Genome Alberta's Official Newsletter
Genome Alberta Newsletter GenOmics - March 16, 2010
- March 16, 2010 -
In this Update:
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Genomics News
Epigenetics Workshop
Genome Alberta held a successful workshop on epigenetics and personalized medicine last Friday, March 12th. There were 40 people on hand for a packed morning of presentations and to talk about an Alberta research strategy in the field.
Just before the workshop we uploaded a short video of CEO Dr. David Bailey defining epigenetics that was picked up within a few minutes on Twitter and re-posted. You can see the video clip on YouTube and if you go to our blog pages at http://genomealberta.ca/blogs you’ll find 2 blog entries offering more detailed information on the workshop along with links to speakers, videos, and pictures.
Researcher Coax Secrets from the Opium Poppy
Researchers at the University of Calgary have discovered the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine thus opening doors to alternate methods of producing these effective painkillers either by manufacturing them in a lab or controlling the production of these compounds in the plant.
“The enzymes encoded by these two genes have eluded plant biochemists for a half-century,” says Peter Facchini, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, who has dedicated his career to studying the unique properties of the opium poppy. “In finding not only the enzymes but also the genes, we’ve made a major step forward. It’s equivalent in finding a gene involved in cancer or other genetic disorders.”
Peter Facchini is also leading a Genome Alberta Project and along with Concordia researcher Vince Martin will be able to take this new knowledge and put it to practical use. Genome Alberta’s Chief Scientific Officer Gijs van Rooijen, says that the Facchini-Martin PhytoMetasyn Project “can use this information to develop microbial production systems that can produce codeine, morphine and other medically relevant products”.
For more on the new discovery visit our GenOmics application and please visit the Genome Alberta website for more on the PhytoMetaSyn Project.
Iron Science Winner Crowned in Calgary
Every year teachers across Canada have regional competitions to see who are the top science teachers then the best teams have a National competition. Patterned after the TV show, the Iron Chef, the competition brings out the best and the most creative teachers and pits them against each other to see who can bring science to life in the classroom. Whether it is Gummy Bears and Maltesers battling it out at the Candyland Olympics or explosions and a Bill Nye-type guy on backup drums, there is no lack of excitement.
The finals were held last week at the University of Calgary in front of a live audience, hosted by Jay Ingram of the Discovery Channel, and streamed live around the world on the Internet.
This year’s winners were the Clone Rangers from H.J. Cambie Secondary School in Richmond, British Columbia. Read more on the story on GenOmics and see a video of the Clone Rangers in action.
Canadian Bioinformatics Help Desk Newsletter
http://gchelpdesk.ualberta.ca/news/02mar10/cbhd_news_02mar10.htm
Alberta Science Fairs
Genome Alberta is a strong supporter of Alberta’s Youth Science Fairs. For more information on the fairs and links to their web sites please visit our Calendar of Events or the blog pages for Gerry Ward.
Region Fair Date
Fair Location
City Alberta Central East April 1, 2010
J.C. Charyk Hanna School
Hanna, AB Calgary Youth Science Fair March 17 - 20, 2010 Big Four Building, Stampede Park Calgary, AB Canadian Rockies March 24, 2010 Lawrence Grassi Middle School Canmore, AB Central Alberta Science Fair March 26/27, 2010 Bower Place Shopping Centre Red Deer, AB Chinook Country Science Fair March 24, 2010 Red Deer Lake School Calgary, AB Edmonton Science Fair April 10/11, 2010 Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Edmonton, AB Kiwanis Southeast Alberta Science Fair March 27, 2010 Medicine Hat College Medicine Hat, AB Lethbridge Science Fair March 26/27, 2010 University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB Peace Country Science Fair March 18, 2010 Grande Prairie Regional College - Fairview Campus Fairview, AB Wood Buffalo April 16/17, 2010 Keyano College Fort McMurray, AB
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GenOmics Top Stories
GenOmics is Genome Alberta’s international news site dedicated to sharing news, information, images and videos related to genomics and many other sciences for the Omics Generation.
