Department of Fisheries Oceanography/SMAST seminar - April 12, 2017 - Rob Drew
When: Wednesday,
April 12, 2017
3:30 PM
-
4:30 PM
Where: Fairhaven Campus
Description: Department of Fisheries Oceanography
Genomic Analyses of Physiological Adaptations in Fishes
Rob Drew
Assistant Professor, Biology Department / UMD
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
SMAST II, Room 157
200 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA
ABSTRACT: Fishes are the most diverse group of vertebrates, and species have adapted to very different, often extreme environmental conditions. Innovative adaptations are a fascinating direction for genetic research. What are the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations and how do they function? Are the same genes or pathways responsible for convergent adaptations in different species? My laboratory is currently investigating two very different topics. First, the clownfish-sea anemone interaction is one of the most recognizable cases of symbiosis, but is only one example of a close interaction between fish and cnidarians. One of the adaptations critical to this relationship is that clownfish can swim unharmed among the tentacles, protected from the stinging nematocysts of the host by the external mucus of the fish. Despite over 50 years of research, the proximate mechanisms enabling this protection remain a mystery. We are investigating the proximate mechanisms and convergent evolution of these associations using genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic tools. Second, we are also investigating domestication of aquaculture species such as rainbow trout. Domesticated populations often evolve physiological changes that enhance growth and reproduction, and reduce fearrelated behavior and sensitivity to stress. Trout that are genetically resistant to stress would be expected to grow more rapidly in captivity, but there has been little direct evidence to support this prediction. We are currently testing the hypothesis that the genetic link between resistance to stress and growth rate will be easiest to detect when fish are reared under more stressful conditions. These projects are very different in theme and purpose, but illustrate the power of genomic tools for the analysis of complex traits and evolutionary questions.
Note: Seminar will be simulcast to SMAST I, Room 204
You can view the seminar live by clicking here: 'live event'. or
https://echosystem.umassd.edu:8443/ess/portal/section/639b0a8e-baf5-49a4-93c3-8f1831f13692
Please note: the earliest you will be able to log in is 15 minutes before the regularly scheduled time.
To view a video of an SMAST seminar (post-October 1, 2014), go to http://www.umassd.edu/smast/newsandevents/seminarseries/ and click on a highlighted title.
For more information, please contact cfox@umassd.edu
Genomic Analyses of Physiological Adaptations in Fishes
Rob Drew
Assistant Professor, Biology Department / UMD
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
SMAST II, Room 157
200 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA
ABSTRACT: Fishes are the most diverse group of vertebrates, and species have adapted to very different, often extreme environmental conditions. Innovative adaptations are a fascinating direction for genetic research. What are the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations and how do they function? Are the same genes or pathways responsible for convergent adaptations in different species? My laboratory is currently investigating two very different topics. First, the clownfish-sea anemone interaction is one of the most recognizable cases of symbiosis, but is only one example of a close interaction between fish and cnidarians. One of the adaptations critical to this relationship is that clownfish can swim unharmed among the tentacles, protected from the stinging nematocysts of the host by the external mucus of the fish. Despite over 50 years of research, the proximate mechanisms enabling this protection remain a mystery. We are investigating the proximate mechanisms and convergent evolution of these associations using genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic tools. Second, we are also investigating domestication of aquaculture species such as rainbow trout. Domesticated populations often evolve physiological changes that enhance growth and reproduction, and reduce fearrelated behavior and sensitivity to stress. Trout that are genetically resistant to stress would be expected to grow more rapidly in captivity, but there has been little direct evidence to support this prediction. We are currently testing the hypothesis that the genetic link between resistance to stress and growth rate will be easiest to detect when fish are reared under more stressful conditions. These projects are very different in theme and purpose, but illustrate the power of genomic tools for the analysis of complex traits and evolutionary questions.
Note: Seminar will be simulcast to SMAST I, Room 204
You can view the seminar live by clicking here: 'live event'. or
https://echosystem.umassd.edu:8443/ess/portal/section/639b0a8e-baf5-49a4-93c3-8f1831f13692
Please note: the earliest you will be able to log in is 15 minutes before the regularly scheduled time.
To view a video of an SMAST seminar (post-October 1, 2014), go to http://www.umassd.edu/smast/newsandevents/seminarseries/ and click on a highlighted title.
For more information, please contact cfox@umassd.edu
Contact: > See Description for contact information
Topical Areas: School for Marine Sciences and Technology, SMAST Seminar Series