Information on Loughborough
News Index
2009
Nov 2009Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
Leicester geneticists unearth the roots of human genetic variation
Posted on 24/06/09
University of Leicester
A new study at the University of Leicester is using advanced single molecule methods to explore processes that lie at the very core of DNA variation in humans.
The study by researcher Shriparna Sarbajna focuses on the process of recombination, which re-shuffles our genetic content at the time of egg and sperm production.
This re-shuffling creates new combinations that are passed on to future generations. Ultimately, these new combinations accumulate over many years to generate the patterns of genetic variations seen in contemporary human populations.
Doctoral research by Sarbajna uses techniques pioneered by world-renowned geneticist Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, to analyse human sperm DNA molecules. These techniques are ultimately used to directly understand the nature, location and frequency of changes occurring in our DNA.
Sarbajna will be presenting her research at the Festival of Postgraduate Research, which is taking place on Thursday 25th June in the Belvoir Suite, Charles Wilson Building at the University of Leicester between 11.30am and 1pm.
Sarbajna said: These studies are enabling us to explore the very basis of human genetic variation and aiding our understanding of how errors in the process produce pathological changes like those associated with conditions such as alpha thalassaemia and Down syndrome.
Our research has far reaching consequences, ranging from assisting in genetic counselling through identifying factors contributing to infertility and chromosomal abnormalities, to understanding pathogenic rearrangements frequently seen in cancers and some inherited disorders.
Interestingly, understanding how recombination influences patterns of diversity can also shed valuable light into the history and origins of various human populations. Studying recombination is thus, not only of basic scientific importance, but also allows valuable insights into issues ranging from medicine to history and ancestry.
At the heart of the problem is the fact that although vast catalogues of human genetic variation now exist, little is known about the processes that give rise to these in the first place.
This research is funded by The Royal Society, the U.K. Medical Research Council and the Louis-Jeantet Foundation.
Shriparna Sarbajna is a second year PhD student, working with Prof. Sir Alec Jeffreys and Dr. Celia May, at the Department of Genetics, University of Leicester. She has presented her work at numerous scientific conferences, including The Human Genome Meeting (2008) and The British Meiosis Meeting (2009). She obtained her undergraduate degree BSc. (Hons) Medical Genetics (First Class) from the University of Leicester in 2007.
Latest News
Launceston Road junction improvements begin | |
|---|---|
 | Highways, Transportation & Waste Management20 November 2009Launceston Road junction improvements beginWork on a new road layout to ease traffic congestion is starting at a key junction in Wigston next week. The £60,000 improvements to the junction of Station Road and Launceston Road include a new mini roundabout and an extension to the on-pavement cycle lane.... 21 Nov 2009 Launceston Road junction improvements begin |
Accident-reducing road improvements in Hinckley | |
| Highways, Transportation & Waste Management20 November 2009Accident-reducing road improvements in HinckleyWork is starting on the second phase of a £110,000 road improvement scheme to reduce accidents along a key route in Hinckley. The work on Dodwells Road and Normandy Way, which is being carried out by Leicestershire County Council, is due to start on Monday.... 21 Nov 2009 Accident-reducing road improvements in Hinckley |
Seven schools receive £16 million revamp | |
| 20 November 2009Seven schools receive. .... 21 Nov 2009 Seven schools receive £16 million revamp |
Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture | |
 | University of Leicester PhD organise 'Materiality and Intangibility: Contested Zones', an event for researchers and artists working with museums... 20 Nov 2009 Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture |
An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke | |
| 10th Man to walk on the moon to lecture at the University of Leicester in a filled-to-capacity public event... 20 Nov 2009 An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke |
Related News
Study investigates DNA of sleep | |
|---|---|
 | Postgraduate research with new approach to genetics to be presented at University of Leicester on 25th June... 24 Jun 2009 Study investigates DNA of sleep |
Fish protein link to controlling high blood pressure - new study | |
| University of Leicester postgraduate researcher investigates promising alternatives to tackle chronic illnesses... 24 Jun 2009 Fish protein link to controlling high blood pressure - new study |
Genetics and disease | |
| Focus on genetics research in 2009 Frank May Prize Lecture on Wednesday 13th May at University of Leicester... 06 May 2009 Genetics and disease |
New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester | |
 | Public event on Tuesday April 28 will examine how understanding cancer cell division will help fight the disease... 21 Apr 2009 New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester |
Sex talk revelations of the lonely Y chromosome | |
| New study at University of Leicester proves that communication between male and female occurs in our innermost beings ... 10 Sep 2009 Sex talk revelations of the lonely Y chromosome |
Relevant News
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON? | |
|---|---|
 | State-of-the-art molecular technology to map genetic patterns in healthy young men with a strong family history of heart attacks... 17 Jun 2008 LIKE FATHER LIKE SON? |
Plant biologists discover gene that switches on essence of male | |
 | A University of Leicester study has identified the role of gene responsible for plant sperm production ... 20 Mar 2009 Plant biologists discover gene that switches on essence of male |
New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester | |
| Public event on Tuesday April 28 will examine how understanding cancer cell division will help fight the disease... 21 Apr 2009 New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester |
Genetics and disease | |
| Focus on genetics research in 2009 Frank May Prize Lecture on Wednesday 13th May at University of Leicester... 06 May 2009 Genetics and disease |
Ancient mudstones could provide alternative source of energy | |
| Geology research by postgraduate researcher is to be showcased at the University of Leicester on 25 June... 28 May 2009 Ancient mudstones could provide alternative source of energy |
Most Read News (today)
Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood | |
|---|---|
 | A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood |
Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools | |
 | Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools |
Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. | |
 | 14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. |
The Carbon Benefits Project | |
| Dr Eleanor Milne to speak about this timely work on Thursday 19 November at the University of Leicester ... 20 Nov 2009 The Carbon Benefits Project |
Robot in Loughborough Town Centre | |
 | Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey | |
|---|---|
| Community Services29 October 2009Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology surveyLeicestershire County Council today held a press conference at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to announce the conclusion of a groundbreaking three year archaeological survey to locate the battle of Bosworth, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Battlefields Trust archaeologist, Glenn Foard, revealed an exciting collection of finds from the Battle of Bosworth of international archaeological significance.... 30 Oct 2009 Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey |
Loughborough Fair | |
| The popular, annual Charnwood Borough Council-organised event will open at 6pm on Wednesday, November 11th and run until Saturday, November 14th 2009.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough Fair |
Police searching for missing man have found a body | |
 | Police searching for missing man have found a bodyPolice searching for a 77 year old man from Loughborough, who has been missing since yesterday evening, have found the body of a man. Ernest Sanham from Park Road in Loughborough, was admitted to the Leicester General Hospital on Thursday 22nd October 2009 suffering from confusion.... 26 Oct 2009 Police searching for missing man have found a body |
Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice | |
| Information about being safe on Bonfire Night will be available for shoppers who visit Loughborough town centre on Wednesday.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice |
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY | |
| Street children in the third world and some of the most endangered animals on the planet are set to benefit from generous visitors the Great Central Railway. The award winning Leicestershire heritage line teamed up with two charities to raise money at special gala events.... 26 Oct 2009 GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY |
Most Read News (alltime)
Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood | |
|---|---|
| A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood |
Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools | |
| Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools |
Robot in Loughborough Town Centre | |
| Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre |
Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. | |
| 14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. |
Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire | |
 | Radical changes to social care in Leicestershire will be outlined at a meeting next week. The County Council wants to personalise its social care and will update the Cabinet on the plans next Tuesday (29th July).... 22 Jul 2008 Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire |