[ECOLOG-L] Microbial Metagenomics @ ESA
SS 2 - Functional Diversity of Microbiomes: Integrating Human Biology and Ecology Towards New Avenues of Analysis August 7, 2017 10:15-1:15 At the ESA 2017 Meeting in Portland, OR Dear Colleagues, We would like to make you aware of a special session as part of the 2017 the ESA meeting in Portland. As detailed below, the purpose of the session is to bridge microbiome research between ecology and the health sciences. It features two keynote presentations by prominent researchers: Dr. Susannah Tringe, Metagenome Program Lead, DOE Joint Genome Institute David Relman, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University Presentations will be followed by a facilitated discussion aimed at identifying the major questions and commonalities among four target areas: human microbiome, rhizosphere microbiome, plant microbiome and community ecology. Therefore, we hope to attract ecologists from these disciplines to contribute to the discussion. For further details, please contact: Pedro M. Antunes Algoma University Biology Department 1520 Queen St E Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 2G4 Canada antu...@algomau.ca Robert I. Colautti Queen's University Biology Department 116 Barrie St. Kingston ON K7L 3N6 Canada robert.colau...@queensu.ca Session Description: Like many areas of biology, human biology and medicine have benefited from rapid advances in molecular sequencing technology, which are now capable of characterizing microbiomes in unprecedented detail. Increasingly, the field is revealing a staggering taxonomic diversity of organisms in the human microbiome – many of which are new to science. More recently, medical researchers have identified functional roles of microbiome in digestion, immunology and even behavior, which may be analogous to an ‘ecosystem function’ for human health. Plants also host and interact with a complex community of microbes, and for decades ecologists have struggled to understand the effects of plant-microbial associations on plant productivity, fitness and community structure. However, sequencing methods and analyses used in plant microbiome studies lag behind those now common in the medical field. Conversely, human microbiome studies address similar questions about microbial community structure and function that plant community ecologists have investigated since the 1950s. We propose to organize a special session that would bring together human biology and medical researchers, plant community ecologists, and microbial ecologists to foster communication, identify best practices, and propose promising new avenues of analysis. The session will emphasize next-generation sequencing and statistical methods for accurately reconstructing microbiome communities and inferring functional effects. A panel discussion will focus on how the approaches used in one field may be applied in the other.
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research in Plant-Microbe Interactions
Graduate Studentship (MSc and PhD) Eco-evolutionary genetics of plant-microbe interactions - Antunes Lab (Algoma University) – http://people.auc.ca/antunes/ Colautti Lab (Queen’s University) – http://bit.ly/colautti - Where: Kingston or Sault Ste. Marie, ON (Canada) When: January or September 2016 We are looking for a motivated PhD or MSc student to work on a project that combines next-generation sequencing with field and laboratory experiments to examine eco-evolutionary dynamics involving soil microbial communities and exotic plant populations. The ideal candidate would have: • an educational background in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Genomics, Computational Biology, or Theoretical Ecology/Evolution • an interest in soil ecology, plant invasions, or eco- evolutionary dynamics • excellent knowledge of experimental design and statistics • some experience with molecular lab techniques • some experience setting up greenhouse and/or field experiments • knowledge of soil science and plant invasions • excellent oral communication skills and a proven publication record • ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The candidate would most likely be based in the Colautti lab. The Antunes lab (http://people.auc.ca/antunes/) is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The lab is newly equipped for research in microbiology, including PCR-based techniques. Exceptional plant growth chambers, greenhouse facilities and a long-term field research site are available through the Ontario Forestry Research Institute located within walking distance of the main campus. The Colautti lab (http://bit.ly/colautti) in the Biology Department at Queen’s University (http://biology.queensu.ca/) is newly equipped for research in ecological genomics in natural environments. This includes infrastructure for high-throughput DNA/RNA extraction, next-generation sequencing, high-performance computing, and field research at Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS) – a 3,200 hectare (~8,000 acre) research station with comfortable accommodation, catered meals, and a highly interactive research community (http://www.queensu.ca/qubs). Conditions Specific information about the application process, admission requirements and necessary forms can be found here: (http://biology.queensu.ca/academics/graduate/applying/). You will have opportunities to obtain competitive bursaries and Teaching Assistantships. http://biology.queensu.ca/academics/graduate/scholarships/ http://www.queensu.ca/sgs/awards-scholarships Please contact Dr. Robert Colautti (robert.colautti<-a-t- >queensuca) or Dr. Pedro Antunes (antunes<-a-t->algomauca) for additional information about the position or to send us your C.V., a cover letter with a statement of research interests and the names of three individuals able to provide a recommendation letter.
