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Congratulations Vanessa!! for wining the 'Best Student Poster' award at last week's conference of the Canadian Society of Zoologists. It is a great poster; attractive, informative and with a great QR code of the data! Nice work!! 
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 How does flow really move through a living sponge? Normally they pump water very slowly through tiny spaces. You could model it, right? But don't forget the tissues! Read here in our Nature Matters Arising comment about how we think tissues must be included in any interpretations about how flow moves through a living sponge. Image is of Euplectella aspergillum from Schulze, Challenger Expedition. A news article by Sabrina Imbler in the New York Times highlights a cool recent study on glass sponge skeletons. James Weaver's group at Harvard University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences asked whether the ridges on the beautiful deep sea glass sponge Euplectella might deflect currents...something that could be used to stablize large man-made structures in areas of high wind or current. Leys says, however, 'be careful not to over-interpret how flow moves around and through the living sponge on the seafloor'; that would require understanding the tiny spaces in the living sponge's tissues, and the complex pump as well as the sponge's ability to control its pump. Read More... 
Download pdf of job posting below
A postdoctoral position is available in the area of sponge-microbe interactions and development of transfection methods for genome editing tools in freshwater sponges
The Hill, Leys and Riesgo labs are exploring host-symbiont interactions in an emerging model system the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri. Funding is available for a two-year postdoctoral position to develop methods of transfection for genome editing tools. Advantages of this system include availability of a high quality genome assembly and easy lab culture of sponge host and algal symbionts. The successful candidate will work in a supportive and inclusive environment in the Leys Lab at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and maintain close collaboration with other team members in the USA (Bates College, Lewiston, Maine) and Spain (National Museum of Natural Sciences, Madrid). Qualifications: ● Doctoral degree or equivalent (Ph.D.) in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics or other closely related field ● Demonstrated research experience with basic experimental procedures such as RNA/DNA extraction, RT-PCR, Real Time PCR, molecular cloning, RNA/DNA sequencing, tissue collection/processing and visualization (microscopy); experimental design ● Strong communication and writing skills Preferred Qualifications: ● Experience with host:symbiont manipulation; manuscript writing experience; and a peer-reviewed publication record ● Prior experience in vector design, construction and delivery into cells, and mutant genotyping and characterization would be a definite plus We are firmly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and aim to give all members of this project the opportunity and skills needed to succeed. We are looking for a colleague who shares these goals and who will pursue continued growth in creating an inclusive working environment. To Apply: Please send inquiries and applications to Drs. Leys, Riesgo and Hill at: [email protected] Applications should include a cover letter, CV, and a brief description of their experience as well as the names and contact information of three references. Closing date: We will begin considering applications July 30 until the position is filled, with an anticipated start date between September 2020 and January 2021. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. Description and distribution of Desmacella hyalina sp. nov. (Porifera, Desmacellidae), a new cryptic demosponge in glass sponge reefs from the western coast of CanadaLauren K. Law, Henry M. Reiswig, Bruce S. Ott, Neil McDaniel, Amanda S. Kahn, Keenan C. Guillas, Curtis Dinn, Sally P. Leys The reef-building glass sponges off the coast of North America grow a rigidly latticed skeleton of silica “glass”. The skeleton allows the sponges to tower above the seafloor. The folds and crevices within them are used as a home by countless species. In this way, the reefs increase the biodiversity around them, and in 2017 the Hecate Strait Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs in northern British Columbia were designated as a Marine Protected Area.
Growing tall is an advantage to the sponges too; higher tidal currents bring them more food. But not all sponges can grow an upright skeleton. Sponges in the genus Desmacella, for example, grow as a ‘crust’ on top of the glass sponges to reach the higher flows. Like a SciFi zombie-sponge, they take over they skeleton of glass sponges to use as their own. Very little is known about Desmacella species, but estimating their prevalence is important to accurately assess biodiversity in these ecologically important areas. Using the Remotely Operated Vehicle “ROPOS” we took photos along the seafloor, and collected Desmacella specimens. We even used samples collected by Citizen Scientists (thank you to Bruce and Neil), and old museum samples. Desmacella spp., we found, were found in higher densities when either dead and live glass sponges were present. In some locations they constituted nearly 20% of the sponge proportion. By analyzing the skeletal “spicule” components of our Desmacella specimens we found a new species which we named Desmacella hyalina, after the greek word huálinos, meaning “crystal glass”. We suggest that the diversity of sponges can be hidden in plain sight. To accurately assess how the species number and composition is changing over time, we need to put in a lot of work into better understanding the species that are present. |
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May 2022
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