Field of Microbiology Students @ Cornell University …...Don’t forget to attend and present a...
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The Microbiology Letters Combined Issue 6 & 7 | February - March 2016 Field of Microbiology Students @ Cornell University Graduate Spotlight – Dave Sannino Upcoming Events Recruitment Weekend From February 4-7 th , FoMS and the Microbiology Department organized its annual recruitment weekend. A total of eleven prospective students flew in from all over the country to interview with our field faculty, interact with our current graduate students, and get a taste of the Cornell experience. Significant Milestones! Francine Arroyo – On January 28 th , Francine passed her A-exam, making her an official PhD Candidate! Daniel Rojas Tapias – On February 22 nd , Daniel passed his A-exam, making him an official PhD Candidate! Powered by FoMS: Francine Arroyo - fa257 | Daniel Rojas Tapias - dfr47 | Azul Pinochet Barros - vap48 www.micro.cornell.edu/academics/graduate/foms More pics & updates on Facebook Field of Microbiology Students 2 Welcome Ankita Sachla! Earlier this month, the Helmann Lab welcomed their new post-doc, Ankita. She recently received her doctorate degree from Georgia State University and will be pursuing her research in the area of cell wall homeostasis in Bacillus subtilis . 3 Baby Shower for Dr. Tory Hendry @ Wing Hall On February 12 th , the Microbiology Department organized a baby shower to welcome Dr. Hendry’s new daughter, Coraline. March 30 th Content for next issue due March 25 th Coffee Hour Upcoming News Sue Merkel – Will be doing a pre- conference workshop with Rachel Horak on “Designing Lessons Based on National Recommendations for STEM EDUCATION”. Also, if you are going ASM microbe meeting you can take a pre- conference workshop 018-WS “Engaging and Inclusive Teaching in the Microbial Sciences”. FoMS workshop survey – FoMS is currently in the process of organizing a bioinformatics workshop later in the semester. We will be sending out surveys concerning the workshop content and details by the end of the month. We look forward to hearing your feedback so as to provide you with a good learning experience for this upcoming event! http://www.asmcue.org/index.php/pr eliminary-program This month, we’re taking a moment to familiarize ourselves with the work and life of one our Microbiology graduate students. Dave Sannino is a 4 th year grad student working in Prof. Esther Angert’s lab. He has been involved in many facets of the department, including President of FoMS (2013-2014), organizing journal club (2013-14), and TA of the year (2014-15). What projects are you currently working on? There are 2 major projects I'm working on. The first is the completion and analysis of the Epulopiscium type B genome. Particularly understanding its metabolic and biosynthetic capabilities to try to get them into culture. The second is understanding the biological role of the thiaminase I enzyme produced by bacteria. How did you find yourself working on Madagascar hissing cockroaches? Madagascar hissing cockroaches are used in the thiaminase I project. One of the potential roles of the enzyme is that it may function as a pathogenicity factor. In the literature it was shown that Madagascar hissing cockroaches can serve as an infection host for a thiaminase I producer, so I am looking at pathogenicity in cockroach infections. I also have a bit of an entomology background so working with insects suits me. What do you like best about your work? The best part about my work is that I am on diverse projects with interesting organisms like epulos and I've been able to work on bacterial interactions in different surgeonfish, fruit flies, and now the Madagascar hissing cockroaches. This allows me to employ different methods and techniques to get at the questions and keep things interesting. What do you like least about your work? Least favorite part is definitely killing so many animals. You've TA'd a wide range of classes, what has been your favorite moment as a TA? Favorite moment as a TA was giving the BioMI 2900 lecture on transcription. Having the opportunity to lecture in front of 180 students was a great experience. When you do find some time away from the lab, what do you like to do for fun? For fun my favorite things are playing hockey, drawing, reading, music, and going to concerts. http://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/# !/4060/session/15 1 News Highlights
Transcript of Field of Microbiology Students @ Cornell University …...Don’t forget to attend and present a...
