JULY 2018 | ISSUE 79 GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS

In this issue The Genetics Society News is edited by Lynsey Hall and items for future issues • Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait Genetics - SIG in the spotlight can be sent to the editor by email to • Alternative Careers Pathways for ECR [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: Darwinian finches demonstrating adaptive evolution as part of The Genetics Society Autumn Meeting. See page 4 for details. A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

A word from the editor Welcome to Issue 79

Dear Readers, career paths outwith the traditional academic route Welcome to the latest addition of for biomedical academics. the Genetics Society newsletter. This article was suggested by Since the last newsletter the our new President, Laurence Society has predominantly been Hurst, who is very passionate busy organizing an exciting about supporting early career programme of events in the run researchers in exploring a range up to our Centenary celebration of opportunities. year next year, more details of which can be found in the Whilst 2019 is an important Features section. year for the Society, 2018 is an important year for genetics as Another feature article in this it marks 100 years since the issue continues our Sectional publication of R.A. Fisher’s Interest Group in the spotlight famous 1918 Paper on the theory series, this issue focussing on the of quantitative trait inheritance. Edinburgh Alliance for Complex in Edinburgh and the Genetics Trait Genetics. As such, there are several Society in the UK. Details of exciting scientific meetings these meetings can be found In this issue, I would like to we are sponsoring this under Genetics Society Scientific draw your attention to a special year, including 100 years of Meetings. guest feature by Vitae - the quantitative genetics theory global leader in supporting and its applications: celebrating I hope you enjoy this issue, and the professional and career the centenary of Fisher 1918 all of the reports on the various development of researchers, and A Century of Genetics – research and meetings which we which outlines alternative Celebrating 100 years of genetics have been delighted to fund.

2018 is an important year for genetics as it marks 100 years since the publication of R.A. Fisher’s famous 1918 Paper on the theory of quantitative trait inheritance.

2 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 79 ISSUE 79 . July 2018

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 - 6 The Genetics Society Journals 2018 Genetics Society Autumn Meeting Heredity Genetics Society Scientific Meetings www.nature.com/hdy External Meetings Diary Editor-in-Chief: Prof Barbara Mable Heredity Editorial Office, University of Glasgow, Sectional Interest Groups 7 Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland Genetics Society Business 8 - 12 Genes and Development www.genesdev.org Honorary Secretary’s Notices Editor: Dr T. Grodzicker Heredity Podcast Genes & Development, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York, 11797, USA Obituaries 13 - 15

Committee members Features 16 - 28 Alternative Career Trajectories in the Biomedical Sciences President Prof Laurence D. Hurst, University of Bath Genetics Society Centenary events Presidential handover Vice-Presidents Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait Genetics - SIG in the spotlight Prof Malcolm Logan, King’s College London Prof Colum Walsh, University of Ulster Science Communication with the Genetics Society Prof Alison Woollard, University of Oxford Travel Reports 29 - 33 Honorary Secretary Dr Jonathan Pettitt, University of Aberdeen Heredity Fieldwork Grant Report 34 - 36

Honorary Treasurer Training Grants 38 - 39 Prof Martin Taylor, University of Edinburgh Genetics Society One-off Meetings 40 - 44 Scientific Meetings Secretary Dr Marika Charalambous, King’s College London Grant Schemes 45 - 49

Newsletter Editor General Information 50 Dr Lynsey Hall, Cardiff University Contacting the Genetics Society 51 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 Advertising in Genetics Society News represents an opportunity to reach a large community of professional geneticists. For rates please email [email protected] www.genetics.org.uk . 3 2018 Genetics Society Autumn Meeting Genotype to Phenotype to Fitness

22–23 November 2018, University of Exeter, Streatham Campus

This meeting will bring together researchers working with Speakers diverse genetic techniques, across a multitude of systems, Matthew Webster Uppsala University, Sweden) but who are nonetheless connected by a shared passion for Nina Wedell University of Exeter understanding adaptive evolution. Patrik Nosil University of Sheffield The meeting will have four themed, open sessions, each Susan Johnston University of Edinburgh featuring 2-3 of our invited speakers, together with Edze Westra University of Exeter contributed talks and posters selected from submitted Chris Jiggins University of Cambridge abstracts. In addition to the open sessions, there will be a Anne Charmantier CEFE - CNRS, Montpellier, France symposium offering opportunities for early career researchers Miltos Tsiantis MPI for Plant Breeding, Cologne to present in an especially supportive environment. The open Katrina McGuigan University of Queensland, Australia session themes will be: Walter Salzburger University of Basel, Switzerland Genotype to phenotype Genetics constraint and conflict Scientific Organisers Genes in environments Alastair Wilson University of Exeter Micro to macro, bridging evolutionary genetic scales. Kay Boulton Roslin Institute Frank Hailer Cardiff University We encourage everyone to interpret these themes broadly - they are intended to help identify common ground for Helena Wells King’s College, London discussion, not to limit scientific scope! Ben Longdon University of Exeter

Abstract Submission Deadline: 31st August 2018

for registration, visit www.genetics.org.uk/events/genotype-to-phenotype-to-fitness GENETICS SOCIETY 5 SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS

Speakers Matthew Webster Uppsala University, Sweden) Nina Wedell University of Exeter More detailed information and links to event websites can be found at Patrik Nosil University of Sheffield Susan Johnston University of Edinburgh www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/conferences/ Edze Westra University of Exeter Chris Jiggins University of Cambridge 100 years of quantitative genetics theory and A Century of Genetics – Celebrating 100 Anne Charmantier CEFE - CNRS, Montpellier, France its applications: celebrating the centenary of years of genetics in Edinburgh and the Miltos Tsiantis MPI for Plant Breeding, Cologne Fisher 1918 Genetics Society in the UK Katrina McGuigan University of Queensland, Australia Date: 9th October 2018 Date: 13th - 15th November 2018 Walter Salzburger University of Basel, Switzerland Location: Royal College of Surgeons, Location: Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh Nicholson St., Edinburgh Registration deadline: Further details to follow Scientific Organisers Registration deadline: 21st September 2018 Website: www.genetics.org.uk/events/100-years- Alastair Wilson University of Exeter Abstract deadline: 10th August 2018 genetics/ Kay Boulton Roslin Institute Website: www.genetics.org.uk/events/100-years-of- Frank Hailer Cardiff University quantitative-genetics-theory-and-its-applications- celebrating-the-centenary-of-fisher-1918/ Helena Wells King’s College, London Info: This one-day meeting will celebrate the centennial Ben Longdon University of Exeter of R.A. Fisher’s famous 1918 Paper on the theory of quantitative trait inheritance. There will be 8 invited speakers, with the Fisher Memorial Lecture at 5pm, Abstract Submission Deadline: 31st August 2018 followed by a reception. In addition, 4 early career speakers and up to 30 posters will be selected from submitted abstracts by the organizing committee.

REGISTER FOR MORE GENETIC SOCIETY EVENTS AT: www.genetics.org.uk

www.genetics.org.uk . 5 EXTERNAL MEETINGS DIARY 6

More detailed information and links to event Galton Institute conference on genome editing websites can be found at Date: 31st October 2018 http://www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/ Location: The Royal Society, external-meetings/ 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London Registration info: Attendance free but strictly We will happily include any announcements for ticketed genetics-based meetings in this section. Please Website: www.galtoninstitute.org.uk/future-events/ send any items to [email protected] Info: Advances in genome editing technologies are taking the world by storm. The potential and European Wnt Meeting 2018 pitfalls are widely discussed by scientists and public Date: 12th - 14th September 2018 alike, but there may be some gaps to be filled in the Location: Communication Center (German Cancer dialogue. The Galton Institute’s Annual Conference Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany seeks to bridge such gaps with its wide-ranging Registration deadline: 1st July 2018 (early), 31st August audience filling the spectrum from active scientists 2018 (late) to well-informed and interested lay participants. The Website: sfb1324.de/wnt-meeting/ Galton Lecture has been given each year for over 100 Info: Following the tradition of previous Wnt meetings, years. This year’s Galton Lecturer is world-renowned the conference will cover all aspects of Wnt signaling scientist Jennifer Doudna, who has and is playing pathways and their roles in development and disease. a leading role in the discovery, adaptation and fine- The meeting will feature a stimulating scientific program tuning of the bacterial enzymic DNA editing system with presentations from invited speakers, selected talks CRISPR-Cas9. This is the latest and most widely from submitted abstracts, flash talks and poster sessions. amenable tool currently used for genome editing in a The program will also provide plenty opportunities for wide spectrum of organisms, succeeding a number of informal interactions. ingenious but less easily used systems.

Epigenetics in cognition, developmental and Spatial Genome Organization Conference evolutionary perspectives Date: 25th - 28th February 2019 Date: 25th - 29th September 2018 Location: Melia Nassau Beach Hotel, Nassau, Location: Ettore Majorana Center, Erice, Sicily, Italy Bahamas Registration deadline: 1st August 2018 Website: www.fusion-conferences.com/ Website: schools.centromajorana.it/epigenetics2018 registration88.php /info.html Info: The conference will bring together scientists Info: The workshop focuses on issues that are extremely interested in better characterizing the non-random topical in evolutionary biology and cognitive science, and organization of the genome while also revealing will host broad discussions aimed at a non-specialized how this organization is influenced by various and interdisciplinary audience. How do epigenetic cues or disease conditions. Currently, these topics phenomena affect brain and cognitive development are typically addressed in a small session of other in normal and pathological conditions? Can these conferences however the field of spatial genome phenomena be passed through generations, possibly organization has grown substantially over the past changing evolutionary paths? two decades warranting the creation of a dedicated and continuous conference.

6 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 79 7 SECTIONAL INTEREST GROUPS

The Genetics Society helps support several sectional Genomic Arabidopsis Resource Network (GARNet) interest groups by providing meeting sponsorship. Next meeting: 18th - 19th September 2018, We currently have 14 groups who organise sectional University of York interest meetings with the organizers and dates of Organiser: Geraint Parry any forthcoming meetings are listed below. If you are ([email protected]) interested in any of these areas, please contact the Website: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/garnet2018-a-plant- relevant organiser. This information is also available at: science-showcase-tickets-44831580464 www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/ Genetics Society Pombe Club sectional-interest-groups/ Next meeting: Details to follow Organiser: Jacqueline Hayles Groups who wish to be considered for sectional ([email protected]) interest group status should contact Scientific Website: www.genetics.org.uk/events/genetics- Meetings Secretary, Dr Marika Charalambous (Marika. society-pombe-club/ [email protected]) in the first instance. London Fly meetings Next meeting: 3rd Wednesday of the month (Francis Archaea Group Crick Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields laboratory, London) Next meeting: Details to follow Organisers: Nic Tapon ([email protected]) and Organiser: Cecile Gubry-Rangin ([email protected]), Barry Thompson ([email protected]) Nick Robinson ([email protected]) and Website: lists.londonflymeeting.org/listinfo/lfm Thorsten Allers ([email protected]) Mammalian Genes, Development and Disease Website: www.genetics.org.uk/events/archaea-group/ Next meeting: Details to follow British Yeast Group Organisers: Rosalind John ([email protected]), Next meeting: 27th - 29th June, GACT, David Tosh ([email protected]), David Allard Dept. of Genetics, University of Leicester ([email protected]) Organisers: Ed Louis ([email protected]), Mammalian Genetics and Development Mick Tuite ([email protected]) and Next meeting: November 2018 Graham Pavitt (graham.pavitt@manchester.ac.uk) Organisers: Nick Greene ([email protected]), Website: www2.le.ac.uk/colleges/medbiopsych Andrew Copp ([email protected]), Cynthia /research/gact Andoniadou ([email protected]) C. elegans Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/ich/research/developmental- Next meeting: September 17th-18th September, biology-cancer/DBCmeetings/MGDW/mgw_workshop Univeristy of Leeds Meiosis group Organiser: Patricija Vanoosten-Hawle (p.vanoosten- Next meeting: Details to follow [email protected]) and Stephen Nurrish (s.nurrish@ucl. Organiser: Isabelle Colas (isabelle.colas@hutton. ac.uk) ac.uk) Alexander Lorenz ([email protected]), Website: www.ukworm-meeting2018.com Matthew Neale ([email protected]) e-ACTG (Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait Population Genetics Group Genetics) Next meeting: 3rd - 6th January 2019, Oxford Brookes Next meeting: October 2018, Royal Society of Edinburgh, Univeristy Edinburgh Organiser: Ravinder Kanda ([email protected]) Organisers: Chris Haley ([email protected]) and Website: populationgeneticsgroup.org.uk/ Josephine Pemberton ([email protected]) Website: www.wiki.ed.ac.uk/display/eactg/Edinburgh+Al South-West Fly liance+for+Complex+Trait+Genetics Next meeting: Details to follow Organiser: James Hodge ([email protected]) The Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics Symposium Website: www.bristol.ac.uk/phys-pharm-neuro/ (EGGS) events/fly-meetings/ Next meeting: 19th March 2019, Cambridge Organiser: Frank Jiggins ([email protected]) UK Cilia Network Website: evolutionarygenetics.heliconius.org/eggs/ Website: www.cilianetwork.org.uk

