Castles and cuitlacoche: the first international Ustilago conference

The first international Ustilago conference was held in Marburg, Germany from August 22 to 25, 2002. The meeting focused on molecular genetic and cell biology research with Ustilago maydis, the causative agent of common smut of maize. This fungus has emerged as a useful experimental organism for studying the biology of basidiomycete fungi, with a particular emphasis on the interaction of the fungus with the host plant. Thus presentations at the meeting covered the range of current research topics including DNA recombination and repair, mating and sexual development, phytopathology, cell biology, the cell cycle, signaling, and genomics. The meeting also highlighted historical aspects of U. maydis research with presentations by pioneers in the field including Robin Holiday (recombination), Yigal Koltin (killer phenomenon) and Peter Day (plant pathology).     

The genetic basis of evolution, adaptation and speciation

A primary question in biology concerns the genetic basis of the evolution of novel traits, often in response to environmental changes, and how this can subsequently cause species isolation. This topic was the focus of the symposium on the Genetics of Speciation and Evolution at the annual meeting of the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, held in Banff in May 2011. The presentations revealed some of the rapid advances being made in understanding the genetic basis of adaptation and speciation, as well as the elegant interplay between an organism's genetic complement and the environment that organism experiences.     

Meeting report: 2010 Caenorhabditis elegans Neurobiology Meeting, University of Wisconsin, USA

Against the backdrop of the scenic Lake Mendota, the C. elegans Neurobiology Meeting came to a head. Expertly organised by Brian Ackley and Bruce Bamber and hosted at the accommodating University of Wisconsin, the meeting brought together recent contributions from many of the major research groups working on the neurobiology of C. elegans. With seven keynote speakers, 57 verbal presentations and hundreds of posters, this exciting event spanned a fascinating 3 days from 27 June to 30 June 2010. In keeping with the tradition of this conference, the event on the whole was spearheaded by young investigators from several research institutions. The meeting served to emphasise the gains enjoyed by taking advantage of the genetic tractability of the worm. A thread that ran through the meeting was the importance of integrating data across different levels of biological organisation to permit delineation of the physiology underpinning discrete behavioural states. Recent advances in optogenetics and microfluidics were at the forefront of refining these analyses. The presentations discussed in this meeting report are a selection which reflects this overarching theme.     

Getting to the guts of enteric nervous system development

Scientists from around the world gathered in New York City recently to discuss the latest research on enteric nervous system development at a meeting organised by Alan Burns and Heather Young. The participants enjoyed 3 days of presentations that spurred active conversations and highlighted the rapidly advancing research in this field.     

Transgenic Technology meeting 2008 in Toronto, Canada: a meeting report

In a history that goes back to 1999, the Transgenic Technology meetings started out in Sweden and over the years began to attract a growing community of technicians and researchers mainly from Europe. As the meetings started to attract an expanding worldwide audience, the community decided to found the International Society for Transgenic Technologies at the Barcelona meeting in 2005. The 2007 convention was held at Brisbane, Australia, and in 2008, the 8th Transgenic Technology meeting was held for the second time on behalf of ISTT and for the second time outside of Europe in Toronto, Canada. Due to its excellent program with over 400 participants the meeting was able to attract the highest number of delegates of all past TT meetings. With extended times for plenary discussions about technical and organizational aspects, as well as top level scientific presentations, both technicians and scientists enjoyed this as an extremely fruitful meeting from which they could take home solutions for daily routines as well as new insights and ideas for coming projects.     

Population genetic structure and the effect of founder events on the genetic variability of moose, Alces alces, in Canada

Moose, Alces alces, occur naturally throughout most of Canada but successful introductions of known numbers of animals have been made to the islands of Newfoundland and Cape Breton. Five microsatellite loci were used to investigate the population genetic structure and any change in genetic variability due to founder events of moose in Canada. Comparisons of allele frequencies for moose from 11 regions of the country suggested that there are at least seven genetically distinct populations (P < 0.05) in North America, namely Alberta, eastern Ontario, New Brunswick, Cape Breton, Labrador, western Newfoundland, and the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. The average population heterozygosity was approximately 33% (range from 22 to 41%). UPGMA analysis of Nei's genetic distances produced phenograms similar to what would be expected when geographical location and population history are considered. The loss of heterozygosity due to a single founder event (n = 3; two introductions and a natural colonization) ranged from 14 to 30%, and the cumulative loss of heterozygosity due to two successive founder events (an introduction followed by a natural colonization) was 46%. In these examples loss of genetic variability has not been associated with any known phenotypic deviances, suggesting that populations may be established from a small number of founders. However, the viability of these founded populations over evolutionary timescales cannot be determined and is highly dependent upon chance.     

