Chromevol

Too fast for love

Posted by | DNA, Evolution, Genetics, Research | No Comments

Although CHROMEVOL’s main interests revolve around chromatin and epigenetics, we’re also interested in other aspects of development and evolution. Our latest work in this regard investigates the evolution of sex determining proteins in insects, reporting a previously unsuspected rapid evolution of basal components of the cascade, including the gene doublesex. This work has been accepted today for publication in the journal Development, Genes and Evolution (Springer), and constitutes yet another contribution of our long and fruitful collaboration with the research group of Dr. Lucas Sanchez at the Spanish Research Council in Madrid.

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Asilomar Chromatin and Chromosomes Conference 2014

Posted by | Bioinformatics, Cellular biology, Chromatin | No Comments

Last week we had the chance of presenting some of our most recent work at the 36th  Asilomar Chromatin and Chromosomes Conference (ACCC) in Pacific Grove, CA. It’s been great being back in this meeting and interact with old and new colleagues interested in the study of chromatin. Next year will mark a turning point for ACCC, with a renewed organization and structure that we’re sure will be appealing to a broad range of scientists, specially students. More information soon!

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Chromevol’s study of HMG proteins published in Molecular Biology and Evolution

Posted by | Chromatin, Evolution, Research | No Comments

The results of one of our most recent projects have just been published in the latest issue of the highly influential journal “Molecular Biology and Evolution” (IF 14.308). In this paper (Evolution of High Mobility Group Nucleosome-binding -HMGN- proteins and its implications for vertebrate chromatin specialization) we focus our attention in a family of proteins known as High Mobility Group (HMG), and more specifically to those binding directly to nucleosomes in the chromatin (HMGN). Throughout this work we provide useful information to our understanding of the specialization imparted on chromatin metabolism by HMGNs, especially on the evolutionary mechanisms underlying their functional differentiation in vertebrates.

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Graduate student PhD positions available at chromevol starting fall 2015

Posted by | Education, FIU, Outreach, Research | No Comments

We are looking for enthusiastic, dynamic and independent students broadly interested in studying chromatin and epigenetics from different perspectives, most notably evolution, development and adaptation. Our current projects combine elements from molecular biology, biochemistry, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics and molecular evolution to address environmental problems in the oceans. Detailed information about these positions is available HERE.

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Marine Sciences Seminar Series, Fall 2014

Posted by | Education, FIU, Outreach, Research | No Comments

Ready for the Marine Sciences Seminar Series, Fall 2014! We have gathered a great line up of scientists addressing diverse topics of the upmost interest, ranging from biogeochemistry to conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems, and from fisheries and population dynamics to climate change and marine population genetics. In addition to speakers from our own FIU Marine Sciences Program, we’ll also have the opportunity to get an insight into the research being made at other floridian institutions such as the University of Florida, the Smithsonian Marine Station, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Center, etc.

Seminars will take place every other wednesday at noon (starting Sep. 3rd) in room MSB-105 at the Marine Science Building in the Biscayne Bay Campus from FIU (with polycom to HLS-216 at MMC). We want to encourage all of you (regardless of your field of expertise and independently of wether you are faculty, student or staff) to dive with us into these lectures flavored with a bit of sea salt and explore the submarine world around us!

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When it comes to variants, every amino acid matters!

Posted by | Awards, Cellular biology, Chromatin, DNA, Histones, Research | No Comments
The prestigious journal Nature Reviews in Genetics has just published a paper that will probably become a reference for all scientists broadly interested in Epigenetics and most specifically in the role of histone variants in the regulation of pretty much all processes inherent to DNA metabolism. We are specially proud that Chromevol’s research on the characterization of H2A.Z variants has been cited in the present paper. Click in the image below to get a copy of this work.

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Chromevol’s work cited in the latest book by M. Nei “Mutation Driven Evolution” (Oxford University Press)

Posted by | Education, Evolution, Gene Families | No Comments

Ever since the inception of the Modern Synthesis (the combination of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection and the laws of genetic inheritance by Gregor Mendel) the role of natural selection shaping the variation observed in populations has represented one of the most attractive topics in Biology. However, evolution is driven by other additional forces, most notably mutation (the most important source of genetic variation). In this instant classic, Professor Masatoshi Nei examines the different mechanisms by which mutation contributes to evolution. Prof. Nei’s research has constituted a constant inspiration for our work at Chromevol, so we are specially proud that our own research on the evolution of multigene families is cited in this book.

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16th Annual Biology Research Symposium held at BBC campus

Posted by | Awards, Education, Omics, Research | No Comments
The Annual BioSymposium of FIU’s Department of Biological Sciences was held on Saturday February 1st at the Marine Science Building of the Biscayne Bay Campus (where our lab is located). Graduate students from our Department showcased their work in exciting talks and poster presentations, illustrating the extraordinary quality of the research developed in our Department. As a special note, we want to congratulate our own Victoria Suarez-Ulloa for obtaining the 2nd position in the best talk presentation award with the presentation “CROMEVALOAdb: a data mining approach to the study of chromatin in bivalves”.
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Miami LOFT-STEM Leadership Symposium event at FIU

Posted by | Education, FIU, Research, Technology | No Comments

This was an exciting opportunity for students in high school, college, and young professionals to network with Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals from Fortune 500 companies and learn about the diverse career opportunities available within the STEM Industry. Dr. Eirin-Lopez participated as panelist in this event providing insights about research/academic careers.

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