Issue 80 of the Genetics Society Newsletter
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JANUARY 2019 | ISSUE 80 GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS In this issue The Genetics Society News is edited by Dr Lynsey Hall and items for future issues • Mitochondrial Donation - all things considered can be sent to the editor by email to • C. elegans - Sectional Interest Group in the spotlight [email protected]. • Research and travel grant reports The Newsletter is published twice a year, • Meeting announcements with copy dates of July and January. Cover image: Genetics Society members in attendance at the Autumn Meeting “Genotype to Phenotype to Fitness” hosted by the University of Exeter. Photograph courtesy of Doug Vernimmen. A WORD FROM THE EDITOR A word from the editor Welcome to Issue 80 Welcome to the latest addition of The Society has been continuing the Genetics Society newsletter. centenary preparations ahead Since the last newsletter the of 2019 (now finally here!) In Society has hosted its annual August we trialled our discovery Autumn Meeting, this year at garden at the Edinburgh the University of Exeter on the Festival, which we hope we theme of “Genotype to Phenotype will be taking to the Chelsea to Fitness”. We also had the Flower Show in May, and that pleasure of co-sponsoring the will be permanently installed Royal Institution Christmas at the Royal Botanic gardens, Lectures, with our guest lecturer Edinburgh, at the end of 2019 . Aoife McLysaght co-hosting the Photos from this can be found lectures, entitled “Who Am I?”. in the Features section of the Aoife, who is already familiar newsletter. with the Royal Institute as the winner of the Genetics Society In this issue, I would like to draw your attention to 2016 Haldane Lecture, added her time. We also continue our genetics expertise to Professor an interview the Society commissioned looking at how Sectional Interest Group in Alice Roberts, (University the spotlight series, this issue of Birmingham) biological scientific evidence was fed into the ethical debate which focussing on the C. elegans anthropology knowledge and meeting. together they explore what makes surrounded mitochondrial us human, and more directly, donation (a technique often I hope you enjoy this issue, and what makes us who we are. attributed the misnomer, all of the reports on the various “three person babies”). Go to research and meetings which we The lectures are now available the Features section of the have been delighted to fund. on BBC iPlayer (although make newsletter to read the interview sure you have a valid TV licence with Dr Andy Greenfield, who Best wishes, before tuning in!). sat on the HEFA panel at the Lynsey Hall In this issue, I would like to draw your attention to an interview the Society commissioned looking at how scientific evidence was fed into the ethical debate which surrounded mitochondrial donation (a technique often attributed the misnomer, “three person babies”). 2 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 80 ISSUE 80 . January 2019 For more details please contact: The Genetics Society Charles Darwin House 12 Roger Street London CONTENTS WC1N 2JU Switchboard: +44 0203 793 7850 Email: [email protected] Web: www.genetics.org.uk Meeting Announcements 4 The Genetics Society Journals Genetics Society Scientific Meetings Heredity External Meetings Diary www.nature.com/hd Editor-in-Chief: Prof Barbara Mable Sectional Interest Groups 7 Heredity Editorial Office, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland Genetics Society Business 9 Honorary Secretary’s Notices Genes and Development www.genesdev.org Features 19 Editor: Dr Terri Grodzicker Mitochondrial donation: all things considered Genes & Development, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York, 11797, USA - an interview with Andy Greenfield C. elegans - SIG in the spotlight Committee members Genetics Society Centenary events President Prof Laurence D. Hurst, University of Bath Grant Reports 25 Junior Scientist Travel Reports Vice-Presidents Heredity Fieldwork Grant Report Corporate Affairs Training Grant Reports Prof Malcolm Logan, King’s College London Public Engagement Grant Reports External Relations G&D Summer Studentship Grant Reports Prof Colum Walsh, University of Ulster Public Understanding of Genetics Grant Schemes 44 Prof Alison Woollard, University of Oxford Contacting the Genetics Society 51 Honorary Secretary Dr Jonathan Pettitt, University of Aberdeen Honorary Treasurer Prof Martin Taylor, University of Edinburgh Scientific Meetings Secretary Dr Marika Charalambous, King’s College London Newsletter Editor Dr Lynsey Hall, Cardiff University Website Editor Dr Kay Boulton, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Policy Officer Prof Rebecca Oakey, King’s College London Postgraduate Representative Ms Helena Wells, Kings College London