Genetic effects on gene expression across human tissues

Characterization of the molecular function of the human genome and its variation across individuals is essential for identifying the cellular mechanisms that underlie human genetic traits and diseases. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to characterize variation in gene expression levels across individuals and diverse tissues of the human body, many of which are not easily accessible. Here we describe genetic effects on gene expression levels across 44 human tissues. We find that local genetic variation affects gene expression levels for the majority of genes, and we further identify inter-chromosomal genetic effects for 93 genes and 112 loci. On the basis of the identified genetic effects, we characterize patterns of tissue specificity, compare local and distal effects, and evaluate the functional properties of the genetic effects. We also demonstrate that multi-tissue, multi-individual data can be used to identify genes and pathways affected by human disease-associated variation, enabling a mechanistic interpretation of gene regulation and the genetic basis of diseas

Genetic effects on gene expression across human tissues

Characterization of the molecular function of the human genome and its variation across individuals is essential for identifying the cellular mechanisms that underlie human genetic traits and diseases. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to characterize variation in gene expression levels across individuals and diverse tissues of the human body, many of which are not easily accessible. Here we describe genetic effects on gene expression levels across 44 human tissues. We find that local genetic variation affects gene expression levels for the majority of genes, and we further identify inter-chromosomal genetic effects for 93 genes and 112 loci. On the basis of the identified genetic effects, we characterize patterns of tissue specificity, compare local and distal effects, and evaluate the functional properties of the genetic effects. We also demonstrate that multi-tissue, multi-individual data can be used to identify genes and pathways affected by human disease-associated variation, enabling a mechanistic interpretation of gene regulation and the genetic basis of disease

Stochasticity in a Loggerhead Turtle Population Matrix Model and Conservation Implications

Loggerhead turtles are listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened, some populations even listed as endangered. As conservation efforts work to allow this species to recover from its threatened status it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of various strategies. A stage-based population model with demographic parameters is an effective way to evaluate efforts for the loggerhead sea turtle as various efforts concentrate on different life stages. The life history of the species also means that individuals in different age classes do not have the same relative impact on populations numbers and reproduction. A mathematical model with known or estimated demographic parameters can be used to understand the impact on recovery by changing parameters of various age groups as well as to compare recovery after certain management strategies are implemented. Previous models have been deterministic however demographic stochasticity can greatly affect smaller populations like those considered threatened. I modified a stage-based population model with five distinct life stages of the loggerhead turtle. I updated demographic parameters where possible and incorporated variation in each parameter. I hope the model will help us understand the impact that variability and stochasticity can have on population projections as well as the differing impact this has on specific parameters

Endangered Species Conservation on the Military Estate

The U.S. Department of Defense harbors a higher density of endangered species on its installations than any other federal land management agency including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. Similar patterns arise around the world in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and England. To fully utilize this resource of biodiversity and embrace this unlikely partner, it is necessary for conservation scholars to understand how exactly this happened. There are many complex factors that led to this outcome that I will discuss. Many of these factors were accidental and are intertwined in the entangled history between the environment and the military. Other factors arose more recently through the intentional actions of the Department of Defense. Together these factors will help us understand the future of biodiversity on the military estate

OWU Campus Sustainability

Throughout the spring of 2018, students of GEOG 499 and faculty member John Krygier are working on sustainability projects. So may include: May Move out, environmental/sustainable living experience for first-year students, increasing sustainable options offered by Chartwells, and increasing both composting and recycling efforts on campus. The students are in charge of being stewards of sustainability on campus while implementing parts of the campus-wide sustainability plan. Even though there is an interest in sustainability on campus there little funding for projects, little comprehensive knowledge, and no sustainability coordinator. With the ambitious efforts of students, faculty, and staff these projects can be completed. The primary objective of the group is to expand learning opportunities for students who want to be more involved in sustainability on campus. This work will lead to changing university infrastructure to make sustainability possible. Ultimately, students are developing broader conceptual ideas about sustainability, after reflecting on their engaged efforts in the course. Some of these conceptual issues will be presented

Sustainability at Ohio Wesleyan University

During the Spring of 2016, students of Geog 499 and faculty member John Krygier are working on sustainability projects including May Move Out, reusable food containers, and a gardening and food collaboration between MTSO, Stratford and OWU. The students are also involved with revising a draft campus-wide sustainability plan that was created by students last year. There is a growing interest in sustainability on campus but little funding for projects, little comprehensive knowledge, and no sustainability coordinator. With some effort of a few students, faculty, and staff this challenge can be met. The main objectives for the group have been expanding learning opportunities for students who want to be more involved in sustainability on campus and actually changing university infrastructure to make sustainability possible

GEOG 499: Sustainability Seminar

During the Spring of 2017, students of Geog 499 and faculty member John Krygier are working on sustainability projects including planning May Move Out, enhancing the reusable food containers, collaborating for green week activities, and organizing various gardening and food projects at OWU. The students are also involved with revising and promoting a campus-wide sustainability plan. There is a growing interest in sustainability on campus but little funding for projects, little comprehensive knowledge, and no sustainability coordinator. With some effort of a few students, faculty, and staff this challenge can be met. The main objectives for the group have been expanding learning opportunities for students who want to be more involved in sustainability on campus and actually changing university infrastructure to make sustainability possible

Gene expression and DNA methylation changes in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of adult rats developmentally exposed to bisphenol A or ethinyl estradiol: a CLARITY-BPA consortium study

<p>Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), is a ubiquitous pollutant. As part of the Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity (CLARITY-BPA), we sought to determine whether exposure of Sprague-Dawley rats to 2,500 μg/kg/day BPA (BPA) or 0.5 μg/kg/day ethinyl estradiol (EE) from gestational day 6 through postnatal day 21 induces behavior-relevant gene expression and DNA methylation changes in hippocampus and hypothalamus at adulthood. RNA and DNA were isolated from both regions. Expression of ten genes (<i>Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, Esr1, Esr2, Avp, Ar, Oxt, Otr</i>, and <i>Bdnf</i>) presumably altered by early-life BPA/EE exposure was examined. Three genes (<i>Bdnf, Dnmt3b</i>, and <i>Esr1)</i> were studied for DNA methylation changes in their putative 5ʹ promoter regions. Molecular changes in hippocampus were correlated to prior Barnes maze performance, including sniffing correct holes, distance traveled, and velocity. Exposure to BPA and/or EE disrupted patterns of sexually dimorphic gene expression/promoter DNA methylation observed in hippocampus and hypothalamus of controls. In the hippocampus of female offspring, BPA exposure resulted in hypermethylation of the putative 5ʹ promoter region of <i>Bdnf</i>, while EE exposure induced hypomethylation. <i>Bdnf</i> methylation was weakly associated with <i>Bdnf</i> expression in hippocampi of female rats. Hippocampal <i>Bdnf</i> expression in females showed a weak negative association with sniffing correct hole in Barnes maze. Hippocampal expression of <i>Avp, Esr2, Oxt</i>, and <i>Otr</i> was strongly associated with velocity of control rats in Barnes maze. Findings suggest BPA exposure induced non-EE-like gene expression and epigenetic changes in adult rat hippocampi, a region involved in spatial navigation.</p