department of human genetics weekly...
TRANSCRIPT
Department of Human Genetics
Issue No. 63~ Dec 3, 2008 Weekly Bulletin
Principal’s Graduate Fellowships (PGFs)
The Graduate Training Committee is pleased to announce a new fellowship initiative from Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. A number of $5000 and $2500 awards will be given to returning doctoral students and a number of $2500 awards to returning master’s students. These awards are in addition to your supervisor’s stipend. The selection criteria for these awards are scholarly activity and achievement (conference presentation, paper publishing, extracurricular science related activities, etc.) Entire C.V.’s will be taken into consideration, but the focus will be on activities during the past academic year (i.e. Sept 2007 to Sept 2008). In addition, applicants must submit an abstract for consideration at the annual Human Genetics Research Day in May 2009. To apply for these fellowships, please submit your C.V. to Thomas Leslie by email only ([email protected]) by December 8th 2008. Note: Students who were awarded Recruitment Awards (Provost Awards, etc.) are ineligible to apply for the PGFs in the academic year that they receive the recruitment awards. I.e. students who received a recruitment award in Fall 2008 cannot apply for the PGFs this year, but may do so in Fall 2009. Also, only students in Ph.D. 5 or below and (thesis) M.Sc. 1&2 year students are eligible. Please contact Thomas for more information.
MUHC-RI GENETICS AXIS AND MCGILL DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN GENETICS SEMINAR
SPEAKER: Cynthia Gates Goodyer PhD,
Director, Endocrine Research Lab McGill University Health Centre Montreal Children’s Hospital Research Institute TOPIC: “The genetics of growth: the GH-IGF axis”
DATE: December 5, 2008
TIME: 09:00 a.m.
PLACE: Montreal Children’s Hospital Room C-417
EVERYONE WELCOME
New Course (Offered in January 2009) HGEN 663: Beyond the Human Genome
Coordinator: Jacek Majewski
Aim: Sequencing of the Human Genome has initiated a revolution in biological and biomedical sciences. Experiments are now routinely conducted on a genome-wide scale, and even classical individual results are greatly enriched by their interpretation in genomic and evolutionary contexts. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with the advances introduced to human genetics following the sequencing of the human genome. We will emphasize new developments in genomics and current state of the art technologies, as well as future directions in the post-genomic era. Proposed schedule: This course will be offered in a 3 hour sessions for 12 sessions: 1) Sequencing of the Human Genome - historical background, sequencing methodologies 2) Human Genome sequence and analysis:
a) The Human Genome b) Annotation c) Genome structure and evolution d) Computational challenges
3) Comparative Genomics: a) Mouse and Rat Genomes b) Chimp genome c) Encode project d) Computational approaches to comparative genomic data
4) Non-Mammalian Genomes a) Prokaryotes b) Simple Eukaryotes (yeast)
c) Metazoans (Drosophila(s), Worm…) d) Vertebrates
5) Genetic(omic) Variation a) Polymorphisms – Hapmap, methods, significance b) Copy Number Variations (CNV) – approaches, significance
6) Human Populations a) Migrations, population history
7) Genomics of Human Disease a) Linkage b) Association c) Risk loci and alleles, personalized medicine, ethics.
8) Expression Variation d) Gene expression levels – promoter polymorphisms, dosage effects
(CNVs) e) Splicing differences, the RNA world f) Disease significance
9) Genomic Technologies a) Microarrays – expression arrays, Chip on chip, protein b) DNAse footprinting c) SAGE etc.
10) Proteomics 11) Systems Biology – pathways, interactions, networks 12) Emerging Technologies and New Directions
a) Chip resequencing, Pyrosequencing, etc. b) Latest state of the art c) Where do we go next…
Enrolment: The course will be limited to 24 students in order to facilitate discussion sessions and oral presentations. Prerequisites: Biol 370 or Biol 568 or HGEN692 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Course Type: This is a lecture/seminar course aiming to cover in depth the topics related to Genomics in the context of Human Genetics and Biology. Each 3 hour session will consist of 30 minute introduction to the topic given by the instructor, followed by two, 30 minute presentations given by students. The remaining time will be used for discussion. Assigned readings will cover the background necessary for understanding each session, along with papers for student presentations. The topics will begin with the sequencing of the human genome, followed by its annotation and addition of other mammalian sequences. However, the main purpose of the course is to make the students aware of how genomics and high throughput data analysis constantly change the way we approach research in biological and biomedical sciences. Each session will start with background knowledge, but quickly move on to discussion of cutting edge research and latest state of the art results and techniques
Course Evaluation: This will be a graded class. Students will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Class participation (15%): This grade represents student contribution to class participation during open discussion and participation in discussion of student presentations. The students are expected to have critically read the assigned material, be prepared to ask questions aiming to clarify strength and weaknesses of the approaches, and most importantly look towards the future and suggest new directions for future developments. Oral presentation(s) (45%): Each student will have to prepare 1 or 2 (depending on the final class size) oral presentations, based on current literature selected by the instructor. Each presentation will necessitate thorough background reading, presentation of background information, critique of the paper (with emphasis on the methods and technology), clarification of its significance in a broad context, and suggestions for future directions. Written assignment (40%): Each student will write a mini-grant proposal (5 pages), on a topic approved by the instructor. The project will be graded according to the following criteria: familiarity with background material, novelty of the proposed idea, feasibility of the proposal in view of available and emerging data and technologies. For more information please contact Dr. Jacek Majewski ([email protected]) or [email protected] for approval to register.
