San Diego, CA
Illumina and the San Diego Zoo are sequencing koala genomes to investigate disease
Two world-class institutions that call San Diego home have joined forces on an investigation into the DNA of koalas.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and DNA-sequencing giant Illumina are examining the genetic information of nearly 100 koalas spanning 30 years to get a better understanding of koala retrovirus, or KoRV.
Scientists suspect through growing evidence that certain variants of koala retrovirus—all koalas carry some form of it—are associated with common diseases and health issues they have, such as leukemia, lymphoma and deadly fungal infections.
KoRV is baked into the genes of koalas and gets passed along to the next generation. This boat load of genetic data will help researchers examine patterns of how KoRV is getting integrated into koala genes. In turn, having a better understanding of KoRV will help inform conservation plans for koalas in the wild and in human care.
Dr. Cora Singleton, senior veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, works primarily with marsupials, including koalas. Singleton has cared for koalas for years and witnessed them struggle with the health effects of KoRV.
In order to sequence the genome, the San Diego Zoo used samples from 91 current koalas living at the zoo as well as samples from the frozen zoo—a bank of living cells—going back to the 1970s. These samples were then sent to Illumina’s laboratory in San Diego, where researchers extracted the DNA to prepare it for sequencing in their machines. Those sequencing instruments break the DNA down into the basic alphabet that makes up all genetic information.
Ashley Van Zeeland, vice president of corporate development at Illumina, said there is a lot less known about the koala genome than the human genome. That mass amount of data was then sent to collaborators in other countries, who are now studying the koala genomes.
“(They) take the data that our instruments generate and put it together into kind of the full picture of that species,” Van Zeeland said.
Van Zeeland, who has worked in genomics for two decades, explained the unique offering of this dataset is that it pairs generations of genetic data alongside meticulously documented medical records. For instance, researchers can examine the cause of death for a koala and its parents to see if there’s a connection.
Researchers are looking for patterns of where KoRV has inserted itself into the koala’s DNA because it’s not entering at the same spot for every koala. More specifically, researchers are comparing the patterns of how KoRV integrated into koala genes in a way that may be associated with certain diseases.
Van Zeeland explained that looking at where KoRV inserted itself in the genome may give researchers an idea of which genes might be disrupted, turned on or off in the koala and the resulting effect on their health.
Having that knowledge of which integration patterns correlate with certain adverse health effects could inform how conservationists pair up koala populations for reproduction. As koalas already face pressures from climate change and a disappearing habitat in the wild, this would tackle one more stressor on the endangered population.
While the koala genome had already been sequenced previously, the scale of this project wasn’t feasible even a few years ago, explained Singleton.
“One of the questions everybody always said from a research perspective: ‘wouldn’t it be great if we could see what’s going on in the genome?’ But for many, many years it was very expensive and very labor intensive,” Singleton said.
Illumina has been focused on getting the cost of sequencing the genome down so this kind of technology is more accessible and applicable for researchers. Van Zeeland said that in 2015 it cost roughly $1,000 to $2,000 to sequence a genome, but now that cost is down to about $200 using the latest technology. (Illumina’s work on the project is through its Illumina iConserve initiative, which focuses on environmental and wildlife conservation.)
Singleton characterizes this project as a career highlight to be a part of a network of collaborators trying to solve the same puzzle. While it’s been years in the making, she always knew “there was something special in there that we had to uncover at the right time and the right place.”
“It’s the moment for genetics to take off in the world of conservation,” Singleton said.
The effort to compile and analyze a database of the North American koala population will be the largest koala pedigree genomic database in the world. The project spans continents and is also aided by the University of Sydney, Australian Museum Research Institute, University of Nottingham, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and ZooParc de Beauval.
2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — There are 5.6 billion reasons why people walked up to the microphone at San Diego City Hall on Wednesday night: the multi-billion-dollar budget for the City proposed by Mayor Todd Gloria.
