Realtors and homeowners cringe at the thought of termites on their properties, but for bioenergy researchers, these insects are rich harbors of microbial communities that can break down woody lignocellulose. Previously, the Joint Genome Institute sequenced the microbes in the hindgut of termites from Costa Rica to identify the genes and enzymes involved in the process of breaking down plant biomass. Following up on this project several years later, a team including JGI researchers wanted to find out how the phrase “you are what you eat” might be applied to a termite’s dietary lifestyle in influencing the composition of the microbial community in its gut. More>
Posts Tagged ‘Joint Genome Institute’
Termite Diets Dictate Microbes in Their Guts
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013‘Young Women in Bio’ Event at Joint Genome Institute
Friday, April 12th, 2013
The Joint Genome Institute has partnered with the Women in Bio-San Francisco Bay Area chapter to host a Young Women in Bio event for female middle school and high school students on Thursday, April 25, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in Walnut Creek. The agenda includes a talk by a female scientist, a hands-on activity, and a short tour. Go here to register for this free event.
Joint Genome Institute’s Progress Report Now Available
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
The Joint Genome Institute’s 2012 Progress Report is “white hot” off the presses, with kudos to Berkeley Lab’s Creative Services Office (CSO) for their efforts in assembling this document, in particular the pull-out Impact Section. Electronic copies can be downloaded here. Hard copies are available upon request from Terri Bartolome. Send all comments to JGI Public Affairs Manager David Gilbert.
Peach Genome Offers Insights Into Biofuel Crop Breeding Strategies
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013
Sequenced by the International Peach Genome Initiative, which includes researchers at the Joint Genome Institute, the size of the peach genome makes it ideal to serve as a plant model for studying genes found in related genomes, such as poplar, one of the JGI’s Plant Flagship Genomes and develop methods for improving plant biomass yield for biofuels. Domesticating these crops requires a deep understanding of the physiology and genetics of trees, and scientists are turning to long-domesticated fruit trees for hints. The study was published online March 24 in Nature Genetics. More>
African Researchers Get Tips From JGI to Improve Cassava Production
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013
Recently, several young researchers working at the International Institute for Tropical Africa (IITA) just outside Nairobi, Kenya, made a trip to the Joint Genome Institute and UC Berkeley to learn more about genomics. Their goal? To help breed more effective cassava crops to feed hungry mouths in their native Africa. Disease is one of the critical constraints to higher yields of the tuber. Learning the genomics of the plant may make it more resistant. More>
DOE Women’s History Month Feature Includes Profiles of Lab Researchers
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Department of Energy is featuring “Women @ Energy,” which showcases talented and dedicated employees at the Energy Department. Women @ Energy profiles women across the country who share insights on what inspired them to work in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Several Berkeley Lab researchers are included in the feature, including Susannah Green Tringe (JGI), Rachel Segalman (Materials Sciences), Natalie Roe (Physics), Mina Bissell and Jill Fuss (Life Sciences), Kathy Yelick (Computing Sciences), Dawn Munson (Engineering), Gabriel Orebi Gann (NSD), and (pictured) Aindrila Mukhopadhyay (JBEI). More>
The Art of Science: Photos Show the Inner Workings of NERSC
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Henrik Nordberg, a software architect for the Joint Genome Institute, is responsible for making the data that JGI generates available to the research community and the public. This requires computers, such as those run by the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center. Nordberg, who is also a member of the Lab’s Photo Club, happen to be at NERSC for a work assignment, but was so taken by the machinery, he pulled out his camera and took these abstract shots. Do you have artistic interpretations of research at the Lab? If so, share them here.
Abstract Deadline for Joint Genome Institute Annual Meeting is March 11
Thursday, March 7th, 2013The deadline for abstract submission for the Joint Genome Institute 8th Annual Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting is March 11. Short talks for the meeting, to be held March 26-28, will be selected from submitted abstracts to complement talks by confirmed speakers. The full agenda is available here.
Reminder to Register for Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting
Tuesday, March 5th, 2013
There’s still time to register for the Joint Genome Institute’s 8th Annual Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting, starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 at the Walnut Creek Marriott. Talks and posters cover various topics related bioenergy and environment research, as well as genomic technologies. Go here for the full agenda and speakers list.
JGI Call for Large-Scale Sequence-Based Genomic Science Proposals
Tuesday, February 19th, 2013
The Joint Genome Institute Community Sequencing Program (CSP) is now accepting letters of intent (LOIs) for large-scale sequence-based genomic science projects addressing questions in alternative fuels, global carbon cycling, and biogeochemistry. Deadline for LOIs is April 8. Areas of emphasis include:
• JGI Plant Flagship Genomes biofuel feedstocks or comparators
• Functional diversity of microbes
• Microbial emission and capture of greenhouse gases
• Collaborations between the EMSL and the JGI
• DNA Synthesis
Go here for more details.