The Microbiology Letters Combined Issue 6 & 7 | February - March 2016
Field of Microbiology Students @ Cornell University
GraduateSpotlight–DaveSannino
UpcomingEvents
RecruitmentWeekendFrom February 4-7th, FoMS and theMicrobiology Department organized itsannualrecruitmentweekend.Atotalofelevenprospectivestudentsflewinfromalloverthecountry to interview with our field faculty,interact with our current graduate students,andgetatasteoftheCornellexperience.
1!Significant Milestones! FrancineArroyo–On January28th,FrancinepassedherA-exam,makingheranofficialPhDCandidate!
Daniel Rojas Tapias –On February22nd, Daniel passed his A-exam,making him an official PhDCandidate!
Powered by FoMS: FrancineArroyo-fa257|DanielRojasTapias-dfr47|AzulPinochetBarros-vap48 www.micro.cornell.edu/academics/graduate/foms
The Microbiology LettersIssue 2 | October 2015
Field of Microbiology Students @ Cornell University
NewsHighlights
OctoberEvents
FarewellwishestoMichelleL.ColeOnOctober2,wecelebratedMichelle’slastdaywithMicroandwishedherthebestonhernewpositionoutsideofCornell.
Callforposters!Don’tforgettoattendandpresentaposteratthe2ndAnnualCornellMicrobiologySymposium.
Presentations and Awards OlgaLastovetsky–2015-2016Procter&Gambleoralpresentationprizewinner
Powered by FOMS: FrancineArroyo-fa257|DanielRojasTapias-dfr47|AzulPinochetBarros-vap48 www.micro.cornell.edu/academics/graduate
October31stHalloweencontest
Oct2-3rdHelmannLab25th
anniversaryreunion
Oct12thMicrobiologySymposium
More pics & updates on Facebook
Field of Microbiology Students
CoffeeHour@WingHallOnSeptember25,wehadourfirstcoffeehourofthesemester.Itgaveeveryoneachancetocatchupandenjoysometastybagels.
TeamAquaticViruswithDr.IanHewson
FormoreinformationonSSWDresearchandamphipodcircoviruses,visitDr.Hewson’sactiveblogsat:http://seastarwastingdisease.wordpress.com;http://www.teamaquaticvirus.com
TeamAquaticVirushavebeeninvestigatingtwoexcitingareasofviralecology:Seastarwastingdisease(SSWD)andcircovirusesofamphipods.
SSWDisadiseaseattributedtothesuddenandmassivedieoffofmillionsofseastarsalongtheNorthernAmericancoastline(fromBajaCalifornia,MexicotoSouthernAlaska).CombiningKoch’spostulatesandviralmetagenomics,theHewsonteamhaveidentifiedacandidatepathogenforSSWD,theseastar-associateddensovirus(SSaDV).
TheyreceivedNSFfundingfora3-yearstudytofurtherinvestigatetheepidemiologyofSSWD.LedbygraduatestudentElliotJackson,theyplantodeterminehowSSaDVcausesdiseaseusingcomparativetranscriptomicanalysisofhostresponsesfromhealthyanddiseasedseastars.Additionally,thegroupplanstoexplorehowthevirusistransmitted,examinetherelationshipbetweengeneticvariabilityandheterogeneityofSSWDsymptoms,andinquireastowhetherthemolecularevolutionofSSaDVhadaneffectonthecurrentepidemic.
Circoviruses,specificallycircularRep-encodingssDNA(CRESS-DNA),haverecentlybeenfoundinhighoccurrenceinmarineandfreshwaterarthropods.MicrobiologygraduatestudentKaliaBistolasexplains,“Circoviruseswereoriginallythoughttoonlyinfectplantsandvertebrates,butitturnsoutthattheymightbemoreubiquitousthanwethought!”Littleisknownhowthesevirusesaffecttheirhostsortheirhost’sroleinfoodwebs.Kalialeadsthegroupinexploringtheecologicalandbiogeochemicalimpactsofamphipodcircoviruses.HerworkfocusesonthefreshwatertaxonDiporeiaspinthelaurentianGreatLakesandthekelpamphipodPeramphithoefemorataontheUSwestcoast.