Some from the communities hit by the Jan. 22 floods weren’t mincing their words in emotionally charged public comments on where the city should be budgeting its money.
“It’s time for you guys to plan before the next rain comes,” one speaker said.
“I’m drained…of speaking and asking for (expletive) help. I’m tired,” Michael Rios, a flood victim, said.
During its presentation, city staff showed the Council that the key priorities in the budget are stormwater resilience, homelessness, street repair, and public safety, among other things.
“They really give the money to the housing commission to help subsidize payments for us for new rental leases,” Rios said. “The number one priority on this budget should be for the infrastructure and the flood survivors and allocate all of the money towards us, to give us permanent housing and to help us.”
Other impacts include programs, arts, libraries, and many other things that are being brought to the city council.
“So I wanted to come down and make sure that equity should be a top priority,” LaShae Sharp-Collins, who spoke during public comment, said.
Many, like Sharp-Collins, expressed concern about the budget’s lack of equity for underinvested communities.
“The cuts that are happening is going to impact me drastically,” Sharp-Collins said. “Those cuts are not only going to impact me as far as employment; it’s going to impact the education. It’s going to impact the housing opportunities. It’s going to impact us in all types of shapes and forms.”
People plan to continue to express their opinions before the city council makes its final decision on the budget in June.
“I grew up in the 4th District, and the 4th District, we’re always on the chopping block. So for me, it’s important that we come down here and voice our opinion, and my community has a strong voice,” Sharp-Collins said.
“We need to use every minute and chance we have to speak to the city council and to the city to get us the help we need. We have no time to waste,” Rios said.
San Diego, CA
Our Shtetl San Diego County: AJC Honors Late Holocaust Survivor Rose Schindler – San Diego Jewish World
By Cailin Acosta
SAN DIEGO – Something I love to do each month is honor my friends celebrating a birthday with a handmade card. Once a month, a group of us meet for lunch and I bring cards for those celebrating in our group. They get passed around and signed by everyone in attendance. It might not be much but I feel if I am making something for you, then you are someone special in my life and deserve to be honored for another year I get to spend with you.
AJC’s (American Jewish Committee’s) survey of San Diego Jewish history during Jewish American Heritage Month features San Diego native Rose Schindler. One of the first times I met Schindler, she asked about my family and then asked when my birthday was. I told her it was December 27. She gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and said, “Mine is December 28, you are my birthday twin!” For many years before she passed, I sent her handmade birthday cards or if I knew I would see her I would hand her one. She would ask me my name since she would forget but she would always call me her birthday twin. Click here to read her story.
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JEWISH ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS
During the Yom Ha’atzmaut event at the JCC on May 19, the Jewish Teen Foundation will culminate its work by awarding grants on state to Israeli and local nonprofits. Visit the JTF booth to congratulate the teens on their incredible fundraising efforts, hard work, and thoughtful selection of grantees. Click here to make your reservation for this free event.
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If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we must plan for the unexpected. Hillel of San Diego has been challenged to raise $50,000 to ensure all Jewish students in San Diego have a safe and welcoming environment through Hillel. Every dollar that is raised from our generous community will be matched one-for-one. Click here to help keep students safe.
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Keren-Dee Hamui, the new executive director of The Butterfly Project wrote in an introductory fundraising appeal that “I do not take lightly the seriousness of this moment as we witness the relentless incidents of antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and hate-fueled bullying against other marginalized groups in our communities. We must take action now. Click here to donate.
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Nierman Preschool at the Lawrence Family JCC is holding open enrollment for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Click here to schedule a tour.
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CONGREGATIONAL NEWS
Beth Israel’s annual fundraiser on June 8 will feature actor and comedian Jason Alexander, known for his role as George Constanza on Seinfeld. Alexander will be performing his one-man show, “As Long As You’re Asking – A Conversation with Jason Alexander.” It will be an evening of comedy, music, and conversation. Click here to make your reservation.
