Category Archives: Molecular Genetics

Exercise alters more than 9,800 molecules in your blood, a process that scientists have called a cellular symphony.

Youre getting such a dramatic change when you exercise and its something that permeates throughout your entire system, Michael Snyder, chairman of the genetics department at Stanford University, told TODAY. We think its a global regenerator, if you will there arent that many things that can give you that.

But not all of these molecules equally provide the benefits of physical activity. Last week, researchers primarily based out of Baylors College of Medicine and Stanfords School of Medicine reported that one in particular seems to play an outsized role. They detailed their find in the journal Nature.

The large team of more than two dozen scientists used a strategy called untargeted metabolomics to see what happens to molecules in mouse blood plasma after the critters ran on a treadmill to exhaustion. Conspicuously rising was a compound with the chemical formula C12H14NO4, which the researchers subsequently discovered to be N-lactoyl-phenylalanine, or Lac-Phe for short. The modified amino acid is synthesized from lactate (which is produced in abundance during intense exercise) and phenylalanine, one of the building blocks of proteins.

They replicated the mouse experiment in racehorses as well, finding Lac-Phe to be the most significantly induced circulating metabolite. Later, they watched Lac-Phe levels mightily rise in 36 human volunteers as they sprinted on a bicycle, lifted weights, or biked for endurance. The researchers noted that the data establish Lac-Phe as one of the top exercise-regulated metabolites in humans.

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So it seems that the blood is flooded with Lac-Phe during, and in the wake of, exercise, particularly when it is intense. Could it perhaps be responsible for imparting some of exercises miraculous effects on health?

To find out, the researchers injected obese mice with Lac-Phe, finding that it significantly lowered their appetite, reduced body fat, and improved glucose tolerance over the ten-day study period. Interestingly, Lac-Phe didnt grant these benefits to lean, healthy mice, even when administered at higher doses. Nor did it work when given orally, indicating that Lac-Phe may not work as a long-sought exercise pill.

The researchers found further empirical support that Lac-Phe regulates the salubrious effects of exercise in a trial in which they genetically engineered mice without an enzyme key to producing Lac-Phe. Compared to control mice, these mice lacking in Lac-Phe lost much less weight when engaging in an identical exercise program.

Mice administered Lac-Phe did not experience any apparent adverse effects, nor did the molecule interfere with other metabolic functions, an auspicious sign that human trials with the compound could start relatively soon. Long-term studies might reveal that Lac-Phe could reduce the severity of osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and other health problems that exercise is known to treat. Though a Lac-Phe drug could never capture all the benefits of exercise, even bottling some would make for a fantastic medication.

Next, the researchers intend to zero in on Lac-Phes effects on the brain. As they wrote:

Future work uncovering the downstream molecular and cellular mediators of Lac-Phe action in the brain may provide new therapeutic opportunities to capture the cardiometabolic benefits of physical activity for human health.

Continued here:
Could the "exercise molecule" be made into an "exercise pill"? - Big Think

Targetable alterations including BRAF V600E, EGFR exon 20 insertions, KRAS G12C mutations, MET exon 14 alterations, NTRK and RET rearrangements have taken up recent focus for investigators as data are pushing novel agents through the regulatory processes.

The fruits of decades of investigative efforts in thoracic oncology are ripe for picking, according to Solange Peters, MD, PhD. Targetable alterations including BRAF V600E, EGFR exon 20 insertions, KRAS G12C mutations, MET exon 14 alterations, NTRK and RET rearrangements have taken up recent focus for investigators as data are pushing novel agents through the regulatory processes. However, there are several hurdles preventing the translation of these agents into practice including the integration of standardized molecular testing.1,2

In addition to novel therapies illuminating new treatment paths for patients, the success of immunotherapeutic regimens in the metastatic disease has driven investigators to evaluate the applications of the regimens in early-stage resectable disease.3,4

As the trends move more toward targeted therapies [and we have] agents that are being integrated preresection and postresection, some of the barriers [we need to address are the] issues regarding molecular testing and really integrating that into practice, especially for these patients with early-stage disease, Peters said in an interview with OncologyLive. Immunotherapy also has a large role to play early disease with surgery or any kind of radical treatment. Thats really a revolution.

As a young investigator, Peters got her start in infectious disease research focusing the topic of her PhD at the Microbiology Institute at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland on the mechanisms of resistance for HIV infection. If you think about HIV infection and the first treatment, we were [investigating] the clonal divergence of HIV viruses creating resistance. And if you think about my wording it reminds you of cancer, right? How [do we] address something which might kill [an individual] taking into consideration genetic changes over time. As advances in HIV research plateaued, Peters looked for a way to translate her interest in genetic research to a new field.

I was working in HIV as a biologist and an MD and, at the time, HIV [infection] was almost under control, I was looking for a field where in the sensitivity of first disease, a second grows, where there is an unmet need in bridging medicine and biology, but also bridging genetics and genetic modifications with treatments. There is no better discipline than oncology, Peters said. I immediately found there what I loved in HIV. Its amazing how [rapidly] the discoveries are now coming, [in particular] looking at genetics.

Peters has earned a place of prominence among lung cancer investigators and in the oncology area as a whole. She is serving her second year as president of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Additionally, Peters is chief of the Medical Oncology Service, an associate professor and chair of Thoracic Oncology, and the chief resident of thoracic malignancies in the Oncology Department at the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) in Switzerland.

Peters is also an active participant in many scientific meetings, including the upcoming 23rd Annual International Lung Cancer Congress taking place July 28-30, 2022, in Huntington Beach, California. The program, hosted by Physicians Education Resource (PER), LLC, will cover a wide range of topics in thoracic oncology including updates on biomarkers, surgical treatment modalities for resectable disease, and more (Sidebar).

I want to know what my colleagues think about the [available] data, Peters said. I learn something about the nuance of the data, or the limitations, or maybe something I havent thought about. The Congress [agenda] is broad, so you do the same exercise [as in other meetings], but in a very comprehensive fashion and this is of tremendous importance.

Lung cancer had beginnings in a category of diseases associated with very poor outcomes, Peters noted. Using the traditional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, the outcomes for [patients with] lung cancer have been very, very disappointing for years. However, as data began to read out from several landmark trials, Peters said that a new story began to unfold in the field in 2 important chapters for thoracic malignancies.

The first chapter is molecular biology, Peters said. Were trying to understand and discover what are the oncogenes leading to the malignant phenotype. [This research] has led to a wonderful portfolio of targeted therapies.

