Life Science Seminar: Can I borrow a gene?
Life Science Seminar
Can I borrow a gene?
Dr. Fernando Rodriguez
Research Scientist, GSoLS
Rochester Institute of Technology
Abstract:
Bdelloid rotifers are microscopic freshwater invertebrates able to survive desiccation at any life stage and to reproduce asexually. The genome of the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga is unusual in having over 8% of its genes originated from non-metazoan (predominantly bacterial) sources. This unique situation suggests that genetic and epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in maintaining genome stability, further adding to the complexity of eukaryotic genomes. My research proposes that bdelloid rotifers not only effectively regulate the integration of foreign genes acquired at a high rate, but also uniquely "borrow" both simple and complex genes, harnessing them for their own advantage.
Speaker Bio:
My research as molecular biologist lies at the junction of molecular evolution, comparative genomics and epigenetics in the field of gene silencing/activation in metazoans. During my career I have used a broad range of tools and approaches which span familiarity with population genetics, biogeography, gene evolution, comparative genomics and epigenetic regulation. I seek to address the mechanisms that eukaryotic cells can deploy in order to repress foreign genetic invasions, like transposable elements (TEs) or foreign genes acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HTG). To this point my work has focused on he role of epigenetics. Epigenetics can be defined as the study of biological mechanisms that are able to regulate gene expression and function that cannot be explained by changes in DNA sequence. These mechanisms include covalent modification of histones, DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs pathways.
Intended Audience:
All are Welcome!
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