www.genetics.org.uk . 7 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 8

Honorary Secretary’s Notices Jonathan Petitt . Honorary Secretary, University of Aberdeen Committee Changes Current and Upcoming Vacancies Danny Thorogood and Richard Flavell, for their contributions and representation. he Committee is urgently seeking Tnominations for the following On the Executive Committee, post, to take up position as soon as is we welcome Laurence Hurst, practicable: who takes over as President. We Ordinary Committee Member (Cell look forward to working with and Developmental Genetics) him, especially during what The following posts will fall promises to be an exciting year of vacant on 1st May 2020, and we celebrations in 2019. We welcome seek replacements who will begin Marika Charalambous as the new their terms in 2019 (1st May 2019 Scientific Meetings Secretary, for the Honorary Treasurer; 1st and Rebecca Oakey, who takes up November 2019 for the Postgraduate her position as the new Executive Representative), shadowing the Committee post of Policy Officer. current incumbents: Wendy Bickmore The Policy Officer will be Honorary Treasurer, to replace responsible for identifying and Martin Taylor he Committee would like to maintaining networks with policy- Postgraduate Representative, to Texpress our warmest gratitude makers, advisory bodies and think- replace Helena Wells to Wendy Bickmore, for leading tanks; identifying opportunities The following committee posts will the Society for the last three years. that strengthen Genetics Society be falling vacant as of 1st May 2019: Wendy stepped down as President engagement with relevant public Ordinary Committee member at the end of April, and we are very policy. They will represent the (Gene Structure, Function and grateful for all her work initiating Society at external meetings Regulation), to replace Doug and planning the Society’s and, as appropriate, would seek Vernimmen centenary celebrations. She will expertise from the membership Ordinary Committee member continue to contribute as part of to address matters relevant to the (Genomics), to replace Michael the Centenary Working Group. Society’s remit. Simpson Ordinary Committee member We also thank the outgoing We also welcome three new (Corporate Genetics and Scientific Meetings Secretary, Committee Members, Alison Biotechnology), to replace Jim Dominique Klein, and outgoing Bentley, Lyndsey Leach and Huggett Committee Members, Mark Jobling, Jason Wolf. The nomination deadline for these posts is Friday 30th November 2018. On the Executive Committee, we welcome Laurence Hurst, who takes over as President. We look forward to Any member in good standing is working with him, especially during what promises to be eligible to submit nominations for these posts (including self- an exciting year of celebrations in 2019. nominations). Nominations should be sent to Jonathan Pettitt ([email protected]).

8 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 79 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 9

Medal and Prize Lecture Sir Kenneth Mather Memorial Prize - Announcements call for nominations ur 2018 Genetics Society Medal (Mike Bevan), Mary Lyon Medal O(Sarah Teichmann) and Balfour (Ludmil Alexandrov) lectures will he Sir Kenneth Mather take place at a special event on 13th July 2018, in the Kendrew Lecture TMemorial Prize of £150 Theatre, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, rewards a BSc, MSc or PhD Hinxton. Lectures will be in the afternoon and will be followed by a student of any UK University drinks reception. or Research Institution who has The 2018 JBS Haldane Lecture will be given by Professor Turi King on shown outstanding performance Monday 26th November 2018 at the Royal Institution, London (see website in the area of quantitative or for further details in the near future). population genetics. This is an annual award pertaining to a project report, dissertation or Life Membership of the Genetics Society thesis submitted during the academic year in question.

Nominations for the 2016/17 award should be submitted to The Genetics Society electronically using the link below, before November 26th 2018. To be eligible for nomination, theses/ dissertations/project reports must be submitted by the nominated student to their nominating University or Institution between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2017.

Nominations should include a cover letter from the proposer, a CV of the nominee and an electronic copy of the student’s project report, dissertation or thesis. he Genetics Society is keen to eligible to vote in the Society’s AGM Tsupport members and those and continue to receive Society For more information, please willing to continue to contribute to notices, but will not be required to see the Genetics Society the field of Genetics once retired. pay further subscriptions. Recipients website: www.genetics.org.uk/ Have you reached the age of of the Mendel Medal and the Genetics medals-and-prizes/sir-kenneth- retirement (65), but wish to continue Society Medal will also be offered mather-memorial-prize/ with your involvement in the Society? Life Membership. If you would like to If so, and you are a full, current continue your contribution and links member of the Genetics Society, with the Society, please contact The then you are eligible to become a Genetics Society Office (theteam@ Life Member. Life members remain genetics.org.uk).

www.genetics.org.uk . 9 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 10

Local Ambassadors

The Local Ambassadors act as key liaisons between the membership and the Society’s Office and Committee, helping to recruit new members, publicising the Society’s scientific meetings and other activities, and providing feedback from the membership on matters of professional concern.

As an ambassador you will receive lots of support from the Genetics Society, including supplies of promotional materials and loan of pop-up banners. The Society normally appoints only one local ambassador per company, institution or department, but exceptions can be made when there are semi-autonomous sub-divisions containing a substantial number of members or potential members. We are currently actively seeking Ambassadors for Ascot and Silwood (Imperial College London), Cambridge University’s Genetics Department, and Royal Botanic Garden (Kew, London).

If you would like to become a Genetics Society Ambassador, The tasks of the Genetics Society • attending ad hoc national, or if existing Ambassadors wish Ambassador are not onerous and travel expenses paid, “get to update their contact details, include: togethers” to meet the please contact the Honorary committee and network with Secretary, Jonathan Pettitt, by Recruiting new members by: other local ambassadors e-mail at [email protected]. • targeting new student intakes • providing feedback from the • alerting your department/ membership about Genetics institution/university to Society activities deadlines for grants available • helping organise local events to researchers such as socials etc Promoting the society by: • assisting the Membership • publicise Genetics Society Secretary in keeping an meetings and other events (e.g. accurate log of which members putting up posters or by word have moved on and to where of mouth) • manning stands at relevant local events GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 11

Local ambassador Location Institute Prof. Anne Donaldson Aberdeen University of Aberdeen Dr Dylan Phillips Aberystwyth Aberystwyth University VACANT Ascot and Silwood Silwood Park, Imperial College London Dr Alexander Papadopulos Bangor University of Bangor Dr Araxi Urrutia Bath University of Bath Dr Declan McKenna Belfast University of Ulster Dr Lindsey Leach Birmingham University of Birmingham Dr Charlotte Rutledge Birmingham University of Birmingham Dr Felicity Z Watts Brighton University of Sussex Prof. Patricia Kuwabara Bristol University of Bristol (SOMs) Dr Howard Baylis Cambridge Zoology Department, University of Cambridge Dr Philip Wigge Cambridge Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University VACANT Cambridge Genetics Department, Cambridge University Dr Bénédicte Sanson Cambridge Phys, Dev and Neuro Department, Cambridge University Dr Ian Henderson Cambridge Plant Sci Department, University of Cambridge Dr Simon C Harvey Canterbury Canterbury Christ Church University Dr Timothy Bowen Cardiff University of Wales College of Medicine Dr William Davies Cardiff Cardiff University Dr Jose Gutierrez-Marcos Coventry University of Warwick Dr Peter Glen Walley Coventry University of Warwick Dr Oliver Blacque Dublin University College Dublin Prof. Michael JR Stark Dundee University of Dundee Dr Isabelle Colas Dundee James Hutton Institute Prof. Ian Jackson Edinburgh MRC Human Genetics Unit Dr Douglas Vernimmen Edinburgh The Roslin Institute Dr Jarrod Hadfield Edinburgh Institute of Evolutionary Biology Prof. Eileen Wall Edinburgh SRUC Dr Antonio Marco Essex University of Essex Dr Sarah Flanagan Exeter University of Exeter Dr Ben Longdon Exeter University of Exeter Dr Iain Johnstone Glasgow University of Glasgow Dr Kevin O'Dell Glasgow University of Glasgow Dr Fiona Green Guildford University of Surrey Dr Paul Potter Harwell MRC Harwell Dr Cristina Ariani Hinxton Wellcome Genome Campus Dr David Lunt Hull University of Hull Prof. Mick F Tuite Kent University of Kent Dr Paul Ashton Lancashire Edge Hill University Dr Andrew Peel Leeds University of Leeds, School of Biology Dr Ed Hollox Leicester University of Leicester Dr Peter Walley Liverpool University of Liverpool Dr Craig Wilding Liverpool Liverpool John Moores University Dr Claire Russell London Royal Veterinary College Prof. Simon Hughes London King's College London Dr Francesca Mackenzie London UCL Institute of Ophthalmology Prof. Harald Schneider London The Natural History Museum Prof. E M C Fisher London UCL Institute of Neurology Prof. Andrew Pomiankowski London UCL Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment Prof. Richard A Nichols London Queen Mary and Westfield College Dr Emanuela Volpi London University of Westminster Dr Yalda Jamshidi London St George's Hospital Medical School Prof. Alex Blakemore London Imperial College London (Hammersmith) Dr Michalis Barkoulas London Imperial College London (South Kensington) Dr James Turner London Francis Crick Institute VACANT London Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Dr Catherine Walton Manchester University of Manchester Rebecca Collier Manchester University of Manchester Dr Reinmar Hager Manchester University of Manchester Dr Kirsten Wolff Newcastle upon Tyne University of Newcastle (Biol Sci) Prof. Enrico Coen Norwich John Innes Centre Dr Tracey Chapman Norwich University of East Anglia Dr Richard Emes Nottingham University of Nottingham (Sutton Bonnington Campus) Prof. John Brookfield Nottingham University of Nottingham (University Park Campus) Professor Andrew Wilkie Oxford University of Oxford (John Radcliffe Hosp) Prof. Liam Dolan Oxford University of Oxford (Plant Sciences) Prof. Jonathan Hodgkin Oxford University of Oxford (Biochemistry) Dr Ravinder Kanda Oxford Oxford Brookes University Dr Mairi Knight Plymouth University of Plymouth Dr Louise Johnson Reading University of Reading Dr Jon Slate Sheffield University of Sheffield Dr Mark Chapman Southampton University of Southampton Prof. Mike Ritchie St Andrews University of St Andrews Dr Mario Vallejo-Marin Stirling University of Stirling Dr Lewis Bingle Sunderland University of Sunderland Dr Claire Morgan Swansea Swansea University Dr Sean Sweeney York University of York www.genetics.org.uk . 11 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS 12

Heredity podcast

There is an exciting new way to discover the science being published in Heredity, the official journal of the Genetics Society. We are delighted to announce that we are re-launching the monthly Heredity Podcast in June, featuring interviews with the people behind the research.

hether you run your own Wlab or just have a passion for science, the podcast aims to cover a diverse range of topics in the field of genetics in a way accessible to all. It will also feature important news and cover big events at both Heredity and the Genetics Society.

Producing and hosting the new podcast is James Burgon. Having recently completed his PhD in evolutionary biology at the University of Glasgow, James has experience in both research and science communication. During his PhD, James led his Institute’s podcast and blog “Naturally Speaking” and was an editor on the University’s Postgraduate research community blog. More recently, James has worked as a Science Communicator with the Edinburgh International Science Festival and will soon join the National Physical Laboratory as a Science Writer.

We hope to coincide the release of the podcast with each month’s issue of Heredity. While we will soon be available through all of your favourite podcatcher apps, for now keep an eye on our podcast page for new episodes (https://www.nature.com/hdy/ podcast/). Finally, to keep up to date with all the latest podcast news, follow us on twitter (@ HeredityJournal). The man behind the podcast, Dr James Burgon.

12 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 79 13 OBITUARIES

Dr Clive Roberts

moved to the Genetics Department 1983-85, following the retirement at Glasgow University, and gained of Professor Pritchard. his Ph.D. in Professor Guido Pontecorvo’s lab, investigating Dr Roberts maintained a the genetics of Aspergillus successful and productive research nidulans. After post-doctoral work group, supported by talented as a Guinness Research Fellow research students and post- at Oxford, and then at Yale, in doctoral workers. He embraced 1967 he joined Professor Bob molecular biology, secured Pritchard in the newly-founded competitive research grant Genetics Department at Leicester funding, and built up productive University. Both individuals collaborations with scientists helped put Leicester Genetics on in the Netherlands, Newcastle the map in the first decade of the University and King’s College, Department’s life. London. He was generous with his time, research skills and ideas Dr Roberts played leading roles in and always sought to promote and the teaching, administration and enhance the career prospects of organisation of the department. the early stage research scientists He developed the department’s who worked in, or collaborated early teaching programme by with, his research group. contributing to the newly-created t is with great sadness that we In many ways, Dr Roberts was a report the death on February Degree in Biological Sciences. I He considered his establishment, major player in the establishment 8th of Dr Clive F. Roberts, aged and development of the Leicester 85. He was Lecturer then Senior in 1988, of an M.Sc. course in Genetics (which still runs University Genetics Department Lecturer in the Department of and School of Biological Sciences. Genetics at Leicester University today) his lasting legacy to the department. Financial support for Those who knew him will miss from 1967 to 1997 and Head of a very popular colleague and Department in 1983-85. this course came from the MRC, SSRC and European programmes a gentle, sociable, generous, Dr Roberts was born in Slough, (ERASMUS and ESF), thereby pleasantly off-beat, funny and studied at Cheshunt Grammar placing him in the vanguard of highly likeable man. School, South-West Essex promoting European student Thank you to Dr Kenneth M. Jones Technical College and then participation. He remained closely (formerly of Leicester University) University College London, involved in the development of and Professor Alastair Hawkins where he graduated in Botany the Biological Sciences degree (Newcastle University) for and Chemistry. After national and the genetics contribution to contributing this obituary. service in the Royal Signals in medical student teaching. His Iraq, he was awarded an M.Sc. in administrative role culminated Microbiology at UCL. In 1957 he in Headship of Department from

He was generous with his time, research skills and ideas and always sought to promote and enhance the career prospects of the early stage research scientists who worked in, or collaborated with, his research group.

