Molecular mechanisms linking epigenetic changes to longevity Carlos Giovanni Silva-García, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry at Brown University Website | Twitter Abstract The last century marked a success for public health, defined by achieving a dramatic increase in human life expectancy. However, aging can be accelerated by several factors and, by itself,…

Multiplex CRISPR-Editing of Wood for Sustainable Production of Biomaterials Jack Wang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director of Forest Biotechnology Group Website Abstract Wood is the most abundant carbon biomass on earth and the major source of sustainable green fibers and bioproducts. Globally, 315 gigatons of carbon are stored as wood, representing 57% of the biogenic…

It’s Impossible to Keep Up; Career-spanning Learning in the Life Sciences Jason Williams, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Diversity and Research Readiness, DNALC Website | Twitter Abstract The shelf-life of skills is getting shorter in a rapidly changing, more interdisciplinary world. Interdisciplinarity is at the core of the need for continued professional development. Advances in data sciences, mathematics, chemistry,…

Spring Semester Kick-off Presentation Get up-to-date on GGA contests, Research Interest Groups, GGS Recruitment and more! MONDAY, January 8th, the GGA is celebrating the new semester with a Genetics and Genomics Community Semester Kick-off. This is a great opportunity to catch up with your fellow GGA members and discuss our goals for the semester as…

Destroy to build: trans-axonal degenerative signaling shapes neural circuits during development Fabienne Poulain, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina Website Abstract Precise wiring of neuronal circuits is crucial for brain connectivity and function. A major challenge in neuroscience is to understand how these connections are properly established, and how errors in this…

Using gene genealogies to understand complex traits Michael Edge, Assistant Professor of Quantitative and Computational Biology at University of Southern California Twitter | BlueSky Abstract Ancestral recombination graphs (ARGs) use trees to relate variation in a sample of genomes to the genealogical sources of that variation. Recent computational advances have enabled the largest-scale ARG estimates…

Promoting Genetics Awareness with Interdisciplinary and Equitable Approaches Melissa Ramirez, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Director of GGA Undergraduate Programs WPWS | CRECER Abstract This seminar will explore the current goals of the Genetics and Genomics Academy in the context of undergraduate education at NC State. Topics will include courses strategically designed for…

Building circadian medicine in a pediatric hospital John Hogenesch, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics Twitter | Website Abstract The past several decades has seen an explosion of growth in mechanistic understanding of circadian clocks in several model organisms and in humans. However, translation of that knowledge into actionable medical interventions has been slow…

Using DNA sequencing to reveal new insights into human diet Lawrence David, Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology; Associate Director, Duke Microbiome Center Website Abstract Tracking diet by self-reporting often presents challenges, including potential inaccuracies and underreporting. To address these obstacles, we introduce an objective approach for monitoring food species based on DNA sequencing,…