Genes, regulons, feathers and flight. The origin of the avian genome
Scott V Edwards Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
Thursday 17 May 2012 1pm
Gould Seminar Room (Room 235) Gould building, 116 Daley Road, ANU
For the past 10 years our lab has employed diverse approaches to understand the origins of the avian genome, which is distinguished from the genomes of mammals and non-avian reptiles in being small and less populated by transposable elements. In particular we have been intrigued by possible links between powered flight and smaller genome size, a hypothesis that receives some support from our work.
ANU graduate studies information evening
Explore your research and coursework options
This evening is an excellent starting point for you to find out about Australia's top ranking university and the graduate coursework and research programs on offer.
Date: Tuesday 22 May 2012
Time: 4pm - 7pm (attendees are welcome to come anytime between the hours of 4 - 7pm)
Location: University House, The Hall, Balmain Crescent, ANU
Jonathan Dampney (phone 59909)
TB control in the PNG-Australia cross-border region
Australia and Papua New Guinea's relationship is unique: sharing a common border and a history. Recently, the two countries have also come to share a concern for the rising prevalence and potential for transmission of tuberculosis (TB), including a multi-drug-resistant strain in the Torres Strait cross-border region.
Both the Australian and PNG governments want to ensure the availability of health services that provide appropriate care for sufferers of TB without exacerbating the emergence of drug resistance. How to best achieve this aim is not always clear and has been controversial. An initial step is to understand where and why individuals look for health care, and what services result in the best outcomes. The key stakeholders in ensuring this is integrated into policy are those directly involved in the uptake and delivery of TB services.
This public forum will bring together the views of community members, clinicians and policy makers directly impacted by this issue, along with researchers working to develop effective strategies for control of TB in the region.
Panel Members include:
> Dr Kamalini Lokuge, Medical Epidemiologist, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU
> Professor Tom Kompas, Professor of Economics and Director, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU
> Dr Paul Aia, Director National TB Program, National Department of Health, PNG
> Cr Kebei Salee Koeget, Local-level Government Ward Member for Sigabaduru, PNG
> Dr Tom Konstantinos, Director, Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre
> Mr Benedict David, Prinicipal Health Specialist, AusAID
> A representative of Saibai Island Council - TBC
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Acton Theatre, Level 1, JG Crawford Building 132, Lennox Crossing, ANU
Ageing of water pythons
Dr Beata Ujvari Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Sydney
Thursday 24 May 2012 1pm
Gould Seminar Room (Room 235) Gould building, 116 Daley Road, ANU
Our long-term study of water pythons (Liasis fuscus) has revealed a dramatic variation in individual adult longevity (ranging from <5 to >20 years), and that mortality in the wild is rarely a result of ecological/environmental factors such as predation, but rather of age-dependent variation in ability to combat infections. Immune challenges of different aged pythons revealed that age-related changes in python immune function may follow different and opposing pathways.
I will discuss our findings in context of the general principles of immunosenescence,
with special emphasis on the role of less known antigens in maintaining immunocompetence during the ageing
process.