To all graduate students, faculty and staff: As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the graduate student experience at McGill and to make sure GPS policies and procedures are aligned with fundamental academic concerns, we are pleased to announce that the Thesis Submission Fee for both Doctoral and Master’s students has been eliminated. All fees charged as of September, 2008 have been reimbursed. Best regards, Martin Kreiswirth __________________________________ Martin Kreiswirth, PhD Associate Provost (Graduate Education) Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Professor of English McGill University James Administration Building, Rm 325 845 Sherbrooke St. West Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2T5 Tel: (514) 398-1224; Fax: (514) 398-3296 E-mail: [email protected] President, Canadian Association for Graduate Studies President-Elect, Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools The Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office (GPSO) and Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) are pleased to announce: The competition for the Arthur and Dawn Weston Fellowship in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This fellowship will be awarded to an outstanding full-time graduate student interested in conducting research on university teaching and learning in any Faculty. For application guidelines and forms, please visit our website: http://www.mcgill.ca/tls/fellowship For more information, please contact Mary-Jo Rahal at [email protected].
2008 Competition: Scholarships for Canadians
Applications for Canadians to study, under the Commonwealth Scholarship Plan and the Foreign Government Awards Program, are currently being accepted for the following countries. Deadlines are as follows:
United Kingdom: December 1, 2008 (
http://www.scholarships.gc.ca/csp/CWCadGBR-en.html )
New Zealand: December 15, 2008 ( http://www.scholarships.gc.ca/csp/CWCadNZL-en.html )
France*: December 15, 2008 ( http://www.scholarships.gc.ca/fga/FGAFRA-en.html )
Further information is available at www.scholarships.gc.ca.
* Awards for France exclude students from Quebec The McGill Life Sciences Library is pleased to announce that the trial access to the Henry Stewart Talks (Biomedical and Life Sciences Collection) has been extended until the end of November 2008. The Henry Stewart Talks is a collection of over 700 audiovisual, seminar style, talks commissioned from leading researchers in biomedicine and the life sciences. Eminent authorities, 6 from McGill, present the material in their own personal styles. The format is simple - animated slides with accompanying narration, synchronized for easy listening. Lectures are organized into comprehensive series that cover both the fundamental and the latest advances. The collection is constantly updated and expanding to over 1,000 talks. Take advantage of this resource to enhance your knowledge of a wide range of topics in the biological sciences. If you feel that this is a valuable resource that you would like to have continued access to, then please let the library know by sending your comments to the liason librarian for human genetics, Eleanor MacLean ([email protected]). Thank you!
2. RISE professional: This program addresses recent graduates, master and Ph.D. students. They are invited to intern with a company in Germany during the summer months. The students can apply for up to three projects out of more than 200 offers. The internship provides a hands-on experience, imparts important professional skills and helps to develop a professionl network - all this while experiencing life in Germany, one of the world's most important scientific and economic power houses. Website: www.daad.de/rise-pro.Applications accepted until January 25. 3. RISE in North America: This program addresses scientists who are committed to the support of future scientists and who would like to intensify the cooperation with German universities. Scientists from Canadian universities are invited to offer projects which can be realized in their research group together with a German undergraduate student. Project proposals are submitted online. The projects are promoted in Germany by DAAD and the host reviews the incoming applications. Only those applications which have been approved by the host will be considered for DAAD funding. Hence three is nothing to loose and a lot to win for German Canadian cooperation. DAAD funding includes allowances for travel and cost-of-living as well as insurance. Website: www.daad.de/rise-northamerica Deadline: January 4. Important Change: Examinations currently scheduled on December 8 will be moved to Sunday, December 7, 2008. Quebec provincial elections have been called for December 8. In accordance with article 306 of la Loi électorale, universities are required to grant leave to students so as to ensure that they have an opportunity to vote. Quebec universities have traditionally canceled classes on Election Day. As this election falls on a final examination day, the examinations previously scheduled to occur on December 8th will be rescheduled to occur on Sunday, December 7, at the same time of day and location as previously scheduled. Note also that all classes are canceled on December 8th. If you have any questions, please contact Enrolment Services Exams Office at 514 398 3335 or by email: [email protected]. Sincerely, Kathleen Massey University Registrar and
Executive Director of Enrolment Services
Supervisory Committee Meetings
All thesis-program graduate students must have an annual meeting with their committee. Please send an email indicating your most recent SC date to
[email protected] and a list of your committee members so we can ensure the accuracy of our records.