[ECOLOG-L] Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Evolutionary Ecology and Ecological Genetics/Genomics
Dear Colleagues, I would greatly appreciate your assistance with advertising a few research opportunities in Evolutionary Ecology and Ecological Genetics/Genomics with the Colautti Lab (bit.ly/colautti) at Queen's University in Canada (www.queensu.ca). These internerships are for 12 weeks in the spring/summer and are targeted at undergraduates who wish to gain research experience and explore the possibility of doing a MSc or PhD degree in Canada. Three positions are available in our lab for senior undergraduate students in the following countries: Australia, Brazil, China, France, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Vietnam Interested students should apply by September 24, 4pm PDT, directly through the Mitacs website: https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/globalink/globalink-research- internship Many Thanks, Rob -- Dr. Robert I. Colautti Biology Department Queen's University Biosciences Complex 116 Barrie St. Kingston, ON Canada K7L 3N6 robert.colau...@queensu.ca Phone: 613-533-2353 Fax: 613-533-6617 http://bit.ly/colautti
[ECOLOG-L] POPBIO 2015 Tübingen May14-16
Dear Colleagues, *** NOTE: Registration closes April 6 *** Registration and Abstract submission are now open for the 28th PopBio Conference on plant ecology and evolution, which will take place on 14-16 May 2015 in Tübingen, Germany. http://www.popbio2015.uni-tuebingen.de/ Keynote Speakers: Eric Allan (University of Bern, Switzerland) http://www.ips.unibe.ch/content/biodiversity/index_eng.html Spencer Barrett (University of Toronto, Canada) http://labs.eeb.utoronto.ca/BarrettLab/ Yvonne Buckley (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland) http://www.tcd.ie/Zoology/research/research/buckley/ Sinead Collins (University of Edinburgh, UK) http://www.smallbutmighty.bio.ed.ac.uk/ Detlef Weigel (MPI for Developmental Biology, Tübingen) http://www.weigelworld.org/ The PopBio conference is hosted by the Plant Population Biology Section (PopBio) of the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (GfÖ). Conference activities include oral and poster sessions, an informal welcome mixer on Wednesday evening (May 13), and a post-conference excursion Saturday afternoon (May 16) to the beautiful Schwäbische Alb. Additional information including registration, abstract submission, and payment information is available on the PopBio 2015 Website: http://www.popbio2015.uni-tuebingen.de/ *** IMPORTANT: We strongly encourage you book accommodation as soon as possible! *** Tübingen is a popular destination for tourists and other conferences, and affordable rooms are already running low in several places. A small block of rooms is reserved for most of the following hotels: Krone €€€, Am Bad €, Fortuna (Reutlingen) €€, Katarina Garni €€, Garni Sand €. Please mention POPBIO when you make reservations. Other places that have vacancies: Garni Metropol €, Meteora €, Am Kupferhammer €€, GZT Gastehaus €€, Alte Krone €. Alternatively, you may rent a room/flat from private owners or on Airbnb. We hope to see you there! The Tübingen Team: Mark Bilton, Michal Gruntman, Madalin Parepa, Niek Scheepens, Sara Tomiolo, Oliver Bossdorf and Katja Tielbörger -- http://www.popbio2015.uni-tuebingen.de/ popbio2...@uni-tuebingen.de
[ECOLOG-L] AsilomarUSA.InvasionGenetics.Aug13-15
SAVE THE DATE! Invasion Genetics: The Baker and Stebbins Legacy A symposium at Asilomar, CA (USA) 13-15 Aug 2014 We are nearing the 50th anniversary of one of the most important books in evolutionary biology: The Genetics of Colonizing Species (1965) edited by Herbert Baker and G. Ledyard Stebbins. This classic volume was based on a symposium at Asilomar, California in 1964 and initiated the study of the genetics and evolution of invasive species. To revisit the historical legacy of the meeting and book, we are pleased to announce a symposium at Asilomar from August 13-15, 2014. The symposium will enjoy support from Wiley-Blackwell Publishers, and associated original papers will appear in a Special Issue of Molecular Ecology in 2015. The symposium proceedings (including the popular question-answer transcripts of the original) will also be published in 2015 as a book to mark the 50th anniversary of the original volume. Please plan on joining us for this special event! DATES: August 13-15, 2014 LOCATION: Asilomar Conference Grounds (http://www.visitasilomar.com/) REGISTRATION: Details coming soon. Contributed posters to be welcomed. Questions and requests for updates can be directed to invasiongenet...@wiley.com SPEAKERS/AUTHORS: We have confirmed a broad range of contributors to reflect both the legacy of work on the genetics of colonizing species, and new contributions and perspectives: Spencer Barrett Tim Blackburn Mark Blows Oliver Bossdorf Rob Colautti Melania Cristescu Troy Day Katrina Dlugosch Kay Hodgins Pierre Gladieux Tatiana Giraud Mark Kirkpatrick Russ Lande Jennifer Lau Jonathan Losos John Pannell Stephan Peischl Laurent Excoffier Loren Rieseberg Joanna Schmidt Rick Shine Neil Tsutsui Mark van Kluenen ORGANIZERS: Spencer Barrett Rob Colautti Katrina Dlugosch Loren Rieseberg
