Over 60 years ago, Yves Clermont and Charles Leblond characterized the steps of sperm differentiation in the testis. This enabled them to identify for the first time the population of spermatogonia responsible for the production of spermatozoa. We celebrate 60 years later the publication of their landmark paper and their discovery which is described by them as “the reappearance at each cycle of a new dormant cell which acts as the stem cell of a subsequent generation of spermatocytes…is described as the ‘Stem Cell Renewal Theory’. This paper reveals the first identified population of stem cells and the first use in the literature of the term stem cells in this biological context. This ground breaking discovery resonates today with the therapeutic application of stem cells in order to alleviate human disease from cancer to devastating degenerative diseases (Y. Clermont and C.P. Leblond. Renewal of spermatogonia in the rat. Am. J. Anat. 1953. 93:475-501).
http://www.mcgill.ca/anatomy/stem-cell-renewal-theory
_________________________________________________________
MESSAGE SENT TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS
ON BEHALF OF DR. MICHAEL SHEVELL
Read Message From Dr. Michael Shevell
_________________________________________________________
Genomics in Metabolism – Copenhagen Bioscience Conference, November 2013
Type 2 Diabetes is a world pandemic with complex aetiology but clearly, genetic and environmental factors are important contributors. New challenges are now in an integrated understanding of these factors and their possible interaction. The Genomics in Metabolism conference is aiming at providing an original perspective of the upcoming Genomics Era which will embrace Genetics, Epigenetics and Metagenomics.
https://www.cph-bioscience.com/GenomicsInMetabolism/Pages/default.aspx
_________________________________________________________
Academic Positions in Calgary
The Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) invite applications for full-time academic positions in Child Health Genomics. These positions represent a major investment in genomic research and the successful applicants will join a program with a vision to develop an internationally recognized program in Child Health Genomics. Dynamic scientists at all career stages keen to join a growing and vibrant research team are encouraged to apply.
For more information, please click here.
_________________________________________________________
GAPPS Repository Pregnancy Specimens and Data Available to Researchers
The GAPPS Repository comprises pregnancy specimens and linked phenotypic data that are widely-accessible to researchers. Using GAPPS Repository samples, you can pursue research studies without the burden of creating a unique cohort of pregnant women. These samples are a valuable resource for researchers in many fields, including genetics, epidemiology, pathophysiology, translational science, fetal origins of adult diseases, and healthcare delivery.
_________________________________________________________
Postdoc and PhD Position
Dr. Brent Richards and his research team at McGill are in the process of recruiting PhD candidates and Postdoctoral Fellows in Genetics or Clinical Epidemiology. The applicant will work with a highly qualified and international team of researchers to identify the genetic determinants of common diseases and undertake pharmacogenetic clinical trials.
As a member of the research team, you will be able to access genome-wide genotyping of 5,800 individuals phenotyped for several hundred traits and 1,900 individuals that have been genome-wide sequenced. Moreover, we recently completed whole exome sequencing on several hundred individuals and exome chip data on 1,000. In addition, we are undertaking pharmacogenetic clinical trials to understand if drug targets, identified through genetics, are helpful in treating common disease.
Requirements:
- Master’s degree (M.Sc) in Epidemiology, Genetics or Biostatistics
- Candidates with a clinical degree (M.D.) are especially encouraged to apply (including those receiving MDs in other countries)
- Having a strong statistical background, or experience handling large datasets and publications in genetics, or genetic epidemiology, will be an advantage
- Knowledge of Bioinformatics and programming skills are an asset
- Proficiency in English is essential
- International applicants are welcome.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.mcgill.ca/genepi/student-recruitment
___________________________________________________________
03-Aug-12
Thompson House
3650 McTavish, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1Y2
September 4, 2012:
2:00 pm – Orientation Session for New Students
3:00 pm – Welcome Back/General Info Session for New AND Returning Students
4:30 pm – Cocktail/Wine & Cheese Party for all students, faculty and staff
These information sessions are very important and we expect all students to make every effort to attend. We also hope that you will be able to stay for the cocktail immediately thereafter. Faculty members are always welcome and encouraged to attend the information sessions, and please plan to come and say good bye to Thomas.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Important: Don’t forget to defer your tuition and fees by the end of August on Minerva! Please see the following link regarding:
Tuition & Fees Payment Deferral
Deadlines and penalties
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A fantastic advanced genetics course: http://www.eurogene.org/?p=corsi&cc=next&m=3&s=2
Very highly recommended by Dr. Koenekoop.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You are invited to a free-skate this Saturday, August 4th, at 5:00 PM to benefit the Cedars Cancer Institute Fuller Landau “Rain or Shine” Dragon Boat Race and Festival Fundraiser.
