genetics – Marin Science Seminar

with Liya Rabkina M.S. of Igenomix USA

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – 7:30 – 8:30pm – Terra Linda High School Innovation Hub, 320 Nova Albion, San Rafael, California

The field of human genetics focuses on managing and preventing inherited disease risks. For families who are at an increased risk for passing on a genetic condition, the preferred option may be preimplantation genetic testing to select for low risk embryos in their future pregnancies. This talk will describe the current state of “designer babies,” what the future of genetic testing for embryos may be, and the ethics of it all.

Bio: Liya Rabkina is a licensed and board-certified genetic counselor currently working at Igenomix USA in San Francisco. Liya graduated from Terra Linda High School in San Rafael in 2013. She holds a B.A. in Biochemistry from Scripps College and an M.S. in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University.

Genetics of Pigmentation and Eye Loss in the Cave-dwelling Crustacean, Asellus aquaticus

with Meredith Protas, Ph.D. of Dominican University of California, San Rafael

Join us for a Zoom session with Dominican University’s Dr. Meredith Protas. Dr. Protas’s lab investigates the genetics and evolution of cave dwelling animals, specifically crustaceans. The isopod crustacean, Asellus aquaticus, has two different forms: a cave dwelling form and a surface dwelling form. Interestingly, these two forms can be mated together which ultimately allows for an understanding of the genetics behind characteristics found in the cave form such as eye and pigment loss. The questions the lab are asking include:

What are the genes and mutations responsible for cave-specific characteristics like eye loss, pigment loss and increased appendage length?
In different cave populations are the same or different genes responsible?
Where does the variation that causes cave-specific characteristics come from?

To register for this event ask your teacher to contact us, or send a request for registration information via our contact form.

Before joining the Dominican faculty, Dr. Protas did research at UC Berkeley on cave-dwelling crustaceans and studied the genetic basis of human eye disease in her research work at UCSF. Currently, she uses genetic, molecular, and developmental techniques to answer evolutionary questions about cave animals. Dr. Protas holds a BA in Biology from Pomona College and a PhD in Genetics from Harvard University.

Links:

Tag: genetics

The Science of Designer Babies: a genetic counselor’s perspective

Blinded by the Lack of Light