Lab-meeting on epigenetic inheritance and evolution

Following the suggestions of Machteld Verzijden and Anna Runemark, I suggest we denote next lab-meeting to discuss epigenetic inheritance and its (possible) evolutionary consequences to epigenetic inheritance. I suggest that we discuss two recent papers, one more theoretical in American Naturalist by Troy Day and Russel Bonduriansky which can be found here, and a review in Nature Reviews Genetics by Danchin et al. which can be found here. I post the Abstract of that paper below.

Please read both these papers, and not in the last minute, as it is a difficult topic, but the more we know in advance, the more enlightened will the discussion be.

Note that next lab-mating will take place in "Argumentet" between 10.00 and 12.00 on Tuesday 6 September 2011. After that, our regular lab-meetings will take place between 10.00 and 12.00 on Thursdays. Fika volunteers are always welcome.

Beyond DNA: integrating inclusive inheritance into an extended theory of evolution
Danchin, E (Danchin, Etienne)1; Charmantier, A (Charmantier, Anne)2; Champagne, FA (Champagne, Frances A.)3; Mesoudi, A (Mesoudi, Alex)4; Pujol, B (Pujol, Benoit)1; Blanchet, S (Blanchet, Simon)1,5
Nature Reviews Genetics 12: 475-486
Abstract: Many biologists are calling for an 'extended evolutionary synthesis' that would 'modernize the modern synthesis' of evolution. Biological information is typically considered as being transmitted across generations by the DNA sequence alone, but accumulating evidence indicates that both genetic and non-genetic inheritance, and the interactions between them, have important effects on evolutionary outcomes. We review the evidence for such effects of epigenetic, ecological and cultural inheritance and parental effects, and outline methods that quantify the relative contributions of genetic and non-genetic heritability to the transmission of phenotypic variation across generations. These issues have implications for diverse areas, from the question of missing heritability in human complex-trait genetics to the basis of major evolutionary transitions.

Labmeeting on hidden genetic variation 14 October 2009

This Wednesday (14/10 2009), I was thinking that we should discuss a recent TREE-article that deals with the fascinating topic of "hidden" genetic variation and its evolutionary implications. You can find this article here. Also, here is another background article, also from TREE, for those of you who wish to learn more.

Hidden genetic variation is genetic variation that is not normally expressed, e. g. genes that is contingent upon environmental conditions before they are expressed, and hence before they can be "seen" by natural or sexual selection and thus contribute to adaptive evolutionary change.
A well-known example of hidden genetic variation are so-called stress proteins or heat shock proteins, that function as molecular "chaperones" to protect cells during extreme environmental conditions, e. g. during high temperature conditions. How important is such hidden genetic variation in evolution? This what we should discuss, among several other topics.

I also hope that our new CAnMove-postdoc Sophia Engel (shared with Anders Hedenströms laboratory) will join in Wednesday, as she has now arrived to Lund. This would be an excellent opportunity to meet the rest of our lab and introduce her to the crowd.

Time and place as usual: "Darwin" at 10.00 on Wednesday (14/10). Any fika-volunteer?