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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Center for Behavior, Evolution, and Culture
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240205T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240205T133000
DTSTAMP:20260418T052258
CREATED:20240103T215740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240201T220903Z
UID:6948-1707134400-1707139800@bec.ucla.edu
SUMMARY:Jazlyn Mooney - On the Number of Genealogical Ancestors: Tracing to the Source Groups of an Admixed Population
DESCRIPTION:On the Number of Genealogical Ancestors: Tracing to the Source Groups of an Admixed Population\nJazlyn Mooney\nUSC\nIn genetically admixed populations\, admixed individuals possess ancestry from multiple source groups. Studies of human genetic admixture frequently estimate ancestry components corresponding to fractions of individual genomes that trace to specific ancestral populations. However\, the same numerical ancestry fraction can represent a wide array of admixture scenarios. Using a mechanistic model of admixture\, we characterize admixture genealogically: how many distinct ancestors from the source populations does the admixture represent? We consider African Americans\, for whom continent-level estimates produce a 75-85% value for African ancestry on average and 15-25% for European ancestry. Genetic studies together with key features of African-American demographic history suggest ranges for model parameters. Using the model\, we infer that if genealogical lineages of a random African American born during 1960-1965 are traced back until they reach members of source populations\, the expected number of genealogical lines terminating with African individuals is 314\, and the expected number terminating in Europeans is 51. Across discrete generations\, the peak number of African genealogical ancestors occurs for birth cohorts from the early 1700s. The probability exceeds 50% that at least one European ancestor was born more recently than 1835. Our genealogical perspective can contribute to further understanding the admixture processes that underlie admixed populations. For African Americans\, the results provide insight both on how many of the ancestors of a typical African American might have been forcibly displaced in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and on how many separate European admixture events might exist in a typical African-American genealogy.
URL:https://bec.ucla.edu/event/jazlyn-mooney-talk-title-tba/
LOCATION:352 Haines Hall
CATEGORIES:2024,Presentation,Upcoming Presentation
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240212T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240212T133000
DTSTAMP:20260418T052258
CREATED:20240103T215859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240215T071019Z
UID:6951-1707739200-1707744600@bec.ucla.edu
SUMMARY:Eduardo Amorim - How Past Pandemics Shaped the Evolution of Human Immunity – Lessons from Ancient Genomes
DESCRIPTION:How Past Pandemics Shaped the Evolution of Human Immunity – Lessons from Ancient\nGenomes\nEduardo Amorim\nCal State Northridge\nPathogen exposure has played a pivotal role in shaping human evolution. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) reveal that the genetic predisposition to infections arises from the contribution of thousands of loci across the genome\, indicating a polygenic mode of inheritance. At California State University Northridge\, our research lab utilizes ancient DNA (aDNA) data to investigate the evolution of polygenic traits in humans\, focusing on phenotypes related to immunity and adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. In this presentation\, I will explore how past epidemics shaped the genetic makeup of our ancestors\, impacting various biological pathways relevant to human health. While addressing the limitations of our methods\, I will emphasize the growing potential of paleogenomics\, employing time-series genetic data built with aDNA to enhance our understanding of human adaptation and the evolution of polygenic traits. The talk will conclude with a brief overview of other ongoing projects in our lab\, including the study of high-altitude adaptation and the coevolution of the human host and the oral microbiome. \n 
URL:https://bec.ucla.edu/event/eduardo-amorin-how-past-pandemics/
LOCATION:352 Haines Hall
CATEGORIES:2024,Past Presentation,Presentation
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240226T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240226T133000
DTSTAMP:20260418T052258
CREATED:20240103T220024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240228T080201Z
UID:6954-1708948800-1708954200@bec.ucla.edu
SUMMARY:Michael Campbell - The effect of population history on patterns of genetic diversity at the TAS2R bitter taste receptor genes in West Central and Central African populations
DESCRIPTION:The effect of population history on patterns of genetic diversity at the TAS2R bitter taste receptor genes in West Central and Central African populations\nMichael Campbell\nUSC\nBitter taste perception is a highly variable trait in humans\, and the ability to detect bitter compounds has been largely attributed to genetic variants in 25 bitter taste receptor (TAS2R) genes. Furthermore\, bitter taste perception has been hypothesized to be a dietary adaptation in humans. However\, few studies have characterized patterns of diversity and signatures of selection at the TAS2R genes in distinct African populations. Given the extensive genetic substructure and evidence for local adaptation in Africa\, we hypothesized that Africans practicing diverse subsistence strategies could have distinct patterns of selection resulting from divergent diets. To test this hypothesis\, we examined sequence variation at 22 bitter taste receptor genes in rainforest hunter-gatherers and Bantu-speaking agriculturalists from Cameroon. Here\, we identified 353 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the TAS2R genes\, 35 of which have never been previously described. We also observed striking signatures of positive selection\, including unusually long haplotypes around alleles at the TAS2R genes. In addition\, some of these signals of selection were shared between rainforest hunter-gatherers and Bantu-speaking agriculturalists. To better understand these results\, we performed genomic genotyping in our African populations. Interestingly\, we observed varying proportions of ancestry originating from Bantu-speakers in hunter-gatherers with the highest levels of admixture occurring in the Bakola population. These findings demonstrate that gene flow from neighboring agriculturalists has also shaped patterns of diversity in hunter-gatherers\, including variation in the TAS2R genes. Overall\, this research provides new insights into the evolution of biologically relevant bitter taste genes in highly understudied African populations.
URL:https://bec.ucla.edu/event/michael-campbell-tas2r-bitter-taste-receptor-genes/
LOCATION:352 Haines Hall
CATEGORIES:2024,Past Presentation,Presentation
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