Meeting report: membrane proteins in health and disease.

This article summarizes the scientific presentations made at a Canadian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology Symposium on "Membrane Proteins in Health and Diseases" and two satellite meetings on "Bicarbonate Transporters" and "Nucleoside Transporters" held in Banff, Alberta, 20-24 March 2002. Membrane proteins are encoded by about 1/3 of genes and are involved in a wide range of essential functions, including the transport of nutrients, ions, and waste products across biological membranes. Mutations or changes in the expression of these genes cause an equally wide range of diseases. Membrane proteins are also common drug targets or provide drug entry mechanisms. The importance of membrane proteins in biology and medicine was highlighted by the presentations made at this exciting meeting by an international group of experts.     

Meeting report for the 4th Annual Complex Trait Consortium Meeting: From QTLs to Systems Genetics

The fourth annual meeting of the Complex Trait Consortium (CTC) was held in Groningen, the Netherlands on June 26–29, 2005. This meeting, which set a new attendance record, followed three previous and highly successful meetings. The focus at this meeting was on continued resource development and the exiting new field of systems genetics, the integration and anchoring of multi-dimensional data-types to underlying genetic variation. A new aspect at the meeting was the three-minute, ‘come see my poster’ presentations that generated significant interaction at the poster sessions. If the 2005 meeting is an indicator of things to come, future meetings promise to offer even more exciting research efforts to integrate high-throughput biological measurements with genetic variation to unravel the mechanisms responsible for inter-individual variation.     

The Genetics Society of Canada takes a flight with Drosophila to celebrate its 50th year

The Genetics Society of Canada (GSC) held its 50th Anniversary Celebration June 18-21, 2007 in the New Residence Hall of McGill University in Montreal in conjunction with the 9(th) Canadian Drosophila Research Conference (CanFly), which is held in odd-numbered years. The meeting was a huge success with nearly 200 participants, and outstanding research presentations from all parts of Canada and beyond. The Canadian Drosophila research community is very vibrant: there are approximately 50 research labs in the country that work entirely or mostly in the Drosophila system, and a search of FlyBase for Canadian addresses yields a total of 248.     

The Genetics Society of Canada Takes a Flight with Drosophila to Celebrate Its 50th Year

From 18-21 June 2007, the Genetics Society of Canada (GSC) held its 50th anniversary celebration in the New Residence Hall of McGill University in Montreal in conjunction with the 9th Canadian Drosophila Research Conference (CanFly), which is held in odd-numbered years. The meeting was a huge success with nearly 200 participants, and outstanding research presentations from all parts of Canada and beyond. The Canadian Drosophila research community is very vibrant: there are approximately 50 research labs in the country that work entirely or mostly in the Drosophila system, and a search of FlyBase for Canadian addresses yields a total of 248.     

Meeting report: Symbiosis in Barcelona

The European Congress on Biotechnology brought together the top European and International scientists, biotechnologists, innovators and key biotech policy and decision makers in an unprecedented international meeting. The Congress was established in 1978 by and remains the main activity of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB). Taking place in Barcelona, September 16–19, 2007, the ECB 13 attracted over 1500 leading scientists and other senior participants, over 500 posters and more than a hundred exhibitors, from over 50 countries across Europe and beyond. From over a 150 presentations in 5 and more parallel sessions, only a small fraction can be highlighted in the scope of this short meeting report.     

Population structure and conservation genetic assessment of the endangered Pugnose Shiner,Notropis anogenus

The Pugnose Shiner is a small minnow with a fragmented distribution across the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River in North America. The species is listed federally as endangered in Canada, and in the United States its status varies by state, from Special Concern to Endangered (as well as Extirpated). We conducted a thorough genetic assessment of the Pugnose Shiner using both microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA collected for samples across the species range. Our results indicate high levels of population differentiation suggesting restricted dispersal, in some cases at very small geographical scales. We also found strong evidence of small effective population sizes and one case of a genetic bottleneck. Although significant range-wide genetic variation was observed in both microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA, the species is best characterized as a single evolutionarily significant unit for conservation purposes.     

