A night with Matt Groening and the importance of faeces, feces and faces

So - I participated in a fundraiser for Emily Levine's "The Edge of Chaos" film a week ago. And one of the key guests was Matt Groening. Not only did I get to hang out with him and discuss fecal transplants with him (really) but I had a front row seat to Matt discussing the history of how he came up with the general outline of the Simpson's characters.

And in addition to this being just awesome to witness, one part of it struck me. See the video below and in particular the part that struck me was the beginning:

  Groening
basically said that only a few simple changes in faces can be recognized by people very easily. This reminds me of Jenna Lang's talk at the Lake Arrowhead meeting this year where she discussed using facial drawings as a form of visualizing microbiome data.

 

Citizen Microbiology: Opportunities for Engagement and Data Visualization, Lake Arrowhead, 2014 from jennomics

So - since I discussed fecal transplants with Matt and since he gave a good description of facial characteristics being easy to identify, I think we should definitely (1) try and get him to include microbiomes on the Simpsons and (2) for our work we should use Simpsons characters as model faces for different microbiomes ...

Oh and I also showed Groening some of the pics of my kids reading his "Hell" books:

So - basically it was a night of feces, faeces and faces.  Seems ideal.

It's that time of year again...

You guys, it's that time of year again! Every year my favorite people over at Photography Concentrate have a KILLER Black Friday sale (which has already begun!) on their amazing photography tutorials, and as per usual, I have to tell you all about it.

While I AM a member of their affiliate program, helping to promote these amazing learning tools is the most natural thing in the world to me - a perfect partnership because I TRULY believe in these products and have used them and benefitted from them myself, long before I was an affiliate. Going through the tutorials was the single best thing I ever did to jumpstart my photography, in particular the Extremely Essential Camera Skills tutorial (which effectively teaches you to shoot in manual mode and understand the ins and outs of your camera) and the Super Photo Editing Skills tutorial (which teaches Lightroom and which I'd have been LOST without).

I remember I paid $99 for a four hour Photography course here in Austin a few years ago, and I left feeling almost as confused as when I came. Then shortly thereafter, a photographer friend of mine that I admired recommended Extremely Essential Camera Skills, and  I went home that same day and looked it up. Besides her recommendation, the tutorial really kind of sold itself. I purchased, went through it in a few hours one afternoon, and it was like a lightbulb went on. I switched to Manual mode and never looked back, and so began my long and illustrious career.... I kid, I kid. ;) But really, it's incredible what these tutorials can achieve for you in one afternoon or evening. You could literally spend hundreds or thousands on classes and still not "get it" as quickly and efficiently as with the Photography Concentrate tutorials. I really believe Rob & Lauren (the husband and wife team behind P.C.), are natural-born teachers and designers, which makes their tools as useful and truly priceless as they are!

Anyway, enough of MY rambling. If you'd like to check it out, HERE is the main page with all the fun info about the sale, awesome giveaway going on, and links to all the various tutorials. Below I'll leave links to my four favorite tutorials, as well. Their already super-affordable prices are now DIRT CHEAP, and won't be priced this way again until next Black Friday week, so get on it! ;)

PS - I forgot to mention, the Really Easy Retouching tutorial is literally worth its weight in GOLD. I went through it just this last year, and learned for the first time how to do "compositions" or head swaps in Photoshop - I can't believe how many amazing photos I've been able to salvage since then that I otherwise would have lost (one family member looking away or blinking, etc), and I can't believe I lasted so long WITHOUT knowing how to do it!

Here's all my favorites...

EXTREMELY ESSENTIAL CAMERA SKILLS

* * * * *

SUPER PHOTO EDITING SKILLS

* * * * *

REALLY EASY RETOUCHING

* * * * *

INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT COMPOSITION SKILLS

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Whole issues of Genome Biology/Genome Medicine on "Genomics of Infectious Disease"

Wow this has really got some nice papers: BioMed Central | Article collections | Genomics of infectious diseases special issue.  I note - this goes well as a follow up to the series I co-coordinated in PLOS a few years back: Genomics of Emerging Infectious Disease - PLOS Collections

From their site:

Infectious diseases are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality, and have a devastating impact on public health. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 3 deaths worldwide are due to an infectious disease, with a disproportionate number occurring in developing regions. 

