A5044819922- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Cancer-related gene regulation
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- MicroRNA in disease regulation
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Plant and animal studies
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Advanced Scientific Research Methods
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
University of Utah
2021-2024
Max Planck Institute for Biology
2022-2024
Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology
2017-2021
University of Chicago
2011-2019
University of Colorado Boulder
2019
University of Colorado System
2019
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
2018
Georgia Institute of Technology
2017
Google (United States)
2017
Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine
2016
A number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to regulate transcription via recruitment chromatin modifiers or bridging distal enhancer elements gene promoters. However, the generality these modes regulation and mechanisms attachment for thousands unstudied human lncRNAs remain unclear. To address questions, we performed stringent nuclear fractionation coupled RNA sequencing. We provide genome-wide identification chromatin-associated demonstrate tethering by RNAPII is a...
Environmental cues can impact development to elicit distinct phenotypes in the adult. The consequences of phenotypic plasticity have profound effects on morphology, life cycle, and behavior increase fitness organism. molecular mechanisms governing these interactions are beginning be elucidated a few cases, such as social insects. Nevertheless, there is paucity systems that amenable rigorous experimentation, preventing both detailed mechanistic insight establishment generalizable conceptual...
Species-specific, new, or “orphan” genes account for 10%–30% of eukaryotic genomes. Although initially considered to have limited function, an increasing number orphan been shown provide important phenotypic innovation. How new acquire regulatory sequences proper temporal and spatial expression is unknown. Orphan gene regulation may rely in part on origination open chromatin adjacent preexisting promoters, although this has not yet assessed by genome-wide analysis states. Here, we combine...
Abstract Development can be altered to match phenotypes with the environment, and genetic mechanisms that direct such alternative are beginning elucidated. Yet, rules govern environmental sensitivity vs. invariant development, potential epigenetic memory, remain unknown. Here, we show plasticity of nematode mouth forms is determined by histone 4 lysine 5 12 acetylation (H4K5/12ac). Acetylation in early larval stages provides a permissive chromatin state, which susceptible induction during...
Abstract Comparative approaches have revealed both divergent and convergent paths to achieving shared developmental outcomes. Thus, only through assembling multiple case studies can we understand biological principles. Yet, despite appreciating the conservation—or lack thereof—of networks, conservation of epigenetic mechanisms regulating these networks is poorly understood. The nematode Pristionchus pacificus has emerged as a model system plasticity regulation it exhibits bacterivorous or...
Extreme environments enable the study of simplified food-webs and serve as models for evolutionary bottlenecks early Earth ecology. We investigated biodiversity invertebrate meiofauna in benthic zone Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah, USA, one most hypersaline lake systems world. The bays within GSL are currently thought to support only two multicellular animals: brine fly larvae shrimp. Here, we report presence, habitat, microbial interactions novel free-living nematodes. Nematode diversity drops...
Cross-kingdom interactions involve dynamic processes that shape terrestrial ecosystems and represent striking examples of co-evolution. The multifaceted relationships entomopathogenic nematodes with their insect hosts symbiotic bacteria are well-studied cases co-evolution pathogenicity. In contrast, microbial in soil after the natural death insects other invertebrates minimally understood. particular, turnover succession during decay have not been well documented - although it represents a...
The noncoding genome is pervasively transcribed. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) generated from enhancers have been proposed as a general facet of enhancer function and some shown to be required for activity. Here we examine the transcription-factor-(TF)-dependence ncRNA expression define enhancer-associated ncRNAs that are involved in TF-dependent regulatory network. TBX5, cardiac TF, regulates network channel genes maintain rhythm. We deep sequenced wildtype Tbx5-mutant mouse atria, identifying...