Centrosome and spindle pole body dynamics. Review and abstracts of the EMBO/EMBL Conference on Centrosomes and Spindle Pole Bodies,Heidelberg, September 13-17, 2002

Five years after the first meeting held on Centrosomes and Spindle Pole Bodies, a second meeting was organized by Tano Gonzalez, Eric Karsenti, Kip Sluder, and Mark Winey in Heidelberg, Germany. Sponsored by the gracious European community (EMBO/EMBL), the meeting was both spectacular and exhausting. The wealth of information delivered, the plethora of model systems and unique approaches described, and the free exchange of information by a cooperative and excited community of scientists overwhelmed all participants. Even the best prepared scholars could not have anticipated the avalanche of data and insights that poured from the presentations from beginning to end. Daily posters by young and senior scientists added dimension to round out the well-planned series of presentations. The meeting began with opening remarks by Eric Karsenti and Michel Bornens who reminded participants of the historical questions of the field. Where does the centrosome come from? What are the mechanisms that control centrosome assembly and duplication? How is duplication coordinated with the cell cycle? Why do some cells have centrosomes, while others do not? What are the components of the centrosome? Does the centrosome play an important role in disease?     

Climate change reduces genetic diversity of Canada lynx at the trailing range edge

Shifts in species distributions due to environmental change may affect the spatial pattern of genetic structure within a species' range, including possible changes to the adaptive potential of populations. We investigated spatial patterns of neutral genetic diversity and differentiation at the southern edge of the Canada lynx Lynx canadensis distribution in Ontario, Canada. We analyzed provincial fur harvest records (1972–2010) and collected and genotyped lynx pelt samples (2007–2009) from 702 lynx at 14 microsatellite loci. We show that the southern range boundary of lynx in central Canada has contracted northward by > 175 km since the 1970s, and that high winter temperature, low snow depth, and low proportion of suitable habitat are strongly correlated with low neutral genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation at the trailing range edge. Our work tests fundamental ideas about species range limits and demonstrates that environmental conditions can have a marked influence on neutral genetic structure. Our results suggest that changes in environmental conditions will result in further loss of genetic diversity and possibly reduce adaptive potential in southern peripheral lynx populations.     

The Leopoldina international symposium on parasitism,commensalism and symbiosis--common themes,different outcome

The development of new methods, including genomics, which can even be applied to unculturable microorganisms, has significantly increased our knowledge about bacterial pathogenesis and symbiosis and, in consequence, is profoundly modifying our views on the evolution and the genetic and physiological basis of bacteria-host interactions. The presentations at this symposium revealed conceptual links between bacterial pathogenesis and symbiosis. The close co-operation of experts in both fields will result in significant synergy and new insights into basic mechanisms of bacteria-host interactions and their evolution. The meeting provided fascinating news about the genetic and metabolic consequences that the change in their lifestyle had for bacteria that developed from free-living to permanent host-associated organisms exemplified by intracellular pathogens or symbionts. In addition, surprising similarities but also striking differences between the strategies involved in the establishment of a symbiotic versus a parasitic lifestyle can be noted. In the long run, the characterization of such differences might lead to lifestyle prediction or to an evaluation of the pathogenic potential of newly isolated bacteria via the definition of genetic and/or metabolic signatures characteristic for pathogenic or symbiotic organisms. Moreover, it is expected that these investigations will lead to new strategies for the treatment or prevention of bacterial infections, or the avoidance of pathogen transmission.     

Communication,Cooperation, and Social Interactions: a Report from the Third Young Microbiologists Symposium on Microbe Signalling,Organisation, and Pathogenesis

The third Young Microbiologists Symposium took place on the vibrant campus of the University of Dundee, Scotland, from the 2nd to 3rd of June 2014. The symposium attracted over 150 microbiologists from 17 different countries. The significant characteristic of this meeting was that it was specifically aimed at providing a forum for junior scientists to present their work. The meeting was supported by the Society for General Microbiology and the American Society for Microbiology, with further sponsorship from the European Molecular Biology Organization, the Federation of European Microbiological Societies, and The Royal Society of Edinburgh. In this report, we highlight some themes that emerged from the many exciting talks and poster presentations given by the young and talented microbiologists in the area of microbial gene expression, regulation, biogenesis, pathogenicity, and host interaction.     

