Population Genetics
population genetics
Pol Solé Navais
Miscarriage is the most common pregnancy complication, with over 23 million pregnancies ending in miscarriage every year. Chromosome abnormalities – aneuploidies – are observed in half of all miscarried fetuses, but not all fetuses with chromosome abnormalities miscarry, with some surviving until, or even after birth. This project aims to quantify the contribution of the fetal genome in miscarriage, particularly among fetuses with normal chromosome counts. The postdoc fellow will lead a project using large-scale genetic data from miscarriage fetuses and their mothers (including calling of aneuploidies) and contribute to ongoing efforts in this field (GWAS, meta-analyses, etc). Apply here: https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/job?site=7&lang=UK&validator=9b89bead79bb7258ad55c8d75228e5b7&job_id=35562
Gene Therapy for Neurodegeneration
One of the major challenges in developing therapeutics for the neurodegenerative disorders is the blood-brain barrier, limiting the availability of systemically administered therapies such as recombinant proteins or monoclonal antibodies from reaching the brain. Direct central nervous system (CNS) gene therapy using adeno-associated virus vectors expressing a therapeutic protein, monoclonal antibody or inhibiting RNA-coding sequences has two characteristics ideal for therapy of neurodegenerative disorders: circumventing the blood-brain barrier by directly expressing the therapy in the brain and the ability to provide persistent therapy with only a single administration. There are several critical parameters relevant to successful CNS gene therapy, including choice of vector, design of the gene to be expressed, delivery/route of administration, dose and anti-vector immune responses. The presentation will focus on these issues, the current status of clinical trials of gene therapy for neurodegeneration and specific challenges that will need to be overcome to ensure the success of these therapies.
Can we predict the diversity of real populations? Part II: What determines microbial diversity?
Microbes make up the vast majority of the tree of life. While we know very little about most microbial species, large-scale sequencing is giving us glimpses of the diversity that exists both within species and in ecosystems. The challenge now is to find the patterns in this diversity and understand them. This session features provocative talks on attempts to meet that challenge.
Can we predict the diversity of real populations? Part I: What is linked selection doing to populations?
Natural selection affects not only selected alleles, but also indirectly affects all genes near selected sites on the genome. An increasing body of evidence suggests that this linked selection is an important driver of evolutionary dynamics throughout the genomes of many species, implying that we need to substantially revise our basic understanding of molecular evolution. This session brings together early-career researchers working towards a quantitative understanding of the prevalence and effects of linked selection.