Our purpose is to raise funds and awareness for Cedars CanSupport which provides free psychological and emotional support, practical information, and financial assistance to cancer patients and their families at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). We are having a fundraiser this Saturday, August 4th, at 5:00 PM at the Aréna Roberto Luongo in St. Leonard. It will consist of a friendly shoot-out followed by a “Free-Skate” where donations would be accepted and most appreciated. Everyone is welcome to come with their skates and beat the heat during an hour of restful skating. Reminder: please bring a helmet if you wish to skate for liability issues.
The arena is located at the following address:
Aréna Roberto Luongo
7755 rue Colbert
Saint-Léonard
QC H1R2B6
All are welcome so invite your friends and family!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Course: Advances in Human Genetics
Theme: Cancer Genomics
The course will have three subthemes:
1- Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics (Yasser Riazalhosseini)
2- High-throughput approaches in Cancer Genomics (Jacek Majewski)
3- Clinical applications of Genetics in hereditary cancers (Patricia Tonin)
The course will cover topics related to cancer genomics including cancer-associated genetic defects and epigenetic patterns, recent methodological advancement for the study of cancer genome, and examples of clinical application. Each session starts with an introductory presentation given by an instructor on the topic of session followed by student presentations. Two students present critical reviews of related papers selected by the instructor, however all students are expected to participate in discussions.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Here is a link to the courses being offered this year:
http://publications.mcgill.ca/humangenetics/files/2012/07/HGEN-Courses-201213.pdf
It is recommended that students only take one course at a time. Courses (other than the mandatory HGEN 692) are to be selected in consultation with your supervisor.
For students interested in enrolling in the Bioinformatics Option, here are the details:
http://www.mcgill.ca/mcb/academic/graduate
Interested students should discuss this program with their supervisor and then submit the letter and application to dept.humangenetics@mcgill.ca
27-July-12
Academic Integrity Day!
Have your graduate students been asking questions about authorship? Do they know how to use data appropriately to develop an accurate analysis? Understanding the terms of academic integrity at McGill is essential to mastering scholarship. Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Teaching and Learning Services is pleased to announce Academic Integrity Day.
The annual SKILLSETS flagship event will address questions regarding academic integrity which have been raised by graduate students. We are inviting you to a) inform supervisors of this student opportunity, and b) encourage your graduate students to participate in this important and interactive event where these issues will be explored through debate and discussion.
Date: Thursday, January 31, 2013, 9:00-12:00PM
Please register online. Check-in and on-site registration begins at 8:30AM
Location: Omni Hotel (1050 Sherbrooke Street West)
Refreshments will be served.
Leaders:
- Prof. Andre Costopoulos, Dean of Students
- Prof. Abraham Fuks, Research Integrity Officer
- Prof. Rosalie Jukier, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, Faculty of Law
- Prof. Josephine Nalbantoglu, Director, Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Prof. Lisa Travis, Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
- Prof. John White, Graduate Program Director, Department of Physiology
What students who attended Academic Integrity Day had to say about the event:
- “The most useful aspects were the case studies and realizing that the issues are not always so black and white.”
- “I enjoyed hearing professors from different disciplines discuss questions they had encountered in their own work, and learning how the citation process varies so wildly from field to field.”
- “Having discussions with other graduate students, post-docs and faculty about academic integrity-related issues… like authorship were very helpful.”
19-Jul-12
1DegreeBio lists antibodies and custom services, supported by reviews by scientists, to help us choose the best products and
services for our work. It¹s free and easy to use, and features handy info like antibody dilutions, and which company is best for ordering primers.
