On Thursday 25th June 2009, Professor Philip Farrell of the University of Wisconsin will visit the Institute of Technology Sligo to present an evening lecture at 7.30pm in room A0004 on “Studying The Ancient Origin of Cystic Fibrosis”. He is currently working on a collaborative project in this area with Dr Jeremy Bird, School of Science, Institute of Technology Sligo and he will outline some of their recent results and their proposed future project.
Prof. Philip Farrell of the University of Wisconsin will give a guest lecture at IT Sligo On Thursday 25th June 2009
Philip Farrell is Professor of Paediatrics and Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and served as Dean of the University of Wisconsin Medical School from 1984 to 2006. As Professor of Paediatrics and Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Professor Farrell concentrates his efforts on cystic fibrosis newborn screening and population health promotion.
The high incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) is mainly due to one mutation (F508), but the reasons for high levels of this mutation in the European and Euro-American populations has not been explained, although a selective advantage for the carriers has long been suspected. The Irish population has a particularly high incidence of the F508 mutation. Dr. Farrell and an interdisciplinary, international team are applying genetic archaeology to address various hypotheses directly regarding the genetic history and spread of this mutation in human populations.
Their pilot studies have utilized prehistoric skeletons from Austria (La Tene culture of the Celts) and several other European countries to analyze molar teeth for DNA markers and femur specimens for radiocarbon dating, paleo-diet reconstruction, and trace metal determinations. Results thus far reveal that F508del was present in the skeletons of 3 of 32 humans who lived during circa 500 to 100 BC near the Danube River and that many such inhabitants had high levels of arsenic and lead in their bones.
Pilot studies have utilized prehistoric skeletons to analyze molar teeth for DNA markers and femur specimens for radiocarbon dating, paleo-diet reconstruction, and trace metal determinations
Dr Farrell will outline possible extension of this study to an early Irish population and initial results on the recovery of DNA from human remains, and the reason behind why such a study may answer some important questions about the emergence of the cystic fibrosis mutation in the Irish population.
Professor Farrell’s lecture is at 7.30pm on Thursday 25th June in lecture theatre A0004 at Institute of Technology Sligo.
For further information please contact:
Jeremy Bird, PhD,
Department of Applied Science,
School of Science,
Institute of Technology Sligo