Rabbi Devorah Marcus of Temple Emanu-El, on the progress of her child, wrote in a Temple bulletin: “As Rafael is in his 4th week of life, I am filled with worry and woe. As he masters drinking from a bottle and I watch him get better at it every day, knowing each bottle down means we’re one step closer to leaving the wonderful and amazing NICU that I cannot wait to get released from, I am counting, and patiently waiting and watching in our own Omer, not just of days, but of bottles, and milliliters, and breaths and swallows, and pulse oxygenation. And I am so unspeakably grateful for every minute of it on this, the 16th day of the Omer when we contemplate might within beauty.” … Another milestone within that congregational family, Rabbi Emeritus Martin S. Lawson will celebrate 50 years in the rabbinate at Shabbat services on Friday evening, May 10.
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Rabbi Mathew Marko of Tifereth Israel Synagogue was asked to teach Hebrew Scripture in Dr. Elisabeth Burke’s Scriptures class at Grossmont Community College. Rabbi Marko took a Torah with him to share with the students.
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
San Diego City Councilwoman Dr. Jen Campbell has endorsed Chief Deputy City Attorney Heather Ferbert in November’s election for City Attorney against Assemblyman Brian Maienschein. Campbell stated: “Heather Ferbert’s commitment to the law and her extensive experience in the City Attorney’s office makes her the clear choice for San Diego’s next City Attorney.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) endorses fellow Democrat Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) in the U.S. Senate race against Republican Steve Garvey. Schiff said about his former primary election opponent: “Congresswoman Barbara Lee is one of our nation’s most powerful advocates for social justice and a tireless fighter to combat economic injustice, champion health care for all, and protect civil rights.” Garvey responded that Lee’s agenda is “a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, out-of-control crime, $50 minimum wage, and a failed track record with the Latino community.”
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of San Diego Jewish World. Acosta can be reached via cailin.acosta@sdjewishworld.com
San Diego, CA
San Diego weekend arts events: A new spin on 'Thelma and Louise'; Richard Keely and more
Top picks
‘TL;DR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix’
Theater | Moxie Theatre and Diversionary Theatre, two of San Diego’s most beloved and adventurous small theaters, are joining forces to produce this world-premiere musical. Playwright and lyricist EllaRose Chary and composer and lyricist Brandon James Gwinn take the iconic and tragic friendship of Thelma and Louise and turn it into the beginning of an anthemic, queer empowerment story.
For more arts events or to submit your own, visit the KPBS/Arts Calendar. If you want more time to plan, get the KPBS/Arts Newsletter in your inbox every Thursday to see event picks for the weeks ahead.
Chary said they wanted to answer one question when it comes to diverse representation: “Why do strong female characters always gotta die?” In this musical, the collaborators set out to flip the script — beginning with the moment our iconic road trip characters plummet off the road into the Grand Canyon, except this time they survive.
“We’re not going to do that same thing again, and we’re not going to bury our gays, and we’re not going to bury our strong women, and we’re not going to cancel our queer television shows after one season. We’re gonna get to see what happens next,” Chary said.
There’s a “riot grrrl” band, with the musicians serving as full-fledged characters on stage. For the world premiere, Sophia Araujo-Johnson is “T” and Sara Porkolob is “L.” Directed by Sherri Eden Barber.
Details: Event information. On stage May 9 through June 2. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Bvld. #101, University Heights. $25-$70.
Richard Keely: ‘Lookout’ and more at Bread and Salt
Visual art | This Saturday is Barrio Art Crawl, so in addition to a massive block party and self-guided art tour along Logan Avenue, you can skip over a few streets to Bread and Salt for several new art exhibits throughout many of their galleries, plus a panel discussion in the Brick Room event space.
Courtesy of Richard Keely
Influential local sculptor, installation artist and educator Richard Keely will open a new solo show at Bread and Salt’s main gallery. Keely’s work is industrial, minimalist and geometric, with lots of suspended or mounted circular shapes. I’ve also lost count of the number of times Keely’s name has come up in interviews over the years as an influence on students and emerging artists.