This course of molecular discovery kicked off when investigators identified the role of EGFR mutations in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) leading to the introduction of personalized medicine in the field, specifically with the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa).2

In the following decade, progress to uncover aggressive mutations accelerated with the identification of 15 mutations that afford patients opportunities for therapy beyond chemotherapy and radiation.

For example, in the past 2 years, treatment options for metastatic NSCLC have risen exponentially with agents including mobocertinib (Exkivity) and amivantamab-vmjw (Rybrevant) for patients with EGFR exon 20 insertions, tepotinib (Tepmetko) and capmatinib (Tabrecta) for patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutations, sotorasib (Lumakras) for patients with KRAS G12C mutations, and lorlatinib (Lorbrena) for patients with ALK-positive disease.5

From time to time we will discover new compounds or new targets, Peters said. I think the low hanging fruits might have been caught by in terms of oncogenes. Although progress has not stalled in discovery, Peters noted that the focus is now shifting toward improvements in the pharmacology of the agents being developed. We have been handling more potent drugs, broader drugs in terms of preventing resistance, and very often drugs [developed for metastatic disease], which with lung cancer [can] spread over everywhere in the body, including the brain.

Peters noted that faced with all progress in molecularly defined disease, testing rates across countries creates limitations in identifying appropriate patients for select therapies. In Switzerland, [for example], we are very well served, I would say that today every patient with lung cancer can be tapped for the genetic alterations, Peters said of her home country. This is not the case elsewhere. Unfortunately, if you look at the picture of molecular testing in Europe, less than half of patients can get access to a decent testing. Thats probably where most advances are needed because it creates unacceptable inequities in the cancer journey.

For lung cancer specialists, the plethora of actionable mutations has exploded over the past decade. Most recently, advances in the breast cancer space has opened new options for patients with lung cancer with HER2 amplification.

This new journey lung cancer specialists are on is because of [discoveries in] breast cancer, Peters said. In lung cancer, the development of HER2-targeted therapies required looking at the disease in a different light. We discovered that [in lung cancer] we dont speak about the same HER2 alteration, Peters said. We call amplification, which translates into an overexpression, the quantity. Its really a modification of the protein.

Early efforts to identify therapies for patients with HER2-mutant diseasewhich accounts for approximately 2% of all NSCLC casesfound that translation of select agents deemed successful in breast cancer did not afford the same risk/benefit ratio for patients with lung cancer.6 For example, 18 patients treated ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1; Kadcyla) in a phase 2 basket trial (NCT02675829) showed that among the overall response rate (ORR) was 44% (95% CI, 22%-69%) with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5 months (95% CI, 3.0-9.0).7

We tried all of these drugs [that were successful in breast cancer], as well as afatinib [Gilotrif], which is a pan-HER inhibitor, in lung cancer, [for patients with] exon 20 insertions, Peters said. These compounds have given rise to small activity, [but] if you try to [determine the] risk/ benefit assessment, none of them have really reached the bar which you would consider standard of care.

However, data from a trial investigating the use of fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu) has resulted in a breakthrough for patients with HER2-mutant disease, regardless of mutation site.6,8 Data from the DESTINY-Lung01 trial (NCT03505710), which evaluated a total of 91 patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC, demonstrated that the antibody-drug conjugate elicited an objective response rate of 55% (95% CI, 44%-65%), the median duration of which was 9.3 months (95% CI, 5.7-14.7) (Table). Further, the median PFS was 8.2 months (95% CI, 6.0-11.9), and the median overall survival was 17.8 months (95% CI, 13.8-22.1).8

I wouldnt say there were no options but there was no standard option in HER2-mutant NSCLC, Peters said. Suddenly this new generation antibody-drug conjugates have given rise to wonderful results in breast cancer [and now in] lung cancer, where suddenly you reach a threshold where probably with close to 60% response rate. We have gone through these limitations, and we [now] have an option.

The FDA has accepted for priority review a supplemental biologics license application for trastuzumab deruxtecan for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have a HER2 mutation and who have received a prior systemic therapy.9

The application is supported by findings from the phase 2 DESTINY-Lung01 as well as data from the phase 1 DS8201-A-J101 trial (NCT02564900). In the phase 1 study, trastuzumab deruxtecan led to an overall response rate (ORR) of 72.7% (n = 8) among 11 patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC.10 The median PFS in these patients was 11.3 months (95% CI, 8.1-14.3).

Regarding the agents safety profile, the adverse effects (AEs) observed with trastuzumab deruxtecan in DESTINY-Lung01 were comparable with those reported in prior clinical trials.

The most common grade 3 or higher drug- related, treatment-emergent AEs included neutropenia (18.7%), anemia (9.9%), nausea (8.8%), fatigue (6.6%), leukopenia (4.4%), diarrhea (3.3%), and vomiting (3.3%).9

Twenty-three patients (25%) discontinued treatment because of drug-related, treatment-emergent AEs. Of note, 26% of patients had interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis related to treatment per assessment by an independent committee. The majority of ILD events (75%) were low grade (grade 1, 12.5%; grade 2, 62.5%). Additionally, 4 grade 3 (4.4%) and 2 grade 5 (2.2%) ILD or pneumonitis events were reported.

The second chapter of the lung cancer revolution is one that Peters refers to as exciting: immunotherapy. Immunotherapy has led to long term survival for some patients in lung cancer despite [having] metastatic disease, Peters said. When I started oncology, one could not conceive that the patient with metastatic [disease] would survive years. We now have very strong data showing that immunotherapy should be used alone or in combination in nearly all metastatic patients.

Peters noted that the refinement of strategies with immunotherapy is an area that will take investigators into the next wave of clinical advances. Immunotherapies are now moving into early disease. When I say early these are [patients with] small nodules that are resected. These approaches are about combining [immunotherapy] with surgery and curative intent treatments. How can you make surgery more efficient in creating cure?

Data for patients with early-stage disease have generated excitement including data from the phase 3 CheckMate 816 trial (NCT02998528). Investigators compared nivolumab (Opdivo) plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone for treatment of patients with resectable NSCLC.11 The median eventfree survival (EFS) was 31.6 months in the nivolumab plus chemotherapy arm vs 20.8 months in the control arm (HR, 0.63; 97.38%, 0.43-0.91). The 1-year EFS rate was 76% in the experimental arm and 63% in the control; the 2-year EFS was 64% vs 45%, respectively.11

These data supported the approval of the combination, making it the first approval for patients in the neoadjuvant setting for patients with NSCLC in March 2022.12

In terms of adjuvant therapy for earlystage disease, data from the IMpower010 study, supported the approval of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) for patients with stage II-IIIA NSCLC whose tumors have PD-L1 expression of at least 1%.13

The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS). Among patients who received atezolizumab the median DFS was not reached (95% CI, 36.1-not estimable [NE]) vs 35.3 months (95% CI, 29.0-NE) with best supportive care (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50-0.88; P = .004).

Investigators also assessed patients with PD-L1 expression of at least 50%, among whom the DFS benefit was more pronounced with atezolizumab compared with best supportive care (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.27-0.68). However, an exploratory subgroup analysis of patients with PD-L1 expression 1%-49% the DFS benefit was less pronounced (HR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.60-1.26).

We are seeing the first data from these trials already, Peters said, noting that the road for determining optimal treatment strategies for patients is a long one. In the [next several] years there will be way more trials in early disease, Peters said.

Peters remains hopeful about the future of the space, as it moves toward integration of molecular testing strategies and opening up new and potentially curable avenues for patients with thoracic cancers. Within that pipeline she noted that prevention strategies that may shift the curve in terms of disease incidence.

We need to do more screening for lung cancer and we need to start to implement programs for heavy smokers, [which incorporate] regular CT scans, Peters said adding that with these efforts to improve the identification of early-stage disease coupled with improvements in the landscape would be a step toward curable disease.

I think what is really for us, something which really makes us feel differently as being lung cancer clinic and, is this new [direction of the] fieldtrying to cure more patients, Peters said. Thats maybe what differentiates us a lot from breast cancer specialists. When breast cancer specialists treat with chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, as well as surgery, they get to cure individuals, the [survival] curves in breast cancer can be very, very high between 80% and 100%. In lung cancer, when you perform surgery, and maybe [administer] chemotherapy for patients, only half of the patients will be cured, or even less, maybe 40%. Even with all the lung specialists, we still [making efforts to] cure the disease.

On a more personal note, Peters said that although being on the ground floor of breakthrough research are moments in a career that standout, her attention is now on the future successes of her fellows and mentees. My proudest moments now are to have one of my young fellows or mentees being recognized for something he or she has done, Peters said.

She noted that in preparing the next generation of investigators mentorship is of the utmost importance. I was carried by wonderful mentors, Peters said. A mentor is someone who will put you on the scene, give your name to give a talk.

In addition to promoting early and lasting relationships among physician scientists, Peters said that promoting the interprofessional dimension of cancer care is one of the items that she placed a focus on as the president of ESMO. The medical oncologist cannot work alone, everything has become multiprofessionalmolecular pathologists, the surgeons the radiologists, and so onwe need to understand that these data have to go through all these layers [to convey information.

Broadening the scope of conveying information, Peters spearheaded the creation of the International Cancer Foundation (ICF) at ESMO.14 The ICF aims to provide educational activities to clinicians in areas that are underserved, opening the expansion of knowledge of advances in cancer to the world.

Were doing the same thing we do in ESMO, but translating into a visibility concept, which can be also used in Africa, in South and Central America, and in all countries of India, for example, Peters said. We realized that ESMO is in a position to reach out to them and address their specific needs and concerns. The ICF aims to support, financially and practically, activities that enhance cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up where they are most needed. If we can give a little bit of our energy to help the [clinicians who may be] a little bit delayed in receiving these data], it would be a good move.

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A Molecular Revolution Is Underway in Thoracic Oncology - OncLive

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Enjoying a bit of coffee causes no increased risk to pregnancy, researchers report.

The researchers used genetics to analyze coffee drinking behavior, and their findings show limited coffee consumption during pregnancy didnt increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth.

Current World Health Organization guidelines say pregnant women should drink less than 300mg of caffeine, or two to three cups per day, says Gunn-Helen Moen of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland. But thats based on observational studies where its difficult to separate coffee drinking from other risk factors like smoking, alcohol, or poor diet.

We wanted to find out if coffee alone really does increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the research shows this isnt the case.

Coffee drinking behavior is partly due to genetics, with a specific set of genetic variants affecting how much coffee we drink, says Daniel Hwang of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience.

We showed that these genetic variants not only affect coffee consumption in the general population but also in pregnant women.

For the study in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization which uses eight genetic variants that predict pregnant womens coffee drinking behavior and examined whether these variants were also associated with birth outcomes.

Because we cant ask women to drink prescribed amounts of coffee during their pregnancy, we used genetic analyses to mimic a randomized control trial, Hwang says.

The genetic analysis found there was no greater risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth for women who drank coffee.

When it comes to diet during pregnancy women are often advised to cut things out, but this study shows they can still enjoy coffee without worrying about increasing the risk of these pregnancy outcomes, Hwang says.

The researchers emphasize the study only looked at certain adverse pregnancy outcomes, and it is possible caffeine consumption could affect other important aspects of fetal development.

For that reason, we dont recommend a high intake during pregnancy, but a low or moderate consumption of coffee, Moen says.

Researchers used genetic data from the Coffee and Caffeine Genetics Consortium, the UK BioBank, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, and 23andMe.

Source: University of Queensland

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A bit of coffee is okay during pregnancy - Futurity: Research News

SAN DIEGO, May 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bionano Genomics, Inc. ( BNGO), pioneer of optical genome mapping (OGM) solutions on the Saphyr system and provider of NxClinical software, the leading solution for visualization, interpretation and reporting of genomic data, today announced the publication of an evaluation of OGM from The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou, the largest hospital in Central China, highlighting the utility of OGM for structural variant analysis, including in a workflow for preimplantation genetic testing.

In this study, researchers, led by Dr. Xiangdong Kong, evaluated the use of OGM to detect chromosome balanced translocations and compared results to a variety of methods, including karyotype analysis, FISH, and CNV-seq. Balanced reciprocal translocations are one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities and may lead to infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, or genetic defects. Analysis of this abnormality may be helpful in the screening and analysis of embryos prior to implantation, as part of fertility treatment. The paper suggests a need for new methods to complement existing analysis techniques, such as karyotype and FISH, which are described as time consuming and relatively low-resolution, and next generation sequencing (NGS) which can enable copy number variation (CNV) analyses at the whole genome level but cannot be used to detect chromosomal translocations or inversions. The authors demonstrated that OGM performed well in the analysis of these variants, which led them to suggest that OGM could be used as part of the workflow to detect chromosomal abnormalities at a higher resolution.