www.genetics.org.uk . 13 OBITUARIES 14

Professor Sir John Sulston

was to create a simple freezing whole genome sequence for any protocol for the worms, allowing multicellular organism. By 1990, their indefinite preservation, advances in DNA sequencing which has had an enduring meant that the human genome impact on nematology. He went was also a feasible target, on to characterize the worm’s although determining its three DNA, finding its genome size to billion basepairs was clearly be only twenty times that of E. going to be a very expensive and coli, which was another discovery politically loaded proposition. with long-term consequences. John, despite his modesty, His next project, studying the lobbied for the funding needed dopaminergic nervous system of to sequence the human genome, C. elegans, caused him to develop assembled a large research team methods for cell lineage tracking and created a new scientific in living worms, which led on to campus, appropriately named his collaborative work with Bob the Sanger Centre. He became a Horvitz and the determination champion against efforts to put of the entire postembryonic human sequence data in private cell lineage. This was followed hands. He fiercely and successfully by his seemingly impossible resisted these attempts, ensuring achievement in describing the that the human genome sequence complete embryonic lineage remained in the public domain. from single cell egg to 558-cell In his final years he moved ohn Sulston’s sudden and larva. These groundbreaking away from research science, Juntimely death takes from studies engendered a host of promoting scientific ethics, global us a scientist and friend of investigations in developmental development and human rights. extraordinary vision, ingenuity, biology, cell biology and tenacity, generosity, warmth and neurobiology, which eventually His collaborators Marty Chalfie, ethical integrity. John took both led to the Nobel Prize being Judith Kimble and John White his first degree and his PhD in awarded to Brenner, Horvitz and have all written about John at Cambridge, studying organic Sulston in 2002. greater length elsewhere (in chemistry, before spending several the journals Cell, Science and years in California working John, together with Alan Coulson Development), and a deeper sense with Leslie Orgel on prebiotic and later on Bob Waterston, then of his life and personality can be synthesis. Orgel recognized his developed methods for assembling gained from his 2002 book, The talents and recommended him a physical map of the worm’s Common Thread (co-authored to Francis Crick. As a result, in genome, in order to facilitate with Georgina Ferry). 1969 John joined a remarkable gene cloning for the general group of junior investigators benefit of the C. elegans research Thank you to Professor Jonathan recruited by Crick and Sydney community. Their efforts were Hodgekin (University of Oxford) Brenner at the MRC Laboratory of highly successful and enabled for contributing this obituary. Molecular Biology in Cambridge. their next absurdly ambitious Brenner was then developing the venture: the complete genome nematode Caenorhabditis elegans sequence of C. elegans, which as an experimental system. John’s was duly delivered in 1998, as the first contribution to this project first and still the most perfect

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Professor Gabriel Dover

was supervised by Sir Ralph Riley UK to obtain the highest score. at the Plant Breeding Institute, Gabby wrote the RAE document before being appointed in 1972 as with his usual impeccable flair a Lecturer in Cambridge at the and wit, typically ignoring the Department of Genetics. There, dry template the university had he supervised a stellar group of tried to impose on him. He was students who went on to become always extremely supportive of major figures in the field, always his staff, loyal and very generous joking that his students thrived with his time, and those of us on his neglect! Gabby was best who were fortunate enough known for his controversial ideas to get close to him will have about ‘molecular drive’, a term he warm memories of an uniquely used to describe a potential third interesting personality and a force in evolution after Darwinian brilliant, eclectic man who, more natural selection and neutral than anything, was enormous fun drift. Whether one believed this to be around. He retired in 2002 abriel (Gabby) Dover, former or not, he more than anyone and lived a quiet but busy life in GHoD of Genetics in the 1990s underlined the importance in Oxford, maintaining his academic died peacefully on Sunday 1st the evolutionary process of the contacts, writing and contributing April after a short illness, aged dynamics of mutations in families to public awareness of evolution. 80. Gabby was a very complex of repetitive DNA sequences. In his later years, he suffered and colourful character with with poor health and, sadly, he an impressive intellect and an After Gabby took the Chair succumbed to a chest infection international reputation in of Genetics in Leicester in over the Easter period. He leaves evolutionary genetics. He was 1991, he made a number of children, Merav, Noam and Alexis, born in Manchester in 1937 into important strategic decisions and and grandchildren Micha and a Jewish family and had an appointments, which enhanced Manya. extraordinary early life, including the scientific reputation of the travelling to Palestine in 1938 and department culminating in its 5* Thank you to Professor returning to the UK in the middle rating in the 2001 RAE (now REF) Charalambos Kyriacou (University of the war in 1942. exercise, the only department of Leicester) for contributing this in the university and the only obituary. His first degree was in Hebrew Genetics department in the and Aramaic (first class) from the University of London in 1960. He then became deeply politicised After Gabby took the Chair of Genetics in Leicester and returned to Israel to work on a kibbutz for 5 years. However the in 1991, he made a number of important strategic isolation of the kibbutz coupled decisions and appointments, which enhanced to his increasing discomfort with the plight of the Palestinians the scientific reputation of the department led him to return to the UK and culminating in its 5* rating in the 2001 RAE continue his education, this time in science, taking a first in Botany (now REF) exercise, the only department in the at the University of Leeds in 1969. university and the only Genetics department in the He moved to Cambridge for his PhD in plant genetics where he UK to obtain the highest score.

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n this edition of the Newsletter, we have five feature pieces. The first feature is an Early Career Researcher Ispecial, looking at career trajectories beyond the traditional academic route of PhD - postdoc - postdoc - lecturer. This includes stories from four biomedical scientists who have diversified outwith academia, to demonstrate the fuller range of opportunities that are available to researchers. The second feature highlights some of the events that are part of the centenary programme spanning 2018 and 2019. The third feature is an interview of our outgoing and incoming Presidents, Professor Wendy Bickmore and Professor Laurence Hurst, on what inspired them to become geneticists and their time as President. The fourth feature is part of an extended series designed to promote each of our Sectional Interest Groups in turn, to provide our membership with more insight into what these meetings are like, and encourage attendance. This issue is focussing on the Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait Genetics. In our fifth and final feature, we look at science communication opportunities available via the Genetics Society in the form of the Communicating Your Science workshop and public engagement volunteer opportunities. Early Career Researcher special - Alternative Career Trajectories in the Biomedical Sciences

For this Issue of the newsletter the Genetics Society have been in touch with Vitae, global leaders in supporting the professional development of researchers, to find out more about alternative career pathways for early career researchers beyond the “traditional” academic route.

What is Vitae? official supporter of the Concordat The infographics below relate to by expressing its commitment to the career destinations of doctoral itae is the global leader in Concordat principles. graduates 3.5 years after graduation, supporting the professional and V With unpredictable changes in specifically from biological and career development of researchers, biomedical sciences which was the experienced in working with over policy contexts and the sector’s increasing reliance on research staff closest genetics-related category in 200 institutions striving for research our analysis. excellence, innovation and impact. employed on fixed term contracts, researchers are now required to When distilled further, doctoral They are at the heart of a constantly adapt to ensure both graduates from biomedical sciences community of 40,000 researchers, their research and their career show even more promising statistics with partners including remain on track. We must support with only 1% being unemployed - the governments, funders of research, researchers to navigate these lowest of all discipline clusters; as academies, professional bodies, uncertain times by developing many as 68% employed on open- trusts and foundations, universities support around behaviours, skills, ended contracts; 88% in paid work; and research institutes. They are a mental health and wellbeing as 67% working outside HE; and 95% non-profit programme and part of well as expectations to ensure feeling satisfied with their chosen the Careers Research & Advisory our supply of highly talented career path. Centre (CRAC) Ltd, with nearly 50 researchers. years’ experience of enhancing the What do genetics skills and careers of researchers. What do genetics doctoral research staff do next? At a government level, Vitae helps graduates do next? Such facts and figures present a shape and influence policy including When Vitae explored career paths reassuring picture for the future how the Concordat to Support the of doctoral graduates who left career paths of research staff, Career Development of Researchers research posts to work beyond particularly those in bio-scientific should evolve to improve further academia, we discovered some fields. Vitae recently caught up the working conditions and career interesting revelations in terms with four geneticists who took the development of research staff. In of employability, chosen career step beyond academia and have not 2018, the Genetics Society became an destinations and job satisfaction. looked back.

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SUSHMA TIWARI Senior Manager- Performance and Evaluation at Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EPSRC. Former research staff in genetics, University of Bath

Sushma did her PhD in India in plant biotechnology and then worked with the Biology and Biochemistry Department at the University of Bath. When her son was born she began looking for a job within travelling distance using her experience and interests in science whilst striving for a work-life balance. She joined BBSRC as a Peer Review Officer and after progressing through various policy roles she is now Senior Manager for Performance and Evaluation at EPSRC. She is responsible for capturing evidence and impact from EPSRC funded research, as well as guiding and performing targeted impact evaluations of EPSRC’s investment in research. Sushma wishes she had considered a career beyond academia earlier and had gained a better understanding of the funding environment. She recommends “It was important to me to work in engaging with as many external entities as possible to communicate the an area where I could make use of progress and outcomes from research. She also suggests getting involved in my scientific understanding and activities to develop ‘soft-skills’. methodology. At the time, I did not For more information on Sushma’s story, visit the vitae website at: www. have a lot of understanding of different vitae.ac.uk/researcher-careers/researcher-career-stories/what-do-research- places which might offer that.” staff-do-next-career-stories/sushma-tiwari

ED RALPH Chief Operating Officer at Quartix. Former research staff in biochemistry at the University of Cambridge.

During his doctorate Ed attended a week-long residential Vitae GRADschool which gave him a glimpse into roles and opportunities beyond academia, and a realisation of the skills he had to offer an employer. He was captivated by a presentation given by an entrepreneurial former research staff member who had just started Abcam, an online company supplying antibodies to research labs. Excited by the prospect of combining his passions of the internet and science and being an early part of what could be a very successful company, he followed up about working for the start-up. Expecting a possible scientific role he was surprised when they offered him a role as their website manager. He progressed to Chief Information Officer where his scientific background was crucial to understanding their customers “I wish I had known about the sheer and strategy. multitude and number of different More recently Ed combined his experience and applied it to his current role of roles available to people that have a Chief Operating Officer at Quartix and enjoys exercising a satisfying level of research background. As a researcher scientific method. you might meet only a sales rep from a biotech company. That’s just the tip of For more information on Ed’s story, visit the vitae website at: www.vitae. the iceberg.” ac.uk/researcher-careers/researcher-career-stories/what-do-research-staff- do-next-career-stories/ed-ralph

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ANNA SHARMAN Founder and Director of Cofactor Ltd (scientific publishing consultancy). Former research staff in genetics, University of Heidelberg, Germany

Anna decided to leave research for a number of reasons – mainly the lack of confidence with lab work, together with a lack of support. The insecure career structure for research staff was also a big reason. Having previously co-authored an article in a high profile journal she decided that a job in science writing or publishing could be better for her and after chatting with journal editors, she was able to find out what their jobs involved. With the co-authoring of the article already under her belt, when a vacancy became available at the same company, Anna applied. During the first six months she questioned whether to go back to research, but soon realised the high level of job satisfaction from the regular articles she was producing. She progressed to senior editor and subsequently became “I wish I had known how many a freelancer. She is now a trainer, giving workshops to researchers on options tehre were outside academia publishing scientific papers. with a biology PhD and that they were possible for me I had no idea! Anna’s advice is that networking is crucial. All her jobs were gained through There was no Vitae then, of course, contacts and recommendations. and no online social networks, and I For more information on Anna’s story, visit the vitae website at: www. wish I had had the support from them vitae.ac.uk/researcher-careers/researcher-career-stories/what-do-research- that is now available.” staff-do-next-career-stories/anna-sharman

DARREN BURGESS Senior Editor, Nature Reviews Genetics, Nature Publishing Group UK. Former research staff in cancer genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, USA

Darren worked for three years as a post-doctoral researcher in cancer genetics for the Institute of Cancer Research, London. Questioning the benefits of staying in research, he looked for careers that would use his scientific training that were varied yet stable giving him job security and a better work-life balance. He was delighted to secure an Assistant Editor position with Nature Reviews Cancer and Nature Reviews Genetics, progressing to Senior Editor with Nature Reviews Genetics. Darren has found being an editor varied and rewarding. As a Senior Editor, he can choose many of the topics and authors featured in articles and it is “I think that doctoral students, satisfying when articles are well received by the scientific community. research staff and research leaders Worrying initially about the perceptions of ‘failure’ by leaving hands-on should be more aware of the diverse research, he is now in the position where numerous former colleagues ask career paths that science can take him how they can follow similar career paths. you, and not see a career trajectory towards independent research as the He recommends moving internationally during a career path to create only ‘successful’ route.” professional experience that stands out in future job applications. For more information on Darren’s story, visit the vitae website at: www. vitae.ac.uk/researcher-careers/researcher-career-stories/what-do-research- staff-do-next-career-stories/darren-burgess

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The competencies that Sushma, Ed, researchers from biological and Take a look at our host of Anna and Darren still use from their biomedical sciences can move into research lab days are extensive and include pharmaceuticals, chemical useful free web resources Early Career Researchers should not manufacturing, government, health aimed at: underestimate the toolkit of critical services, and charities. • Researchers: www.vitae.ac.uk/ skills they can bring to an employer. This list is by no means exhaustive, researchers Skills highlighted when as demonstrated in our career • Those supporting researchers’ stories. The skills and competencies development: www.vitae.ac.uk/ relaying their career acquired during research can be researcherdevelopers stories included: applied to many other sectors. • Those supervising or managing • ability to focus We would like to share a telling researchers: www.vitae.ac.uk/ • effectively extracting information statistic from Vitae’s ‘What Do supervisorsmanagers • motivational leading Research Staff Do Next?’ report that • Senior managers at research • supervising whilst 78% of respondents aspired organisations: www.vitae.ac.uk/ • thinking strategically to an academic career when they senior-manager-of-research-org • horizon scanning were research staff, only 18% said Other useful links • multi-tasking they would now go back 5 years after • delivering under pressure going beyond academia. This is an mentioned in this article: • setting and managing deadlines incredible change of attitude and • Concordat to Support the Career Opportunities for doctoral positive endorsement for considering Development of Researchers: researchers, early career researchers a career path beyond academia. www.vitae.ac.uk/policy/ and supervisors The opportunities for challenging, concordat-to-support-the-career- diverse and exciting careers are out development-of-researchers Vitae’s findings and career stories • Five Steps Forward: www.vitae. really demonstrate the wide range there, you just have to open your eyes. ac.uk/five-steps-forward of occupations that doctoral • What Do Research Staff Do Next? researchers and research staff can Register for a wealth of resources report: www.vitae.ac.uk/research- undertake, resulting in high levels and sign up to the Vitae news, which staff-do-next-report of job satisfaction. is an option when registering on Common employment sectors the website here: https://www.vitae. that doctoral graduates and ac.uk/login

The opportunities for challenging, diverse and exciting careers are out there, you just have to open your eyes.