Opening at Best Practice is Tijuana photographer Monice Arreola’s “Echoes of Abandonment: Photographs of Utopia,” which is a series of photography chronicling abandoned housing projects in Tijuana.
Monica Arreola
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Best Practice
At Athenaeum Art Center, the San Diego State University Art Council Scholarship Exhibition will be on view, spotlighting the work of five student artists. And Max Daily’s always-delightful and always-strange “Oslo Sardine Bar” will be set up in the Not An Exit gallery.
Details: Event information. 5-8 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Bread and Salt, 1955 Julian Ave., Logan Heights. Free.
Peel Lit Reading: Akari Komura, Ilana Waniuk, Amy Sara Carroll, Ana Carrete and Adam Strauss
Books, Poetry | This new local indie reading series continues with a new slate of writers and performers. In addition to poets and writers Amy Sara Carroll, Ana Carrete and Adam Strauss, the reading will feature Akari Komura, an interdisciplinary artist, writer and composer, who will perform with violinist Ilana Waniuk. This reading series held its first two events at the now-closed Lang Books in North Park, but will now be at Libélula Books.
Details: Event information. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Libélula Books, 950 S 26th St., Barrio Logan. Free.
GI Film Festival San Diego: ‘Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea’
Film, Visual art | The GI Film Festival San Diego presents a screening of a 3D documentary feature about the life and work of H.C. (Cliff) Westermann, surrealist artist, marine … and acrobat. The documentary is narrated by Ed Harris.
I will moderate a panel discussion after the film, which screens at the Museum of Photographic Arts at San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. Panelists include Steve Dilley, executive director and founder of The Veterans Art Project, and Diana Donaldson, an artist, art collector and friend of Westermann.
Details: Event information. 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 10. MOPA@SDMA, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park. $10.
‘Latine Entretejida / Interwoven’
Visual art | Visions Museum of Textile Arts, an always-free fiber arts space in Liberty Station, will show a new multi-part exhibition with work by four Latina textile artists Irma Sofia Poeter, Olivia Arreguin, Marisa Raygoza and Mely Barragán. It’s a designated World Design Capital event.
The artists will be on-site for the public opening reception and will participate in a panel discussion.
Work by Carolina Betancourt will be added to the “Latine Entretejida” exhibit in late July.
Details: Event information. Opens with a reception and artists’ talk 1-2 p.m. Saturday, May 11. On view May 11 through Oct. 5. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visions Museum of Textile Arts, 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100, Liberty Station. Free.
Bodhi Tree Concerts: ‘The Falling and the Rising’
Music, Theater, Opera | Zach Redler and Jerre Dye’s opera, cut from San Diego Opera’s recent season due to budgetary reasons, will now have its San Diego premiere thanks to Bodhi Tree Concerts. The opera is the story of a soldier’s imagined dreamscape as she’s stuck in a coma, and is informed by extensive interviews with veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center. Musical direction is by Karen Keltner and stage direction is by Kym Pappas.
Details: Event information. 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 10-12 at Point Loma Assembly, 3035 Talbot St., Point Loma. $25-$60.
San Diego New Music: ‘The Sounds of Community’
Music | Woodwind performer, conductor and professor Ellen Weller will be spotlighted at this San Diego New Music production. Weller will be supported by a bunch of local stars in classical and experimental, improvisational music, including trumpeter Stephanie Richards, percussionist Nathan Hubbart, bassist Mark Dresser, violinist Kris Apple and more. They’ll perform Weller’s “1918” for “piano, winds and community” — that means you, the audience. Before the show, audience members will be given a color-coded sticker and taught a sound to make, and when to make it.
Details: Event information. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10. Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $12-$30.
