Science Matters Seminar Series
We are hosting two Science Matters seminars in March!
Join us March 22nd and March 29th for conversations with leading scientists about the latest research in genetics and genomics. Read the details below and save your spot today! Please note that each seminar has a unique registration link.
Enabling and Improving Gene Discovery Across Diverse and Admixed Populations
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Time: 12 noon – 1:15pm (PDT) via Zoom
Our guest speaker: Elizabeth G. Atkinson, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
Topic: Dr. Atkinson will discuss how gene discovery has revolutionized medical genetics, but gaps remain in the understanding of complex disorders in minority populations, in particular “admixed” groups of mixed ancestry. Admixed populations are systematically excluded from genomic studies due largely to the lack of analytic approaches that can account for their genomic diversity. Dr. Atkinson’s group bridges this concerning gap in research space by developing novel statistical methods and computational tools to facilitate the study of polygenic traits in admixed people, bettering our understanding of complex trait genetics in diverse populations who have so far been underserved.
On the Origin of (Segmental) Aneuploidies
Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Time: 12 noon – 1:15pm (PDT) via Zoom
Our guest speaker: Joris Vermeesch, PhD, Professor, Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Belgium
Topic: Dr. Vermeesch will discuss how he and his lab developed novel genomic approaches to genotype, haplotype and transcript profile single cells. Concurrent haplotyping and copy number analyses has not only uncovered the range but also an unexpected pervasive incidence of chromosomal anomalies in both zygotes, cleavage stage embryos, blastocysts and placenta. Monitoring the frequency of different chromosomes as well as the parental origin of the rearrangements during embryonic and fetal development has provided fundamental novel insights in genome biology. Dr. Vermeesch will present an overview of their recent findings in the scope and the origins of (segmental) chromosomal aneuploidies.
Need more information or have questions?
You can reach us by phone at 206-726-1200 or email at sciencematters@pnri.org.
What is PNRI’s Science Matters seminar series?
Our Science Matters seminars highlight exciting research in genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology with important societal impact. Topics include research on the genetics of ethnically diverse populations, diseases afflicting vulnerable or underserved groups, and efforts to expand the diversity (broadly defined) of research subjects or the scientific workforce.
Who should join?
The seminars are open to the scientific community and anyone interested in learning more about genetics.
How do I join?
These are virtual events (via Zoom) and require advance registration. Each seminar has a unique registration link.
What’s the cost?
Registration is free.
Upcoming 2023 Science Matters seminars:
March 22: Elizabeth G. Atkinson, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine
March 29: Joris Vermeesch, PhD, KU Leuven, Belgium
April 26: Andrew Stergachis, MD, PhD, University of Washington
May 24: Anthony Zoghbi, MD, Baylor College of Medicine
June 14: Eduardo Tarazona Santos, PhD, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Previous Events
February 15, 2023 – Complex Structural Variation in a Complete Human Genome with Evan Eichler, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
January 25, 2023 – mRNA Retrotransposition: A Driving Force Generating Genetic Novelties in the Human and Other Vertebrate Genomes with Pedro A. F. Galante, PhD, Senior Researcher, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil
December 7, 2022 – Mendelian Genomics in the Genetics Age with Jessica Chong, PhD, Assistant Professor, Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
November 16, 2022 – Technologies for Visualizing Fully Assembled Genome with Brian Beliveau, PhD, Assistant Professor of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
October 12, 2022 – Biology in Balance: Human Diploid Genome Integrity, Gene Dosage & Genomic Medicine with James Lupski, MD, PhD, DSc (hon), the Cullen Endowed Chair in Molecular Genetics, and Professor of Pediatrics/Program in Integrative and Molecular and Biomedical Sciences/Program in Translational Biology & Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
September 21, 2022 – Hidden Genetic Variation in Congenital Vascular Malformations with James T. Bennett, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Washington Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine and Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
June 1, 2022 – Genomic Medicine for Rare and Common Diseases with Gail Jarvik, MD, PhD, Head and Professor, Division of Medical Genetics, The Arno G. Motulsky Endowed Chair in Medicine, Joint Professor of Medicine and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
May 10, 2022 – Genomic Structural Variations and Beyond with Fritz Sedlazeck, PhD, Associate Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
April 13, 2022 – Combining Genetics and Genomics to Decipher Complex Disease with Gregory W. Carter, PhD, Professor, Bernard & Lusia Milch Chair, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
March 9, 2022 – Rare Disease Genomics in Latin American Populations with Claudia Gonzaga-Jauregui, PhD, Principal Investigator, International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México
March 1, 2022 – Genomic Context and Environmental Stimulation of Copy Number Variation in Budding Yeast with Juan Lucas Argueso, PhD, Associate Professor, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
February 9, 2022 – The Genetic History of the Peopling of the Americas with Fabrício R. Santos, PhD, Professor, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
November 17, 2021 – New Frontiers in African Genomics with Neil Hanchard, MD, DPhil, FACMG, Investigator at the Center for Precision Health Research and Head of Childhood Complex Disease Genomics Section at the National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD