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Genetics Society Centenary

Our centenary year is fast approaching and we are busy making sure that we mark 2019 with various events of interest to all our membership and members of the public.

ne of the exciting events we fantastic day with representatives Applications are currently accepted Ohave planned for next year from various international on a rolling basis and will be sent is an exhibition for the Discovery organisations that gathered to to reviewers at the start of each Zone at the Chelsea Flower celebrate 175 years since the arrival month for assessment. Applicants Show. Our history with the Royal of Mendel to Brno. are encouraged to send their Horticultural Society (RHS) dates We are very pleased to announce applications three months in back to the 1900s when William that next year’s International advance of the project start date, Bateson (founder of the Genetics Mendel Day celebrations will be where possible, and should normally Society) was introduced to the work coming to London on the 8th of expect to receive a decision on their of Gregor Mendel and presented March 2019. In collaboration with application within four weeks of the his work during an RHS lecture. the Royal Institution we will host application being put forward for William Bateson translated an afternoon programme dedicated assessment. Mendel’s paper to English which to the role of women in Genetics If you don’t have experience of was published by the RHS. and an evening public talk by our public engagement, or don’t know We will trial part of our Chelsea Mendel Medal awardee Mary-Claire what steps to take to organise a Flower Show exhibition this King. public engagement event, contact summer at the Royal Botanic As part of our centenary us and we will be able to assist you Garden Edinburgh from the 18th celebrations, we want all our by providing a Public Engagement to the 25th of August, where there members to be able to join booklet and examples of activities will be an antirrhinum display and us and participate in public tailored to different audiences. various hands-on activities, so if you engagement events. Therefore, These are just a few of the activities are in Edinburgh come visit us. Public Engagement Grants of up we have planned to celebrate our Earlier this year the Genetics to £500 are available to members 100th anniversary. If you would like Society was very happy to be of the Genetics Society to cover to find more information about our present at the International Mendel costs associated with travel and centenary please visit our website. Day celebration at the Medelianum materials for public engagement in Brno, Czech Republic. It was a activities relevant to Genetics.

As part of our centenary celebrations, we want all our members to be able to join us and participate in public engagement events. Therefore, Public Engagement Grants of up to £500 are available to members of the Genetics Society to cover costs associated with travel and materials for public engagement activities relevant to Genetics.

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Presidential handover

The Genetics Society president oversees the entire running of the Society and is in post for 3 years, which is enough time to make quite an impact! We spoke to our outgoing President, Wendy Bickmore, about her time in the Society, and to our current President, Laurence Hurst, about what he hopes to achieve over the next 3 years.

I suppose it has been DNA as a (Human genome organization: molecule, and the chromosome as an Alu, LINES, and the molecular object - rather than heredity per se - structure of metaphase chromosome which has been my obsession. bands, Cell 1988). They had used I am a very visual person, and fluorescence situ hybridisation so it was looking at G-banded to metaphase chromosomes to human mitotic chromosomes show that SINEs and LINEs – the down the microscope that was a two major classes of interspersed eureka moment for me. I wanted repeats in the human genome to know how the pattern of visible -have different distributions along chromosome bands related to the genome that corresponded to the underlying genome sequence chromosome bands. I thought the I was studying and mapping as idea that you could use metaphase a molecular biologist. At the chromosomes spread on a glass time I didn’t know how to go slide as a visual read-out of genome about addressing the question organisation was so elegant and Professor Wendy Bickmore experimentally. Then John Evans, simple. It was an approach that I What inspired you to pursue a who was the Director of what was then adopted when I started my own career in genetics? then called the MRC Clinical and research group, and I like to think of it as a forerunner of microarrays I never consciously set out to pursue Population Cytogenetics Unit – now the much snappier titled MRC – which are after all are just a more a career in genetics per se. I trained ordered and higher resolution way first as a biochemist and then Human Genetics Unit – pointed out a paper he thought I might be of displaying the genome on a became excited by the advances in microscope slide. recombinant DNA technologies in interested in and suggested that I the late 1970s. This took me into present it at the Unit journal club. How did you become involved genome biology – which I have The paper in question was by Julie with The Genetics Society? been fascinated by ever since. So Korenberg and Mary Rykowski The first encounter that I remember having with the Genetics Society was when I was awarded the I thought the idea that you could use Balfour lecture in 1997. I then became involved with the Genetics metaphase chromosomes spread on a Society as an area representative on the committee around about glass slide as a visual read-out of genome 2005 when Jonathan Hodgkin was the President, followed by Brian organisation was so elegant and simple. Charlesworth.

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What do you feel is your USP as idea for it whilst watching Gardner’s was awarded to Andrew Fire and President? World one evening. I have always Craig Mello for the discovery I have tried to enhance the annual loved gardens and gardening and so of RNA interference in the Genetics Society meetings, given being able to convey some prinicples nematode worm. But I thought them a slightly broader focus of Genetics - such as mutation and that David Baulcombe’s discovery addressing the most important selection - through flowers seemed of small RNAs in plants, and his areas in contemporary genetics like such an exciting idea. It is also demonstration that these can and genomics. Committee members very apt since William Bateson, travel throughout the plant to give have more involvement now in the who founded the Genetics Society in systematic gene silencing and play selection of topics for the annual 1919, first presented Mendel’s ideas an important role in protecting meeting and are directly involved in in English at an RHS conference. the plant genome from viruses the meeting organisation – picking The RHS then published an English and transposable elements, was a speakers etc. The joint meetings translation of Mendel’s paper which seminal contribution. I have also with our sister learned societies – caused a sensation and Bateson first tried to select Mendel Medallists BSCB and BSDB – continue to be coined the term Genetics at an RHS whose work impacts on society great fun and occur every few years conference in 1906. and David Baulcombe is applying or so. I managed to keep up with the What do you see as your his work on genome defense to Presidents of the BSCB and BSDB biggest achievement whilst problems of global food security. on the disco dance floor at the last President? I first became aware of the work of joint meeting. I hope that Laurence Just as I took over from Enrico my other pick as Mendel Medallist is prepared to strut his stuff in a Cohen as President, we found – Mary-Claire King – when I was a similarly uncool manner. out that Portland who had been PhD student studying the evolution I am very pleased that we had such providing our membership services, of the X and Y chromosomes in a great meeting last year with the would be unable to do so in the humans and primates. As a PhD British Society for Genetic Medicine, future. So the Society had to find student with Allan Wilson, Mary- and I hope that that relationship a new organisation to look after Claire was the first person to will continue. The other thing I am the administration functions of show how similar the human and proud of achieving is kick starting the Genetics Society. We took the chimpanzee genomes were to each the events for the centenary year – decision to go with the Royal Society other. Since then, Mary-Claire’s more of that below. of Biology, who were then only research career has spanned an enormous breadth of human If you had to give one piece just starting to offer membership services – so it was a bit of a risky genetics – including the discovery of advice to early career that the Brca1 gene predisposes researchers, what would it be? decision, but one that has paid off. Being associated with the RSB for early onset human breast and Do what you enjoy and don’t be has allowed the Genetics Society ovarian cancer. afraid to go against prevailing to become involved in new areas Like David Baulcombe, Mary-Claire dogma. Just because your data, or – particularly engagement with has shown how genetics can be your interpretation of the data, policy makers. As a consequence, used for the greater good. She has doesn’t agree with that latest paper the Genetics Society now has a new applied her genetics skills to human in a high impact journal doesn’t committee post of Policy Officer rights work to identify missing mean that you are wrong. Trust and the first holder of that post is persons in numerous countries your own data. Rebecca Oakey. working alongside human rights Which Genetics Society How did you choose your organizations. I am really looking centenary event are you most Mendel Medal nominations? forward to hearing her lecture, excited about? which will be presented at the It’s a real honour and responsibility Royal Institution on 8th March Definitely the RHS Chelsea flower to choose who to award the Mendel show. It is also the most daunting 2019 – which happens to be both Medal to. The 2006 Nobel Prize International Women’s day and event because it will have to be done for Physiology and Medicine to such a high standard. I had the Mendel day. The stars are aligned…

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There was also a logical clarity that reason my evolutionary interests I found refreshing. moved towards an evolutionary Conversely I thought genetics to understanding of genetic systems. be a rather dry subject. But just This required me to finally learn as I had never previously thought some genetics. about behaviour in evolutionary How did you become involved terms, equally no one had suggested with The Genetics Society? that one could think about genetic The Genetics Society have been a problems from an evolutionary sort of constant companion. From point of view. I recall thinking organizing a Genetics Society that uniparental inheritance of conference, to being awarded one organelles was a really interesting of their medals, to being invited to problem – I was taught the facts speak at their conferences, it just of this phenomenon in genetics seems as though it was always there. classes, but no one tried to explain It made sense to become ever more to me why this happens or even to involved. say how strange it is that it happens, What do you feel is your USP as Professor Laurence Hurst especially in isogamous species. I also remember reading Axelrod and President? What inspired you to pursue a Hamilton on the prisoner’s dilemma There have been many past career in genetics? and was struck by a comment presidents who were evolutionary I suspect my route into genetics they made about the frequency of geneticists (RA Fisher, JBS Haldane, was an odd one. At University in trisomy 21 going up as mothers get EB Ford in the early days, Linda the mid eighties the first subject older. They speculated that this Partridge and Brian Charlesworth that really turned my head was might be related to the notion that more recently) so I can hardly claim behavioural ecology - before this I cooperation in an iterated game an interest in the evolution of thought I wanted to be a biochemist. was dependent on the prospect genetic systems as in any manner An evolutionary approach to animal of future repeated interactions. I unique. What I can bring, that to behaviour was very much a focus found it exciting that one could the best of my knowledge is unique, of British evolutionary excellence think about this sort of problem is that I have another research at that time in the form of Bill in that sort of way. In retrospect I career doing large randomized Hamilton, John Maynard Smith, see that I was always attracted to controlled trials of teaching Geoff Parker, Nick Davies, Alan theoretical frameworks that aim methods in primary and secondary Grafen etc., all communicated with to explain a disproportionately schools . I’m quite passionate liquid prose by Richard Dawkins. diverse set of observations and that we should teach genetics and I especially liked the way the relatively simple systems to solve evolution well, and that there is no questions in behavioural ecology big questions (I could never be an good reason that our understanding were posed as paradoxes and ecologist or neurobiologist, all of “well” can’t have a really strong intellectually intriguing problems. far too complex for me). For this experimental and evidential basis.

Trust the data. You must always be honest to what the evidence is telling you, not what you expected it to say or, worst of all, wanted it to say.