Live music picks
* Indicates local act
Thursday: Lol Tolhurst and Budgie at Casbah (punk/rock/pop); G Flip and Kat Cunning at Music Box (synth pop, indie); Snow Strippers at House of Blues (electronic); The San Diego Jazz Orchestra Supper Club* at Lou Lou’s (jazz).
Friday: Pacific Avenue and The Diz* at Casbah (indie/rock); The Isley Brothers at Starlight Theatre (Pala Casino) (funk/R&B); Tipling Rock, Private Island and Blue Hour* at Soda Bar (indie); Chulita Vinyl Club* Dance Party at Whistle Stop (DJ); Xtine and the Reckless Hearts, Sik Sik Sicks and Flailing Idiot* at Pour House Oceanside (punk/rock); Olmecs*, Hurricane Kate* and Medusa’s Disco at Black Cat Bar (indie/rock/funk); Little Lizard, No Interest, Minority, Bug Stomp* and Citrus Jr at Che Cafe (punk, hardcore, indie); Sudan Archives, Channel Tres, Saint Luna, T-Pain and more at Wonderfront Festival.
Saturday: We The Commas*, Cheyenne Benton* and Topeka Clementine* at Casbah (R&B/surf, pop); Shawn Rohlf* at Whistle Stop (singer-songwriter); Bird of Paradise*, Leavers* and Popular Music at Black Cat Bar (alt/indie/lo-fi); City Soul Collective* with Head Hi and Elegant Tern at Til Two Club (soul); Sure Fire Soul Ensemble at Lou Lou’s (funk); Brenton Wood, Barbara Mason, Aaron Frazer and more: Catch You on the Rebound Tour at Pechanga Arena (R&B); Carly Rae Jepsen, Weezer, little luna, Trash Panda and more at Wonderfront Festival.
Sunday: Aaron Lee Tasjan and Molly Martin at Casbah (indie); Gabacho, Valley Wolf, La Diabla* (Tijuana) and Peralta Y Los Paisanos* at Soda Bar (indie, Latin); Mike, 454 and Niontay at House of Blues (rap/hip-hop); Aaron May, Jay Millz, O.E. and Twenty24Four at SOMA (rap/hip-hop); Fruit Bats, Beck, Mt. Joy, Natasha Bedingfield, Alice Phoebe Lou, The Roots and more at Wonderfront Festival; Rayland Baxter and Fruit Bats (solo): Wonderfront After Party at Music Box (alt country, indie).
More local art and culture
The Hill Street Country Club and Queer Surf Present: ‘Gaza Surf Club’
Film | “Gaza Surf Club” is a 2016 documentary that followed a group of surfers in Palestine for five years. In partnership with Queer Surf, The Hill Street Country Club will host a screening along with Palestinian food for sale. Event information. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9. The Hill Street Country Club, 530 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside. $0-$10 donation-based.
La Jolla Music Society Community Arts Open House
Music, Dance, Family | The La Jolla Music Society will open their doors to the public this weekend for a series of mini performances and workshops in music and dance, plus artmaking activities for kids. Drummers Without Borders, Alyssa Junious, Malashock Dance and more will appear throughout the event. Event information. 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 11. La Jolla Music Society, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Free (RSVP required).
‘Next to Normal’
Theater | Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt’s 2010 Pulitzer-winning play “Next to Normal” explores the complicated impact on a mother’s long battle with bipolar disorder on a seemingly typical family. Oceanside Theatre Company’s production, directed by Frankie Errington. Event information. May 10 through May 26. Sunshine Brooks Theatre, 217 N Coast Hwy., Oceanside. $20-$50.
‘Kuchipudi’: Traditional Indian Dance Performance for Children
Dance, Family | Kuchipudi is a type of traditional South Indian dance that’s both athletic and rooted in folklore and storytelling. This kid-centered event includes a performance, artmaking activities and Indian food. Event information. 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Mission Valley Branch Library, 2123 Fenton Pkwy., Mission Valley. Free.
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