialist groups within the society can be informed about INTERNATIONAL LINKS A newsletter is sent out twice a year to inform subjects of topical, local and The Society has many overseas members about meetings, symposia and other specialist interest. Like the members and maintains links items of interest. spring symposia these include with genetics societies in other papers both from local countries through the Inter- SPECIALIST INTERESTS members and from invited national Genetics Federation, Six specialist interest areas are covered by speakers. One of these meetings the Federation of European elected Committee Members: Gene Structure, always takes place in London in Genetics Societies and through Function and Regulation; Genomics; Cell & November. the International Union of Developmental Genetics; Applied and Microbiological Societies. Quantitative Genetics; Evolutionary, Ecological YOUNG GENETICISTS’ and Population Genetics; Corporate Genetics and MEETINGS PUBLICATIONS Biotechnology. The Committee Members are Currently there are three The Society publishes two responsible for ensuring that the various local meetings devoted to talks and major international scientific and national meetings cover all organisms within posters by students and junior journals: Heredity, concerned the broad spectrum of our members’ interests.

60 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 65 Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 61

gs the geneticssociety membership form Membership includes free online subscription to Heredity

Please complete this form and return it, along with your cheque or Direct Debit instructions to, The Genetics Society, Wallace Building, Roslin BioCentre, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9PP. Complete this section carefully. The information you provide will help us to correspond with you efficiently and ensure that your details are accurately held on our membership database.

You can also apply for membership online using a debit/credit card, please visit: www.genetics.org.uk

1. IDENTIFICATION (as data controllers we adhere to the Data Protection Act 1998)

Title: Prof. Dr. Mr. Miss. Mrs. Ms.

Last Name: First Name:

Institution:

Institution Address:

Postcode: Country:

Telephone: Fax:

Email:

Your home address should only be given when there is no alternative Please ensure that you have included your email address

2. AREAS OF INTERESTS (tick as appropriate)

Gene Structure, Function and Regulation Genomics

Cell and Developmental Genetics Applied and Quantitative Genetics

Evolutionary, Ecological & Population Genetics Corporate Genetics and Biotechnology

3. STUDENT MEMBERSHIP (if this section is not applicable please go to section 5)

As a student member of the Society you are eligible to apply for a grant to defray the cost of attendance at meetings organised by the Society. Full details regarding grants is available on registration. In addition, after one year full mem- bership you can apply for a grant of up to £300 for overseas travel to international meetings held outwith the Society.

If you are applying for an undergraduate membership please state year of graduation:

If you are applying for a postgraduate membership please state year of starting research:

Signature of Head of Department/Supervisor

Please note: After four years’ postgraduate membership you will be required to pay the full subscription fee. Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 62

4. MEMBERSHIP FEES Membership entitles you to reduced rate entry to meetings, discounts on journals, free Society newsletters plus free online access to Heredity. The annual subscription charges are as follows (please tick applicable box): Full Member: *£25.00 Postgraduate Member: *£15.00 Undergraduate Member: £5.00

* There is a reduction of £5.00 for full and postgraduate members paying by Direct Debit

5. PAYMENT Option 1: Direct Debit (UK Bank Accounts only) Complete this membership form and direct debit mandate form, and send it to the address below. I wish to pay by direct debit (tick box if applicable) Paying by Direct Debit saves Full members and Postgraduates £5 Direct Debit Membership subscriptions are renewed on an annual basis running from 01 June – 31 May or 01 December - 30 November depending on date of application Option 2: Cheque I enclose a cheque for the sum of £ payable to ‘The Genetics Society’

6. MEMBERSHIP NOMINATION Your application for membership of the Genetics Society will not be accepted without the signature of a FULL MEMBER nominating you for membership. In instances were no full member is available you must submit a copy of your CV along with a short Academic Reference. Your application will then be considered by the Committee. Alternatively, you may contact the Society by email for a list of Society Reps in your area.

Signature of nominating FULL MEMBER Print name in block capitals Membership No.

I enclose a copy of my CV along with an Academic Reference for consideration by the Committee (Tick box if applicable)

Please return your membership application form along with any attachments to: The Genetics Society, Wallace Building, Roslin BioCentre, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9PP marking your envelope MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION.

Please note that the approval of new members is ratified at the Spring Meeting as part of our AGM

DIRECT DEBIT Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay Direct Debits

Please fill in the whole form and send it to: The Genetics Society, Wallace Building, 981269 Roslin Biocentre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, Scotland, UK

Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society branch

Name(s) of account holder(s) Originator’s Reference

The Genetics Society

Sort Code Account Number

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society. Please pay The Genetics Society Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by The Direct Debit Guarantee

Applicant’s name (print clearly) Signature Date

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions from some types of account. The Direct Debit Guarantee This guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that take part in the Direct Debit Scheme. ♦ The efficiency and security of the Scheme is monitored and protected by your own Bank or Building Society ♦ If the amounts to be paid or the payment dates change, The Genetics Society will notify you 30 working days in advance of your account being debit- ed or as otherwise agreed ♦ If an error is made by The Genetics Society or your Bank or Building Society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid ♦ You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by writing to your Bank or Building Society Please also send a copy of your letter to us. Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 63

Notification of change of address form

If you wish to notify us of a change of address, you can use our online facility by visiting www.genetics.org.uk or by emailing us at [email protected]. Alternatively you can complete the form below and return it to:

The Genetics Society, Wallace Building, Roslin BioCentre, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9PP marking your envelope CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTIFICATION.

Note that from my NEW ADDRESS will be:

Title: Prof. Dr. Mr. Miss. Mrs. Ms.

(Print or Type)

Last Name: First Name:

Institution:

Address:

Postcode: Country:

Telephone: Fax:

Email:

Previous address:

OFFICE USE ONLY

Date Received Date Processed Issue 65.qxd:Genetic Society News 27/6/11 10:08 Page 64

Take a closer look at the latest research from Heredity

Heredity is an offi cial journal of the Genetics Society, and publishes original research in all areas of genetics, with a particular focus on population, evolutionary and quantitative aspects, animal and plant breeding and cytogenetics.

Primary research papers are complemented by Reviews covering currently developing areas and News and Commentary articles keeping researchers and students abreast of hot topics.

Discover Heredity today at www.nature.com/hdy