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If you had to give one piece in place an inspiring centenary not alone in not understanding of advice to early career year; Enrico before her put in place how policy is made on genetical researchers, what would it be? an excellent scheme to enable subjects. In the first issue of the Trust the data. You must always young scientists to learn how to newsletter for our centenary we be honest to what the evidence is communicate their science. It is this hope to have a long Q&A with Andy telling you, not what you expected legacy that I’d like to build on. Greenfield, the outgoing Chair it to say or, worst of all, wanted These are exceptionally important of the Human Embryonic and it to say. Data will often surprise and exciting times for genetics but Fertilization Authority, concerning you, but so long as it is good data to make the most of this we need how they came to approve the first it doesn’t matter what theory it communication: between scientists, three parent baby (mitochondrial contradicts or how mighty are the between our members and the replacement). I’m sure I’ll find it people whose prior publications broader community and also from fascinating to lift the lid on the you are contradicting. In the end the broader public and ethics bodies process and I hope others do too. you - and they - have to just go with to us, the practicing scientists. As a society we are really well the data. And that is why science When I talk to people outside placed to take on this challenge: makes progress and why science of our immediate community we have a prize lecture for works. they understand that things are public understanding, a public Which Genetics Society happening in the world of genetics engagement representative on centenary event are you most and genomics but are both fearful the committee, through the Royal excited about? and excited. The upshot of this Society of Biology a mechanism to is that genetics is a hot topic and communicate with the bodies that While I expect the garden at Chelsea we have an audience hungry to set the school curriculum, we have will be wonderful, the dinner and engage. But more particularly, the an excellent training course for award of the centenary medal to starting place for a good discussion early career researchers to better Paul Nurse will be a highlight. of the rights and wrongs of genetics communicate (I should go on this There is no living geneticist I hold (and genomics) should be a good course!), we have conferences with in greater regard than Paul and it understanding of the science. sister organizations, we have a will be an honour to present him But did you know, for example, centenary that should give us lots with the medal – he has done so that primary school children more exposure but, most of all, much not just for British genetics aren’t taught about DNA and that we have an important fast moving but for science more generally. This genetics and evolution are taught as subject. will also be a gathering of so many separate and unconnected subjects of the people I have most admired in secondary schools. But do you and looked up to throughout my also know the difference you can career that it will be special just to make by going to speak at your be there. local school or your local science What direction do you see engagement event – there will often yourself taking the Society be someone in that audience whose over the next 3 years? life will change because of what you The society is in great shape, in tell them. no small part owing to the recent In addition, I’d like the presidents. Wendy is handing over communication to go the other a well-oiled machine and has put way. For example, I suspect I am

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Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait Genetics - Sectional Interest Group in the spotlight

The Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait Genetics (e-ACTG), which meets twice per year, was originally initiated to bring together the large number of quantitative geneticists who work in Edinburgh but are very widely scattered across the university, hospitals and associated institutes. Since July 2014 the Alliance has been supported as a Special Interest Group of the Genetics Society.

he format of these meetings is breeding populations. It has been shown that methylation T7-8 talks over an afternoon, of Sequencing animals is favourable to changes with age vary between which 5-6 are people drawn from SNP chips, as chips rely on strong people, however, it is unknown the local research community and SNP/causal variant associations whether genotype is linked to this 1-2 are external invited speakers. which may not hold across variation. e-ACTG is currently free to attend populations and generations. Jon presented data identifying and very popular, with attendance However, sequencing a whole significant associations between averaging out around 100 SNPs and the rate of change participants. population is too costly, so Serap and colleagues have devised a in methylation, and SNPs and In part, this is owing to meetings method called AlphaSeqOpt which the stability of methylation. being held in a central location away strategically selects individuals to These effects were strongly and from everyone’s work place and sequence based on their genetic significantly enriched at promoters include a networking session over footprint, allowing sequence and polycomb sites, possibly drinks at the end of the meeting. imputation into the rest of the suggesting that local DNA binding The last e-ACTG meeting took place population, thus striking a balance factors are likely to play a strong in March at The Royal Society of between cost and accuracy of role in determining not only basal Edinburgh. The meeting opened selection decisions. Next, Jon DNA methylation levels, but also with a talk from Serap Gonen (The Higham (MRC IGMM, University of how these are altered during Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh) spoke about the genetic organismal aging. The next talk saw Edinburgh) on strategies to optimise control of age associated epigenetic Yanni Zeng (MRC HGU, University the use of sequence data in animal changes. of Edinburgh) discuss parent of origin effects on human DNA methylation and their consequences for complex trait variation. Yanni presented a novel method for a genome-wide scan for parent-of- origin effects which combined DNA methylation, genome- wide genotypes and intensive phenotyping data. This method was applied to the largest sample to date, and identified >700 DNA methylation sites which could be interrogated in terms of downstream consequences on complex trait variation. In the last talk of the first session, Gibran Hemani (University of Bristol) gave a talk on automating Mendelian Randomization to map the human

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between selection traits, and how sustainable breeding seeks to avoid this by considering all relevant component traits. He also highlighted genome editing as a promisingly powerful methodology to overcome such issues as the co- evolution of pathogens, as genetic modifications to disease resilience could be performed in a single phenome. He described recent length dynamics have been linked step instead of over subsequent machine learning methods that to organismal life expectancy in generations. He concluded by automate the process of causal many species, and are associated stating that the focus should be on inference by incorporating many with with productive lifespan (time developing statistical models for of these different methods together from birth to culling) in cattle. She genetic evaluation of the disease which, using data from the mrbase. presented results which showed phenotypes of tolerance, infectivity org database, allowed preliminary that telomere length is affected both and resistance to quantify the inferences to be made for pairwise by genetics (heritability ~0.38) and impact of genetic improvement causal relationships between environmental factors such as birth so that costs and benefits can be thousands of traits. weight and birth season, and that evaluated. Kicking off the second half, David animals with longer telomeres at The next e-ACTG meeting will take Howard (Division of Psychiatry, the age of one year had a reduced place in October 2018 at The Royal University of Edinburgh) spoke risk of mortality. She concluded Society of Edinburgh. For further about a recent genome wide that telomere length may, with information, please check the association study of depression in further investigation, constitute a Genetics Society website: UK Biobank. This work confirmed biomarker for productive lifespan www.genetics.org.uk/events/e-actg- that depression was heritable and in dairy cattle which could be edinburgh-alliance-for-complex- that it was genetically correlated beneficial in terms of agricultural trait-genetics-2/ with a range of other psychiatric economics, resources and the environment. Closing the meeting, The e-ACTG wiki page: www.wiki. conditions. Genes involved in ed.ac.uk/display/eactg/Edinburgh+ excitatory synaptic pathways in the Pieter Knap (Genus-PIC) gave a talk on disease resistance and Alliance+for+Complex+Trait+Gen brain were found to be associated etics with depression. David also talked tolerance as selection objectives about some of his future work in commercial pig breeding. Or contact meeting organizers using this data. Next, Luise Seeker He discussed the constraints Profession Chris Haley and (SRUC) spoke about telomere length imposed on livestock breeding by Professor Josephine Pemberton. dynamics in dairy cattle. Telomere unfavourable genetic correlations

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Science Communication with the Genetics Society

The Genetics Society offers opportunities to hone public engagement skills. In this feature we focus on our annually run Communicating Your Science workshop, and the role of our public engagement volunteers.

Communicating Your Science his consistently well-received Tannual workshop was conceived by Enrico Coen in 2013 when he was President of the One of the participants, Gabrielle The first session, the Principles of Society. It aims to provide early Olley, writes about her experiences Storytelling, was led by Prof Enrico career scientists with a range of on the course. Coen. Human beings love stories, communication skills beyond those Working on a project day in, day out, we read them, we watch them on commonly encountered in science it can be hard to comprehend that TV, we tell them to our friends, but, communications training courses. someone else might not understand Enrico pointed out, when it comes The sessions include storytelling, it. Harder still - that they might to talking about our science, we stand-up comedy, interview skills not even care. Communicating our often overlook them. Himself the and radio broadcasting/podcasting. science - to colleagues for advice or author of 2 science books, Enrico The workshop runs over the course collaborations, to funding bodies, or shared with us the factors that are of three days in the beautiful setting to educate and interest the general key to good storytelling, and how we of Chicheley Hall. Places on the public – is important, but it’s not can use them to improve our own workshop are fully funded by the something we all find easy. With this writing and presentations. The next Genetics Society. in mind, 20 PhD students and Post- morning, we awoke to a daunting To make an application for the 2019 docs from across the UK met at the prospect – we were going to perform workshop go to: Royal Society’s beautiful Chicheley stand-up. Comedian Helen Keen www.genetics.org.uk/event/our- Hall, for a 3-day masterclass in taught us how to use comedy when workshops/comm-your-sci-2/. ‘Communicating your Science’. communicating our science, a tool

www.genetics.org.uk . 27 FEATURES 28

especially useful when talking Public Engagement Volunteers to the public, and before long I found myself, mic in hand, sharing ur public engagement volunteers contributed to their uniqueness. With anecdotes of life in the lab. Despite Oare involved with many events a couple of coloured pipe cleaners our initial misgivings, everyone across the country. Most events run (chromosomes) and a handful of pulled it off with style, and laughter by the Genetics Society take place beads (alleles), the impalpable world was abundant. on a weekend and reimbursement if of genetics began to come to life available if volunteers have to travel before their very eyes. Once more, or stay over. Getting involved is really they almost always wanted to learn easy. There are always loads of things about their chromosomes in greater going on which are coordinated by detail. From genes being ‘on or off’ the society’s events extraordinaire, like a light switch to how DNA is Cristina Fonseca; so if you are keen wound up inside the nucleus like a to delve into the world of public ball of string, in a short time children engagement, simply drop her an were ripe with enthusiasm about the email ([email protected]). molecular basis for their existence. One of our volunteers, Emily Anne Although as an evolutionary Baker, describes her experiences as a developmental biologist, I’m always The final session was taken by volunteer. keen to get kids to appreciate that The Naked Scientists, producers many of these genetic principles are of online science radio shows “Do I get to take my chromosomes ubiquitous throughout much of the and podcasts. They began by home with me?!” asks an inquisitive natural world they see around them, interviewing each of us for 1 minute, six year old participant of the so much so they can think of them as asking questions about our research. latest ‘Colourful Chromosomes’ synonymous with life itself. Watching as people became derailed, event run by the Genetics Society. “Absolutely, compare alleles with Plus at the end of the day, you or failed to get across their main can take home your own colourful points, emphasised how we could your friends and see if you share any of the same ones!”, I eagerly reply. chromosomes, as if you needed any control the flow of the interview more reasons to get involved! ourselves. Next came the highlight Explaining Mendelian inheritance of the workshop; we were split into to children as young as four can be I was fortunate enough to volunteer groups and tasked with scripting, a real challenge given they have with the society at events like the producing and presenting our no concept of anything as small Oxford Fun Palace and Brighton very own podcast, to be published as DNA. We would start by asking Science Festival and every time on the Naked Scientists website. them what the smallest thing they it’s a blast. Enthusing kids about This seemed like an impossible could think of was (cue answers biology is a joy and a privilege and task, and saw some teams working like ‘dust’ or ‘an ant’) in order to I would recommend this to anyone into the night, but the result was get them thinking of scales that as a way of getting into public 3 informative and entertaining are beyond the capabilities of the engagement, wherever you are in podcasts, that we were all very human eye. Apart from the one the country. Volunteering with the proud of. child who quipped, ‘a quark’, this Genetics Society was my first formal strategy was usually effective at experience of engaging with the I would recommend this workshop conveying the microscopic scales public about science and I loved it so to anyone; I thoroughly enjoyed all familiar to molecular geneticists. much I went on the ‘Communicating of the sessions and learnt invaluable Going through simple traits Your Science’ workshop hosted by skills. Being thrown out of my such as hair and eye colour as the society at Chicheley Hall. The comfort zone in a new way each day, well as tongue-curling and other workshop is a masterclass in how I realised that I am capable of more surprisingly genetically determined to communicate research in an than I imagined, and I have been characteristics, the children started engaging manner through many inspired to further pursue science to understand how the intangible different media; from papers, to radio communication. material inside their bodies interviews, to podcasts.

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These reports are from Junior Scientists, who the Genetic Society has funded (up to £750) to attend non-Society genetics meetings. Further information on how to apply for these grants can be found in the Grant Schemes section of the newsletter or on the Genetics Society Website. In this issue we have reports from Anita Bollman, Anna Dowbaj, Margaret Crawford and Thomas Hughes. Pathobiome conference 2018

Anita Bollman

common interest of the pathobiome with posters. This enabled me to concept. Stéphane Hacquard (Max introduce my PhD project “From Planck, Cologne) kicked off the salines and serpentines: adaptive conferences with his talk in which evolution of Brassicaceae and their he started off comparing animal microbiome” to a community of and the plant systems. Although researches working with similar both systems share similar concepts methods and systems. Presenting my there are also striking differences, poster and attending the conference for example regarding how strongly gave me the chance to start a the host organism influences the discussion about my research project his March I attended the microbiome composition in plants. with leading scientists in the field. TPathobiome conference in A truly nice point of the conference, I received constructive and very Ajaccio, Corsica (France) organized besides getting an inside view to useful feedback for my project plan by INRA, France. One of the aims of animal as well as plant related and of equal importance I could start this conference was to shift scientific pathobiome research, was a session establishing connections to groups discussion away from “pathogen- purely focussing on statistical and working in a similar research area. host” view but enable scientists to mathematical modeling. With Next Therefore, I am very grateful of talk about the interaction of the so Generation Sequencing techniques receiving this Junior Scientist Travel called “pathobiome”, a community pushing microbiome and pathobiome grant of the Genetics Society. I feel of microbes which contribute to the research to a new level, a researcher that the Pathobiome conference was pathogenic phenotype, with the host. must think of how to best analyse so far one the most important and The “pathobiome” should become the data to make the most of it. crucial outings for me and my PhD a more widely used term in the Having this session about statistics project to the scientific community – scientific community through this and modelling introduced the Thank you, Genetics Society! conference. conference attendees to a world In case my short summary of the Further, this meeting should beyond the standard “go-to” analysis Pathobiome conference awakened create a community of so called methods, especially with Otso your interest of this field I can “pathobiomers”, scientists working Ovaskainen’s talk (Univeristy of recommend following @gr_ on pathobiome related questions. Helsiki, Finland) about how to make pathobiome on twitter! Over two days the roughly 80 more of community data. participants were engaged in a truly In addition to the talks presented inspiring conference spanning from at the conference, there was the animal to plant research but with the opportunity to present projects

www.genetics.org.uk . 29 TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 30

American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) and European Life Scientist Organisation (EMBO) Annual meeting 2017