We believe this paper highlights the growing validation of OGM in different applications for clinical research in cytogenetics. The work by Dr. Kong and his team at Zhengzhou University further extends this validation and highlights the utility of OGM. Incorporating OGM data in the analysis of embryos prior to implantation is innovative and the approach could be part of a solution for recurrent pregnancy loss, which represents an area of unmet need globally, commented Erik Holmlin, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Bionano Genomics.

The paper is available at:

Evaluation of optical genome mapping for detecting chromosomal translocation in clinical cytogenetics - Dai - - Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine - Wiley Online Library

About Bionano Genomics

Bionano Genomics is a provider of genome analysis solutions that can enable researchers and clinicians to reveal answers to challenging questions in biology and medicine. The Companys mission is to transform the way the world sees the genome through OGM solutions, diagnostic services and software. The Company offers OGM solutions for applications across basic, translational and clinical research. Through its Lineagen business, the Company also provides diagnostic testing for patients with clinical presentations consistent with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Through its BioDiscovery business, the Company also offers an industry-leading, platform-agnostic software solution, which integrates next-generation sequencing and microarray data designed to provide analysis, visualization, interpretation and reporting of copy number variants, single-nucleotide variants and absence of heterozygosity across the genome in one consolidated view. For more information, visit http://www.bionanogenomics.com, http://www.lineagen.com or http://www.biodiscovery.com

Forward-Looking Statements of Bionano Genomics

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, will, could, suggest, and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things, the ability and utility of OGM and the Saphyr system to detect chromosome balanced translocations in preimplantation embryos and the potential for OGM to become part of workflow analyses to detect chromosomal abnormalities. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the global economy; general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape and the introduction of competitive technologies or improvements in existing technologies; failure of future study results to support those demonstrated in the paper referenced in this press release; changes in our strategic and commercial plans; our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund our strategic plans and commercialization efforts; the ability of medical and research institutions to obtain funding to support adoption or continued use of our technologies; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition in general, including the risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and in other filings subsequently made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on managements assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

CONTACTSCompany Contact:Erik Holmlin, CEOBionano Genomics, Inc.+1 (858) 888-7610[emailprotected]

Investor Relations:Amy ConradJuniper Point+1 (858) 366-3243[emailprotected]per-point.com

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Bionano Genomics Announces a Publication From the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou Highlighting the Utility of OGM - GuruFocus.com

June 6, 2022

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

What you need to know:

Dear Bruin Community:

We wanted to take a moment to thank our campus community for your efforts to make our academic year a safer one. We know this has been another challenging year, and your patience and perseverance is greatly appreciated.

Cases of COVID-19 have remained high in Los Angeles County over the past four weeks with new variants in circulation. The reinstatement of universal indoor masking for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors will help stabilize our campus case rates. As we approach end-of-year celebrations and graduation ceremonies, we want to remind you to make these special occasions safer for all guests and attendees.

Well-fitting upgraded masks or respirators are required for all students, faculty, staff and campus visitors while indoors on UCLA property, except when alone in a room, eating or drinking, or in your living units with your household. Masking is also highly recommended in crowded outdoor settings. Wearing a properly fitted mask reduces the risks of getting the virus or spreading it to others.

Upgraded masks are available to students, faculty and staff free of charge at the UCLA Emergency PPE Supply Store, the John Wooden Center, all residence hall front desks, the Student Activities Center and in Ackerman Union at the A-level information window (next to the post office).

As a reminder, those attending indoor commencement ceremonies and celebrations, including UCLA affiliates and external guests, must mask indoors at UCLA. Commencement speakers may remove their masks to deliver their graduation addresses and graduates may momentarily remove their masks while walking across the stage and while being photographed on or adjacent to the stage.

Event organizers are strongly encouraged to request surgical masks from the PPE store and have them available at these gatherings. Free masks will be available this Friday through Sunday for graduates and guests at most commencement venues. Rapid antigen tests will also be available at Bruin Plaza and the Dickson Plaza Flagpole. Please refer to the Commencement COVID-19 FAQs below for more information.

We are anticipating street closures, increased traffic delays and high parking demand on Friday. Plan to allow additional time to get to campus prior to your commencement event and prepare for hot weather. We recommend guests arrive at Pauley Pavilion for College Commencement ceremonies at least one hour prior to the time printed on your tickets.Please visit the College Commencement FAQ site for more information regarding commencement.

Masking at other events off campus will also help curb the spread of the virus. There is still a lot we do not know about the health impacts of COVID-19. You should continue to avoid getting infected or reinfected to the extent possible.

Together, we can make our end-of-year events memorable and help reduce the risks. We have experienced a remarkable academic year, and that has largely been due toour communitys commitment to caring for one another. We thank you for all of your continued efforts and wish you a happy and healthy summer.

Sincerely,

Michael J. BeckAdministrative Vice ChancellorCo-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

Megan McEvoyProfessor, Institute for Society and Genetics, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular GeneticsCo-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

NOTE: Those who work in UCLA Health clinical areas (including medical, dental and nursing clinics) must follow the COVID-19 protocols for health care settings. However, those who work in both clinical and non-clinical settings must also comply with these campus protocols when outside of the health care environment.

UCLA pre-K12 facilities (including early care and education centers, UCLA Lab School and Geffen Academy) will continue to follow specific protocols that were previously communicated separately from the schools.

Do I need to wear a mask at UCLA commencement?

In response to a consistent rise in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County and on the UCLA campus, beginning Friday, May 27, the University reinstated a universal indoor masking policy for all students, staff, faculty, affiliates and visitors to the UCLA campus regardless of vaccination status. This requirement applies to, and will be enforced at, all indoor 2022 commencement ceremonies. It will also apply to guests and graduates temporarily going indoors to utilize University facilities or shop at campus retail establishments.

The below masking exceptions at indoor UCLA commencement ceremonies are permitted:

In addition to the above ceremony exceptions, those dining indoors at campus restaurants may remove their masks while eating or drinking. However, outdoor dining and to-go options are strongly encouraged.

A complete list of all current campus protocols addressing COVID-19 prevention, vaccines, testing, exposure management and isolation/quarantine can be viewed on the UCLA COVID-19 website.

I am a commencement guest. Do I need to be vaccinated or tested to attend commencement at UCLA? Will tests be available on site?