Dear ACMG Members: ACMG has extended the Abstract submission deadline for the 2009 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting to Friday, December 12, 2008 at 11:59 pm Eastern. To submit your abstract, go to http://submissions.miracd.com/acmg2009. Cutting-edge research is an essential feature of the meeting, and genetics professionals are encouraged to submit abstracts which may be accepted for poster or platform presentation. Selections will be made after review by the Program Committee from a variety of abstract topics including: Perinatal Genetics, Biochemical Genetics, Clinical Genetics, Genetic Counseling, Cytogenetics, Education/Public Health/Legal & Ethical Issues, and Molecular Genetics. For the second year, Signature Genomic Laboratories will sponsor a travel award for the first author of a selected platform presentation to attend the 2009 annual meeting. Some restrictions apply. Interested individuals can sign up for the award during the abstract submission process. American College of Medical Genetics 9650 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-634-7127 http://www.acmg.net CAPS (Career and Placement Services) December Newsletter can be viewed at: http://caps.mcgill.ca/graduate/online/2008-2009/december-2008.html
Dear Graduate Students:
The Comparative Medicine and Animal Resources Centre is recruiting for part-time positions in animal care, mainly for weekends and holidays, on rotation.
The starting hourly remuneration is $14.23. The duties are animal observation, basic treatments and care. Training is provided. Students
interested should contact Mr. Subibe Choudhury ([email protected] or 3510).
Dr. Jim Gourdon
Director, Comparative Medicine & Animal Resources Centre Interim Director, Animal Compliance Office
McGill University
**** Please circulate this e-mail to Graduate Students in your department****
Hello, On behalf of the McGill Let's Talk Science Partnership Program, I would like to ask if any graduate students would be interested in mentoring any of the following science projects. If any of these mentoring opportunities should interest you please do not hesitate to contact me, Nathalie Magnus ([email protected]) the coordinator of the McGill Let's Talk Science Partnership Program. Does Flushing Spread Fecal Matter A grade 8 student from Royal West Academy would like to test the efficiency of toilet flushing and its influence on the fecal matter found on things around the bathroom. If so, are there ways to prevent this type of contamination. If you can provide any guidance for this student, she would really appreciate the extra help. Alternative Gas from Chlorella
A couple of high school students would like to investigate the possibility of extracting starch from chlorella to produce ethanol as an alternate to gas. If you have any suggestions or ideas for this project, these students would like to know! Omega 3 fatty fish Two students would like to compare the Omega 3's in different fish. They need help developing a project and would love any opportunity to speak to someone who'd know anything about this topic. Preservatives in Bread A student would like compare the preservatives in fresh bread verses the bread bought and stored in stores for long periods of time. Someone who could speak to her about preservatives in foods and possible health side effects would be terrific. Please contact me Nathalie Magnus ([email protected]) if any of these opportunities interest you. Feel free to check out out McGill Let's Talk Science web page http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/expmed/LTSM/index.html too if your are interested in joining the program.
Due to lack of enrolment the HGEN690: Hereditary Cancer Syndromes will not be offered during the WINTER2009 session. We will likely go back to offering this course on a 2-year schedule (pending interest). A notice to this effect will be published in the next Department of Human Genetics Bulletin. Patricia N. Tonin, PhD Associate Professor Depts. Medicine & Human Genetics McGill University & The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 16, 2009
COLE FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS 2009-2011 – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The Cole Foundation is offering fellowships to Clinical Fellows (holders of a medical degree), postdoctoral residents and graduate students to promote research in pre-leukemia, leukemia and other leukemia related diseases in children and young adults as well as the development of clinical care for patients affected by these diseases.
Eligible candidates must:
• Have full-time status at the University of Montreal, McGill University or at the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier
• Be registered in a fellowship program, a postdoctoral residency, or in graduate studies
• Complete a Cole Foundation Fellowship application form • Submit a letter of support from their supervisors
This competition is open to all Canadian and all foreign citizens. The scholar’s research activities can be carried out in the Montreal area or in an establishment outside Montreal so long as this is accepted by the research director.