Anna Dowbaj

ast year’s ASCB EMBO fundamental cell biology with others done in collaboration with Ljoint meeting was held in neuroscience. Her talk was divided Betzig laboratory at the Advanced Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This into two parts. First, she introduced Imaging Centre at the Janelia immense conference covers all a recently published project from Research Campus. Their state of the the areas of cell biology from cell her lab that looked into variation art equipment allows visualisation of structure, organisation, genetics and of C.elegans behaviours from their multiple organelles and cell features metabolism, to more broad topics of birth to adulthood, which does not with high temporal and spatial cancer cell biology and neuroscience. depend on their genetics but on resolution on single cell level not It is divided into many different levels of neurotransmitters – the available before. sections such as symposia, micro concept of individuality created by I wanted to thanks Genetics Society and mini symposia as well as award the brain. Then she introduced a for funding to go to this conference. lectures and career workshops - very interesting new scheme, the I had a very intense, but also navigating this selection can prove Chan Zuckerberg initiative, which rewarding time presenting my poster challenging at times, but it is truly ambitiously tries to eradicate human and met many leaders in my field, exhilarating to be able to pick from disease by 2100. including Clare Waterman and Xavier such an amazing selection of talks. Personally, this conference was Trepat. It helped me decide the field From all the lectures, the Keynote an excellent opportunity for me to of research which I should pursue Lecture presented by Professor present my work but also to see for my postdoctoral position as well Cori Bargmann requires particular recent improvements in live cell as allowed me to present my work mention. In her laboratory, she microscopy. The most impressive and establish connections within cell studies how genes and environment was latest work on lattice light sheet biology community. interact to influence animal microscopes, presented by Jennifer behaviours, therefore combining Lippincott-Schwartz but also multiple

I wanted to thanks Genetics Society for funding to go to this conference. I had a very intense, but also rewarding time presenting my poster and met many leaders in my field, including Clare Waterman and Xavier Trepat. It helped me decide the field of research which I should pursue for my postdoctoral position as well as allowed me to present my work and establish connections within cell biology community

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Mechanics of Recombination 2018

Margaret Crawford

attended Mechanisms of I Recombination 2018, held at the Francis Crick Institute in London and organized by Steve West and Abcam. The sessions weren’t organized by any particular subtopic, which I’m sure helped to keep everyone alert. The talks I found most interesting were given by Francesca Cole and Michael Lichten, who both spoke about the analysis of meiotic recombination events to determine meiotic recombination pathways, which is the focus of my work. Both also came to see my poster and gave me some great ideas. The keynote speakers were James Haber, who gave a fascinating talk on live-cell monitoring of DSB repair processes, and Bernard de Massy, who discussed his research into the factors which are involved in programming DSB formation in meiosis. I also enjoyed talks focusing on many different areas of recombination, such as DNA end resection, strand exchange proteins, DNA synthesis during recombination, joint molecule metabolism, sex chromosome repair of a Spo11 double cut. The Overall, I had an excellent three days recombination and chromosomal session was 2.5 hours long but attending this conference, which rearrangements, given by Petr the time flew by as I was chatting allowed me to meet many of the Cejka, Doug Bishop, Valerie Borde, to so many people. I got a lot of important people in my field, discuss Neil Hunter, Scott Keeney and Wolf- good feedback and helpful ideas, ideas and gain feedback on my work. Dietrich Heyer, respectively. so I ended up with a big to-do list I would like to thank the Genetics I presented a poster on my research for when I got back. Some of my Society for the travel grant I was investigating recombination results were also presented in a awarded to cover my attendance at patterns that could originate from talk by my supervisor Matt Neale. this meeting.

www.genetics.org.uk . 31 TRAVEL GRANTS FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 32

Annual Maize Genetics Conference

Thomas Hughes

he Annual Maize Genetics research into maize genetics developmental biologist I was TConference has been running continues to be of great interest, particularly interested in Philip since 1959, making this year’s the and the meeting attracted nearly Conklin’s talk (Cornell, Scanlon lab), 60th iteration. The conference 500 attendees from around the where he explained clearly the work provides a chance for maize world. I had not attended such a he has been doing to understand researchers from around the world large conference before, however, how NARROWSHEATH1 controls to gather and present exciting the maize research community is mediolateral patterning in maize research progress from the previous reliably welcoming and friendly, leaves. year. For only the second time, the which made it easy to meet people. The second day featured all of the conference was held in Europe, in The conference kicked off on the Plenary speakers. These talks were the beautiful surroundings of Saint Thursday evening with a series varied and fascinating. Two of the Malo, France. of short talks from early career speakers, Magnus Nordborg and As both an important crop and researchers on the theme ‘The Ortrun Mittelsten Scheid (both model organism in plant biology, genes that make maize’. As a from the Gregor Mendel Institute

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As both an important crop and model organism In the interests of space, only four reports have been selected in plant biology, research into maize genetics for inclusion in the newsletter, continues to be of great interest, and the however contributions were also received from: meeting attracted nearly 500 attendees from around the world. I had not attended such a • Alessia Caramello - International Society for Development large conference before, however, the maize Neuroscience research community is reliably welcoming and • Isabela Navarro - The Epitranscriptome EMBL friendly, which made it easy to meet people. Conference 2018 • William Perry - 51st Population Genetics Group (Pop Group) of Molecular Plant Biology) do not into maize is now in full swing, meeting directly work on maize, but were with many posters presenting • George King - Development of the asked to speak as their work has preliminary results using this Enteric Nervous System: Cells, obvious relevance and interest technology to mutate their genes of Signals, Genes and Therapies to the maize community. Magnus interest. • Om Patange - Winter Q-Bio spoke about his work on epigenetic A number of awards were Meeting variation in Arabidopsis, specifically presented on the final evening of • Sara Silva Pereira - 33rd Annual about how methylation may the conference. James Schnable contribute to climate adaptation. Meeting of the Brazilian Society of was awarded the Early Career Protozoology Ortun told us about some relatively Award for his work understanding new work in her lab on the species the recent maize whole genome • Carlos Martínez-Ruiz - 51st Aethionema arabicum, which duplication, and Mike Scanlon was Population Genetics Group (Pop they became interested in due to awarded the Mid-Career Award for Group) meeting it forming dimorphic seeds on his work understanding maize leaf • Claudia Martin - 51st Population the same plant. This has opened patterning. Finally, the Barbara Genetics Group (Pop Group) many interesting research avenues McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics meeting including how light acts to control and Genome Studies was made germination. to Rob Martienssen. This award The afternoons of the conference was created to memorialise the were spent in the poster sessions. contributions of Dr. McClintock I was presenting a poster on my to our understanding of genetics, work on the maize SCARECROW and in his address Rob gave us an genes and their roles controlling overview of much of the fascinating leaf development. I found the work he has undertaken to sessions really useful, and had understand epigenetic germline re- many informative and interesting programming. conversations about my work. I I am extremely grateful to the hope to follow up on some of the Genetics Society for providing suggestions in the coming months. the funding that allowed me to Furthermore, there was a wealth attend this conference. I learned a of impressive and exciting research huge amount, got some great new presented in poster format. In research ideas, and met a lot of particular, it was clear that the interesting researchers. application of CRISPR gene editing

www.genetics.org.uk . 33 HEREDITY FIELDWORK GRANT REPORT 34

These reports are from researchers who the Genetic Society has funded (up to £1500) to undertake a field-based genetic research project, the results from which would suitable for publication in the Society’s journal Heredity. In this issue, we have reports from Alex Jamieson and Frazer Sinclair.

Understanding the natural and humanly aided distribution of mountain hares

Alex Jamieson

ountain hares are a cold Madapted, arctic-alpine species found throughout Russia and the northern latitudes of Europe today. Their extent in the past is less well understood. At the time of the last glacial maximum, around 26 thousand years ago, mountain hares were found in refugia as far south as the Alps, the Cantabria in Spain and the Balkan mountain range in Serbia and Bulgaria. As the ice retreated (around 20 thousand years ago), hares and other cold adapted species were able to recolonise north, leading us to their present their population history but also this study is focusing upon is first distribution. The space left by the to understand more about our understanding how the range of mountain hares was subsequently past. Across Europe and Russia mountain hares has changed from filled by the more temperate loving mountain hare remains have been the last glacial maximum to today hare species, the European hare. found in archaeological sites. Other and secondly how humans may have Although we know their current indications for humans interacting influenced this range. distribution, little is known about with hares are from their remains how their current range came to Through this study we have already being found in locations where they identified a likely location of be. Was there one source refugia naturally could not occur, such as population? Did they move due to humans moving hares, the Scottish on islands. This is interesting to me Islands. The Western Isles of competition from other hare species as an archaeologist as it can provide such as the European hare or due Scotland are at the westerly extent us with evidence of past human of the mountain hares range along to changes in climate? How did they movements through tracing the arrive in the British Isles? All of with Ireland. Mountain hares are origins of the animals the people found in Scotland and Ireland still these questions I hope to at least brought with them. This shows us start to answer with this study. today. What is unknown is how potential trade or migration routes did these animals arrive to the Hares are not only interesting giving us a greater understanding westerly edge of their range? The to study to find out more about of our ancestors’ histories. What distance between the mainland

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Through this study we have already identified a likely Petersburg to meet with Mikhail location of humans moving hares, the Scottish Islands. Sablin, a senior research scientist at the Institute, and sample hares The Western Isles of Scotland are at the westerly extent from nine Russian archaeological of the mountain hares range along with Ireland. sites and 25 Siberian sites ranging from the late Pleistocene to today. and the islands is too great for extremes of their range, it is first I now have a substantial collection even a red deer to swim let alone a important to understand their past of mountain hares from their most smaller mammal such as the hare. distribution and how this changed easterly range to reconstruct their Therefore, hares either are a native with time. This baseline is crucial past population structure. As well to the island or arrived with the to work from in order to identify as the Russian samples, we have help of people. If they did arrive correctly the origins of hares moved already obtained samples from with people then this could also by people in the past. across their distribution; Ireland, provide us with evidence of links It is possible to establish this Scotland, France, Sweden and between the Western Isles and baseline through sampling Switzerland. Over the next few other locations, which with current mountain hares from throughout months I will be analysing all the archaeological evidence is lacking. their range which includes Russia. It material at the Wellcome Trust Through this study we will sample was very important for me to sample Palaeogenomics & Bio-Archaeology hares from across Scotland and Russian mountain hares for this Research Network at Oxford Ireland to try and understand their project as this is a substantial part University. From sampling the whole origins to these islands to see if they of their modern and likely ancient of the species range through time we survived in refugia or arrived with range. The Heredity fieldwork hope to further our understanding people. grant gave me the opportunity to of the phylogeography of this In order to work out where mountain go to the Zoological Institute of the understudied species. hares may have arrived from to the Russian Academy of Sciences in St

Mount Emei Gallwasp Expedition

Frazer Sinclair

he Emeishan Gallwasp project Twas established in 2017 as a collaboration between Emeishan Biological Resources Research Station, Zhejiang University, and The University of Edinburgh. Focusing on the Mount Emei Scenic Area in Sichuan Province, China, the project aims to: (i) discover and formally describe new gallwasp species; (ii) Investigate how parasitoid communities are structured between Dryocosmus kuriphilus on chestnut and galls on other trees; & (iii) investigate evolutionary patterns of host- plant switching and defensive gall

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morphologies. The first project expedition took place at Mount Emei during October 2017, with the objective of collecting and rearing galls from across the range of Fagaceae present in the region. The Mount Emei Scenic Area is situated on the western edge of the Sichuan Basin (see Figure), and covers approximately 115 square kilometres of forest between elevations from 500 to 3099 meters. Twenty-one field sites were visited during October 2017, and 247 trees from 16 species were sampled for galls. A total of 68 oak gall morphotypes were collected, 12 of which could be matched with Expedition team: back row - Frazer Sinclair, Da Jun Qi, Kasia Mikolajczak, Qiang Zhi existing records. The remaining 56 Fang, Chang-Ti Tang; front row – Graham Stone, Jack Hearn. morphotypes were novel, and their discovery represents a substantial 200 galls were collected for rearing. species, but will allow us to match addition to our knowledge of Adults of D. kuriphilus usually the morphotypes of alternating gallwasp diversity. emerge during summer, but generations via DNA barcoding. Monitoring of gall rearings is dissection revealed that many galls Gall rearings shall continue to be ongoing, but adult gallformers have still contained parasitoid larva monitored at Emeishan Biological so far emerged from two of the novel which are expected to emerge as Resources Research Station for at morphotypes – a ball shaped leaf adults during Spring 2018. least 12 months. Novel adult oak gall and a birds-head shaped bud gall This expedition was scheduled gallwasp specimens shall be loaned (see Figure). This birds-head gall to coincide with the maturation to the University of Edinburgh and is only the third type to have ever of asexual generation galls. As formally described. DNA sequence been reared from trees of the genus most gallwasp species have two data for novel species shall be Lithocarpus, and initial examination generations each year, a further combined with existing datasets to suggests that it represents a novel expedition is being planned generate a comprehensive phylogeny gallwasp genus. Both species shall for March 2018 to target sexual of the Cynipini tribe, which shall be formally described from the adult generation galls. By revisiting many be used to assess patterns of host specimens. of the same sites, it is expected switching, and the relationship Galls of Dryocosmus kuriphilus were that these collections will not between morphology and host plant found at 9 sites, and approximately only reveal further new gallwasp diversity. We are grateful to the Genetics Society for awarding a Heredity Fieldwork Grant to Frazer Sinclair. Additional funding was provided by Zhejiang University, Emeishan Biological Resources Research Station, the Davis Expedition Fund, the Percy Sladen Memorial Fund, and the Royal Entomological Society.

