GEE SEMINAR SERIES

Dear All

The speaker for the next seminar is Prof. Iain Johnston.

This seminar is open to all regardless of career stage. Please share details with colleagues, wider networks and those who may be interested.

Location: JZ Young LT, Anatomy & Medical Sciences Building
Host: Nick Lane

Please email Muslima if you would like a one to one with Iain.

Title: Chance and dance with life's power plants: The evolution and control of bioenergetic organelles across eukaryotes

Abstract: Mitochondria and chloroplasts power complex life. From their endosymbiotic origins, they retain their own genomes, mtDNA and cpDNA. These organelle genomes are highly reduced -- most genes for organelle proteins have been transferred to the nucleus, which is a rather safer environment for storing information. So why do organelle genomes retain any genes at all? Why is there substantial diversity in retained gene profiles across eukaryotes? And how do species mitigate against mutational damage, in maintaining and transmitting these reduced genomes across generations?

I'll talk about our research attempting to address these questions by combining broader genomic data across eukaryotes, deeper genetic and cell biological characterisation of organelles in model organisms, and integrative modelling and data science. We've found support for several "universal" links between (i) genetic and biophysical features and gene retention in both organelles; (ii) the dynamics of changing environmental demands, ecological niches, and gene retention; and (iii) germline development, the collective physical dynamics of organelles within cells, and organelle DNA maintenance strategies – and I would be very interested in your thoughts on them!

Thank you

Muslima Chowdhury