A5069810173- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Blood groups and transfusion
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Hemoglobin structure and function
- Race, Genetics, and Society
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Plant and animal studies
- Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
Victoria University of Wellington
2015-2024
Universiti Sains Malaysia
2016-2023
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
2021
Victoria School of Management
2012-2016
Rice University
2009
Wellington Hospital
2002
University of British Columbia
1994
University of Otago
1994
University of California, Berkeley
1992
Harvard University
1981-1989
Human genetic diversity in the Pacific has not been adequately sampled, particularly Melanesia. As a result, population relationships there have open to debate. A genome scan of autosomal markers (687 microsatellites and 203 insertions/deletions) on 952 individuals from 41 populations now provides basis for understanding remarkable nature Melanesian variation, more accurate comparison these with previously studied groups other regions. It also shows how textured human variation can be...
Two groups of flightless ratite birds existed in New Zealand during the Pleistocene: kiwis and moas. The latter are now extinct but formerly included 11 species. We have enzymatically amplified sequenced approximately 400 base pairs mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene from bones soft tissue remains four species moas as well eight other a tinamou. Contrary to expectation, phylogenetic analysis shows that more closely related Australian African ratities than Thus, probably was colonized twice by...
The question of when modern birds (Neornithes) first diversified has generated much debate among avian systematists. Fossil evidence generally supports a Tertiary diversification, whereas estimates based on molecular dating favor an earlier diversification in the Cretaceous period. In this study, we used alternate approach, inference historical biogeographic patterns, to test hypothesis that initial radiation Order Psittaciformes (the parrots and cockatoos) originated Gondwana supercontinent...
We have applied Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods of phylogenetic estimation to data from four mitochondrial genes (COI, COII, 12S, 16S) a single nuclear gene (EF1α) several genera New Zealand, Australian, Caledonian cicada taxa. specifically focused on the heterogeneity signal among different partitions biogeographic origins Zealand fauna. The analyses circumvent many problems associated with other statistical tests for comparing partitions. took an information-theoretic approach...
The evolutionary origin of the pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses) is still uncertain. Most authors support a hypothesis monophyletic from caniform carnivore. A minority view suggests diphyletic with true seals being related to mustelids (otters ferrets). phylogenetic relationships walrus other pinniped carnivore families are also particularly problematic. Here we examined relative for mono- hypotheses using DNA sequence data mitochondrial small subunit (12S) rRNA cytochrome b genes....
In spite of the critical role process adaptation in evolution, there are few detailed studies genotypic and molecular basis process. Drosophila melanogaster flies selected for increased tolerance to ethanol exhibited higher levels alcohol dehydrogenase (alcohol:NAD+ oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.1) activity than unselected controls. A series tests (electrophoresis, product inhibition, temperature stability, pH optima, substrate specificity, Michaelis constants) gave no evidence structural...
The Austronesian Diaspora is a 5,000-year account of how small group Taiwanese farmers expanded to occupy territories reaching halfway around the world. Reconstructing their detailed history has spawned many academic contests across disciplines. An outline orthodox version eventually emerged but still leaves unanswered questions. remarkable power whole-genome technology now been applied people entire region. This review gives an this era genetic investigation and discusses its achievements,...
We have investigated the effects of different among-site rate variation models on estimation substitution model parameters, branch lengths, topology, and bootstrap proportions under minimum evolution (ME) maximum likelihood (ML). Specifically, we examined equal rates, invariable sites, gamma-distributed site-specific rates (SSR) models, using mitochondrial DNA sequence data from three protein-coding genes one tRNA gene species New Zealand cicada genus Maoricicada. Estimates topology were...
ABSTRACT We determined the nucleotide sequence of a 4.6-kb Eco RI fragment containing 70% rosy locus. In combination with information on 5′ sequence, gene has been sequenced in entirety. cDNAs have isolated and intron/exon boundaries determined. find an open reading frame which spans four exons would encode protein 1335 amino acids. The molecular weight encoded (xanthine dehydrogenase), based acid translation, is 146,898 daltons agrees well earlier biophysical estimates. Characteristics are...
The statistical testing of alternative phylogenetic trees is central to evaluating competing evolutionary hypotheses. Fleming proposed that the New Zealand cicada species Maoricicada iolanthe sister major radiation both low-altitude and montane species. However, using 1,520 bp mitochondrial DNA sequence data from cytochrome oxidase subunit I, tRNA aspartic acid, ATPase 6 8 genes, we inferred M. another species, campbelli, are nested within radiation. Therefore, examined stability placement...
The Est-6 gene of Drosophila melanogaster was cloned by screening libraries with synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding to tryptic peptides from purified esterase-6 (Est-6) protein. cDNA clones were isolated that hybridized in situ the site on chromosome 3 at 69A1. Inserts putative 1.85 kilobases (kb) long, and blot hybridization analysis electrophoretically fractionated RNA, using a clone as probe, revealed two transcripts, 1.68 1.83 kb. transcripts showed same developmental profile...
Over the past 20 years, conservation efforts in New Zealand have moved from being concentrated rural and isolated island locations, where exotic mammalian predators are often controlled, to begin bring native fauna back major cities. However, human–wildlife conflicts arise when occurs close proximity These particularly intense companion animals involved either as potential or prey of high-value animals. Within Zealand, this conflict is fraught around domestic cats (Felis catus) urban...
In 1962, Thomas Kuhn famously argued that the progress of scientific knowledge results from periodic 'paradigm shifts' during a period crisis in which new ideas dramatically change status quo. Although this is generally true, Alec Jeffreys' identification hypervariable repeat motifs human beta-globin gene, and subsequent development technology known now as 'DNA fingerprinting', also resulted dramatic shift life sciences, particularly ecology, evolutionary biology, forensics. The variation...
Abstract Background Protein and glycoprotein antigens on the surface of red blood cells are encoded by highly polymorphic genes in human nuclear genomes. Allelic variants group known to be distributed differently across populations. Consequently, they widely used for ancestral analyses designing donor recruitment strategies. In Malaysia, allele frequency population data available many groups Peninsular but not those from Sabah Sarawak Borneo. Thus, this study contributes a wider systematic...
Abstract.— New Zealand's isolation, its well-studied rapidly changing landscape, and many examples of rampant speciation make it an excellent location for studying the process genetic differentiation. Using 1520 base pairs mitochondrial DNA from cytochrome oxidase subunit I, ATPase subunits 6 8 tRNAAsp genes, we detected two well-differentiated, parapatrically distributed clades within widespread Zealand cicada species Maoricicada campbelli that may prove to represent species. The situation...
An assessment of 28 pertinent binary genetic markers on the non-recombining portion Y chromosome (NRY) in New Zealand Maori and other relevant populations has revealed a diverse paternal heritage extant Maori. A maximum parsimony phylogeny was constructed which nine 25 possible haplotypes were observed. Although ∼40% samples have unequivocal European origin, an equivalent number single haplotype that is also observed Indonesia Guinea, indicative common indigenous Melanesian ancestry. The...
The thrifty gene hypothesis posits that, in populations that experienced periods of feast and famine, natural selection favoured individuals carrying alleles promote the storage fat energy. Polynesians likely long cold stress starvation during their settlement Pacific today have high rates obesity type 2 diabetes (T2DM), possibly due to past positive for alleles. Alternatively, T2DM risk may simply drifted frequency Polynesians. To identify Polynesians, we previously examined evidence on...