Abstract

Gene regulatory networks (GRN) describe how the genome manifests the developmental program. The nodes of connection between interacting genes in a network are the cis-regulatory modules (CRM), segments of non-coding genome sequence at which transcription factors bind and form complexes. Although much has been learned about the general functional significance of these genomic features, there are still no absolute predictive rules for identifying them by sequence. The most useful methods rely on sequence comparisons between genomes of the right evolutionary divergence so that only conserved sequences are revealed. Thus, comparison of echinoderm genomes is justified. In this lecture, the speaker will discuss some of the details of echinoderm sequence comparisons and the molecular methods for verifying the conserved sequences that have been found.

About the speaker

Dr R. Andrew Cameron received his BA in Zoology from the San Jose State University, California in 1968 and PhD in Biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1975. He joined the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1977 as a lecturer in Biology and joined the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez as an Assistant Professor of Marine Science in 1981. Dr Cameron joined the California Institute of Technology in 1985 and is currently the Senior Research Associate in Biology, Emeritus.

Dr Cameron’s research interests focus on genomic approaches to the study of developmental biology and reproductive biology of marine invertebrates; larval ecology and settlement and population genetics. Dr Cameron was elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and also the panel member for the US National Science Foundation Education Directorate: Biological Oceanography and Development Mechanisms.

For attendees’ attention

The lecture is free and open to all. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study
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