Board of Directors

Treasurer

Işil Arican
Yalansavar

Directors

Bill Patterson

Herb Masters
Bay Area Science, SciSchmooze Newsletter, ExplOratorium

Steven Newton
College of Marin

SkepTalk, Online

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D.

WHAT: From Junk to Genes: The birth of new miRNA genes in the human genome.
One of the biggest surprises of the genomics era is the discovery that every family, genus, and even species, has a shocking number of unique genes that are not found in closely related species. These so-called “orphan genes” have intrigued scientists for the past two decades and their diverse origins are beginning to come to light. In this presentation, I will present evidence that at least two families of human-unique micro-RNA genes have been created through random genomic rearrangements. These micro-RNAs tweak the expression of hundreds of genes in tissues throughout the body and may have played a role in the unique evolutionary trajectory of our species.

WHO: Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. is Professor of Biology at John Jay College of The City University of New York and the author of the popular science books Not So Different and Human Errors. He holds a Ph.D. in human physiology and completed postdoctoral training in genomics and bioinformatics at NYU Medical Center. In addition to dozens of research articles and book chapters, his writing on human evolution can be seen in the pages of Science, the Wall Street Journal, Skeptic, Skeptical Inquirer, and many others. His laboratory studies the evolution of the human genome and the genetic basis of human uniqueness.

WHEN: 7:30PM Thursday February 11

WHERE: Online. (Link coming soon)

HOW: This event is presented FREE by the Bay Area Skeptics.

WHY: Because we’re curious creatures.

Board of Directors

Chair

Vice Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Directors