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Source: Loretta Johnson, 785-532-6921, johnson@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Doris Merrill, dmerrill@k-state.edu, 785-532-3482
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008
K-STATE STUDENTS PRESENT POSTERS AT SIXTH ANNUAL ECOLOGICAL GENOMICS SYMPOSIUM
MANHATTAN -- Several undergraduate and graduate students from Kansas State University were invited to present their research posters at the sixth annual Ecological Genomics Symposium, Nov. 14, in Kansas City, Mo. Host of the symposium was K-State's Ecological Genomics Institute.
Finding the genes that matter for organisms to function and reproduce successfully in natural environments is a new area of research for scientists in the field of ecological genomics and what K-State's Ecological Genomics Institute is all about. Most scientists study organisms in lab settings, not in their ecological home; however in the context of evolution and ecology, genes are affected by their environment. Ecological genomics identifies how genes function in real organisms living in a natural environment.
"One important aspect of the Ecological Genomics Symposium is the opportunity for students and faculty to interact and learn from prominent researchers who are tackling new problems and finding solutions to questions of how the environment is affecting living systems, at the genetic level," said Loretta Johnson, associate professor of biology, who co-directs the Ecological Genomics Institute with Michael Herman, K-State professor of biology.
This year's symposium was host to more than 110 registrants representing 41 universities and organizations from 22 different states and three countries.
K-State students who presented research posters at the symposium included:
Nathan Spaht, junior in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, Augusta, co-presented "Ecotypic Variation of Andropogon gerardii Across a Precipitation Gradient in Midwest Grasslands."
Katie Clowers, senior in biology, Belpre, presented "The Genetics of Cold Tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster: SMP-30 Influences Phenotypic Variation in Cold Tolerance."
Lindsey Fallis, graduate student in biology, Harper, presented "Phenotypic Variation in Thermotolerance Phenotypes Among Natural Populations of Drosophila melanogaster."
Vishal Bahirwani, graduate student in computer sciences, Manhattan, presented "Computational Methods to Characterize Regulatory Networks Involved in Plant Response to Abiotic Stresses."
Heather Barton, graduate student in biology, Manhattan, presented "Phylogeography of Rabies in the Central Great Plains."
Lorena Gomez, graduate student in plant pathology, Manhattan, presented "Soil Metagenomics to Identify Indicators of Soil Degradation in the Bolivian Highlands and Zambia."
Maureen C. Ty, junior in microbiology, Manhattan, co-presented "Evolutionary History and Ecological Significance of Polyploidy in the Phlox woodhousei Complex in the Arid Southwest."
Alyssa Kerry Mattox, senior in biology, Tecumseh, presented "Population Dynamics of the White-tailed Deer and Genetic Resistance to Chronic Wasting Disease in Kansas."
Kate Zimmerman, senior in life sciences, Wichita, co-presented "Ecotypic Variation of Andropogon gerardii Across a Precipitation Gradient in Midwest Grasslands."
Bethany Bengtson, graduate student in biology, Neoga, Ill., co-presented "Ecotypic Variation of Andropogon gerardii Across a Precipitation Gradient in Midwest Grasslands."
Matthew Steller, graduate student in entomology, Applevalley, Minn., presented "Utilizing Termite -- Reticulitermes flavipes -- Genomics to Better Understand Sociality."
The Ecological Genomics Institute is part of K-State’s Division of Biology. It was established as a Targeted Excellence program through the K-State provost's office, and the funding has helped Herman, Johnson and several others pilot study grants necessary to obtain larger grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ecological Genomics Institute members have published 52 manuscripts and currently hold 18 extramural grants worth more than $5.3 million, with 48 percent of that funding granted between June 2007-May 2008.
More information about the Ecological Genomics Institute is available at http://www.ecogen.ksu.edu and by contacting Loretta Johnson at 785-532-6921 or johnson@k-state.edu.