_________________________________________________
Here is a link to the courses being offered this year:
http://publications.mcgill.ca/humangenetics/files/2012/07/HGEN-Courses-201213.pdf
It is recommended that students only take one course at a time. Courses (other than the mandatory HGEN 692) are to be selected in consultation with your supervisor.
For students interested in enrolling in the Bioinformatics Option, here are the details:
http://www.mcgill.ca/mcb/academic/graduate
Interested students should discuss this program with their supervisor and then submit the letter and application to dept.humangenetics@mcgill.ca
____________________________________
HGSS Executive 2012-13:
| Jeremy Saban | President |
| Nick Light | Vice President Internal |
| Emma Brasell | Vice President Internal |
| Juan Lopez | Vice President Academic |
| Nikki Meadows | Vice President External/Post-Graduate Student Society Representatives |
| Shaza Mokhtar | Vice President External/Post-Graduate Student Society Representatives |
| Shian Yea Wong | Vice President Communications |
| VACANT | Post-doctoral Fellow Rep |
| Nikki Meadows | HGSS Conference Chair (2012) |
| Jian Zhang | HGSS Conference Chair (2013) |
| VACANT | Hospital/Site Rep.: Medical Residents |
| Murielle Akpa | Hospital/Site Rep.: MCH |
| Sam Smillie | Hospital/Site Rep.: MGH |
| Nick Light | Hospital/Site Rep. Innovation Centre |
| Cristiana Cruceanu | Hospital/Site Rep.: Douglas |
| Peter Moussa | Hospital/Site Rep.: Bellini/Goodman/Life Sciences |
| VACANT | Hospital/Site Rep.: RVH |
| Shaza Mokhtar | Hospital/Site Rep.: JGH |
| VACANT | Hospital/Site Rep.: Shriner’s |
| VACANT | Hospital/Site Rep.: MNI |
| Michelle Lane | Hospital/Site Rep.: Genetic Counselling |
13-July-12
Updated Course Outline for HGEN 660B: Genetics, Ethics and Law
03Jul12
| Acclaimed | Jeremy Saban | President (1): |
| Election | Nick Light | Vice President Internal (2): |
| Emma Brasell | ||
| Murielle Akpa | ||
| Acclaimed | Juan Lopez | Vice President Academic (1): |
| Acclaimed | Nikki Meadows | Vice President External/Post-Graduate Student Society Representatives (2): |
| Acclaimed | Shaza Mokhtar | |
| Acclaimed | Shian Yea Wong | Vice President Communications (1): |
| VACANT | Post-doctoral Fellow Representative (1): | |
| Acclaimed | Jian Zhang | HGSS Conference Chair for HGSS conference 2013 (1): |
| VACANT | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Medical Residents | |
| VACANT | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Montreal Children’s Hospital | |
| Acclaimed | Samuel Smillie | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Montreal General Hospital |
| Acclaimed | Nick Light | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: McGill University-Génome Québec Innovation Center |
| Acclaimed | Cristiana Cruceanu | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Douglas Hospital |
| Acclaimed | Peter Moussa | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Bellini/Goodman/Life Sciences Ctr |
| VACANT | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Royal Victora Hospital | |
| Acclaimed | Shaza Mokhtar | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Jewish General Hospital |
| VACANT | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Shriner’s Hospital & Research Institute | |
| VACANT | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: Montreal Neurological Institute | |
| Acclaimed | Michelle Lane | HGSS Hospital/Site Representative: MSc in Genetic Counselling |
1Jun12
June 6, 2012, 3:30pm – Stewart Biology Building Room W4/12
Ph.D. Seminar
Vince Forgetta
“Extending Genome Analysis Software into Biology”
Dewar Lab
June 13, 2012, 3:30pm – Stewart Biology Building Room W4/12
Ph.D. Seminar
Nafisa Jadavji
“Impact of genetic and nutritional disturbances in one-carbon metabolism on brain function and structure in mice.”
