The Genetics Otago Annual Symposium expanded in 2023 to an all-new three-day event, featuring two days of Hub workshops followed by a full-day symposium. With the aim of driving innovation in research among our members, this three-day ‘Tech Week’ provided an opportunity to share knowledge in key areas of Genetic and Genomic research and technology, to learn new skills and to celebrate the fantastic research being done by GO members around the country.<\/p>\n
Date: <\/strong>14th – 16th November 2023 Tech Week overview<\/a><\/p>\n Sponsors:<\/strong> Award Winners:<\/strong> The biennial Genetics Otago Postgraduate Retreat was open to all PGDipSci, Hons, MSc and PhD students who are using genetics as part of their research. The day-long event included sessions on science communication, M\u0101ori language, careers, wellbeing and ethics.<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> Friday 27th of October 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This workshop, was held in partnership with Genomics Aotearoa<\/a> and NeSI<\/a> and was facilitated by Dr Chris Hakkaart (Sequera Labs). Participants started with an exploration of the core features of Nextflow and learning the fundamental commands and options for executing workflows before moving on to the core features of nf-core and its tooling and applying knowledge to learn the structure of an nf-core workflow and how to customise its execution. Participants were also able to explore the source code of the `nf-core\/sarek` workflow and learn how to build a run command and customise its execution. The workshop finished by discussing how to execute Sarek at scale using full-size data.<\/p>\n Date: <\/strong>11th and 12th October 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This month the Virtual Institute of Statistical Genetics seminar was given by Dr Ee Cheng Ooi of Abacus Bio. Dr Ooi’s talk was titled: Using SNP effects to understand the underlying biological mechanisms linking traits: a study of milk yield and fertility in dairy cattle<\/em><\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 21st September 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The annual Career evening for students in Genetics, Microbiology and Biochemistry was held online this year and featured breakout rooms for discussion following the formal presentations from employers<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 20th September 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This inaugural meeting of the Zebrafish Hub was run by the Hub leader Dr Megan Leask and consisted of short presentations from Zebrafish users as well as time for general discussion and networking.<\/p>\n Date: <\/strong>Friday, 8th September 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Participants dove into the fascinating realm of Environmental DNA (eDNA) in this immersive two-day hands-on workshop. From data Quality Control (QC) to statistical analyses, this workshop covers the key steps in eDNA analyses. Participants used their own Illumina eDNA metabarcoding datasets to gain hands-on experience in eDNA analysis including exploring common pipelines and core tools to gain a solid foundation in eDNA principles, before learning about common eDNA statistical techniques that enable robust interpretations and hypothesis testing.<\/p>\n Date: <\/strong>Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th September 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This month the Virtual Institute of Statistical Genetics seminar was given by Dr Setegn Alemu of AgResearch. Dr Alemu’s talk was titled: Indirect genetic effects and kin recognition: estimating IGEs when interactions differ between kin and strangers(non-kin)<\/em><\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 17th August 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This month the Virtual Institute of Statistical Genetics seminar was given by Dr Ludovic Dutoit of the Department of Zoology, University of Otago. Dr Dutoit’s talk was titled: Sex-linked stories in a shared genome<\/em><\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 20th July 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The 3rd Ira Rangahau Symposium was held over a full day on the 10th of July 2023 on the Dunedin campus. This event once again convened M\u0101ori kairangahau from around the motu to present their genetics-related research spanning diverse domains from the primary sector to health, to whakapapa and te taiao.<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> Monday 10th July 2023 Schedule<\/a><\/p>\n Sponsorship and Support:<\/strong> ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This month the Virtual Institute of Statistical Genetics seminar was given by Professor Mik Black of the Department of Biochemistry. Prof Black’s talk was titled: Help! My genome turned into a graph…<\/em><\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 15th June 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The eDNA hosted Dr Quentin Mauvisseau (EDGE group (Evolution, eDNA, Genomics and Ethnobotany) Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway) who spoke about Monitoring marine and freshwater habitats from polar to tropical environments: challenges of eDNA based monitoring.<\/em>.<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 1st June 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Variant Analysis Hub hosted visiting Professor Wyeth Wasserman (Investigator, BC Children\u2019s Hospital Research Institute Date:<\/strong> 30th May 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This first seminar in the monthly Virtual Institute of Statistical Genetics seminar series was given by Associate Professor Phillip Wilcox (Ng\u0101ti Rakaipaaka, Rongomaiwahine, Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa) of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. A\/Prof Wilcox’s talk was titled: Utilisation of m\u0101tauranga M\u0101ori to improve estimation of disease risk\/resilience<\/em><\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 18th May 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The eDNA Hub hosted a special seminar by Professor Mike Bunce (Chief Science Advisor | Department of Conservation (DOC) \u2013 Te Papa Atawhai): Listening to nature & keeping score: why eDNA has a key role to play<\/em>. The seminar was followed by the opening meeting of the eDNA Hub for 2023.<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 9th May 2023 ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Professor Bruce Weir facilitated a training course in analyses of quantitative genetic information. This 4-day course covered genetic and statistical sampling, allelic association testing, inbreeding and relatedness, principal components analysis and quantitative trait models. The course is hosted by the Virtual Institute of Genetics Hub (Genetics Otago), and also included presentations from researchers working in this area.<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 13th – 16th March 2023 Schedule<\/a><\/p>\n Sponsors<\/strong> ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This training session, led by Nathan Kenny and supported by Genetics Otago, Decode, and Parse Biosciences, in the Biochemistry Department covered the theory of combinatorial indexing, how you can extract and analyse barcoded mRNA reads, and the basics of Seurat-centred workflows for interacting with data.<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> 23rd and 24th February 2023
