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Undergraduate students participating in the UCLA Undergraduate Research Consortium for Functional Genomics (URCFG) have conducted a two-phased screen using RNA interference (RNAi) in combination with fluorescent reporter proteins to identify genes important for hematopoiesis in Drosophila. This screen disrupted the function of approximately 3500 genes and identified 137 candidate genes for which loss of function leads to observable changes in the hematopoietic development. Targeting RNAi to maturing, progenitor, and regulatory cell types identified key subsets that either limit or promote blood cell maturation. Bioinformatic analysis reveals gene enrichment in several previously uncharacterized areas, including RNA processing and export and vesicular trafficking. Lastly, the participation of students in this course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) correlated with increased learning gains across several areas, as well as increased STEM retention, indicating that authentic, student-driven research in the form of a CURE represents an impactful and enriching pedagogical approach.

These data demonstrate that the pattern of junk food exposure differentially alters the hedonic impact of palatable foods and susceptibility to the motivating influence of cues in the environment to promote food-seeking actions when sated, which may be consequential for understanding overeating and obesity.

The montane sky islands of the Great Basin are characterized by unique, isolated habitats and communities that likely are vulnerable to extirpation with environmental change. A subspecies of yellow pine chipmunk, the Humboldt yellow pine chipmunk (Tamias amoenus celeris), is associated with the whitebark and limber pine forests of the Pine Forest Range (PFR) in Nevada. We sampled T. amoenus and least chipmunks (T. minimus) from the isolated PFR and compared genetic diversity between these populations and more “mainland” populations, including other subspecies of chipmunks. Given the high frequency of hybridization in Tamias, we tested for hybridization between T. amoenus and T. minimus in the PFR. We examined phylogenetic relationships, population divergence and diversity, and screened populations for a common pathogen, Borrelia hermsii, to gain insight into population health. We found T. amoenus of the PFR are closely related to T. amoenus in the Warner Mountains and Sierra Nevada, but maintain substantively lower genetic variation. Microsatellite analyses show PFR T. amoenus are highly genetically differentiated from other populations. In contrast, PFR T. minimus had higher genetic diversity that was comparable to the other T. minimus population we sampled. Pathogen screening revealed that T. amoenus carried higher pathogen loads than T. minimus in the PFR, although the prevalence of infection was similar to other Tamias populations. Our assessment of habitat associations suggests that the Humboldt yellow pine chipmunk almost entirely is restricted to the conifer systems of the PFR, while least chipmunks are prevalent in the other forests. Our work highlights the need for continued conservation and research efforts to identify how response to environmental change can be facilitated in isolated species and habitats.

Introduction:Mass gatherings have become more frequent since the beginning of the 21st century. In Canada alone, music festival and sporting event industries will each represent yearly revenues over one billion USD by 2025. Such events require adequate medical planning, as they are associated with a greater prevalence of injuries and incidents than daily life, despite most participants having few comorbidities. Most often, the responsibility of medical planning lies with event producers. This study aims to compare the existing legislative requirements for mass gathering medical response in the ten provinces and three territories of Canada.Method:This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study of legislation. Lists of legislative requirements were obtained by contacting via email or phone the emergency medical services (EMS) directors and Health Ministries of all the provinces and territories of Canada, and asking about any legislation or provision within existing laws regarding mass gatherings. Simple statistics were performed to compare legislation across provinces and territories.Results:Data collection and analysis are planned to be completed by December 31, 2022. Initial data collection and analysis revealed that none of the seven provinces who answered our emails have provincial legislations. Two referred to specific provisions in the Public Health laws of their province, though nothing specifically refers to mass gatherings. One confirmed that mass gathering medical response was a municipal/local concern to be addressed by the event producers and the locality where the event takes place, and one referred to guidelines published in 2014.Conclusion:Although some provinces and territories referred to provisions contained in public health legislation, none of the provinces reached to date could list specific legislation on mass gathering medical response. If this trend continues through full data analysis, it will highlight once more the need to provide more standardized guidance to organizers and municipalities in planning medical response.