Rozen Lab
June 19, 2012, 3:30pm – Stewart Biology Building Room W4/12
Ph.D. Oral Defence
Ashley Birch
“Transcriptome, genomic and genetic analyses of chromosome 3p genes implicated as tumour suppressors in ovarian cancer”
Tonin Lab
June 20, 2012, 9:00am – Stewart Biology Building Room W4/12
Ph.D. Oral Defence
Karine Jacaob
“Identification of genetic/molecular events specific to gliomas and involved in gliomagenesis”
Jabado Lab
June 21
HUMAN GENETICS GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH DAY
8:30am-6:00pm
In collaboration with
The McGill Distinguished Lectureship in Human Genetics (4:00pm)
Dr Adrian Hill, MRCP (Royaume-Uni). DM (Oxford). D.Phil. (Oxford)
Director, The Jenner Institute and Professor of Human Genetics
Oxford University
“Host genetics of tropical infectious diseases and some applications to vaccine design”
Charles Martin Amphitheatre, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building
3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec
June 27, 2012, 3:30pm – Stewart Biology Building Room W4/12
Ph.D. Oral Defence
Paulina Wojnarowicz
“Chromosome 17 and epithelial ovarian cancer: Evidence of genomic loss, altered gene expression, and tumour suppressor gene candidates”
Tonin Lab
Date TBA
Ph.D. Seminar
Xiaoyang Liu
Jabado Lab
Date TBC
Ph.D. Seminar
Zia Choudhry
Joober Lab
17May12
MSc/PhD Scholarships are available from the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Foundation
_________________________
The First-Year Office at McGill is host to a program for new Canadian graduates students admitted to all departments at McGill, and we are writing to ask for your help!
Our program is called the Student Life Ambassador Program and is modeled on our very successful First-Year Student Life Ambassador Program as well as the International Buddy Program. As you may expect, these programs have played important roles in helping many newly-admitted students with the transition process. We definitely foresee the benefits of this program for new Canadian graduate students.
How can you help?
Our first step is to recruit volunteers who will be Ambassadors to new students; we hope you will be interested in applying! Ideally, volunteer characteristics include the following:
Has a good knowledge of McGill and Montreal.
Will attend McGill in the 2012 Fall Semester.
Has access to email during June, July and August.
If you are interested, please fill out the information form available at the following link:
Student Life Ambassador Application Form
More about the Student Life Ambassador Program
Through the Student Life Ambassador Program, newly-admitted Masters and PhD students will be assigned to senior student volunteers with whom they will correspond with, via e-mail, over the summer. The senior students answer any questions that the new students have and play an important role in welcoming the new students to McGill. The First-Year Office will contact Ambassadors by e-mail and provide all relevant materials. Historically, our Student Life Ambassador Program has succeeded because so many of the participants end up enjoying this unique opportunity to either help or be helped. Many people remain in contact and become friends.
When to sign up?
As soon as possible! We can offer this program if we have a sufficient number of volunteers from each faculty. So please get involved and help us welcome new graduate students to McGill.
We would appreciate hearing from you by May 31st, 2012. In the meantime, if you need any further information, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
Manon Lemelin
Student Life Ambassador Program Coordinator
First-Year Office
ambassador.firstyear@mcgill.ca
Tel: (514) 398-6913
_________________________
In support of the AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science, several corporations are sponsoring a limited number of two-year subscriptions to
Science magazine (which includes membership in AAAS) for graduate students, medical students, PhD candidates, and postdocs working in the life sciences.
Students who are interested can send their full names and email addresses to gradadmin.med@mcgill.ca by 18-May-12 (subscriptions are limited to 50).
This opportunity includes full membership in AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) for two years, which
includes a two-year subscription to the digital version of the weekly journal Science at no charge.
Students will be contacted and invited to participate in the AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science. Those who are ultimately selected will
join the nearly 130,000 AAAS members and Science subscribers in the world’s largest multidisciplinary science organization.
_________________________
In the next few months, McGill will be announcing significant new initiatives in support of thesis and scholarly writing for all thesis graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. These offerings will be available through
The McGill Writing Centre (MWC) and will be phased in during the 2012-13 academic year. The MWC will offer a suite of modules, workshops, and other activities designed to enhance scholarly writing, for both native and non-native English speakers, including instruction in writing strategies and techniques, self-editing processes, and the development of peer-review groups and dissertation “boot camps.” These offerings will form part of McGill’s larger network of professional and transitional training for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (most notably SKILLSETS) and thus be provided without charge to participants. We will be communicating with you on an ongoing basis to bring you the latest news on this exciting development.
