dbd%benden@LANL.GOV (Dan Davison) (11/11/89)
Subject: Computers & Systematics Workshop
Workshop Announcement: Artificial Intelligence and Modern Computer
Methods in Systematic Biology (ARTISYST Workshop)
The Systematic Biology Program of the National Science Foundation,
is sponsoring a Workshop on Artificial Intelligence, Expert
Systems, and Modern Computer Methods in Systematic Biology, to be
held September 9 to 14, 1990, at the University of California,
Davis. There will be about 45 participants representing an even
mixture of biologists and computer scientists.
Attendance at the workshop is by invitation only. All expenses for
participants (travel, hotel, food) will be paid.
These are the subject areas for the workshop:
1. Scientific workstations for systematics;
2. Expert systems, expert workstations and other tools for
identification;
3. Phylogenetic inference and mapping characters onto tree
topologies;
4. Literature data extraction and geographical data;
5. Machine vision and feature extraction applied to systematics.
The workshop will examine state-of-the-art computing methods and
particularly Artificial Intelligence methods and the possibilities
they offer for applications in systematics. Methods for knowledge
representation as they apply to systematics will be a central focus
of the workshop. This meeting will provide systematists the
opportunity to make productive contacts with computer scientists
interested in these applications. It will consist of tutorials,
lectures on problems and approaches in each area, working groups
and discussion periods, and demonstrations of relevant software.
Participants will present their previous or proposed research in
a lecture, in a poster session, or in a software demonstration
session.
If you are interested in participating, complete the application
form below. Preference will be given to applicants who are most
likely to continue active research and teaching in this area. The
Workshop organizers welcome applications from all qualified
biologists and computer scientists, and strongly encourage women,
minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER JANUARY 31, 1990 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Notification of acceptance of proposal will be made before March
31, 1990
-----------------
Application form
Name:
Address:
E-mail address:
In your application, please include 1) a short resume, 2) a
description of your previous work related to the workshop topic,
3) a description of your planned research and how it relates to the
workshop, and 4) whether you, as biologists (or computer
scientists) have taken or would like to take steps to establish
permanent collaboration with computer scientists (or biologists).
A total of two pages or less is preferred. This material will be
the primary basis for selecting workshop participants.
If you have software that you would like to demonstrate at the
workshop, please give a brief description, and indicate the
hardware that you need to run the program. Several PC's and
workstations will be available at the workshop.
Mail your completed application to:
Renaud Fortuner, ARTISYST Workshop Chairman,
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Analysis & Identification, room 340
P.O. Box 942871
Sacramento, CA 94271-0001
USA
(916) 445-4521
E-mail: rfortuner@ucdavis.edu
For further information, contact Renaud Fortuner, Michael Walker,
Program Chairman, (Walker@sumex-aim.stanford.edu), or a member of
the steering committee:
Jim Diederich, U.C. Davis (dieder@ernie.berkeley.edu)
Jack Milton, U.C. Davis (milton@eclipse.stanford.edu)
Peter Cheeseman, NASA AMES (cheeseman@pluto.arc.nasa.gov)
Eric Horvitz, Stanford University (horvitz@sumex-aim.stanford.edu)
Julian Humphries, Cornell University (lqyy@crnlvax5.bitnet)
George Lauder, U.C Irvine (glauder@UCIvmsa.bitnet)
James Rohlf, SUNY (rohlf@sbbiovm.bitnet)
James Woolley, Texas A&M University (woolley@tamento.bitnet)V5222E@templevm.bitnet (Win) (11/11/89)
Trees, genes and Cucumbers.... Time to put in a few questions to the computing/molevol community. Here is a problem that I am just starting to tackle, and welcome input on: I am writing a grant for a (very loosley defined as yet) a question on Holothuria (them sea Cukes). Seems that Cukes have had a bad wrap when it comes to previous molecular trees... or at least a somewhat inaccurate one. Also, not many have had their DNA sequenced for intersting Phylo Chr$. I want to tackle a Cuke tree, with several ideas in mind. 1) Some of the species are as yet undescribed or even Named 2) I want to be very careful in my choice of gene, as I have seen serious problems with Ribosomal resolution cropping up amongst Echinoderms in gerner al and don't want to get embroiled in a messy story. I am not throwing out Ribo sequencing tho, as I feel there is good data there if enough Chr$ are available. 3) I wonder at the variablity amongst these orgs. If I were looking at Inter-specific relationships, as opposed to inter class, could I use Mitochondrial gene instead? I worry about interspecific CF with Ribos. 4) How about RESACT? This intersting molecule that Urchins use as an attractant for sperm. Anyone heard of similar gene coded molecules in other echinoderms? It would be a very interesting gene to look at, but not much known. This is all basically just free association for now. Anyone got anything interesting to say? (You too Dan) Thanks for your indulgence. Win Hide.
davison@UHNIX2.UH.EDU (Dan Davison) (11/12/89)
> I want to tackle a Cuke tree, with several ideas in mind. Be kind to them, they're in a strange place ;->> > 2) I want to be very careful in my choice of gene, as I have seen serious > problems with Ribosomal resolution cropping up amongst Echinoderms in gerner > al and don't want to get embroiled in a messy story. [...] If one is careful, there is no problem. You are right to be suspicious; however, until you sequence you cannot tell whether the rRNA is inappropriate (a la Giardia vs Varicela nextrix (sp mangled, sorry). > 3) I wonder at the variablity amongst these orgs. If I were looking at > Inter-specific relationships, as opposed to inter class, could I use > Mitochondrial gene instead? I worry about interspecific CF with Ribos. Probably. You could make a fast check with 4-cutter restriction enzymes on mt DNA. What's "CF"? I assume it's not cystic fibrosis. > (You too Dan) Gosh gee thanks. -- dr. dan davison/dept. of biochemical and biophysical sciences/univ. of Houston/4800 Calhoun/Houston,TX 77054-5500/davison@uh.edu/DAVISON@UHOU Disclaimer: As always, I speak only for myself, and, usually, only to myself.