\nTime:<\/strong> 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
\nVenue:<\/strong> St David Lecture Theatre Complex and Genetics 300-level teaching Lab, and via Zoom
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Rebecca Oliver, Louise Bicknell and Logan Walker<\/p>\n
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\nGenetics Otago Prize:<\/em> Peter Dearden
\nPeer Mentor Award:<\/em> Alana Alexander (Te Hikutu: Ng\u0101puhi, P\u0101keh\u0101)
\nStudent Supervisor Award:<\/em> Heather Cunliffe
\nECR Publication Award:<\/em> Melanie Laird and Oscar Ortega-Recalde
\nStudent Publication Award:<\/em> David Mayo Mu\u00f1oz
\nECR Poster Award:<\/em> Victoria Sugrue
\nStudent Poster Award<\/em>: Stephanie Waller
\nScience Communication Award: <\/em>Tim Hore, Donna Bond, Melanie Laird, Victoria Sugrue and Janic Gorman<\/p>\n
\nPostgraduate Retreat<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> Gallery Room, Staff Club
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Caroline Stokes, Amy Jones, Megan Mulligan, Rebecca Oliver
\nProgramme<\/a><\/p>\n
\nVariant Analysis Hub Workshop<\/span><\/h1>\n
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\nTime:<\/strong> 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
\nVenue:<\/strong> Online (Dunedin Hub for attendees is Hunter Centre Computer Lab 1.15)
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Ben Halliday, George Wiggans, Tyler McInnes, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nVISG Seminar Series (September) – Dr Ee Cheng Ooi<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> St David Complex Seminar Room A G.02
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Jie Kang, Xun Xiao, Phil Wilcox, Mik Black, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nCareer Evening<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 6:00 pm \u2013 8:30 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> G13, Biochemistry Building
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Karen Knapp, Miriam Sharpe, Jennifer Robson, Megan Hall, Rebecca Oliver
\nSchedule<\/strong>
\nCareers Evening Programme<\/a><\/p>\n
\nZebrafish Hub Inaugural Meeting<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
\nVenue:<\/strong> Health Science Divisional Board Room (4th floor Physio Building)
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Megan Leask, Rebecca Oliver
\nSchedule<\/strong>
\nZebrafish Hub Meeting Schedule<\/a><\/p>\n
\neDNA Hub Workshop<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
\nVenue:<\/strong> Hunter Centre CAL, 1.15
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Eddy Dowle, Gert-Jan Jeunen, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nVISG Seminar Series (August) – Dr Setegn Alemu<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> Mellor Laboratories Seminar Room 2.15
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Jie Kang, Xun Xiao, Phil Wilcox, Mik Black, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nVISG Seminar Series (July) – Dr Ludovic Dutoit<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> St David Seminar Room A, G.02
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Jie Kang, Xun Xiao, Phil Wilcox, Mik Black, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nIra Rangahau M\u0101ori 2023<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> Terrace Lounge, University Union Building
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Phillip Wilcox, Alana Alexander, Catherine Collins, Nathan Kenny, Rebecca Oliver
\nEvents Support:<\/strong> Jane Reynolds<\/p>\n
\nThis event was supported by a Division of Health Sciences Impact and Engagement Award and Sponsored by Allan Wilson at Otago.
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\nVISG Seminar Series (June) – Prof Mik Black<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> Biochemistry Seminar Room G13
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Jie Kang, Xun Xiao, Phil Wilcox, Mik Black, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\neDNA Hub Seminar – Dr Quentin Mauvisseau<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> D’Ath Lecture Theatre, Hercus Building
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Eddy Dowle, Gert-Jan Jeunen, Tina Summerfield, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nVariant Analysis Hub Seminar – Prof Wyeth Wasserman<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nSenior Scientist, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics and Professor, Department of Medicine Genetics, University of British Columbia) for a seminar Genome sequencing and diagnosis for children impacted by rare disease<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> St David Lecture Theatre Complex, Seminar Room A
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Ben Halliday, George Wiggins, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nVISG Seminar Series (May) – A\/Prof Phil Wilcox<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> Mellor Seminar Room 2.15
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Jie Kang, Xun Xiao, Phil Wilcox, Mik Black, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\neDNA Hub Seminar – Prof Mike Bunce<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> Biochemistry Seminar Room, G13
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Eddy Dowle, Gert-Jan Jeunen, Tina Summerfield, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nQuantitative Genetics Course with Prof. Bruce Weir<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> Cullen Room, AgResearch at Invermay
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Phillip Wilcox, Bruce Weir, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
\nProfessor Weir’s visit to Dunedin is funded by the Rakeiora Project (Genomics Aotearoa):
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\nSingle-Cell Sequencing SPLiT-Seq Workshop<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm and 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
\nLocation:<\/strong> University of Otago, Biochemistry Building Seminar Room 2.31
\nOrganising Committee:<\/strong> Nathan Kenny, Rebecca Oliver<\/p>\n
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