Currently, guests do not need to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to come to campus or enter a commencement venue.

As a precautionary accommodation for visiting guests who are concerned about potential exposure during travel, UCLA will have rapid antigen tests available at Bruin Plaza and the Dickson Plaza Flagpole. These tests will be provided free of charge and be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Anyone testing positive must not attend these events and must follow isolation rules.

I am a graduate. Do I need to be vaccinated or tested to attend commencement at UCLA?

All graduates must be in compliance with the UC Systemwide COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and must test in accordance with the ongoing UCLA surveillance testing program and receive a negative result prior to their ceremony.

More information on the established Spring Quarter COVID-19 requirements for faculty, staff and students can be found on the UCLA COVID-19 resources website.

What if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

Anyone who is symptomatic must not attend commencement events.

UCLA students, faculty, and staff must complete the campus daily symptom monitoring survey prior to arriving on campus.

What if I am traveling to UCLA from out of state?

Those who plan to attend should stay informed about the California Department of Public Healths and LA County Department of Public Healths most recent guidelines.

What happens if Los Angeles County moves back into more restrictive COVID-19 tiers between now and commencement weekend?

The situation with the pandemic is fluid. If Los Angeles County moves back into more restrictive tiers, the State and County guidelines could introduce new requirements for the events to be held. Information on protocol updates will be communicated to guests by email or other appropriate mechanism.

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COVID-19 protocols for upcoming commencement events and reminder of mandatory indoor masking - COVID-19 and vaccine resources - ucla covid-19

Three scientists from The University of Manchester have been awarded with prestigious prizes by The Royal Society of Chemistry for their research. Professors Sarah Haigh, Jason Mickleford and Chris Hardacre have all been honoured and will each receive a prize and medal for their contributions.

Professor Sarah Haigh has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistrys Analytical Division mid-career Award. Based at the University of Manchester, Professor Haigh won the prize for the development of transmission electron microscopy methods for advancing understanding of the dynamic behaviour of 2D materials and nanomaterials.

After receiving the prize, Professor Haigh said: Im very excited to have received this prize and thank the RSC for the honour. It is a testament to the hard work of my fantastic research group who very patiently put up with me. I am very grateful to them for their great ideas, persistence, enthusiasm, and collaboration. This prize is evidence that you can continue to succeed in science with a young family even with the huge additional challenges and stresses imposed by the pandemic over the last years.

Most science and engineering processes occur in liquids or gases. Professor Haighs research group uses electron microscopes to study these processes, dynamically, with atomic spatial resolution and chemical sensitivity. Electron microscopes are similar to optical microscopes, but they use electrons instead of light. Electrons can be accelerated to very high speeds, when they have a wavelength 100,000 times smaller than visible light, which gives us the possibility to see atoms.

Applications of their research include studying the early stage synthesis of nanomaterials, the charging and discharging of batteries, the production of electricity from fuel cells or of green fuels from renewable energy, and the corrosion of pipelines or offshore wind turbines. Her research group is particularly interested in the applications for clean energy generation to support the net zero energy transition.

Professor Jason Micklefield has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistrys Interdisciplinary Prize. Based at the University of Manchester, Professor Micklefield won the prize for innovative research spanning organic chemistry to molecular genetics, leading to the discovery, characterisation, and engineering of many novel enzymes.

After receiving the prize, Professor Micklefield said: I am very pleased to win this award. I am particularly grateful to my very talented research group for their hard work, dedication and excellent research over the years, which has made this possible.

Nature uses enzymes to catalyse reactions building all of the molecules required for life. Enzymes also break down molecules to release energy that enables all living organisms to move forward. Professor Micklefields lab discovers novel enzymes from unusual bacteria in nature. They characterise these enzymes to determine their structures and mechanisms. With this knowledge, they are able to re-programme the enzymes to create variants that can catalyse new reactions.

These engineered enzymes are used to produce novel antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance, antiviral agents that entered clinical trials for COVID-19, anticancer agents and other useful molecules. The enzymatic pathways they develop are cleaner and more sustainable than the traditional chemical synthesis routes that are currently used to prepare pharmaceuticals and other molecules.

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Trio of Manchester scientists win Royal Society of Chemistry prizes - The University of Manchester

A study finds that algal genes provide answers to questions concerning plant growth and health.

Plants, like all other known organisms, utilize DNA to pass on traits. Animal genetics often focuses on parentage and lineage, but this can can be challenging in plant genetics since plants can be self-fertile, unlike most animals.

Many plants have unique genetic abilities that make speciation easier, such as being well suited to polyploidy. Plants are special in that they can synthesize energy-dense carbohydrates via photosynthesis, which is accomplished through the usage of chloroplasts. Chloroplasts have their own DNA which allows them to serve as an additional reservoir for genes and genetic diversity, as well as creates an additional layer of genetic complexity not seen in animals. Despite its difficulty, plant genetic research has significant economic implications. Many crops can be genetically modified to increase yield and nutritional value as well as gain pest, herbicide, or disease resistance.

Genes contain all of the instructions that an organism needs to survive, develop, and reproduce. But identifying a gene and understanding what it does are two very different things. Many genes include unexplained instructions, and their functions are unknown to scientists. Recent research conducted by UC Riverside, Princeton University, and Stanford University has revealed the functions of hundreds of genes in algae, some of which are also found in plants. The breakthrough will aid attempts to genetically modify algae for biofuel production and generate climate-resistant agricultural crop types.

Plant and algae genetics are understudied. These organisms make the foods, fuels, materials, and medicines that modern society relies on, but we have a poor understanding of how they work, which makes engineering them a difficult task, said corresponding author Robert Jinkerson, an assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering at UC Riverside. A common way to learn more about biology is to mutate genes and then see how that affects the organism. By breaking the biology we can see how it works.

The researchers conducted tests that generated millions of data points using algal mutants and automated tools. The researchers were able to uncover the functional role of hundreds of poorly characterized genes and identify several new functions of previously known genes by analyzing these datasets. These genes have roles in photosynthesis, DNA damage response, heat stress response, toxic chemical response, and algal predator response.

Several of the genes they discovered in algae have counterparts in plants with the same roles, indicating that the algal data can help scientists understand how those genes function in plants as well.

The single-celled green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii growing in flasks in a laboratory. Credit: Robert Jinkerson/UCR

Automated approaches to analyzing tens of thousands of mutants quickly, known as high-throughput methods, are typically used to understand gene function on a genome-wide scale in model systems like yeast and bacteria. This is quicker and more efficient than studying each gene individually. High-throughput methods do not work very well in crop plants, however, because of their larger size and the difficulty of analyzing thousands of plants.

