Anders Blomberg is professor in Functional Genomics at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Göteborg University, Sweden. He is also Director of the Swedish Research School in Genomics and Bioinformatics. All those interested are welcome to hear Prof. Blomberg talk on gene dispensability and functional genetic networks.
Time: Tuesday 24th January, 14:15 - 15:00
Place: UMB, Animal Science Building, seminar room lower level
Anders Blomberg |
The importance of mutations in single genes have great relevance for our understanding of evolution, cellular molecular physiology and disease. The consequence of gene loss (or mutations) is related to various attributes like gene redundancy and compensatory mechanisms. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae, baker's and brewer's yeast, is an ideal model system for studies regarding gene dispensability since a complete knock-out collection is available; the importance of every single gene in the genome can be studied in both haploid as well as in homozygous and heterozygous diploid congenic strains. This collection constitutes an invaluable source for genome-wide analysis of gene function on a large scale. It also provides the fundament for the systematic construction of double deletion strains by a technology called synthetic genetic arrays (SGA). By this methodology the whole collection of double deletions against a particular query strain can be made. Of particular interest will be genes which as single deletions display no (or only marginal) phenotypes, while combined lead to lethality. These gene interactions are believed to reveal functional links between sequence unrelated proteins, and will be of great importance in understanding multi-locus diseases.
In this presentation professor Blomberg will describe genome-wide linkage of genotype to phenotype in yeast (phenomics) and how one can decipher the eukaryotic functional genetic network. Examples will be given from phenotypic profiling during conditions of redox imbalance and the identification and characterisation of novel stress components.
For more information on Anders Blomberg and his research interests, please see his
homepage.