Applications will be evaluated by a committee of experts for academic and scientific excellence, the quality of the research laboratory, the coherence of the research program with the priorities of the training environment and the extent to which the research program meets the Cole Foundation Fellowship Program priorities as described above.
The fellowships are offered for two-year mandates. The installment for the second year is contingent upon a satisfactory progress report for the first year activities and upon the support of the host laboratory director. On a yearly basis these fellowships offer: $50,000 for Clinical Fellows; $40,000 for post-doctoral residents; $21,000 for doctoral candidates; and $17,500 for master’s candidates. In addition, a yearly supplement of $2,000 for
Fellows and post-doctoral residents and $1000 for doctoral and master’s candidates will be awarded for academic activities (attendance at conventions, purchasing of books or laboratory fees, etc.).
The deadline for the competition is January 16, 2009. Application forms for submissions and for letters of support may be obtained through the host institution (University of Montreal, McGill University or the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier). The completed forms must be submitted by email to the host institution contact person. A paper copy of the first page of the application form with the signatures should also be submitted to the appropriate contact person. The award winners will be announced before mid April 2009 and the fellowships will take effect July 1, 2009.
Please visit our website to download forms: http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/research/bursary/otheropportunities.htm
Please submit applications to: Dalia Soliman McGill University, Faculty of Medicine Awards Coordinator McIntyre Building, Room 637 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 [email protected]
Academic Activities:
The following is the teaching schedule for Friday. Remember to sign the sign-in sheet which will be located at the back of the room (C-417).
Dec 5, 2008
8 - 9 FDTG Andrea Secord
MCH C-417 RVH Primrose Amphitheatre JGH G-005
Radiooncology
9 – 10 Research Seminar
Dr. Cindy Goodyer
“The genetics of growth: the GH-IGF axis.”
10 – 10:30
Journal Club Kurston Doonanco
“Reversal of learning deficits in a Tsc + / - mouse model of tuberous sclerosis.” Ehninger et al. Nature Medicine 14 (8), 843-848
10:30 – 12:00
Jennifer Fitzpatrick
Principles of Medical Genetics
Restricted to Students registered in the Course
Hello Earlier this year, the Lab Waste Reduction Working Group was established in conjunction with the Office of Sustainability as a result of a graduate student initiative. The group consists of graduate students, faculty, and members of McGill's administration who are all working together to help reduce the environmental impact of McGill research labs. In order to identify and evaluate waste reduction/diversion options we are asking for your time and assistance in answering a few questions regarding your lab's current waste management practices. Your feedback is extremely valuable and will directly inform the Working Group about ways to reduce and better manage the waste that is generated by McGill research labs without compromising research quality. You can find the questionnaire here LABORATORY WASTE REDUCTION QUESTIONNAIRE. It should take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire and it can be filled out by a lab technician or senior lab member (non-grad student) if they would be more knowledgeable about your lab's day-to-day practices. If you do not wish to answer a specific question, you may skip it and move onto the next one. Please note that the questionnaire needs to be completed in one sitting as our anonymous survey method does not allow you to save your answers and return later. The answers you provide will be pooled together with answers from other labs, and thus no information on individual labs will be reported. Thank you in advance for your assistance and participation. Dennis Fortune Sustainability Director McGill University Priyanka Sundaram (M.Sc.) Co-chair of the Lab Waste Reduction Working Group McGill University
Faculty of Medicine
Request for Research Project Proposals
Summer 2009 - Research Bursary Program
Deadline for submissions: December 15, 2008
Every summer, health professional students registered in the Faculty of Medicine apply to participate in the Summer Research Bursary Program. Students in undergraduate and non-thesis programs such as Medicine, Nursing, Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy and/or Occupational Therapy are eligible to apply. The program provides students with an opportunity to work in a research environment alongside clinical and fundamental scientists and their trainees. Each student is expected to work on a hypothesis-driven project for 8 consecutive weeks during the summer months. If you are interested in supervising a student project next summer, the Student Research Committee invites you to submit a 1/2 page proposal outlining a prospective research project (a maximum of 2 distinct student projects per lab will be considered). Once approved, project proposals will be posted on the Research Office website so that interested students may contact corresponding supervisors. The role of the student with respect to literature search, formulation of hypotheses, planning and execution of the scientific approach, interpretation of the results and presentation of the findings should be clearly defined. Unacceptable projects include those where the student will be employed primarily as a technician or solely to perform chart reviews. Using the attached form, please forward your research project proposal to [email protected] before Monday, December 15, 2008. Thank you in advance for your valuable contribution to the training of our next generation of clinician scientists. Additional information can be found at www.medicine.mcgill.ca/research/bursary. If you have any questions, you may contact me at 398-1603. Regards, Jennifer Nemes [email protected]
