MSRI Biology Colloquium
Interpreting the Sequence Differences in the Human Genomes of Populations
April 25, 2006 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM
Location:
MSRI Simons Auditorium
Speakers:
Levine, Arnold
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Abstract: |
MSRI proudly announces an event leading up to the Simons Biology Colloquium that will start regular operation in Fall 2006, with a lecture by Arnold Levine (Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton: “Interpreting the Sequence Differences in the Human Genomes of Populations” In 2001, the complete sequence of three billion nucleotides was determined for the human genome. This is, in effect, a parts manual for building humans. Since that time up to 10 million differences in sequence between people have been identified and these are called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs. Inherent in this variation between people, and the combinatorics of these variations, are the origins of human evolution and the association of different SNPs with disease processes. This approach opens a path to investigate the impact of our genetic endowment and the environment upon our behavior patterns and even our longevity. Arnold Levine’s research centers on the causes of cancer. In 1979, Levine and others discovered the p53 tumor suppressor protein, a molecule that inhibits tumor development. As chair of the National Institutes of Health Commission on AIDS Research and the National Academies Cancer Policy Board, he has helped determine national research priorities. He established the Institute’s Center for Systems Biology, which concentrates on research at the interface of molecular biology and the physical sciences; on genetics and genomics, polymorphisms and molecular aspects of evolution, signal transduction pathways and networks, stress responses, and pharmacogenomics in cancer biology. Dr. Levine is currently a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study. He served as President of Rockefeller University from 1998 to 2002 and was the Harry C. Weiss Professor of the Life Sciences and Chairman of the Molecular Biology Department at Princeton |
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