An expansion of the non-coding genome and its regulatory potential underlies vertebrate neuronal diversity.

Proper assembly and function of the nervous system requires the generation of a uniquely diverse population of neurons expressing a cell-type-specific combination of effector genes that collectively define neuronal morphology, connectivity, and function. How countless partially overlapping but cell-type-specific patterns of gene expression are controlled at the genomic level remains poorly understood. Here we show that neuronal genes are associated with highly complex gene regulatory systems composed of independent cell-type- and cell-stage-specific regulatory elements that reside in expanded non-coding genomic domains. Mapping enhancer-promoter interactions revealed that motor neuron enhancers are broadly distributed across the large chromatin domains. This distributed regulatory architecture is not a unique property of motor neurons but is employed throughout the nervous system. The number of regulatory elements increased dramatically during the transition from invertebrates to vertebrates, suggesting that acquisition of new enhancers might be a fundamental process underlying the evolutionary increase in cellular complexity

Agroecology in Canada: Towards an Integration of Agroecological Practice, Movement, and Science

This article surveys the current state of agroecology in Canada, giving particular attention to agroecological practices, the related social movements, and the achievements of agroecological science. In each of these realms, we find that agroecology emerges as a response to the various social and ecological problems associated with the prevailing industrial model of agricultural production that has long been promoted in the country under settler colonialism. Although the prevalence and prominence of agroecology is growing in Canada, its presence is still small and the support for its development is limited. We provide recommendations to achieve a more meaningful integration of agroecology in Canadian food policy and practice.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofNon UBCReviewedFacult

Urban Food Security and Strategic Planning: Involving Millennials in Urban Agriculture

Global population growth and urbanization trends put increasing pressure on food systems. While food demand grows, workforce moves from rural and agricultural areas to cities; hence, local and global food production policies and strategies urge to be redefined. Besides the contribution to biodiversity protection and ecosystem services provision, urban gardening and farming are increasingly considered by policy makers and planners as viable strategies to achieve higher urban food security. This paper proposes a model to study Millennials\u2019 attitude towards urban agriculture, and support the design of involvement strategies. The results show that subjective norms and peer pressure heavily influence the intention to take part in urban gardening and food production. In conclusion, we discuss the integration of the results in the design of better and more informed urban food policies