Genome Alberta posts stories we feel will be of interest, users can post their own stories, everything is open for comments, and the user community can even vote up their favourite stories. Working with our developer Newscloud.com, the platform has been developed as an Open Source technology and is getting attention from around North America and from as far away as Portugal and Africa.
We post information from all sources including science journals, general media, press releases and online sources. If you would like your information or stories to appear on GenOmics you can either log on and join the community at http://facebook.genomealberta.ca ,or drop Genome Alberta’s Communication Manager Mike Spear a note and he’ll post the information or maybe write a story on your behalf.
Personal study shows gene maps can spot disease
One more genome decoded, this one for Oscar week: Glenn Close's
How to Build a Plate Centrifuge for $25
Potential for using algae to produce human therapeutic proteins shown
- The sequencing market is beginning to shape out
- Scientists identify driving forces in human cell division
- Willful ignorance is not an effective argument against personal genomics
- British Science in the 21st century: The Royal Society on securing Britain’s future prosperity
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Found on Twitter
You can actually say something on Twitter, even if you are squeezed into 140 character. It means you have to be concise, have 1 thought in mind and know how to shorten some of those long winded url’s floating around out there.
Here is a quick look at what was out there over the last couple of weeks. We have posted many more examples along with a closer look at who is actually lurking behind some of those odd Twitter names on our blog at http://www.genomealberta.ca/blogs/twitter-snips-march-15-2019.aspx
@dgmacarthur Genetic Future post: Celebrity genomics without the Y chromosome: Glenn Close has her genome sequenced: Zoe McDou... http://bit.ly/bF3DrJ
@ryanfrei Why do scientists (and other technical writers) feel compelled to have 6-line sentences and 40-line paragraphs? #fb
@guardianscience MPs raise concern over science committee's homeopathy report http://bit.ly/ak1wld
@EurekaGenomics What are your thoughts on next generation sequencing? Lets get a conversation started about this profession. http://bit.ly/3HGP0l
@edyong209Bacteria on your keyboard might point to your identity but forensic value is unlikely http://bit.ly/bFMUAi
@BoaraZMore on the Science Journalism Ecosystem and What Is and Is Not Science Journalism http://bit.ly/apwR3C by @smallpkg #scio10 #esttp #AAAS10
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GE3LS Digest
For more information about GE3LS Digest, please visit http://www.genomealberta.ca/Is exercise worth your time? Genes tell – February 4th, 2010
When you put in hours at the gym, you expect to get fitter. It turns out, that assumption doesn't hold true for everyone. A new study suggests specific genes may determine, at least in part, how much we really benefit from exercise. While "benefit from exercise" can mean plenty of things, from slimming down to boosting one's ability to complete a marathon, the researchers specifically looked at what is called VO2 max, or aerobic capacity. This is a measure of how much blood your heart pumps and how much oxygen your muscles consume when they constrict to, say, move your legs on a treadmill.Bottom line, VO2 max represents your endurance. And this study, detailed today in the Journal of Applied Physiology, suggests a group of 29 genes could potentially categorize individuals into low, medium and high responders to exercise.
Stem cell alternatives show early aging abnormalities – February 12, 2010
A first head-to-head comparison of human embryonic stem cells with ones grown from skin cells, reported Thursday by biologists, revealed early aging and other abnormalities in the less-controversial alternatives. In the Stem Cell journal report led by Qiang Feng of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine International in Worcester, Mass., biologists compared cells from 25 human embryonic stem cell "lines", or families of cells, with eight "induced" stem cell lines grown by inserting Retha genes into skin cells with viruses. Both kinds of stem cells demonstrate "pluripotent" capabilities to grow into all kinds of tissues. Biomedical researchers hope to use both kinds of cells to screen drugs, study organ development and perhaps, grow rejection-free transplant tissues for patients. Embryonic stem cells, grown from embryos destroyed in the collection process, attracted great attention and controversy in the last decade.