36 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 79 HEREDITY FIELDWORK GRANT REPORT Join the 37online debate

Keep in touch with your colleagues via the Genetics Society’s social media groups

urther to the website and approved, but as long as we can see Fnewsletter, the Genetics you are active in a genetics related Society has been engaging with area this is not a problem. This its membership via the social prevents a lot of indiscriminate media platforms LinkedIn, Twitter postings from online recruiters that and Facebook. In order to ensure have affected some of the Genetics that all content on the groups are related groups. As a member of the meaningful to you, both LinkedIn LinkedIn and Facebook groups you and Facebook groups are moderated. will be updated on our activities but This means that when you join the you can also comment and add you group this needs to be formally own events.

linkedin.com/groups/ facebook.com/groups/207531925428/ twitter.com/GenSocUK Genetics-Society-UK-4574262

www.genetics.org.uk . 37 TRAINING GRANTS 38

The Genetics Society Training Grants are available to enable members to go on short training courses in the area of Genetics research. In this issue, we have reports from Stephania Contreras Castillo and a joint report from Rebecca Dumbell and Federico Rossi on how they found their training course experiences. Stephania Contreras Castillo

expression of target genes using RNA sequencing, with focus on two blood cell types that are relevant to the disease. Overall, this was a wonderful experience. The in vivo work that I conducted at the Mullally Lab will be a crucial part of my PhD thesis. Apart from this, I enormously benefited from being immersed in a full haematological environment, where several research groups were working on different approaches to get a better understanding of blood disorders and investigate potential treatments. I got the opportunity to yeloproliferative Neoplasms European Hematology Association, attend the journal clubs organised M(MPN) are bone marrow and a Training Grant from the by the Ebert Laboratory, which is disorders that give rise to high blood Genetics Society, I was able to the biggest group in the Hematology cell counts. The most common cause go to Ann Mullally’s laboratory Department at Harvard Medical of disease is a mutation in the JAK2 at Harvard Medical Institute Institute. Postdocs and graduate gene (JAK2V617F). The first-line (Boston, USA) for a three month students would present their work treatment for MPN is hydroxyurea, project (Oct 2017 – Feb 2018) as a and discuss their results in the which acts by inhibiting the cell postgraduate research fellow The journal club, which was an excellent cycle on myeloid precursor cells. Mullally Lab focuses on the study opportunity to share information Hydroxyurea is also known to of haematological malignancies, and receive valuable feedback. I induce foetal haemoglobin in other especially MPN, and the group has learned a lot thanks this supportive blood disorders and it has been developed several mouse models and interdisciplinary environment, described to act as a transcription of blood disorders including a benefiting from both the basic suppressor in mouse embryonic Jak2V617F knock-in mouse. science and clinical background of stem cells. The overall goal of my For my research project I used this my peers. This collaborative project PhD is to investigate the effects of MPN mouse model; I treated the at the Mulally Lab has helped me hydroxyurea treatment on DNA transgenic mice with hydroxyurea develop as a scientist and the results methylation in MPN in order to for six weeks and then I collected of my research will be central to my identify novel therapeutic targets DNA and RNA samples. For investigation of novel therapeutic for this disease. my next steps I will analyse the targets for MPN. Thanks to a Junior Short Term changes in DNA methylation and Collaboration Award from the correlate them with changes in RNA

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Rebecca Dumbell and Federico Rossi

e were both supported to attend explained elegantly how he used instructors highlighted criticisms Wthe Wellcome Genome Campus Hi-C to investigate this. A second of the projects as well as advice Advanced Course in Chromatin remarkable talk was gave by Sandra for technique improvement and Structure and Function, held between Hake (Giessen University, Germany). experimental plan extension, so 29th October - 8th November 2017 Sandra led the audience through over the course of our time at the at the Wellcome Genome Campus the most recent insights about Wellcome Genome Campus there was (Hinxton, UK). Paired up as lab histone variants, how they regulate a lot of opportunity to discuss our partners, a plant biologist PhD gene expression and how diseases own projects and any issues or future student and a mammalian biologist are related to histone variants directions that could be taken within postdoc, we exemplified the diversity misregulation. our work. of participant backgrounds on the Laboratory work was intercalated Active participants-instructors course, brought together by a shared with bioinformatics sessions collaboration does not end with the interest in epigenetics and chromatin throughout the course. This was a course as building a solid network biology. part of the course that was very new is part of the course aim. In addition The course included laboratory to many participants, but we were we took away from the course our practices of the most up to date lead clearly and carefully through the new bible - a folder containing all the epigenomics and chromatin process. After having acquired basic technique protocols and background architecture study techniques. RRBS, Unix skills, participants went through information, and online access to all Chip-Seq, 3C, ATAC, FISH, Capture-C example datasets produced from each the course materials. technique composed the intense of the techniques addressed during During the early feedback at the laboratory course schedule. Each the course. Contemporary presence course end, participants agreed the laboratory practice was preceded by of laboratory and bioinformatics course was deeply inspiring and a lecture during which the technique activities allowed the course attendee a valuable academic and personal application and challenges were to have an end-to-end overview of experience. We would like to sincerely clearly described. Experiments were the techniques. Course activities thank the Genetics Society for their supervised by long-experienced were concluded by Chris Brackley’s support in enabling us to attend the researcher that actively contributed (Edinburgh School of Physics and course. to the development and optimization Astronomy) interesting lecture of the proposed technique. on how polymer physics can be Laboratory activities were integrated integrated with genome architecture In the interests of space, only with seminars in basic and analyses to obtain a deeper two reports have been selected translational research given by world- comprehension of genome structural for inclusion in the newsletter, leading expert scientists that used dynamics. however contributions were also these techniques in their research. In Beyond the science, the course was received from: the evenings after dinner, the days an extraordinary opportunity to • Ana Hernandez Cordero - Python were concluded with an informal connect and exchange thoughts for biologist: Python for Beginners, discussion with the daily seminar with researchers from an extremely and Data manipulation and speaker during which topics ranged diverse background. Attendee Visualization from research technical aspects to research interests ranged from • Josie Jackson - Rapture and advice about career development. In basic to translational research in bestRAD at UC Davis particular, during the first seminar, model organisms or newly tractable Benjamin Rowland (Netherlands systems. PhD students and postdocs • Charlotte Zoe Angel - Measurement Cancer Institute) presented the most gathered at the course had the chance and analysis of mRNAs, long non- recent insights about condensin and to discuss about their project during coding RNAs and microRNAs cohesin complex roles in 3D genome presentation and poster sessions. using next generation sequencing organization during interphase, and During these events, participants and (RNAseq)

www.genetics.org.uk . 39 GENETICS SOCIETY ONE-OFF MEETINGS 40

The Genetics Society receives several requests from members each year to sponsor meetings in the field of genetics. These meetings are usually one-off meetings with an ad hoc organising committee and may be partly sponsored by another Society. In this issue, we have reports from Charalambos P. Kyriacou, Antonio Marco, Stuart MacNeill and Carolin Kosiol

UK Clock Club meeting

Charalambos P. Kyriacou

it was held exactly one month after Of the dozen talks, 8 included a Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and substantial genetic component and Michael Young had accepted the used various types of mutations to 2017 Nobel Prize in Medicine or study different aspects of circadian Physiology in Stockholm for their rhythmicity. This was of course the pioneering work on the genetic approach that won the Nobel Prize and molecular dissection of the for chronobiology– forward genetics, Drosophila circadian 24 hour clock. mutagenesis in the fly. It was therefore a timely meeting There were talks describing (excuse the pun). Drosophila rhythms and sleep About 160 delegates turned up that used the fly’s remarkable in spite of the flu and the fire at genetic toolbox to manipulate Nottingham train station, the various molecular components. For latter preventing a few of our more example, Angelique Lamaze who northern colleagues from making is finishing her PhD at UCL spoke the trip. The Genetics Society was about how she was able to use the the main sponsor of this event, but toolbox to dissect out the function of other commercial sponsors were specific clock neurons that inhibit exhibiting their wares during the sleep promoting neurons in another he bi-annual UK clock club met breaks. There were also a number region of the brain – very elegant. Tin Leicester early in the New of posters on display. However, the Another finishing PhD student, Year, hosted by Bambos Kyriacou. main business of the day was the Ane Martin-Anduaga (Leicester) This one-day meeting has been talks, and the programme was full then told us how a miRNA targets around since the late 1980’s and and varied with several different the clock gene period to mediate brings together the laboratories model organisms under study, seasonal “hibernation” rhythms of in the UK that work on biological flies, mice, zebrafish and humans. Drosophila. rhythms. Traditionally, only PhD students, postdocs or very recently established PIs present The cool thing about circadian rhythms their work in 20 minute platform presentations and a final one- hour is that everyone is aware of their own, so keynote lecture is provided by a the subject has street credibility and its senior figure in the field, usually a distinguished visiting scientist relevance to human and animal health who just happens to be in the and well-being has become more and more neighbourhood at the time. This meeting was rather special because recognised over the years.

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considered how prolonged bed- rest and postural changes affected Genomics at human clock function and by Josh Mouland (Manchester) who Essex 2017: examined how differences in the spatial patterning of light ‘Genomics, affected the clock’s adjustment to the environment. Furthermore Epigenetics in a significant deviation from tradition, a very, very senior and Gene chronobiologist, Frances Levi (Warwick), told us about his Regulation work making use of individual’s rhythms in optimising the Symposium’ timing of cancer and other pharmacological treatments – Antonio Marco chronotherapeutics, an important he first Genomics AT Essex emerging field. T(GATE) symposium was held There were a couple of mouse When the organiser had first on the 14th of September 2017 at presentations, one of which published the programme, he had the University of Essex. The aim was particularly intriguing written in a ‘Mystery Keynote of this event is to facilitate the as it highlighted molecular Event’ because he had nobody in interaction between genomics circadian rhythms in spinal discs. mind to fill the slot at the end. researchers in the UK, specially Michael Dudek (Manchester) The circadian community had in the East of England. This year, described how genetic disruption naturally speculated that one or the topic of the symposium was of the clock in these discs led other of the Nobel laureates (the ‘Genomics, Epigenetics and Gene to ossification of the spine. organiser had worked with two Regulation Symposium’. A total The implication here is that of them for 20 years) might show. of 71 delegates from 25 different environmental manipulation And they did... after a fashion. institutions/companies enjoyed of the disc clock via chronic Bambos gave a talk about the a programmed fully packed with shiftwork for example, might in Prize, how and why the laureates amazing science. There were 16 turn lead to postural problems. won it and showed videos and contributed and 3 invited oral The cool thing about circadian pictures of the three of them presentations, a keynote talk and rhythms is that everyone is aware during the memorable Stockholm 16 posters. of their own, so the subject has weekend that he’d been invited to The two morning sessions were street credibility and its relevance attended. To cap it all off, Mick devoted to epigenetics, where to human and animal health Hastings (LMB, Cambridge) and talks on DNA methylation, and well-being has become more Bambos then performed a Nobel histone acetylation and aspects and more recognised over the rap, complete with facemasks on chromatin formation were years. Consequently, the factors of the laureates (and their most discussed. The invited speaker that generate optimal circadian prominent competitors). By the of the session, Alessia Buscaino behavioural patterns are much end of this performance it was (Kent), presented her work on the studied. This was reflected abundantly clear that Mick and epigenetic regulation of genome in the talk by Maria-Angeles Bambos should not give up their stability in Candida albicans. Bonmati-Carrion (Surrey), who day jobs. After the coffee break, the keynote talk was given by Anne Ferguson-Smith (Cambridge) on variable gene silencing and retrotransposons. The lunch

www.genetics.org.uk . 41 GENETICS SOCIETY ONE-OFF MEETINGS 42

symposium came to an end. The first GATE symposium was a success. The feedback received from the delegates was very positive and they showed interest in future similar events. This symposium was originally aimed to strengthen the networking among researchers in the UK, and also to increase the visibility of genomics among the East of England academic institutions. The organising committee is already looking for speakers and preparing the second Genomics AT Essex symposium, which will now run every other year. We are very grateful to the Genetics Society for sponsoring the symposium, and to Chromatrap, Fisher Scientific and Wellcome Open Research break gave the opportunity to (Imperial), talking about the deep for their generous contributions, interact with colleagues and visit conservation of topologically and to the University of Essex for the posters and the sponsors’ associating domains (TADs). The providing us with an excellent tables (and getting some freebies contributed talks of this session venue (Essex Business School) at on the way). was very heterogeneous, and no cost. We’d like to thank also The first afternoon session was different aspects of evolution, the delegates, presenters and the on RNA. The invited speaker enhancers, transcription factors invited and keynote speakers for Tamas Dalmay (UEA) described and even myosin as a regulator of making this event possible. Hope their hunt for genes involved gene expression were discussed. we’ll see you at the next GATE in microRNA degradation At 5pm sharp, after a long day 2019. by inducing random point fully packed with science, the mutations. The contributed talks covered long-non-coding RNAs, microRNAs and computer The last session, on transcription regulation, modelling of transcription. started with the invited talk by Boris Before the last coffee break, Vicky Hellon (F1000) presented Lenhard (Imperial), talking about the deep the new journal Wellcome Open conservation of topologically associating Research, which triggered quite some discussion about the future domains (TADs). The contributed talks of this of scientific publishing and the session was very heterogeneous, and different Open Access. aspects of evolution, enhancers, transcription The last session, on transcription regulation, started with the factors and even myosin as a regulator of gene invited talk by Boris Lenhard expression were discussed.

