Join us for a groundbreaking discussion with the renowned geneticist, Professor Jenny Graves, on this episode of Episode #47. Professor Graves has made monumental contributions to our understanding of mammalian genome organization and evolution, using the unique wildlife of Australia as a natural genetic library. Her pioneering research on the chromosomes and genes of kangaroos, platypuses, Tasmanian devils, and various lizards has illuminated the structure, function, and evolution of mammalian genomes, providing insights that have reshaped our understanding of human sex chromosomes and the mechanisms of sex determination.

Jenny Graves is particularly famous—or perhaps infamous—for her prediction that the human Y chromosome is on a path to extinction. This episode dives deep into her groundbreaking discoveries, including how mammalian X chromosomes are epigenetically silenced through transcriptional inhibition mediated by DNA methylation. Her latest collaborative research at the University of Canberra focuses on epigenetics and sex determination, employing reptilian models to study how environmental factors like temperature can trigger sex reversal.

Dr Graves prolific career includes over 430 scientific publications and numerous accolades, such as being a 2006 L'Oreal-UNESCO Laureate and receiving the MacFarlane Burnet Medal.

Tune in to uncover the secrets of genomes and the future of the Y chromosome with one of the most distinguished scientists in the field.

EPISODE LINKS:

Check out this mind blowing Oratorio by evolutionary geneticist Prof Jenny Graves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRH7MD7F4U0