The researchers, therefore, used a high-throughput robot to generate over 65,000 mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a type of single-celled green algae closely related to plants and easy to alter genetically. They subjected the mutants to 121 different treatments, which resulted in a dataset of 16.8 million data points. Each mutant had a unique DNA barcode that the team could read to see how that mutant was doing in a specific environmental stress condition.

The group discovered new gene functions in hundreds of genes. For example, they learned that a gene widely found throughout multicellular organisms helps repair damaged DNA. Another 38 genes, when disrupted, caused problems with using energy from light, indicating that these genes played roles in photosynthesis.

Yet another cluster of genes helped the algae process carbon dioxide, a second crucial step in photosynthesis. Other clusters affected the tiny hairs, or cilia, the algae use to swim. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of some human lung and esophageal cancers, which might be partially caused by defective cilia motility.

A newly discovered gene cluster protected the algae from toxins that inhibit cytoskeleton growth. These genes are also present in plants and the discovery could help scientists develop plants that grow well even in some contaminated soils.

A robot picks the mutant algal colonies out of a tray of algae. Credit: Robert Jinkerson

Many of the gene functions discovered in algae are also conserved in plants. This information can be used to engineer plants to be more tolerant to heat or cold stress, temperature stress, or improve photosynthesis, all of which will become increasingly important as climate change threatens the worlds food supply.

A better understanding of algae genetics will also improve engineering strategies to make them produce more products, like biofuels.

The data and knowledge generated in this study is already being leveraged to engineer algae to make more biofuels and to improve environmental stress tolerance in crops, said Jinkerson.

The research team also included: Sean Cutler at UC Riverside; Friedrich Fauser, Weronika Patena, and Martin C Jonikas at Princeton University; Josep Vilarrasa-Blasi, Masayuki Onishi, and Jos R Dinneny at Stanford University: Rick Kim, Yuval Kaye, Jacqueline Osaki, Matthew Millican, Charlotte Philp, Matthew Nemeth, and Arthur Grossman at Carnegie Institution; Silvia Ramundo and Peter Walter at UCSF; Setsuko Wakao, Krishna Niyogi, and Sabeeha Merchant at UC Berkeley; and Patrice A Salom at UCLA.

The research was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Simons Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the European Molecular Biology Organization, the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Reference: Systematic characterization of gene function in the photosynthetic alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by Friedrich Fauser, Josep Vilarrasa-Blasi, Masayuki Onishi, Silvia Ramundo, Weronika Patena, Matthew Millican, Jacqueline Osaki, Charlotte Philp, Matthew Nemeth, Patrice A. Salom, Xiaobo Li, Setsuko Wakao, Rick G. Kim, Yuval Kaye, Arthur R. Grossman, Krishna K. Niyogi, Sabeeha S. Merchant, Sean R. Cutler, Peter Walter, Jos R. Dinneny, Martin C. Jonikas, and Robert E. Jinkerson, 5 May 2022, Nature Genetics.DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01052-9

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Stanford Scientists Unlock Mysteries of Plant Growth and Health - SciTechDaily

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) has invited online application for the Technical Associate and other post on its official website. Check CDFD recruitment 2022 application process, age limit, qualification and other details here.

CDFD Recruitment 2022 Jobs Notification: Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology has issued notifications for the posts of Technical Associate, Project Scientist and Others. Interested and eligible candidates can apply for these posts on or before 20 June 2022.

In a bid to apply for CDFD Recruitment 2022 Jobs Notification, candidates should have certain educational qualification including Masters degree/M.Com/B.Sc/ PhD/MD/MS/Doctoral Degree with additional eligibility as mentioned in the notification.

Notification Details for CDFD Recruitment 2022 Jobs :Advt. No. CDFD/EMPC/03/May22

Important Dates for CDFD Recruitment 2022 Jobs Notification: Last Date for Submission of Application: 20 June 2022Vacancy Details for CDFD Recruitment 2022 Jobs Notification:1.Technical Associate (Experimental)2. Project Coordinator3. Computational Laboratory Manager4. Senior Project Associate5. Project Scientist III6.Project Scientist II7. Research Associate I (Post No. 1)

8. Research Associate I (Post No. 2)9. Research Associate I (Post No. 3)10. Research Associate I (Post No. 4)11.Research Associate I (Post No.5)

12. Research Associate - I (Post No. 6)13. Project Associate II (Post No. 1)14. Project Associate II (Post No. 2)15. Project Associate I (Post No. 1)16. Project Associate I (Post No. 2)17. Project Associate I (Post No. 3)18. Project Associate I (Post No. 4)19. Project Associate I (Post No. 5)20. Project Associate I (Post No. 6)21. Project Associate I (Post No. 7)22. Computer Programmer Grade A23) Laboratory Assistant (Post No. 1)24. Laboratory Technician (Post No.2)

25. Project - Junior Research Fellow26. Project - Senior Research Fellow

Eligibility Criteria for CDFD Recruitment 2022 Jobs Notification:Educational Qualification:1.Technical Associate (Experimental): M.Sc. or equivalent (or B.Sc. with 3 years laboratory experience) in Genetics/Life Sciences/Biochemistry/related disciplineMinimum 3 years of experience (in addition to above qualification) of working in highthroughput genomics platforms (massively parallel sequencing and microarray)2. Project Coordinator: Masters degree/M.Com Minimum 3 years management/finance/accounts experience in service industry

3. Computational Laboratory Manager : PhD in Statistics/Informatics/computational biology or related disciplineMinimum 3 years post-PhD experience in computational analysis of massivelyparallel DNA sequencing data

4. Senior Project Associate : Master's Degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences / MVSc or bachelor's degree inEngineering or Technology or Medicine from a recognized University or equivalent; andFour years' experience in Research and Development in Industrial and AcademicInstitutions or Science and Technology Organisations and Scientific activities andservices ORDoctoral Degree in Science / Engineering / Technology / Pharma / MD / MS from a recognized University or equivalent

5. Project Scientist III: Doctoral Degree in Science or Master's Degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized University or equivalent; and Seven years' experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organisations and Scientific activities and services

6.Project Scientist Doctoral Degree in Science or Master's Degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized University or equivalent; and Three years' experience in Research and Development in Industrial and AcademicInstitutions or Science and Technology Organisations and Scientific activities and services

7. Research Associate I (Post No. 1): PhD/MD/MS or equivalent degree OR 3 years experience of research after MVSc/MPharm/ME/MTech with atleast one research paper in Science Citation Indexed Journal

8. Research Associate I (Post No. 2) : PhD/MD/MS or equivalent degree OR 3 years experience of research after MVSc/MPharm/ME/MTech with atleast one research paper in Science Citation Indexed Journal

9. Research Associate I (Post No. 3):Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology or relevant scientific discipline10. Research Associate I (Post No. 4) : PhD/MD/MS or equivalent degree OR 3 years experience of research after MVSc/MPharm/ME/MTech with atleast one research paper in Science Citation Indexed Journal

11.Research Associate I (Post No.5): PhD/MD/MS or equivalent degree OR 3 years experience of research after MVSc/MPharm/ME/MTech with atleast one research paper in Science Citation Indexed Journal.