Latest Publications PetersLab Shietal.2015–ConformationaltogglingcontrolstargetsitechoicefortheheteromerictransposaseelementTn7(NuclAcidsRes) HelmannLab Pandeyetal.2015–MntR(Rv2788)atranscriptionalregulatorthatcontrolsmanganesehomeostasisinMycobacteriumtuberculosis(MolMicrobiol) Dr.JohnHelmann–Editedthevolumeon“ArchaealandBacterialTranscription”intheMETHODSseries(Elsevier) MadsenLab Dr.EugeneMadsen–Releasedthesecondeditionofhistextbook“EnvironmentalMicrobiology:FromGenomestoBiogeochemistry”(Wiley)
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The Microbiology LettersIssue 2 | October 2015
Field of Microbiology Students @ Cornell University
NewsHighlights
OctoberEvents
FarewellwishestoMichelleL.ColeOnOctober2,wecelebratedMichelle’slastdaywithMicroandwishedherthebestonhernewpositionoutsideofCornell.
Callforposters!Don’tforgettoattendandpresentaposteratthe2ndAnnualCornellMicrobiologySymposium.
Presentations and Awards OlgaLastovetsky–2015-2016Procter&Gambleoralpresentationprizewinner
Powered by FOMS: FrancineArroyo-fa257|DanielRojasTapias-dfr47|AzulPinochetBarros-vap48 www.micro.cornell.edu/academics/graduate
October31stHalloweencontest
Oct2-3rdHelmannLab25th
anniversaryreunion
Oct12thMicrobiologySymposium
More pics & updates on Facebook
Field of Microbiology Students
CoffeeHour@WingHallOnSeptember25,wehadourfirstcoffeehourofthesemester.Itgaveeveryoneachancetocatchupandenjoysometastybagels.
TeamAquaticViruswithDr.IanHewson
FormoreinformationonSSWDresearchandamphipodcircoviruses,visitDr.Hewson’sactiveblogsat:http://seastarwastingdisease.wordpress.com;http://www.teamaquaticvirus.com
TeamAquaticVirushavebeeninvestigatingtwoexcitingareasofviralecology:Seastarwastingdisease(SSWD)andcircovirusesofamphipods.
SSWDisadiseaseattributedtothesuddenandmassivedieoffofmillionsofseastarsalongtheNorthernAmericancoastline(fromBajaCalifornia,MexicotoSouthernAlaska).CombiningKoch’spostulatesandviralmetagenomics,theHewsonteamhaveidentifiedacandidatepathogenforSSWD,theseastar-associateddensovirus(SSaDV).
TheyreceivedNSFfundingfora3-yearstudytofurtherinvestigatetheepidemiologyofSSWD.LedbygraduatestudentElliotJackson,theyplantodeterminehowSSaDVcausesdiseaseusingcomparativetranscriptomicanalysisofhostresponsesfromhealthyanddiseasedseastars.Additionally,thegroupplanstoexplorehowthevirusistransmitted,examinetherelationshipbetweengeneticvariabilityandheterogeneityofSSWDsymptoms,andinquireastowhetherthemolecularevolutionofSSaDVhadaneffectonthecurrentepidemic.
Circoviruses,specificallycircularRep-encodingssDNA(CRESS-DNA),haverecentlybeenfoundinhighoccurrenceinmarineandfreshwaterarthropods.MicrobiologygraduatestudentKaliaBistolasexplains,“Circoviruseswereoriginallythoughttoonlyinfectplantsandvertebrates,butitturnsoutthattheymightbemoreubiquitousthanwethought!”Littleisknownhowthesevirusesaffecttheirhostsortheirhost’sroleinfoodwebs.Kalialeadsthegroupinexploringtheecologicalandbiogeochemicalimpactsofamphipodcircoviruses.HerworkfocusesonthefreshwatertaxonDiporeiaspinthelaurentianGreatLakesandthekelpamphipodPeramphithoefemorataontheUSwestcoast.
