Subgroup Z

Subgroup Z: Cell biology of marine protists: Toward functional genomic tools for diverse new model organisms

Supported by The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Wednesday, December 12, 8:30 am-11:05 am
Room 31B

Organizers: Adam Jones, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; and Jackie L. Collier, Stony Brook University

The broad taxonomic and physiological diversity of marine unicellular eukaryotes offers opportunities to investigate a range of features of the eukaryotic lineage that are inaccessible in canonical model organisms. Undertaking such investigations depends on the development of methods to manipulate gene content and expression in a wide variety of new model systems. Speakers in this session will describe their efforts to understand unique cell biological features of emerging model marine protists and the status of functional genomics tools in each. The session will end with a panel discussion of the challenges speakers have faced in developing methods for their organisms, as well as how the collaborative focus of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation-funded Experimental Model Systems program has affected their efforts.

8:30 am           Introduction and Overview. Adam Jones, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

8:40 am           Disentangling novel cellular processes using the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Chris Bowler, Ecole Normale Superieure

8:55 am           Cell biology and genetic tool development in Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Mark Moosburner, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and J. Craig Venter Institute

9:10 am           Cell biology and genetic tool development in Pseudo-nitzchia. Deborah Robertson, Clark University

9:25 am           Development of genetic transformation technologies for Micromonas species (Prasinophyceae). Lisa Sudek, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

9:40 am           Adaptation of Mamiellophyceae to specific environmental niches: cues from genetic approaches. Francois-Yves Bouget, CNRS

9:55 am           Development of genetic tools for Perkinsus species: parasites at the evolutionary interface between apicomplexan pathogens and dinoflagellate algae. Elin Einarsson, Cambridge University

10:10 am         Development of genetic tools for unicellular relatives of animals: Capsaspora owczarzaki, Corallochytrium limacisporum and Creolimax fragrantissim. Sebastián R. Najle, Institut de Biología Evolutiva (CSIC – Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

10:25 am         Tools for stable integrative transfection of Bodo saltans: A marine micro-eukaryote with polycistronic peptide coding genes. Fatma Gommaa, Harvard University

10:40 am         Genetic tools for investigating the cell biology of Aurantiochytrium and other Labrinthulomycetes. Jackie L. Collier, Stony Brook University

10:55 am         Panel discussion

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