Events / Advancement: Ctenophore Phased Diploid Genome Assembly And Halocyprid Ostracod Bioluminescence

Advancement: Ctenophore Phased Diploid Genome Assembly And Halocyprid Ostracod Bioluminescence

June 8, 2018
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Darrin Schultz
PhD Student, Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics
Abstract:    

Despite continuously falling DNA sequencing prices, contemporary de novo genome assembly algorithms are unable to produce satisfactory assemblies of many invertebrate species’ genomes. In this talk, I will discuss a proposal to improve the genome assembly quality of challenging genomes by simultaneously assembling both parental haplotypes. Primarily, this talk will focus on the proposed novel assembly methods applied to the genomes of four locally-collected comb jelly species. In addition, I will discuss the downstream benefits of ctenophore genomics, including resolving phylogenetic relationships and learning more about the evolution of bioluminescence in the ctenophores. Lastly, I will discuss ongoing efforts to characterize the natural history of bioluminescence in the halocyprid ostracods, as well as proposed work to identify and characterize the halocyprid luciferase enzyme.

 

Hosts – Professor David Haussler and Professor Ed Green