“The Power of Genetics: From Darwin to the Human Genome and Beyond” will be explored at the next College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Brown Bag Lecture Series on Wednesday, March 2 at noon, in Williams Center Room 204-ABC.
Leading the discussion will be Charlotte Lindqvist, assistant professor of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo; Scott Ferguson, associate professor of Biology; and Scott Medler, assistant professor of Biology, both of Fredonia.
The panelists will present a brief overview of the history of advances in genetic analyses, provide compelling examples of how genetic studies provide insight into evolutionary history and demonstrate how cutting edge advances in genetic technologies now put society at the threshold of never before seen power to manipulate the world.
Their perspectives will be offered against a backdrop of how, for more than 150 years, the mechanistic understanding of the natural world has been transformed by discoveries of how genes provide the underpinnings of all biological processes. And in just the last two decades, technological advances have enabled scientists to make discoveries that once seemed like science fiction. It was noted that while the prospect of tailoring medical treatments to a person’s unique genetics and perhaps curing certain diseases makes this an exciting time, the power to genetically modify the world and potentially even humans presents ethical dilemmas.
Dr. Lindqvist’s research is broadly concerned with the processes and patterns of genetic and morphological diversification in natural populations and environments. Her current projects include investigation of polar bear evolution, evolutionary genetics of New World mints and untangling the origin a Hawaiian endemic plant radiation (Lamiaceae), and metagenomic investigation of the marine mammal gut microbiota.
Dr. Ferguson’s research focuses on developmental genetics in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. In particular, his lab focuses on the Drosophila gene gurken (grk) that is the source of one mRNA required for establishing the anterior/posterior and dorsal/ventral axes that are maintained through embryogenesis.
Dr. Medler’s research focus is on the cellular and molecular organization of skeletal muscles and how these properties change in response to development, exercise and other demands. His lab is currently studying single fibers co-expressing two or more MHC isoforms (hybrid fibers) and their role in mammalian muscle plasticity. He routinely teaches classes for non-majors that include discussions of the history of scientific discoveries.
Admission to the Brown Bag Lecture Series is free. Light refreshments will be provided.
