A University of Queensland geneticist and a molecular archaeologist will discuss research on DNA: ancient and modern at an upcoming public lecture.
Dr Kim Summers from UQ’s Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences will discuss It runs in the family, so what can I do? DNA technology and human disease at 4.30pm on Thursday, October 9 at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct auditorium, St Lucia campus.
Dr Summers will talk about her research in collaboration with UQ’s School of Medicine into Marfan syndrome, one of more than 1000 single gene diseases discovered in the past 20 years.
She will also discuss research into genetic conditions that result from small DNA deletions and how the techniques of gene discovery are being used to understand more complex genetic conditions.
Following this at 6pm Dr Tom Loy from the School of Social Science will talk about Blood on the axe: the Tyrolean ice man.
The mummified body of the Copper Age Tyrolean ice man, or Ötzi as he was nicknamed, was discovered 11 years ago on the highest pass in the Tyrolean Alps in Austria.
Originally it was thought Ötzi died of hypothermia, however recent DNA tests involving Dr Loy indicated the oldest known human mummy was shot in the back with an arrow and died as a result of warfare.
Tests also discovered the 5000-year-old mummy had traces of blood from four different people on his clothes and weapons.
Dr Loy will discuss his findings and how the research is expanding into the study of ancient diseases, such as tuberculosis, using techniques developed to sequence DNA from ancient skeletal remains.
The seminar is part of the Frontiers in Science lecture series presented by UQ’s Bright Minds™ project, a $2.2 million initiative launched last year to further attract and nurture high-achieving students to a career in the biological and chemical sciences.
Tickets cost $15 (students $10), which includes refreshments. People interested in attending should contact Ken Aberdeen by October 6 (telephone 07 3365 9798 or email k.aberdeen1@uq.edu.au).
Media: For further information, contact Dr Summers (email k.summers@uq.edu.au), Dr Loy (telephone 07 3365 7252, 07 3365 4483, email ), Ann Meiklejohn from UQ’s Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences (telephone 07 3365 6636, email a.meiklejohn@uq.edu.au) or Joanne van Zeeland at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2619).
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