[ECOLOG-L] Call for Collaborators
Dear Colleagues, One of the world's largest demographic surveys of an invasive species is looking for new and returning collaborators. The Global Garlic Mustard Field Survey is now beginning its third field season with demographic data and seed collections from over 150 populations across Europe and North America -- more than any published study of which we are aware. This year we are working to double that number and we are particularly keen to increase collaboration in under-sampled regions. For previous sample sites and preliminary results, see the map at www.GarlicMustard.org http://www.garlicmustard.org/ The project is an international collaboration aimed at obtaining much-needed data on the abundance and distribution of /Alliaria petiolata/ (Garlic Mustard). It involves a very basic protocol that standardizes sampling across sites, and takes place in late spring/early summer making it ideal for incorporation into field courses, nature surveys, and long-term monitoring and management efforts. The estimated duration of sampling for a team of two people is 3-6 hours per population. Academics who contribute to this endeavor will have the opportunity to contribute to manuscripts resulting from the work. Sampling protocol and additional information are available at the following website: www.GarlicMustard.org http://www.garlicmustard.org/. Please contact us directly if you would like to participate or if you have any questions or concerns. *North-American**Coordinator Dr.Robert Colautti Biology Department Duke University* rob.colau...@duke.edu mailto:rob.colau...@duke.edu *Eurasian Coordinator* Dr. Oliver Bossdorf Biology Department University of Bern bossd...@ips.unibe.ch mailto:bossd...@ips.unibe.ch *Seed Collections Coordinator* Dr. Steven Franks Biology Department Fordham University fra...@fordham.edu mailto:fra...@fordham.edu
[ECOLOG-L] Global Garlic Mustard Field Survey
Dear Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to a new project on garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), that will be of interest to educators, conservation groups, resource managers and citizen scientists. The project is an international collaboration aimed at obtaining much-needed data on the abundance and distribution of an invasive plant across its native and introduced ranges. Surprisingly, there are no standardized, global survey data for any invasive plant species! Our vision is that this collaborative effort will include a large contribution at the grass-roots level by individuals and groups interested in contributing to a large scientific study on invasive species. We have developed a basic sampling protocol that can be incorporated into field courses, surveys, or perhaps implemented into control efforts, by sampling prior to removal of the plant in late summer. The sampling protocol, along with contact information is available at the following website: http://invasionsrcn.org/portal/activities/alliaria-sampling/AlliariaProject_Feb2009.pdf/view Please forward this email to anyone who might be interested in participating. Thanks in advance. Sincerely, Rob Colautti Ph.D. Candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto
Field assistant ($250 CDN/week) Sept-Nov (flexible)
I am seeking 2 or 3 field assistants to work on a project measuring natural selection in the invasive plant, Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife). I am studying populations at three sites: (i) the city of Timmins in northern Ontario, Canada, (ii) the Jokers Hill field station near Toronto, Ontario, and (ii) Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce, Virginia. Duties will involve taking simple measurements of size and timing of reproduction at one of these sites (~20-25 hours/week). The ideal applicant will be reliable, self-motivated and comfortable working unsupervised at a field station in Timmins or Virginia. Preference will be given to students with previous field experience and/or an educational background in ecology and evolution. Beginning and ending dates of employment are flexible. Successful applicants will receive $250 per week plus accommodation costs. If you are interested, please email your CV, and your preferred starting and ending dates, to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Info on the Barrett Lab: http://www.botany.utoronto.ca/ResearchLabs/barrettLab/index.html Rob Colautti, PhD Candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto 25 Willcocks St. Toronto, ON M5S 3B2 Canada Ph: 416-978-5603 Fax: 416-978-5878