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The Scottish DNA Replication Network meeting 2018

Stuart MacNeill

he inaugural meeting of the Tnewly formed Scottish DNA Replication Network (SDRN) took place at the University of St Andrews at the end of May 2018, with generous sponsorship from the Genetics Society, the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA) and a select group of bioscience suppliers. The network was formed late last year as an presented his newest data on Scotland with the Scottish Centre informal grouping of nine research reconstituting replication termination for Macromolecular Imaging (SCMI) groups from five leading Scottish with purified proteins, Rene Sonneville having just taken delivery of a state- universities with shared interests (Labib group) explored mechanisms of-the-art ultra-high resolution Jeol in the molecular, cell and structural of replisome termination during CRYO ARM™ 300 microscope. biology of eukaryotic and archaeal mitosis, while Constance Alabert Parasite replication biology: Four chromosomal DNA replication. The (Dundee) described results relating speakers, from Glasgow and St meeting attracted 50 participants from to the restoration of chromatin-based Andrews, presented data on DNA all career stages (10 PI’s, 25 PDRA’s, information behind replication forks. replication and genome stability in 14 postgraduate students and a single Ananya Kar (Blow lab, Dundee) kinetoplastid protozoan parasites undergraduate), with a good gender discussed post S-phase DNA synthesis, (Leishmania and Trypanosoma balance (29 male and 21 female) while Javier Garzon and Lotte Watts brucei). Catarina Marques and and with representatives from the (Donaldson-Hiraga lab, Aberdeen) Marcelo Santos da Silva (McCulloch Universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, described roles of the Rif1 protein in lab, Glasgow) discussed mapping of St Andrews, Dundee and Aberdeen, to protecting stalled forks. replication origins in kinetoplastids hear 18 short talks on diverse aspects PCNA unloading: Three talks and the influence of transcription on of DNA replication biology and to from the Kubota lab (Aberdeen), replication origin activation, while view a selection of posters. The talks from Catherine Johnson, Lovely Jennifer Stortz (McCulloch lab) and covered the following topics: Devakumar and Vamsi Gali, focused Jonas Kondratavicius (MacNeill lab, St DNA replication and disease: Three on the consequences of PCNA Andrews) explored the functions of T. speakers presented data exploring accumulation on DNA due to loss of brucei ATR kinase and a potential T. links between DNA replication biology Elg1/ATAD5 clamp unloading activity, brucei TOPBP1 protein respectively. and disease: Federico Tinarelli (Blow exploring effects on mismatch repair The meeting ended with a lively lab, Dundee) discussed the underlying and chromatin assembly amongst dinner in St Andrews and the resolve biochemical causes of Meier-Gorlin other processes. to hold a second SDRN meeting syndrome, Martin Reijns (Jackson lab, Structural biology of replication in 2019. You can follow the SDRN Edinburgh) linked genome stability proteins: Laura Spagnolo and on Twitter @scotdnarep or via the to innate immunity, and Olga Murina PhD student Dmytro Kompaniiets network website. Applications to (Jackson lab) showed how replication- (Glasgow) presented structural studies join the network can be made to the associated DNA damage could lead to on the archaeal MCM helicase and network coordinator, although SDRN therapeutic vulnerability. Okazakisome repectively, including meetings are open to members and The end of replication, and beyond: high resolution cryo-EM structures. non-members alike. Tom Deegan (Labib group, Dundee) This is an exciting time for EM in

www.genetics.org.uk . 43 GENETICS SOCIETY ONE-OFF MEETINGS 44

Mathematical and Statistical Aspects of Molecular Biology (MASAMB) Carolin Kosiol

multi-omics integrative approach (Ricard Argelaguet). The MASAMB workshop has been great opportunity to meet people with methodological research interests and discuss numerous aspects of cutting edge data analysis. While the applications of big data sets are very diverse they often he MASAMB workshop is a conference dinner at Lower College have the development of statistical Tsmall meeting that has been Hall of St Andrews. methodology in common. “This year, running since 1999 with having Tuesday morning saw an extended I have learned that similar statistical young researchers as a primary session in “Population Genetics and mathematical approaches can target for presentations. MASAMB and Phylogeny” chaired by Oscar be used to tackle a diverse set of primarily run in UK locations, Gaggotti, which introduced new biological questions. In particular, it however, this year again we had approaches for the construction of was fascinating how Gaussian Process further registrations from Austria, histories of populations and species. regression can also be used to analyse Hungary, Poland, Ireland, and Finland We learned about the need for time series signalling pathway data” bringing together ~40 participants new measure for phylogeographic (PhD student, Carolina Barata). A from geographical locations across the incompatibilities in the light of new topic emerging was the analysis UK, Europe and Scotland. This year’s recombination (Benjamin Singer) and of signal cell RNA sequencing which meeting was one and a half days long how new phylogenomic models can poses new statistical challenges. As and programme consisted of 24 talks. be made polymorphism-aware (Rui MASAMB audience generally has On Monday afternoon the workshop Borges) among other new approaches. a strong mathematical background kicked off with a “Personal Genomics” Finally the re-construction of a this permitted deep and interesting session chaired by Silvia Parachini. particular history involving non- probabilistic and statistical We learned about models stem cells African and Neanderthals (Bill discussions over the breaks and the (Rowan Brackston), tuberculosis Amos) led to an engaging discussion evening. (Ruth Bowness), and bacterial strains about the role of supplementary Research students and scientists (Tommi Mäklin). After coffee we had material for researchers in methods newly entering the field of genomic our first session “Systems Biology” development and how these should research have been particularly chaired by Anne Smith that tied be improved and more rigorously welcome and encouraged to speak, in with applications on bacterial tested. After the coffee break we had and we are very grateful to the genomics (Chira Contreneo, Leanne the second “Systems Biology” session support of the Genetics Society which Massie). with a range from networks (Annath allowed us to have a poster session The poster and wine session was held Pallaseni) to time-series (Karol and keep the costs for registration fee Monday evening. Topics covered Nienaltowski) chaired by Anne Smith. for students low. models for genomic imprinting, The last session “RNA-SEQ and The next MASAMB meeting will be at expectations for additive and non- Genomics” chaired by Carolin Kosiol the EMBL-European Bioinformatics additive genetic variance, time-series included several talks on new single Institute in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, data from experimental evolution cell and classical RNA-Seq techniques and we very much look forward to and new methods to analysis of mass (Joe Ward, Jonathan Griffiths, Sumon celebrate the 30th anniversary of the spectrometry metabolomics data, Ahmed) and include a talk to combine workshop. and we continued the discussion at a different data types together in an

44 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 79 45 GRANTS SCHEMES

To apply for any of our grant schemes, instructions and downloadable funding application forms are available from the drop down Funding tab on the Genetics Society website www.genetics.org.uk

One-off Meeting Sponsorship

Purpose Sponsorship of genetic research meetings not organised by the Genetics Society.

The Genetics Society receives several requests from members each year to sponsor meetings in the field of genetics. These meetings are usually one-off meetings with an ad hoc organising committee and may be partly sponsored by another Society. The guidelines below indicate a review process for applications and the conditions that must be met for the award of Genetics Society sponsorship.

Review of applications 1) Members may make applications at any time visiting the following website: http://gensoc.fluidreview.com/ 2) The application will be circulated to the full committee for review. The review will cover suitability of the meeting for Genetics Society sponsorship and level of support requested. 3) The committee will be asked to respond within two weeks and the Society aims to respond to requests within four weeks.

Conditions of sponsorship 4) Several levels of sponsorship are possible: (a) single lecture: £200 (b) session: £500-1000 (c) major sponsor: £1500-2000. 5) Genetics Society sponsorship must be mentioned in all pre-meeting publicity (e.g. posters, flyers, website) and in the meeting programme. If the Genetics Society is the major sponsor the meeting should be advertised as a “Genetics Society-sponsored meeting”. 6) Details of the 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.

www.genetics.org.uk . 45 GRANTS SCHEMES 46

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.

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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. In this section, junior scientists are defined as graduate students and postdoctoral scientists within three years of their PhD viva.

Travel and accommodation to the Genetics Society meetings Grants up to £150 are available for travel and essential overnight accommodation costs to attend all Genetics Society meetings, including the Genetics Society’s own bi-annual meetings and meetings of our Sectional Interest Groups. 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.

How to apply: For the Genetics Society’s own Spring and Autumn meetings, applications should be submitted online (https://gensoc.myreviewroom.com) before the registration deadline of the meeting.

For meetings of our Sectional Interest Groups (e.g. Arabidopsis, Population Genetics Group, Zebrafish Forum), junior scientist 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.

There is no limit to the maximum frequency at which the grants can be awarded for attending the Genetics Society meetings.

Travel, accommodation and registration cost at other meetings Grants of up to £750 to attend conferences in the area of Genetics that are not Genetics Society meetings (including sectional meetings) are available to junior scientists.

How to apply: Please visit the website https://gensoc.myreviewroom.com in time for one of the quarterly deadlines (1st day of February, May, August and November). The application must be accompanied by a supporting statement from the applicant’s supervisor or head of department, which must be uploaded via the online application form before the deadline.

Other conditions: 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 two years will be awarded.

www.genetics.org.uk . 47 GRANT SCHEMES 48

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: Applications should be made online via the Genetics Society Grants application site. Deadlines are bi-monthly (1 February, 1 April, 1 June, 1 August, 1 October and 1 December). To apply please visit the website https://gensoc.myreviewroom.com.

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 support 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: Applications should be made online via the Genetics Society Grants application site. Deadlines are bi-monthly (1 February, 1 April, 1 June, 1 August, 1 October and 1 December). To apply please visit the website https://gensoc.myreviewroom.com.

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: 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.

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Genes and Development Summer Studentships

Purpose To support vacation research by undergraduate geneticists.

Grants of up to £2,350 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, and the student does not have to attend a UK university.

How to apply: there is one closing date of 31st March each year. 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. Both the PI and the student involved must be members of the Genetics Society.

The studentship will consist of an award of £200 per week for up to 8 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.

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: 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.

www.genetics.org.uk . 49 GENERAL INFORMATION 50

The Genetics Society

The Genetics Society was founded­ in 1919 and is one of the world’s first societies devoted to the study of the ­mechanisms of inheritance.

Aims at a Genetics Society Meeting by Specialist interests an internationally distinguished The Genetics Society was founded­ geneticist. Six specialist interest areas are in 1919 and is one of the world’s covered by elected­ Committee first societies devoted­ to the study The Society also awards the Genetics Members: Gene Structure, Function of the mechanisms of inheritance. Society Medal, the Mary Lyon Medal, and Regulation; Genomics; Cell & Famous founder members­ included Balfour Lecture and JBS Haldane Developmental Genetics; Applied William Bateson, JBS Haldane lecture on an annual basis. Winners and Quantitative Genetics; and AW Sutton. Membership is of the Genetics Society Medal and Evolutionary, Ecological and open to anyone with an interest in Balfour lectures present their lecture Population Genetics; Corporate genetical research or teaching, or at a Genetics Society Meeting. Genetics and Biotechnology. The in the practical breeding of plants International links Committee Members are responsible­ and animals.­ for ensuring that the various local The Society has many overseas and national meetings­ cover all Meetings members and maintains links with organisms within the broad spectrum The main annual event of the genetics societies in other countries­ of our members’ interests. Society is the Spring Meeting. This through the International Genetics has at least one major symposium Federation, the Federation of theme with invited speakers, and a European Genetics Societies and number of contributed papers and/ through the International Union of or poster sessions. Microbiological Societies. One day mini-symposia are held Publications during the year in different­ regions The Society publishes two so that members from different major international scientific­ ­catchment areas and specialist journals: Heredity, concerned with groups within the society­ can be ­cytogenetics, with ecological, informed about subjects of topical, evolutionary and bio-metrical­ local and specialist interest. Like genetics and also with plant and the spring symposia­ these include animal breeding; and Genes and papers both from local members­ Development, which is jointly and from invited speakers. One of owned with Cold Spring Harbor these meetings always takes place Laboratories and which is concerned in London in November. with molecular­ and developmental­ Medals and Lectures aspects of genetics. The Mendel Medal, named in honour A newsletter is sent out twice a year of the founder of modern genetics, to inform members about meetings, is usually given on alternative years symposia and other items of interest.

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Contacting the Genetics Society

Members and potential members can If you are interested in joining the Society, if you are a current contact the Genetics Society membership member and have any queries about your membership team in the following ways: subscription, or if you would like to advise us of a change By phone: of name, address or member 0203 793 7850 ship status, please contact the membership team. By email: [email protected] If you are looking for an easy way to manage your By post: membership payment and The Genetics Society, c/o The Royal Society of Biology, wish to set up an annual Direct Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, London, WC1N 2JU Debit, a simple form can be downloaded from the Genetics Society website at http://bit. ly/2aLRlOF. Please complete The Genetics Society offers a wide range and return the original to the membership team by of benefits to its members including: post at the address above. Postgraduate and full members • Access to generous grants paying by Direct Debit will receive a discount of £5 off their • Discounted rates for attendance at prestigious Genetics annual fee. Society meetings • A biannual newsletter via post • Free online access to the Society’s journal Heredity

Thank you for your support!

www.genetics.org.uk . 51 Heredity has a new look: a new front cover every month!

We are accepting figures/pictures/photos from authors that have their articles accepted in the journal. Please contact the editorial office to receive the details!