Ordinary Committee Members Gene Structure, function and regulation Dr Aziz Aboobaker, University of Oxford Dr Douglas Vernimmen, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Genomics Dr Michael Simpson, King’s College London Dr Sudhakaran Prabakaran, University of Cambridge Cell and Develomental Genetics Prof Stefan Hoppler, University of Aberdeen Applied and Quantitative Genetics Dr Lindsey Leach, University of Birmingham Dr Alastair Wilson, University of Exeter Evolutionary, ecological and population genetics Dr Frank Hailer, Cardiff University Prof Jason Wolf, University of Bath Corporate Genetics and Biotechnology Dr Jim Huggett, University of Surrey and LGC Teddington Dr Alison Bentley, The National Institute of Agricultural Botany Design and Print Collaborate Agency www.collaborate.agency www.genetics.org.uk . 3 A Genetics Society Workshop Communicating Your Science 24 - 26 April 2019, Chicheley Hall, Chicheley, Buckinghamshire An important part of science is getting your Speakers and Tutors include results and ideas across to others, through Enrico Coen papers, presentations, theses, grant proposals, (Author and Professor of Genetics, conversations and interviews. Your audience may John Innes Centre, Norwich) include specialists in the field, those from other disciplines, industry, or the general public. Helen Keen How can you best communicate your science? (Multi-award winning writer and performer) Alison Woollard This workshop brings together experts in different (2013 Royal Institution Christmas Lecturer and Professor of fields - writers, broadcasters and presenters - to Genetics, University of Oxford) help you explore and develop your communication skills. Working together with others on the course, you will learn how to structure presentations, Workshop Organiser develop writing skills, bridge disciplines and have Jonathan Pettitt hands-on experience of creating media across a (University of Aberdeen) variety of platforms. Application Deadline: 20 March 2019 This workshop is open to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working in genetics and related areas The Genetics Society will cover costs of travel, accommodation and meals for all successful applicants www.genetics.org.uk/grants/comm-your-sci/ A Genetics Society Workshop Communicating Your Science GENETICS SOCIETY 24 - 26 April 2019, Chicheley Hall, Chicheley, Buckinghamshire 5 SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS An important part of science is getting your Speakers and Tutors include results and ideas across to others, through Enrico Coen papers, presentations, theses, grant proposals, (Author and Professor of Genetics, conversations and interviews. Your audience may John Innes Centre, Norwich) More detailed information and links to event websites can be found at include specialists in the field, those from other www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/conferences/ disciplines, industry, or the general public. Helen Keen How can you best communicate your science? (Multi-award winning writer and performer) Alison Woollard BNA Festival of Neuroscience A Century of Genetics – Celebrating 100 This workshop brings together experts in different (2013 Royal Institution Christmas Lecturer and Professor of Date: 14th - 17th April, 2019 years of genetics in Edinburgh and the fields - writers, broadcasters and presenters - to Genetics, University of Oxford) Location: The Convention Centre Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Genetics Society in the UK help you explore and develop your communication Website: http://meetings.bna.org.uk/bna2019/ Date: 13th - 15th November 2019 skills. Working together with others on the course, you will learn how to structure presentations, Workshop Organiser Info: The first Festival (BNA2013, London) set the Location: Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh develop writing skills, bridge disciplines and have Jonathan Pettitt template for a completely novel forum, where other Registration deadline: Further details to follow hands-on experience of creating media across a (University of Aberdeen) organisations with an interest in brain research were Abstract submissions: variety of platforms. invited to join the BNA to create a cross-disciplinary 7th January - 1st August, 2019 and celebratory neuroscience event, bringing together Website: fundamental research with clinical expertise and public www.genetics.org.uk/events/100-years-genetics/ Application Deadline: 20 March 2019 engagement as well. Subsequent Festivals (BNA2015 This workshop is open to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working in genetics and related areas in Edinburgh; BNA2017 in Birmingham) confirmed the The Genetics Society will cover costs of travel, accommodation and meals for all successful applicants success and popularity of this innovation; each one has attracted 1150-1500