Latest Publications PetersLab Shietal.2015–ConformationaltogglingcontrolstargetsitechoicefortheheteromerictransposaseelementTn7(NuclAcidsRes) HelmannLab Pandeyetal.2015–MntR(Rv2788)atranscriptionalregulatorthatcontrolsmanganesehomeostasisinMycobacteriumtuberculosis(MolMicrobiol) Dr.JohnHelmann–Editedthevolumeon“ArchaealandBacterialTranscription”intheMETHODSseries(Elsevier) MadsenLab Dr.EugeneMadsen–Releasedthesecondeditionofhistextbook“EnvironmentalMicrobiology:FromGenomestoBiogeochemistry”(Wiley)
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Oct$30th$Halloween(contest(&(coffee(hour(
The Microbiology LettersIssue 2 | October 2015
Field of Microbiology Students @ Cornell University
NewsHighlights
OctoberEvents
FarewellwishestoMichelleL.ColeOnOctober2,wecelebratedMichelle’slastdaywithMicroandwishedherthebestonhernewpositionoutsideofCornell.
Callforposters!Don’tforgettoattendandpresentaposteratthe2ndAnnualCornellMicrobiologySymposium.
Presentations and Awards OlgaLastovetsky–2015-2016Procter&Gambleoralpresentationprizewinner
Powered by FOMS: FrancineArroyo-fa257|DanielRojasTapias-dfr47|AzulPinochetBarros-vap48 www.micro.cornell.edu/academics/graduate
October31stHalloweencontest
Oct2-3rdHelmannLab25th
anniversaryreunion
Oct12thMicrobiologySymposium
More pics & updates on Facebook
Field of Microbiology Students
CoffeeHour@WingHallOnSeptember25,wehadourfirstcoffeehourofthesemester.Itgaveeveryoneachancetocatchupandenjoysometastybagels.
TeamAquaticViruswithDr.IanHewson
FormoreinformationonSSWDresearchandamphipodcircoviruses,visitDr.Hewson’sactiveblogsat:http://seastarwastingdisease.wordpress.com;http://www.teamaquaticvirus.com
TeamAquaticVirushavebeeninvestigatingtwoexcitingareasofviralecology:Seastarwastingdisease(SSWD)andcircovirusesofamphipods.
SSWDisadiseaseattributedtothesuddenandmassivedieoffofmillionsofseastarsalongtheNorthernAmericancoastline(fromBajaCalifornia,MexicotoSouthernAlaska).CombiningKoch’spostulatesandviralmetagenomics,theHewsonteamhaveidentifiedacandidatepathogenforSSWD,theseastar-associateddensovirus(SSaDV).
TheyreceivedNSFfundingfora3-yearstudytofurtherinvestigatetheepidemiologyofSSWD.LedbygraduatestudentElliotJackson,theyplantodeterminehowSSaDVcausesdiseaseusingcomparativetranscriptomicanalysisofhostresponsesfromhealthyanddiseasedseastars.Additionally,thegroupplanstoexplorehowthevirusistransmitted,examinetherelationshipbetweengeneticvariabilityandheterogeneityofSSWDsymptoms,andinquireastowhetherthemolecularevolutionofSSaDVhadaneffectonthecurrentepidemic.
Circoviruses,specificallycircularRep-encodingssDNA(CRESS-DNA),haverecentlybeenfoundinhighoccurrenceinmarineandfreshwaterarthropods.MicrobiologygraduatestudentKaliaBistolasexplains,“Circoviruseswereoriginallythoughttoonlyinfectplantsandvertebrates,butitturnsoutthattheymightbemoreubiquitousthanwethought!”Littleisknownhowthesevirusesaffecttheirhostsortheirhost’sroleinfoodwebs.Kalialeadsthegroupinexploringtheecologicalandbiogeochemicalimpactsofamphipodcircoviruses.HerworkfocusesonthefreshwatertaxonDiporeiaspinthelaurentianGreatLakesandthekelpamphipodPeramphithoefemorataontheUSwestcoast.
