Geneticists and Genetics Commentators Blogs This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Blogs

Uterus Transplants are " Supremely Risky "
< div > < span style= " color: #666666; " > It was a first in the United States. A woman, only identified as Lindsey, received a uterus from a deceased woman. Lindsey was born without a uterus, and she was hoping this transplant would enable her to get pregnant. At a press conference at the end of February, Cleveland doctors announced it was the first successful uterus transplant in the United States. Only days later, Lindsey suffered complications and had to undergo another surgery to remove the organ. < /span > < /div > < br / > < div > < span style= " color: #666666; " > The Cleveland team of doctors has been given perm...
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - April 18, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Reproductive Technologies Source Type: blogs

BioTalk16 Genetic Enhancements
In this episode of BioTalk, Chelsea and I discuss genetic enhancements, and how they spell the loss of freedom and personal autonomy for future generations. They are "a biological arms race no one can win." (Source: Mary Meets Dolly)
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - February 15, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: BioTalk Source Type: blogs

U.S. Panel OKs Three-Parent Embryos with Sex Selection
This week a committee of scientists and ethicists have recommended to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that they approve three-parent embryo techniques for use in IVF in the United States. The committee calls it mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRT) because the goal is too "replace" defective mitochondria in woman with mitochondrial disease so they do not pass their genetic mutation onto their children. We all have genetic material outside our nucleus in our mitochondria called mtDNA. We inherit our mtDNA solely from our mother. The mitochondria we inherit are in our mother's egg. There are tw...
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - February 5, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Genetic Engineering Source Type: blogs

Scientists, Governments Re-Engineer Language to Sell Public on Embryo Re-Engineering
A recent headline in the United Kingdoms Independent shouts that the first genetically modified human embryos could be created in Britain in just a few weeks. The article by Steve Connor reports that scientists have submitted a proposal to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the governments fertility regulatory body, asking to edit the genes of leftover IVF embryos to try to treat infertility. Just today it was announced that the researchers have been given permission to move forward.The Independent headline is meant to shock and surprise, but if you are someone who is even remotely f...
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - February 1, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Genetic Engineering Source Type: blogs

Postdoc: Stress biology using Neurospora as a model system (SLU – Sweden)
Stress biology using Neurospora as a model organism Research at the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology center on fundamental and applied aspects of fungal, microbial and plant biology. Important research topics include fungal interaction with other microorganisms and plants as well as ecological functioning and evolution. Central themes are plant pathology and nutrient cycling in agricultural and forest ecosystems. The department is placed at Bio Center at SLU, Uppsala with approx. 300 employees in plant science, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular biology, food science and computing biology...
Source: Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics - January 28, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Jason Stajich Tags: postdoc neurospora stress biology sweden Source Type: blogs

Postdoc: Computational Fungal Genomics (Univ of New Zealand)
Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Fungal Genomics I am looking for a motivated and productive postdoctoral fellow to explore the evolutionary implications of interactions between genome structure, epigenetic modification and gene expression, with a particular focus on the 3D arrangement of unraveled chromosomes in the nucleus. Using a fungal model system with direct agricultural applications (Epichloe festucae), the postdoc will validate genome assemblies using long-read data, build 3D models of genome packing in the nucleus, and explore statistical associations with gene expression using extensive transcriptome d...
Source: Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics - January 27, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Jason Stajich Tags: postdoc computational genomics fungi new zealand Source Type: blogs

Postdoc & PhD positions in Evolutionary Biology – Genome organization of AM fungi
Postdoc & PhD positions in Evolutionary Biology – Genome organization of AM fungi At the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden. Description Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form symbiotic interactions with almost all terrestrial plants and have done so since plants first colonized land. The postdoc and PhD position are both part of a newly funded ERC research program aimed at understanding the ecology and evolution of these widespread and important organisms. Using state-of-the art technology, e.g., PacBio long read sequencing and single nucleus genomics methods, the research program see...
Source: Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics - January 26, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Jason Stajich Tags: evolution fungi postdoc zygomycete AMF evolutionary biology phd sweden uppsala Source Type: blogs