Official definition of human embryonic stem cells widened in US
The official definition of human embryonic stem (HES) cells in US National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines is to be broadened from those ‘derived from the inner cell mass of blastocyst stage human embryo’ (ie. from embryos that have reached the blastocyst stage at four or five days old, 70-100 cells), to include also those derived from earlier stage embryos. Dr Lana Skirboll, director of the Office of Science Policy of the NIH, reportedly said: "We are making what I think is a relatively small technical change to the definition of human embryonic stem cells…This changes none of the ethical requirements in the guidelines" (see Reuters news). This move was prompted by an application from a commercial source to list cell lines derived from eight-cell stage embryos, and will make some commercial and academic research programmes potentially eligible for government funding.
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Events
We have a new Calendar of Events page on our website at http://www.genomealberta.ca/
--------------------------------------------------------------------Canadian Human Genetics Conference
This conference builds on a tradition of 17 previous annual scientific meetings of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, and the success of two Annual Canadian Human Genetics Conferences. The 3rd Annual Canadian Human Genetics Conference is an open meeting that will showcase some of the very best genetics in the country and abroad.
Hosted by Canadian Gene Cure Foundation (CGCF) with the Institute of Genetics (IG), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Where: Saint Sauveur, Québec
When: April 18-21, 2010
Conference Website: http://www.genecure.ca/en/programs/canadian-human-genetics-conference/about-the-event/
"Meet Alberta Opportunities" Reception
Every year during the Annual BIO Convention, Alberta showcases the advantages to doing business in Alberta and this year in Chicago will be no exception. It's a great event to meet new contacts, get to know potential partners, and catch up with colleagues. Don't miss it! To see a slide show of images from last year’s Alberta reception and the Alberta Pavilion please go to our Calendar of Events.
When: Tuesday, May 4th at 7:30p
Where: They are keeping the actual location under wraps for the moment.
For more information: View our Calendar of Events
Website: http://www.bioalberta.com
BIO 2010 International Convention
BIO is the world’s largest biotechnology gathering and features tracks of programming, including sessions on policy, finance, business development, science and regulatory affairs. Apart from the conference session, BIO also includes about 400,000 square feet of exhibit space. It is expected to attract 20,000 industry professionals: executives, investors, scientists, researchers, policy makers and journalists, approximately 2,200 exhibitors and at least 60 international pavilions.
Genome Alberta will not be exhibiting this year but the BIO folks have kindly given Communications Director Mike Spear full media access to the event so we’ll be able to keep you up to date with blogs, pictures, and videos. News and information from BIO Chicago will be available on our site as well as on the BIO site.
When: May 3-6, 2010
Where: Chicago, Il
For more information: http://convention.bio.org/
Canadian Human Proteome Project WorkshopAs the next step to the Canadian National Proteomics Network's Symposium held in Toronto during HUPO2009 World Congress, the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) and CNPN invite you to attend a workshop hosted by Genome Quebec and CNPN to define the next steps in moving Canadian proteomics research forward.
When: Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Where: Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal, Quebec
There is no cost to participate at this workshop, however, you must be preregistered to attend. We recommend you attend also the CNPN 2010 Symposium that takes place on May 9-10 in the same venue, just preceding the workshop, in order that you may fully appreciate the context and the goals of the workshop.
Workshop website: http://www.cnpn.ca/page41/page41.html
Canadian National Proteomics Network website: http://www.cnpn.ca/index.html
Alberta Bovine Genomics AGMThis is the 3rd annual meeting of the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Livestock Genomics Technology (formerly the Alberta Bovine Genomics Program), and it is being organized together with the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The theme will consider how genomics touches many of the quality issues impacting the sector and seek linkages and synergies to keep Canada at the forefront of the field and the industry competitive.
When: May 11-13
Where: Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire, Calgary, Alberta
For more information: Alberta Bovine Genomics AGM website
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