Serratia marcescens: The Miracle Bacillus

The objectives of this article are to explain the mysterious appearance of crimson-colored bacteria on food and communion bread/wafers, over the centuries, as well as to describe the biological basi

Novel genetic loci underlying human intracranial volume identified through genome-wide association

Intracranial volume reflects the maximally attained brain size during development, and remains stable with loss of tissue in late life. It is highly heritable, but the underlying genes remain largely undetermined. In a genome-wide association study of 32,438 adults, we discovered five novel loci for intracranial volume and confirmed two known signals. Four of the loci are also associated with adult human stature, but these remained associated with intracranial volume after adjusting for height. We found a high genetic correlation with child head circumference (ρgenetic=0.748), which indicated a similar genetic background and allowed for the identification of four additional loci through meta-analysis (Ncombined = 37,345). Variants for intracranial volume were also related to childhood and adult cognitive function, Parkinson’s disease, and enriched near genes involved in growth pathways including PI3K–AKT signaling. These findings identify biological underpinnings of intracranial volume and provide genetic support for theories on brain reserve and brain overgrowth

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

AbstractUnderstanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.</jats:p

Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall (semester?), IPRO 335: Alumni Memorial Hall Renovation IPRO 335 IPRO Day Presentation Sp07

IPRO 335’s objective is to focus on starting the renovation and design of Alumni Memorial Hall used by the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department. This is the first semester this IPRO has been offered. Our main goal and objective is to research and analyze the current building in place, and begin a schematic design for Alumni Memorial Hall including the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. We are setting the groundwork for this IPRO to be furthered in future semesters.Deliverables for IPRO 335: Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall for the Spring 2007 semeste

Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall (semester?), IPRO 335: Alumni Memorial Hall Renovation IPRO 335 Midterm Report Sp07

IPRO 335’s objective is to focus on starting the renovation and design of Alumni Memorial Hall used by the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department. This is the first semester this IPRO has been offered. Our main goal and objective is to research and analyze the current building in place, and begin a schematic design for Alumni Memorial Hall including the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. We are setting the groundwork for this IPRO to be furthered in future semesters.Deliverables for IPRO 335: Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall for the Spring 2007 semeste

Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall (semester?), IPRO 335: Alumni Memorial Hall Renovation IPRO 335 Project Plan Sp07

IPRO 335’s objective is to focus on starting the renovation and design of Alumni Memorial Hall used by the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department. This is the first semester this IPRO has been offered. Our main goal and objective is to research and analyze the current building in place, and begin a schematic design for Alumni Memorial Hall including the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. We are setting the groundwork for this IPRO to be furthered in future semesters.Deliverables for IPRO 335: Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall for the Spring 2007 semeste

Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall (semester?), IPRO 335: Alumni Memorial Hall Renovation IPRO 335 Abstract Sp07

IPRO 335’s objective is to focus on starting the renovation and design of Alumni Memorial Hall used by the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department. This is the first semester this IPRO has been offered. Our main goal and objective is to research and analyze the current building in place, and begin a schematic design for Alumni Memorial Hall including the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. We are setting the groundwork for this IPRO to be furthered in future semesters.Deliverables for IPRO 335: Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall for the Spring 2007 semeste

Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall (semester?), IPRO 335: Alumni Memorial Hall Renovation IPRO 335 Final Report Sp07

IPRO 335’s objective is to focus on starting the renovation and design of Alumni Memorial Hall used by the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department. This is the first semester this IPRO has been offered. Our main goal and objective is to research and analyze the current building in place, and begin a schematic design for Alumni Memorial Hall including the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. We are setting the groundwork for this IPRO to be furthered in future semesters.Deliverables for IPRO 335: Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall for the Spring 2007 semeste

Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall (semester?), IPRO 335

IPRO 335’s objective is to focus on starting the renovation and design of Alumni Memorial Hall used by the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department. This is the first semester this IPRO has been offered. Our main goal and objective is to research and analyze the current building in place, and begin a schematic design for Alumni Memorial Hall including the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. We are setting the groundwork for this IPRO to be furthered in future semesters.Deliverables for IPRO 335: Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall for the Spring 2007 semeste