Biology Newsletter
Newsletter 217 |
Tuesday 7 February 2012 |
On Thursday there is a College of Science Forum in C2 at 10.30. Speakers include Jarg Pettinga, Chris Hawker and Peter Molony who will provide an update on buildings, earthquake evacuation & recent seismic activity. Everyone is welcome to attend.
As the Vice-Chancellor mentions, we do need to remain alert to seismic activity. If the power goes off evacuation is mandatory. If it doesn’t, then the decision in the labs is made by the Lab Manager. I strongly suggest at all times you carry your keys, wallet and cell phone with you, preferably leave passports and other personal documentation somewhere secure but other than at UC. Usually there is time to take your laptop with you if it is nearby - evacuation is not quite as urgent as in the case of fire, but as we know a second aftershock can be stronger. The University is investing in a campus-wide siren to notify full evacuation. If there are new people in your lab group, or people new to the campus, then please take the initiative and discuss the situation with them.
Start of term is rapidly approaching – and I’m off to Melbourne next week for a conference focused on Plant Reproduction for Food. Matthew will be Acting HoS in my absence.
Space will continue as an issue through this year and we will need to bring in a process of ‘hot-desking’ for many of our 4th year and masters students. However, by year-end I hope we will have moved into the newly refurbished office space.
~ Paula ~
Avon-Otakaro Park
A vision from city to sea
Imagine a beautiful park from city to sea, a place to play, to fish, to row, to walk among native bush and parkland.
Our vision is grand, and it's achievable. It builds on success stories such as the Styx Living Laboratory, the Avon Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust and Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) Trust to create a unique, inspiring place of nature and leisure for all of Christchurch.
You can help us turn our vision into reality: Sign our petition to Parliament (at SBS reception), Check out the Facebook page and share your ideas, Visit our website to find out more and read our charter or Email us to find out how you can help.
Seminars
Wednesday 8 February SBS Staff meeting Staff Forum Reflection Workshop |
Bio-Protection Research Centre
Interplay of habitat and seed type on a dispersal mutualism in a West African montane forest |
Plant and Food Research
Unquenchable: America's water crisis and what to do about it Professor Robert Glennon, University of Arizona Thursday 9 February, C1 central lecture theatre, 6.00 pm Acclaimed author and expert Professor Robert Glennon discusses the tragedy—and irony—of water in America. From the Vegas Strip to faux snow in Atlanta, from supersized bathrooms to mega-farms, from billion-dollar water deals to big time politics and personalities, his acclaimed book Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It has revealed the heady extravagances and everyday waste that are sucking the nation dry. |
Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Major questions in human evolution Professor Chris Stringer, Palaeontologist and Research Leader in Human Origins, Natural History Museum, London Thursday 23 February, Central lecture block, UC, Christchurch, 6.30 pm Entry is free, to reserve a seat register. Proudly supported by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Full details. |
Scholarships and Prizes
UC Summer Scholarships - 2011-2012
Final Project Presentations
9 February 2012
A1, A2, A3 lecture theatres, 9.30 am - 5.30 pm
- 250 student presentations
- Each presentation three minutes
- The WHAT, WHY and HOW of the research project
For full programme, open Feedback Sessions under 'Guidelines & Forms'.
All graduate and staff are encouraged to attend.
PhD Scholarship - Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University
What makes Trichoderma rhizosphere competent?: A molecular analysis
The ability to colonise and then proliferate over time within the rhizosphere is termed rhizosphere competence (RC), and there have been numerous reports of Trichoderma biocontrol strains which persist within the rhizosphere for the growing season of the crop plant. Improvements in RC of a few biocontrol Trichoderma strains has been shown to elevate biocontrol performance, however, no direct link between RC ability and biocontrol potential in Trichoderma has ever been established. The focus of this project is to identify the genetic basis of RC in Trichoderma and exploit that knowledge for improved biocontrol in three key objectives:
- Determine whether a strong correlation exists between RC and biocontrol performance in Trichoderma atroviride
- Examine the expression of putative RC genes during plant-microbe interactions
- Functionally analyse RC genes through generation of knockout and over-expression mutants and through promoter tagging to fluorescent proteins, such as GFP
Techniques to be used include: in planta disease control assays and morphological typing of Trichoderma, quantitative PCR and quantitative RT-PCR, gene cloning and construct creation, genetic modification of Trichoderma.
The successful candidate should have a sound knowledge, and preferably skills, in microbiology and molecular biology. A theoretical knowledge of biocontrol systems and/or microbe-plant interactions is preferred.
The PhD scholarship is for three years commencing immediately.The scholarship covers a student stipend of $28K p.a. plus fees and research operating costs.
Interested students should contact Professor Alison Stewart
alison.stewart@lincoln.ac.nz
Postgraduate news
PhD positions in plant population dynamics, ecological modelling and global change
Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
Applications open, February 2012
Frog researcher at Otago
Bastian Egeter, is a PhD candidate studying at the University of Otago.
He is focusing on the use of DNA-based techniques to analyse the diet of small mammals. He is particularly interested in frogs as prey items and the ability of researchers to identify frog remains using either visual or molecular methods.
