2007 Press Releases
"Autism and the Battle of the Sexes", Public Lecture
Autism is a serious neurological disorder that may be increasing in
frequency. Our current understanding of the causes of autism, which
predominantly affects boys, suggests that the disorder is predominantly
genetic in origin. However, the lack of progress in identifying major
susceptibility genes suggests that autism is a very complex disorder
and environmental influences on the condition cannot be ruled out.
In the next lecture of the Faculty of Science Public Lecture Series at
UCC titled "Autism and the Battle of the Sexes", Dr Tom Moore
will discuss what we currently know about the causes of autism.
He will outline his recent findings on the genetics of autism, which
suggest that genes that are selected to function differently in males
and females may be involved. Such genes are said to be 'sexually
antagonistic' because a gene variant that is beneficial in one sex may
be harmful in the other. Dr Moore proposes that when a male individual
inherits 'female optimal' gene variants (and vice versa) this may
predispose to diseases such as autism.
Tom Moore studied Veterinary Medicine at UCD, obtained his PhD from the
University of London, and did post-doctoral research in developmental
genetics at Cambridge. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the
Department of Biochemistry, UCC, leading a HEA-funded Program in
Integrative Reproduction.
The lecture takes place at UCC's Boole Lecture Theatre 4 at 8pm on
Wednesday, 28 February. The highly popular lecture series,
organised by Professor William Reville of the Faculty of Science, UCC,
continues weekly until 28 March 2007. Admission to the lecture is
free, and as always, members of the public are invited to attend.
385MMcS
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