Sequencing and Analysis of the Hydra Genome
Chapman, Kirkness et al., Nature
An international research collaboration reports their sequencing and analysis of the Hydra magnipapillata genome, and compare it to the genomes of several other organisms. "The Hydra genome has been shaped by bursts of transposable element expansion, horizontal gene transfer, trans-splicing, and simplification of gene structure and gene content that parallel simplification of the Hydra life cycle," the authors write. They team suggests that comparisons of the Hydra genome to the reported sequences of other animals have helped them to elucidate the evolution of several of the organism's characteristics.
Making It Through Grad School
November 27, 2009
The pressure exerted on graduate students is one of factors that contributes to grad students who "fudge or even fake data," writes Ms. PhD at YoungFemaleScientist. She then offers advice to try to counter that pressure. First, she says that grad students should do what their advisors ask, even when they think it won't work. However, she adds that when it is clear that that approach is not going to work, they should stop and then do what they think will work. "Most of the time, they will be overjoyed that you showed some independence and got the right answer. And if it's really a big deal, they'll claim is was their idea to do it your way all along," she writes.