At the moment Bastian is in the process of gathering mammal diet samples (stomach contents or scats) that have already been collected as part of other studies. Specifically he hopes to obtain a large array of samples from different predators where frog remains were identified in some percentage of those samples. He is also collecting his own samples here in New Zealand but is hoping to bolster his study and develop a technique applicable to a wide range of predators and prey with samples from all over the world. He is also willing to explore the diet of other frog-eating animals, such as birds, reptiles etc.
If anyone has samples in storage that they think might suit this project then please do not hesitate to get in touch. There may be potential for collaboration on this project. Bastian can provide much more information to anyone who is interested (See also attached article (6.71 MB) - page 36).
PhD position in Community Ecology
VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Closing date: 16 February 2012
Journal news
Latest publications in the school
Forgan, L.G. and Forster, M.E. (2012). Oxygen dependence of metabolism and cellular adaptation in vertebrate muscles: a review. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 182: 177-188.
Nelson, X.J. and Jackson, R.R. (2011). Evidence that olfaction-based affinity for particular plant species is a special characteristic of Evarcha culicivora, a mosquito-specialist jumping spider. The Journal of Arachnology 39: 378-383.
Library News
The following items recommended by SBS have been recently received by the library. If you have any queries please contact alison.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz - Natural Sciences Information Librarian.
- Self comes to mind: constructing the conscious brain
Damasio, Antonio R.
Recently returned, Central Library, QP 376 .D356 2010 - The leafcutter ants: civilization by instinct
Hölldobler, Bert
Recently returned, Central Library, QL 568 .F7 .H694 l 2011 - Remarkable biologists
James, I. M.
Recently returned, Central Library, QH 26 .J27 2009 - The freshwater algal flora of the British Isles: an identification guide to freshwater and terrestrial algae
John, D. M.
Recently returned, Central Library, QK 573 .F885 2011 - Making sense of evolution: the conceptual foundations of evolutionary biology
Pigliucci, Massimo
In Library, Central Library, QH 366.2 .P545 2006 - Arabidopsis protocols
Salinas, Julio
In Library, Central Library, QK 495 .C9 .A658 2006 - The condensed protocols from Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual
Sambrook, Joseph
In Library, Central Library, QH 442.2 .S187 2006 - Paleobotany: the biology and evolution of fossil plants
Taylor, Thomas N.
In Library, Central Library, QE 905 .T245 2009 - Model based inference in the life sciences: a primer on
evidence
Anderson, David Raymond
New book display, Central Library, QH 323.5 .A53 2008 - The Vertebrate gas transport cascade: adaptations to
environment and mode of life
Bicudo, J. Eduardo P. W.
Due: Central Library, QP 121 .V567 1993 - A primer of conservation behavior
Blumstein, Daniel T.
New book display, Central Library, QL 751 .B56 2010 - Leaders in animal behavior: the second generation
Drickamer, Lee C.
In Library, Central Library, QL 26 .L426 2010 - Rotaviruses: methods and protocols
Gray, James
New book display, Central Library, QR 201 .R67 .R842 2000 - Viral applications of green fluorescent protein: methods and
protocols
Hicks, Barry W.
In Library, Central Library, QP 552 .G73 .V813 2009 - DNA viruses: methods and protocols
Lieberman, Paul M.
New book display, Central Library, QR 394.5 .D0629 2005
Vacancies
South African Shark Conservancy
Internship positions available
Full details and who to contact
ETH Zurich - Professor of Environmental Entomology
Closing date: 31 March 2012
The Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich invites applications for a Full or Associate Professorship of Environmental Entomology. The new Professor will be expected to develop an internationally recognized research program and to lead a research group in Environmental Entomology, with a strong focus on agroecosystems. His or her research will result in new tools and concepts to assess the positive and/or negative impact of insects on agroecosystems at the farm to landscape scale. An entomological collection is part of this professorship. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate (in German or English) and graduate courses (in English) in the field of Entomology for students enrolled in agricultural, biological and environmental study programs. Furthermore, candidates should engage in extensive research and teaching collaborations with other professorships sharing similar interests at ETH Zurich, within the ETH domain and with other relevant institutions.
Please apply online at www.facultyaffairs.ethz.ch. Your application should include your curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a statement of research and teaching interests, and the names and contact information of three possible referees. The letter of application should be addressed to the President of ETH Zurich, Prof. Dr. Ralph Eichler. ETH Zurich is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In order to increase the number of women in leading academic positions, we specifically encourage women to apply. ETH Zurich is further responsive to the needs of dual career couples and qualifies as a family friendly employer.
Postdoctal Fellowship in Biodiversity and Biological Control
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden
Closing date: 5 March 2012
Postdoctoral positions in plant biology and environmental adaptation
Estonian Center of Excellence in Environmental Adaptation (ENVIRON)
For full details
A number of PhD positions are also available.
Prof Ülo Niinemets, Chair
Dep of Plant Physiology
Centre of Excellence in Environmental Adaptation, Head
Estonian University of Life Sciences
ESTONIA
and now for something completely different...
Thought for the week
You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give. -Anonymous
Contact details
If you have items of news or interest that you would like included in this newsletter, contact the admin office before noon on Friday at bioladmin@canterbury.ac.nz or phone ext 6732.