12. Research Associate - I (Post No. 6): Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology or relevant scientific discipline13. Project Associate II (Post No. 1): Master's Degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences / MVSc or bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology or Medicine from a recognized University or equivalent; and 2 years' experience in Research and Development in Industrial and AcademicInstitutions or Science and Technology Organisations and Scientific activities and services

Check the notification link for details of the educational qualification of the posts.

CDFD Recruitment 2022 Jobs Notification: PDF

How to Apply for CDFD Recruitment 2022 Jobs Notification:Interested and eligible candidates can apply in the prescribed application form in online mode through the official website on or before 20 June 2022. Check notification link for details in this regards.

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CDFD Recruitment 2022 Notification Out for Technical Associate and other post; Check How to Apply Online, Sal - Jagran Josh

With a view to gearing up for tackling new health challenges, the Karnataka government will establish a Centre for Pandemic Preparedness, Centre for Longevity and Bio- Repository Centre at Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) in electronic city.

Dr Vishal Rao, member of Karnataka State Vision Group on Biotechnology and regional director (head and neck surgical oncology and robotic surgery) at HCG Cancer Hospital told The Indian Express, We are living on the cusp of pandemic era. In our perpetually complex and interconnected world, the exact nature of the next outbreak is uncertain and hence cant be predicted. At the BBC, Centre for Pandemic Preparedness, for the first time in India, we have achieved a blend of unique experiences and expertise coupled with specialist capabilities to address the multifarious challenges of the pandemic age and respond to outbreaks of disease in close to real time.

The Centre for Pandemic Preparedness will start operations within six months.

Centre for Longevity

The Centre for Longevity, an integral part of the Bangalore Bio-innovation Centre, will foster academia and industry collaborations to conduct research, training and innovation on diverse issues related to pandemic preparedness. The principal collaborators will be the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Centre for Biosystems and Engineering along with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and Emory Vaccine Center, USA.

The Centre for Pandemic Preparedness will draw from and build on research and experience across the key disciplines of public health and epidemiology. We will be a catalyst, enabling a fusion of political, social, economic and cultural expertise from across the world to create insights, new methodologies and breakthrough solutions that can help humanity adapt faster to disease outbreaks. It will enable cross talk between diverse domain experts including epidemiologists, public health experts, data scientists, medical doctors, microbiologists, data analysts, policymakers, International agencies, NGOs, bio pharma manufacturing partners, scientists, and government representatives, Rao said.

Explaining further he added, COVID-19 has taught us that the pathogen itself is only part of the story. In todays world, the social, cultural, economic and political contexts are pivotal and the fallout is much more far reaching and long-lasting. Being prepared in the pandemic era will mean taking this wider context and these broader factors into consideration. It starts by understanding the COVID-19 pandemic for what it truly is, not a one-off crisis to be countered, but a warning as well as a chance to think creatively and plan ahead. We need to making this pandemic the catalyst for developing new ways of working, evolving actionable insights and a deep rooted systemic change.

Bio- Repository Centre

Rao said bio-banks and bio-repositories and research cohorts (including demographic sites) are national assets established with considerable efforts. Recent advances in the tools and technology of molecular biology, genetics, environmental sciences, epidemiology and demography have increased the demand for well-annotated, properly preserved biological specimens and associated epidemiological and demographic data. In response to the demand for personalised medicine, organ and tissue-specific biobanks, cohorts and demographic sites have been or are in the process of being established in several parts of the country, he said.

Dissemination of biological samples

Explaining the role of Bio-Repository Centre, Rao said that bio-banking involves the collection, processing, storage, and dissemination of biological samples and their associated clinical data and information, organised in a systematic way. A well-managed biobank is a critical prerequisite for high-quality biomedical research. Recent advances in the tools and technology of molecular biology and genetics have increased the demand for well-annotated, properly preserved specimens. To address the demand, biobanks have been established in several continents over the past dozen years, and more are in development, Rao said.

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Karnataka to set up centre for pandemic preparedness in 6 months to respond to disease outbreaks - The Indian Express

A tortoise from a Galpagos species long believed extinct has been found alive and now confirmed to be a living member of the species. The tortoise, named Fernanda after her Fernandina Island home, is the first of her species identified in more than a century.

The Fernandina Island Galpagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus, or fantastic giant tortoise) was known only from a single specimen, collected in 1906. The discovery in 2019 of a female tortoise living on Fernandina Island provided the opportunity to determine if the species lives on. By sequencing the genomes of both the living individual and the museum specimen, and comparing them to the other 13 species of Galpagos giant tortoises, Princetons Stephen Gaughran showed that the two known Fernandina tortoises are members of the same species, genetically distinct from all others. He is co-first author on a paper in the current issue of Communications Biology confirming her species' continued existence.

For many years it was thought that the original specimen collected in 1906 had been transplanted to the island, as it was the only one of its kind, said Peter Grant, Princetons Class of 1877 Professor of Zoology, Emeritus and an emeritus professor of ecology and evolutionary biology who has spent more than 40 years studying evolution in the Galpagos islands. It now seems to be one of a very few that were alive a century ago.

When Fernanda was discovered, many ecologists doubted that she was actually a native phantasticus tortoise. She lacks the striking saddleback flaring of the male historical specimen, though scientists speculated that her obviously stunted growth may have distorted her features. Tortoises cant swim from one island to another, but they do float, and they can be carried from one Galpagos island to another during hurricanes or other major storms. There are also historical records of seafarers moving the tortoises between islands.