While the completion of the first genome sequence of a pathogen, Haemophilus influenzae, in 1995 took decades of work, in recent years, high-throughput technologies have revolutionized the study of pathogens. Whole-genome sequences are now achievable within days and available for multiple pathogens, including those that cause neglected tropical diseases, which has advanced our understanding of the biology and evolution of pathogens. Crucially, such research has enabled important advances in the clinical management of infectious diseases, and continues to guide public health interventions worldwide. 

In this cross-journal special issue, guest edited by George Weinstock (The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, USA) and Sharon Peacock (University of Cambridge, UK), Genome Biology and Genome Medicine take stock of where we are now, with a collection of primary research and commissioned articles that discuss different aspects of the genomics of infectious diseases in human populations, including the progress made towards their eradication, and the remaining challenges in terms of both fundamental science and clinical management.

I have copied the list from their site (I am pretty sure this is OK since these are #OpenAccess journals but not 100% sure):

	Editorial    Human infectious diseases in the genomics era: where do we go from here? Ripudaman K Bains Genome Biology 2014, 15:529 (22 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Review    Genomic analysis of emerging pathogens: methods, application and future  trends Lucy M Li, Nicholas C Grassly, Christophe Fraser Genome Biology 2014, 15:541 (22 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research    The genome of the sparganosis tapeworm Spirometra erinaceieuropaei isolated  from  the biopsy of a migrating brain lesion Hayley M Bennett, Hoi Ping Mok, Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas, Eleanor J Stanley, Isheng J Tsai, Nagui M Antoun, Avril Coghlan, Bhavana Harsha, Alessandra Traini,  Diogo M Ribeiro, Sascha Steinbass, Sebastian B Lucas, Kieren S.J Allinson,  Stephen J Price, Thomas S Santarius, Andrew J Carmichael, Peter L Chiodini,  Nancy Holroyd, Andrew F Dean, Matthew Berriman  Genome Biology 2014, 15:510 (21 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research highlight    Stopping outbreaks with real-time genomic epidemiology Patrick Tang, Jennifer L Gardy Genome Medicine 2014, 6:104 (20 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Software    YMAP: a pipeline for visualization of copy number variation and loss of  heterozygosity  in  eukaryotic  pathogens Darren Abbey, Jason Funt, Mor N Lurie-Weinberger, Dawn A Thompson, Aviv Regev, Chad L Myers, Judith Berman Genome Medicine 2014, 6:100 (20 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF| Editor’s summary
	Comment    Single cell genomics of bacterial pathogens: outlook for infectious disease  research Jeffrey S McLean, Roger S Lasken Genome Medicine 2014, 6:108 (20 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Software    SRST2: Rapid genomic surveillance for public health and hospital microbiology  labs Michael Inouye, Harriet Dashnow, Lesley-Ann Raven, Mark B Schultz, Bernard J Pope, Takehiro Tomita, Justin Zobel, Kathryn E Holt  Genome Medicine 2014, 6:90 (20 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research    Genomic epidemiology of a protracted hospital outbreak caused by  multidrug-resistant  Acinetobacter baumannii in Birmingham, England Mihail R Halachev, Jacqueline Chan, Chrystala I Constantinidou, Nicola Cumley, Craig Bradley, Matthew Smith-Banks, Beryl Oppenheim, Mark J Pallen  Genome Medicine 2014, 6:70 (20 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Editorial    Next-generation pathogen genomics George M Weinstock, Sharon J Peacock Genome Biology 2014, 15:528 (19 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Software    Rapid Core-Genome Alignment and Visualization for Thousands of Intraspecific  Microbial Genomes Todd J Treangen, Brian D Ondov, Sergey Koren, Adam M Phillippy Genome Biology 2014, 15:524 (19 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF| Editor’s summary
	Method    BAsE-Seq: a method for obtaining long viral haplotypes from short sequence reads Lewis Z Hong, Shuzhen Hong, Han Teng Wong, Pauline PK Aw, Cheng Yan, Andreas Wilm, Paola F de Sessions, Seng Gee Lim, Niranjan Nagarajan, Martin L Hibberd, Stephen R Quake, William F Burkholder Genome Biology 2014, 15:517 (19 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF| Editor’s summary
	Editorial    Microbial sequencing to improve individual and population health Sharon J Peacock, George M Weinstock Genome Medicine 2014, 6:103 (19 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Opinion    Genomics and infectious disease: a call to identify the ethical, legal and social  implications  for public health and clinical practice Gail Geller, Rachel Dvoskin, Chloe L Thio, Priya Duggal, Michelle H Lewis, Theodore C Bailey, Andrea Sutherland, Daniel A Salmon, Jeffrey P Kahn Genome Medicine 2014, 6:106 (18 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Review    Epidemiologic data and pathogen genome sequences: a powerful synergy for public  health Yonatan H Grad, Marc Lipsitch Genome Biology 2014, 15:538 (18 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Method    Enhanced methods for unbiased deep sequencing of Lassa and Ebola RNA  viruses in clinical and biological samples Christian B Matranga, Kristian G Andersen, Sarah Winnicki, Michele Busby, Adrianne D Gladden, Ryan Tewhey, Matthew Stremlau, Aaron Berlin, Stephen K Gire,  Eleina England, Lina M Moses, Tarjei S Mikkelsen, Ikponmwosa Odia, Philomena E Ehiane,  Onikepe Folarin, Augustine Goba, S.Humarr Khan, Donald S Grant, Anna Honko,  Lisa Hensley, Christian Happi, Robert F Garry, Christine M Malboeuf, Bruce W Birren,  Andreas Gnirke, Joshua Z Levin, Pardis C Sabeti Genome Biology 2014, 15:519 (18 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF | PubMed| Editor’s summary
	Research    The conjunctival microbiome in health and trachomatous disease: a  case control study Yanjiao Zhou, Martin J Holland, Pateh Makalo, Hassan Joof, Chrissy h Roberts, David Maybe, Robin L Bailey, Matthew J Burton, George M Weinstock, Sarah E Burr  Genome Medicine 2014, 6:99 (15 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research    Proteomics informed by transcriptomics reveals Hendra virus sensitizes  bat cells to  TRAIL mediated apoptosis James W Wynne, Brian J Shiell, Glenn A Marsh, Victoria Boyd, Jennifer A Harper, Kate Heesom, Paul Monaghan, Peng Zhou, Jean Payne, Reuben Klein, Shawn Todd,  Lawrence Mok, Diane Green, John Bingham, Mary Tachedjian, Michelle L Baker,  David Matthews, Lin-Fa Wang  Genome Biology 2014, 15:532 (15 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF | PubMed| Editor’s summary
	Method    A phylogeny-based sampling strategy and power calculator informs  genome-wide associations study design for microbial pathogens Maha R Farhat, B Shapiro, Samuel K Sheppard, Caroline Colijn, Megan Murray Genome Medicine 2014, 6:101 (15 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF| Editor’s summary
	Review    Engineering the control of mosquito-borne infectious diseases Paolo Gabrieli, Andrea Smidler, Flaminia Catteruccia Genome Biology 2014, 15:535 (15 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research    A Genomic and Evolutionary Approach Reveals Non-Genetic Drug Resistance  in Malaria Jonathan D Herman, Daniel P Rice, Ulf Ribacke, Jacob Silterra, Amy A Deik, Eli Moss, Kate M Broadbent, Daniel E Neafsey, Michael M Desai, Clary B Clish, Ralph Mazitschek, Dyann F Wirth Genome Biology 2014, 15:511 (14 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research highlight    The road to drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Anastasia Koch, Robert Wilkinson Genome Biology 2014, 15:520 (13 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research highlight    A CRISPR design for next-generation antimicrobials Chase L Beisel, Ahmed A Gomaa, Rodolphe Barrangou Genome Biology 2014, 15:516 (8 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research     Evolution of extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a  susceptible  ancestor in a single patient Vegard Eldholm, Gunnstein Norheim, Bent von der Lippe, Wibeke Kinander, Ulf R Dahle, Dominique A Caugant, Turid Mannsåker, Anne Mengshoel,  Anne Dyrhol-Riise, Francois Balloux  Genome Biology 2014, 15:490 (7 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Opinion    Translating genomics research into control of tuberculosis: lessons learned  and future prospects Digby F Warner, Valerie Mizrahi Genome Biology 2014, 15:514 (7 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF | PubMed| Editor’s summary
	Comment     Empowering African genomics for infectious disease control Onikepe A Folarin, Anise N Happi, Christian T Happi Genome Biology 2014, 15:515 (7 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research highlight    Bringing non-human primate research into the post-genomic era: how  monkeys are teaching us about elite controllers of HIV/AIDS Eric J Vallender Genome Biology 2014, 15:507 (7 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research    Whole genome sequencing of SIV-infected macaques identifies candidate loci that  may contribute to host control of virus replication Adam J Ericsen, Gabriel J Starrett, Justin M Greene, Michael Lauck, Muthuswamy Raveendran,  David Deiros, Mariel S Mohns, Nicolas Vince, Brian T Cain, Ngoc H Pham, Jason T Weinfurter, Adam L Bailey, Melisa L Budde, Roger W Wiseman, Richard Gibbs, Donna Muzny, T homas C Friedrich, Jeffrey Rogers, David H O’Connor Genome Biology 2014, 15:478 (7 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research    Comparative analyses of Legionella species identifies genetic features of strains causing Legionnaires' Disease  Laura Gomez Valero, Christophe Rusniok, Monica Rolando, Mario Neou, Delphine Dervins-Ravault, Jasmin Demirtas, Zoe Rouy, Robert J Moore, Honglei Chen,  Nicola K Petty, Sophie Jarraud, Jerome Etienne, Michael Steinert, Klaus Heuner,  Simonetta Gribaldo, Claudine Médigue, Gernot Glöckner, Elizabeth L Hartland,  Carmen Buchrieser  Genome Biology 2014, 15:505 (3 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF| Editor’s summary
	Research    Staphylococcus aureus gene expression in a rat model of infective endocarditis Frank Hanses, Christelle Roux, Paul M Dunman, Bernd Salzberger, Jean C Lee Genome Medicine 2014, 6:93 (3 November 2014) Abstract | Full text | PDF | PubMed| Editor’s summary
	Research     Gene flow in environmental Legionella pneumophila leads to genetic and  pathogenic heterogeneity within a Legionnaires' disease outbreak Paul McAdam, Charles vander broek, Diane Lindsay, Melissa Ward, Mary Hanson, Michael Gillies, Mike Watson, Joanne Stevens, Giles Edwards, Ross Fitzgerald  Genome Biology 2014, 15:504 (3 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF | PubMed| Editor’s summary
	Research     Mapping and manipulating the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome using a  transcription factor overexpression-derived regulatory network Tige R Rustad, Kyle J Minch, Shuyi Ma, Jessica K Winkler, Samuel Hobbes, Mark J Hickey, William Brabant, Serdar Turkarslan, Nathan D Price, Nitin S Baliga, David R Sherman Genome Biology 2014, 15:502 (3 November 2014) Abstract | Provisional PDF | PubMed| Editor’s summary