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SUMMARY:The evolution of mammalian tissue transcriptomes - Henrik Kaessman
 n (Lausanne)
DTSTART:20120514T150000Z
DTEND:20120514T160000Z
UID:TALK34802@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Florian Markowetz
DESCRIPTION:Shared mammalian traits include lactation\, hair and relativel
 y large brains with unique structures. In addition to these traits\, indiv
 idual lineages have evolved distinct anatomical\, physiological and behavi
 oural characteristics relating to differences in reproduction\, life span\
 , cognitive abilities and disease susceptibility. The molecular changes un
 derlying these phenotypic shifts and the associated selective pressures ha
 ve begun to be investigated based on an increasing number of available mam
 malian genomes. However\, although genome analyses may uncover protein-cod
 ing changes that potentially underlie phenotypic alterations\, regulatory 
 mutations affecting gene expression probably explain many or even most phe
 notypic differences between species. The development of RNA sequencing (RN
 A-seq) protocols now allows for accurate and sensitive assessments of tran
 script sequences and expression levels. We have generated a comprehensive 
 set of RNA-seq data for a large collection of germline and somatic tissues
  from representatives of all major mammalian lineages (placental mammals\,
  marsupials\, and the egg–laying monotremes) and evolutionary outgroups 
 (e.g.\, birds). On the basis of these data\, we have started to investigat
 e various aspects of transcriptome evolution. Current topics include the e
 volution of protein-coding gene expression levels\, long noncoding RNAs\, 
 microRNAs\, alternative splicing\, and X dosage compensation. I will prese
 nt some highlights of these analyses.\n\nHosted by Duncan Odom
LOCATION:Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute\, Lecture Theatre
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