The MWC will continue to offer credit courses in academic writing and oral communication in 2012-13. These courses will not be part of the new scholarly and thesis writing initiative and, as “Extra Courses,” will be subject to appropriate fees.
(Courses taken outside of the graduate program are considered ‘extra courses’ and are listed here for 2011-2012. You will be able to access the upcoming list of extra courses for 2012-2012 by consulting the 2012-2013 edition of Programs, Courses and University Regulations for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies that will be available in July 2012 at www.mcgill.ca/study.)
_________________________
30jan12
Welcome back to this year’s Human Genetics Student Society career cafes. The Career Cafe is meant as an opportunity for you to informally meet professionals and speak with them about their careers and experiences. It is our pleasure to host this event, and we would like you to nominate the professionals who will lead the discussions. If you think someone in industry or academia can be good speakers, please reply to Jian Zhang jian.zhang6@mail.mcgill.ca with their names, positions and contact information. We would like to send our invitations soon. Thank you very much and have a great academic year.
_____________
Deadline: April 6, 2012
____________________________
The Life Sciences Library is conducting a research study about how you use your mobile device like an iPhone, iPad, or other internet-enabled phone or tablet computer. We are asking you to fill out a 14 question survey that will take 10 minutes of your time.
Click here to start the survey: https://surveys.mcgill.ca/limesurvey/index.php?sid=98379&lang=en
It is your choice whether you wish to participate in this survey. Any question you prefer not to answer can be skipped and you can terminate the survey at any time. At the end of the study, you will have the option to provide your contact information for a follow-up interview. If you choose to provide this information, we will separate your contact information from your responses before reading and analyzing this data
The plan for this study has been reviewed for its adherence to ethical guidelines by McGill University. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights or welfare as a participant in this research study, please contact the McGill Ethics Officer at 514-398-6831 or lynda.mcneil@mcgill.ca.
__________________________________
- The AMBGC is scheduled to be held on Thursday February 16th, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Mid-town. Dr. Galit Alter, from the Ragon Institute of Harvard, MIT and MGH, will deliver the keynote address. Participants have the chance to give oral and poster presentations to their fellow students and faculty in 10 different categories, and to win cash prizes. Registration is FREE.
Uncategorized
- SKILLSETS fall schedule: Please see the preliminary fall schedule of offerings for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Dates and times are subject to change so please see, the online calendar which is updated on a regular basis. InfoBulletins will go out bi-weekly starting next week.
- Save the Date! Our Annual HGSS Conference will be held on Wed, October 26, 2011 at New Residence Hall. This year’s topic will be the Recent Advances in Cancer Research with Dr. Jeffery Schlom from the National Cancer Institute as our keynote speaker. He will be sharing his research on the design and characterization of recombinant vaccines for cancer therapy. Full details and registration instructions will be forthcoming.
- CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements – NSERC, SSHRC & CIHR – available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who hold a Joseph-Armand Bombardier, an Alexander Graham Bell or a Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) at the Masters or Doctoral level or a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (VCGS) at the Doctoral level. Up to $6,000 for a defined period of research studies abroad. Student must submit applications by September 15, 2011 no extensions will be granted. For more information please consult GPS webpage or contact Erin Grainger
- Enclosed is a link to the PGSS Reference kit for 2011-2012 for McGill Graduate Students and Postdocs which includes information on the PGSS and Resources for Graduate Students and Postdocs. You can download the PGSS Reference kit here (please note it takes a few seconds to load it is a big file): http://pgss.mcgill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PGSSReferenceKit2011-2012.pdf
- Here is a link to the PGSS insurance Reference kit for 2011-2012 which includes information about the PGSS Insurance Plan which you can share with the Graduate Students and Postdocs in your department. You can download the PGSS Insurance Reference kit for 2011-2012: http://pgss.mcgill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PGSSInsuranceKit2011-2012.pdf
- Job Posting: Research Unit Director (Faculty Position) in developmental biology at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montreal.
