Identification of regulatory variants associated with genetic susceptibility to meningococcal disease.

Non-coding genetic variants play an important role in driving susceptibility to complex diseases but their characterization remains challenging. Here, we employed a novel approach to interrogate the genetic risk of such polymorphisms in a more systematic way by targeting specific regulatory regions relevant for the phenotype studied. We applied this method to meningococcal disease susceptibility, using the DNA binding pattern of RELA - a NF-kB subunit, master regulator of the response to infection - under bacterial stimuli in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We designed a custom panel to cover these RELA binding sites and used it for targeted sequencing in cases and controls. Variant calling and association analysis were performed followed by validation of candidate polymorphisms by genotyping in three independent cohorts. We identified two new polymorphisms, rs4823231 and rs11913168, showing signs of association with meningococcal disease susceptibility. In addition, using our genomic data as well as publicly available resources, we found evidences for these SNPs to have potential regulatory effects on ATXN10 and LIF genes respectively. The variants and related candidate genes are relevant for infectious diseases and may have important contribution for meningococcal disease pathology. Finally, we described a novel genetic association approach that could be applied to other phenotypes

"We are living in a turning point": Interview with Gerfried Stocker, Director of Ars Electronica

Das Ressort Kunst und Kultur in der Schule der MEDIENIMPULSE stellt in einer losen Interview-Serie führende Akteurinnen und Akteure der heimischen Medienkunst vor. Im Zentrum der Werkstattgespräche stehen künstlerische Positionen und medientechnologische Entwicklungen sowie Fragen nach Arbeitsbedingungen, Archivierung und Ausbildung. Gerfried Stocker ist Medienkünstler und Ingenieur der Nachrichtentechnik. Der 58-jährige Steirer ist zudem Geschäftsführer und künstlerischer Geschäftsführer von Ars Electronica. Unter Stockers Ägide wurde das Festival Medienkunst, Technologie und Gesellschaft zu einer international bedeutsamen Plattform. Zahlreiche Kunstschaffende und Studierende sowie Vertreterinnen und Vertreter aus Wirtschaft und Technologie versammeln sich alljährlich in Linz, um sich über die Zukunft der digitalen Welt auszutauschen. Mit den MEDIENIMPULSEN sprach Stocker über die Herausforderung der digitalen Revolution, die Rolle der Kunst, das neue Schulfach „Digitale Grundbildung“ und das Ende der Welt, wie wir sie kennen.In a loose series of interviews, the Arts and Culture Department at the school of MEDIENIMPULSE introduces leading players in domestic media art. The workshop discussions focus on artistic positions and media technology developments as well as questions about working conditions, archiving and training. Gerfried Stocker is a media artist and communications engineer. The 58-year-old Styrian is also the managing director and artistic director of Ars Electronica. Under Stocker's aegis, the Media Art, Technology and Society Festival has become an internationally significant platform. Numerous artists and students as well as representatives from business and technology gather in Linz every year to discuss the future of the digital world. Stocker spoke with MEDIENIMPULSEN about the challenge of the digital revolution, the role of art, the new school subject "digital literacy" and the end of the world as we know it. &nbsp

The practice of art and science

The European Digital Art and Science Network was initiated in 2015 with the aim of connecting the microcosm and macrocosm of science with the digital arts. The network is made up of renowned research institutions (ESA, CERN, and ESO), which collaborate with the Ars Electronica Futurelab to offer residencies for artists. The seven European project partners represent cultural and artistic positions in Europe, which are as strong as they are diverse, in exhibitions, at workshops, and at conferences. The book presents the artistic projects and residencies in powerful images, and contributions by well-known scientists and artists analyze the challenges posed by art and science

STARTS Prize'18. Excerpt CyberArts 2018: International Compendium Prix Ars Electronica

STARTS Prize 2018 On behalf of the European Commission, Ars Electronica, in collaboration with BOZAR and Waag, issued an open call for entries to the prestigious STARTS (= Science + Technology + Arts) competition 2018. In this catalog you will find the winners of the European Commission's two Grand Prizes, which honor Innovation in Technology, Industry and Society stimulated by the Arts, and more of the STARTS Prize'18 highlights

Ars Electronica : Facing the Future : A Survey of Two Decades

A survey of the two decades of the Ars Electronica festival in Linz, Austria that draws on the resources of its publications and archives to represent the ongoing debate about the effects of digital media on creativity and culture. Three different sections address the history, theory and practice of electronic art. Co-founder H. Leopoldseder gives an overview of each year of the festival and its chosen theme from 1979 to1999. Biographical notes. 353 bibl. ref