Like many people, my initial suspicion was that this was not a native tortoise of Fernandina Island, said Gaughran, a postdoctoral research fellow in ecology and evolutionary biology at Princeton.

To determine Fernandas species definitively, Gaughran sequenced her complete genome and compared it to the genome he was able to recover from the specimen collected in 1906. He also compared those two genomes to samples from the other 13 species of Galpagos tortoises three individuals from each of the 12 living species, and one individual of the extinct C. abingdonii.

We saw honestly, to my surprise that Fernanda was very similar to the one that they found on that island more than 100 years ago, and both of those were very different from all of the other islands tortoises, said Gaughran, who conducted the analyses after arriving at the University in February 2021.

In 2019, he was in the lab of Adalgisa Caccone at Yale University, who is the senior author on the paper.The finding of one alive specimen gives hope and also opens up new questions, as many mysteries still remain, said Caccone. Are there more tortoises on Fernandina that can be brought back into captivity to start a breeding program? How did tortoises colonize Fernandina, and what is their evolutionary relationship to the other giant Galpagos tortoises? This also shows the importance of using museum collections to understand the past.

Museum specimens are a challenge to analyze genetically, but Gaugran has been focused on it for years, developing a tool to compare DNA from ancient specimens to modern samples. His tool is flexible enough to work on many species. The software doesnt care if its a seal or a tortoise or human or Neanderthal, he said. Genetics is genetics, for the most part. Its in the interpretation where it matters what kind of creature the DNA comes from.

At Princeton, Gaughran is working with ecologistsAndrea Graham and Bridgett vonHoldtto unravel pinniped (seal and walrus) evolution.

"Stephen solves conservation mysteries, in species ranging from tortoises to pinnipeds, with the deft and careful application of genetic and bioinformatic tools," said Graham, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

"He has such a curiosity for discovering the messages and codes tucked away in ancient remains," said vonHoldt, an associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. "Stephen has been collecting specimens from several hundred years old to a few thousand, and these really hold the keys for understanding the history of when and how genomes changed over time. It is not surprising to me that he also led the effort to unravel the mystery of Fernanda, the fantastic ghost tortoise that has been rediscovered through molecular research. What a cool discovery!"

Since 1906, scant but compelling evidence has hinted that giant tortoises might still live on Fernandina Island, an active volcano on the western edge of the Galpagos Archipelago that is reputed to be the largest pristine island on Earth.

A single specimen of C. phantasticus the fantastic giant tortoise was collected by explorer Rollo Beck during a 1906 expedition. The fantastic nature refers the extraordinary shape of the males shells, which have extreme flaring along the outer edge and conspicuous saddlebacking at the front. Saddlebacking is unique to Galpagos tortoises, and the phantasticus tortoise shows it more prominently than the other species.

Since its 1906 discovery, the survival of the Fernandina tortoise has remained an open question for biologists. In 1964, 18 scats attributable to tortoises were reported on the western slopes of the island. Scats and a possible visual observation from an aircraft were reported during the early 2000s, and another possible tortoise scat was seen in 2014.

The island has remained largely unexplored, due to extensive lava fields blocking access to the islands interior.

Fernandina is the highest of the Galpagos islands, geologically young, and is mainly a huge pile of jagged blocks of brown lava; Rosemary and I once climbed to the top, said Grant, referring to his wife and research partner Rosemary Grant, an emeritus senior research biologist at Princeton. At lower elevations, the vegetation occurs in island-like clumps in a sea of recently congealed lava. Fernanda was found in one of these, and there is evidence that a few relatives may exist in others.

Scientists estimate that Fernanda is well over 50 years old, but she is small, possibly because the limited vegetation stunted her growth. Encouragingly, recent tracks and scat of at least 2 or 3 other tortoises were found during other recent expeditions on the island.

For more than a century, the Fernandina IslandGalpagosgiant tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus, or 'fantastic giant tortoise') was known only from this single specimen, collected in 1906.

Photo courtesy of the California Academy of Sciences

Two or three million years ago, a storm carried one or more giant tortoises from the South American mainland westwards. Because they dont swim, the tortoises bred only with others on their own islands, resulting in rapid evolution following the pattern of the better-known Galpagos finches. Today, there are 14 different species of giant Galpagos tortoises, all descended from a single ancestor.

(Some scientists debate whether these should be considered species or subspecies, but the Princeton-Yale team concluded that they are different enough, with thousands of distinctive genetic markers, to be considered separate species.)

Diversification of Galpagos tortoises reveals a continuum of shell shapes, with the easternmost islands' animals showing rounder, domed shells, and the westernmost island Fernandina home to tortoises with the most dramatic saddlebacking. The domed tortoises live in more humid, higher elevation ecosystems, while their saddlebacked cousins inhabit drier, lower elevation environments. All 14 are listed on the IUCN Red List as either vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered or extinct.

The tortoise populations were decimated by European seafarers who hunted them for food, having discovered that they could keep tortoises alive on their ships with minimal effort, as the reptiles could survive with little food or water. They were a great source of fresh meat for the sailors, but it meant that many of the species were severely overhunted, said Gaughran.

The genetic work provides intriguing hints of a mixing of genes with members of another population, said Grant. It would be fascinating if confirmed by future detective work on the genome. Another thought-provoking finding is the nearest relatives are not on the nearest very large island (Isabela) but on another (Espaola) far away on the other side of Isabela. The question of how the ancestors reached Fernandina is left hanging.

Fernanda is now at the Galpagos National Park Tortoise Center, a rescue and breeding facility, where experts are seeing what they can do to keep her species alive.

The discovery informs us aboutrare species that may persist in isolated places for a long time, said Grant. This information is important for conservation. It spurs biologists to search harder for the last few individuals of a population to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

The Galpagos giant tortoise Chelonoidis phantasticus is not extinct, by Evelyn L. Jensen*, Stephen J. Gaughran*, Nicole A. Fusco, Nikos Poulakakis, Washington Tapia, Christian Sevilla, Jeffreys Mlaga, Carol Mariani, James P. Gibbs and Adalgisa Caccone, appears in the June 9 issue of Communications Biology, a Nature family journal (DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03483-w). (*These authors contributed equally to the work.) The research was supported by the Galpagos National Park Directorate, the Galpagos Conservancy (GR112688), the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (GR110489), Re:Wild (5248-0000), Island Conservation, the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Yale Center for Research Computing.

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'Fantastic giant tortoise,' believed extinct, confirmed alive in the Galpagos - Princeton University