The New York University Abu Dhabi Institute (NYUAD) hosted its 2nd genomics and systems biology meeting, bringing scientists from different parts of the world to gather in Abu Dhabi to discuss the latest research in the exciting and evolving field of genomic information.
Most of the speakers at the conference, taking place 14 – 16 February, are professors who have flown in from the United States, mainly from NYU in New York. Topics ranged from the evolving role of bioinformatics to biodiversity and biofuels development. Much of the research, such as work on hereditary brain traits or analysis of monkey malaria parasites, is actually being presented for the first time and is often ongoing.
The main conference talks tend to be rather technical, aimed at an audience of professors and researchers. However, the first day of the meeting ended with a public lecture open to anyone interested in science from Michael Rosbash, professor of biology at Brandeis University and investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Rosbash discussed the role of genetics in traits, behaviour and education, bringing up the “nature vs nurture” discussion. He gave an example of two identical twins separated at birth who met in their 40’s to realize they have made very similar choices in life. “Both had become firemen and married blonde women…. so it may be they are not just identical in their looks with the mustaches they have but also in their behaviours,” says Rosbash.
He went on to discuss his research in RNA and the 24-hour biological clock of the fruit fly, which defines its activity and rest behaviour which follows a circadian rhythm. He went on to discuss the same pattern which is conserved in mammals. “The trick is knowing which genes are responsible for these.”
He finally concluded with some advice to budding scientists, mainly about the importance of good luck for research and the important role that students and post docs play in exciting discoveries everyday. “The trick to stay out of their ways and let them do their work.”