Integrative use of spatial, genetic, and demographic analyses for investigating genetic connectivity between migratory, montane, and sedentary caribou herds

Genetic differentiation is generally assumed to be low in highly mobile species, but this simplistic view may obscure the complex conditions and mechanisms allowing genetic exchanges between specific populations. Here, we combined data from satellite-tracked migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus), microsatellite markers, and demographic simulations to investigate gene flow mechanisms between seven caribou herds of eastern Canada. Our study included one montane, two migratory, and four sedentary herds. Satellite-tracking data indicated possibilities of high gene flow between migratory herds: overlap of their rutting ranges averaged 10% across years and 9.4% of females switched calving sites at least once in their lifetime. Some migratory individuals moved into the range of the sedentary herds, suggesting possibilities of gene flow between these herds. Genetic differentiation between herds was weak but significant (FST=0.015): migratory and montane herds were not significantly distinct (FST all9) than vice-versa (4Nm all<5), which suggests migratory herds had a demographic impact on sedentary herds. Demographic simulations showed that an effective immigration rate of 0.0005 was sufficient to obtain the empirical FST of 0.015, while a null immigration rate increased the simulated FST to >0.6. In conclusion, the weak genetic differentiation between herds cannot be obtained without some genetic exchanges among herds, as demonstrated by genetic and spatial data.     

Integrative approaches to biogeography: patterns and processes on land and in the sea

At the 2002 SICB meeting in Anaheim, we brought together someof the leaders in terrestrial and marine phylogeography fora day-long symposium. This symposium combined presentationsfrom ten scientists whose question-driven research focuses ontesting hypotheses about patterns and processes in biogeographyin both vertebrate and invertebrate animals and including marine,terrestrial, and freshwater systems. The papers gathered herecover the breadth of the presentations. By explicitly seekingto combine marine and terrestrial workers into a single symposiumwe hoped that the different patterns and processes that predominatein major biomes and the different assumptions made by the workersin those areas would be highlighted.     

Human genetic diversity,a critical resource for man's future

The human gene pool displays exuberant genetic variation; this is normal for a sexual species. Even small isolated populations contain a large percentage of the total variability, emphasizing the basic genetic unity of our species. As modern man spread across the world from its African source, the genetic basis for man's unique mental acuity was retained everywhere. Nevertheless, some geographical genetic variation such as skin color, stature and physiognomy was established. These changes were biologically relatively insignificant. Most of the genetic load in the genome has been carried throughout the history of the species. There is little hope of purging all of these harmful genes; we must accept them and continue to treat their syndromes medically. All populations carry extensive genetic variation due to genes that encode variations in quantitative traits. Of greatest importance among these is ubiquitous polygenic variability in brain function and intelligence. Mental acuity is what sets us apart from the rest of the biological world. Throughout our history, genetic recombination among the many genes involved in brain function has occurred. This has provided a genetic basis for the action of natural selection that favors intelligence in meeting the demands of the environment. As environments change in the future, this type of genetic variability will continue to be a crucial resource.This article is based on a contribution at the Session on Genetic Load chaired by Dr. Henretta Trent Band and presented at a meeting of the International Society for the History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois in July 1991. The author is indebted to Professor Antonio Brito daCunha of the University of São Paulo, Brazil for his encouragement and comments.     

Influence of conserved and hypervariable genetic markers on genotyping circulating strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Presently there is no vaccine against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and therefore accurate information on gonococcal transmission plays a crucial role for interventions designed to limit the spread of infections caused by this microorganism. We evaluated the impact of two different categories of genetic markers, (i) concatenated sequences of 10 housekeeping genes and (ii) hypervariable porB DNA sequences, on the genetic relatedness and subsequently on genotyping analysis of this human pathogen. Eighty gonococcal isolates from Canada, China, the US, Argentina, Venezuela and Chile, collected over different times, were analyzed. Our results show that the choice of genetic marker had a profound effect on the interpretation of genotyping results associated with N. gonorrhoeae. The concatenated sequences of the housekeeping genes preserved the genetic relatedness of closely related isolates, enabling detection of the predominant strains circulating within a community (Saskatchewan, Canada) over an extended period of time. In contrast, a genetic marker based on antigen gene, porB, may lead to a failure to detect these predominant circulating strains. Based on the analysis of the DNA sequences of the 10 housekeeping genes, we identified two major clonal complexes, CC33 and CC22, which comprised STs from China, and Argentina as well as two STs from Canada. Several minor clonal complexes were observed among isolates from Saskatchewan. eBURST analysis suggested that the majority of the tested gonococcal isolates from Saskatchewan, Canada were endemic, with only a couple of genotypes introduced.