Olympics Changes Rules on Transgender Athletes - Women Lose
All of my daughters are athletes. It isn't always easy when my daughter's varsity basketball team plays after the boys, and the once full gym empties as the girls start their game. It is heart breaking, but they understand. Women are by nature not as athletic as men and so, for many, not as exciting to watch. But sport is still important for young women everywhere. My girls continue to learn valuable life lessons from pushing themselves physically and working together with other girls toward a common goal.A headline I read yesterday may signal the end of women's sports. The Olympic Committee has changed the rules on t...
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - January 25, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: blogs

Postdoc: Fungal Evolution at University Arizona (Arnold Lab)
The Arnold lab at the University of Arizona seeks a postdoctoral researcher as part of a recently funded, collaborative project supported by the National Science Foundation’s Genealogy of Life (GoLife) program. The project centers on enriching phylogenetic knowledge of the Pezizomycotina through new collections of endophytic and endolichenic fungi, with special attention to the evolution of symbioses with photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The position will begin on or near April 15, 2016, with an expected duration of two years (potentially expandable to three). The position will be based in Tucson, A...
Source: Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics - January 22, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Jason Stajich Tags: postdoc arnold lab fungal evolution golife university of arizona Source Type: blogs

Postdoc: Plant-fungal symbiosis and evolution
The Vilgalys Mycology Lab at Duke University seeks a postdoctoral researcher in the area of plant-fungal symbiosis and evolution. The selected candidate will contribute to ongoing studies on ecology and evolution of forest soil fungi and their interactions with trees including Populus, Pinus and other species. We are especially interested in metagenomic approaches for studying fungal interactions with plants including mycorrhizal fungi and root endophytes. Major Duties/Responsibilities: Design, conduct and interpret laboratory and field based research; lead and contribute to the development of scientific manuscript...
Source: Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics - January 22, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Jason Stajich Tags: fungi duke university fungal ecology postdoc Vilgalys Source Type: blogs

UK Science Adviser Urges Germ-line Modification of Human Embryos
Last month in Washington D.C., scientists from around the world met to discuss whether or not to use new, cutting-edge gene editing techniques to alter the DNA of embryos. The stakes are very high because any editing done that early in development would be considered a germ-line modification, one that will be incorporated into egg and sperm cells and then passed down to future generations. So any genetic engineering done at the embryonic stage will affect not just that embryo, but his or her children, grand children and great-grandchildren. Many of the scientists at this meeting are concerned. We should all be. Not o...
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - January 22, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Genetic Engineering Source Type: blogs

My Speech at Walk for Life Northwest
It was very cold and very wet, but it was worth it. This weekend I spoke alongside Walter Hoye at the Walk for Life Northwest. He and his wife are amazing witnesses for life. I am so privileged that I got to met them. The organizers likely asked me to speak because of my work with biotechnology, but I threw them a curve ball. Instead of talking about my normal fare, I decided to the crowd about my experience with unplanned pregnancy. Here is the video. (Source: Mary Meets Dolly)
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - January 18, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Abortion Source Type: blogs

Sherri Shepherd Surrogacy Tragedy Not Over
Sherri Shepherd, celebrity host of The View, and her now-ex-husband, Lamar Sally, hired surrogate Jessica Batholomew to carry a child conceived with Sallys sperm and a donor egg. Before Bartholomew could give birth to Lamar Jr., however, Shepherd filed for divorce and abandoned the boy both socially and financially. Batholomew was legally considered Lamar Jr.s mother. She was left to cover her own medical expenses and was on the hook for child support. After a long legal battle, Shepherd was officially placed on the childs birth certificate and ordered to pay monthly child support.Sheph...
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - January 8, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Reproductive Technologies Source Type: blogs

Poll: Iron Man or Captain America
I am collecting data for my next commentary by taking an informal poll of Catholics. I would be very much obliged if you would comment with your opinion on this question: Who is a better role model, Iron Man or Captain America? If you happen to read my stuff and know how I would answer, please don't let that influence yourcomment. Thank you in advance! (Source: Mary Meets Dolly)
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - January 7, 2016 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Genetic Engineering Source Type: blogs