Latest Publications PetersLab Shietal.2015–ConformationaltogglingcontrolstargetsitechoicefortheheteromerictransposaseelementTn7(NuclAcidsRes) HelmannLab Pandeyetal.2015–MntR(Rv2788)atranscriptionalregulatorthatcontrolsmanganesehomeostasisinMycobacteriumtuberculosis(MolMicrobiol) Dr.JohnHelmann–Editedthevolumeon“ArchaealandBacterialTranscription”intheMETHODSseries(Elsevier) MadsenLab Dr.EugeneMadsen–Releasedthesecondeditionofhistextbook“EnvironmentalMicrobiology:FromGenomestoBiogeochemistry”(Wiley)
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2! WelcomeAnkitaSachla!Earlierthismonth,theHelmannLabwelcomedtheirnewpost-doc,Ankita.Sherecentlyreceived her doctorate degree fromGeorgia StateUniversity andwill be pursuing herresearchintheareaofcellwallhomeostasisinBacillussubtilis.
3! BabyShowerforDr.ToryHendry@WingHallOnFebruary12th,theMicrobiologyDepartmentorganizedababyshowertowelcomeDr.Hendry’snewdaughter,Coraline.
March30thContentfornextissuedue
March25thCoffeeHour
Upcoming News Sue Merkel – Will be doing a pre-conference workshop with RachelHorak on “Designing Lessons Basedon National Recommendations forSTEMEDUCATION”.
Also, if you are goingASMmicrobemeeting you can take a pre-conference workshop 018-WS“Engaging and InclusiveTeaching intheMicrobialSciences”.
FoMS workshop survey – FoMS iscurrentlyintheprocessoforganizinga bioinformatics workshop later inthesemester.Wewillbesendingoutsurveys concerning the workshopcontentanddetailsbytheendofthemonth.We look forward to hearingyour feedback so as to provide youwith a good learning experience forthisupcomingevent!
http://www.asmcue.org/index.php/preliminary-program!
This month, we’re taking a moment to familiarizeourselves with the work and life of one ourMicrobiologygraduatestudents.DaveSannino isa4thyeargradstudentworkinginProf.EstherAngert’slab.He has been involved in many facets of thedepartment, includingPresidentofFoMS(2013-2014),organizing journal club (2013-14), and TA of the year(2014-15).
Whatprojectsareyoucurrentlyworkingon?Thereare2majorprojects I'mworkingon.Thefirst isthecompletionandanalysisoftheEpulopisciumtypeBgenome. Particularly understanding itsmetabolic andbiosyntheticcapabilitiestotrytogetthemintoculture.Thesecond isunderstanding thebiological roleof thethiaminaseIenzymeproducedbybacteria.HowdidyoufindyourselfworkingonMadagascarhissingcockroaches?Madagascar hissing cockroaches are used in the
thiaminase Iproject.Oneof thepotential rolesof theenzyme is that it may function as a pathogenicityfactor. In the literature itwasshownthatMadagascarhissingcockroachescanserveasaninfectionhostforathiaminaseIproducer,soIamlookingatpathogenicityin cockroach infections. I also have a bit of anentomologybackground soworkingwith insects suitsme.Whatdoyoulikebestaboutyourwork?The best part aboutmy work is that I am on diverseprojectswithinterestingorganismslikeepulosandI'vebeenabletoworkonbacterialinteractionsindifferentsurgeonfish,fruitflies,andnowtheMadagascarhissingcockroaches. This allows me to employ differentmethods and techniques to get at the questions andkeepthingsinteresting.Whatdoyoulikeleastaboutyourwork?Leastfavoritepartisdefinitelykillingsomanyanimals.You've TA'd awide range of classes,what has beenyourfavoritemomentasaTA?Favoritemoment as a TA was giving the BioMI 2900lecture on transcription. Having the opportunity tolectureinfrontof180studentswasagreatexperience.Whenyoudofindsometimeawayfromthelab,whatdoyouliketodoforfun?Forfunmyfavoritethingsareplayinghockey,drawing,reading,music,andgoingtoconcerts.
http://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/4060/session/15!
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NewsHighlights