Abstract Small RNAs have emerged as one of the key post-transcriptional regulators and can be broadly categorised into microRNAs (miRNAs), small-interfering (siRNAs), PIWI-interacting (piRNAs). Since their discovery developmental timing in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , some miRNAs were found to highly conserved throughout animal evolution. miR-100 is a miRNA, possibly predating origin bilaterians. Furthermore, member let-7-complex locus containing three ancient miRNA-coding genes ( let-7...
Many animal and plant species respond to population density by phenotypic plasticity. To investigate if specific age classes and/or cross-generational signaling affect density-dependent plasticity, we developed a dye-based method differentiate co-existing nematode populations. We applied this Pristionchus pacificus, which develops predatory mouth form exploit alternative resources kill competitors in response high densities. Remarkably, adult, but not juvenile, crowding induces the morph...
SPHEREx, a mission in NASA's Medium Explorer (MIDEX) program recently selected for Phase-A implementation, is an all-sky survey satellite that will produce near-infrared spectrum every 6 arcsecond pixel on the sky. SPHEREx has simple, high-heritage design with large optical throughput to maximize spectral mapping speed. While legacy data products provide rich archive of spectra entire astronomical community mine, instrument optimized three specific scientific goals: probe inflation through...
The Spitzer Space Telescope, which has operated very successfully since 2003 in its unique Earth-trailing solar orbit, is NASA's Great Observatory for infrared astronomy. We provide a quick overview of the optical characteristics and review observatory design. main emphasis on two on-orbit activities used to optimize scientific return from Spitzer: 1. an unusual approach focusing telescope that minimized use cryogenic focus mechanism, 2. methodology extending lifetime by actively controlling...
Terminal lakes (without outflow) retain elements and compounds that reach them through fluvial, point source or atmospheric deposition. If the lake sediment is exposed, some of these chemicals could become toxic dust particulates. The Great Salt Lake (GSL) in Utah a terminal experienced record-low elevation 2021-22, exposing vast areas playa. Here, we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to analyze environmental chemistry GSL shallow during historic lows spring, summer, fall...
An Earth smallsat mission architecture is developed to demonstrate the feasibility of aerocapture. The concept proposes transfer from a geosynchronous orbit rideshare trajectory low orbit. Single-event drag modulation used as straightforward means achieving control required during maneuver. Low- and high-fidelity guidance algorithm choices are considered. Numeric simulations Monte Carlo uncertainty analyses performed show robustness system day-of-flight environments uncertainties. Related...
This paper presents a technology development initiative focused on delivering SmallSats to orbit variety of bodies using aerocapture. Aerocapture uses the drag single pass through atmosphere capture into instead relying large quantities rocket fuel. Using modulation flight control, an aerocapture vehicle adjusts its area during atmospheric single-stage jettison skirt, allowing it target particular science in presence uncertainties. A team from JPL, NASA Ames, and CU Boulder has worked...
Mission Timeline Control Scheme • Jettison timing controls amount of aerocapture ΔV Guidance algorithm: numerical predictor-corrector Only atmospheric accelerometer measurements required Monte Carlo results show robustness to uncertainties in entry FPA, atmosphere, and burns Trajectory Modeling End-to-end simulation models vehicle trajectory 3-DOF integration equations motion Key outputs: Deceleration Heat Rates Orbit
The Spectro-Photometer for the History of Universe, Epoch Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) mission is part NASA Astrophysics Medium (MIDEX) program will perform first near-infrared all-sky spectral survey from a Low Earth, sun-synchronous, polar orbit. As space-based observatory, SPHEREx use spectroscopy to measure hundreds millions galaxies diversity astronomical phenomena. With this capability, produce three-dimensional map universe, which scientists answer questions about early...
Abstract Developmental plasticity enables the production of alternative phenotypes in response to different environmental conditions. While significant advances understanding ecological and evolutionary implications have been made, its genetic basis has lagged. However, a decade screens model nematode Pristionchus pacificus culminated 30 genes which affect mouth-form plasticity. We also recently reported critical window sensitivity, therefore clear expectations for when differential gene...