Hosted by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, part of their Mendel seminar series

Abstract: Understanding what is functional (under selection) in our genome is important both for improved genetic diagnostics and for construction of modified genes for gene therapy and biotech. Alteration of synonymous sites is a commonly performed and permitted means of engineering optimal transgenes. Asking whether selection can act on synonymous mutations in humans is thus more than an exercise in understanding the limits of natural selection. In this talk I’ll consider recent progress in understanding the mechanisms and commonality of selection on synonymous mutations and in turn examine downstream applications of the insights gained. Amongst other things, I’ll illustrate how analysis of the evolution of human retrogenes has inspired better understanding of forces operating on synonymous sites and in turn to enabling expression of transgenes that would otherwise be silent.

Bio: Laurence Hurst is an evolutionary geneticist interested in gene and genome evolution with a view to answering fundamental evolutionary questions and applying the answers to improved medicine. He is currently Director of the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath. He is an ex-President of the Genetics Society, a member of EMBO, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society.

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