Grand Challenge in
Comparative
Endocrinology
MICROBES
Frontiers in Comparative Endocrinology
Bioinformatics, genomics
GPCR Models
Molecular
Comparative
Identifying and Mapping New
Comparative Genomes:
Novel Receptors can be identified from
where they are annotated as to their
sequence and their percent identity
Comparative
Use of gene prediction models;
Phylogenetic
analysis
Genomes
Receptors of interest can be cloned,
expressed and tested for function
Compare to newly sequenced genomes
Endocrinology
Structure-Activity
Relationships
Example: NOVEL RECEPTORS ARE IDENTIFIED
Bioinformatics
MOLECULAR COMPARATIVE
ENDOCRINOLOGY:
Site-directed mutagenesis
GPCR Models
Medical &
Therapeutic
Development
Pharmacological
Studies
Molecular
Identify binding
sites
Biology
Determine activation, binding sites and
signaling pathways
Propose new ligand molecules
Structure-Activity
Relationships
Implementation of Grand Challenges in Comparative Endocrinology
Basic, Applied and
Therapeutic/Medical Models
Discovery of Novel
Hormones and
Signaling pathways;
Discovery of New
Pharmaceuticals to
treat human disease;
Hormonally based
strategies for pest
control;
Development of
“Endocrinomics”—high
through put analysis
Support New
Key/alternate
model
organisms in
evolution;
Dissemination
of
Comparative
Endocinology
Information to
public; scientists
Mechanisms
of Evolution
via genome
discoveries
Comparative
Endocrinology
Research
Cooperative
Networks
Highlight Cutting Edge
Discoveries
North American Society for Comparative
Endocrinology (NASCE)
Purpose: To promote the study of hormones, hormone action in diverse animal
species; to foster interdisciplinary collaborations; to promote the development
of databases and other research tools for comparative endocrinology; to
advocate for funding for comparative endocrinology research
The society will include scientists from Canada, the USA and Mexico.
Co-chairs of the organizing committee:
Bob Denver, Univ. of Michigan, USA rdenver@umich.edu
Vance Trudeau, University of Ottawa, Canada trudeauv@uottawa.ca
The NASCE will become incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the spring of
2010. A website is under development and a solicitation for charter membership
will be sent out at this time .
Meetings of the NASCE will be held once every two years in the summer, to alternate
with meetings of the European Society of Comparative Endocrinologists.
Frontiers in Comparative Endocrinology
Neuroendocrine System
Organismal
Form,
Comparative Endocinology
CLIMATE CHANGE
Function,
Developmental,
Survival
Physiology
Behavior
Comparative
Endocrinology
Interactions with
the
Environment